History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 124

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

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RICHARD P. SCHOONOVER, son of Richard and Sophronia Schoonover, was born in Troupsburg, New York, February 8, 1854, and was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a common school education. In 1880 he located in Brook- field township, Tioga county, where he followed farming until 1892, when he em- barked in merchandising at Austinburg, in which business he still continues. Mr. Schoonover was married February 26, 1873, to Eliza Lurvey, a daughter of Ben- jamin and Eliza (George) Lurvey, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and has three children: Albertus, Hiram and Teresa. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; also, of the K. O. T. M., and the P. of H. In politics, a Democrat, he has served as clerk of Brookfield township three terms, and has been postmaster at Austin- burg since 1892.

DARIUS W. NOBLES was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsyl- vania, August 5, 1823, a son of Asahel and Hannah (Joseph) Nobles. His father, and grandfather, Azel Nobles, both settled in Brookfield township in 1816, locat- ing on the farm now the home of W. S. Hubbard, which was cleared and improved by Asahel Nobles, and on which Asahel and Darius W. lived and died. Azel, grand- father of Darius W., lived on the homestead but a short time. He removed to Farmington township, and there died. Five generations of the family have lived on the homestead, the wife of W. S. Hubbard being the fourth, and their son, Forrest L., the fifth. Asahel Nobles was the father of two children, viz: Hannah, who married John R. Coffin, and Darius W. The latter was born, reared and died on the old homestead. His wife was Cornelia Leonard, a daughter of Rev. Stephen A. and Peninah U. (Darrow) Leonard, of Westfield. She was the mother of four children, as follows: George R., Walter L., Emma P., wife of W. S. Hubbard, and Cora S., wife of Gaylord B. Simmons. Mr. Nobles died March 11, 1894. He was a stanch Republican, filled various local offices in his township, and was recognized as one of its most prominent citizens.

WINFIELD SCOTT HUBBARD was born in Troupsburg, Steuben county, New York, April 28, 1855, and is a son of Noah B. and Jemima (Cady) Hubbard. He was reared in his native town, and educated in the common schools. Since 1876 he has resided in Brookfield township, Tioga county, where he has been engaged in farming. August 28, 1881, he married Emma P. Nobles, a daughter of Darius W.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

and Cornelia Nobles, of Brookfield township, and has one son, Forrest L. Mr. Hubbard is a member of the K. O. T. M .; is a Republican, in politics, and has held various local offices in the township.

LOVEL PLANK, SR., a native of Pomfret, Connecticut, born April 24, 1795, was a son of William and Olive J. (Holmes) Plank, and a grandson of Ebenezer and Jedidah Plank, who were of English descent. Lovel was the youngest in a family of six children, named as follows: Matilda, Waldo, Elijah, Elisha, Elizabeth and Lovel. In 1831 he settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the farm now owned by his grandson, W. L. Plank, where he resided until his death, October 1, 1864, in his seventieth year. His wife was Mehitabel Metcalf, who died December 28, 1857, aged sixty-six years. She bore him six children, viz: Sylvester L., who married Permelia Stanton; Daniel L., who married Eliza White; Olive J., who married Samuel Robinson; Isaac, Charles H., who married Lurania Beebe, and Laura L., who married John George. Mr. Plank was a deacon in the First Baptist church of Brookfield for many years, and also took an active part in public affairs.

CHARLES H. PLANK, fourth son of Lovel Plank, Sr., was born in Paris, Oneida county, New York, January 19, 1820, and was eleven years old when his parents settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county. He assisted in clearing the old home- stead, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life, dying November 17, 1891, in his seventy-second year. His wife was Lurania Beebe, a daughter of Harry and Martha (Foote) Beebe, of Harrison township, Potter county. She bore him two sons, Spencer B., deceased, and Welcome L. Mr. Plank was a member of the Baptist church, and an adherent of the Republican party.

SPENCER B. PLANK, eldest son of Charles H. and Lurania Plank, was born on the old homestead in Brookfield township, June 25, 1851; was educated in his native county and in Woodhull, New York, and made farming his life vocation. He married Martha Pierce, a daughter of Zenas and Hannah (VanWinkel) Pierce. Mr. Plank died in Westfield township, April 14, 1893. He was a member of the Masonic order, and in politics, a Republican.

