History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 125

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania > Part 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

950

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

years, and is to-day one of the leading business men of his native county, as well as one of its largest land-owners

GEORGE FERRIS was born in Locke, Cayuga county, New York, in 1822, and was a grandson of Joseph Ferris, a native of New England. He came to Chatham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1851, where he cleared and improved a farm, now owned by Lucy Ann Goodwin, and a grandson, Loren Clark. In later life he purchased another farm near Shortsville, Chatham township, where he died in 1877, in his fifty-sixth year. He married Huldah A. Harris, a daughter of Joseph and Eunice (Boga) Harris, of Massachusetts, who bore him three children: Joseph H., Lucy Ann, wife of William Goodwin, and George A. Mr. Ferris was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an adherent of the Republican party.

JOSEPH H. FERRIS, eldest son of George Ferris, was born in Locke, Cayuga county, New York, December 13, 1844, and was in his seventh year when his parents located in Chatham township, Tioga county. He obtained his education in the common schools and at the State Normal School, Mansfield. At eighteen years of age he began his career as a teacher, and followed that profession during the winter seasons for fifteen years. He was principal of Westfield High School in 1877, and taught his last term at Little Marsh in 1880. Mr. Ferris has also followed the carpenter's trade to some extent, as well as farming, and was in the mercantile business at Little Marsh for a year and a half, and for several years was engaged in huckstering on a large scale. On December 28, 1876, he married Emma J. Cady, a daughter of Jerry P. Cady, of Cayuga county, New York. They are the parents of four children, viz: Earl J., Frank A., Sadie Z. and Nellie. Mr. Ferris is a stanch Republican, and was elected sheriff of Tioga county in 1885, and served three years. He has also held nearly all the different local offices in Chatham township, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ALVIN H. RICE, a native of Delaware county, New York, born December 2, 1810, settled in Chatham township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1847, on a tract of forest land, where he cleared and improved a farm, built a saw-mill and blacksmith shop, and carried on one of the first stores at Little Marsh. His wife was Sally Faulkner, and their children were as follows: Luther, Orrin, George W., Erastus, Austin D., Chancey J., Amelia A., William A., James M., Reuben H., Sally A. and Charles A. Mr. Rice died March 22, 1869, and his wife, January 27, 1880.

AUSTIN D. RICE was born in Delaware county, New York, June 1, 1839, a son of Alvin H. Rice, and came to Chatham township, Tioga county, with his parents when he was about eight years old. He attended the district schools in boyhood, and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about seven years. On September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served with his regiment in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. He lost his left leg in the latter engagement, September 17, 1862, and received an honorable discharge in March, 1863. On his return home he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed eight years, but later engaged in general merchandising for five years, since which time he has followed agricultural pursuits more or less. Mr. Rice was married July 11, 1868, to Martha A. English, a daughter of George and Ellen (McEwen) English, of Delmar township. Her father was a native of Ireland, and her mother of Delmar township, Tioga county. Her maternal grandfather,

951

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

John McEwen, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a pioneer of Delmar township. His wife was a Miss Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have two children living: Ellen wife of Ural King, and Hazel. Mrs. Rice is a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps, of Little Marsh. Mr. Rice is a member of the G. A. R., the U. V. L., the K. O. T. M., and the K. of H. In politics, he is an ardent Democrat, and served four years as postmaster of Little Marsh under President Cleveland's first administration. He was appointed to the same office in 1894, which he now occupies, and has held various local offices in Chatham township, including that of justice of the peace for twenty-four years.

NORMAN A. ASHTON was born in Cayuga county, New York, November 10, 1827, a son of Matthew and Esther (Lewis) Ashton. He was reared in that State, there married Hannah C. Nichols, a daughter of Henry and Electa (Risden) Nichols, of Livingston county, and in 1864 came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and en- gaged in farming in Chatham township. Here he continued in agricultural pursuits up to his death, May 17, 1890. Five children were born to him, four of whom grew to maturity, viz: Frances, wife of J. M. Swimelar; Catharina, wife of Grant Gleason; Nathan W. and Henry A. Mr. Ashton was a Democrat, and filled various local offices in his township.

