History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 85

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

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BENJAMIN B. SMITH was one of the pioneers of Wellsboro, Tioga county. He came here from New England in 1819, and taught in the Old Academy several years. We find him appointed a justice of the peace in June, 1822, which office he filled for a long period. In 1827 he founded the Phoenix, the second newspaper established in Wellsboro, the history of which is given in a previous chapter. He

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continued his connection with the Phoenix until 1834, when he sold his interest in the plant. From 1833 to 1836 he filled the office of register and recorder, was a prominent and enterprising man, and always took an active interest in public affairs. Finally engaging in the mercantile business, he became one of the leading merchants of Wellsboro. The firm of B. B. Smith & Son, which existed up to the beginning of the war, is well remembered by the people of the county. Mr. Smith was married in Wellsboro to Margaret Christenot, a native of Switzerland. They reared a family of eight children, named as follows: Ellen, deceased; George Dwight, who was killed in the battle of South Mountain; Frances A., wife of Edward Maynard, of Kansas; Samuel R., who died at Paola, Kansas, June 9, 1896; Henry B., a merchant of Osawatomie, Kansas; Lydia A., wife of Jeremiah Wood, of Tacoma, Washington; Charles B., a resident of Kansas, and Azubah R., deceased wife of Bliss Chapin, of Osawatomie. Mr. Smith spent the remaining years of his life in Wellsboro, dying October 21, 1868, in his seventy-eighth year. His widow removed to Osawatomie, Kansas, where she died some years later. Both are kindly remembered by a large circle of friends.

GEORGE DWIGHT SMITH was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, July 26, 1825, a son of Benjamin B. and Margaret Smith. He obtained a good education, and later joined his father as a member of the firm of B. B. Smith & Son. When the war broke out he became active in support of the government and assisted in raising Company I, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He went to the front as first lieu- tenant of that company, but soon after was appointed assistant adjutant general of the Second Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army Corps. Lieutenant Smith was killed at the battle of South Mountain September 14, 1862, and thus ended the promising career of a gallant soldier and patriot. On February 7, 1855, he married Miss N. Azubah Robinson, daughter of the late John L. Robinson. Mr. Smith was a member of the Presbyterian church of Wellsboro, was an active worker in that body, and was superintendent of the Sunday-school when he went to the front in defense of the flag. He was an upright, progressive and enterprising citizen, and always did his full share towards the social and material development of his native county. His widow is also a member of the Presbyterian church and one of the most liberal contributors towards the erection of the new church building in Wellsboro. She is an ardent supporter of all military society movements that have for their object the welfare of the old soldiers or their families.

THE NICHOLS FAMILY .- Archibald Nichols came to Wellsboro in 1829, from Chenango county, New York, whither his son, Levi I., had preceded him the year previous. Enos, another son, followed them in 1833. The father was a stout, heavy man, while Levi was the reverse. Enos resembled his father very much in general appearance. The mother, Mrs. Betsey Nichols, was a fine looking, well built woman, domestic and home-loving in her tastes and disposition and much respected by her acquaintances. There was one daughter in the family, Mary Elizabeth, who was the youngest. She was born in March, 1816, married William Bache, Jr., and died January 23, 1845. She was the second female school teacher under the com- mon school system. Mr. Nichols and his son Levi bought timber lands on Pine creek when they first came to Wellsboro, and soon after property in the village. They also bought a stock of goods and opened a general store on the east corner of Main and Crafton streets. The building in which their store was kept was burned,

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and among other things destroyed was the old Ramage press on which the Phoenix newspaper was printed. In those early times it cost something to get goods into Wellsboro .. Mr. Nichols used to haul all his goods from Utica by wagon, to which place they had been brought from New York City by steamboat and canal. Of course the percentage above the selling price along the line of the Erie canal was considerable and the people of Wellsboro had to pay a high price for their store goods, although Mr. Nichols' prices were a great improvement on those of his pre- decessors. Before the building of the Erie canal all mercantile goods were brought in wagons from Philadelphia to Williamsport and then hauled over the moun- tains to Wellsboro and sold at enormous prices. When the Academy was built, as high as twenty-five cents a pound was paid for nails, and other things in proportion, except lumber.

