History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 22

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

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Since 1888 Mfr. Tubbs has been a director of the Wellsborough National Bank; has served as a trustee of the State Hospital at Blossburg, by appointment of the governor, since 1890, and since 1892 he has been president of the Cowanesque Valley Agricultural Society. On October 22, 1879. he was married to Sylvina Bacon, a daughter of Ard Hoyt and Lucinda (Murdock) Bacon, and has one son, Warren. In 1891 Mr. Tubbs was admitted a member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution. In 1894 he made a tour of Europe with his family, and when Lycoming county celebrated her centennial, in July, 1895, he was invited as one of the speakers on that occasion, and delivered an historical oration relating to the northwestern part

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of her original territory. Mr. Tubbs has a decided taste for local history and genealogy, and has collected one of the largest and most valuable historical private libraries in Pennsylvania. His published works are the histories of Deerfield, Knoxville and Osceola, in 1883; "Osceola in the War of the Rebellion," published in 1885, and "Lycoming Centennial," in 1896.

JOHN C. HORTON was born at Spring Mills, Allegany county, New York, April 1, 1843. He was educated at Spring Mills Academy in his native county, Lewis- ville Academy, Potter county, and Union Academy, Tioga county. He read law one year with George W. Ryon at Lawrenceville, finished his studies with Hon. Charles H. Seymour at Tioga, and was admitted to the bar at Wellsboro in August, 1868. He located in Blossburg. He was a notary public from 1870 to 1876, and served several years as clerk of the borough council.

DAVID CAMERON was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents in 1848, when he was about ten years of age. The family settled at Blossburg, Tioga county, where David worked in the mines with his father and later in the Morris Run mines. He was educated in the common schools, subsequently spent one year at Wellsboro Academy and two years at Mansfield State Normal. While a student in the latter institution he taught mathematics, and also taught the schools of Morris Run, Fall Brook and Mitchell's Creek, and was principal of the graded school in Tioga two years. In course of time he entered the law office of F. E. Smith, at Tioga, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. While attending school and reading law he also worked in the mines at intervals, doing the last work in that line in 1865. In 1871 he located in Wellsboro, entering into partnership with Hon. John I. Mitchell in the practice of law. This relationship continued until January 1, 1889, when Mr. Mitchell became president judge. Mr. Cameron was appointed assistant United States attorney for the Western district of Pennsylvania, by Hon. B. H. Brewster, attorney general of the United States, April 1, 1882, and held the office until October 12, 1888. He was re-appointed September 1, 1890, and served until October, 1893. Mr. Cameron was married October 5, 1865, to Emily A. Mitchell, a daughter of Thomas K. Mitchell, of Mitchell's Creek, and grand- daughter of Richard Mitchell, who settled at that point in 1792. Four sons and two daughters have blessed this union, all of whom are living. In politics, Mr. Cameron has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

MAJOR GEORGE W. MERRICK was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1838, and is a son of Israel Merrick, Jr., and grandson of Israel Merrick, Sr., pioneers of Wellsboro. He spent his boyhood days in his native place, and was attending school when the Civil War broke out. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company H, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserve, and served with it in the battle of Drainsville, the Peninsular Campaign and Second Bull Run. In 1862 he was dis- charged on account of ill health. Before he had fairly recovered he recruited a company for the First Battalion Pennsylvania Volunteers, six months' men, was chosen captain of the company and went to the front. At the expiration of his term he recruited a company for the three years' service, which was mustered in as Company A, of the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was subsequently commissioned major and joined the army at Cold Harbor. Major Merrick was in command of the regiment in the desperate assault on Fort Hell, at

