History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 118

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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GEORGE W. CURRAN, son of Henry Curran, was born on the old homestead in Chatham township, Tioga county, July 23, 1844, obtained a common school educa- tion, and resided on the home farm, which he still owns, until 1891. In that year he removed to Knoxville. He has always followed farming as a vocation, and for eight years made cattle droving a specialty, buying for the lower Pennsylvania markets. Besides the old homestead of 112 acres, he also owns a 100-acre farm adjoining. He served in Company G, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Fort Steadman and Petersburg, his company being in the front line during the latter engagement. He was honorably discharged June 5, 1865. Mr. Curran married Hattie M. Westbrook, a daughter of George and Lovisa (Taylor) Westbrook, of Middlebury township, September 1, 1867. After the death of Elias Curran and wife, they reared and educated his brother's three children, viz: Frankie M., wife of Frank C. Teachman; Samuel, and Nettie, wife of George H. Bloom. They have also an adopted son, Fred. In poli- tics, Mr. Curran is a Republican, and is a member of the K. of H. and the G. A. R.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

BENJAMIN VAN DUSEN was born in Maryland, Otsego county, New York, in 1806, a son of Jacob Van Dusen, whose ancestors were natives of Holland. He grew to manhood in his native county, and came to Chatham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, took up 150 acres of land, which he cleared and im- proved, and resided there until 1869. In that year he removed to Cattaraugus county, New York, where he died soon after at the age of sixty-three. His wife was Jerusha Lee, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Butts) Lee, of Chatham town- ship. Daniel Lee was a Revolutionary soldier and a relative of the Lee family of Virginia. She bore him a family of ten children, viz: Clarissa, Emily, who married Morris Seeley; Daniel, Jacob, Charles H., Mary, wife of William Townsend; Ben- jamin, Jerusha, wife of H. F. Daniels; James and Amelia, wife of Frank Godfrey.

CHARLES H. VAN DUSEN, son of Benjamin Van Dusen, was born on the old homestead in Chatham township, Tioga county, August 25, 1837. He received a good common school education, and taught school one term in Charleston town- ship. He clerked for two years in a store at Wellsboro. In October, 1861, he en- listed in Company C, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was honorably discharged from the service in June, 1862. On his return home he engaged in farming in Chatham township, which business he still continues, though he has resided in Knoxville borough since 1892. Mr. Van Dusen married Sallie A. Owlett, a daughter of Gilbert B. and Martha (Pope) Owlett, of Chatham township, January 17, 1866, and has three children: Kate, wife of Eugene Sprague; Claribel, wife of Harley R. Pride, and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dusen are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, he is a Republican. He has held nearly all the minor offices of both Chatham and Deerfield townships, and is connected with the P. of H., K. of H., and the G. A. R.

WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH.

JONATHAN SEAMANS, a native of Foster, Providence county, Rhode Island, born April 19, 1794, was a son of Israel Seamans, and a grandson of Thomas Sea- mans, who served as a major in the Revolution. Jonathan came to Westfield town- ship, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and settled on land now owned by Hol- lister Baker, in Westfield borough. In 1848 he removed to the land still owned by his sons, where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying August 15, 1867. He married Rebecca Tuttle, September 28, 1819. She was a daughter of Ayers Tuttle, who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was born in Catherine, Tompkins county, New York, May 16, 1803. She came with her parents to what is now Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1809, where she resided up to her death, September 16, 1873. Thirteen children were the fruits of this union, twelve of whom grew to maturity, viz: Polly R., who married Levi Scott; Eliza P., who married William Morris; Hannah L., who married Aurora Streeter; Israel A., William Orville, Eli B., Chloe L., who married John Potter; Lorania L., who mar- ried Frank Cowles; Sheldon Alonzo, Loren B., John M. and Milo P. The family is one of the oldest and best known in the county, and are earnest supporters of the principles and measures of the Republican party. Numerous descendants of Jonathan Seamans are living in Tioga county, and many of them are among the enterprising citizens of the community which he helped to found.

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WILLIAM ORVILLE SEAMANS, son of Jonathan and Rebecca Seamans, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, May 6, 1829, and has spent his entire life in the same. He cleared and improved a farm of seventy acres, and is one of the repre- sentative farmers of his native township. On April 17, 1853, he married Julett Thompson, a daughter of Demarcus L. and Philadelphia (Rowell) Thompson, of Westfield. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Seamans are among the well-known people of Westfield, and give an earnest support to every worthy object. In politics, he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.