WELCOME L. PLANK was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, August 31, 1854, and is the only surviving child of Charles H. and Lurania Plank. He has lived upon the old homestead all his life, and has followed farming as a vocation. On December 31, 1872, he married Jane Ackley, a daughter of George and Susan (Yale) Ackley, of Clymer township, and is the father of the following children: Charles W., Arthur L., deceased; John S., Anna E., George H. and Ethel M. Mr. Plank is a member of the Baptist church, and a R. A. M. in the Masonic order. In politics, he is a Republican, and is recognized as a successful and enterprising citizen.

STEPHEN LANE, a son of Joseph and Susannah (Ives) Lane, was born in Dan- ville, New York, February 29, 1812. His father died in 1814, and his mother, who was a daughter of Titus Ives, one of the first settlers of Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, returned to that township after her husband's death. There our subject was reared to manhood, and soon after settled on the farm now owned by his son, William G., cleared and improved it, and died April 1, 1874. He married Jane George, a daughter of John and Olive (Gardner) George, of Brook-

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

field township, who had two children by this union, viz: Juliette, wife of G. J. Davis, and William G. Mr. Lane was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an adherent of the Republican party.

WILLIAM G. LANE was born on the Lane homestead in Brookfield township, Tioga county, June 20, 1850, and is the only son of Stephen Lane. He has always resided upon the home farm, and obtained a common school education in the district schools. On January 1, 1879, he married Ida Davis, a daughter of James and Jane (Finkner) Davis, of Westfield, and has two children, Bessie and Arthur. Politically, Mr. Lane is a Republican.

GEORGE W. HUNT was born in Connecticut, in 1771, a son of George and Mary (Herrington) Hunt. His father was a soldier in the French and Indian war, while he served in the War of 1812 for three months. He was married in Dutchess county, New York, to Mary Brown, a daughter of John Brown, a Revolutionary soldier. He removed to Delaware county, New York, and in 1844 settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade up to 1857. He died in 1859, at the age of eighty-eight years. To George W. and Mary Hunt were born eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Charles, Elizabeth, who married Eri Baker; John, Richard, George, Jane, who married William Millard; Sally, who married William Coffin; Jackson, Robert and Adam.

RICHARD HUNT, third son of George W. Hunt, was born in Middletown, Dela- ware county, New York, April 6, 1812, and was there reared and educated. He worked on a farm, and also as a carpenter and joiner until 1844, when he removed to Brookfield township, Tioga county, and cleared a part of the farm settled by his grandfather, John Brown. He made all the improvements in buildings, but sold out in 1866 and purchased the farm where he now resides. In 1838 he married Phoebe Van Dusen, a daughter of Lawrence and Peggy (Turner) Van Dusen, of Delaware county, New York. He has reared seven children, as follows: Martha, who married Andrew J. Simmons; Sylvester, who died in 1862, while serving in the Union army; Marietta, wife of Seth Kelly; George, Roxanna, wife of S. P. Chase; Violetta J., wife of Edgar McLean, and Lester B. The last mentioned is a native of Brookfield township, was there reared and educated, and has made farm- ing his life vocation. He married Rosetta Moore, a daughter of Samuel Moore, and has four children living, viz: Lettie, Rea, Ina and Richard E. He is a Re- publican, and has held several local offices of Brookfield township. Richard Hunt is proud of the fact that he has thirty-seven grandchildren and eight great-grand- children living. In religious belief, he is a Universalist. He is an adherent of the Republican party, and filled the office of treasurer of Brookfield township for one term.

PETER KILBURN, a native of Montreal, Canada, came from Vermont to Farm- ington township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, whence he removed to Wood- hull, New York, and in 1857 settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county. He cleared and improved a farm in this township, and died at Austinburg, in 1889, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. His wife was Sophia Burch, and their children were as follows: Sarah, wife of John B. Bush; Jonas G., Serena, wife of Jackson Bush; Solomon P., and Jane, wife of Joseph Bush.

4 .9. Killzum

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JONAS G. KILBURN, eldest son of Peter and Sophia Kilburn, was born in Or- well, Franklin county, Vermont, May 11, 1842, and came with his parents to Tioga county in 1854. Since attaining his majority he has devoted his attention to farm- ing. On September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and held the ranks of corporal and sergeant during his term of service. He took part in the battles of James Island, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredricks- burg, Chancellorsville, Knoxville, Jackson, Vicksburg, the Wilderness, and many other engagements. He was wounded in the left knee at the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, and laid in the woods three days before being picked up. He re-enlisted in December, 1863, and was honorably discharged from the service, July 17, 1865, having served nearly four years. In 1871 he married Libbie Wakley, a daughter of John B. and Mary (Woodward) Wakley, of Deerfield township, and has four children, viz: Walter J., Lola, Madge and Rena M. For some years Mr. Kilburn was a breeder of Hambletonian horses, and among other valuable animals, he bred "Kilburn Jim," with a record of 2.23, which he sold for the sum of $5,300. Mr. Kilburn is an ardent Republican, and is one of the representative and progressive farmers of his township.