When Archibald Nichols came to Wellsboro he was only forty-three years old and his son Levi twenty. The father and son were much alike in one respect. They both loved amusement; but in the character of their amusement they differed very materially. The son loved music and was a natural musician, while the father loved the same only as it helped one to keep step in the dance. The son loved the quiet, still hunt in the forest and the gentle tread along the trout streams near Wellsboro. The father had little taste in that direction. In a word, Archibald Nichols was a very genial man, a pleasant companion, and a good member of society. He lived in Wellsboro only about nine years, dying in November, 1838, aged nearly fifty-three. His wife died April 21, 1854, in her sixtieth year.

ENOS NICHOLS, the youngest son, was born May 18, 1814, and died August 12, 1844. He was a very genial, whole-souled young man, full of mirth and frolic, and had he lived until he was fifty-three, as his father did, he would have been his very counterpart. When he died he had a host of friends to mourn his early taking off.

LEVI I. NICHOLS, who was the last of the original stock in the march to the grave, was best known of the family, and was in all respects a most worthy member of society. He was for many years one of the trustees of the Wellsboro Academy, and generally while on the board its secretary. He was also for some time its treasurer. He was on the common school board nearly all the time from its organiza- tion, September 17, 1834, until about 1850, acting either as secretary or treasurer most of this period. Mr. Nichols was appointed justice of the peace June 9, 1836. In March, 1850, he was appointed an associate judge and served until November, 1851.

Judge Nichols was married on January 4, 1832, to Sarah J. Brown, daughter of Thomas Brown, of Oxford, Chenango county, New York. She was born at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1814, while her parents were temporarily residing at that place, her father being associated with Theodore Burr, the famous bridge builder of early days, in the erection of bridges in New York and Penn- sylvania. At the time of their marriage there was but one carriage in the Wells- boro region, and that was owned by William Eberenz, of Delmar, who kindly loaned it to Mr. Nichols to fetch his bride to Wellsboro. The distance was about 150 miles and it took the young couple several days to make the journey. In 1833 they com- menced housekeeping in a modest home erected by Mr. Nichols on the lot now occu- pied by the residence of Judge Williams. Of thirteen children born to them, seven are living, viz: Mrs. Mary E. Lamb, Mrs. Henry W. Williams, Mrs. B. F. Clayton,

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Mrs. Walter Sherwood, Enos G., Chester and Henry. Judge Nichols died in Wells- boro, November 15, 1868, in his fifty-ninth year. His wife survived until May ?, 1896, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Walter Sherwood, with whom she had lived for the past ten years. Both were adherents of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mrs. Nichols was a kind, charitable and benevolent woman, one of that noble band of pioneers to whose patience, courage and industry Tioga county largely owes its present prosperity.

JONAH BREWSTER, a son of Nathan Brewster, was born in Connecticut, and located in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1812, where he became quite prominent in political affairs. He was collector of taxes at Bridgewater, and subsequently clerk and commissioner of Susquehanna county, and served four years in the House and four years in the Senate. In 1829 he came to Tioga county and embarked in merchandising at Tioga, which he continued until 1831, when he was appointed prothonotary and register and recorder of the county. Removing to Wellsboro he filled those offices for six years, and was in April, 1840, appointed associate judge, which office he filled two terms. He also served twice as a Demo- cratic presidential elector. In 1838 he purchased a farm in Delmar township, upon which he died in 1858. Judge Brewster was married five times and reared a family of eleven children, only three of whom survive, viz: George A., of Charleston township; Alexander S., of Wellsboro, and Jonas S., a resident of New Orleans.

