History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 146

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

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GEORGE E. STAUFFER was born in Frederick county, Virginia, July 30, 1834, and when he was about six months old his parents moved to Frederick county, Maryland. There he resided until the fall of 1854, when he went to Waynesbor- ough, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and two years later located in Troy, Bradford county, where he was employed in a hotel some three years. On June 1, 1859, he moved to Sullivan township, Tioga county, where he was married February 7, 1863, to Alice M. Dewey, a daughter of Sanford and Lorena Dewey. Mrs. Stauffer was

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born April 19, 1848, and became the mother of five children, as follows: Hamilton S., Mack E., Maggie L., born December 12, 1873, married Merton G. Rorabaugh, fireman on the Fall Brook railroad, who died December 12, 1893, and his widow resides in Mainesburg, engaged in the millinery business; John G. and Grace J., twins, born December 1, 1876, the former a farmer living in Mainesburg, and the latter deceased. Mr. Stauffer moved to Mainesburg April 1, 1864, in which place he carried on blacksmithing until a short time before his death. During the first year of the war he served in Company C, Second Maryland Cavalry, as blacksmith, and afterwards with Falkner's brigade. He was captured at Frederick City, Mary- land, in June, 1862, but was paroled in September and returned home. Mr. Stauf- fer was a member of the Disciples church of Mainesburg. In September, 1857, he joined Madison Lodge, No. 466, I. O. O. F., of Pottstown; was one of the charter members of Mainesburg Lodge, No. 754, of the same society, and at the time of his death was one of the oldest living Past Grands of said lodge. In politics, he was a Democrat up to a recent date, but, during later years, he acted with the Prohibition party. He served in the school board and council for many years.

HAMILTON S. STAUFFER, eldest son of George E. and Alice M. Stauffer, was born in Mainesburg, Tioga county, September 11, 1868. He attended the com- mon schools in boyhood, and learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. For a time he was a brakeman on the Fall Brook railroad, but not liking that calling he returned to his trade and worked with his father and brother, Mack E., in Maines- burg. Though formerly a Democrat, he is now a Prohibitionist. He has been a member of the Democratic central committee, and has served as inspector of elec- tion four years. Mr. Stauffer is a member of the Disciples church; is a Past Grand in Mainesburg Lodge, No. 754, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of Illion Encamp- ment, No. 235, of Sylvania. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and has always taken a deep interest in the I. O. O. F. society.

MACK E. STAUFFER, son of George E. and Alice M. Stauffer, was born in Mainesburg, Tioga county, March 11, 1871, and was educated in the common schools. In the fall of 1890 he went to Ellsworth county, Kansas, and worked on a cattle ranch. In the winter of 1893 he returned to Mainesburg, entered his father's shop and learned the blacksmith's trade, which he still follows. On February 3, 1892, he was married in Kansas, to Laura M. Kuntz. They have one child, Gordon E.

JAMES LUCAS came from Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to Richmond town- ship, Tioga county, in 1856, and settled on the farm where he passed the remaining years of his life. In 1821 he married Phoebe Bishop, of Tompkins county, New York, who bore him nine children, as follows: Uriah, Mrs. Millicent Daney, Mrs. Jane Greno, James, Mrs. Nancy Grandy, Furman, L. B., Mrs. Susan Clark, and Theodosia Strong. Mrs. Grandy, Furman and L. B. are the only survivors. Mr. Lucas was a carpenter, and in pursuit of that calling and in farming he secured a competence. Originally a Democrat, he became a Republican prior to the war, and voted that ticket until his death. He was a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with the lodge at Troy. Mr. Lucas died August 14, 1859, and his wife, February. 15, 1876.

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L. B. LUCAS, son of James and Phoebe Lucas, was born in Wells township, Bradford county, May 1, 1837. When seventeen years of age he went to learn the blacksmith's trade with Van Loon, of Mainesburg, Pennsylvania. In 1858 he located at Daggett Hollow, where he remained over two years, and then returned to the old homestead, following agriculture in summer and his trade in winter. In 1885 he started a shop in Mainesburg, where he has since devoted his entire atten- tion to his trade. In March, 1861, he married Adelaide Rumsey, of Sullivan township, to which union were born five children, viz: Carrie and Malcolm, both deceased; Mrs. Minnie Reynolds, H. G. and J. C. The mother died September 5, 1870. Mr. Lucas was again married October 22, 1871, to Lois Tice, of Tioga county, who has borne him three children, viz: Eva Clark, L. D. and Henry. In politics, Mr. Lucas is a Prohibitionist, and has served in the council of Mainesburg, and also as school director. He is a Past Grand of Mainesburg Lodge, No. 754, I. O. O. F., and is also connected with Sylvania Encampment. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mainesburg.

