History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 90

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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detached duty just prior to the battle of Fredericksburg. He was honorably dis- charged November 21, 1864, and was then appointed a mounted messenger to the paymaster general, in which capacity he served until 1870. Returning to Tioga county, he was engaged in farming and lumbering in Charleston township up to 1880, when he bought an interest in the industry of which he is now superintendent. The plant was established in 1878, by Joseph H. Harman and Isaac P. Borden, was operated by Harman, Borden & Company up to May 1, 1892, and was then merged into a stock company, under the title of the Wellsboro Manufacturing and Building Company, Limited. They manufacture all kinds of builders' supplies, buying most of their lumber on the stump, and do a large contracting and building business, employing twenty-five hands. Mr. Borden was married July 15, 1864, to Miss Fannie B. Monshower, of Carroll county, Maryland, who has borne him six children, viz: William, who died in infancy; Minnie M., wife of F. H. Smith, of Wellsboro; Lolo E., wife of L. R. Van Horn, of the same place; William R., Catharine and Eloise. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Borden is con- nected with the I. O. O. F. In politics, a Republican, he has served as school director, councilman and burgess of Wellsboro.

ALFRED I. NICHOLS, of the firm of A. I. Nichols & Son, millers, was born in Addison, Steuben county, New York, February 16, 1837, a son of Alfred and Mary (Drew) Nichols, natives of Rhode Island and Maine, respectively. He was edu- cated in the common schools of his native town, and when twenty-one years of age began farming at Tuscarora, Steuben county, and followed that business until 1885, when he came to Wellsboro and opened a hardware store on Main street. He car- ried on this business four years, then sold out and purchased the mill property, which he has since owned and operated. Mr. Nichols married Sarah E. Bache, a daughter of the venerable William Bache, of Wellsboro, to which union have been born six children, viz: Anna B., Emily D., wife of C. R. Converse; William B., a member of the firm; Enos A., Maud and Blanche. Mr. Nichols and wife attend the Protestant Episcopal church. Their son William, now known as William Bache, Jr., was born in Tuscarora, Steuben county, New York, June 19, 1873, and was educated in the common schools of his native town and the Wellsboro High School. The firm car- ries on a wholesale and retail business, and ship their flour to all parts of Penn- sylvania.

COL. JUSTUS DARTT, a soldier of the Revolution, and after that a colonel in the Vermont militia, settled in what is now known as Dartt settlement, in Charleston township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1811. He was one of the county commissioners in 1815, and in 1817 was appointed one of the trustees of the Wells- boro Academy. When he came to the county he purchased 160 acres of land, built his cabin in the midst of the primitive forest, and settled down to make for himself and family a home. He followed lumbering and farming up to his death, July 5, 1838, aged eighty-one years. His wife, Hannah, departed this life January 14, 1844, at the ripe age of eighty-six. They were the founders of the Dartt family of Tioga county, and have numerous descendants in this section of the State.

CYRUS DARTT, a son of Col. Justus and Hannah Dartt, was born in Castleton, Vermont, October 25, 1800, and was about eleven years old when his parents settled in Charleston township, Tioga county. He followed farming all his life, residing

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on the farm settled by his father. In 1820 he married Lydia Kelley, who bore him a family of eight children, viz: Horace, Solon S., Hiram W., Charles N., Lydia, Irena M., Fidelia H. and Amelia R. His wife dying, he was again married in 1837, to Matilda Sweet, to which union were born three children: Albert, Elenora and Hannah. Mr. Dartt died in 1883 in Wellsboro, having spent his entire life in this .county and principally upon the old homestead in Charleston township.

HIRAM W. DARTT, third son of Cyrus and Lydia (Kelley) Dartt, was born on the homestead farm in the Dartt settlement, October 17, 1825, and attended the dis- trict schools of his neighborhood. When eighteen years of age he began working at the carpenter's trade, but two years later engaged with S. B. Kendall, of Wellsboro, to learn wagon making. Six months afterwards he purchased an interest in the business, and has followed the trade up to the present time. In 1888 he sold the manufacturing plant and business to his son, A. P. Dartt. In 1854 Mr. Dartt mar- ried Adeline Potter, who has borne him seven children, viz: Edgar S., Franklin H., assistant superintendent of the Blossburg Coal Company, at Arnot; Effie, wife of Mark L. Smith, of Scranton; Albert P., Robert R., Arthur H. and Addie. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, adherents of the Republican party.

