History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

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

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WILLIAM LEE SPENCER was born in Connecticut, and was a farmer, millwright and miller. He married Senie Phelps, who bore him three children, all of whom are dead: Lyman, Orange and James. Mrs. Spencer died, and some years later he was again married, to which union were born two children, Thomas and Jonathan, both of whom reside in the west. After his second marriage he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where both he and his wife spent the remaining years of their lives.

LYMAN SPENCER, eldest child of William Lee and Senie (Phelps) Spencer, came with his parents to Tioga county. He learned the miller's trade with his father, and after his marriage located on a rented farm near Mansfield, where he lived a few years, and later lived on a farm near Stokesdale, until his removal to Van Etten- ville, New York. Four years afterward he returned to Tioga county, and made his home with his son, Alenson, until his death, July 16, 1875, in his seventy-ninth year. Mr. Spencer married Asenath Rumsey, who bore him a family of twelve children, viz: Carlonas, a resident of Iowa; Massanello, who died in infancy; Lorenzo D., a resident of Oxford, Tennessee; Lorensa A., deceased; Loretta, wife of Argalus Ford, of Mainesburg; Alenson, of Delmar; Asenath, deceased; Can- sonetta, widow of George Kress; Blyman A., of Delmar; Britianna, wife of R. E. Pond, of Wellsboro; Massanello, a resident of Delmar, and James C., of the same township. Mrs. Spencer died April 11, 1865, in the sixty-seventh year of her age.

ALENSON SPENCER, millwright and carpenter, was born in Mainesburg, Tioga county, October 19, 1826, a son of Lyman and Asenath Spencer. He was reared on a farm, and when twenty-six years old commenced working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed three years. For the succeeding twenty-four years he operated a saw and grist-mill in Wellsboro, for John Dickinson. At the end of this time he removed to his present farm in Delmar, but after four years returned to Wellsboro, and in partnership with Edward C. Dickinson, erected the present grist-mill, which they operated together three years. He then purchased Mr. Dick- inson's interest and conducted the mill alone for three years, after which he re- turned to his farm in the spring of 1891. It contains 227 acres, purchased during the time he worked for John Dickinson, and is located two miles north of Wellsboro. Mr. Spencer was married January 2, 1853, to Catherine S. Hiltbold, a daughter of

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Henry and Phoebe (Furman) Hiltbold, of Delmar. Eleven children have been born to this marriage, viz: A. Edward, who married Ada Leisenring, and operates the grist-mill in Wellsboro; Samantha V., wife of Horatio Culver, of Delmar; Susan M., wife of L. M. Fleming, of Wellsboro; Henry L., of Delmar, who married Martha Fleming; James D., deceased; Lizzie D., wife of George R. Johnson, of Delmar; Sadie A., deceased; William W., a resident of Wellsboro, who married Anna Leisen- ring; Lucy May, wife of L. A. Goodwin, of Stony Fork; Richard R., of Delmar, who married Mary Powlison, and Fannie D., who married W. F. Dewey, of Wells- boro. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are members of the Protestant Episcopal church, and in politics, he is a Republican.

ISRAEL STONE, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1801, came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and purchased fifty acres of land in Delmar township, upon which he passed the remaining years of his life. He was twice married, first to Abbie Dean, in Massachusetts, who bore him five children, viz: Adaline, wife of Henry Wilson, of Delmar; Abigail and Dewite, both deceased; Orrin, a resident of Broome county, New York, and Eugene Howard, of Delmar. Mrs. Stone died in February, 1844. He was again married, to Amanda A. Howe, who bore him two children, viz: William A., a prominent lawyer and congressman of Pittsburg, and Israel G., a resi- dent of Delmar township. In politics, Mr. Stone was originally a Whig and later a Republican. He was assessor of Delmar for several years, also township clerk and treasurer for a number of terms, a county auditor for three terms, and a school director for a long period. He was a member of the Congregational church, and died in that faith, November 9, 1887. Mr. Stone was one of the progressive, enter- prising and successful citizens of the county, and was highly respected by the com- munity in which he lived.

