History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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

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field Chapter, No. 265; Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, of Wellsboro, and Jemison Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Westfield. He was one of the founders of the Cowanesque Agricultural Society, of which he was president for several years, and it owes much of its success to his liberality and efforts. Mr. Plank is now the pioneer business man of Westfield and is recognized as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the Cowanesque valley.

HARVEY PLANK, the youngest son of Isaac and Sally Ann Plank, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, June 19, 1847, and was reared aud educated in his native township. After attaining his majority, he engaged in farming until 1883, when he removed to Westfield borough and embarked in the sash and blind manufacturing business, as a member of the firm of R. Krusen & Company, which he continued for two years. He then became a drover and stock dealer, which he followed five years. In 1891 he carried on a meat market in Westfield, and has since been engaged in various pursuits. Mr. Plank was married in 1871, to Jean E. McCoy, a daughter of Hiram and Appia (Coffin) McCoy, of Brookfield township, and has one daughter, Hattie. Politically, he is an earnest Republican, and is a member of the K. of H.

FRANK EBERLE was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 28, 1845, a son of Joseph and Fanny (Schalkohn) Eberle. The Eberle family were tanners for many gen- erations, while his mother came from an old and wealthy family of brewers. Frank was reared and educated in his native land, and there served an apprenticeship of three years at the tanner's trade in his father's tannery and under his father's instruction, and subsequently worked two years as a currier. In 1866 he immi- grated to Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked in his brother's tannery one year, as a currier, and in 1867 he located in Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He continued working at his trade for six months and then purchased the old tannery property of Ambrose Close, at that time almost completely run down. With characteristic enterprise and energy, Mr. Eberle soon remodeled and equipped the tannery with modern appliances and machinery, and gradually built up a suc- cessful business, his product, upper leather and harness leather, finding a ready market in the east, principally in New York City. Mr. Eberle's great energy was manifested on many occasions. During the flood of 1889 he suffered a loss of over $8,000, by the washing away of all his vats, barns and storehouses, but he imme- diately rebuilt the plant, which is to-day one of the best appointed and equipped tanneries in the State. On September 8, 1873, Mr. Eberle was married to Mary H. Jeager, a daughter of Alouis and Crescence (Lang) Jeager, of Germania, Potter county, to which union were born four children, viz: Joseph F., who has charge of the tannery; Frank and Fannie C., both deceased, and Cressie C. Mr. Eberle died April 16, 1895, almost in the prime of life. In his death Westfield lost one of its most substantial and useful citizens. In all that goes to make true manhood and the higher success in life he was a shining example. A kind father and husband, a good neighbor and a charitable man, he won and retained the respect of those who knew him best. He was the moving spirit in the erection of the new Episcopal church at Westfield and was an indefatigable worker in church affairs. He was ever ready to assist the needy and lend a helping hand to those starting in life. In politics, he was a Republican, and was a member of the Knights of Honor. His

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son, Joseph F., is following in his father's footsteps, having served an apprentice- ship at the tanner's trade in all its branches, and has now the general supervision of the business.

GEORGE BULKLEY, third son of Israel Bulkley, was born in what is now Osceola, Tioga county, October 2, 1801. He was reared on the old homestead; was a natural mechanic, and for some years carried on a general blacksmith and wagon shop. He also owned and conducted a farm and had a fine orchard in which he took much pride, but his taste was for mechanical pursuits. About 1823 he married Laura P. Whitaker, of Osceola, formerly of Rhode Island, who became the mother of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, viz: Olivia C., who married Julius Seelye; Sarah F., who married Ira D. Hotchkiss; Lucy M., who married Augustus Alba; Edwin B., Hannah, who married Jerome S. Warner; Julia, deceased, and Ralph. In early life Mr. Bulkley was a Whig, but was a stanch Republican from the organization of that party. He died January 17, 1867.

