USA > Pennsylvania > Tioga County > History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations, portraits and sketches of prominent families and individuals > Part 70
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HEZEKIAH GAYLORD was born in Connecticut, in 1770, and married Parmelia Hyde, by whom he had thirteen children. He came to Mansfield from Vermont in 1822. He was 21 days making the journey, bringing his house- hold effects, and his wife and ten children, with a team of horses, and locating at Kelleytown, about half way be- tween Mansfield and Lamb's Creek. In 1824 he moved up to Mansfield, where he died in 1851, aged 81, and his wife in 1854, also aged 81.
Alvin Gaylord, one of his children, was born in 1799, and died in 1876, aged 76. He had a large family, was active in village affairs, and a zealous member of the Methodist church, being one of the original eight who signed the petition for a charter.
Porter Gaylord of Mansfield (born in 1813) is the only survivor of Hezekiah Gaylord's family. He married Deborah Lindsay, by whom he has had four children.
CHANDLER MANN was born in 1798 and died in 1844, aged 46 years. He came here in 1824, from Otsego county, N. Y., and built a tannery on the west side of Main street, near Corey Creek, where Abram Shuart's barn now stands. This was probably the first tannery built in the county-the beginning of a great industry. He sold it to Shoemaker Broadhead, and about the year 1832 he moved up Corey Creek, to the Homer Ripley farm, where he built another tannery. He was the father of Benjamin, Asa, and Delos Mann, who still reside here.
JOHN, MARTIN AND MARCUS KELLEY .- John and Martin came here in 1827, and Marcus two years later, and located at the place since known as Kelleytown, a short distance below Mansfield. They were sons of Roger Kelley, and belonged to a family of thirteen brothers and two sisters, all of whom grew up and were spared to a good old age-the most remarkable family in this respect of which we have any knowledge. John was born in 1797, and died in 1870, aged 73. He married Anna Baker, by whom he had six children, in- cluding Jourdan and Ira W. Martin was born in 1805, and married Nancy Clark, daughter of Elijah Clark, by whom he had four children, including Oliver M. Marcus was born in 1807, and married Alzina Gaylord, daughter of Hezekiah Gaylord, by whom he had a number of children.
OTHER SETTLERS BETWEEN 1820 and 1830 may be mentioned as follows:
In 1820 Thomas Dyer, father of Judge Dyer, settled on the Rev. D. P. Maryatt farm (now the Vedder place), about one mile above Canoe Camp; Robert Searle, father of Henry Searle, settled on the Schusler farm adjoining, where he afterward built a mill; while Sumner Willson, who came from Massachusetts, settled on the Hovey place, also adjoining, and pear the town line. He mar- ried Martha Harkness, by whom he had eight children, including Sumner jr., John, Alpheus, Thomas and Daniel -some of our leading citizens.
THE SHERWOOD FAMILY .- Daniel Sherwood, a son of John Sherwood, was born in Connecticut, October 23d 1774. He was of English ancestry, his forefathers having occupied the estate in Nottinghamshire, England, known as "Sherwood Forest," of Robin Hood celebrity. When he was a young man he went to Cortland county, N. Y., which for many years he represented with distinction in the State Legislature at a time when railroads were un- known, and when it was necessary to make the journey . to Albany on horseback. In 1830 he, with several of his sons, removed to Tioga county, Pa., to engage in the lumber business, which they carried on until 1839, in a
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THE SHERWOODS OF MANSFIELD-OTHER EARLY RESIDENTS.
mill built by them about half a mile below the Lamb's came to Tioga county penniless. He now resides on Creek river bridge. They then removed to Mansfield, his farm near Mansfield, whither he went in 1852. where, in 1840, he was mainly instrumental in founding Albert Sherwood was born at Marathon, N. Y., August 27th 1817, and married Julia A. Clark (born September 7th 1826), daughter of Justus B. Clark, of Mansfield, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are living, the eldest having been drowned when two years of age, in the Tioga River. Sherwood street, one of the most pleasant in Mansfield, is named for Albert Sherwood, who formerly owned the land there. the Baptist church, of which he was deacon until he died, which event occurred on the 7th day of April 1859. when he was in his S5th year, at which time he still pos- sessed remarkable strength and vigor. His wife's maiden name was Anna Stevens, and she was a daughter of John Stevens. They were married March 30th 1800, and had nine children, including Rev. Abijah, Hon. Daniel L., Hiram Mason and Albert.
