USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 50
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These people possessed intelligence, education and re- finement in those early days, and many of them had been in the best institutions of the country; yet circumstances were such that in order to establish themselves in a new township they had to be governed by the situation of affairs. They constructed roads, erected school-houses and churches, and otherwise laid the foundations broad and deep for prosperity to themselves and the present generation.
John Newell was born in Bradford county, near To- wanda, August 2nd 1794. He was brought up on a farm and educated in the district school. In 1814 he married Prethena, daughter of Uriah Loper, by whom he had ten children, named Perry, Uriah, Olive, Nancy, Josiah, John, Elizabeth, Prethena, Matilda and William. In 1813 he commenced a clearing on what is now known as "Joe Hill," about a mile and a half north of the Lycom- ing Creek, then in Tioga township, now in Union. He subsequently removed to the Lycoming Creek, still being in the township, where he resided until March 26th 1876, when he died, aged 82 years. Mr. Newell was a gentle- man well known and highly respected in the township and county. He was one of the very earliest settlers of the township. His aged wife survives him.
Rev. Ithiel B. Reynolds was born in Rutland, Vermont, August 28th 1815. He was educated in the Burr Sem- inary, Manchester, Vermont, and Oneida Institute, Oneida, N. Y., and taught school for several terms in his native State. He was married December 19th 1838 to
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PIONEERS OF UNION TOWNSHIP.
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Miss Martha G. Fairfield, daughter of Samuel Fairfield, now owns 56 acres of land, 52 of which are under good by whom he had three children; one of these died cultivation, with good buildings and an orchard of about in infancy. O. F. and Cyrus I. Reynolds, his sons, were in one hundred and sixty trees. For a number of years the Union army. The former died at the naval school after he located in Union he worked at his trade at hospital, Annapolis, Md. Cyrus I. returned and now re- Blossburg and on the Lycoming Creek, at Canton and sides in Kansas. March toth 1846 Mrs. Martha Rey- Union. Mr. Dibble enjoys good health and is as in- nolds died, in Blossburg. In 1850 Mr. Reynolds married dustrious as in his younger days. When he first came into U'nion there were only eighteen votes cast, and it was afterward ascertained that three of the voters resided in the township of Sullivan. There are now over four hun- dred voters. Miss Elizabeth Newell, daughter of John Newell, one of the pioneers of the township, by whom he had seven hildren-Waldo J., Jessie Fremont, Spurgeon A., Joshuac N., Francis M., Martin, and Orrin. Mr. Reynolds came to Union forty-two years ago. For the past forty years he has been a consistent member of the Baptist church, and at intervals for the past thirty years minister at the " Swamp Baptist Church."
Joseph Wilbur, one of the early settlers of this town- ship, was born in Williamson, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1799. He was reared as a farmer, came into Union in 1840, and bought 57 acres of land, and subsequently 60 acres more. He cleared up a farm and reared a family of six boys and four girls, named respectively Nelson, Ann, Charles, William, John, Reuben, Lewis and Lucy (twins), Elizabeth and Caroline. He died February 7th 1880, aged 81 years. His wife, Nancy Fletcher, died in June 1876, aged 76. She was born in Antwerp, Jeffer- son county, N. Y., and was married in 1823.
Nathan Palmer was born in Rutland Vt., June 7th 1800; was educated in the common schools and raised on a farm. He removed with his parents into Bradford county, Pa., May 6th 1813. In 1824 he married Miss Matilda Griffin, by whom he had children-James M., Sarissa, Maria, Jacob, Nathan, Charlotte, Lafayette He- ber, Louisa, Emily, Anna, Seth G., Russell, Joseph B. and David. His first wife died in 1859, and he was married in 1862 to Miss Elizabeth Gray, by whom he had two children, Ulysses Grant and Jessie Fremont. He settled in Union 45 years ago (1837), and purchased 173 acres of land. He now resides upon a farm of 115 acres, with a fine dwelling, three barns and three orchards. His life in northern Pennsylvania dates from 1813, a period of almost 70 years.