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Petersburg, Virginia, June 18, 1864, and received a gunshot wound in the right knee, rendering amputation of the leg necessary. This disabled him for further military duty and he retired from the service. Returning home he commenced reading law with Hon. Henry W. Williams, completed his studies under W. H. Smith, Eaq., and was admitted to the bar in February, 1869. Major Merrick was appointed postmaster of Wellsboro, January 27, 1869, a few days before his admis- sion to practice, and held the office over thirteen years, resigning June 14, 1882, to accept the nomination of the Independent Republicans for secretary of internal affairs. He opened an office in Wellsboro for the practice of his profession, and has since won a leading place at the bar as an honest, able and successful lawyer. In the famous case of Charlotte Howell, charged with poisoning Elizabeth Knapp, Major Merrick was the defendant's principal attorney. After a very exciting trial, lasting twenty days, she was acquitted, mainly through the able and skillful defense made for her by her counsel. In politics he has been an ardent Republican since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Believing in the open self-rule of the party, he has taken no part in party management, but in public discu-sions of principles and policies he has been active and influential. Major Merrick was married in November, 1868, to Miss Ione Butterworth, a niece of David Wilmot. Of four children born to them, one daughter, Louise Wilmot Merrick, survives.

IION. WILLIAM A. STONE, a son of Israel Stone, was born in Delmar township, Tioga county, April 18, 1816, and was reared on his father's farin in Delmar. In the history of Mr. Stone we have a striking illustration of the possibilities of American youth. When the war broke out he enlisted at the age of seventeen in Company A, One Ilundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered out in 1865 as a second lieutenant. He was ambitious for an education, but did not have sufficient means. Professor Allen, principal of the Mansfield State Normal School, afforded him the opportunity, and he graduated with high honor in 1868. In October of the same year he was chosen principal of the Wells- boro Academy and taught that school two terms, receiving a salary of "$66,66 and the tuition bills." While engaged in teaching he commenced reading law under the direction of Hon. Stephen F. Wilson and Hon. Jerome B. Niles, and was ad- mitted to the bar in August, 1820. In 1822 he was appointed transcribing clerk in the House of Representatives, Harrisburg. In 1874 he was a candidate for district attorney of Tioga county, and received 3,000 votes out of 3,500 cast, but resigned at the close of 1876 and removed to Allegheny for the purpose of seeking a broader professional field. In January. 1872, when he located in Allegheny, he was comparatively unknown, but good fortune favored him and it was not long until he had a very fair clientage and had been engaged in the trial of several important suits. Soon after this he was appointed United States jury commissioner. In 1880 he was appointed by President Hayes United States district attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. After serving four years he was re-appointed by President Arthur. During the gubernatorial campaign of 1886, notwithstanding President Cleveland's instructions to office holders, Mr. Stone took the stump for General Beaver and made speeches in the counties bordering on Allegheny. For doing this the President removed him, October 17. 1886, for "pernicious activity." This removal attracted national attention and evoked much discussion. Mr. Stone re-

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sumed his law practice and gave it close attention until June, 1890, when he was nominated for Congress in the Twenty-third district. He was elected; has been re-elected twice in succession, and is the present representative from that district. He is the tallest member of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, standing six feet and four inches, and is also one of its ablest members. His genial disposition has won for him a host of warm friends, who regard him as one of the coming men of Pennsylvania.

JAMES HUNTINGTON BOSARD was born in Osceola, Tioga county, April 21, 1845, and spent his boyhood days in his native place. During his youth he was employed on the farm and in his father's brickyard. He received his primary edu- cation in the common schools of the village, later attended the Wellsboro and Union Academies, and graduated from the Mansfield State Normal School in 1866. He taught school a few years, during which time he was principal of the Addison Academy, and also taught a select school in Osceola. In 1867 he became a law student in the office of Hon. Mortimer F. Elliott, of Wellsboro, and was admitted to the bar of Tioga county in August, 1870. Entering into partnership with his preceptor, he remained with him until 1875, after which he practiced at Wellsboro by himself for a few years. In 1879 he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he still resides and is actively engaged in the duties of his profession. In 1872 Mr. Bosard married Rebecca Merrick Faulkner, of Erie county, Pennsylvania.

AUGUSTUS REDFIELD was born November 6, 1826, in the town of Cato, Cayuga county, New York, and was educated at Moravia in that State. He enlisted and served through the entire War of the Rebellion. Locating in Wellsboro, he studied law under the direction of Major George W. Merrick, and was admitted to the bar August 28, 1871. Settling in Lawrenceville, he became editor of the Herald of that place. He now resides in Covington. He has served several terms as a justice of the peace.