DAVID DORSETT was born March and 1784, and Cath- arine his wife March 31st 1782. They were married January 29th 18c6, and had eight children, of whom Hickman and Philetus, of Mansfield, are two. They came here from Peekskill, N. Y., in June 1830, and made the first clearing on Lamb's Creek, and were the first settlers there. Mr. Dorsett died May 7th 1845, aged 61, and his wife March roth 1870, in her S8th year. Hick- man Dorsett killed a bear on the 28th of June 1847-the last one killed in this vicinity.
THE FRALIC FAMILY .- Michael Fralie was born August 18th 18o2, in Unadilla, N. Y. He came to Lamb's Creek from Marathon, N. Y., in 1831, and married Angelina Lamb deceased August 9th 1877, aged 64, daughter of Daniel Lamb , a most excellent woman and noble mother, who adorned her life with every Christian virtne, and by whom he had four children, viz. Jerusha (deceased), Rachel, Daniel and Henry.
Daniel and Henry Fralic, known as Fralic Brothers, built a saw-mill at Lamb's Creek in 1866, which was damaged by high water in 1869, and rebuilt in 1870, since which time it has been the most successful steam mill in the Tioga Valley. A very large quantity of lumber is annually manufactured at this mill, giving employment to a number of men and largely benefiting the surround- ing country. A planing-mill, lath-mill, etc., are run in connection with the saw-mill.
REV. ASA DONALDSON .- Here is a name that ought to be written in letters of gold. As a missionary, and as the first settled minister of the gospel in Mansfield, as well as a man of spotless character, his name shines with a pure lustre. Unlike some others it seems to have been without a blemish, and every way worthy to head the long list of God's servants who have been settled in Mansfield. True, the Methodist Kimball had been through here on horseback long before, but when it is asked "Who was the first settled preacher in Mansfield?" be it known that the same was Asa Donaldson. And right well did he fulfill his mission and honor his calling, so that now, after the lapse of more than forty years, his name still lives and his memory is revered. He held the first stated services and organized the first church in Mansfield, leaving behind him an influence for good, so that it has been well said of Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, " they were rare Christian people."
Rev. Asa Donaldson was born in Massachusetts, Sep-
Hiram Mason Sherwood was born at Marathon, N. Y., tember 4th 1788, and went to Otsego county, N. Y., when August 3d 1815, and married Electa Faulkner, daughter he was 17 years old. On the 10th of September 1812 he of David Faulkner. He, with his father and brothers, married Delia Allen, by whom he raised a family of eight
Rev. Abijah Sherwood was born at Marathon, N. Y., in ISor, and was in his Soth year at the time of his death. which took place at Mansfield in 1880. His first wife was Anna Hinman, and his second Maria Page. When a young man he felt called of God to preach the gospel. There were no theological seminaries then, and instead of science. and nature, and literature, it was fashionable to preach the gospel in its simplicity. This he endeavored to do. He was ordained at Centre Lisle, N. Y., and preached there, and at Maine and Union Corners, in the same State; while he was active in the organization of the Baptist church at Mansfield, and was for about 20 years pastor of it at a time when Sroo was thought to be amply sufficient for a minister's salary, and when minis- ters as well as laymen were tillers of the soil. Yet it was well exemplified in his case that "godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
Hon. Daniel Lee Sherwood was born at Marathon, N. Y., December 5th 1809, and married Caroline Sharpe, by whom he has had eleven children. He came into Tioga county in 1830, and to Mansfield in 1839, where he remained until 1869, when he removed to Northum- berland, Pa. In 1842, and again in 1843, he was elected to represent the counties of Tioga and l'otter in the State Legislature. He was then successively elected to the Senate in 1844, 1845 and 1846, from the counties of Tioga and Bradford. In 1846 he was chosen speaker, and so well had Senator Sherwood now come to be known that he was prominently mentioned as a candi- date for governor. More recently he has served four years (1877-80) as representative from Northumberland county. The following is an extract from an article in one of the Philadelphia dailies: "A hale, vigorous man is Daniel Lee Sherwood, one of the two members of the House of Representatives from Northumberland county. although in his seventieth year. He is the oldest living member of the Legislature. He possesses a splen- did physique, six feet one inch in height, a robust, athletic frame, and a face indicating great force of char- acter, power and strength of intellect, joined to a most kindly, amiable disposition. Northumberland county may well be proud in having for its representative and advocate in the present Assembly one every way so worthy, experienced and completely reliable."