EUGENE HOWARD STONE was born in Delmar township, Tioga county, January 31, 1842, and is the youngest child of Israel and Abbie Stone. He was reared on the homestead farm, and in August, 1861, when but nineteen years old, he enlisted in Company E, Forty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, known as the "Bucktails," and participated in the following battles: South Mountain, Antietam and Mechanics- ville, where he was taken prisoner, June 27, 1862, and held forty days in Libby and Belle Isle prisons. He was then exchanged and returned to his regiment, and served until August 7, 1864, when he was honorably discharged, at Petersburg, Virginia. Returning to his home in Tioga county, he worked on his father's farm for six years, and subsequently cultivated a farm in Charleston township on shares two years. He then purchased a farm in Shippen township, but at the end of. a year sold it and went to Pawnee county, Kansas, and took up 160 acres of land. He remained there some three years, then sold out and returned to the old home- stead, on which he lived one year. At the end of this time he purchased a farm in Shippen township, lived upon it four years, and subsequently four years more on the home farm. Returning to his farm in Shippen, he resided there until the spring of 1893, when he bought his present farm in Delmar, adjoining his Shippen farm, both embracing 190 acres. Mr. Stone was married November 9, 1864, to Sarah, a daughter of Ephraim Francis, of Charleston township. They are the parents of four children, viz: Frederick A., Mary A., wife of George Campbell, of Delmar; Winifred A., and Sarah E. Politically, Mr. Stone is a Republican, and has served

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as a school director in Shippen township one term, and supervisor three terms. He is a member of the F. & A. M., the P. of H., the G. A. R. and the Union Veteran Legion.

ROBERT CAMPBELL was born in Lodi, Seneca county, New York, May 3, 1809, and was a son of Archibald and Elizabeth (Seely) Campbell. His father was born near Cork, Ireland, June 30, 1770, came to the United States after attaining his majority, and located at Bath, Steuben county, New York. He married Elizabeth Seely, born in Newtown, now Elmira, New York, December 19, 1790, and subse- quently located in Seneca county, where both he and wife died. They were the parents of fourteen children, named as follows: Margaret, Robert, James, Caroline, Marthaline, Jane T., William P., Mary, Elizabeth, Newell T., Maria A., Abraham M., Norman and Ann E. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, whence he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and purchased the farm in Delmar township now owned by his son William. After a short stay in Tioga county, he returned to Lodi, New York, where he taught school for two years, then came back to this county, taught school for four terms, and settled permanently on his farm. On October 3, 1837, he married Jane S. Knight, a daughter of Luke and Jane (Suydam) Knight. She was born April 5, 1815, and became the mother of five children, viz: Oscar, born January 3, 1839, a farmer in Delmar township; Edwin, born April 7, 1840, a farmer in the same township; William, of Delmar; Franklin, born October 1, 1845, and died March 31, 1856, and Mary, born August 14, 1848, wife of Burt Schrader, of Tioga. Mr. Campbell and wife were members of the Presby- terian church, and in politics, he was a stanch Democrat. He died upon his farm in Delmar, June 11, 1890, and his wife, January 29, 1885.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL was born upon the homestead farm in Delmar township, Tioga county, June 30, 1841, and is the third son of Robert Campbell. He attended the common schools of the district in boyhood, and has always lived upon the home farm, which he purchased at his father's death. It contains 150 acres of well- improved land, and he makes a specialty of dairy farming and sheep growing. On September 19, 1882, he married Sarah Phinnie Bartle, a daughter of R. D. Bartle, of Delmar township. They are the parents of four children, viz: Cora B., born July 31, 1883; Franklin R., January 14, 1886; Harry C., March 16, 1890, and died August 6, following, and Erwin B., born October 13, 1893. Mr. Campbell is an ardent Democrat, and may be safely classed among the leading farmers of his native township.

JAMES CAMPBELL was born in Lodi, Seneca county, New York, July 23, 1812, and is the oldest living child of Archibald and Elizabeth (Seely) Campbell. He was reared upon a farm in his native county, and came to Tioga county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1832, locating in Delmar township. Three years later he purchased the farm now owned by his brother, William P., on which he lived a short time engaged in clearing and improving it. In 1850 he purchased his present farm, but after five years sold it and bought a farm in Sullivan township. He subsequently traded his Sullivan farm for the one previously owned in Delmar township, on which he has since resided. Mr. Campbell was married March 27, 1833, to Emma M. Ely, a daughter of William and Fannie (Curry) Ely. She was born September 29, 1816, and became the mother of eight children, viz: William E., born September 7, 1835,

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and died November 5, 1837; Elizabeth C., born June 15, 1838, wife of Eugene Mil- ler, of Slate Run; Frances, born July 13, 1840, wife of Samuel Kendrick, of Stony Fork; Margaret, born May 4, 1844, wife of J. B. Wilcox, of Wellsboro; Archibald, born March 27, 1847, an insurance agent of New York City; Cornelia, born August 18, 1850, wife of Orrin Williams, of Wellsboro; Edward H., born February 9, 1852, a resident of Delmar, and Harriet, born January 16, 1854, wife of Thomas Frost, of Elmira, New York. Mrs. Campbell died September 5, 1889, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. Mr. Campbell resides with his son, Edward H., on the old home- stead, and is one of the oldest citizens of Delmar.

