History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 89

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

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY

Encampment, and has been treasurer of the latter for the past twelve years. Mr. Chandler is one of the sound, progressive men of the community.

CARL L. SIEMENS was born in Germany, February 29, 1828; there obtained a college education and graduated from a medical institution in his native land. He came to the United States in 1853, and located at Leeds, Massachusetts, where he practiced his profession, and was a member of the staff in a hospital for four years. In 1857 he moved to Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, to accept a clerkship in the office of the Bingham estate, which position he filled for twenty-two years, resigning in 1879 to become a book-keeper in the United States Treasury Depart- ment, at Washington, D. C. He filled that position up to 1893, when ill health compelled him to resign. Mr. Siemens married Rachel Hiltbold, in 1855, who bore him a family of five children, viz: Mary J., wife of J. D. Locke, of Wellsboro; George H., who resides in the west; Fred W. and Robert C., residents of Wellsboro, and Frank L., deceased. Mrs. Siemens died March 29, 1883. Mr. Siemens resided in Wellsboro with his children until his death, April 24, 1897.

FRED W. SIEMENS, a son of Carl L. and Rachel Siemens, was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, October 29, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and when seventeen years old began clerking in the store of Harrington & Todd, and later filled a similar position in the store of Max Bernkopf, in all a period of five years. He then went to Washington, D. C., and clerked for Lansburg & Brother two years, then returned to Wellsboro and spent one year with Mr. Bernkopf. At the end of this time he became the junior member of the firm of Mathers, Graves & Company, of Wellsboro, the partnership dating from March 4, 1885, since which year he has been the firm's buyer of all dry goods handled by them. Mr. Siemens was married September 6, 1893, to Marion Simpson, a daughter of the late R. C. Simpson, of Wellsboro. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and a K. T. in that order, and has been chairman of the Republican county committee, to which party he has always given his support.

ADOLPHUS D. SPALDING, a son of Howard and Lucy Spalding, was born in Troy, Bradford county, April 27, 1813, his parents being members of pioneer families of that county. His boyhood and youth were spent on the farm, his education being acquired in the common schools. For several years during his early manhood he was engaged in mercantile pursuits as a clerk in Smithfield and Troy, and for a time also in farming. From 1851 to 1853, he was a deputy sheriff and resided in Towanda. After returning to Troy, he resumed farming for a few years, until appointed rail- road station agent at Troy. He held this position until 1865, when he was appointed postmaster at 'Troy, and served through Johnson's administration. In June, 1873, he came to Wellsboro, and, in partnership with L. D. Taylor, purchased the drug business formerly carried on by John Pierce, then deceased. A year later he sold his interest to Mr. Taylor, and with his son, M. G. Spalding, bought out the drug store of Dr. M. L. Bacon, in the Wilcox block. Here they continued until the block just south of the Coles House was completed, when they moved into the corner store room, which had been fitted up for their use. In 1884 they sold the business to Mr. Spalding's son, George M., and he lived retired until his death, February 22, 1887. Mr. Spalding was twice married. His first marriage took place November 2, 1842, to Laura A. Morse, a daughter of Solomon Morse, of Troy. She bore him one child,

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Dallas F., a resident of Titusville, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Spalding died July 25, 1847, and on December 17, 1851, he married Sarah Conklin McDowell, a daughter of Addison and Louise McDowell, of Burlington, Bradford county. To this union there were born three children, viz: Morell G., a resident of Bradford, Mckean county; George M., of Wellsboro, and Fannie, who married E. A. Van Valkenburg, of Wellsboro, and who died June 29, 1892, leaving one daughter, Florence. Mr. Spalding was a Democrat in politics, but was not active as a politician or office seeker. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and as a business man and citizen was highly esteemed for his enterprise, public spirit and sterling integrity.