EDWIN B. BULKLEY, eldest son of George and Laura B. Bulkley, was born in Osceola, Tioga county, June 2, 1835. He was reared on the old homestead; edu- cated in the common schools and at Deerfield Academy, and began life as a farmer upon the home place. On March 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty- sixth New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged from the service October 18, 1862, because of disability through typhoid fever. In 1868 he located at West- field, where he has since resided. Mr. Bulkley has been twice married. His first wife was Della H. Ellison, a daughter of Richard and Jane (Hazlett) Ellison, of Nelson, Tioga county, who bore him one son, Ira E. The latter married Maude Williams. Mr. Bulkley's second marriage occurred March 30, 1864, to Malvina Doud, a daughter of Harrison and Emily (Miller) Doud, of Lenoxville, Susque- hanna county, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of three children, viz: Emily, wife of James Streeter; George H., who married Rachel Strait, and Charles E. Mrs. Bulkley's father, Harrison Doud, was a member of the Thirteenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, and was a prisoner in Libby prison for some time. Her brother, George H. Doud, also served three years and ten months in the late war. Mr. Bulkley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is an Episcopalian. He is one of the charter members of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., and is also a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield. In politics, he is a Republican.

LYMAN HANCOCK was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, in 1799, removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and settled in Clymer township. He cleared a portion of a farm from the wilderness, and resided upon it until 1868, when he removed to Westfield, where he died in 1882. His wife, Rhoda Ide, bore him a family of seven children who grew to maturity, viz: Electa, who married Freeman Wilcox; Sophronia, second wife of Freeman Wilcox; J. Warren, John, Oliver, Lyman and William.

JAMES WARREN HANCOCK, eldest son of Lyman and Rhoda (Ide) Hancock, was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, July 5, 1830, and came to Tioga county with his parents when six years of age. He was reared in Clymer town- ship, and cleared about sixty acres of the home farm before he was of age, his father having been an invalid from the time our subject was thirteen years old, and never

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

afterward able to work. He obtained a limited education in the common schools of his neighborhood; learned the carpenter's trade, and has followed that business since attaining his majority. He lived in Clymer township until 1870, in which year he removed to Westfield, where he has since resided. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and other minor engagements, and was honorably discharged from the service in August, 1865. In 1851 Mr. Hancock married Clarissa, a daughter of Harry M. and Luna (Coburn) Hill, of Clymer township, and has two children: Mary, wife of Lovel Plank, and Clarence. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield. He is also connected with Westfield Lodge. No. 477, F. & A. M., and Westfield Chapter, No. 265, R. A. M.

WILLIAM KIZER was born in Greenwich, Sussex county, New Jersey, March 7, 1808, and came from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Farmington township, Tioga county, in 1845. Here he cleared and improved a farm, on which he resided until his death, in 1866. His wife was Susannah M. Stocker, a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, whom he married in Wilkes-Barre, February 7, 1836. She bore him a family of nine children, all of whom are living, viz: Morris, Delilah, wife of Samuel Satterlee; Warren H., William M., Frances A., wife of John J. Mascho; John A., Mary A., wife of Charles Stansborough; Charles C. and Legrand R. Mr. Kizer was a Republican, and a stanch adherent of his party.

WILLIAM MORGAN KIZER, third son of William and Susannah M. Kizer, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1842, and was reared in Farmington township, Tioga county, from the age of three years. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and was engaged in farming, and later in butchering, in Westfield and Wellsboro. Since 1869 he has been a resident of Westfield, where he followed farming and merchandising until he finally retired from active busi- ness. On May 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company L, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and participated in most of the battles of the Army of the Potomac, including Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. He received a bayonet wound at Ream's Station, August 21, 1864; was taken prisoner, and confined in Libby, Danville and Salisbury prisons until March, 1865. He was then paroled, and was honorably discharged from the service May 30, 1865. Mr. Kizer was married April 1, 1866, to Nettie Tubbs, a daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Lewis) Tubbs, of Brookfield township, Tioga county, and has one son, Samuel T., who married Bertha Pritchard, of Westfield. Mr. Kizer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife of the Universalist church. In politics, he is a Republican, and is connected with the G. A. R., and the P. of H.