REV. JAMES A. JAMES was born at Swansea, Wales, April 25, 1860, and is a son of James James. His parents died in Wales, and he has two sisters and one brother who reside there. In his boyhood he attended the public school and Am- minford Academy, and later entered Arnold College, at Swansea, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1884. He then attended Haverford West Baptist Seminary, graduating in the spring of 1888, and was shortly afterwards ordained pastor of Pisgah church, at which place he remained until the fall of 1889, when he resigned this charge and made a tour of the principal cities of England. In the spring of 1890 he crossed the Atlantic to Philadelphia, arriving in that city about the middle of May. In 1891 he took charge of the Baptist church at Jermyn, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, remaining there until the fall of 1893, when he resigned to accept a call from the State Road Baptist church, in Sullivan town- ship, Tioga county, of which society he has since been pastor. The church has prospered greatly under his administration, adding sixty-nine converts to its mem- bership, and now numbers 164 members. Mr. James is a member of Mainesburg Lodge, No. 754, I. O. O. F., and in politics, he is an unswerving Republican.

JOHN A. KNIPPLE, physician and surgeon, was born in Bedford county, Penn- sylvania, August 22, 1840, there attended the public schools in boyhood, and later entered the Parish Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating from that institu- tion in 1860. He practiced in Altoona and vicinity until January, 1893, when he located in Mainesburg, Tioga county, where he continued his professional duties until his removal to Bellwood, Blair county, in the spring of 1897. On September 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was discharged because of disability, in February, 1863. He re- enlisted February 23, 1864, in Battery L, Third Heavy Artillery, and received his final discharge November 9, 1865. He participated in the following battles: Bath, Blue Gap, Romney, Harper's Ferry, Cumberland Mountains, Winchester, Fredericks- burg, Port Royal, Cross Keys, Mechanicsville, Peach Orchard, Cedar Mountain, Haymarket, Second Bull Run and Fairfax Court House. On December 25, 1860, he married Martha Benton, a daughter of Jonathan Benton, of Bedford county, to which union were born seven children, viz: Jacob, Catherine, deceased; Grant,

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William, Frederick, Harvey E., deceased, and Julianetta. He married for his second wife Nancy J. Wertz, a daughter of William Wertz, of Loop, Blair county, to which union were born four children, viz: James Garfield, Ella R., deceased; Grace and David. Mrs. Knipple died April 18, 1890. Dr. Knipple belongs to the Mennonite church, and he is an ardent Prohibitionist, giving that party his support at all times. He is a member of Mansfield Post, No. 48, G. A. R.

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP.

JESSE SMITH was one of the first settlers of Rutland township, Tioga county, coming from Delaware county, New York, in the year 1808. He was compelled to cut his way through the unbroken forest for several miles, as there were few settlers in this section of Tioga county at that early day. He brought with him his young wife, Annes, daughter of William Werden, of Delaware county, New York, and together they shared the trials and hardships of a pioneer life. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz: Morris, Mrs. Margaret Ashley, who resides in Minnesota; John, Tristam, William, George W., a resident of Missouri, and Warren. The deceased are Isaac, Mrs. Dolly Ann Wood, Leviza, Silas and Jesse. Mr. Smith and wife were consistent members of Rutland Hill Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a class leader and trustee for forty-five years. The first Methodist services in Tioga county were held in the double-log house of Jesse Smith in the year 1813. The preacher came from Spring- field, Bradford county, and afterwards held services at Lamb's Creek and Wellsboro, making a circuit of the three charges. In early manhood Mr. Smith was an ardent Democrat, later changed to a Whig, and when the Republican party was formed he cast his fortunes with that organization. Mr. Smith died May 25, 1871, aged eighty-six years, nine months and fifteen days. His wife died January 25, 1874, aged eighty-five years, two months and nine days.