Luther S. Ogden, son of John and Polly Ogden, was William C. Rathbun was born in the township of Cath- arine, then Tioga, now Schuyler county, N. Y., October 23d 1816. He was educated in the common schools, and became a shoemaker. He located in the township of Union in the fall of 1839 and contracted with John Nor- ris, of Wellsboro, for 125 acres of land within the present limits of the village of Ogdensburg. July 23d 1854 he married Miss Sally Jane Jackson, daughter of Alfred Jackson, an old pioneer; by her he had one child, Helen, wife of George F. Taber. When Mr. Rathbun located in what is now known as Ogdensburg he was several miles from a settlement. There were no roads leading to Can - ton or the Block House, or to the Lycoming. Mr. Rath- born in Catharine, Schuyler county, N. Y., May 31st 1825, and was educated in that county and Tioga in the common schools. He removed from Catharine to Union in 1840 with his parents, who located on the site of Og- densburg. There was no land cleared at that time where they located. Mr. Ogden learned the carpen- ter's trade with his father and pursued that vocation a number of years. He was married in March 1848 to Miss Betsey J. Dann, of Union, by whom he has five children-Emeline, wife of Clay Devall; Mary Alice, wife of W. W. Allen; Edgar, a merchant at Ogdens- burg; Addie, wife of Charles E. Stone; and William G. Mr. Ogden has a farm of seventy acres of improved bun has sold part of his original purchase, and has now land, with good buildings and a fine apple orchard. He 50 acres, under a good state of cultivation.
is one of the representative men of Union, and enjoys Patrick McCormick was the founder of the "Irish the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. Forty-two Settlement " in Union. He was born May Ist 1809, in years ago Union was a wild and uncultivated township, and Mr. Ogden has witnessed the great change in the appearance of the country and can justly be called one of the pioneers.
Charles M. Dibble, another of the pioneers in Union, was born in Bovina, Delaware county, N. Y., July 4th 1817. He was educated in the common schools, and learned the carpenter's trade with John J. Yeomans, of Otsego county, N. Y. December 6th 1838 he married Miss Phebe Tuttle, of Bovina, N. Y., by whom he had eight children, seven of whom are living. They were George W., Cornelius S., William Andrew (who died in the army), Mary Ann, wife of John Fosbrook; Ada L., wife of Charles Decker; Reese P., and Louisa M., wife of Harry Austin. Mr. Dibble came to Union in 1840, and settled upon the place where he now resides. He acres each, reserving the remainder for himself. In 1847
the county of Longford, Ireland, and received an educa- tion in his native land. He was a tailor until his emi- gration. In 1835 he married Miss Ann Skelley, of his native county, by whom he had five children-Michael, who died in Ireland; Matthew, born in Newark, N. J .; Margaret and Frank, born in Ralston, Lycoming county, and Ann, born in Union. In 1837 he came to America, landing in Quebec, from whence he went to Newark, N. J., remaining there until 1840, and then removed to Ralston, Lycoming county. In 1841 he bought 500 acres of wild land in the western portion of Union, adjoining the township of Liberty, and composing what is known as the Irish Settlement. He subsequently sold to Peter Skelley 65 acres, to Thomas Skelley 66 acres, to Michael Shanley 100 acres, and to two brothers McCormick 50
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
he built a framed house upon his premises. At the time, of his death, which occurred in January 1878, he had 90 acres in a good state of cultivation and 60 acres of wood- land, with good buildings and all the appointments of a first-class farm. Mr. McCormick was an industrious, in- telligent and highly respected citizen, reflecting credit upon the land of his nativity and the home of his adop- tion.
Thomas Decoursey was born in 1800, in Ireland, where he learned shoemaking. He was married in 1821 to Miss Nora Dyer, by whom he had five children -- Ann, deceased, wife of Dennis Doud; Felix, Matthias, Thomas and James. Mr. Decoursey came to America about 1823, and located at Williamsport, Pa. In the fall of 1848 he purchased 50 acres of wild land in the "Irish Settle- ment " in Union. He commenced immediately to clear up his farm, and built a house and barn of round logs. As soon as he had the 50 acres cleared he bought 57 acres more. He was one of the most energetic and prominent citizens of the township. He was a Democrat to the day of his death, which occurred in November 1870. His son James A. Decoursey now owns the farm, and is following in the footsteps of his respected father.
Joseph Groover was born in Philadelphia, October 15th 1801, and went to Williamsport with his parents when he was quite small. He was married in 1825 to Miss Margaret Newell, by whom he had eighteen children. He purchased 120 acres of land on a ridge half a mile west of Lycoming Creek in :827, moved on to it and com. menced clearing it up. The country was a wilderness, there being few families in the Lycoming Valley, and none in the interior of the present township of Union. Mr. Groover was and is a man of energy and nerve. He now has one hundred acres of land under cultivation, with a good dwelling, two fine barns and a very large or- chard of excellent fruit. His wife died seven years since, and his son Joseph jr. and wife remain with him at the old homestead. He has frequently been a supervisor of the township. He sent five sons into the army during the Rebellion, two of whom, Martin and George, gave up their lives in the service.