BENJAMIN J. FULKERSON, physician and surgeon, was born in Gulich town- ship, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1855, a son of Daniel and Eleanor (Stephens) Fulkerson, and is of Welch and German extraction. He was educated at Reed Institute, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and in 1873 began the study of medicine with Dr. W. H. Edwards, of Smith's Mills, Clearfield county. In 1874-75, he attended a course of lectures at Bellevue Medical College, New York, and in 1879- 80, and in 1880-81, he attended lectures at the University of New York City, where he was graduated in March, 1881. In August of that year, he located at Little Marsh, in Chatham township, Tioga county, where he built up quite an extensive practice, and became widely known as a good physician. In 1895 he removed to Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where he now resides and pursues his profession. Dr. Ful- kerson was married September 1, 1881, to Ida J. Alleman, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Shoemaker) Alleman, of Alleman's, Clearfield county. They are the parents of three children, viz: Katie, Eleanor and Daniel. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. of H., and the K. O. T. M. societies.

CLYMER TOWNSHIP.

LUKE SCOTT was born in Vermont, May 11, 1765, and settled at Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, where he engaged in lumbering. He sub- sequently lived on Troup's creek, in Deerfield township, and resided with his son Rufus, in Clymer township, at the time of his death, September 19, 1828. His wife was Chloe Darling, and their children were as follows: Joanna, who married Julius Seely; Stephen, Luke, Caroline, who married Archibald Knox; Orril, who married John Goodspeed, Sr .; James, Rufus, Charles, and Harriet, who married Orson Pemberton.

RUFUS SCOTT, son of Luke Scott, was born in New Hampshire, July 24, 1802, and was about two years old when his parents settled at Knoxville, Tioga county. In 1823 he located in Clymer township, where he cleared and improved the farm

952

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

now owned and occupied by his son, Eli D., and resided there until his death, June 4, 1884, aged eighty-two years. His wife, Caroline, was a daughter of Robert and Hannah (Mattison) Dickens, of Clymer township. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity, viz: Lafayette, Luke, James, Joel, Eli D., Chloe, who married Stephen Dickens; Lemuel and Winfield.

WINFIELD SCOTT, youngest son of Rufus Scott, and grandson of Luke Scott, the pioneer, was born on the old Scott homestead in Clymer township, May 18, 1847. He was educated at Union and Ulysses Academies, and has always followed farming as an occupation. With the exception of a two years' residence in Hector township, Potter county, he has spent his entire life in Clymer township. In 1873 he married Rosina Scott, a daughter of Levi and Polly (Seamans) Scott, of Westfield, and has one daughter, Julia L. Mr. Scott is a leading farmer of Clymer, and an active supporter of every worthy enterprise. In politics, he is a Republican, and in religion, an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the K. O. T. M., and the P. of H., and takes a deep interest in both societies.

SILAS S. GRIFFIN was born in Georgetown, Madison county, New York, June 30, 1811, a son of William and Polly (Sweet) Griffin, and was of English descent. His grandfather, Conrad Griffin, immigrated from England to Long Island. Our subject was reared in his native county, and in 1833 settled in Clymer township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he cleared and improved a farm, now occupied by his widow, the wife of Charles F. Bruce, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Bethlehem Thompson, a pioneer of Deerfield and Clymer townships. Two children were the fruits of this union: Mary E., who married Hannibal Ladd, and Lucius. On May 7, 1845, he married Susannah M. Thomas, a daughter of Abial P. and Lydia L. (Pickett) Thomas, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively, and early settlers of Troupsburg, New York. Eight children were born to this marriage, viz: Silas Alvin, William Albert, Lucetta S., wife of Rinaldo Taylor; Maretta L., wife of William Paull; Maletta Lavina, wife of John South- worth; Annis Adora, wife of Eugene Schoonover; Lemuel A., and Sarah J., wife of James Kernan. Mr. Griffin was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and in politics, a supporter of the Republican party.

SILAS ALVIN GRIFFIN, eldest son of Silas S. and Susannah M. (Thomas) Griffin, was born in Clymer township, Tioga county, January 4, 1846. He was educated in the common schools and Union Academy. In August, 1864, he en- listed in Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in all of the battles in which his regiment was engaged until the close of the war. He was wounded in the right leg in the last fight in front of Peters- burg, and was honorably discharged from the service May 31, 1865. After his return home, he remained on the homestead until 1868, when he removed to a farm of his own. He has cleared four farms in Clymer township, has resided on his pres- ent farm since 1879, and is one of the largest land-owners in this section of the county. On August 11, 1867, he married Sarah E. Hurd, a daughter of Russell and Louisa (Higgins) Hurd, of Gaines township, who bore him seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, viz: Benjamin A., who married Olive Hoagland; Eva M., who married Frank Kernan, and died leaving one son, George Alvin, now being

953

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

reared by our subject; Maretta A., wife of Clayton Scott; Clark S., and Walter D. Mr. Griffin is one of the prominent and progressive farmers of Tioga county, and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. In politics, a Republican, he has held the office of school director several terms, and is a leading member of the G. A. R.