EDGAR S. DARTT, eldest son of Hiram W. Dartt, was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, December 19, 1855; received a common school education, and later worked for ten years in the paint shop of R. L. Mack. In 1888, in partnership with Wisehart & Keefer, he bought the present plant. It was burned, then rebuilt, and leased by himself and brother, Albert P. Mr. Dartt was married November 18, 1896, to Mrs. Lovina L. Longwell, a daughter of James Hall, of Charleston township. In politics, Mr. Dartt is a Republican; was tax collector of the borough from 1888 to 1890, and filled the office of constable from 1888 to 1892. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.

ALBERT P. DARTT, son of Hiram W. Dartt, was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, December 11, 1861, attended the public schools of his native town, and when sixteen years of age entered his father's shop to learn the wagon-making trade. In 1888 he and his brother, Edgar S., purchased the business from their father, and have since conducted it, manufacturing all kinds of wagons and sleighs, and giving employment to twelve men. They also carry on in connection with the factory a retail harness store. Mr. Dartt was married October 13, 1887, to Carrie M., daughter of Gen. Robert C. Cox, and has one child, Mildred M. Mrs. Dartt died February 24, 1891. He was married a second time March 20, 1895, to Sarah M. Williams, a daughter of Orrin E. Williams. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, also of the I. O. O. F., and in politics, a Republican.

ARTHUR H. DARTT, youngest son of Hiram W. Dartt, was born in Wellsboro, October 19, 1868; was educated in the High School, and when sixteen years of age began working in the blacksmith shop in his father's factory. After learning the trade, he engaged with his brothers, A. P. & E. S. Dartt, for whom he worked three years, and then went to Buffalo, New York, where he followed his trade until January 1, 1894, when he again entered the employ of his brothers, as assistant manager, which position he now fills. He was married August 22, 1894, to Miss Kate Van Valkenburg, daughter of Henry and Hattie (Wilson) Van Valkenburg, of

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Wellsboro. He is a member of Tyoga Lodge, No. 230, and Wellsboro Encamp- ment, No. 78, I. O. O. F.

JOHN GISIN, tanner and dealer in hides and pelts, was born in Switzerland, November 18, 1840, and is a son of Sebastian and Anna (Prack) Gisin. He was reared in his native land, and in 1865 immigrated to the United States. After a few months of travel through the country, he located in Nelson, Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, and in June, 1866, commenced learning the tanner's trade with C. F. Mar- graff, of that borough. He worked for that gentleman nine years, and then removed to Patterson, New Jersey, where he purchased a fancy goods and millinery store, which he conducted five years. Coming to Wellsboro in 1881, he purchased the tannery of Joseph Riberolle, which he carried on until October, 1886, when the plant was burned. He immediately rebuilt on a larger scale, and now operates the only tannery in the borough. Mr. Gisin was married October 22, 1869, to Louisa A. Margraff, a daughter of Fred Margraff, who has borne him four children, viz: Anna, a teacher in the public schools; Nellie, who died at the age of three years; Mabel, and Mattie. The family attend the Protestant Episcopal church. In politics, Mr. Gisin is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ROBERT H. FLEMING came from Michigan to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1865, bringing his family with him. They located at Tioga, where he worked at shoemaking for two years, then moved to Stony Fork, and four years later to Corn- ing, New York; thence to Antrim, and finally to Hoytville, Tioga county. His wife, Catherine (Greek) Fleming, was the mother of nine children, five of whom are living, viz: Adelia A., wife of Zealous Austin, of Morris Run; Lester M., of Wells- boro; Martha, wife of H. L. Spencer, of Delmar; Addie, wife of Louis Bulss, of Blossburg, and Jennie, of the same borough. Mr. Fleming died in Hoytville, Au- gust 27, 1889. His widow resides with her daughter in Blossburg.

LESTER M. FLEMING, of the firm of Spencer & Fleming, proprietors of the Key- stone Flouring Mills, was born in Dundee, Monroe county, Michigan, September 19, 1859, and is the only living son of Robert H. and Catherine Fleming. He was six years old when the family came to Tioga county, and he was here educated in the common schools. When sixteen years of age he entered the employ of Alenson Spencer, his present partner, and after seventeen years of faithful service, he bought an interest in the mill, September 7, 1891, and is now a member of the firm. Mr. Fleming was married April 27, 1876, to Susie M. Spencer, a daughter of Alenson Spencer, and has two children, Edward Monroe and Alenson Robert. Mr. Fleming is a member of the P. of H. and has been connected with the choir of the Methodist Episcopal church of Wellsboro for the past eight years.