CHESTER ROBINSON was for over half a century one of the most successful and best known merchants, lumbermen and bankers of northern Pennsylvania. Born in Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, August 14, 1807, a son of Jesse and Abiah Robinson, his youth was passed in his native place, where he assisted his father in operating a tannery. On the 6th of January, 1830, he married Lodoiska Bowen, and in the spring of 1835 came to Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and entered into partnership with his brother, John L. Robinson, who had purchased the store of Samuel Dickinson the preceding year. With the passing years the firm of C. & J. L. Robinson developed and enlarged the business, and carried on the most ex- tensive mercantile trade in Tioga county up to 1863, when they gave up merchan- dising to embark in banking. Soon after their settlement in Wellsboro they pur- chased timber lands on Pine creek and engaged in lumbering. This branch of the business was under the personal supervision of Chester, to whose keen foresight, conservative management and unremitting industry was due much of the success attained. They continued the lumber business until 1862, and the following year abandoned merchandising and began the preliminary steps which resulted in the founding of the First National Bank of Wellsboro in 1864, to the upbuilding of which institution they afterwards devoted their entire attention. The larger part of the stock was taken by the Robinson brothers, who continued to control the bank's policy as long as they lived. They were its guiding spirits, to whose sound judg- ment, strict financial integrity and watchful care was principally due its success. They were not only life-long business associates, but were also noted for their brotherly affection and loyalty toward each other. This sympathetic relation, of a quality above that usually implied by the fraternal tie, was marked by the strongest proofs of mutual confidence, and continued unbroken throughout the year's of close companionship until finally severed by death. About 1880 Chester retired from active participation in business affairs, and devoted the remaining

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years of his life to the enjoyment of his home and ample fortune, though he was a daily visitor at the bank until failing health confined him to the house. Sur- rounded by every comfort that wealth could give, and solaced by the tender care and affection of his children, he passed the autumn of his life in quiet peace and happiness, dying on the 31st of December, 1890, at the ripe age of over eighty-three years.

Mr. Robinson's first wife, Lodoiska, died March 16, 1843, leaving two children, George Chester, and Juliet, the recently deceased widow of the late M. M. Converse, of Wellsboro. The son, George Chester, was born in Hartwick, New York, August 9, 1833, and died at his father's home in Wellsboro, September 21, 1863, while entering on a life of very bright promise. He graduated from Yale College in 1856, where he had given proof of marked ability in composition and oratory. On leaving Yale he studied in the New York Theological Seminary until the spring of 1857, when he became pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn. In August, 1858, he married Miss Mary Stevens, daughter of Dr. Abel Stevens, a prominent Methodist divine, and the following spring became pastor of Union Chapel, Cincinnati, Ohio. A year later his health, frail from boyhood, failed, and he went to Europe, where he spent two years in travel and judicious study. Returning to Cincinnati in June, 1862, with apparently restored health, he resumed his pastoral relations, but was soon again prostrated by his old malady, consumption, from which he never recovered. Mr. Robinson was en- dowed with a mental organization of unusual power and delicacy, and was a fine classical scholar and thoroughly conversant with the best literature of Europe and America.

On the 20th of June, 1848, Chester Robinson married Miss Mary E. Barber, a daughter of Robert Barber, of Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. She was born in Columbia, March 5, 1816, and died in Wellsboro May 14, 1878, leaving one daughter, Mary Barber Robinson, who still occupies the old family home. Mrs. Robinson was noted for her nobility of heart and true Christian character. In early life she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and was ever after a faithful and helpful member and a liberal supporter of religious and charitable en- terprises. A friend to the poor, no one applied to her in vain, and none left her without substantial assistance and encouragement. As a wife and mother she was a noble example of those womanly virtues which won lier the love and respect of the community in which her entire married life was passed.

Mr. Robinson was an exceedingly modest man, and never sought or cared for public office, but he always took great interest in the growth and prosperity of Wellsboro. A Republican from the organization of that party, he ever manifested a deep interest in its principles and success, and was quite active in local politics. He possessed a kindly heart, a genial, companionable temperament, and many other estimable qualities as a citizen and neighbor. His venerable head, whitened by the snows of eighty-three winters, was laid low on the last day of the old year. So closed a long and prosperous career, marked by the strictest integrity and highest business honor.