Jared Newell was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., in 1797, and when quite young removed with his parents to a place near Towanda. When a lad of twelve or fif- teen he removed with his parents to Carterville, Lycom- ing county. In 1823 he married Miss Margaret Mc- Cully, of Bodine, by whom he had nine children-Lydia, Eveline, William, Mary, Joseph, Naomi, Perry, Mercy
Thomas Tebo, a native of Elizabethtown, N. J., was born June 17th 1809; educated in the common schools, and when young worked in a woolen manufactory and Ann, and Henry. In 1828 he bought 60 acres of wood- afterward on a farm. He settled in Union in 1837, pur- land about a mile west of Roaring Branch, and com- . menced to clear it up. In 1830 he assisted in forming the township of Union, the place where he had settled then being in the township of Sullivan. He was an in- dustrious man, and succeeded in clearing his farm and erecting a good dwelling and barns. He died in April 1 869, aged seventy-two. His widow survives him.
He was married in Minisink January 5th 1830, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Jeremiah Oakley. Forty-three years ago he removed to Tioga county and settled in the township of Union, about two miles west of Joseph Groover's place. He purchased 621/2 acres of wild land and cleared it. He was one of the early pioneers of the central portion of the township, and has done his share toward opening roads, erecting school-houses and other- wise developing the township. He has held the positions of auditor, assessor, school director and supervisor of the township. He was the father of eight children- Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William M. Thomas; Ann, wife of William N. Newell; Sally Jane, wife of William C. Rathbun; Andrew (deceased); Jeannette (deceased); William H. (deceased); George; and Julia, wife of H. A. Lawrence. His farm is now well cultivated, with the ex- ception of three acres, and has upon it an orchard, a neat and comfortable dwelling and two barns. Mrs. Jackson died May 5th 1878, aged 68 years and 6 months, and is buried in the cemetery at Ogdensburg. Mr. Jackson is a well preserved old gentleman, companionable and intelli- gent.
Charles Whitcomb was born in Henneker, N. H., Aug- ust 24th 1802. He was educated in the schools of his native State, and became a brickmaker. He was mar- ried in 1826 to Miss Marinda Tilton, daughter of Ichabod Tilton, by whom he had three children-Martha A., wife of Martin R. Harrington; J. M. Whitcomb and C. T. Whitcomb. In December 1840 he purchased a timbered lot, now owned by David Scudder, in the eastern portion of the township, near the residence of Nathan Palmer. He sold this and settled on the farm now occupied by his widow, about a mile and a half west of Ogdensburg, on the Liberty road. He was an honored member of the Church of Christ, and lived up to its precepts. He died on the 23d of September 1865, aged 63 years. He was one of the pioneers and left an honored name among his townsmen.
Hiram Gray, who was born in Columbia county, N. Y., June 4th 1808, was ap early settler in Union township. He bought 106 acres of wild land. His capital, as he expresses it, was at first a wife and six children, a span of horses, a wagon and $6 in money. By his energy, in- dustry and good habits he secured for himself and family a home.
chasing 50 acres of wild land. May 23d 1838 he married Miss Elizabeth Landon (daughter of Laban Landon, one of the pioneers), by whom he had twelve children-Lewis W., Thomas M., Levi D., Harriet J., Elizabeth A., Joseph W., John B., George W., Phebe A., James B., William E. and Mary I) .- eight of whom are living. He cleared up a farm, set out an orchard, built a barn, and had just Ist 1870. The dwelling was completed by his widow, who carries on the farm, which he had enlarged to 112
Alfred Jackson was born in Goshen, Orange county, commenced to build a new dwelling when he died, July N. Y., Jannary 23d 1806. He attended school in the town of Minisink, and taught school there seven years.
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PIONEERS OF UNION TOWNSHIP.
acres. When he settled in Union the nearest grist-mill living are: Julia, wife of Jared E. Collins; Sarah, wife of was eleven miles away, and there was no road for miles. William Collins; and James M. Harrington. He now
Joshua Reynolds was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, owns 74 acres, a large portion of which is improved, with Vt., November Ist 1818, and was educated in the district two dwellings, one barn and two orchards. Mr. Har- school. He bought 45 acres of land in Union in 1841, rington by energy and industry has secured himself a and commenced clearing it up. He has since added to comfortable home. He has been at various times clerk the original purchase. July 29th 1877 he was married of the election board, town clerk, supervisor, etc. to Mrs. Emeline Long. He has been town clerk and town treasurer, and has filled other places of trust.
