History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 141

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

boro, but has never practiced. In 1889 he established the Ross Cigar Company, which employs about fifty hands in the manufacture of cigars for the retail trade. Under his management the enterprise has proven successful and is an important factor in the industrial life of Mansfield. Mr. Ross was married April 5, 1893, to Miss Mary Waldo, and has one son, Charles Waldo. In politics, he is a Republican, and is connected with Friendship Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M.

LAWTON CUMMINGS was born in Oswego, New York, June 7, 1826, and was one of nine children born to Lawton C. and Polly (McMillan) Cummings, as follows: Maria, wife of James C. Skinner, of Evanston, Illinois; David, deceased; Lawton, of Mansfield; Frances, wife of L. H. Robbins, of Mansfield; Edwin, deceased; Eunice, wife of Horace Case, of Coldwater, Michigan; Elliott, a resident of Cali- fornia; Lucy, and John, the last deceased. When the subject of this sketch was three years old his parents removed to Oneida county, New York. There he grew to manhood, attending school until he was fourteen years old, and later learning the carpenter's trade. His mother died in 1840, and his father subsequently married Lurana Hoard, removed to Coldwater, Michigan, and there passed the remaining years of his life. In 1850 Mr. Cummings came to Mansfield, Tioga county, where he worked at his trade a few years. In 1852 he embarked in merchandising, as a member of the firm of Hoard, Beach & Cummings, in which he continued several years. He was among the earliest subscribers to the Mansfield Classical Seminary fund, and was employed as a foreman in the erection of the first building. He was actively engaged as a carpenter and builder up to 1887, when he and his son, John L., opened a bakery and confectionery, under the firm name of J. L. Cum- mings & Company, which has proven a prosperous venture. On December 12, 1852, Mr. Cummings married Polly Hunt, a daughter of Samuel Hunt, of Mansfield, to which union have been born three children, viz: Nettie S., John L. and Ida Belle. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religion, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN L. CUMMINGS, son of Lawton Cummings, was born in Mansfield, Tioga county, August 2, 1862, and was educated in the State Normal School and the Allen Business College. In 1887 he formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name of J. L. Cummings & Company, and established their present bakery and confectionery business. On August 16, 1894, he was appointed postmaster of Mans- field, by President Cleveland, and still holds the office. In politics, Mr. Cummings is a stanch Democrat, has served as a delegate to county conventions, and is recog- nized as one of the local leaders in his party. He makes a popular and efficient post- master, and has discharged the duties of the office to the satisfaction of its patrons, irrespective of party. In religion, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ROSWELL BAILEY was born in Vermont, December 25, 1782, came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1802, and located in Tioga township. In 1810 he removed to the Dartt settlement, in Charleston township, where he cleared and improved a farm, and died October 24, 1840. In 1805 Mr. Bailey married Lucinda Clark, of which union six children grew to maturity, named as follows: Clark W., Robert B., Roswell W., Mary A., Benjamin M. and Justus B. Mrs. Bailey died in the early twenties, and in 1823 he married Julia A. Rockwell, who became the mother

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of six children, viz: John W., Rockwell S., George W., Julia A., Ellen M. and Caro- line.

CLARK W. BAILEY was born in Tioga township, Tioga county, January 12, 1806, and was the eldest son of Roswell and Lucinda Bailey. He grew up amidst pioneer surroundings, and attended school in the old-fashioned log school house of early days. When twenty-one years of age he purchased a farm near Whitney's Corners, Charleston township, and later formed a partnership with R. G. White, erected a large steam saw-mill, and engaged in the lumber business on an exten- sive scale. In 1857 he removed to Mansfield, where he purchased a grist-mill, and the following year built a water-power saw-mill, both of which he operated until 1866, when he sold out to his sons, Thomas H. and Justus W .- He also owned and operated a foundry in Mansfield, and was one of its most prominent business men for many years. He was instrumental in establishing the Mansfield Seminary, was a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On May 13, 1827, Mr. Bailey married Vesta Judd, of Bingham- ton, New York, to which union were born ten children, as follows: Sarah L., Roswell G., Julius M., Wesley V., Thomas H., Emily J., Julia A., Justus W., Clarissa V. and Clark B. Mr. Bailey died at the home of his son, Julius M., December 22, 1881. His widow survived until October 2, 1882, dying at the age of seventy-four years.