LUCIUS TRUMAN, a native of Owego, New York, followed lumbering on Pine creek for twenty-five years, and later carried on the same business in Wellsboro. Hc served in the Rebellion as first lieutenant of Company E, and later as quartermaster of the famous "Bucktail" regiment. He married Mary P. Leach, of Owego, New York, who bore him the following children: Albert A., Hattie, wife of J. W. Van Valkenberg, and Louis F., all residents of Wellsboro; Elizabeth, deceased wife of W. P. Bigoney; Irving L., a resident of Trout Run, Lycoming county; Lilla, and Herman L., both deceased. Mrs. Truman died in Owego in 1863, aged forty-six years. He again married, Mary Doumaux, who bore him three children: Belle,

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Edgar, deceased, and Nellie. Mr. Truman died in Wellsboro, in May, 1890, aged seventy-two years. His widow resides in that borough.

ALBERT A. TRUMAN, agent of the American Express Company at Wellsboro, was born in Owego, New York, October 6, 1841, and is the eldest child of Lucius and Mary P. (Leach) Truman. He was educated in the common schools, and on April 25, 1861, he enlisted in the United States navy, served two months on the receiving ship, Princeton, and was then assigned to duty as landsman on the St. Lawrence, a frigate of fifty guns, upon which he spent two years. He was then made yoeman of the bark Pursuit, was later transferred to the steamer Union, and was discharged in June, 1863. Returning to Owego he clerked in a dry goods store for a few months, later followed the same business at Corning one year, and then came to Wellsboro, where he purchased an interest in the store of O. Bullard, which he disposed of a year later and then clerked for Converse & Osgood one year; for J. R. Bowen two years, and Laugher Bache one year. He next embarked in the grocery business, but sold out at the end of a year and engaged in draying, which he followed five years. He then went to the Black Hills, where he worked in the gold mines nineteen months. Returning to Wellsboro, he clerked for E. B. Young one year, and then accepted the position as station agent of the Fall Brook railroad at Middlebury. Six months later he went to Corning as agent for the American Ex- press Company, and at the end of a year was appointed messenger for the same com- pany on the Fall Brook railroad. In April, 1882, he was transferred to Wellsboro, where he has since been the agent of that company. Mr. Truman was married November 25, 1868, to Anna Stowell Bache, a daughter of John N. Bache, of Wells- boro, who has borne him three children, viz: Lilla, who died in infancy; Minnie B., a teacher in the Wellsboro High School, and John Norris Bache, book-keeper for the Wellsborough National Bank. The family are members of the Protestant Epis- copal church, in which body Mr. Truman is a vestryman and secretary of the vestry for the past three years. Mr. Truman is a member of Ossea Lodge, No. 317, F. & A. M .; Tyoga Chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., of which he is now the Scribe, and Tya- gaghton Commandery, No. 28, K. T. He is also a member of George Cook Post, No. 315, G. A. R., in which he has filled the offices of commander and adjutant.

WILLIAM O'CONNOR was born in Carlton county, New Brunswick, February 14, 1853. His father, Charles O'Connor, was a native of Ireland and immigrated to New Brunswick in early manhood, where he married Lovina Birmingham, who bore him nine children, five of whom are living, viz: John, a resident of Stokesdale; James and William, of Wellsboro; Elizabeth, wife of John Groom, of Rolling Dam, New Brunswick, and Matilda, wife of Zebulon Gilman, of Aroostook county, Maine. The father died in 1858, and his widow married Samuel Darkis, since deceased. She now resides in Aroostook county, Maine. William received a common school education, and begain in life for himself when sixteen years of age. Coming to Wellsboro, he accepted such employment as offered, later began lumbering, and then engaged in general contracting. By constant industry and strict attention to business, he enlarged his enterprises and widened the field of his operations until he is now interested as a partner in the company stores at Arnot and Landrus, and a stockholder in the bank at Galeton, Potter county. He also owns a valuable farm in Morris township, and is engaged in lumbering operations at Nelson Run, Potter

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county. Mr. O'Connor was married May 13, 1873, to Martha Webster, a daughter of J. E. Webster, of Morris township, and has three children, viz: Lura, Ada and Edna. In 1876 he became a resident of Morris, and lived there until the spring of 1896, when he removed to Wellsboro, purchasing the residence of the late Dr. Hugh L. Davis. In politics, Mr. O'Connor is a stanch Democrat, but has never been an office seeker, his business affairs receiving all his time and attention. It can be said to his credit, that from a penniless boy, he has, since coming to Tioga county, by his own efforts and energy, raised himself to a prominent place among the successful bus- iness men of this section of the State, and that his career has been marked by a strict adherence to honorable business methods. He enjoys the confidence of his business associates and the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens generally.