CHARLES L. PECK was born in Farmington township, and received his education in the common schools and at Union Academy and Osceola High School. He studied law with Hon. Mortimer F. Elliott, was admitted to the bar and practiced at Knoxville from 1872 to 1876.

JAMES V. LEACH, a member of the bar, founded the Westfield Inder April 17, 1873, but owing to poor health he suspended publication July 8, 1874, and died in the early part of 1875.

HON. HORACE B. PACKER is a native of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and is the only living child of Dr. Nelson Packer. He was reared in his native town and obtained his education in Wellsboro Academy and Alfred University, New York. He studied law with Wilson & Niles, and was admitted to practice August 26, 1873. Since his admission to the bar he has continued in the active duties of his profession. In 1876 he was appointed district attorney, on petition of every member of the bar, to succeed Hon. William A. Stone, resigned, and in 1877 he was elected as his own successor, filling the office four years. From early manhood Mr. Packer evinced a deep interest in politics and for many years he has been one of the leaders of the Republican party in Tioga county. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the legisla- ture and was re-elected in 1886, serving in the sessions of 1885 and 1887. In 1888 he was elected to the Senate, from the Twenty-fifth senatorial district.

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composed of the counties of Tioga, Potter and MeKean, and served in that body four years. While in the House Mr. Packer was chairman of the congressional committee and is the author of the present apportionment law. He framed and introduced the bill, which subsequently became a law, providing for cottage hospitals in the bituminous coal regions of the State. He is also the author of the civil pro- cedure bill, which became a law in 1887. During his terms in both the House and Senate, he took a prominent and active part in behalf of educational matters. In 1894 he was the choice of his party in Tioga and Lycoming counties for Congress, but after a long struggle and failure of a majority of the conferees to agree on a can- didate, Mr. Packer withdrew from the contest on behalf of harmony and the good of his party. In 1896 he was again a candidate for Congress and after a hard fight won the nomination. He was elected by a plurality of 6,391, carrying every county in the district, his plurality in Tioga being 5,018-the largest this county ever gave for a congressional candidate. Mr. Packer has presided at two state conventions and is one of the best known Republicans in northern Pennsylvania.

JOHN WILLIAM MATHER was born in Dundee, Yates county, New York, No- vember 5, 1847, a son of James Il. and Lydia (Dean) Mather, natives of New York, who came to this county in the fall of 1860 and settled in Lawrenceville, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills for twenty years. In 1880 he removed to Wellsboro, where he died in July, 1885. His widow is still a resident of Wellsboro. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Lawrenceville and under Rev. Sidney Mills, a private tutor. He later attended the State Normal School at Mansfield, graduated from that institution in the class of 1871, and subsequently taught school for several terms. Mr. Mather read law with Elliott & Bosard, of Wellsboro, and was admitted to the bar of Tioga county August 26, 1873. In 1878 he was admited to practice in the adjoining counties, and in May, 1881, to the Supreme Court of the State. Mr. Mather has since been engaged in the active duties of his profession and is one of the well-known lawyers of Wells- boro. He has always given an unwavering support to the Republican party, and in 1883 he was appointed deputy United States marshal of the Western district of Pennsylvania, and served until May, 1885. In 1886 he was elected district attorney and filled that office one term. In December, 1892, United States Attorney General W. W. Miller appointed him to a position in the department of justice at Washing- ton, which he filled until the change of administration. Since 18;8 Mr. Mather has been secretary of the Farmers' Agricultural Society of Tioga county, and he is also a member of the Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company. On October 26, 1875, he married Mary Houghton, a daughter of Ferris Houghton, whose father was one of the pioneers of Delmar township. Four children have been born to this union: Maude, George W., Stella and James H.

EZRA BENEDICT Yorve was born in Springfield township, Bradford county. Pennsylvania, October 24, 1816. and was educated in the common schools, the Sus- quehanna Collegiate Institute, at Towanda, and the State Normal School. at Mans- fiehl, from which he graduated in 1868. After teaching three years in Bradford and Juniata counties, he entered the law office of Hon. John I. Mitchell. of Wells- boro, as a law student, teaching school in the meantime. In April, 1871. he was

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admitted to the bar. He has, however, devoted but little time to practice, being interested in other business enterprises.