ISAAC BEACH, a native of Dutchess county, New York, came from Tompkins county, New York, to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1836, settling in Clymer township, then a part of Westfield. He cleared and improved a farm, now occupied by his son Burdett, where he also kept a store and entertained the travel- ing public. He was quite a prominent citizen of his time, and both he and wife died upon the old homestead. Her maiden name was Jane Miller, a native of Tompkins county, New York, and she became the mother of seven children who grew to maturity, viz: Jefferson B., Emily, who married Joshua Rushmore; Clark W., Burdett, Annette, wife of Israel Smith; Almira, who married John Sunderlain, and Miranville K. Mrs. Beach was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but her husband was connected with no religious denomination.

JEFFERSON B. BEACH, eldest son of Isaac and Jane Beach, was born in Dryden, Tompkins county, New York, August 25, 1825, and came with his parents to what is now Clymer township, Tioga county, in 1836. He attended the district schools in boyhood, and farming has been his life vocation. He cleared 250 acres of land in Clymer township himself, and is the owner of four fine farms in that township, embracing nearly 400 acres of land. In 1885 he retired from active business life, and has since been a resident of Westfield. Mr. Beach was married October 29, 1848, to Catherine Douglas, a daughter of William and Sally (Redner) Douglas, of Hector township, Potter county. Eight children were born to this union, viz: Wallace D., Augustus C., Ezra G., Charles L., Ida. A., wife of Leon Kilbourn; John W., who died aged eleven months; Jenny S., wife of Guy Waterman; Nettie, wife of Frank Bristol, and Elwood S. Mr. Beach and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as steward forty-three years, and is now filling the office of trustee. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and is one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of the county.

EZRA G. BEACH was born in Clymer township, Tioga county, June 21, 1855, a son of Jefferson B. and Catherine (Douglas) Beach. He was educated in the com- mon schools of his township, and on attaining his majority went into the lumber woods jobbing for tanneries, principally for H. H. Crary & Company, of Westfield. He has also been largely connected with lumber operations, and has given employ- ment to a large number of woodsmen. He has followed this business successfully for about twenty-four years, until the forests in his vicinity have been stripped of their best timber. On July 6, 1888, Mr. Beach married Louisa Putman, a daughter of William and Harriet (Campbell) Putman, of Sunderlinville, Potter county, who has borne him two children, viz: Mabel, who died February 26, 1891, and Grace May, who died April 24, 1893. In 1894 Mr. Beach located on the old William Furman farm, on Pine creek, which has since been his home. He is a member of Middlebury Lodge, No. 844, I. O. O. F., of Keeneyville; also of Gaines Encamp- ment, No. 314, of Gaines. In politics, he is a Republican.

ORRIN STEBBINS, SR., a native of Connecticut, came from Madison county,

954

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

New York, to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and located on the site of Sabinsville, Clymer township, which was at that time covered with forest. Prior to his settlement in this county he had married Nancy Hancock, who bore him three children, viz: Nancy Lorena, born July 3, 1827, and died September 8, fol- lowing; Elijah H., born August 6, 1829, who died December 18, 1880, and Orrin, born December 11, 1832, who died October 12, 1880. Mr. Stebbins cleared and improved a farm in Clymer township, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life, dying December 5, 1874. His wife survived until July 7, 1884.

ELIJAH H. STEBBINS was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, August 6, 1829, and came with his parents to Clymer township, Tioga county, when about eight years of age. He attended the district schools of his neighbor- hood, and followed farming and lumbering after attaining manhood, up to 1872, when his father's property was divided and he received as his share a general store and a part of the homestead farm. In 1875 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, George Roberts, and built a steam grist and saw-mill, which was burned in 1877. In the autumn of that year he rebuilt the saw-mill, which he continued to operate until his death, December 18, 1880. Mr. Stebbins married Lydia A. Roberts, a daughter of D. D. and Mary A. Roberts, of Clymer township, and reared three children, viz: Milford H., of Wellsboro; George A., of Sabins- ville, and Cora I., who resides with her mother on the old homestead. He was a charter member of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M.