ELI B. SEAMANS, son of Jonathan and Rebecca Seamans, was born in West- field township, Tioga county, August 23, 1831, was reared upon the homestead farm, and attended the public schools in boyhood. On attaining his majority he engaged in farming, and owns fifty acres of his father's farm, and 100 acres ad- ditional, most of which he has cleared and improved. In April, 1861, he enlisted for the Three Months' service, in the famous Bucktail regiment, and on May 3, of the same year, he re-enlisted for three years, in Company A, of the same regiment, known as the First Pennsylvania Rifles. He was in the battles of Drainsville, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, and Charles City Cross Roads, and was wounded in the last engagement, in three places, June 30, 1862. He was there taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison. After four months he was paroled and sent to Davis Island Hospital, where he remained four months, and was then detailed for garrison duty at Fort Hamilton, and assisted in putting down the New York riots of July, 1863. In September, 1863, he rejoined his regi- ment at Culpepper, Virginia, and took part in the battles of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Bethesda Church. On June 14, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the service at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and re- turned to his home in Tioga county. Mr. Seamans was married July 2, 1865, to Maria McMines, a daughter of William and Olive (Tubbs) McMines, of Westfield, who has borne him four children: Jennie, William, Albert and Justus. Mr. Sea- mans is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield, and in politics, he is a Republican.

SHELDON ALONZO SEAMANS, fourth son of Jonathan and Rebecca Seamans, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, February 15, 1839. He grew to manhood beneath the parental roof, and obtained his education in the common schools. He has been engaged in farming since attaining his majority, and owns and occupies a part of the old homestead, cleared and improved by his father. For upwards of thirty years he has also followed lumbering in connection with farming. From 1857 to 1865, he was connected with the leading lumber firm of Salamanca, New York, but since the latter year he has resided permanently on his farm. Mr. Seamans was married December 3, 1867, to Susan G. Boileau, a daughter of Daniel R. and Betsey Boileau, of Centre county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of two children: Daniel Ray, and Edna Rebecca. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held various local offices in his township. He is a member of Eulalia Grange, No. 1088, of Westfield, and is recognized as one of the foremost and enterprising citizens of the community.

STEPHEN POTTER, a native of Rhode Island, born in 1789, came to Tioga

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

county, Pennsylvania, in company with a party of settlers from his State, in 1817, and later cut a road through the forest from the site of Westfield borough to that of Potter Brook. Here he located in 1818, and cleared a farm of 125 acres. The vil- lage of Potter Brook stands on a part of the old homestead, the remaining thirty- five acres being owned by his son, George W. Mr. Potter was a stonemason and bricklayer, and followed that business for many years. It is said that he laid every stone in the front portion of the court house at Wellsboro. He learned his trade in Rhode Island, serving seven years' apprenticeship. He married Matilda Aldrich, to which union were born the following children: Sarah Ann, who married Charles H. Metcalf; Elizabeth, who married David Taylor; Stephen, who married Olive Wood; Jonathan, who married Hannah Brooks; Mary Adelcy, who married I. C. Thompson; Matilda, who married Calvin Brooks; William, who remained single; John, who married Chloe Seamans; George W., a resident of Westfield township, and Benjamin Franklin, who married Amanda Mack, entered the Union army, and died in Andersonville prison. Mr. Potter was a member of the Free Will Baptist church, and an adherent of the Republican party. He died April 9, 1875, in his eighty-seventh year. His wife died August 26, 1874, in the eighty-second year of her age.

GEORGE W. POTTER, the only surviving son of Stephen and Matilda Potter, was born on the homestead at Potter Brook, Tioga county, February 14, 1835, and obtained his education in the common schools and at Union Academy. On at- taining his majority, he worked for a short time at the mason's trade, and afterwards worked as a carpenter for fifteen years. He next engaged in farming, and has since operated a planing, shingle, feed and carding-mill. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was taken prisoner at the battle of Fredericksburg, and was confined in Libby prison about one month. From there he was sent to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained some five months, and was honorably discharged at Harrisburg after ten months' service. Mr. Potter has been married three times. His first wife was Mary L. Mulford, a daughter of Edward Mulford, whom he married January 1, 1869. She bore him three children: Newell, Eddie and Frank, and died July 13, 1883. His second wife was Emma R. Baker, a daughter of Harrison Baker, whom he married January 1, 1885. She became the mother of three children, viz: Lena, Leon and Nellie. He was again married July 20, 1895, to Mrs. Sarah E. Ordiway, widow of John Ordiway, and a daughter of Edwin Manning. She has one daughter by her former marriage, Ola Ordiway, now eighteen years of age. Mr. Potter is a Repub- lican, in politics, and a member of the G. A. R.