LAUREN H. TUTTLE was born in the borough of Tioga, March 29, 1848. He was educated in the common schools and at Starkey Seminary, Yates county, New York. He studied law with Frederick E. Smith and Charles H. Seymour, of Tioga, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He opened an office in Tioga and practiced until about 1885, when he removed to Addison, New York.

F. E. WATROUS, son of James and B. A. Watrous, both natives of Connecticut, . was born in Windsor, Broome county, New York, April 4, 1851, and is one of eight children, viz: John, who died in 1856, aged sixteen years; Henry, a resident of Gaines township; F. E., the subject of this sketch; Arthur, a resident of Forest Grove, Oregon; Charles, who died in 1863; Sarah, wife of Jesse Locke, of Wellsboro; Jennie, deceased wife of J. H. Wood, of Gaines township, and Emma A., wife of H. M. Foote, an attorney of Washington, D. C. In 1851 Mr. Watrous' parents removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled on Elk run, in Gaines township, where his father still resides, being now eighty-five years of age. His mother died in 1882, aged sixty-eight years. Mr. Watrous was reared to manhood in Gaines township, and was educated in the common schools, the State Normal School at Mansfield and the commercial college at Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1873 he began the study of law at Knoxville, under the preceptorship of Hon. Mortimer F. Elliott. The following year he came to Wellsboro and entered Mr. Elliott's office, where he continued his studies until his admission to the bar in January, 1876. In 1879 he became a partner of Mr. Elliott, the firm becoming Elliott & Watrous. This partnership still exists, although, owing to Mr. Elliott's constant absence from the borough in the discharge of his duties as attorney for the Standard Oil Company, the business of the firm is practically attended to by Mr. Watrous. On March 24, 1876, Mr. Watrous married Fanny Shore, a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca Shore, of Knoxville. They have an adopted daughter, Margaret. In politics Mr. Watrous is a Republican. Though loyal to and interested in the success of the principles of the party, he has never held office. He is a member of Ossea Lodge, No. 317, F. & A. M., and of Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, K. T. Mr. Watrous practices in the state and United States courts. His inclination being in the direction of civil, rather than criminal practice, he has confined himself to the former, and has achieved a well-earned reputation as a careful, methodical and painstaking attorney, especially in intricate commercial cases and in the settlement of estates. Equipped with a good legal mind, he has by unremitting study and hard work risen to a prominent and honorable place as a mem- ber of the bar of Tioga county.

HENRY M. FOOTE was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1846, and was educated in the common schools and Wellsboro Academy. His father, Dr. Ira A. Foote, was the first homeopathic physician to locate in Wellsboro, where he practiced from 1849 to 1851, when he removed to Carpenterville, New York. In 1864, while a student in the academy, Henry M. enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers at the organization of that regiment, and remained in ser- vice until the close of the war. On his return home he read law with Hon. John I. Mitchell and David Cameron, and was admitted to the bar February 1, 1876. He opened an office in Wellsboro and began the practice of his profession. In 1880 he

Truly yours Garance . Niles

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was elected district attorney and served a term of three years with credit. In 1884 he was elected to the legislature, and was re-elected in 1886. In 1889 he was ap- pointed an assistant attorney in the department of justice under Attorney General Miller and served in that capacity up to 1893. He has since continued to practice in Washington, but retains his residence in Wellsboro.

T. C. SANDERS was born in the town of Clarksville, Allegheny county, New York. He spent about five years in the university at Alfred in his native county and graduated in 1861. He served the first two years of the Rebellion in the army, and when he returned he located at Westfield in 1863. After studying law he was admitted to the bar of Tioga county February 2, 1876, and in 18:9 he entered into partnership with Hon. Butler B. Strang, and that relation continued until the death of the latter. Soon after this Mr. Sanders removed to Dakota.

HENRY W. ROLAND, deceased, was born in Delmar township, December ?, 1848, and was reared on a farm. He was educated in the common schools and Wellsboro Academy. He read law with Hon. William A. Stone and was admitted at Wellsboro at the August term, 1876. In October following he opened a law and insurance office in Blossburg. He frequently served as borough clerk, and in 1880 he was appointed United States census marshal.