EDWARD H. CAMPBELL, a son of James Campbell, was born upon the farm where he now resides, in Delmar township, Tioga county, February 9, 1852, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and has devoted his entire attention to farming. On December 25, 1873, he married Sophia E. Bartle, a daughter of R. D. Bartle, of Delmar township. They are the parents of four children, viz: Edith I., born April 29, 1875, and died May 24, 1882; Tracy Elsworth, born August 18, 1879; Cordelia, born May 19, 1885, and one that died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, and is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

NEWELL T. CAMPBELL, a prominent retired farmer of Delmar township, was born in Lodi, Seneca county, New York, June 28, 1827, a son of Archibald and Elizabeth (Seely) Campbell. He was reared on a farm, and obtained a common school education in his native county. In 1850 he came to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, and purchased a portion of his present farm in Delmar township, to which he has added by subsequent purchases until he now owns one of the best farms in this locality. Mr. Campbell was married December 3, 1857, to Angeline Houghton, a daughter of Ferris H. Houghton, of Delmar, to which union have been born two children, viz: Norman, who died at the age of twenty-seven, and Estella, who mar- ried E. W. Toles, of Westfield, Tioga county, and died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving one daughter, Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell attend the Presbyterian church of Wellsboro, and in politics, he is a stanch Democrat. He has been assistant assessor of his township, and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of Del- mar, where he has lived for nearly half a century.

SIMON G. WILLCOX, a native of Rhode Island, settled in Chenango county, New York, in early life, and there remained until his eleven children were born. He came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and lived among his children. He was twice married. His first wife, Anna Cartwright, a native of Boston, Massa- chusetts, bore him a family of six children, viz: Phoebe, deceased wife of Aaron Symonds; Anna, deceased; Job, deceased; Mary D., deceased wife of Sylvanus Moore, Jr .; Clarissa H., deceased wife of J. F. Townsend, and Simon. Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Willcox married her sister Phoebe, who became the mother of five sons, viz: Daniel B. and Benjamin C., both deceased; John D., of Olmsville, Delmar township; Nathan F., deceased, and Ira L., a resident of Kansas. Mr. Willcox died June 12, 1851, aged seventy-two years, and his wife, Phoebe, July 18, 1849, aged fifty-nine.

JOB WILLCOX was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1807, eldest son of Simon G. and Annie Willcox. He came to Tioga county in 1833, and purchased timber lands at Round Island, now Tiadaghton, where he followed lumbering up

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to 1839. He then removed to Wellsboro, formed a partnership with C. & J. L. Rob- inson, and continued his lumber operations with these gentlemen, and also conducted a store in the borough. Six years later he sold his interest in the store and bought a large farm in Delmar township, and subsequently severed his business connection with the Robinsons in the lumber business. He was at times associated with some of the well-known lumbermen of the county, and his operations were extensive and lucrative. Mr. Willcox was married in early manhood, to Asenath White, of Chenango county, New York, who bore him seven children, viz: Charles C., of Delmar township; Simon, deceased; Edwin and Edward, twins, the former deceased and the latter a resident of Delmar township; Galusha B., also a resident of Delmar, and George and Caroline, both of whom are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Willcox died in Delmar township, the former in May, 1874.

CHARLES C. WILLCOX, oldest child of Job Willcox, was born in Chenango county, New York, December 15, 1829, and was in his fourth year when his parents settled on Pine creek, in Tioga county. When twenty-one years old he began job- bing in the lumber woods, which occupation he followed ten years. He afterwards purchased a farm on Middle Ridge, lived on it a few years, and then went to Lycom- ing county, where he followed lumbering one year. Returning to Delmar, he began merchandising at Stony Fork, and continued that business four years, at the end of which period he purchased eighty-eight acres of his present farm and settled down to farm life. He later added to his original purchase 150 acres, making in all 238 acres of well-improved land. He has since devoted his entire attention to agricul- tural pursuits, and is one of the substantial farmers of his township. Mr. Willcox was married October 26, 1852, to Tabitha Ann Webb, a daughter of Orson Webb, of Delmar. She was born October 17, 1832, and is the mother of eight children, all of whom reside in Delmar township, viz: Addie, Cora L., Charles O., E. Archi- bald, Wellington W., Artelissa, Burton E. and Ross G. The family are adherents of the Baptist church, and all of the sons are members of the Patrons of Husbandry. In politics, Mr. Willcox is a Republican.