REV. M. J. MANLY, pastor of St. Peter's Catholic church of Wellsboro, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1861, a son of Michael J. and Mary H. (Judge) Manly. His parents were natives of Ireland, his father being born and reared in County Mayo and his mother in County Limerick. They were married in their native land and came to Wilkes-Barre in 1854, where Mr. Manly became a railroad contractor. He died in 1868, and his wife in 1872. They were the parents of the following named children: Catherine and Maria Josephine, of Wilkes-Barre; Julia, who died June 27, 1883, being then Sister Mary of St. Peter, in the Convent of the Good Shepherd, Philadelphia; Maggie, who died in February, 1883; M. J. and Anthony. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Wilkes- Barre in boyhood, and later spent a year and a half as a student in the Protestant Seminary of Kingston, Luzerne county. He then entered St. Bonaventure's College, Allegany, New York, where took a course in classics and philosophy, graduating with the degree of B. A. He next entered St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, where he completed his theological course, and was ordained in that city October 8, 1883, by Cardinal Gibbons and Bishop Northrup. He soon after took charge of a church at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, but within a year was appointed pastor of St. Catherine's church, Moscow, having charge also of the churches at Tobyhanna, Stroudsburg and Gouldsboro, which pastorate he filled seven years. On November 17, 1890, he took charge of St. Peter's church at Wellsboro. He has also under his care the mission churches at Tioga, Antrim and Hoytville, and seventeen ad- ditional missions without churches within the confines of Tioga county. Father Manly is a popular priest, a very eloquent speaker, and one of the hardest-working priests in the Diocese of Scranton.

ELMER BACON, a native of Vermont, came to Charleston township, Tioga county, early in the present century and settled near Round Top, where he followed farming and lumbering. He married Mary Merrick, a daughter of Israel Merrick, Sr., one of the pioneers of Wellsboro. Eleven children were born to this union, as follows: George, a resident of Nebraska; Elmer, deceased; Mary, deceased wife of W. P. Shumway; Henry, a resident of Dakota; Rebecca, widow of John A. McEwen, of Williamsport; Niram, a resident of Wisconsin; Levi L., who enlisted in the New York Southern Tier Rifles during the Rebellion and died at Georgetown, D. C .; Morgan L., a physician of Wellsboro; Sarah, wife of R. F. Wilson, of the same place, and David, deceased. Mr. Bacon died in Charleston township in April, 1847, and his wife in 1873.

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MORGAN L. BACON, M. D., was born in Charleston township, Tioga county, June 19, 1837, a son of Elmer and Mary Bacon. After attending the common schools he became a student in the Wellsboro Academy and later in Union Academy, at Academy Corners, graduating from the latter institution in 1857. After teaching for a short time he began the study of medicine under Dr. Nelson Packer, of Wells- boro, which he pursued until 1861, when he enlisted as a hospital steward in the Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, the famous Bucktail regiment, and served four months. In July, 1863, he raised Company E, of the Thirty-fifth regiment, Emergency Men, of which he was commissioned captain, and was discharged with the regiment. Dr. Bacon then began the practice of his profession in Mansfield, re- maining there five years. In 1868 he moved to Blossburg, where he practiced until 1870, and then became the physician of the Morris Run Coal Mining Company at Morris Run, where he practiced two years. In 1872 he located in Wellsboro, and for the past twenty-five years has continued in the active duties of his profession, being to-day one of the oldest practitioners in the borough. On November 30, 1863, Dr. Bacon married Eva Bailey; a daughter of John W. Bailey, and has three children, viz: John E., a physician of Buffalo; Dana S., a real estate dealer of Model City, New York, and Morgan L., a medical student in the Buffalo University. Dr. Bacon is recognized as a skillful and successful physician and stands high in his pro- fession. He was a member of the pension board under Cleveland's first adminis- tration and is secretary of the present pension board of Tioga county. He is also the local surgeon of the Fall Brook Railroad Company and has built up a large and lucrative practice. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat, has served as a school director for thirteen years, and is the present health officer of Wellsboro. In religion, Dr. Bacon is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church.