JAMES KING, SR., a pioneer of Westfield township, Tioga county, and a son of James and Rhoda (Allen) King, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 28, 1765. His father was born in December, 1731, and died December 16, 1818. The family traces its ancestry back to James King, who came from England to America and settled in Rhode Island. His son James married a Miss Clark, and reared two sons and several daughters. The sons were David and James. The former never married, but James married Rhoda Allen, and reared seven children, as follows: Keziah, Rhoda, Phoebe, James, Sarah, Amy and Rachel. The subject of this sketch settled on the farm in Westfield borough, now owned by C. E. Krusen, in

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

1825. He cleared and improved this property and at his death was buried thereon. He introduced and used the first cow stancheons in the county, and was quite a pros- perous farmer. He married Roby Howland, born March 9, 1769, who became the mother of thirteen children, viz: Prince, Allen, Eddy, Ozial H., Sarah, who married Christopher Sayles; John, James, Keziah, who married Joel Crandall; Willard H., Hannah, who married Stephen Partello; Roby, who married James Calkins; Adriel and Almon. There was also a half brother, Stephen, who was older than Prince. Mr. King died November 13, 1844, in the eightieth year of his age, and his wife, Roby, November 2, 1836, in her sixty-eighth year.

PRINCE KING, eldest son of James and Roby (Howland) King, was born in Bur- rillville, Providence county, Rhode Island, June 20, 1789. In 1815 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in 1821 settled on Jemison creek, in Westfield township. Here he cleared and improved a farm, upon which he died October 14, 1871, at the age of eighty-two years. He married Sally Seelye, a daughter of Eben- ezer Seelye, a Revolutionary soldier and a pioneer of Deerfield township. She was born May 4, 1800, the first white female child born in Deerfield, and died April 28, 1845. Ten children were the fruits of this union, viz: James, Allen, Julius S., Roby, who married Rufus A. Stanton; Ozial H., Ebenezer, deceased; Friendship F., who married Squire Southworth; Mary S., who married Ethan Taft, and died May 26, 1894, in Midland, Michigan; Prince W. and Willard A. Mr. King was a carpenter, and followed his trade in connection with farming. Originally a Democrat, he was a Republican from the organization of that party. He was called upon many times to fill various township offices, and was drawn as a juryman in the courts at Wellsboro twenty-one years in succession. Mr. King was a great bible student, led an exemplary life, and was highly respected by his friends and neighbors.

JAMES KING was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, April 9, 1820, a son of Prince King, and grandson of James King, Sr. His parents removed to Westfield township the year after his birth, where he grew to manhood. In 1842 he settled on the farm now owned by his sons, Lorenzo K. and Aaron P., cleared and improved it, and resided there until his death, April 4, 1894. He married Louisa Hoover, a daughter of John and Sarah J. Hoover. Her parents settled in Westfield township in 1833, where her father died in February, 1841, and her mother in June, 1847, aged sixty-three and sixty-six years, respectively. Mrs. King became the mother of seven children, viz: Sally J., who married Alexander Lattimer; Amelia, who married Seth Tremain; Adelia, who married G. H. Tremain (Amelia and Adelia were twins); Sarah M., wife of Charles T. Boom; Rhadetska, Lorenzo K. and Aaron P. Mrs. King died November 15, 1893, aged sixty-seven years. Politically, Mr. King was a Republican from the organization of that party, prior to which he was a Democrat, and held various local offices in the township. He was one of the well-known mechanics and bridge builders of Westfield.

RHADETSKA KING, son of James and Louisa King, was born on the homestead farm, in Westfield township, Tioga county, January 18, 1850, and obtained a common school education. He is a natural mechanic, and has followed carpentering, bridge building, and railroad contracting, in connection with farming. He has resided on his present farm since 1870, and is one of the prosperous citizens of the town- ship. He married Mary E. Boom, a daughter of John F. Boom, of Knoxville, Tioga

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

county. Five children were born to this union, three of whom are living, viz: Ef- fie, wife of Byron Havens; Jay and Dix Gilbert. In politics, Mr. King is a Repub- lican, and is one of the progressive citizens of the township.

