History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 20

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

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PARDON DAMON was an old-time member of the bar. He was born in Massa- chusetts in 1808. When a young man he came to this county, read law with .John C. Knox, was admitted to the bar and located in practice at Lawrenceville. Much of his time was devoted to real estate business, and buying and selling land. He

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married Lois Lindsley and died in Lawrenceville, in 1872, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

A. J. MONROE was born in Massachusetts, October 7, 1806; came to Tioga county in 1842; studied law with Hon. John C. Knox, at Lawrenceville, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. Locating at Knoxville he entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1849 he was appointed deputy attorney general, and he represented Tioga county in the legislature in 1850. In 1859 he removed to Monticello, Iowa, where he practiced his profession and held several offices of trust.

WILLIAM ADAMS was born in Tioga, Tioga county, March 24, 1816, a son of Capt. Lyman Adams, and grew to manhood in his native county. In 1831 he became an apprentice in the office of the Tioga Pioneer, then published by Rankin Lewis & Co. In 1838 he succeeded Dr. Cyrus Pratt as owner and editor of the paper, which then bore the name of Tioga Democrat. In 1840 he sold a half interest to John C. Knox and others, and the plant was removed to Lawrenceville and the name changed to Lawrence Sentinel. The next year he sold his remaining interest in the paper, returned to Tioga township and bought a farm on Mill creek, where for fourteen years he followed agriculture in connection with the practice of law. Mr. Adams was married, February 23, 1841, to Ruth Ann Daily, a daughter of John and Violetta (Niles) Daily, to which union two children were born: John Willard, an attorney of Mansfield, and William Erastus, who died on March 30, 1873, aged twenty-seven years, being at the time of his death collector of internal revenue for this district. In 1855 Mr. Adams removed to Mansfield, and in 1857 he was chosen a justice of the peace. With the exception of the years 1882 and 1883, when he was door-keeper of the State Senate at Harrisburg, he filled the office continuously up to May, 1895. From 1862 to 1877 he was in the mercantile business at Mansfield. Mrs. Adams died in that borough July 21, 1868. Her husband survived until August 11, 1895, dying at the ripe age of nearly eighty years. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and in religion a Methodist. He was also a member of Friend- ship Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M. Besides serving as a justice of the peace he filled the office of councilman, assessor and school director, and was one of the useful and respected citizens of Mansfield.

JOHN N. BACHE, a son of William Bache, Sr., was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, March 8, 1820, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. He commenced the study of law with his brother-in-law, Hon. Robert G. White, in 1841, and completed the usual legal course at Yale Law School, in New Haven, Connecticut. In the fall of 1843 he was admitted to the bar of Tioga county and is one of its oldest members now living. He personally knew and has a very clear recollection of many of the old-time lawyers who practiced at this bar. He devoted his attention chiefly to land titles and collections, as jury trials were generally distasteful to him. He served as deputy attorney general for about one year. In 1848 he was elected register and recorder, served one term, and was afterwards chosen a justice of the peace, but he soon resigned the office. Years ago, in con- nection with his brother William, he turned his attention to timber and coal lands and geological explorations. They first called the attention of the Fall Brook Coal Company to the lands now known as the Antrim Field, the development of which has added so much wealth and prosperity to the county. Mr. Bache was married at

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Seneca Falls, New York, September 1, 1847, to Sarah Stowell, a danghter of Heze- kiah Stowell, one of the pioneer lumbermen of Tioga county. She was born in Bainbridge, New York, June 30, 1823, and came with her parents to Wellsboro in childhood. Six children were born of this marriage, three of whom grew to matu- rity, viz: Anna S., wife of A. A. Truman; Lonisa M., wife of L. F. Truman, and Nellie, wife of F. W. Graves, all of whom are residents of Wellsboro. Mrs. Bache died at her home in that borough December 31, 1896, after a residence there of nearly half a century. In politics Mr. Bache was originally a Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. Although now retired from active business life, he is still recognized as one of Wellsboro's most substantial citizens.

