History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 127

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

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CHARLES B. WATROUS was born at Colesville, Broome county, New York, Oc- tober 13, 1835, a son of William and Eliza H. (Smith) Watrous. His father, a son of James S. Watrous, was born in Connecticut, December 29, 1798, and removed to Broome county, New York, whence he came to Gaines township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1847, where he resided until his death, March 19, 1883. Charles B. was educated in the common schools, and was twelve years old when the family came to Gaines township. Here his father engaged quite exten- sively in lumber operations, and subsequently cleared and improved a farm one mile south of the mouth of Elk run. The subject of this sketch has always been connected with the lumber business, principally in Tioga county, though he also spent some time in Michigan. In February, 1861, he married Harriet M. Hurd, a daughter of Stephen Hurd, of Caton, New York. Two children were born to this union, viz: William, deceased, and Robert S., of Watrous, Gaines township. Mr. Watrous married for his second wife, Isabella Brewster, a daughter of Luther H. and Olive (Palmer) Brewster, of Richmond township, Tioga county. Two chil- dren are the fruits of this union, as follows: Mary B., wife of Robert Tuton, of New York City, and William H., a resident of Minnesota. Politically, Mr. Watrous is a Republican. He is still one of the active business men of Gaines, and devotes his attention to lumbering.

ETHAN STRAIT, a son of Daniel and Sally (Crowl) Strait, was born in Steuben county, New York, July 13, 1816. He was married September 20, 1838, to Julania Wright, a daughter of Justus and Anne Wright, who bore him one son, Justus D., a resident of Gaines township. Mr. Strait learned the wagonmaker's trade in early life, and followed it for a number of years. In 1847 he located in Wellsboro, Tioga county, whence he removed to Lawrenceville. In March, 1850, he settled in Gaines township, on the farm now occupied by his son, Justus D. During the old training

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days, he took an active part in military affairs and served as a captain in the militia. He died March 12, 1876, aged sixty years.

JUSTUS D. STRAIT, only child of Ethan and Julania Strait, was born in Steuben county, New York, June 22, 1839. When he was eight years old his parents came to Tioga county, and in March, 1850, settled on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Strait was educated in the common schools and Wellsboro Academy, and has devoted his principal attention to agriculture. He has been a successful farmer and dairyman, and was a merchant in Gaines for a few years. He is the owner of a fine herd of thoroughbred Jersey cows, and his dairy is supplied with the most improved appliances. September 21, 1861, Mr. Strait enlisted in Company I, Forty- fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and re-enlisted in the field, December 31, 1863. He participated with his regiment in over thirty engagements, besides a number of skirmishes. On September 30, 1864, he was taken prisoner at the battle of Poplar Grove Church, and was confined in prisons at Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia, and Salisbury, North Carolina, and was exchanged February 23, 1865. After a short furlough he rejoined his regiment at Alexandria, Virginia, and was discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1865. While in the service he was promoted to corporal and sergeant, successively. April 5, 1865, Mr. Strait was married to Annie E. Barnhart, a daughter of John H. and Sarah (Harrison) Barnhart, of Gaines township. Nine children have been born to this marriage, as follows: Getta O., wife of Harvey Gardner, of Gaines; Ida H., John E., Norman I., Julia, Darwin C., Eugene J., deceased; Sarah A., and Carl C. In politics, Mr. Strait is a Republican, and has served as school director and auditor of his township three terms each. He is a member of Ackley Post, No. 469, G. A. R., of Sabinsville, and a charter member of the Association of Ex-Prisoners of War, of Wellsboro. He is also connected with Tyadaghton Lodge, No. 981, I. O. O. F., of Gaines; Marsh- field Lodge, No. 120, I. O. G. T., and Forest Grove Lodge, A. P. A., of Forest Grove, Oregon. In religion, Mr. Strait is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

DAVID REXFORD was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, July 10, 1820, a son of William and Nancy (Blanchard) Rexford. He was reared in his native county, and in 1839 came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in lumbering in Shippen township, which he followed there about sixteen years. In 1855 he purchased 900 acres of timber land in Gaines township, located upon it, and continued in his lumber operations up to 1890, when he sold his mill and retired from active business. Mr. Rexford was married August 27, 1843, to Catherine A. Furman, a daughter of Josiah and Samantha (Grey) Furman, of Gaines township. Ten children were born to this union, as follows: Delos D. and Jesse J., both resi- dents of Gaines township; Henrietta, deceased; William L., who lives at home; Alice L., deceased; Catherine A., wife of R. C. Kelts, of Sheffield, Pennsylvania; Delia, wife of William Larrison, of Gaines township; Charles L., at home; Oscar, and Ida May, both deceased. Mr. Rexford is a stanch Democrat, has held every township office except justice of the peace, and is also a member of Tyadaghton Lodge, No. 981, I. O. O. F., of Gaines.