LORENZO K. KING was born upon the homestead in Westfield township, Tioga county, May 13, 1852, a son of James and Louisa King. He was educated in the common schools and at Mansfield State Normal School; has followed the occu- pations of farmer, mechanic, teacher and jobber; was clerk in the county commis- sioners' office at Wellsboro for three years, and served one term as county auditor. He was one of the chief movers in organizing the Cowanesque Valley Agricultural Society; was untiring in his efforts to establish it on a firm foundation, and was its first president. He also started the Breeders' and Dairy Association of Tioga county, of which he is secretary. He has given considerable effort toward writing for various publications, and possesses good literary taste. Mr. King was married April 4, 1885, to Ada E. Haven, a daughter of Solon R. and Amelia A. (Kenyon) Haven, of Westfield township. She was born July 15, 1859, in Rutland, Tioga county, and taught fourteen terms of school. She is the mother of one son, James Rex. In politics, Mr. King is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising citizens of the township.

OZIAL H. KING, son of Prince and Sally King, was born on the old homestead in Westfield township, Tioga county, November 3, 1829. He learned the black- smith's trade, which he followed forty years in connection with farming and lum- bering, and has lived on his present farm since 1867. Mr. King was married May 13, 1854, to May Elizabeth Carpenter, a daughter of Samuel and Electa (Parker) Carpenter, of Westfield. She was born August 27, 1834, and is the mother of eight children, viz: Amy Celia, born March 16, 1855, wife of Charles W. Bryant; Electa L., born August 22, 1857, wife of Darius S. Short; Eddie P., born September 29, 1859; James Devillo, born May 12, 1862; Willard H., born August 12, 1864; Frank J., born November 7, 1871; Ward L., born June 5, 1873, and Earl, born May 30, 1877, and died July 15, following. In politics, Mr. King is a Republican.

WILLARD KING, the youngest child of Prince and Sally King, was born on the old homestead in Westfield township, Tioga county, August 29, 1843: He there grew to manhood, and has always made it his residence. At thirteen years of age he left school and started in life as a teamster, but since attaining his majority he has cultivated the homestead farm. For the past thirteen years he has been as- sociated with his brother, Prince W., in the lumber business. On October 26, 1883, Mr, King married Sarah Partello, a daughter of Stephen and Hannah (King) Partello, of Whitesville, New York. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.

WILLIAM HOWLAND, eldest son of John and Susannah (Salisbury) Howland, was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1814. His parents were natives of Rhode Island, and among the first settlers of Deerfield township, and later residents of Westfield. Their children were as follows: Wil- liam, Hannah, who married Eleazer Seeley; Miriam, who married Samuel Mon- roe; Polly, who married James Swimelar; Roby, Susan, second wife of Samuel Monroe, and John. The subject of this sketch cleared and improved a farm on Jemi- son creek, in Westfield township, now occupied by his widow, and owned by his son, John M. He married Sarah J. Hoover, a daughter of John and Sarah J. (Al-

hi, O Seamary

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

bert) Hoover, January 2, 1840. Her parents were residents of Westfield, whence they came from Schoharie county, New York, in 1830. Thirteen children were the fruits of this union, viz: Melvina, Emily, Miriam, who married Sherwood Hotal- ing; Sarah J., Polly, who married L. Helmer; John M., Hannah, wife of Dolph Brace; Susan, Louisa, Samuel, Bernicia, wife of Fred Warner; Theron, and Clara, wife of Lee Witlers. Mr. Howland was a prominent farmer of his day, and held various offices in the township. In politics, he was a Republican, and a member of the Baptist church for twenty-three years. He died June 7, 1892.

JOHN MELVIN HOWLAND, eldest son of William and Sarah J. Howland, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, May 17, 1849. He attended the com- mon schools of the district, and since attaining his majority has been extensively engaged in farming and lumbering, turning out about 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually. He is the owner of the old homestead in Westfield township, and also owns a fine farm in Chatham township. Mr. Howland was mar- ried April 21, 1867, to Jeannette Chapman, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Swimely) Chapman, of Clymer township, and has five children: Lena B., wife of Henry Spicer; Jennie, wife of Oren Mack; Lewell, who married Ella Mack; Maud, wife of J. W. Smith, and Zecal. In politics, he is an ardent Democrat; has held various township offices, and has served as a member of the Democratic county com- mittee. Mr. Howland is a R. A. M. in the Masonic order.