JULIUS SHERWOOD was one of the leading members of the bar forty years ago. He was born in what is now Schuyler county, New York, January 22, 1822, and was admitted to the bar of Tioga county, December 17, 1844. From the time of his admission until the breaking out of the Rebellion, he continued to practice at Wells- boro. When Sumter was fired on he was one of the first men in Tioga county to take an active part in raising troops for the defense of the Union, and was elected captain of one of the two first companies organized at Wellsboro, on Monday, April 22, 1861. Ile filled the same position when his men were mustered in at Camp Cur- tin the following June, as Company H, Thirty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until September, 1861, when he resigned. Mr. Sherwood died at Williams- port, July 7, 1875.

A. P. CONE was born in New Hampshire in 1820. When a young man he came to Elkland and settled. Ile read law under the direction of Hon. John C. Knox, at Lawrenceville, and was admitted in 1846. In addition to his law business, he became an active operator in real estate and a builder of houses and hotels. He built a large hotel in Wellsboro in 1869-70, which was named the Cone House, but is now known as the C'oles House. Ile also built the Albemarle House at Elizabeth City, North Carolina, through which he suffered heavy losses. Mr. Cone died in 1871.

IlON. JOHN W. RYON was born in Elkland, Tioga county, March 4. 1825, a son of Judge John Ryon, and grandson of .John Ryon, both pioneers of the ('owanesque valley. He received an academical education at Millville, New York, and Wellsboro. Pennsylvania; read law with Hon. John C. Knox, at Wellsboro, and completed his studies with Hon. James Lowrey of the same place. Ile was admitted to the bar of Tioga county in 1846, and soon after opened an office at Lawrenceville. In 1850 he was elected, on the Democratic tieket, district attorney, was re-elected at the expira- tion of his term, and filled the office six consecutive years, discharging its duties in a very satisfactory manner. Mr. Ryon was not only an able and safe counsellor, but was recognized as a powerful advocate, and his praetiee extended to the adjoining counties of Potter, MeKean and Bradford, where he met in legal combat the best Inwyers of those seetions. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he heartily supported the government, and did all in his power to encourage enlistments and raise troops for the defense of the flag. He was largely instrumental in raising Company .1, of the famous Bucktails, and gave freely of his time and means towards that object. In 1861 he was appointed paymaster in the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and held that position one year, during which time the Reserves were mustered into the United States service. In March, 1863, Mr. Ryon removed to Pottsville, Schuylkill

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county, where he has since resided. He represented the Thirteenth congressional district in Congress one term, and for the past thirty years he has been one of the leading lawyers of central and eastern Pennsylvania.

HON. CHARLES H. SEYMOUR was born in Bath, New York, June 21, 1820; studied law with Hon. John W. Guernsey, at Tioga, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He was an active practitioner for many years and a recognized leader at the Tioga bar. In November, 1876, he was elected a state senator and represented his district with ability and fidelity four years. Before the close of his term he con- tracted a malarial disease which was the indirect cause of his death, at his home in the borough of Tioga, June 6, 1882, in his sixty-second year.

HON. HENRY SHERWOOD was one of the most prominent and successful mem- bers of the Tioga county bar for nearly half a century. He was a native of Bridge- port, Connecticut, born October 9, 1813, and a son of Salmon and Phoebe (Burritt) Sherwood, of that place, where his paternal ancestor, Thomas Sherwood, settled in 1645. Henry was of the seventh generation from the founder of the American branch of the family. In 1817 he removed with his parents to the town of Catherine, in what is now Schuyler county, New York, where he spent his boyhood days on a farm. His education was obtained in the common schools, supplemented by a few terms at an academy. At the age of sixteen he began teaching, which he followed about a year, and then went to Columbus, Ohio, where he clerked in a general store a few years. He later resided in the South for several years, mostly in Louisiana and what is now the State of Texas. While there he was a soldier in the Texan army under General Houston, and when the independence of Texas was obtained he re- turned to Columbia, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to which place his parents had removed. In 1840 he located in Knoxville, Tioga county, where he was a merchant and lumberman. Meeting with financial reverses, he entered the employ of Joel Parkhurst, of Elkland, for whom he clerked a few years.