STEPHEN P. CHASE was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, November 29, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Betsey T. (Payne) Chase, both of whom are dead. He came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, and on September 7, 1861, he en- listed in Company H, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers. He was enrolled as a private, and was promoted to corporal, sergeant, color-sergeant and color-bearer, suc- sessively. In March, 1862, he was taken sick with typhoid fever, and was confined in the regimental hospital near Good Hope, Virginia, for two months. On May 13, 1864, he was appointed color-bearer of the regiment, and at the battle of North Anna, by a conspicuous act of bravery, he rallied the regiment, which resulted in the capture of a line of rebel earthworks. Mr. Chase was honorably discharged at Brandy Station, Virginia, December 30, 1863, and re-enlisted the following day in his old company and regiment. He received a gun-shot wound in the left side of head, at Petersburg, June 18, 1864, and was in hospital at Washington, D. C., and Philadelphia, for five months. He has now in possession the bullet extracted from his head, and prizes it as a precious relic. The wound soon broke out, and on October 30, 1864, he was sent to City Point Hospital, where he was under treat- ment for nine weeks. During his service he took part in the battles of Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wapping Heights, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, South Anna, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and the final assault on the lines in front of Petersburg, April 2, 1865. He was finally mustered out of the service near Washington, D. C., June 27, 1865. Mr. Chase had two brothers in the service, Vincent, from Rhode Island, and Charles W., who was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. A brother of Mrs. Chase served in Company H, Eighty- sixth New York Volunteers, and died in the service. On November 21, 1867, Mr. Chase was married at Jasper, New York, to Roxanna S. Hunt, a daughter of Richard and Phoebe (Van Dusen) Hunt, of Brookfield township. Mrs. Chase was born January 21, 1848, and is the mother of the following children: Ina A., Cora B., Charlie W., Phoebe A., Maud and Lucy M. Mr. Chase has been superintendent of

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school at Brookfield most of the time since the war. He is a member of the R. P. Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield. He is a Republican, and has held the offices of justice of the peace, constable and collector of Brookfield township. He has made farming his life vocation, and is one of the most respected citizens in the community.

WILLIAM AUSTIN was born in Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, April 2, 1840, a son of James P. and Sally (Cook) Austin. In 1859 he located in Steuben county, New York, where he followed farming until 1861. In September of that year, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers. He partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and other minor engagements. He held the ranks of corporal and sergeant successively, and was honorably discharged February 7, 1864, on a surgeon's certificate of disability. He was slightly wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, but never reported it and continued in active duty. On his return to Steuben county, he continued farming until 1866, when he returned to Chautauqua county. In 1871 he located at what is now Austinburg, which is named in his honor, and there engaged in general merchan- dising until 1892. . A postoffice was established at this point in 1877, mainly through his efforts, of which he was the first incumbent. He held the office until August, 1893, when he voluntarily resigned. In June, 1878, he married Emeline Seely, of Troupsburg, New York, who bore him three children, all of whom are dead. His second marriage occurred October 30, 1888, with Harriet Seely, of Knoxville. Mr. Austin is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the G. A. R. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as clerk of Brookfield township two terms.

WILLIAM L. RYDER was born in Gloucester, England, January 8, 1857, and is a son of Charles Henry Ryder, a member of one of the old and well known families of that town. He was reared in his native land, and there received his education, with the exception of three winter terms after coming to the United States. At the age of fourteen he entered the British navy, where he spent five years. In 1875 he came to the United States, and located in Livingston county, New York, where he followed agricultural pursuits five years, and then removed to Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1891 he purchased what is known as the Grove farm, embracing ninety-six acres, prior to which year he had conducted the old Samuel Bacon farm. In 1879 Mr. Ryder mar- ried Mary Coleman, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza Coleman, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1856. Four children are the fruits of this union, viz: Mattie, Willie, Mabel and Maggie. Mr. Ryder is an attendant of the Metliodist Episcopal church, and a member of the K. O. T. M. Politically, a Republican, he is one of the respected citizens of Brookfield township.