DELOS D. REXFORD, eldest child of David and Catherine A. Rexford, was born in Shippen township, Tioga county, November 9, 1844, and was about eleven years old when the family removed to Gaines township. He was educated in the com-

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mon schools and Union Academy, and was connected with his father in the lumber business from boyhood, though he also devoted considerable attention to farming. On March 22, 1868, he married Emma S. Seagers, a daughter of Henry J. and Almira (Rixford) Seagers, of Westfield, who has borne him six children, as fol- lows: May H., wife of Rupert K. Jones, of Gaines; Satie B., who died at the age of three years; Blanche L., Leon J., Ina A. and Kittie A. In politics, a Democrat, Mr. Rexford has been constable and collector of Gaines township for seven con- secutive years, supervisor several terms, and is now filling the office of school direc- tor. He is one of the energetic and enterprising farmers of his township.

WILLIAM H. VERMILYEA was born near Addison, New York, July 18, 1847, a son of Horace C. and Ursula A. (Green) Vermilyea. His parents came to the Cowanesque valley when William H. was but seven years old. His father owned and conducted a tavern at Academy Corners and later carried on a hotel at Gaines, where he also filled the office of postmaster for eighteen years. He died June 4, 1878. His wife died in Chicago, Illinois, November 24, 1895. They were the parents of four children, viz: Alwilda, wife of C. H. Rexford; Albina, widow of the late Dr. F. D. Ritter; Adelbert R., and William H. The subject of this sketch graduated at the State Normal School, Mansfield, in 1869. After completing his education he was induced to study chemistry and medicine at Athens, Pennsyl- vania, with his brother-in-law, Dr. Ritter, and from 1872 to 1877 he was a drug- gist in Westfield, Tioga county. He then accepted a position as traveling salesman for the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company, of New York, and for ten years was in the employ of that firm selling gas and coal oil fixtures. In the mean- time he had purchased the hotel at Gaines from his father, and after leaving the road he carried on the business up to his death, by accident, July 7, 1894. The old hotel was destroyed by fire, and with characteristic energy and enterprise he at once erected the present commodious structure now occupying the site and known as Hotel Vermilyea. Mr. Vermilyea was married August 3, 1873, to Miss Alice F. Closson, a daughter of David B. and Julia A. (Stryker) Closson, and a grand- daughter of John and Eliza (Beach) Closson. Her father was born in Great Bar- rington, Massachusetts, May 7, 1812, and her mother in Morris county, New Jersey, April 19, 1820. They reside with her in Westfield, to which place she removed in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Vermilyea were the parents of two children, viz: Inez M., wife of W. W. Marsh, and Horace C. The latter died November 20, 1893, aged eight years. In politics, Mr. Vermilyea was an ardent Republican, was postmaster at Gaines under Harrison's administration, and served as chairman of one of the county conventions. He was a member of the K. of P. and the I. O. O. F., and was a Knight Templar in the Masonic order. He was a man of commendable enter- prise and public spirit and his death was a great loss to the business interests of the community in which he lived.

HENRY S. COWBURN was born in Dewsberry, Yorkshire, England, February 3, 1830, a son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Snowden) Cowburn. He was reared in his native land, and attended the public schools of Dewsberry. His father was postmaster at Mirfield, England, for more than forty years, and died there April 30, 1871, in his sixty-ninth year. His mother died February 11, 1869, aged sixty- four years. Henry S. learned the blacksmith's trade in England, and came to the

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United States when nineteen years of age, and found employment with Silas X. Billings, of Gaines township, Tioga county, for whom he worked a number of years. He was married to Mercy Mattison, a daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Brown) Mattison, of Clymer township, July 28, 1853. Six children were born to this union, as follows: Joseph E., of Gaines township; William B., of Ulysses town- ship, Potter county; Charles S., of Perryville, Potter county; James H., of Gaines township; Mary Hannah, and Jane Elizabeth, the last two of whom are dead. Mrs. Cowburn died July 5, 1893. In 1871 Mr. Cowburn purchased a farm on Lick run, in Gaines township, upon which he has since lived. He has cleared and im- proved the land, and erected thereon substantial buildings. In religion, he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church of Brookland, Potter county. Politi- cally, a Democrat, he has served as school director in Gaines township, and has always taken an interest in the prosperity of his adopted home.