THOMAS H. BAILEY was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, Decem- ber 1, 1839, and is the fourth son of Clark W. Bailey. He was reared on the home- stead farm, obtained a common school education, and after attaining manhood he purchased a grist-mill from his father, which he operated until 1889. In 1866 he and his brother, Justus W., bought their father's saw-mill, and a few years later they also bought the foundry at Mansfield. A short time afterwards, Thomas H. purchased his brother's interest in both industries, but the mills were swept away by the flood of June, 1889, entailing upon Mr. Bailey a heavy loss. He purchased several large tracts of timber lands at different periods, some of which he still re- tains. Mr. Bailey was married September 30, 1868, to Josephine Hillier, a daugh- ter of John Hillier, of Larry's Creek, Lycoming county, and has two children, Sarah V. and Harry W. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Bailey is connected with the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F. societies. In politics, he has been a life-long Republican, and one of the local leaders in his party. He was burgess of Mansfield for several years; a member of the council for nine years, and a member of the school board for six years. For eighteen years he was one of the trustees of the State Normal School at Mansfield, in which institution he has always taken a deep interest. In the autumn of 1890 he was elected a county commissioner, and moved his family to Wellsboro the following spring. He was re-elected in the fall of 1893, and served until the close of 1896. He then purchased the Hotel Allen, in Mansfield, and took charge of that house in April, 1897, of which he is now proprietor.

ROBERT B. BAILEY, second son of Roswell and Lucinda (Clark) Bailey, was born January 28, 1808, in Tioga county. He was reared to manhood in Charleston township. After his marriage he purchased a farm of 300 acres in Richmond town- ship, where he passed the remaining years of his life, and died October 17, 1884. Mr. Bailey was married three times. His first wife, to whom he was married February 20,

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1834, was Lucy Holden, a daughter of Daniel Holden, an early settler in Mansfield. To this union were born the following named children: Lydia, wife of George Hol- lands, of Homerville, New York; Justus M., deceased; Mary Augusta, wife of George Baker, of Rutland; Charlotte Lucy and Roswell Burr, of Mansfield; Dallas N., deceased, and Eliza May, wife of Alexander Gaylord, of Blossburg. Mrs. Bailey was born December 31, 1812, and died July 13, 1847. Mr. Bailey's second wife was Sophia Lewis. By this marriage there was no issue. For his third wife he married Julia Hagar, born May 2, 1830, a daughter of Isaac and Sallie Hagar, of Sullivan township. She bore him seven children, viz: Myron F., of Wellsboro; Robert Wil- son, deceased; Elton L., of Mansfield; Wallace J., of Wellsboro; Carl E., of Elkland; Frank W., of Wellsboro, and Fred. D., of Mansfield. After Mr. Bailey's death his widow removed to Mansfield, where she still resides. He was a Republican in poli- tics, and had served as collector of Richmond township ..

JOHN C. HOWE was born in Stafford, Connecticut, January 15, 1817, a son of John and Mary (Davison) Howe. On his mother's side, he is descended from the Cotton family, whose ancestor, Sir John Cotton, landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1623. His grandfathers, James Howe and Daniel Davison, served in the Revo- lution, the latter under Gen. Israel Putnam, and his great-grandfather, Daniel Davison, Sr., was in the French and Indian War. Three uncles, Col. Zepheniah Williams, Corp. Silas Howe, and Joel Davison, served in the War of 1812; while his brother, Frederick Howe, and three nephews, Samuel Burdick (who died at Ander- sonville), Dwight and Wesley Keigwin, the last of whom was a prisoner in Libby, all served in the Rebellion. The subject of this sketch lived in Connecticut until twenty-one years of age, and then came to Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, whence he removed to Mansfield in April, 1859. On January 29, 1843, he married Lodemia Smith, a native of Greenville, New York, born June 22, 1822. She became the mother of six children, viz: Martha, wife of Horry B. Shaw, of Mansfield; Elvira, deceased wife of William Gerald; John Frank and Hezekiah W., of Mans- field; Emma, a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Eunice, wife of J. M. D. Powers, of Richmond township. Mrs. Howe died March 15, 1873, and April 15, 1874, he married Elizabeth Van Deusen. She was born at Palatine Bridge, New York, April 22, 1839, and is the mother of one son, Van V., a graduate of the State Normal School. On November 15, 1861, Mr. Howe enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteers. He received a gunshot wound in the right hand at the battle of Fair Oaks. He also served in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Kingston, White Hall and Goldsboro, and was honorably discharged on April 1, 1863. Mr. Howe assisted in establishing the Mansfield Classical Seminary, and was a member of the board of trustees for thirty-four years. He was a member of the building committtee, and advanced a large sum of money to aid in the construction of the buildings, which liberal act came near wrecking him financially. Originally a Whig, he has been a Republican since the organization of that party. He has served as a school director and one term as justice of the peace of Richmond township. He is connected with Mansfield Post, No. 48, G. A. R., and is a member of the Presbyter- ian church. Mrs. Howe's great-grandfather, Gensman, served in the French and Indian War, while her grandfather, Proudy Van Deusen, served under General Put- nam in the Revolution. Her father had two brothers in the War of 1812, and three