JOHN ORMEROD was a member of the har in 18:2, and had an office at Knox- ville. He came from Potter county, but returned to C'oudersport in 1881, where he is still practicing his profession.

JOHN S. RYON, only son of Harris T. Ryon, was born in Nelson township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1847, and was educated in the Osceola High School and the State Normal School at Mansfield. He began the study of law in 1875 with Major George W. Merrick, of Wellsboro, and was admitted to the Tioga county bar in the spring of 1877. He located in Elkland, where he has since re- sided and practiced his profession, being also identified with a number of business enterprises in that borough. In 1881 he was admitted to the Potter county bar: to the United States court in 1886, and to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1894. On January 13, 1869, he married Maria IIollis, a daughter of William and Maria Hollis, of Steuben county, New York, and has two children, Emma and Harry. Mr. Ryon is a staunch Democrat, and in 1884 was a candidate for representative and ran several hundred votes ahead of his ticket. In 1886 he was appointed postmaster of Elkland by President Cleveland, and held that office three years. ITe is a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the I. O. O. F., and is recognized as one of the progressive citizens of Elkland.

DARIUS L. DEANE, a son of Erastus P. Deane, was born in Delmar township, Tioga county, January 22, 1840. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and re- ceived a common school, academical and commercial college education. He afterwards studied and practiced surveying with his father, also assisted in the farm duties, until 1863, when he enlisted in Company A. First Battalion, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and later enlisted in Company K, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volun- teers. He participated in the recapture of Fort Steadman and the capture of Petersburg, where he was severely wounded. After shattering his left arm near the shoulder, the bullet lodged in the left breast, and amputation of the arm re-

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sulted. Mr. Deane was honorably discharged June 23, 1865, with the rank of ser- geant major, and returned to his home in Tioga county. In the fall of 1866 he was elected register and recorder of the county, was re-elected in 1869, and again in 1872, filling that position nine consecutive years. In 1876 he commenced the study of law with Elliott & Watrous, of Wellsboro, and was admitted to the bar of Tioga county in the fall of 1878, since which time he has practiced his profession and followed surveying. Mr. Deane was married December 14, 1869, to Barbara L. Sturrock, a daughter of David and Jane Sturrock, of Wellsboro, and has had one son, Arthur W., who died when seven years of age. They afterwards adopted Allen B., a son of Jerome and Mary Bowers, of Horseheads, New York. Politically, Mr. Deane is a Republican, and besides his three terms as register and recorder, he has filled the offices of school director, burgess and assessor one term each, and has served three terms in the council. He is a member of George Cook Post, No. 315, G. A. R., and both he and wife are adherents of the Presbyterian church.

S. FOWLER CHANNELL was born in Canton, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1848, and is a son of William T. and Sarah J. (Wright) Channell, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Bradford county. They reared a family of five children, named as follows: S. Fowler; Mary J., wife of C. O. Rock- well, of Roaring Branch; Dudley B., a physician of Washington; Frank J., of Canton, Bradford county, and Leon S., a lawyer of Mansfield, Tioga county. The parents are residents of Canton, Bradford county, where his father is engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch obtained a good education in the public schools of Bradford county, later clerked four years in a dry goods store in Canton, and then spent two years at Lafayette College. In the autumn of 1877 he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Henry Sherwood, of Wellsboro, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1880. He immediately opened an office in Wellsboro for the practice of his profession, and continued alone until 1884, when he formed a partner- ship with H. M. Foote, which existed until the fall of 1889, at which time Mr. Foote removed to Washington, D. C. Mr. Channell was married September 19, 1888, to Lizzie M. Fairman, and has one son, Malcolm F. The family attend the Presby- terian church. In politics, Mr. Channell is one of the most active Republicans in the county. From 1884 to 1887 he was the legal adviser for the county commis- sioners, and for four years was secretary of the school board, and was president of the same body for two years. In February, 1897, he was elected burgess of Wells- boro. He enjoys a good law practice, which he has gradually built up during the past seventeen years.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 22

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