CHARLES E. DIMMICK, a son of George W. and Caroline M. (Hotchkiss) Dim- mick, was born in Shippen township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1856. He was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools of his native town- ship. He worked at lumbering until he came to what is now Watrous, Gaines township, where he purchased the Conrad Bernauer farm at the mouth of Elk run, on which he has since resided. In connection with his farm, Mr. Dimmick has also continued lumber jobbing. He married Esther S. Putman, a daughter of William and Harriet (Campbell) Putman, of Sunderlinville, Potter county, June 6, 1885, and has two children, Bruce H. and Verl E. The new and rapidly growing village of Watrous is built entirely on the farm of Mr. Dimmick. The first building was commenced in December, 1894, and it is now a thriving hamlet of between thirty and forty buildings, with two stores and a very commodious school house, built by himself. It is on the line of the Buffalo and Susquehanna, and the Addison and Pennsylvania railroads. Here is also located the Maple, Beech and Birch Flooring Company's plant, which cost $20,000, and was incorporated in July, 1894. In politics, Mr. Dimmick is a Republican, and has filled the offices of supervisor and school director. He has been a member of Tyadaghton Lodge, No. 981, I. O. O. F., of Gaines, since 1884, and is also a charter member of Gaines Encampment, No. 314, and of Marshfield Grange. Mr. Dimmick is one of the progressive farmers of his native county.

DANIEL W. RUGGLES was born in Chemung county, New York, March 10, 1833, a son of Homer and Mercy S. (Morse) Ruggles. His father was born in 1793, married Mercy S. Morse, and became one of the first settlers of Elk township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. While a resident of New York state, Homer Ruggles served in the War of 1812. His wife's father was a soldier in the Revolution. He resided in Elk township from 1854 until his death, in 1865, aged seventy-two years. Daniel W. was reared upon the homestead in Elk township, and assisted his father on the farm up to 1856, in which year he purchased land in the same township and devoted his attention to clearing and improving it. In February, 1858, he mar- ried Rosette E. Kelley, a daughter of James and Sophronia (Butler) Kelley, of Charleston township, Tioga county. The following children were born to this union: Arthur A., of Westfield township; Eva M., wife of Jesse Beach, of Wellsboro; James H., who carries on the harness business at Gaines; Mabel, wife

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of Thomas A. Sweet, of Middlebury, and Martha V., wife of A. W. Stickley, of Tiadaghton. Mrs. Ruggles died in August, 1875, and January 2, 1877, he married Zelia O. Colgrove, a daughter of H. L. and Eliza (Rundle) Colgrove, of Elk town- ship. Seven children have been born to this marriage, viz: Charles D., Joseph H., Emma E., Bessie L., Eben E., Hazel R. and Lena A., the last deceased. In February, 1864, Mr. Ruggles enlisted at Wellsboro, in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, his company being in command of Capt. George W. Merrick. They proceeded to Harrisburg, spent three weeks at Camp Curtin, then went to Washington, D. C., and joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor, Virginia. Mr. Ruggles served with his regiment up to November, 1864, when it was ordered to Philadelphia to recruit and do guard duty. In June, 1865, the regiment proceeded to Harrisburg, and was on guard duty at that place until mustered out of the service in August following. Returning home Mr. Rug- gles engaged in farming in Charleston township, but a few years later embarked in carpentering and wagon-making at Wellsboro. In 1875, on the death of his first wife, he entered the employ of C. B. Watrous, of Gaines township, and since that time he has followed farming in connection with operating a wagon shop at Gaines. In politics, a Republican, he has served as constable about six years in Elk township, and as many in Gaines township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, also of Tyadaghton Lodge, No. 981, I. O. O. F., of Gaines, and Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield.

CHARLES H. HURLBURT, a son of Alexander and Hannah (Rogers) Hurlburt, of Troupsburg township, Steuben county, New York,. was born in Troups- burg, December 9, 1854. He obtained a common school education, and was reared on a farm. Before attaining his majority he came to Westfield, Tioga county, where he found employment as a farm hand for one year, and later entered the employ of Cook & Billings, as a teamster at their tannery on Pine creek. About 1877 he bought a farm on Lick run, in Gaines township, but soon disposed of it and located in the village of Gaines. In 1882 he again purchased property on Lick run, where he has since resided. Mr. Hurlburt is also engaged in lumbering in that locality. On January 1, 1875, he married Lydia Matteson, a daughter of Harris and Emeline (Brace) Matteson, of Westfield township. Nine children have been born to this marriage, named as follows: William H., deceased; George, Ina, Addie May, Walter, Hannah E., Nancy J., Winfred C. and Bessie E. Mr. Huriburt is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, a Democrat.