JOHN L. ROBINSON, for nearly sixty years one of the prominent and enterpris- ing citizens of Tioga county, was born at Hartwick, Otsego county, New York, January 6, 1813, a son of Jesse and Abiah Robinson, pioneers of that place. He

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obtained a good common school education and early developed those habits of untiring industry upon which his subsequent successful business career was built up to its full fruition. At the age of fourteen he began clerking in one of the leading stores in Otego, New York, which vocation he continued for a few years and then opened a store at Ninevah, New York, where he carried on business up to his majority. Having in the meantime accumulated a small capital, he came to Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, purchased the store of Samuel Dickinson, and embarked in general merchandising. At that time the village con- tained only about 500 inhabitants, while the surrounding country was very sparsely settled and just emerging from its primitive conditions. In the spring of 1835 his brother, Chester, joined him, and the firm of C. & J. L. Robinson came into existence. They soon began to realize the importance of the lumber interest, and securing timber lands engaged in lumbering. John L. attended to the financial part of the business, while Chester gave his personal supervision to the outside oper- ations. With characteristic energy they continued developing this great industry, in connection with the mercantile business, until they became widely known as one of the most substantial and reliable firms in northern Pennsylvania.

Retiring from the lumber business in 1862, they continued merchandising for a period, but also turned their attention to the establishment and up-building of other enterprises. In May, 1864, John L. became the moving spirit in the organi- zation of the First National Bank of Wellsboro, and his financial solidity and prominence were subsequently recognized by his election as the second president of that institution, a position he filled continuously for twenty-eight years. After the bank was founded he took full charge and acted as cashier for a period, until the business was in proper running order. Under his energetic, careful and judicious guidance the First National grew in strength and popularity and won a high place among the solid financial institutions of the State. Mr. Robinson was a man of commendable public spirit and gave his support to every movement which he believed would advance the general welfare of the community. His conscientious devotion to duty, his sterling integrity, his high standing in business circles and his generous support of the church, won for him the confidence and respect of all classes.

In religion, Mr. Robinson was a member of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church from its organization up to the time of his death. He was one of the founders and organizers of that congregation, and for more than half a century a vestryman and senior warden. Josiah Emery, in his "Recollections of Early Life in Wellsboro," written in 1879, says: "John L. Robinson was the most efficient citizen in procuring the erection of the first church ever built in Wellsboro, St. Paul's church, now standing. In the building of the church and the building and re-building of the rectory, no man has, I think, paid on the whole as much as Mr. Robinson." In early manhood he was a Democrat, later became a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party he united with that organization and continued one of its most loyal supporters to the close of his life. He served as treasurer of Tioga county in 1844-45, but he cared little for public office, pre- ferring to devote his energies and talents to the development of his adopted home and thus assist in the social and material prosperity of the county.

Mr. Robinson was married in 1832, to Miss Azubah Bowen, a daughter of

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Hezekiah Bowen, of Hartwick, New York, to which union were born seven children, four of whom grew to maturity, as follows: J. Fred, who died April 28, 1885, aged fifty-one years; N. Azubah, widow of Lieut. George Dwight Smith, killed at the battle of South Mountain; Eugene H., who served as cashier of the First National Bank for several years and died September 25, 1876, and Jesse M., president of that institution from January, 1893, up to his death, August 6, 1896. Mrs. Robinson was a zealous Episcopalian from the organization of St. Paul's church, with which she united at that time, and died June 20, 1888. Five years later, on January 11, 1893, her husband died, and was borne to the grave in Wellsboro Cemetery, where a substantial granite monument marks their last resting place.

JESSE MORSE ROBINSON, late president of the First National Bank of Wells- boro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, was born in that borough May 17, 1853, and died August 6, 1896, having spent his entire life in his native town. He was the youngest son of John L. Robinson, inherited many of the strongest traits in his father's character, and early developed an aptitude for business affairs not often found in so young a man. Educated in the Wellsboro High School, the Wesleyan Seminary and the Bryant and Stratton Business College, of New York City, he began clerking at the age of fifteen in the general store of C. & J. L. Robinson, and later entered a bookstore controlled by the same firm. In 1872 he became book-keeper in the First National Bank of Wellsboro, and after the death of his brother, Eugene H., in September, 1876, he was promoted to the position of cashier. This office he held until the death of his father in January, 1893, when he was elected president of that institution. During the latter years of his father's life much of the responsibility in the general management of the bank devolved upon him, and upon his accession to the office of president he found very few duties with which he was not already familiar. In general business affairs he kept pace with the times, and conducted the business under his charge with more than ordinary breadth and liberality. While recognized as a careful and conservative investor, he never hesitated to follow his own judgment when once formed, and his timely assistance was appreciated by many a business man of Tioga county weighed down by financial troubles. Under the most trying circumstances he was cool and firm and it was seldom that he failed to untangle the most difficult financial matters.