MORRIS SMITH, second son and eldest living child of Jesse and Annes Smith, was born in Rutland township, Tioga county, April 12, 1809, and is the oldest living inhabitant born within the confines of the township. He has always followed agri- culture, with the exception of a short period that he was engaged with his brother John in the carpenter's business. On February 3, 1832, Mr. Smith married Matilda Gaylord, a daughter of Elijah Gaylord, to which union were born two children, viz: Erastus, deceased, and Sanford, who has charge of his father's farm. Mrs. Smith died June 16, 1872, and he was again married, December 10, 1872, to Emeline Black, a daughter of John Black, of Steuben county, New York. He and wife are adherents of Rutland Hill Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Smith has been a trustee for about forty years. In early manhood he was a Democrat, but became a Whig with his father, and is at present a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party. At different times he has refused to accept offices tendered him, believing he could serve his party better as a private citizen.

WILLIAM SMITH, fifth son of Jesse Smith, was born in Rutland township, Tioga county, October 3, 1818, grew to manhood in his native township, and has always followed farming. On August 20, 1843, he married Dorothy Allen, to which union were born four children, named as follows: Mrs. Alzima Wood, Mrs. Susan Wilson, Jesse and Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler. Mrs. Smith died about 1855, and on March 1,

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1859, he married Eliza A. Loomis, a daughter of John Loomis. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Rutland Hill Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Jack- sonian Democrat, an ardent supporter of the principles of his party, and is one of the progressive citizens of his native township.

REYNOLDS SIXBEE was born in Jefferson, Wisconsin, in the year 1819, and about 1840 came east and settled in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He found employment with Major Daggett, whose daughter, Hannah, he married in 1841, and with his wife came on a sled into Rutland township, Tioga county, settling in the midst of an unbroken forest. He erected a cabin and began clearing the place now known as the Sixbee farm. In those days game was very abundant, and it was a common thing for him to go out and shoot a deer or two before breakfast. He had for playmates for his children five tame deer, two old ones and three fawns, and he very frequently used these deer for the purpose of trapping wild ones. In later years Mr. Sixbee worked at blacksmithing and lumbering in connection with his farm duties. Of his seven children, two died in infancy, and five are living, viz: Mrs. Emma Horton, of South Creek, New York; Mrs. Sadie Horton, of Mans- field; Mrs. Della Lebarron; Floyd, and Mrs. Belle McConnell, of Rutland township. Mrs. Sixbee died February 11, 1893, and her husband, October 2, 1895. In religion, he was a Methodist, and in politics, an earnest Republican. He was one of the substantial citizens of Rutland township, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors.

ULYSSES CHAMBERLAIN was born in Vermont, came to Tioga county in the year 1850, and purchased the farm on which his widow now resides, in Rutland township. He was for a short time engaged in lumbering in Cameron county, but the greater part of his life was passed upon his farm. In 1852 he married Char- lotte Benson, a daughter of John Benson. Ten children were born to this union, nine of whom are living, viz: George, Thomas, John, Edward, David, Floyd, Charles, Nathan and Frederick. Mr. Chamberlain was a Jacksonian Democrat, and a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. Though not a member of any church, he was a diligent student of the Bible to the day of his death.

FLOYD CHAMBERLAIN, sixth son of Ulysses Chamberlain, was born in Rut- land township, Tioga county, March 22, 1862. He attended the common schools in boyhood, and later took charge of the homestead, which is now one of the finest farms in Rutland township. Like his father, Mr. Chamberlain is a stanch Dem- ocrat, but has firmly refused to accept office, though frequently tendered him. He is one of the leading citizens of Rutland, and stands high in the community where his whole life has been passed.

LABEN L. ROCKWELL came from Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to Rutland township, Tioga county, in 1853, and bought a farm on what is known as Pumpkin Hill, where the remaining years of his life were spent. He was married in Brad- ford county, January 15, 1821, to Mary Elliott, who bore him three children, viz: Philander, Mrs. Clarinda Harkness and Mrs. Lavina Doud. Mrs. Rockwell died September 14, 1828, and he was again married July 16, 1829, to Betsey Newell, of Troy, Bradford county. Two children were the fruits of this union, viz: Mrs. Mary Webster, and Sarah, deceased. On September 18, 1833, the mother died, and Mr. Rockwell subsequently married Nancy Wilson, a daughter of George Wilson,

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and sister of the late Judge S. F. Wilson, of Wellsboro. Five children were born to this marriage, viz: Catherine and Rebecca, both deceased; Aletta, wife of Lafayette Gray; Almira, deceased, and Lascelle, of Columbia, Bradford county. Mr. Rock- well died on his farm in Rutland township, December 24, 1854. His widow sur- vived him until January 19, 1891. He was a stanch Republican, and the family were members of the Baptist church, in which faith he lived and died.