GALUSHA B. WILCOX, son of Job Willcox, was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, May 8, 1842, and was three years old when his parents located on the farm he now owns. Here he grew to manhood, and has spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. His farm embraces 150 acres of well improved land, two miles north- east of Stony Fork. In 1868 he married Ann Janett Kilborn, who bore him four children, viz: Hiram E., a resident of Hoytville; Edith M., deceased; Asenath C., and Leon, both at home. Mrs. Wilcox died December 21, 1878, aged twenty-nine years. He was again married January 28, 1880, to Anna E. Brill, a daughter of Peter Brill, who is the mother of four children, viz: Harry G., Blanche, Ralph, deceased, and Verne. In politics, Mr. Wilcox is a Republican.

BENJAMIN C. WILCOX, a son of Simon G. and Phoebe Willcox, was born in Preston, Chenango county, New York, January 3, 1823, and was fifteen years old when his parents came to Tioga county. In December, 1839, he purchased a tim- ber tract of 140 acres in Delmar township, and went to work to clear and improve it. He erected buildings and lived on this property from 1843 to 1874. In the latter year he sold it and bought a farm immediately west of Stony Fork, where he resided up to 1891, and then retired from active life, making his home with his

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son, George S., until his death, February 28, 1897. Mr. Wilcox was married Sep- tember 1, 1844, to Nancy J. Butler, who bore him five children, viz: Harland, Melvina and Simon, all of whom are dead; George S., of Delmar, and Nancy J., wife of Albert Van Vleit, of the same township. Mrs. Wilcox died August 6, 1879, aged fifty-four years. In 1881 he married Mary Wall, who died five years later, and on April 23, 1887, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Rockwell, a daughter of Benjamin Borden, whose first husband, Simon Wilcox, was a brother of Benjamin C. Mr. Wilcox was a member of the First Baptist church. In politics, he was a Republi- can, and held the office of township supervisor two terms.

GEORGE S. WILCOX, only living son of Benjamin C. Wilcox, was born in Delmar township, Tioga county, June 7, 1852, was reared on the homestead farm, and obtained a common school education. When eighteen years of age he began working for himself in the lumber woods, and four years later purchased a timber tract on Heise run, which he cleared up and built upon. After three years' residence there, he sold the property and went to work for Silas X. Billings, at Leetonia, but soon after entered the employ of the Leetonia Tanning Company, with whom he remained until 1885. In that year he bought his present mill property, to which he has since added by subsequent purchases, until he now owns 140 acres. He cultivates his farm and also operates the mill whenever there is work to do in that line. Mr. Wilcox was married April 19, 1874, to Ida M. Bowen, a daughter of DeForest Bowen, of Delmar township, who has borne him two children, Addie E., and Georgie, the latter deceased. Mr. Wilcox and wife are members of the First Baptist church, of Delmar, and also of the Patrons of Husbandry. He is connected with the I. O. O. F., and the K. of G. E., and in politics, is an adherent of the Pro- hibition party.

JOHN D. WILLCOX was born in Preston, Chenango county, New York, Sep- tember 4, 1825, where he resided with his parents, Simon G. and Phoebe Willcox, until 1840, and was in his fifteenth year when he came to Tioga county, Pennsyl- vania, and went to work for Job Willcox & Co., of Wellsboro, with whom he re- mained three years. He later purchased a farm adjoining his present one, buying the latter in 1867. He has since followed farming, and has also operated a saw-mill on his farm. On February 24, 1844, he married Orrilla Dimmick, who bore him the following children: Mary L., wife of P. R. Sherman, of Michigan; Phoebe C., wife of E. H. Halstead, of Delmar township; Maria A., who died in infancy; Elam E., who died at the age of thirty-three; Clarence A., Simon G., Orlando R. and Edwin H., all residents of Delmar township, and Sanford D., of Harrison Valley, Potter county. Mrs. Willcox died May 17, 1868, aged forty-two years. On May 13, 1869, he married Sarah M., a daughter of John Wilson, of Morris, Tioga county, by which union he has three children, viz: Lillian M., wife of John Dortt, of Shippen township; Sarah E., wife of A. H. Taylor, and William D. The family are members of the Baptist church, and in politics, Mr. Willcox is a Republican. He has served as a school director for two terms, supervisor six years, and has been postmaster of Olmsville, which is located at his home, since July 1, 1886.