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of her brothers served in the Rebellion. She is a charter member of and an active worker in Mansfield Post, No. 6, W. R. C. Her brother, Dr. George H. Van Deusen, was a surgeon in the United States navy, and witnessed the memorable conflict between the Monitor and Merrimac, while on board the man-of-war Sachem, and her brother, Gerrett, was a surgeon's steward in the fleet.

REV. WILLIAM DEWITT TAYLOR was born in Yates county, New York, Sep- tember 24, 1831, and was educated in Franklin Academy, Prattsburg, New York, from which institution he graduated in the classical course in 1859. He taught school successfully for several years and graduated at Union College, Schenectady, New York. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, as a member of the Genesee Conference. In 1863 and 1864 he was principal of the Mansfield Classical Seminary. After the school passed under the control of the State, he resigned and resumed his ministerial work, continuing in the active duties thereof until 1886, filling in the meantime a number of important appointments. For a few years after retiring from the ministry, he was engaged in the insurance business in Binghamton, New York. In 1888 he purchased a farm of 190 acres, near Canoe Camp, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death, January 16, 1892. Mr. Taylor was twice married. His first wife, Hattie Hayes, was a daughter of Dr. Hayes, of Prattsburg, New York, and bore him one son, who died in 1888, at the age of twenty-five years. Mrs. Taylor died in Binghamton, New York. On January 3, 1888, he married Mrs. Amy (Davis) Cottrell, a daughter of Capt. Ezra and Betsey (Walker) Davis. She was born in Mansfield, Tioga county, and at the time of her marriage to Mr. Taylor was the widow of Charles S. Cottrell, of McComb, Illinois, whom she married on September 17, 1873. Mr. Cottrell died December 4, 1876. He was a prominent business man of McComb, a director in the McComb bank and a leading and influential citizen. He left two children, Charles S. and Clara D. Mrs. Taylor was married to Joseph Schusler, of Mansfield, March 4, 1897.

CHARLES SULLINGS KINGSLEY was born in Pittsford, Vermont, June 13, 1844, a son of Ralph R. and Sarah (Sullings) Kingsley, both natives of Vermont and descendants of prominent New England families. His father was born June 9, 1810, and his mother in 1815. In 1847 the family came to Troy, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Kingsley engaged in the tannery business as a member of the firm of Bowen & Kingsley, with which he was connected ten years. In 1865 he came to Mansfield, Tioga county, where he purchased an interest in the John W. Kohn tannery. Three years later he bought out his partner, and was connected with the business up to his death, December 26, 1893. His widow is yet living, at the ripe age of eighty-one years. They were the parents of three children, viz: Francis E., Charles S. and Flora, all residents of Mansfield. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and at the Collegiate Institute, in Towanda, Pennsylvania. February 25, 1864, he enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Artillery, and was honorably discharged from the service at Philadelphia, November 9, 1865. Most of the time he was stationed at Fortress Monroe, and the last nine months of his term he was a clerk in the adjutant's office. Returning to Mansfield he en- gaged in the tannery business with his father, the firm being R. R. Kingsley & Son until the fall of 1868, when it was changed to C. S. Kingsley, its present title.

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On September 12, 1872, Mr. Kingsley married Jennie Linn Bailey, a daughter of Benjamin and Clarissa (Johnson) Bailey, and has three children, viz: Harry B., Ralph R. and Kate S. In politics, Mr. Kingsley is a Republican, and has filled the offices of burgess, councilman, school director and treasurer of the school board. He is a member of General Mansfield Post, No. 48, G. A. R., and is one of the well- known, enterprising citizens of Mansfield.