MELKIER LABAR, son of Melkier Labar, a native of France, was born in 1755, and settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son James. His wife was Margaret Jolly, who became the mother of twelve children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, as follows: Catherine, who married Jacob Krantz; Deborah, who married Elijah Bellews; George, Philinda, who married Morgan Huyler; Matilda, wife of Samuel Westgate; Priscilla, wife of Allen Brace; Phoebe A., wife of James Carpenter; John, Mary, wife of Delos Parrish, and James. Mr. Labar died on the homestead in Westfield township in 1851, at the ripe old age of ninety-six years.

JAMES LABAR, youngest son of Melkier Labar, was born in Tompkins county, New York, August 9, 1832, and was about two years old when his parents settled in Westfield township, Tioga county. He grew to manhood in this county, obtaining but a limited education in the common schools, and has since lived on the old home- stead, most of which he cleared from the original forest. He has erected all of the buildings now upon it, and has owned the farm since 1861. In September, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He was wounded in the last mentioned engagement, in June, 1864, and was honorably discharged from the service in July, 1865. In 1855 he married Harriet Hunt, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Knapp) Hunt, of Westfield town- ship, and has two sons: Elvernon and Marion S. Mr. Labar is a Republican, in politics, and is a leading farmer of his township.

TIMOTHY LEONARD was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, July 3, 1757, a son of Deacon Abiel and Abigail (Elliott) Leonard. His grandfather, Samuel Leonard, was a son of Thomas Leonard, and a grandson of James Leonard,

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

a native of England, who settled at Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1652. James Leonard was the progenitor of the Leonards of Taunton, and the ancestor of the Leonards of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He erected the first forge or furnace in the Plymouth Colony, which afterwards became the principal one in America. He and his sons often traded with the Indians, with whom they were on terms of friendship, and when King Philip's War broke out, strict orders were given that the Leonards should not be harmed. Thomas Leonard became a noted phy- sician; was a major in the militia, a justice of the peace, a church deacon, and judge of the court of common pleas from 1702 to 1713. Samuel Leonard, his fourth son, was a man of distinguished piety, and filled the offices of deacon in the church, captain and justice of the peace. Deacon Abiel Leonard, son of Samuel, was born February 26, 1710, and died October 27, 1802. But little of his history is known. Timothy Leonard, the subject of this sketch, married Susannah Presby, of Taunton, Massachusetts, who bore him a family of eight children. He was a man of strict integrity, earnest piety, and inherited the sterling qualities of his ancestors, with the exception that he lacked successful financial ability. He died at Smyrna, New York, July 10, 1830.

STEPHEN A. LEONARD, son of Timothy and Susannah Leonard, was born in Saratoga county, New York, September 9, 1798, and in 1836 he settled in West- field township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on what is now known as the Leonard homestead. He cleared and improved this farm, and resided there until his death, which occurred. May 4, 1868. On April 26, 1821, he married Penninah U. Darrow, to which union were born nine children, viz: Lovina H., who married C. Henry Judd; Sophia, who married Samuel B. Price; Cornelia, who married Darius W. Nobles; Walter, Timothy R., Peter D., S. Selina, who married Sidney Beach; Orpha and Delos F. Mr. Leonard was a licensed preacher of the Wesleyan Metho- dist church, and in politics, a Republican.

PETER D. LEONARD, son of Stephen A. Leonard, was born in Smyrna, Chenango county, New York, August 19, 1832, and was four years old when his parents located in Westfield township, Tioga county, where he grew to manhood. He was a farmer and manufacturer of cheese, and followed these vocations in .Westfield and Delmar townships, also in New York, Harrison Valley and North Bingham, Pennsylvania, finally returning to Westfield, where he continued to reside until his death, March 20, 1893. Mr. Leonard was twice married. His first marriage occurred March 14, 1859, to Selina Houghton, who died July 17, 1860. He was again married December 15, 1863, to Martha Peet, a daughter of Joshua and Eliza- beth (Allen) Peet, pioneers of Delmar township, Tioga county. To this marriage were born seven children, four of whom survive, two sons and two daughters.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 118

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454