Mr. Robinson was married October 15, 1873, to Ella Crowl, of Wellsboro, who died February 2, 1884, leaving two sons, Eugene H., and Frank C. On April 25, 1887, he was again united in marriage, with Hattie M. Willis, eldest daughter of Mrs. Caroline D. Willis, of Wellsboro, to which union were born two children, Dorothy and Jesse Morse. The widow and four children reside in Wellsboro. Mr. Robinson was a generous man and gave liberally of his means to charitable ob- jects and business enterprises, besides giving his time and services as a director in many business undertakings. Upon the death of his father he came into the possession of a large estate, but this did not change his character. He was still the same plain, kind, modest and unobtrusive man as before. His daily life was pure, his conversation always chaste, and his inherent charity never permitted him to criticise his neighbor. In his home he was the ever kind, indulgent husband and loving father, while even the domestic pets of the family knew and welcomed him as their friend.

In politics, Mr. Robinson was a strong Republican, always took a deep interest

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in the success of his party, and served as treasurer of Wellsboro for about ten years preceding his death, and also filled the same office in the school board. He was a stockholder and director in the Wellsboro Water Company and a charter member of Alert Hose Company. He was a prominent member of the Masonie and I. O. O. F. societies, and a Knight Templar in Tyagaghton Commandery. In religion, he was a life-long adherent of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church of Wellsboro, and one of the largest contributors to its support, as well as to the building fund of the new church edifice now in course of erection. The vestry of St. Paul's church adopted appropriate resolutions on his death, from which we copy the following tribute:

The death of Mr. Robinson has brought a deep sense of loss to a large circle of friends in Wellsboro and beyond, but especially to the parish to which he belonged and the vestry of which he was the efficient treasurer. We revere his memory for the interest he took in the welfare of the parish; for the careful attention he gave to the duties that devolved upon him as vestryman and treasurer; for his valuable advice and wise counsel; for the courtesy, cordiality and enthusiasm which he brought to bear upon every cause that he espoused, and for the upright character and unsullied name that he bore through life. We shall hold in grateful remembrance the financial aid which he gave to the parish and his bountiful contribution to the new church. We shall look back upon him as a Christian gentleman, an efficient parish officer, a trusted friend and brother, whose death we shall always mourn and whose memory we shall ever hold in affectionate esteem.

JOHN W. BAILEY was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1824, eldest son of Roswell and Julia A. (Rockwell) Bailey, pioneers of this county. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm and his primary education was obtained in the common schools of the district. But sixteen years old when his father died, he succeeded him in charge of the old homestead. In later years he purchased about 600 aeres of land and engaged in cattle dealing, probably buying and shipping more stoek than any other man in the northern tier during that period. In 1870 he removed to Wellsboro, where he soon became one of the prominent and enterprising citizens. He dealt extensively in agricul- tural implements and lumber for twenty years, and always gave the most liberal eredits to his patrons. Mr. Bailey was a member of the firm that established the tannery at Stokesdale, and was an active agent in the building of the Corning, Cow- anesque and Antrim, and the Pine Creek railroads, being a director of the latter company. He was also a director in the United States Glass Company, and one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Wellsboro, in which institution he was an honored and trusted director until his death. Always ready and willing to take a leading part in every public enterprise which he believed would promote the interests of Wellsboro, and ever on the alert to encourage any project that might add to the general welfare of his native county, Mr. Bailey won the admiration, respect and confidence of the whole people. He was eminently adapted to com- mand the co-operation and support of his fellowmen, as he always went into what- ever he undertook with earnestness, enthusiasm and confidence, thus inspiring others with his own sentiments. Possessing unbounded public spirit, whole-souled generosity and broad charity, he never turned a deaf ear to the cry of suffering or distress. A warm, consistent friend of the working elasses, he was honored and trusted by them to the elose of his life. While accumulating a large estate, he

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 85

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