LEVI ELLIOTT was a native of Penobscot, Maine, born in 1791. He was a son of Nathaniel and Nancy (Armstrong) Elliott, who came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. They located near Covington, and later removed to Cherry Flats, where they passed the remainder of their lives. In 1812 the subject of this sketch married Amy Gillett, also born in 1791, a daughter of Aaron Gillett, who came from Con- necticut to Tioga county in 1798, and settled at Canoe Camp, removing in 1812 to Cherry Flats. Mr. Elliott was a farmer, and lived in Covington until 1822, when he moved into Charleston township, where he resided until his death, December 5, 1866, aged seventy-five years; his wife died in 1883, aged ninety-two years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom but two are living, viz: Horace J., and Nathaniel A., the former a resident of Westfield, and the latter of Mans- field, Tioga county.

NATHANIEL A. ELLIOTT was born in Covington township, Tioga county, Feb- ruary 18, 1817, a son of Levi Elliott. He was reared on a farm, and received such an education as the pioneer country schools afforded. On attaining his. majority, he purchased a farm of fifty acres at Cherry Flats, to which he added from time to time until he owned 400 acres. In 1866 he located in Mansfield, which has since been his place of residence. Mr. Elliott was married September 10, 1838, to Anna Myra Hart, a daughter of Ludwig Hart. The only child of this union, Mortimer F., a prominent lawyer, is now the attorney of the Standard Oil Company at Oil City, though Wellsboro is his place of residence. Mrs. Elliott died April 3, 1843, and October 10, 1844, he married Charlotte E. Harkness, a daughter of Joel and Elmina Harkness. Five children were born to this marriage, viz: Francis and Ed- ward A., both deceased; George Frederick, a physician of Mansfield; Fannie E., wife of T. O. Whitnall, of Syracuse, New York, and Henry A., deceased, In pol- " itics, Mr. Elliott is an unwavering Democrat, and for many years has been prominent in the local councils of his party. He served in the state legislature in 1848-49; was county commissioner from 1876 to 1882, and has also filled the offices of justice of the peace, assessor of the borough and school director. President Cleveland appointed him postmaster of Mansfield in 1886, and he held the office until 1890. In religion, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is also connected with Friendship Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M. Colonel Elliott is one of the oldest living citizens born in Tioga county, as well as one of the best informed concerning its history. His long life has been earnest, useful and unblemished, and the respect and esteem which he enjoys is a well-deserved tribute to his character. 1

JAMES HOARD, son of Enos Hoard, was born March 17, 1810, in Stockbridge, New York, there grew to maturity, and January 1, 1840, married Almira Robbins, who was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 1, 1809. In the fall of v 1849 the family came to Richmond township, Tioga county, and settled five miles west of Mansfield, where Mr. Hoard was engaged in farming until 1874. In that

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year he removed to Mansfield, and died on May 2, 1878. His wife died July 20, 1890. They were the parents of the following children: Fannie Gertrude, wife of Wesley Bailey, of Richmond township; Sarah J., and James Perry, both deceased, and Joseph Seth, of Mansfield. In politics, Mr. Hoard was a Republican, and in religion, a member of the Presbyterian church. He was an earnest, sincere man, whose upright life won him the respect of all who knew him.

JOSEPH SETH HOARD was born in Richmond township, Tioga county, Novem- ber 7, 1852, and is the youngest child of James and Almira Hoard. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools of his district in boyhood, and graduated from the State Normal School, at Mansfield, in 1871. After his graduation he taught one year, and then took a course in Eastman's Business College, Pough- keepsie, New York. On November 1, 1872, he entered the banking house of Ross & Williams, of Mansfield, as a book-keeper, and remained in that institution up to 1885, during which period he also had charge of the insurance business carried on in connection with the bank. Upon leaving the bank he established the well- known insurance agency with which his name has since been connected. Mr. Hoard was married June 10, 1875, to Sarah Margaret Elliott, a daughter of Orson V. and Celia (Kelley) Elliott, of Mansfield, who has borne him three children, viz: Harry Reed, Nellie Margaret and Donald Victor. In religion, Mr. Hoard is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, an adherent of the Republican party. He is a trustee of the State Normal School, and has been secretary and as- sistant secretary of Smythe Park Association for several years. He takes a deep in- terest in the cause of education, as well as in everything that assists in the moral advancement of the community.