GEORGE RIETTER was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, December 15, 1830, a son of Michael and Fredericka (Bach) Rietter. He was reared and educated in his native land, and in 1854 immigrated to the United States, and soon after located at Smeth- port, Mckean county, Pennsylvania, where he worked by the month on a farm for two years. He then engaged in farming for himself in that county, which he con- tinued for twenty-four years, four years at Smethport and twenty years at Rew City, clearing and improving a farm at the latter place. In 1881 he removed to Brook- field township, Tioga county, where he has since resided, and now owns a fine farm

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of 400 acres. Mr. Rietter was married August 24, 1856, co Rosa Burtch, a daughter of Frederick and Barbara (Fleisch) Burtch, of McKean county. Five children have blessed this union, viz: Christina W., wife of Gotthold Burtch; John F., Ernest, Frank and Delano. Mrs. Rietter died August 24, 1885, aged fifty-seven years. In politics, Mr. Rietter, is a Democrat, and in religion, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a prominent supporter of the Patrons of Husbandry, and is one of the most successful farmers in Brookfield township.

CHAPTER LXII.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CHATHAM, CLYMER, GAINES, ELK AND SHIPPEN TOWNSHIPS.

SYLVESTER TREAT, SR., was born in Madison county, New York, April 14, 1802, a son of Peter and Hannah Treat, who were of English ancestry, and settled in Chatham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1827, locating on the farm now owned by his son, Sylvester, which he cleared and improved from the wilder- ness. He resided there until his death, October 5, 1866. He first purchased 160 acres, to which he kept adding until he owned 300 acres of good land. He was one of the substantial citizens of Chatham, and was honored and respected by his neigh- bors. His wife, Lucinda, was a daughter of Abiatha and Alvira (Holt) Gates, of Madison county, New York, and bore him a family of seven children, viz: Mary, wife of Thomas Owlett; Lydia, wife of Dr. William B. Rich; Rufus G., Caroline, wife of L. D. Carl; Darinda L., wife of James H. Carl; Amelia, wife of Leonidas Avery, and Sylvester.

RUFUS G. TREAT, eldest son of Sylvester Treat, Sr., was born on his father's farm in Chatham township, Tioga county, July 31, 1832, there grew to manhood, and attended the common schools of his district. He owns and occupies a part of the old farm settled by his father, purchased before and since the latter's death, upon which he has lived since 1853. On August 14, 1853, he married Mary J. Snyder, a daughter of John and Adeline (Baker) Snyder, of Farmington township. They have reared a family of six children, viz: Caroline, wife of Thomas Ransom; Nellie, wife of George Ransom; Jesse, who married Lizzie Bosard; Mary, wife of E. W. Conklin; Ernest, and Ada, wife of Frank Palmer. In September, 1864, Mr. Treat enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was in the battle of Boydstown Plank Road, October 27, 1864, and for six weeks after was on picket duty at Fort Sedgwick, where he was transferred to the

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Army of the James, under Gen. B. F. Butler, and later under Gen. O. C. Ord. He was mustered out of the service June 28, 1865, and received his final discharge July 8, 1865. Mr. Treat is one of Chatham's leading farmers, and has been postmaster of East Chatham since 1870. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the G. A. R., and K. of H.

SYLVESTER TREAT, youngest son of Sylvester Treat, Sr., was born in Chatham township, Tioga county, upon the farm where he now resides, December 26, 1846. He was reared to manhood upon the old homestead, and became its owner at his father's death. This farm now embraces 150 acres of well-improved land. On September 28, 1868, Mr. Treat married Sarah Miller, a daughter of Samuel and Judy (Close) Miller, of Chatham township. They are the parents of eight children, viz: Lewis, Alice, wife of Judd Butler; Burt, Agnes L., Fannie, Claude S., Samuel and Clara. In politics, Mr. Treat is a Republican, and has held the office of school director for six years. He is a member of the K. of H., and one of the progressive farmers of the community.

MATTHEW BOOM was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1798, and was a son of Forgarty Boom. About 1836 he settled in Chatham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, taking up 200 acres of land, and built a log cabin in the midst of the forest. Here he cleared and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death. His wife, Caroline Pangburn, a native of Montgomery county, New York, was the mother of eight children, named as follows: John F., William, Mary A., who married James P. King; Sylvester, Phoebe E., wife of Paul Hunter; Darius, Melissa, wife of William Coburn, and Ben. Mr. Boom did service as a guide in the War of 1812. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a very worthy citizen.