EDWIN MATSON, SR., lumberman and farmer, was born in Chenango county, New York, January 21, 1815, a son of Zeba W. and Lydia (Merritt) Matson, natives of Connecticut. He was reared and educated in his native county, and when

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eighteen years of age came to Tioga county and entered the employ of Stowell & Dickinson, who were engaged in the lumber business on Pine creek. Here he remained thirteen years, and then went to Wrightsville, York county, Pennsylvania, where he built and operated saw-mills for fifteen years. Returning to Delmar township, Tioga county, he located on a farm which he had previously purchased. After a few years he went to Northumberland county and again engaged in the lumber business for seven years, and subsequently followed lumbering in Florida for fourteen months. Going to Cleveland, Ohio, he completed an unfinished mill, which he operated for one season, and then returned to his farm in Delmar. In 1881 he erected his present mill in Shippen township, which he has operated suc- cessfully for the past fifteen years, under the firm name of E. Matson & Son. Mr. Matson was married in 1837, to Mary Eberenz, a daughter of William Eberenz, of Delmar, to which union were born seven children, viz: Aurelia, deceased; John W., a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; William E., who served in a battery of New York Heavy Artillery and died of wounds received in the battle of Petersburg; Mary, wife of Charles Derbyshire, of Delmar; Charles, deceased; James H., de- ceased, and Edwin, junior member of the firm of E. Matson & Son. Mr. Matson is the owner of one of the largest farms in Delmar township, while his lumber interests in Shippen are extensive and lucrative. He also conducts a store in con- nection with his mill, which does an annual business of $12,000. Mr. Matson is one of the leading Democrats of the township, and is the present postmaster of Marsh Creek. The family are adherents of the Presbyterian church.

JAMES H. MATSON, a son of Edwin and Mary (Eberenz) Matson, was born March 4, 1851, in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. After acquiring a good English education in the common schools of Delmar township, Tioga county, where his parents still reside, he took a course in the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He taught school for a time and then finished his legal studies in the law office of Hon. Jerome B. Niles, Wellsboro, and was admitted to the bar May 4, 1880. In 1884 he was elected district attorney and served one term. On September 24, 1884, he purchased an interest in the Republican Advocate, of Wellsboro, and on January 13, 1886, assumed editorial control, continuing in that capacity until March 10, 1891, when he sold his interest to William L. Shearer, the present proprietor. He then engaged in the insurance business in Wellsville and Syracuse, New York, until the fall of 1894, when he was made state agent for Connecticut of the Illinois Covenant Mutual Insurance Company, at New Haven, which position he retained until his death, March 14, 1897. Mr. Matson was married November 25, 1880, to Mary Seaman, of Nauvoo, to which union there were born the following named children: Mildred Blanche, Anna Louise, Lillian Elva, Edwin Augustus and Elma Amelia, both deceased, and James Henry. In politics, Mr. Matson was an ardent Republican. For a number of years previous to his death he was a member of the official board of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, New Haven, Connecticut.

EDWIN MATSON, JR., was born in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1858, a son of Edwin Matson, Sr., and came with his parents to Tioga county when about one year old. He obtained a good common school education, and was reared prin- cipally on his father's farm. In 1882 he engaged in the lumber business on Marsh

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

creek, with his father, under the firm name of E. Matson & Son, where they have since carried on business. Their mill has a capacity of 30,000 feet per day, their product being hardwood and hemlock, which they ship to the northern markets. Mr. Matson was married November 1, 1875, to Hattie U. Russell, a daughter of Lucius L. and Ann Eliza (Morse) Russell. They are the parents of seven children, namely: Nina M., John E., Nora E., James H., Jessie R., Edwin and Morgan L. Nora E. and James H. are dead. In religion, the family are adherents of the Baptist church, and in politics, Republican. Mr. Matson has filled the office of director and treas- urer of the school boards in Shippen and Delmar townships. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is connected with both the lodge and encampment.

JOSEPH BOYDEN, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1775, there grew to man- hood, married Abigail Gilmore, and in 1848 came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and located in Delmar township. He was the father of nine children, as follows: Nancy, who married Enoch Cheney; Harriet, who married Charles Bond; San- ford, Addison, Lemuel, Miranda, wife of Albert Root, of Wellsboro; Eliza, wife of Lemuel Colvin, and Maria, who married Lyman Whitmore. Addison, Mrs. Root and Mrs. Colvin are the only survivors of this family. Mr. Boyden died in Charleston township, January 5, 1854, and his wife, July 11, 1858, aged seventy- seven years.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 94

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