MARCUS S. FRENCH, proprietor of the Hotel French, of Mansfield, was born in Corning, New York, August 7, 1847. His parents, Luther and Clara (Shepard) French, natives of Otsego county, New York, reared five children, as follows: George E., a resident of Centre county, Pennsylvania; Adeline, wife of Charles White, of Caton, New York; Julia, wife of Henry Wescott, of Lindley, New York; Frances, wife of Alvin K. Linderman, of Troy, Pennsylvania, and Marcus S. In 1854 Mr. French went to California, where he remained eighteen years, engaged in mining and cattle dealing. He then returned to Steuben county, New York, where he died in June, 1891, aged eighty-nine years, and his wife, in September, 1893, aged eighty- seven years. They were the oldest persons in Caton at the time of their death. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, later learned the mason's trade, and became a contractor and builder. In 1875 he came to Mansfield, where he followed contracting and building up to April, 1891, when he took charge of the Hotel Allen. During that period he erected the several brick blocks which formed the business part of Mansfield, the graded school building, and did the masonry work on Alumni Hall, of the State Normal School. He also erected buildings in other parts of the county, all of which attest the faithful performance of his contracts. His suc- cessful management of the Hotel Allen made him a popular landlord, and brought him the liberal patronage and good will of the traveling public. He conducted this house until the spring of 1897, when he opened the Hotel French in the same bor- ough. Mr. French was married on December 25, 1871, to Henrietta Nares, daugh- ter of James and Caroline (Lindon) Nares, who has borne him five children, viz:

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George, deceased; Catherine E., wife of John H. Causer, of Elmira; Stella, de- ceased; Mabel, and Mark J. In politics, Mr. French is a Democrat, and has served several terms as school director. He is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M., and the family are adherents of the Presbyterian church.

NATHANIEL PEASELEY MOODY was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1760. His great-grandfather, William Moody, came from Scotland in 1632. At sixteen years of age Nathaniel P. entered the Continental army and served through the Revo- lution, at the close of which he took up his residence in Great Barrington, Massa- chusetts, where he met and married Susan Griffin. He was a graduate of Yale College, in which institution he completed his studies after leaving the army. In 1795 he came to Wysox, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Osceola, Tioga county, where he died in 1832, aged seventy-two years.

MOSES MOODY was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, October 5, 1790, a son of Nathaniel Peaseley Moody, and was five years old when his parents settled in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He married Phoebe Allen, who became the mother of twelve children, six of whom are living, as follows: John A., of Mans- field; N. N., a merchant and postmaster of Asylum, Bradford county; H. M., a physician of Smithfield; William W., of Litchfield, Bradford county; Elizabeth, wife of Albert Lent, of Wysox, Bradford county, and Amanda, widow of William Barnes, of Ithaca, New York. Mr. Moody died in October, 1873, and his wife, January 1, 1876.

JOHN A. MOODY, oldest living child of Moses Moody, was born in Wysox, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1818. When he was twelve years old his parents removed to Rome, in the same county, where he grew to manhood. He followed farming there until 1876, when he went to Canton and engaged in mer- chandising, also in the insurance business, both of which he followed until 1884, when he removed to Mansfield, Tioga county, and has since devoted his entire attention to the latter. Mr. Moody was married January 3, 1841, to Harriet E., a daughter of John and Jemima Dickerson, who bore him three children, viz: Ben- jamin, a physician of Mansfield; Tillie, wife of G. W. Mills, of Lordsburg, California, and Lewis, a resident of Canton, Bradford county. Mrs. Moody died October 16, 1874, and he married for his second wife Jeannette (Lewis) Moody, widow of his cousin, Horace P. Moody. In politics, Mr. Moody is a Republican, and was elected a justice of the peace in 1892, which position he now occupies. In religion, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

BENJAMIN MOODY, M. D., eldest son of John A. and Harriet Moody, was born in Frenchtown, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1841, and there received his primary education. During the Rebellion he served in Company C, Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Emergency Men, and also in Company F, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. In 1865 he began the study of medicine under Dr. T. F. Madill, of Wysox, Bradford county. He graduated from Geneva Medical College, at Geneva, New York, in 1868, and from Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, in 1869, in which year he commenced practice with his preceptor, at Wysox. From 1870 to 1875 he practiced in Wyalusing, Bradford county, removing in the latter year to Roseville, Tioga county, and in 1877 to Mansfield, where he has since built up a lucrative practice. Dr. Moody was married September 28,

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 141

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