BEN BOOM, youngest child of Matthew Boom, was born on the old homestead in Chatham township, Tioga county, April 4, 1842, there grew to manhood, and has always followed farming as an occupation. In 1861 he married Nancy Mattison, a daughter of Gardner and Betsey (Winegardner) Mattison, of Knoxville, Tioga county, and has two children: Carrie E., wife of Myron Reynolds, and Jessie. In politics, Mr. Boom is a Republican, and is a member of the K. of H. He is one of Chatham's progressive farmers, and owns and occupies the old homestead settled by his father about sixty years ago.

JEREMIAH GARNER was born in Chenango county, New York, October 3, 1804, and was a son of Gideon and Patty Garner. In 1841 he came from Locke, Cayuga county, New York, to Chatham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Delos, upon which he resided until his death, August 30, 1879, in his seventy-fifth year. He cleared and improved this farm through the passing years, and succeeded in making it valuable property. Mr. Garner was a hard-working, honest and industrious farmer, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. He was married to Maria Reynolds, October 2, 1825, to which union were born eight children, viz: Lucy A., wife of Charles Mosher; William J., Daniel W., Betsey J., wife of R. J. Mosher; Martha M., wife of John F. Ackley; Delos, Sarah L., wife of Amason Sensabaugh, and Lucius R. Mrs. Garner died March 5, 1875, in the seventieth year of her age.

DELOS GARNER was born in Cayuga county, New York, July 10, 1838, and came

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

to Chatham township with his parents, Jeremiah and Maria Garner, in 1841, since which time he has lived upon his present farm. He attended the district schools in boyhood, and his entire attention has been devoted to farming. Mr. Garner was married April 29, 1871, to Josephine Griffin, a daughter of Philo and Jane (Leach) Griffin, of Middlebury township. They have an adopted daughter, Millie E. In politics, Mr. Garner is a Republican, and is recognized as one of Chatham's leading citizens.

LUCIUS R. GARNER, youngest child of Jeremiah Garner, was born on the old homestead in Chatham township, Tioga county, June 12, 1844. He was reared in his native township, attended the common schools in boyhood, and has always fol- lowed farming as an occupation. Since 1880 he has resided on the old Sprague farm in Westfield township. On April 29, 1871, Mr. Garner married Mary Sprague, a daughter of Thomas and Keziah Sprague, of Westfield township, and has one son, Jerrold Paige. Mr. Garner is a Republican, has filled several local offices in the township, and is one of its respected citizens.

SOLOMON COOPER was born in Tompkins county, New York, April 5, 1827, a son of Jason and Maria (Champlain) Cooper. He came with his parents to Chat- ham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, where his father took up a tract of land, upon which he resided until his death. Jason Cooper was a soldier in the War of 1812, and reared the following children: Solomon, Erastus, Hannah, who married Warren Boom; Winchester E., Betsey, who married Henry Madison; Burdick, Robert, and Esther, who married William R. Freeman. On attaining his majority, Solomon Cooper engaged in farming, on the farm now occupied by W. E. Cooper, cleared and improved a part of it, and there died, January 11, 1856, in his twenty-ninth year. His wife, Urania J., was a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Stringer) Mack, of Cayuga county, New York. She became the mother of four children, three of whom survive: Eliza, wife of Norman Tremain; Jason and Joseph. Mr. Cooper was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, a Whig.

JOSEPH COOPER, youngest son of Solomon and Urania J. Cooper, was born in Chatham township, Tioga county, March 22, 1853. He left home when twelve years of age, and for five years worked at anything he could find to do. At the age of seventeen he engaged in farming, and so successful have been his efforts through the passing years, that he owns to-day 700 acres of land in Tioga county, principally in Chatham township. For upwards of twenty years Mr. Cooper has been engaged in buying and shipping stock to the New York markets, and also has been more or less interested in general merchandising. He has devoted his atten- tion to various other business interests, and has been generally successful in all his undertakings. Mr. Cooper was married July 9, 1870, to Helen Mosher, a daughter of Charles and Lucy A. (Garner) Mosher, of Clymer township, and has three chil- dren: Lelia, wife of Luther Davis; Delos, who married Ada McNinch, and Fred A. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as supervisor of Chatham town- ship for ten years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of H., and takes an active interest in social affairs. Mr. Cooper is pre-eminently a self-made man. Without any school advantages, he made his way in the world from the age of twelve

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 124

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