WILLIAM NATHAN LADD, a son of Hannibal and Mary E. (Griffin) Ladd, was born in Mckean county, Pennsylvania, near Port Allegheny, November 13, 1857. Two or three years later his parents removed to the vicinity of Potter Brook, in Westfield township, Tioga county. Soon afterwards William Nathan took up his home with his paternal grandfather, William Ladd, in Westfield township, with whom he lived until 1866, when he returned to the father's home in the same township. At an early age he went into the lumber woods, first doing chores or light work, and later taking a man's place. He was principally engaged on Pine creek, but spent four years in the pineries of northern Michigan. Fifteen years of his life was passed in the occupation of a woodsman, in which business he became an expert. On July 5, 1881, Mr. Ladd married Annie M. Furman, a daughter of

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Martin W. and Eunice J. (Dartt) Furman, to which union have been born four chil- dren, viz: Lola B., born July 28, 1882; Ida M., February 19, 1885; Archie W., April 3, 1889, and Lillian Pearl, October 20, 1894. In October, 1883, Mr. Ladd purchased a farm on the south bank of Pine creek, a mile and a half east of Gaines, where he has since devoted his attention to agriculture, but also spends the winter season in lumber jobbing. In politics, he is a Democrat, and one of the worthy citizens of his township.

SAMUEL WRIGHT was born in Canandaigua, New York, February 5, 1819, a son of Robert and Hannah (Easland) Wright. He grew to maturity in his native place, and March 2, 1839, was married to Miss Sarah F. Farmer, a daughter of James and Deborah (Jewell) Farmer. One son was born to this union, who died in May, 1880, at Bath, New York, and was interred in that town. Mr. Wright lived two years in Canandaigua after his marriage, and then moved to Bloomfield, and later to Rushville, in the same State, whence he returned to Canandaigua. He next went to Penn Yan, where he resided about twelve years, then removed to Wayne, and afterwards kept a hotel at Bath for twelve years. In 1886 he located in Gaines township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, purchasing a farm near Phoenix Station, on the Addison and Pennsylvania railroad. Soon after this he became an invalid, and continued in failing health up to his death, October 8, 1895. Since her hus- band's death Mrs. Wright has made her home with her grand-daughter, Mrs. C. F. Conine, of Prattsburg, New York, though she owns the homestead farm in Gaines township, and spends a portion of her time in Tioga county looking after her property.

JOHN FISCHLER was born in Germany, February 25, 1845, a son of John and Elizabeth (Kalsch) Fischler, natives of Germany. In May, 1856, the family came to Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where the father carried on a boot and shoe store for more than twenty years. John learned the shoemaker's trade, and fol- lowed that business in his father's shop. He was one of a family of twelve chil- dren, eight of whom are living. The Fischler brothers are all accomplished musi- cians, and, when living in Wellsboro, composed the Fischler orchestra of that place, from 1878 to 1887. Charles is now leader of the Stopper & Fiske Orchestra, of Williamsport, and Edwin is a member of the same organization. In October, 1887, Mr. Fischler purchased the drug store at Gaines, then owned by Dr. F. D. Ritter. On April 21, 1865, he married Louise A. Stickley, a daughter of Henry and Lydia (Watkins) Stickley, of Wellsboro, who has borne him two children, viz: Ernest M., a resident of Auburn, Indiana, and Lillian Louise, who lives at home. They also have an adopted son, Lee, a son of Edwin and Lida (Newton) Fischler, the former of whom lives in Williamsport. Mr. Fischler is a member of Tyadaghton Lodge, No. 981, I. O. O. F., and of Gaines Encampment, No. 314, both located at Gaines, Tioga county.

HENRY MENGEE, a native of Hanover, Germany, and a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Volmer) Mengee, was born January 23, 1824, and was reared and edu- cated in his native land. He learned the cabinet maker's trade, and worked at the same seven years after serving his apprenticeship. In 1846 he immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, where he found employment at his trade for three years, and then went to New York City and worked in the ship-joiner's shop of James H.

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Cutter. About 1866 he located in Germania, Potter county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a farm. Since that time Mr. Mengee has worked at his trade in Wellsboro and other towns of the county, while his family carry on the farm. In April, 1845, he married Louise Sittig, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Volmer) Sittig, natives of Germany, who came with him to the United States. Eight chil- dren were born to this union, as follows: Henry and Julia, both deceased; George A., a resident of Watrous; William, of Wellsboro; Agnes, deceased; Fred L., of Ger- mania; Emily, wife of Jacob Zoerb, of the same place; Henry F., a resident of Washington, and Herman T., who lives in Prattsburg. Mrs. Mengee died in the autumn of 1881, and was interred in the Germania cemetery.