JOSEPH P. SIMMONS was born at Italy Hill, Yates county New York, February 13, 1838, a son of Peter and Sarah (Perry) Simmons. He was reared in West Union, Steuben county, New York, attended the common schools during his boy- hood, and commenced life as a farmer in West Union. In 1864 he embarked in the mercantile business at Oswayo, Potter county, Pennsylvania, but after six months removed to White's Corners, same county, and engaged in general mer- chandising and farming for eight years. In 1872 he located at Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since continued the mercantile business. His wife was Lucy

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M. Mosher, a daughter of Lola Mosher, of Big Flats, Chemung county, New York, to whom have been born two sons: George H. and Arthur W. Mr. Simmons is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the E. A. U., and in politics, he is a supporter of the Republican party.

GEORGE H. SIMMONS, eldest son of Joseph P. Simmons, was born in Corning, Steuben county, New York, September 2, 1857. He was reared in New York and Pennsylvania, and was educated in the common schools and at Alfred University. He came to Westfield with his parents in 1872, and in 1879 embarked in the livery business, which he has since continued. He was married September 11, 1878, to Fannie L. Packard, a daughter of Peter M. Packard, of Oxford, New York. Mr. Simmons is a member of the F. & A. M., and the K. O. T. M. He is a stanch Re- publican, and has served seven consecutive years as constable of Westfield borough.

WILLIAM H. PARSONS was born in what is now Gallatin, Columbia county, New York, July 4, 1827, and is a son of Joshua and Maria (Miller) Parsons, who were of Scotch and Holland Dutch descent. He was reared in his native county, receivd a limited education in the common schools, and served five years' apprentice- ship at the tailor's trade at Hudson, New York. After working as a journeyman three years in Hudson, he removed in 1850 to Lanesboro, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he carried on business for himself thirteen years. He was afterwards located in business at Unadilla, Gilbertville and Stamford, New York, and in 1872 settled in Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since conducted a merchant tailoring business. Mr. Parsons has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Baker, a daughter of Lewis Baker, of Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, who became the mother of three children: George A., William H., and Frank F. His second wife was Antoinette Flint, a daughter of Henry Flint, of Unadilla, New York, to which union has been born six children, namely: Alice, Lester, Edwin, Anna B., Vanness and Charles J. His wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Parsons is a Republican, and has held various offices in Westfield, having served nine successive years as school director, and is now serving his sixteenth year as justice of the peace.

CHRISTOPHER SAYLES was born in Burrellsville, Rhode Island, January 18, 1791, a son of Christopher and Martha (Brown) Sayles. He was of the fourth genera- tion from John Sayles, who came to America from England in the Seventeenth century, and a great-grandson of Roger Williams. He was reared in his native town, and spent three years in Vermont, where he learned the blacksmith's trade. In March, 1825, he removed with his family to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, settling in Delmar township, where he followed his trade until 1828. He then purchased a farm on Jemison creek, in Westfield township, and conducted a farm in connection with his trade until 1856, when he removed to a farm near the village of West- field. In 1863 he went to Wellsville, New York, where he lived for eighteen years. Returning to Westfield township in 1881, he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Keziah Batcheller, until his death, July 10, 1884, in his ninety-fourth year. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of James and Roby (Howland) King, of Rhode Island, and a descendant of John Howland and Governor Winston, of Massachu- setts, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. She bore him a family of eight children, who grew to maturity, viz: Ira, Roby, who married Henry Crandall;

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James, Loren, Martha, who married Joseph Pickett; Philander, Keziah, who mar- ried Harrison Batcheller, and Adriel K. Mr. Sayles is one of the well remembered pioneers of the community.

ADRIEL K. SAYLES, youngest son of Christopher and Sarah Sayles, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, December 9, 1832. He was reared in his native township, learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother James and others, and afterwards followed that business for twelve years as a journeyman. He served in the Rebellion three years, as a sergeant of Company A, of the famous Bucktail regiment, enlisting in 1861 and being honorably discharged in 1864. Mr. Sayles was wounded at Spottsylvania Court House, and participated in nearly every battle in which his regiment was engaged during his term of service. In 1865 he estab- lished a blacksmith shop at Edgcomb, and for more than twenty years he has carried on the same business at Westfield, doing the leading business in his line in the bor- ough. In 1862 be married Martha Bennett, a daughter of John and Betsy (Shouff) Bennett, of Elkland, and has two sons: Edmund K., and Elmer T. Mr. Sayles is a stanch Republican, is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., and is con- nected with Westfield Lodge, No. 477, and Westfield Chapter, No. 265, F. & A. M.