William Barrows was born in England in 1795, and and settled on a tract of land where he now resides, in educated in that country. He worked at his trade as a the Irish Settlement. After locating he immediately house carpenter until disabled by age. He came to erected a log house and commenced clearing the land. America in 1817, and lived in Delaware county, N. Y., For some years he also worked at the Astorville furnace. until about 1837, when he settled in Union, on lands near He now owns about 40 acres of cleared land and 30 of where he now resides, in the northeastern portion of the woodland, it being a tract of the German Lutheran lands township. In 1822 he married Miss Hannah Maxwell, purchased by him of Mr. McCormick. Mr. Skelley was by whom he had ten children-Philip, Fannie, Mary, never married. His sister keeps house for him. William, Robert, Sarah, Hannah, Wesley, Henry and Clara. His wife Hannah died July 14th 1859, aged 54. November roth 1868 he was married to Mrs. Lydia Run- dell. Mr. Barrows has been an active man and an exten- sive builder, engaged largely in Union, Corning, Elmira, Williamsport, Pottsville and other sections of the country. He has been a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church for the past 55 years.
Abram Rundell was born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1796; was raised on a farm, and at a suitable age learned the carpenter's trade. In 1816 he married Miss Mary Ann Elliott, by whom he had nine children-B. J. Rundell; Phileta, wife of Pearson Breese; Isaac; Lydia. wife of William Barrows; Frances E .; Rosilla, wife of Lorenzo D. Wright; Charles; Maria, wife of Oliver Blanchard, who was killed at the battle of Antietam; and Emeline, wife of Samuel Blanchard. In 1845 he pur- chased 60 acres of wild land in the northeastern portion of the township and commenced clearing it up; and at the time of his death he had a framed house and barn. Daniel Preston was born in Troy, Pa., June 8th 1826, In 1848 an orchard etc. He frequently filled official stations in and had limited advantages for an education. the township and was for many years a deacon in the he commenced work on a wild lot of land in Union Baptist church.
Patrick Skelley was born in Ireland, in 1826. He came to America about forty years ago and located in the Irish Settlement in the township of Union. He was married in 1857 to Miss Helen Lee, by whom he has eight chil- dren-Peter, Thomas, William, Mary, Ellen, Patrick, Julia and Margaret. He now owns about 150 acres, 70 acres of which are under cultivation, with a new framed house, two barns and a fine orchard. He donated to the township a lot for a school-house, which stands on the northwest corner of his farm. The Catholic church is located near it.
Martin R. Harrington was born in Washington county, N. Y., September 25th 1824, and was educated in the common schools of that county. Thirty-seven years ago he came to Union; purchased a lot of wild land of John Norris of Wellsboro, agent for John Harcourt Powell, of Philadelphia, and commenced clearing it up. He was married January 9th 1849 to Miss Martha Ann Whit- comb, by whom he has had seven children. Those now
Peter Skelley was born in London, July 19tl. 1809, but was brought up in Ireland. He came to America in 1842
Patrick Wynne was born in county Longford, Ireland, in October 1828. He attended school there and in this country and has devoted much time to study and read- ing. He came to America in 1842, with his parents, and assisted in clearing a fallow on the premises where he now resides. In 1856 he married Miss Mary King, daughter of a neighboring settler, by whom he has nine children-Mary, Michael F., Daniel, Kate, John, James, Edward, Mark, and Andrew. Mr. Wynne has now about 360 acres, 110 of which are improved, with a good dwel- ling well furnished, two barns, three orchards, etc. He has held the offices of supervisor, school director and auditor, and has for the past eight years been a justice of the peace. For forty years he has been a resident of the township, coming when they were no roads that de- served the name, and he has witnessed the steady and yearly development of the township. His farm is near the summit of the highest lands in Tioga county, and by his skill and industry he has made it very productive.
township, containing about 80 acres, on the very highest point in Tioga county. May 11th 1853 he was married to Miss Mary Wynne, of Union, by whom he has had eleven children Iten of whom are living), viz .: Sarah, wife of Augustus Gray; Michael, William, Martha, wife of E. W. Jaquish, of Fall Brook; Daniel, Mary (deceased), Frank, Andrew, Joseph, Christine and John. Mr.
Preston year by year cleared and increased his domains until he has now some hundreds of acres under cultiva- tion, with a splendid dwelling and fine barns and orchards. He also owns two farms in Bradford county. Starting thirty-four years ago with no capital but an axe and a good constitution, by perseverance and industry he and his good wife have placed themselves and their large family in opulence, and that too on the extreme highlands of Tioga county.