Mr. Sherwood began the study of law in 1845, and in December, 1846, removed to Wellsboro and entered the law office of Hon. Robert G. White. He pursued his studies under Judge White until his admission to the bar, September 7, 1847, when he entered at once into active practice. With the passing years he built up a fine legal business and became widely known as a safe and successful lawyer. His courte- ous manners and pleasing address made him a favorite among the people, and for nearly half a century he was engaged in all of the important civil and criminal causes tried in Tioga county. His professional career was one of uninterrupted suc- cess. Possessing a strong constitution and great will power, his force and persevering industry swept aside every obstacle that came in his way. His perceptive faculties were of the keenest character and his knowledge of human nature enabled him to fathom men and their motives. Among the qualities that made Mr. Sherwood a successful lawyer and a formidable advocate, were his good judgment, ready appre- ciation of the strong points of his case and the weak points in the other side; his great industry in the thorough preparation of his case, never trusting to chance, but always possessing a clear understanding of it; while his good judgment of men and knowledge of how the grouping of facts would strike the court and jury, generally enabled him to make the most out of the cross-examination of the opposing wit- nesses. His indomitable courage never deserted him. When the tide seemed to be

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the strongest against his elient he worked the harder, and his ingenuity and tact en- abled him to get the best possible results out of desperate cases. He had wonderful capacity and inclination for work, and loved it more for the success he achieved than for the remuneration it brought him. His strongest characteristics, therefore, were industry, good judgment of men, taet and courage.

In the practice of his profession Mr. Sherwood was always ready to volunteer in the defense of the poor and unfortunate, and no person was ever turned from his office for want of money to pay fees. His zeal for his client was the same whether there was a good fee at the end of the case or not. He always made his elient's vase his own and contested every point as if his personal interests were at stake. He loved his profession, and to him the keenest gratification of his life was at the elose of a trial in which he had successfully defended and vindicated the rights of a elient upon whom he felt a wrong had been sought to be perpetrated. Compensation with him, as with every true lawyer, was a matter of secondary consideration. His client's interest was his first thought and his own remuneration a mere incident in the ease. Mr. Sherwood was especially loved by the younger members of the bar for his uni- form kindness and courtesy, being ever ready to extend to them a helping hand. Frequently ealled upon for advice, he gave it cheerfully, and there are members of the Tioga county bar who will cherish his memory as long as they live. For more than forty years he continued in the active duties of his profession, winning a large practice and attaining a well-earned prominence at the bar. A few years ago the advancing infirmities of age compelled him to retire from aetive work, and he spent the sunset of an honorable, upright life in the quiet happiness of his home in Wells- boro, where he died November 10. 1896. having passed the ripe age of eighty-three years. At his death the court and bar adopted the following tribute to his memory:

Resolved, That by the death of Henry Sherwood, who for a half a century was an active member of the bar and one of the leading lawyers of Pennsylvania, the court and bar of Tioga county in deep sorrow recognize the loss of a profound jurist and an able advocate, a patriotic sintesman, nn agreeable. companionable gentleman, a noble and generous private citizen, u kind husband and an indulgent and affectionate father.

Aside from his profession, Mr. Sherwood always took a lively interest in what- ever had a tendency to develop the resources of the county and advance its indus- trial prosperity. He was a prime mover in the organization of the Tioga County Ag- ricultural Society, in 1854, and was its president in 1839, when he introduced Horsee Greeley to the large nudience gathered to hear that distinguished journalist, whom he had engaged to deliver an address to the society. Mr. Sherwood was also untiring in his efforts to seeure the construction of the railroad from Wellsboro to Lawrence- ville, now the Corning, Cowanesque and Antrim section of the Fall Brook, and served as president of the company from its organization until the completion of the road in 1872. Ile strongly advocated the building of the Jersey Shore and Pine ('reek railroad, now a part of the Fall Brook system, was a director of the company until the road was finished, and president of the same from its organization up to the time of his death. He was also a director in the Fall Brook Railroad Company.

When the Civil War broke out Mr. Sherwood gave an unswerving and loyal support to the I'nion cause, and during its continuance aided liberally in sending men to the front and in stirring up an intense spirit of patriotism among the people. 11

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Throughout his long and active career he was always a staunch Democrat, and was the candidate of his party for Congress in this district three times, in 1856, 1870 and 1872. In 1870 he defeated William H. Armstrong, of Williamsport, the Republican nominee, by a majority of twenty-seven votes, wiping out Mr. Armstrong's previous majority of 2,028, much to the surprise of his opponent, thus proving his popularity among the people of the district. His course in Congress was creditable to himself and constituents. He also represented the district several times in state and national conventions and always gave his best efforts towards the success of his party.