J. MACK SWEELY, son of David Sweely, was born in Susquehanna township, Ly- coming county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1852. He obtained a limited education in the common schools, and was reared on a farm. On February 25, 1873, he married Emma Knoor, a daughter of Dr. Knoor, of Clinton county. Ten children have been born to this union, named as follows: Leonard, Nellie, Maude, Theresa, Ellen, Rose, Mable, Elsie, J. Mack, and one that died in infancy. The family are ad- herents of the Baptist church at Roseville. Mr. Sweely is a member of Job's Corners Grange, No. 1110, Patrons of Husbandry, and is also the charter Sir Knight Commander of Rutland Tent, No. 87, K. O. T. M. Locating in Rutland township, Tioga county, in 1879, he has since been engaged in farming, and now makes a specialty of dairying, keeping at all times over forty head of cattle. In politics, Mr. Sweely is an ardent Republican, and takes a deep interest in the suc- cess of his party.

BENJAMIN A. HARRIS, son of Levi B. Harris, was born in LeRoy, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1852. He attended the common schools of his native place until 1866, when his parents removed to Warrensville, Pennsylvania. In 1868 he returned to LeRoy, where he learned the milling trade with his uncle, Amos Harris. In 1879 he came to Rutland township, Tioga county, and in 1890 purchased the farm on which he now resides. He makes a specialty of dairying, sheep raising and lumbering, and in the last four years he has manufactured and disposed of over 2,500,000 shingles. On November 11, 1879, Mr. Harris married Rosetta E. Colby, a daughter of James W. Colby, and has had one daughter, Nettie May, born December 17, 1880, and died January 27, 1884. Mr. Harris is an ardent Republican, in politics, and is a charter member of Rutland Tent, No. 87, K. O. T. M.

REV. JOHN C. CROWTHER was born in Dutchess county, New York, November 24, 1859, son of Joseph and Hannah Crowther. He received a common school edu- cation. When about seventeen years of age, he commenced evangelistic work, and continued in the same for about fifteen years, in and about New York. He took work in the Methodist Episcopal Conference, Elmira district, and was assigned to Millerton, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in which place he had gratifying success. He was next assigned to the circuit comprising the Methodist Episcopal churches at Roseville, Rutland Hill, and Lawrence Corners, all within the boundaries of Tioga county. During his pastorate the church at Roseville has nearly doubled its membership, gaining 140 converts in the past two years. Mr. Crowther has also erected a neat parsonage and barn at Roseville, and both spiritually and ma- terially his charge is to-day in a flourishing condition. On August 2, 1882, he was married at Seymour, Connecticut, to Hattie E. Hickox, a daughter of Samuel Hickox, and a grand-daughter of Rev. Samuel Hickox, who preached the first ser- mon in the Methodist Episcopal church at Waterbury, Connecticut. Two children blessed this union, Fannie May, and Charles L., the latter deceased. After being

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an invalid for eleven years, Mrs. Crowther died February 9, 1895. Mr. Crowther was again married February 11, 1896, to Lena Walters, a daughter of John Walters, of Mansfield.

HIRAM JOHNS was born in Sullivan township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. His father, Seely Johns, came from Massachusetts to Sullivan township, Tioga county, about 1826, and spent the remaining years of his life in this county. He had a family of nine children, as follows: Sanford, James and Hiram, both de- ceased; Sylvia, wife of W. A. Rockwell; William, Moses and Seely, all of whom are dead; John B., a resident of Missouri, and Charles, who lives in Mansfield, Tioga county. Hiram Johns married Theresa Morehouse, a daughter of T. W. and A. M. Morehouse, of Jersey City, New Jersey, to which union was born one son, Thomas W. During the war period, Mr. Johns was superintendent of schools of Tioga county. He later removed to Larned, Kansas, where he practiced law until his death.

THOMAS W. JOHNS was born in Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1869, and is the only child of Hiram Johns. He obtained a good com- mon school education, and afterwards attended Alfred University. He then went to Larned, Kansas, where he studied law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1893. For a short time he practiced at Hutchison, Kansas, and returned to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in July, 1893. In April, 1894, he removed to Rut- land township, Tioga county, and has since resided on a farm. Mr. Johns is a strong Republican, and a man of enterprise and public spirit. He makes the growing of poultry and fruit a specialty, and devotes his attention to agricultural pursuits.