GEORGE M. SPALDING, son of A. D. and Sarah Spalding, was born in Troy, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1860, and was educated in the public schools of Troy and Wellsboro. In 1875, when but fifteen years of age, he began clerking in his father's drug store in Wellsboro, continuing until 1884, when he purchased the busi- ness, and carried it on with marked success until 1894, when he sold out to E. E. Hyer, of the present firm of Hyer & Howd. For a short time after disposing of his drug business Mr. Spalding was engaged in the furniture business. In December, 1894, he embarked in the coal and warehouse business, which has since claimed his attention. Mr. Spalding was married October 12, 1882, to Florence Webb, a daugh- ter of Dr. W. W. Webb, of Wellsboro. They have had two children, viz: Madge, deceased, and Mildred. In politics, Mr. Spalding is a Democrat. He has served as borough auditor; is the present treasurer of the school board, and is also a director in the First National Bank, of Wellsboro. He is an I. O. O. F. and a past officer in the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order. Mr. Spalding is a popu- lar and progressive business man, and takes an active part in every enterprise calcu- lated to promote the best interests of Wellsboro.

DAVID GARDNER, president of the Wellsboro Building and Loan Association, was born in Windsor, Broome county, New York, July 9, 1807, a son of Nathan and Charlotte (Tompkins) Gardner. He attended school in early boyhood for a brief period, and at ten years of age began to make his own living, working at anything he could get to do. Later he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in a saw-mill, and finally went on the road as a peddler. He located at Orcutt Creek, Pennsyl- vania, and opened a general store in 1847, which he carried on successfully until 1875. In 1848 he was made postmaster at that point, but resigned in 1850, and was elected a justice of the peace, which position he filled five years. He was again appointed postmaster in 1861, and served continuously until 1875. From the latter year to 1880, he was a justice of the peace, and at the end of his term he came to Wellsboro, where he embarked in business with his son. In 1883 he obtained a charter for the Wellsboro Building and Loan Association, of which he was the first vice-president, and since 1886 has been president. Mr. Gardner was married Sep- tember 29, 1829, to Florilla White, of Vermont, and has two children, Levi A., of Wellsboro, and Lysander B., of Elmira, New York. Mrs. Gardner died October 11, 1880, aged seventy-four years. Mr. Gardner is one of the oldest citizens of Wells- boro, being now in his ninetieth year.

LEVI A. GARDNER was born in Unadilla, Otsego county, New York, March 16, 1831, eldest child of David Gardner, and grew to manhood in his native State. He came to Tioga county in 1866, and opened a grocery store in Wellsboro, which he

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carried on for seven years, and then engaged in the insurance business, as secretary of the Wellsboro Building and Loan Association, which position he has filled in a satisfactory manner up to the present.

JULIUS C. WHEELER was born in Chenango county, New York, January 17, 1831, a son of Harry and Lucina Wheeler. He received a common school education, and when sixteen years old came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in lumbering on Pine creek. By industry and economy he accumulated a small capital, and in 1857 located in Wellsboro and embarked in the grocery and provision busi- ness, making a specialty of wholesaling supplies to lumber camps, railroad construc- tion crews, and others demanding groceries and provisions in large quantities. He also dealt in coal and builders' supplies. After the completion of the railroad to Wellsboro, his office, yards and store house were near the station. Here he carried on his various enterprises until July 27, 1883, when he was run down by a locomotive engine and killed. Mr. Wheeler was married February 5, 1857, to Emily E. Bartle, a daughter of Augustus and Cynthia Bartle, to which union were born eight chil- dren, as follows: Emily Jeanett, wife of C. A. Willcox, of Delmar; Irene Lucina, wife of Harvey B. Leach, a well-known member of the Tioga county bar; Harry D., of Wellsboro; Hattie, wife of John W. Moyer, a school teacher of Philadelphia; Nellie, wife of Elmer E. Benjamin, of Delmar; Mary, wife of Arthur M. Keeney, of Keeneyville; Luella, wife of J. George March, a teacher in the Wellsboro High School, and Kate, who died in infancy. Mr. Wheeler was a thorough business man and scrupulously honorable in all his dealings. In the conduct of his business affairs he was active, enterprising and energetic. As a citizen, he was public-spirited and progressive, and as a man, esteemed and respected for his integrity. In politics, he was a Republican. He filled the office of burgess two years, being elected without opposition or effort on his part.