ALONZO GILES SABINS was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, - August 28, 1812, and settled in Clymer township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1838, on the farm now occupied by his widow and son, Luman E. At the time of his settlement Clymer township was an almost unbroken wilderness, with an occasional clearing here and there, and he resided upon his land until his death, which occurred October 30, 1886. He taught school the first winter after his arrival, and was one of the first teachers in his locality. Mr. Sabins was married September 15, 1838, in Lebanon, New York, to Phoebe F. Fisk, a daughter of John and Millie (Stevens) Fisk. On the maternal side Mrs. Sabins is a grand-daughter of Gaylord Stevens, of Lebanon, New York. On the day succeeding their mar- riage, the young couple took their wedding trip to their new home in the forest of Clymer township, and settled down to house-keeping. They became the parents of two children, John M., deceased, and Luman E. Mr. Sabins was an attendant of the Universalist church. In politics, he was a Democrat, and filled the office of township auditor for a period. He was a thrifty and progressive man, and the village of Sabinsville was named in his honor.

LUMAN E. SABINS, only surviving child of Alonzo G. Sabins, was born on the homestead in Clymer township, Tioga county, August 15, 1845, and has spent his entire life upon the home farm. On October 1, 1882, he married Flora Hewitt, a daughter of George and Martha (Jewett) Hewitt, of Waterville, Oneida county, New York, and has two children, John L. and Bessie A. Politically, Mr. Sabins is a Democrat, has been tax collector, and is now serving his second term as constable of Clymer township. He is a member of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., and also of the K. O. T. M. and the Grange.

RILEY BURDIC came with his parents, Jesse Burdic and wife, to Clymer town-

955

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ship, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, where his father died at the age of seventy-eight years, and his mother aged eighty years. They reared a large family, and one of their sons served in the War of 1812. Riley was married on Addison Hill, Tuscarora township, Steuben county, New York, June 4, 1830, to Miss Schoonover, a daughter of Jonas and Elsie (Strait) Schoonover. She became the mother of six children, viz: Hiram, George, Sally Mariah, who married Wesley Newton; William R., Emma, wife of John Jenkins, and Peleg. Mr. Burdic owned a farm of 140 acres of land, upon which he resided until his death. In politics, he was a Republican, and in religion, a member of the Free Will Baptist church. His widow resides with her son, William R., in Clymer township, at the ripe age of eighty-four years.

WILLIAM R. BURDIC was born on the old homestead in Clymer township, Tioga county, January 5, 1842, and was reared beneath the parental roof. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, participating in the Siege of Petersburg and the charge on Fort Steadman. After the war he returned to the home farm, where he has since resided. In politics, Mr. Burdic is a Republican, and is a member of the Grange and the G. A. R.

FREEMAN WILCOX, a native of New York state, and a son of Hazzard Wilcox, was born in 1810, and grew to manhood in his native State. About 1840 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and soon after purchased 100 acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and upon which he resided until his death, in 1884, aged seventy-four years. On March 19, 1843, he married Soplironia Hancock, a daugh- ter of Lyman and Rhoda (Ide) Hancock, pioneers of Clymer township. She bore him three children, two of whom survive, Frank L. and William W. Mr. Wilcox was a quiet, unobtrusive man, and was respected by his neighbors.

WILLIAM W. WILCOX, youngest son of Freeman and Sophronia Wilcox, was born on the old Wilcox homestead in Clymer township, Tioga county, January 11, 1849, and has always lived upon the same farm, which he now owns. He received a common school education, and has made agriculture his life vocation. On April 9, 1871, he married Mary Sutton, a daughter of Isaac and Huldah (Seely) Sutton, of Deerfield township. They have three children living, viz: Joseph D., Roba and Arlington. Mr. Wilcox is a Republican, and has been supervisor of Clymer township three years.