Mr. Sherwood was twice married. In February, 1843, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah M. Allen, of Cortland county, New York. She died August 17, . 1871, leaving one son, Walter, now a well-known lawyer of Wellsboro. Two years later he married Levancia Allen, a sister of his first wife, who survives him. An ardent lover of nature, Mr. Sherwood had the deepest affection for every living thing, and took great pleasure in the companionship of the domestic pets which always found a warm welcome in his home. He also loved the green fields, the woods and the flowers, and was in fact a good type of one of Nature's noblemen.

FREDERICK E. SMITH was born at Amherst, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, November 15, 1822, and removed with his parents at an early age to Marion, New York, where he was prepared for college at the Marion Collegiate Institute. In July, 1844, he graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York. During the ensuing year he was principal of Wolcott Academy, Wolcott,, New York, and afterward the academy at Clyde. He then began the study of law with Hon. Chauncey F. Clark, of Wolcott. In 1846 he removed to Tioga and completed his studies under Hon. John W. Guernsey, of that place. He was admitted to the Tioga county bar in 1849, to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1852, and to the United States courts in 1865. In 1849 he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Charles H. Seymour, of Tioga, which continued until 1853. He was married, June 14, 1853, to Stella F. Bigelow, of Tioga, youngest daughter of Judge Levi Bigelow. In 1856 he was a presidential elector on the Fremont ticket, and in 1860 was an elector on the Lincoln ticket. He was an ardent supporter of the Union cause, and an earnest friend of the soldier during the Civil War. In 1865 he was appointed a United States commissioner, holding that office until his death. In 1867 he was appointed United States register in bankruptcy for the Eighteenth (now the Sixteenth) district, serving until the repeal of the law. In June, 1879, he became one of the founders of the banking house of Pomeroy Brothers & F. E. Smith, at Blossburg, with which he was connected until his death, at his home in Tioga, October 8, 1889. He was prominent as a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and was one of the trustees of Union College, Schenectady, New York. Mr. Smith was an able and successful lawyer, and had a well-deserved reputation for upright- ness and integrity.

THOMAS ALLEN was born in Kennebunk, York county, Maine, December 11, . 1817, and was educated in the common schools of his native town. In 1841 he came co Tioga county and located at Elkland, where he was engaged in the saddle and harness business for seven years. He then studied law under Hon. John C. Knox and was admitted to the bar in September, 1851. He opened an office in Wellsboro with A. P. Cone, and practiced his profession until January, 1865, when he entered

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the county commissioners' office as clerk and served in that capacity ten years. In .1814 he was elected county treasurer and served one term, after which he resumed his law practice, continuing until 1892, when he retired on account of ill health, but is still a resident of Wellsboro.

HON. BUTLER B. STRANG was one of the most distinguished and brilliant mem- bers of the Tioga bar. Born in Greenwood, Steuben county, New York, March 16, 1829, the son of a Methodiat minister, he came with his father to Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, where he was reared to manhood. He studied law with A. J. Monroe, of Knoxville, and waa admitted to the bar in 1852. Four years later he was elected district attorney, in which office he displayed those legal talents which in later years placed him in the front rank of his profession. Ile served in the legislature in 1861-62, and from 1868 to 1871. He was chairman of the judiciary general committee two sessions, and of the ways and means one session, and was speaker of the House in 1870. He served in the Senate from 18;3 to 1876. During that period he was chairman of the judiciary general committee two sessions, chair- man of the finance committee two sessions, and speaker of the Senate in 1874, the last regular speaker of that body under the old constitution. Mr. Strang was a member of the first committee which visited Washington, in conjunction with the committee of council from Philadelphia, to initiate the Centennial Exhibition and bring it to the attention of Congress. He was also chairman of the legislative centennial cominittee appointed to assist in the erection and care of the Pennsylvania buildings, but resigned the position to Senator Jones, of Philadelphia. As chairman of the commission appointed by Governor Hartranft to devise a code for the govern- ment of cities, he made an elaborate report, accompanied by a bill, but it was never adopted in full. After leaving the scenes of his greatest triumphs at Harrisburg, Senator Strang was appointed United States marshal for the Territory of Dakota, but after a short term of service, impaired health compelled him to resign the office in 1882. Returning to his home in Westfield, he retired from active politics and devoted his attention to professional work and the gratification of his highly culti- vated literary tastes.