ARTHUR L. BOTTUM, M. D., was born in what is now Nelson township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1847, and is a son of Walter C. and Content (Culver) Bottum. His father was born in Connecticut in 1805, was a son of Clark and Hannah (Clark) Bottum, and came to Tioga county in 1829, his parents coming later and settling in Nelson township. Walter C. was extensively engaged in the lumber business for upwards of thirty years, and during this period he erected three saw-mills in the Cowanesque valley. He also cleared and improved a farm in Nelson township, upon which he resided until 1861, when he removed to Wood- hull, Steuben county, New York. In 1886 he returned to Tioga county, and made his home with his son in Westfield until his death, which occurred in 1890, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. His wife was a daughter of Amasa Culver, a native of New England and a surveyor by profession. Her father was one of the pioneers of Tioga county, and owned at one time a portion of the land now embraced in Wellsboro. Mrs. Content Bottum, mother of our subject, was born in what is now Nelson township, Tioga county, in 1810, and was one of six pupils which formed the first private school in that section of the county. She was the mother of six children, as follows: Dorothea, Sarah, who married Samuel Hazlett; Hannah, who married Lester Dorrance; Cornelia, who married T. A. Patterson; Clark, and Arthur L. The last mentioned was reared in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and Steuben county, New York, and received an academical education at the Knoxville and Woodhull Academies. In 1871 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Wil- liam T. Humphrey, of Osceola, Tioga county, later took a course of lectures at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the Detroit Medical College, Detroit, Michigan, in 1875. In the spring of that year he located at West- field, where he continued to practice for nine years. He then went to Europe and took a special course at the Royal Imperial Hospital of Vienna, whence he returned to Westfield to continue his professional duties. Dr. Bottum has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and is recognized as one of the leading physicians of his native county. In 1891 he established a private hospital

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in Westfield, for special diseases of women and surgery, which has proven a success- ful venture. On April 13, 1876, Dr. Bottum was married to Lettia, daughter of David and Isabel (Tate) Webber, of Westfield, and has two children: Charles N., and Content A. The Doctor was a member of the old Tioga County Medical Society during its existence, and in June, 1896, he was elected president of the present society. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and has always taken a deep interest in the growth and progress of medical science. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and is connected with the I. O. O. F., the K. of H., and the K. O. T. M.

JOSEPH FREDERICK RUGABER was born at Hazleton, Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, June 16, 1855, a son of Christian Z. and Mary G. (Pfluger) Rugaber, natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. His father came to Pennsylvania in 1852, and located at Hazleton, removing in 1857 to Germania, Potter county, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness. He was one of the pioneers of that section and took an active part in building the first public highways in his vicinity. He served in the Re- bellion one year, as a member of Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was the father of ten children, as follows: C. Henry, J. Frederick, Minnie, who married C. N. Rawson; Christian G., Sophia B., who married Cyrus Quick; Pauline C., who married Fred Hagemann; George W., Gottlieben D., who married John McKay; John, and Mary M., wife of Fred Daggett. Mr. Rugaber died in 1885. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared on the homestead in Germania, Potter county, and graduated from the Wellsboro Academy in 1872. In 1873 he entered on an appren- ticeship to the shoemaker's trade, and served three years. In 1876 he engaged in the shoe business at Westfield, as a member of the firm of Northrup & Rugaber, which partnership existed until 1881. In that year he purchased the plant of the Free Press, at Westfield, which he carried on successfully for ten years, enlarging the subscription list from 300 to 1,000 in a short time, and changing the sheet from a four to an eight-page paper. He sold the plant in 1891, and has since conducted a job printing office in Westfield. Since 1892 he has also been proprietor of a variety store. In 1883 he married Sophia Baur, a daughter of John J. and Amelia Baur, of Elmira, New York. They have four children: Charles F., Emma, Arthur and Walter. Mr. Rugaber is a member of the Lutheran church; is a Republican in politics, and is connected with Jemison Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Westfield, Westfield Encampment, Canton Keystone of Wellsboro, the F. & A. M. and the K. O. T. M.