JOHN JACOB BURGIN was born near Basle, Switzerland, September 18, 1818, from an old and honored family. He grew to manhood in his native country and there married Jacobea Rudin. Of the children born to this union, the following named grew to maturity: John Jacob, who was killed by the railroad cars in Buffalo, New York, in July, 1893; Maria Louise, wife of Stephen Flick, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Emma, who died in Georgia; Rudolph, Bertha, wife of V. A. Putnam, of Kane, Pennsylvania, and Minnie E., who resides in Wellsboro. Mr. Burgin was a man of wealth and influence in his native land, where he filled an honorable office in the revenue department of the republic. He was also a member of the rifle corps, and like nearly all his countrymen was an expert marksmen. Having lost his prop- erty by indorsing for others, he came to the United States in October, 1867, and lived for a time near Elk Run, Potter county, whence he removed to Wellsboro and later to Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1872 he returned to Wellsboro and opened a bakery which he conducted until 1890, when he sold out to O. G. Padgett. He died August 31, 1892, aged seventy-four years. His widow, who is now eighty years of age, resides in Wellsboro. Although prominent in public affairs in his native land, Mr. Burgin, after coming to this country, refrained from active participation in politics, devoting his whole attention to business matters. His youngest daughter, Minnie E., is the proprietor of the "Candy Kitchen" in Wellsboro, which she has successfully carried on for several years. She is a deputy state organizer of the Ladies of the

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Maccabees, holds the office of sergeant in the Great Hive of the State, and to her efforts has been largely due the rapid growth of that order in Tioga county.

JESSE LOCKE, SR., was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, April 3, 1804, a son of Jesse Locke, a native of Connecticut, who married Rebecca Merritt and reared a family of nine children. His father died in 1813 and his mother in 1848. On May 13, 1824, he married Lura Rexford, a native of Hartford, Connecti- cut, born January 23, 1804, to which union were born eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity, viz: Jane, who married William Thompson; Lovisa L., and Sarah M., widow of Silas X. Billings, both residents of Wellsboro; Fannie M., wife of L. A. Sears; Jesse, a merchant of Wellsboro, and Job D. The last mentioned was a well-known farmer and died at his home in Wellsboro, February 28, 1889, in the forty-eighth year of his age. He was an industrious, substantial citizen and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his neighbors. In 1842 Mr. Locke and family removed to Tioga county and settled on Pine creek, in Shippen township, where he was exten- sively engaged in lumbering. He owned large tracts of timber lands and operated several saw-mills and a grist-mill on Pine creek; also carried on a general store in Wellsboro, and was one of the successful business men of that period. He died at his home on Pine creek, July 12, 1849. In the spring of 1851 his widow and family removed to Wellsboro, where Mrs. Locke died December 2, 1874. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an earnest Christian woman.

JESSE LOCKE was born in Cortland county, New York, October 31, 1839, and was educated in the Wellsboro Academy, being but three years old when his parents came to Tioga county. When twenty-five years of age he embarked in merchandising at Gaines, where he still carries on business. In December, 1890, he moved to Wellsboro, and in June, 1896, became a member of the firm of Locke & Kelts, gen- eral grocers and dealers in boots and shoes. Mr. Locke was married on February 26, 1865, to Sarah E. Watrous, a daughter of James H. Watrous, of Gaines. During his residence in Gaines township, he served as a school director several years, and was one of the substantial citizens of that locality for a quarter of a century.

EZRA BENEDICT YOUNG was born in Springfield township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, October 24, 1846, a son of Russell B. and Jemima (Bailey) Young. His father was born in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1307, and was a son of Sylvanus and Betsey Young, the fourth in a family of seven children. He came to Springfield township, Bradford county, in 1837, and resided there until his death, in 1887. His mother is still living in that county. They reared a family of ten children, as fol- lows: Elisha, deceased; Sarah, wife of H. A. Brigham; Louisa, wife of J. L. Spencer; William R., John W. and Asahel B., all farmers of Springfield township, Bradford county; Ezra B., of Wellsboro; Ralph B., a resident of Springfield town- ship; Augusta E., wife of Colin Wood, and Darius M., a farmer of Smithfield, Bradford county. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of his native township, and later Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, at Towanda, and the State Normal School, at Mansfield, graduating from the latter institution in 1868. He then taught school for three years in Bradford and Juniata counties, at the end of which time he entered the office of Hon. John I. Mitchell, of Wellsboro, as a law student. During his legal studies he also taught school. He was admitted to the Tioga county bar April 6, 1874, and to the United States district and circuit courts

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in June, 1880. Since his admission to practice he has devoted but little attention to it, having been engaged in mercantile business. Mr. Young was married April 16, 1874, to Mary A. McElheny, a daughter of Thomas and Adelaide McElheny, of Ithaca, New York, and has two children, Adelaide T. and Sarah L. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Young is a member of the Masonic order. In politics, a Republican, he has filled the offices of school director and notary public, and is one of the substantial business men and enterprising citizens of Wellsboro, where he carries on one of the leading hardware stores in the county.