During hia public life of nearly twenty years, few men in the Commonwealth exerted a greater influence or commanded a higher regard in his own party and respect from the leading men among the opposition than Butler B. Strang. En- dowed with a clear intellect and a dignified presence, possessing a wide knowledge of parliamentary law and usages, and being an able and effective debater, he was the recognized Republican leader of the House and Senate. Schooled in the adversi- tica of pioncer life, he knew the wants of his constituents, and he did not hesitate to battle for them. Few men could express their views more lucidly, and few were gifted with the power of making a more incisive or convincing argument. He was for many years one of the leading members of the Tioga bar and was counsel in many important suits. Owing to his life of great activity and the mental strain to which he was constantly subjected, his health, never the best, broke down com- pletely, his mind gave way, and on the morning of May 10. 1884, while laboring under great mental aberration, he placed the muzzle of a revolver to his right temple, pulled the trigger, and all was over in an instant! His death caused a profound sensation, and there was sincere mourning among the people of the county, as he

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was one of the brightest, most aggressive and brilliant of the many adopted sons of Tioga.

CHARLES O. BOWMAN was born in Westfield, March 6, 1825, and was educated in the common schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He read law under Hon. Robert. G. White, of Wellsboro, and was admitted to practice September 8, 1852. After his admission he located in Knoxville. In 1862 he was elected a member of the legislature. He removed to Corry in 1865, and in 1869 was elected to the legislature from Erie county, and in 1872 was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention. He is now a member of the bar of Erie county.

COL. ROBERT T. WOOD was born in Laurence township, Otsego county, New York, February 2, 1830, and is a son of John T. Wood. He was educated at Mill- ville Academy, Orleans county, and Wilson College, Niagara county, New York. In 1850 he began the study of law with Hon. James Lowrey, of Wellsboro, Tioga county, and was admitted to the bar in 1853, and to the Supreme Court of Pennsyl- vania in 1869. He located at Elkland, where, with the exception of six years spent in what is now South Dakota, and the time he was in the army, he has continued to practice his profession since his admission to the bar. In August, 1861, he raised Company I, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and went to the front as captain of his company. On October 4, 1862, he resigned his commission, by reason of disability. But not contented to remain idle while the nation's life was in danger, he re-enlisted, July 6, 1864, raised Company H, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and again went to the front as captain of that company. On March 25, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of major, and was mustered out of service June 7, 1865, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was wounded in front of Petersburg, April 2, 1865. For six years he was district attorney of Bon Homme county, in what is now South Dakota. On December 10, 1851, he married Mary E. Culver, a daughter of Leander and Dolly (Bottum) Culver, of Elkland, and has two children, Leander and Jennie. Colonel Wood is a staunch Republican, was clerk of the House of Represen- tatives in 1869, 1870 and 1871, and has always taken a deep interest in the success of his party. From 1878 to 1880 he edited the Elkland Journal, conducting it as a Republican paper. He has been commander of J. Edgar Parkhurst Post, No. 581, G. A. R., of Elkland, five successive terms, and is a member of the Masonic order and the I. O. O. F. In religious faith he adheres to the Presbyterian church.

AUGUSTUS STREETER was born December 12, 1823, in the township of Shippen, on Pine creek. He received an academical education, studied law with A. J. Monroe, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1854. He was a fellow-student with Butler B. Strang, but unlike him, never went into politics and never held any official posi- tion. His first case in court was in 1855, when he and Strang defended a man charged with arson, who was acquitted. Singular to relate after an active service of twenty- seven years, Mr. Streeter's last case was that of the same man charged with killing his son. He was indicted for murder, but was acquitted and discharged. Mr. Streeter died in the spring of 1883, aged sixty years.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 20

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