The late James Hurley was a man of delicate constitu- tion and feeble health. He settled in Union, in what is known as the Wynne district, forty-four years ago. His wife was Mary, daughter of Bernard Murray, of Bloss-
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
burg, a lady of energy and resolution. They raised a family of ten children. Mr. Hurley died in November 1868. Much of the credit of clearing up the farm is due to Mrs. Hurley.
It is impossible to give sketches of all who have done good work as pioneers in this township. Among them were Thomas Nichols, George W. Terry, George Masters, Thomas Larabee, Anderson Bunn and James M. Palmer in the central portion; in the extreme eastern and northern parts David Davis, Reese Powell, the Smetans, the Raineses, the Braddocks, the Saxons, Palphermans, Crooks, Whiteheads. Randalls, E. D. Thomas, R. T. Thomas, Clinton Manley, Andrew Hoff- man; and in the middle eastern part the Ogdens, Newells, Danns and Collinses, beside many whom we have not space to mention.
VILLAGES AND EARLY INSTITUTIONS.
Taylor's Corners was first settled by William Taylor, father of George W. Taylor. William Coxe Ellis, of Muncy, subsequently owned the place, and it is now known as generally by the name of the " Ellis Farm" as Taylor's Corners.
Gleason is a hamlet consisting of eight or ten dwell- ings, a blacksmith shop, and a store, containing the post- office and having a hall overhead. It was founded in 1878 by John Irwin, who built a saw-mill, etc., and has since removed the machinery. He is the postmaster, and Mr. - Peet is his deputy.
Ogdensburg is a small village with a post-office, the stores of Daniel Irwin and Ogden & Champney, a saloon kept by R. C. Irving, a hotel by P. McIntyre, two black- smith shops, a saw-mill, a school-house, a wagon shop and cooper shop, and a physician's office. The first set- ler was John Ogden. The first hotel was kept by John Irwin. The first merchants were Hunt & Harding, and the next was William Baldwin.
The first hotel in the township was kept in the eastern part, by Samuel McNett.
The first saw-mill in the township was built by Laban X. Landon. There are now seven.
There are no incorporated cemeteries in the township, but there are four graveyards; one at Ogdensburg, one at Vandyke's, one near the Methodist church, and one at the Swamp Baptist church.
Roaring Branch has a hotel, a store and grocery, a saw-mill, a blacksmith shop and about twenty-five dwel- lings in the township of Union. The post-office and railroad station are just across the line in Lycoming county.
The first school-house in the township was built of logs, and stood nearly opposite the Swamp Baptist church. Among the first teachers in the township were Hiram Landon, Miss Rockwell, Miss Frisbee, Miss Van Housen, Ithiel B. Reynolds, Hamilton Thomas, D. Man- ley, Janette Roper and Miss Rogers.
During the early history of Union the inhabitants had to send to Canton, Ralston, and even Williamsport for a doctor. About twenty years ago Dr. Cleveland located
at Ogdensburg, and he had a very successful practice for about fifteen years, when he removed to Canton. In February 1880 Dr. Theodore F. Wooster, who had had experience in the army as assistant to Surgeon Frank Keise, and was otherwise qualified, located at Ogdens- burg, and he has been very successful in the treatment of disease, especially the scarlet fever, which raged with great fury immediately after he established himself there.
CHURCHES.
Swamp Baptist Church .- The Baptists of Union effected a church organization in 1844, and united with the Brad- ford county association. About twenty years ago, by the aid of the citizens generally, a church edifice was erected at a place known as the "Swamp," though the building stands on high ground. Rev. I. B. Reynolds has for the past thirty years at intervals supplied the pulpit. There has also been service held by Elder Loomis and Elder Dwyer and son. Elder Mitchell of Canton and Elder Reynolds officiated during the year 1881. Among the members of the first building committee were George W. Terry and George Foster. James Monroe Palmer is now deacon. There have been more members than at present. The superintendent of the Sunday-school is Charles Stone.
Methodist Episcopal Churches .- The church a few rods south of the residence of Thomas Stull (who gave the site), was dedicated the 13th of November 1881, by the presiding elder, Rev. Mr. Yocum, of Williamsport, as a Methodist Episcopal church, but to be used by all ortho- dox denominations. Services are held semi-monthly by the Rev. Mr. Anderson, of Ralston. The class leader is Joseph Collins. The Sunday-school connected with the church is also superintended by him.
The Methodist Episcopal church in the Newell dis- trict, in the eastern portion of the township, was erected about six years ago. The class leader of the society is W. B. Groover. There is stated preaching by the Rev. Mr. Anderson. The Sunday-school superintendent is W. B. Groover.
A Methodist Episcopal church is being built at Roar- ing Branch, which will cost, it is estimated, about $2,500.
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