HUGH LLEWELLYN DAVIS, M. D., was one of the best known physicians of 'Tioga county during his professional career. He was born at Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1851, a son of Reese L. and Mary (Evans) Davis. His parents were natives of Wales and came to Charleston township, Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, in 1832. After a short stay they removed to Carbon county, but many years later returned to Charleston township, where both resided until death, the father dying February 16, 1891, and the mother, June 5, 1892. They reared a family of eight children, Hugh L. being a small child when the family returned to Tioga county. Our subject attended the common schools of Charleston and sub- sequently the State Normal School at Mansfield. He then taught for five years in different parts of Tioga county. In 1870 he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Nelson Packer, of Wellsboro, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in March, 1875. He soon after opened an office at Knoxville, whence he removed in 1876 to Arnot, and a year later to West Hampton, Massachusetts. In the autumn of 1879 he returned to Wellsboro where he soon built up a large practice and continued in the active duties of his profession until his death, from cerebral hemorrhage, December 19, 1895. Dr. Davis was one of those genial, large- hearted men who had a cordial greeting for every one. His kindly and sympathetic nature and encouraging words in the sick room drew many hearts to him. Ambitious and physically strong, charitable, and in love with his profession, he was always ready to answer a call regardless of the prospect of remuneration. On June 16,

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1875, he married Emma Janette Karr, daughter of John Karr, of Wellsboro. His widow and two sons, Hugh Karr and Donald Llewellyn, are left to mourn the death of a kind husband and father. Dr. Davis was Past Master of Ossea Lodge, F. & A. M. and Eminent Commander of Tyagaghton Commandery. He was also connected with the I. O. O. F. and the Alert Hose Company. In politics, a Republican, he was serving in the borough council at the time of his death, the duties of which office he discharged with zeal and discretion. Upon the minutes of Tyagaghton Commandery is inscribed the following tribute to his memory:

As a man and a citizen he was upright, fair and courageous, and he always en- deavored to do his duty according to his light. He never sought for office of emolument, but willingly shared the burdens of the administration of local government. He won the affection and esteem of all those who employed him professionally, and his uniform courtesy to every one made his friends legion

As a member of the Masonic fraternity he has engraved his memory upon our hearts, more lasting and enduring than can be chiseled upon tablets of stone. He has fallen in life's battle, with his armor on, manfully fighting his way in the foremost rank, a martyr to duty.

AUGUSTUS NILES, M. D., was born upon the old homestead in Tioga township, Tioga county, November 10, 1853. He is the eldest son of Augustus E. Niles, a grandson of Augustus Niles, and a great-grandson of Nathan Niles, Sr., one of the first settlers in the Tioga valley. During his boyhood he attended the public schools of Tioga borough, where he obtained a good education. He attended lectures at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, graduating from that institution in 1875, in which year he began practice at Nelson, Tioga county. In 1878 he removed to Keeneyville, where he practiced fifteen years. In 1893 he located in Wellsboro, and has since built up an extensive professional business and is recognized as a suc- cessful physician and a skillful surgeon. He has been a member of the state board of medical examiners since its creation, March 4, 1894, and is a member of the medical council of Pennsylvania. Dr. Niles was married April 11, 1875, to Mary J. Knuppenburg, a daughter of Dana A. Knuppenburg, of Nelson, and has two children, Augustus and Jerome D. In politics, Dr. Niles is a Republican, and has served two terms as coroner of Tioga county, from 1890 to 1896. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is also connected with the lodge, chapter and commandery in the Masonic order.

DR. L. M. JOHNSON was born at Bethany, Genesee county, New York, February 16, 1818, a son of Nichols and Lucy (Reynolds) Johnson, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of New York. He was educated at Bath and Geneva, New York, and at the age of thirty began reading medicine with Dr. M. F. Babcock, of Hammondsport, New York, and later took a course in the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He then engaged in the practice of medicine at Galesburgh, Michigan, where he remained one year, and afterwards traveled a few years. In 1858 he came to Wellsboro, Tioga county, opened an office and began the practice of his profession. Here he remained in active practice until 1870, when failing health compelled him to give up a portion of his practice. He removed to his farm in Charleston township, which he had purchased in 1869, remained there three years, and devoted his attention to farming. In 1873 he returned to Wellsboro and resumed practice. In 1882 he went to North Dakota, re-

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 90

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