COLLINS W. SOPER was a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where his parents were among the early settlers. His mother, during a trip to Elmira on horseback, was pursued and driven into a deserted house by a pack of wolves, and kept there all one bitter cold night. Soon after daybreak the following morning help arrived and she was enabled to proceed on her journey, not much the worse of her adventure, except for being nearly frozen. This incident illustrates the trials and hardships of pioneer life. When quite young, Collins W. attended school at Southport, New York, intending to enter a profession, but before he had com- pleted his studies he was called home by his father to take charge of the farm. Mr. Soper possessed a natural tact for acquiring and saving, was very successful, and divided among his sons over 500 acres of land. He married Didamia Harris, a native of Vermont, and reared five sons, viz: Elwyn, Walter, Ward B., Llewellyn and Morton. Mr. Soper was a stanch Democrat, filled several township offices at different periods, and served one term as county commissioner of Bradford county. He died December 22, 1893, aged seventy-six years. His wife survivd him until September 25, 1895.

WARD B. SOPER was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, about 100 rods east of where he now lives, April 16, 1852, and is the third son of Collins W. Soper .. He attended the district schools in boyhood, and later engaged in farming, working at the mason's and painter's trades at intervals. On December 1, 1880, he married Isadore Sharpe, a daughter of Lewis Sharpe, of Orange county, New York, and has two adopted children, Laura May and Clara Belle, daughters of John B. Clark.

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Mr. Soper and wife attend the Baptist church of Roseville, and, like his father, he is an ardent Democrat. He has never held an office or belonged to any secret or- ganization, and is one of the progressive farmers of the township.

CHAPTER LXV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

COVINGTON TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH-THE BLOSSBURG COAL REGION-LIBERTY AND UNION TOWNSHIPS- MORRIS TOWNSHIP.

AARON BLOSS, the founder of Blossburg, was a native of Killingby, Connec- ticut, born May 29, 1775. His father, Samuel Bloss, was a great-grandson of Ed- ward Bloss, who came from England to America about 1630. Aaron came from Che- nango county, New York, to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in July, 1801, and was one of the first settlers of Covington township. Thefollowing year he removed to "Peter's Camp," a station on the Williamson road, now the site of Blossburg, where he erected a house in which he conducted a hotel until 1820. In that year he built a larger hotel and continued the business up to 1835, when he returned to Covington, and died March 24, 1843. Mr. Bloss married Ruah Lownsbery, to whom were born nine children. Four of these grew to maturity, as follows: Everett W., Lloyd, Eliza and Caroline. Mrs. Bloss died April 17, 1839, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Bloss was a man of strong common sense, great determination and courage, an expert woodsman and hunter, patient, shrewd and far-seeing. Such was the pioneer of Covington and Blossburg, the first man to settle in the unbroken wilderness then covering this section of the county.

EVERETT WINTER BLOSS was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, September 20, 1800, eldest son of Aaron Bloss. He was reared at Blossburg, Tioga county, and in youth became an expert hunter. In early manhood he spent some time at the carpenter's trade, and also worked at shoemaking. In 1839 he removed from Blossburg to a farm on the river, a short distance above Covington, and five years later located on the present Bloss farm, where he purchased 120 acres of forest land, upon which he passed the remaining years of his life, engaged in clearing and improving the property. He died September 29, 1882, aged eighty-two years, at the home of J. D. Burr, in Blossburg. He married Lydia Walker, a daughter of Isaac Walker, who bore him five children, as follows: Julia E., wife of Joseph Husted, of Covington township; Josephine M., deceased wife of William Singer- land; Randolph F., who died on the old homestead; Warren W., deceased, and Clara A., wife of John Everett, of Covington. Mrs. Bloss was born in New Hamp- shire, May 27, 1807, and died in Covington, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clara A. Everett, September 16, 1887.

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RANDOLPH F. BLOSS, eldest son of Everett Winter Bloss, and grandson of Aaron Bloss, was born in Blossburg, Tioga county, September 6, 1830, and was nine years old when his parents removed to Covington township. In 1855 he married Mary Feritor, a native of Ireland, who bore him two children, viz: Edie R., born August 8, 1861, who married J. D. Burr, of Blossburg, and died August 14, 1895, and Myrtle E., born April 5, 1867, who from early womanhood was a great sufferer from spinal disease, and died February 1, 1895. Both were earnest Christian women. Mr. Bloss was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, a Republican. He died on the homestead in Covington township, October 3, 1896, aged sixty-six years.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 146

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