THOMAS ELDRIDGE, a native of Vermont, and a son of John Eldridge, came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1847. He settled in Clymer township, and with the assistance of his son, John, cleared and improved the farm now owned by the latter, where he died in 1867. His wife was Elizabeth Graham, of Washington county, New York. She bore him a family of eight children, viz: Joshua, Martha, who married Abner Harding; Thomas, Horace, James, John, Edwin and Hiram. Of these, Martha, John and Edwin are living. Mr. Eldridge was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father was a veteran of the Revolution.

JOHN ELDRIDGE was born in Hartford, Washington county, New York, March 22, 1830, and came with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Eldridge, to Saratoga and Tompkins counties, New York, where he was reared and educated. The family settled in Clymer township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1847, where John

956

HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

remained one winter. For the nine succeeding years he lived at Groton, New York, where he was employed in buying material for a firkin factory. In 1857 he returned to Tioga county, and lived two years on his father's homestead, and in 1860 embarked in the hotel business at Sandy Hill, New York. In 1861 he sold out and enlisted in a New York regiment, and served three months, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Clymer township, Tioga county, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years that he spent in the hotel business at Addison, New York. In 1865, Mr. Eldridge married Almira Morse, a daughter of Solomon Morse, of Moravia, New York, and has one daughter, Ella E., wife of Charles Brewster. Politically, Mr. Eldridge is independent, voting for the best man, regardless of party creed.

ROSWELL ACKLEY was born in Groton, New York, March 14, 1805, and was a descendant of one of four brothers who came to America with Lafayette during the Revolution. In 1848 he settled in Clymer township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the farm now occupied by his son, Chancy C., which he cleared and improved with the assistance of his sons, while at the same time he worked at the carpenter's trade. His wife, Almira, was a daughter of Beriah Southworth, and bore him eight children, viz: George M., Sally A., wife of Aaron Yale; John, Beriah S., Lovinus B., Henry . C., Chancy C., and Mary A., wife of Alvin Sweazey. All of Mr. Ackley's sons, except John, were soldiers in the Union army during the Rebellion. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, he was a Re- publican from the organization of the party, but he cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, under whose administration he was postmaster of Groton City, New York, though later he became a Whig. He filled several minor offices in Clymer township, among them justice of the peace. Mr. Ackley died May 31, 1883.

CHANCY C. ACKLEY, son of Roswell Ackley, was born in Groton City, New York, September 6, 1840, and was eight years old when his parents came to Tioga county. He was educated in the common schools and Union Academy and com- menced life as a teacher, which vocation he followed for three years. He then engaged in farming, buying and selling stock, and various other occupations at different periods. On August 24, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Penn- sylvania Cavalry, entering the service as a sergeant. In December, 1862, he was honorably discharged. In the fall of 1863, he assisted in raising an independent battery of 180 men, which, however, was afterward disbanded, by order of Adjutant- General Russell. In August, 1864, he recruited forty men for Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was commissioned second lieutenant of said company September 2, 1864. He was mustered out of the ser- vice May 31, 1865. During his first term he participated in all the battles of the Pen- insular Campaign, as a member of the Eleventh Cavalry, and thence to Norfolk, Virginia, and through to North Carolina. During his second term of service, he was in command of the picket-line along the James river, and received the thanks of his general for giving warning of an expected attack by the rebels in front of Owlett House battery. He was also in the battles of Stony Creek, Hatcher's Run, and Fort Steadman. In the last battle he charged ahead of his company, and took five prisoners himself. He was severely wounded in the head, back and right arm

957

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

at Petersburg, from the effects of which wounds he still suffers. Mr. Ackley was married January 3, 1895, to Mary A. Higgins, a daughter of Thomas Higgins, of Clymer township. He is a member of H. C. Ackley Post, No. 469, G. A. R., of Sabinsville, and in politics, an ardent Republican.

CAPT. REUBEN FISH was born July 11, 1780, and was a son of Capt. Ebenezer Fish, a Revolutionary soldier. He spent nearly all his life in Cortland county, New York, and was captain of a company during the War of 1812. His wife, Betsey, was a daughter of Benjamin Cleveland, and was of the same ancestry as President Cleveland. Their children were as follows: Parmelia, who married Jared Davis; Ephraim C., and Ephraim (2d); Ebenezer D., Stephen P., Sally, who married Holland Wood; Mary, who married Hendrick Nash; Perlina, who married John Luce; Betsey, who married William Rexford; Lydia, John P., Jane, who married Enos Campbell, and Reuben. Many of the descendants of Capt. Reuben Fish are now residents of Tioga county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 125

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