GEORGE O. DERBY, of the firm of Derby & Son, boot and shoe merchants, was born in Groton, Massachusetts, June 7, 1832, and is a son of Oliver and Elizabeth (Hadley) Derby, natives of that State. He received a common school and academical education in his native town, and when eighteen years of age went to work in a boot and shoe factory as a cutter of sole leather. In 1856 he came to Wellsboro, Tioga county, where he worked as a shoemaker until 1866, in which year he established his present business. In the meantime, on April 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Reserve, known as the "Bucktails," and was discharged at Philadelphia, on account of disability, in November, 1862. Returning to Wellsboro he worked at his trade until he started in business for himself, some four years later. Mr. Derby was married in 1856, to Susan P. Wood, a daughter of Harvey Wood, and has three children: George H., Edward H. and Ada M., wife of C. L. Farns- worth, of Bradford. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Derby is connected with the I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served in the borough council for two years.

GEORGE H. DERBY, of the boot and shoe firm of George O. Derby & Son, was born in Dudley, Massachusetts, July 6, 1857, and is the oldest child of George O. and Susan P. Derby. He was educated in the Wellsboro High School, and in 1877, when twenty years of age, he was engaged as pitcher for the Hornellsville, New York, baseball team. In the spring of 1878 he again played with the same team for four months, but finished the season with the Syracuse club. In 1879 and 1880 he played with the Washington team of the International League, and in 1881-82 with the Detroit National League club. In the spring of 1883 he became a member of the Buffalo club, but after playing a part of the season his arm gave out and he retired from the profession. He was a very successful pitcher, few, if any, excelling him in that line. On his retirement from the diamond, he entered his father's shoe store, in which he had purchased an interest in 1881, since which time he has been a member of the firm. Mr. Derby was married September 9, 1880, to Ella A. Robin- son, of Wellsboro, and has two children, Frank H. and Ralph. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F. societies. In politics, Mr. Derby is a Republican, has been a member of the borough council for the past eight years, and served as burgess in 1892 and 1893. He is a director in the First National Bank, vice-president of the Wellsboro Building and Loan Association, and at present a member of the Wellsboro school board.

NOAH HAMMOND was born in Glens Falls, New York, November 7, 1829; mar- ried Elizabeth Williams, and in 1854 located on a farm in Charleston township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of five children, named as follows: William A., a merchant of Wellsboro; Mary, wife of F. L. Dunham, of

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Farmington township; Calvin, deceased; Eugene, a merchant of Wellsboro, and Anna R. Mr. Hammond died upon his farm April 7, 1873. His widow lives with their son, Eugene.

WILLIAM A. HAMMOND, of the firm of W. A. Hammond & Brother, grocers, was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, November 17, 1854, and is the eldest child of Noah Hammond. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and obtained his education in the public schools and at Allen's Business College, Elmira, New York. He worked as a farm hand a few years, then went to Barclay, Bradford county, and took a position as delivery clerk in a grocery store, which he filled for two years. In April, 1884, he opened his present store in Wellsboro, and sold an interest in the same to his brother Eugene in 1887, since which time the firm of W. A. Hammond & Brother has carried on the business. On October 13, 1881, Mr. Hammond married Ida H. Preble, a daughter of L. J. Preble, of Charleston town- ship. They are members of the Baptist church, and he is connected with the I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the present borough council.

EUGENE HAMMOND, youngest son of Noah Hammond, was born in Charleston township, Tioga county,. January 17, 1862, resided on the farm until 1887, and then purchased an interest in his brother's store, since which time he has been the junior member of the firm of W. A. Hammond & Brother, general grocers. He married Miss May B. McCallum, a daughter of William H. McCallum, of Lawrence town- ship, and has one son, William E. Politically, he is a Republican.