EDWARD M. TUCKER, president of the Farmers and Traders Bank, of Westfield, was born in Troupsburg, Steuben county, New York, February 21, 1839, a son of John and Lydia (Farwell) Tucker. His paternal grandparents, Daniel and Sally J. (Mackenzie) Tucker, were of Scotch ancestry, and were among the pioneers of Chenango county, New York, where they cleared a farm from the primitive forest which is still in the possession of their descendants. Daniel Tucker was the young- est of several brothers who served in the Revolution, two of whom died in the ser- vice. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Abram M. and Lydia (Jackson) Farwell, were of Puritan stock. His father, John Tucker, was born in Chenango county, New York, May 8, 1797, and removed to Steuben county in 1827, where he engaged in lumbering. He afterwards followed agricultural pursuits and cleared

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a farm which is still owned by the family. He was the father of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity and are now living, as follows: Edward M., Jeannette, wife of L. A. Williams; Daniel A., Catherine S., wife of Oscar F. Spencer, and Naomi. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old homestead in Steuben county, New York, was educated in the common schools and Oxford Academy, and commenced life as a farmer in his native county, where he resided until 1871. In that year he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in 1872 embarked in merchandising at Little Marsh, in which he continued until 1877, when he removed to Westfield. Here he followed the mercantile business in connection with the pur- chase of tan bark for the Osceola tannery until 1885, when he became the leading spirit in establishing the Farmers and Traders Bank of Westfield, the only banking house in the borough. It proved a successful business venture, and is recognized as a solid, substantial institution. Mr. Tucker was married in 1862, to Esther M. Perry, a daughter of Wooster and Maria (Lncas) Perry, of Woodhull, Stenben county, New York. They are the parents of two children: Erna L., wife of W. R. Westbrook, and Perry H. Politically, Mr. Tucker is a Republican, and is a member of Ossea Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., of Wellsboro. He is a progressive and enter- prising citizen, and has shown his public spirit in many ways since locating in Westfield.

JOHN WESLEY SMITH was born in Wayne, Steuben county, New York, February 11,1852, a son of Benjamin and Lydia J. Smith. His father was a native of England, and came to the United States with his parents in childhood. He was reared in Steuben county, New York, learned the carriage maker's trade, and carried on a shop of his own. He married Lydia J. Smith, a native of Orange county, New York, where her parents were pioneers. Three children were born to this union, viz: John Wesley, George S., deceased, and Carrie, wife of Edward Kniskern, of Elmira. In religion, Mr. Smith was a Methodist, and both he and his wife took a deep interest in church affairs. He died February 22, 1890, aged seventy-two years. His widow resides in Wayne, New York. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native place, was educated in the public schools, and began his busi- ness life in 1876 as manager of Strock's Hotel, Woodhull, New York, where he remained two years. In the spring of 1878 he came to Westfield, Tioga county, as manager of the Westfield House, and in November of the same year purchased the hotel, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. Mr. Smith was married September 3,1876 , to Maria VanGorden, a daughter of J. D. VanGorden, of Barrington, New York. One daughter, Inez, was born to this union, but died in infancy. Mr. Smith is a member of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M .; also of Westfield Chapter, No. 262, and Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, of Wells- boro. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is recognized as one of the progressive citizens of Westfield.

HENRY EICK was born in Prussia, Germany, March 20, 1847, a son of Frederick and Mary (Wilson) Eick, who came to America in 1868 and located in Hancock, Sullivan county, New York. In 1877 they removed to Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where they spent the remaining years of their lives. They had a family of five children, viz: Henry, Mary, wife of Hngh McNellen; Ricka, deceased; Minnie, wife of Henry Roner, and Betty, wife of John Weeks. The subject of this

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 120

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