HERMAN T. MENGEE, youngest child of Henry Mengee, was born in Germania, Potter county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1868. He obtained a common school educa- tion, and engaged in lumbering in the employ of Woefel, Zinert & Company, of Ger- mania. In 1893-94 he was landlord of a hotel in that place, later named the Cottage Hotel. In December, 1895, he purchased a lot at Watrous, one mile south of Gaines, erected a store, stocked it with hardware and general merchandise, and carried on business there until his removal to Prattsburg, New York, where he is engaged in the hotel business. On April 20, 1892, he married Annie Meixner, a daughter of Frank and Catherine (Zengule) Meixner, of Germania, Potter county, and has two children, Clarence F. and Allen H. Mr. Mengee is a member of Abbott Lodge, No. 1015, I. O. O. F., of Germania, and was connected with Germania Tent, K. O. T. M. He is also a charter member of the Schutzen Verin, of Germania.

JOHN MAYNARD was born in Adderbury, Oxfordshire, England, December 5, 1811, a son of Edward and Mary A. (Busby) Maynard. He was reared in his native land, and immigrated to Vermont in 1827, soon after removing to Massachusetts. There he met and married Abigail Whitney, a daughter of Harry and Mary Whitney, of Littleton, New Hampshire, January 1, 1833. Seven sons and six daughters were the fruits of this union, named as follows: Mary Ann, deceased wife of Wheeler Bratton, of Vermont; C. John, who died in childhood; John C., of Gaines town- ship; Martha M., wife of Gustave R. Winkler, of Camden, New Jersey; Marshall M., who died in Kentucky, September 23, 1863, while a member of Company I, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Ede and Edward E., both of whom died in youth; Edwin E., who died in 1885; Ede, wife of Charles Furman, of Camden, New Jersey; Edward E. (2nd), deceased; Reuben G., who lives on the homestead; Carrie E., who first married John C. Trowbridge, and is now the wife of John M. Purhen, of Elk township, and Annie M. I., wife of Herman Perry, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In June, 1847, Mr. Maynard came to Westfield township, Tioga county, and some two years later removed to Shippen township, where he was foreman of the lumber- ing interests of his brother, a member of the firm of Maynard & White. In 1853 he located in Elk township, where several years before he had purchased over 500 acres of timber land near the head of Elk run. He was the first permanent settler in the township, and built his home in the midst of the primitive forest, cleared up a good farm and reared a large family. Mr. Maynard was a practicing physician in that section, but devoted his principal attention to the cultivation and improvement of the homestead. He planted out large orchards of apples and pears at quite an early day, and furnished his neighbors with abundance of fruit free of cost. At

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the organization of Elk township, Mr. Maynard was elected a justice of the peace, and filled the office continuously up to the time of his death. He also held nearly every other township office at different periods, and was one of the commissioners chosen to select the site of the county poor farm. In addition to his original pur- chase, he had bought other tracts from time to time, until he owned and sold nearly every farm for two miles square, in all between 1,600 and 1,700 acres. Mr. May- nard died on his farm, December 9, 1878; his widow survived until September 23, 1886.

REUBEN G. MAYNARD, a son of John and Abigail Maynard, was born in Ship- pen township, Tioga county, January 29, 1851, and was two years old when the family settled in Elk township. He attended the district school near his home, and worked on the farm and in the lumber woods throughout his early life. He is now the owner of the old homestead, to which he devotes his entire attention, and is one of the leading farmers of this section of the county. He takes commendable pride in the improvement of his property, and has an orchard of 500 bearing trees. On May 5, 1875, Mr. Maynard married Ettie P. Niles, a daughter of E. W. and Catherine (Backus) Niles, of Middlebury township, both of whom are dead. They are the parents of seven children, viz: Edith K., wife of Charles Wheeler, of Farmington township; Wallace, deceased; John W., Floyd and Lloyd (twins), the latter de- ceased; Reuben R. and Harry. Politically, Mr. Maynard is a Republican, and has filled the office of school director, supervisor, auditor, constable, collector and as- sessor, and is the present treasurer of the school board. He is a member of Tyadagh- ton Lodge, No. 981, I. O. O. F., also of Gaines Encampment, No. 314, and is con- nected with Marshfield Grange, No. 1113, P. of H. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is one of the most respected and progressive citizens of the community.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 127

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