RUDOLPH PAGAN, jeweler, was born in Switzerland, December 13, 1840, a son of Abraham and Mary (Heuselman) Pagan, natives of that country. He was educated in the common schools of his native land, and there learned the watchmaker's trade, which he followed in Switzerland up to 1867. In that year he came to New York City, where he worked at his trade a year and a half, and subsequently spent ten years and a half in Elmira, New York. In 1879 he located in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, worked a year and a half at his trade, and then opened a store with a full line of jewelry, watches, clocks and silverware, which business he has since carried on successfully. Mr. Pagan was married in Switzerland, December 30, 1866, to Emma Kocher, a daughter of Stephen Kocher, to which union have been born five children, three of whom survive, viz: Arthur F., a painter; Edward F., a clerk in a drug store, and Frank. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Pagan is a member of the Masonic order. In politics, he is in sym- pathy with the principles of the Republican party.

WILLIAM CLYMER KRESS was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in December, 1846, a son of George C. and Eliza Kress. His father was a clerk in the Bingham land office at Wellsboro for many years, and died June 30, 1860. His mother died October 12, 1863. William was reared to manhood in his native town and obtained his education in the public schools. He married Mary Adeline Bache, youngest daughter of the venerable William Bache, to which union were born five children, three of whom are living, as follows: Anna Mabel, George William Bache, and Maud Ethel. Mr. Kress spent his entire life in Wellsboro, and was one of its well-known, active business men. He was engaged in the drug business and later carried on a foundry and machine shop for several years. When the water works

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plant was built, Mr. Kress was employed in its construction, and filled the position of superintendent of the works until the time of his death. He planned and super- vised the erection of the Bache Auditorium, corner of Pearl street and East avenue, Wellsboro, completed in the autumn of 1894 at a cost of $16,000, the principal por- tion of which was contributed by his father-in-law. Soon after the completion of this substantial and commodious structure, Mr. Kress began to fail in health, and died June 26, 1895, from cancer of the stomach. He was one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of the borough, and his death was regretted by a large circle of friends.

JOHN HARMAN was one of the first settlers of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, whither he came from Adams county. He was a miller, and built one of the first grist-mills in the county, near the village of Liberty, which he operated up to his death, in 1824. Mr. Harman was twice married, and reared a family of eleven chil- dren. By the first marriage there were Katie, Susan, Betsey, Thomas, Isaac, John, William and Henry; and by the second marriage, Andrew, Daniel and Benjamin.

ISAAC HARMAN was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1790, and came to Tioga county with his father, where he worked in the mill built by the latter until 1834. The remainder of his life was passed on a farm in Liberty township. He married Nancy Hagenbush, born in 1800, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, who became the mother of six children, viz: Joseph H., of Wellsboro; Harriet, deceased; Matilda, deceased wife of David Landis; Sarah, wife of John Whitaker, of Kansas; Philemon, a miller of Dundee, New York, and Lorinda, wife of John Wiltsey, of Kansas. Mr. Harman died in 1864, and his wife in 1878.

JOSEPH H. HARMAN, treasurer and architect of the Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company, was born in Liberty township, Tioga county, June 18, 1829, and was educated in the public schools. When eighteen years of age he went to learn the carpenter's trade in Covington, and followed that business until 1871, in which year he moved to Wellsboro, and continued working at his trade up to 1878. He then became a member of the firm of Harman, Borden & Company, which was finally merged into the Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company. Mr. Har- man married Lucy Gaylord, a daughter of Elijah Gaylord, of Covington, Tioga county, May 4, 1854, to which union have been born three children, viz: Hattie L., wife of Irwin Keefer, of Wellsboro; Beverly W., who died at the age of seventeen, and Edith, wife of Raymond Houghton, of Wellsboro. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, Mr. Harman is a Prohibitionist, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

ROBERT J. BORDEN, superintendent and one of the managers of the Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company, Limited, was born in Delhi, Delaware county, New York, March 2, 1844, a son of William and Elizabeth (Weismore) Borden. His father, a machinist by occupation, came to Tioga county in 1853, and located at Niles Valley, where he followed lumbering for some years, afterwards devoting his attention to farming. He died in January, 1862, and his wife in October, 1883. Robert J. was educated in the public schools of his native county, and in those of Tioga county. On October 19, 1861, when in his eighteenth year, he enlisted in Company L, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served in the battle of Slater Mountain, acted as orderly for General Pope at Second Bull Run, and was sent on

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 89

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