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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
sons and three daughters, of whom Mary, the youngest, called, was a most kind and generous man, possessing is Mrs. Brewster Guernsey, of Blossburg. The other two many singular and fine traits of character. He brought with him the culture, wealth and refinement of the east- ern cities; and his death, which occurred on the 24th of December 1871, was lamented by all his neighbors. He lived on the Asa Mann estate, about a mile below the village, and was one of the best citizens Mansfield ever had.
daughters were Emeline (Mrs. Peter B. Guernsey' and Amelia (Mrs. Homer I. Stacey). The sons were Lucius Allen, Rev. John Watts, Rev. Charles Backus, Dana Dwight, Dr. Henry Chapman, Alfred Ely, Erasmus Joel Hawes, and Sereno Edwards. All became Christians in childhood. Three-Lucius A., Charles B., and Dana D. -have died. Two-Charles B. and John W .- were ministers of the gospel; the other six were deacons or ruling elders of the church. Concerning Mrs. Donaldson it is the unanimous verdict that she was one of the noblest of women, and that she had a peculiarly happy faculty of governing her children, such as is possessed by few women indeed. Her husband depended much upon her opinion of what he had prepared for the pulpit, usually submitting to her hearing his manuscripts, going over them as she plied her needle by the fireside or rested from unnumbered cares at the close of a busy day. She died July 4th 1862, aged 70 years.
Mr. Donaldson was licensed to preach the gospel when he was 23, and ordained when he was 25. In 1832 he left Guilford, N. Y., where he had preached twelve years, and came to this county, in company with Rev. E. D. Wells, now of Lawrenceville. In 1833, with Well- and Rev. Moses Ordway, he held a protracted meeting in a barn in Tioga village, and organized a Congregational church. He lived on the " Allen farm," since owned by Albert Sherwood, until he left Mansfield, in 1837. He left on account of his health, which had failed, and in 1839 went west, residing at Dover, Malden, and Como. Ill., and afterward at Chariton, Iowa, where he and his wife, comfortable and happy, spent their last days. He died on the end of February 1876, in his 88th year, and was buried by the side of his wife in Malden, IIl.
When Mr. Donaldson assumed the mission at Mans- field meetings were held in the old school-house, which stood near the railroad bridge on Wellsboro street, in front of Asa Mann's saw-mill, where they were filing the saws during the hour of worship. After awhile a build. ing was fitted for a chapel on Main street, at the corner of Sherwood, and opposite the place where the Baptist church now stands. In this building he organized the first church in Mansfield, July 5th 1832, an account of which will be found farther on.
DEACON LORIN BUTTS was born October 28th 1796, in Connecticut, and died at Mansfield, August 16th 1874. aged 78 years. He married Miss Harriet Hyde, by whom he had several children, of whom D. J. Butts, of Mansfield, one of our foremost citizens, is one. He came here in 1832. It has been well said of Mr. Butts, and promoter of every enterprise calculated to build up that he was interested in religious, educational and social advancement.
JAMES R. W11.SON was born about 1807, at Burlington, N. J., and graduated at Princeton. His wife's name was Margaret Smith. He came here about the year 1838, from Philadelphia, where he had practiced law, and was elected president of the railroad, which office he held for several years. " President Wilson," as he was familiarly
CAPTAIN EZRA DAVIS came here in 1838, from Ver- mont. He was born October 18th 1794, and was 63 years old when he died. He married Betsey Walker, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom Warren Davis, of Mansfield, is one. He built in 1840 the tan - nery now occupied by Kingsley & Son.
OTHER COMERS FROM 1830 to 1840 .- In 1831 Lewis Cruttenden and Tobias and Philip Lent settled on Lamb's Creek and Thomas Jerald on Corey Creek. Mr. Jerald is in his 83d year. Oliver Elliott came into the township in 1835 and staid until 1851. In 1867 he re- turned to Mansfield, where he is now a prominent mer- chant. He was born in 1805, and is the father of V. A., O. V. and J. A. Elliott. In 1837 Apollos Pitts came to Mansfield from Sullivan. He was born in 1810, mar- ried Phebe Mudge, and is the father of Captain Aaron M. and Daniel H. Pitts, prominent merchants and busi- ness men of Mansfield at present. In 1839 Joseph Walker and R. P. Buttles came. Walker settled on the Wellsboro road in 1845, and was the first settler on that road within three miles of Mansfield. Other comers were Russell Watson, in 1833; Abram Shuart, in 1838; and Amos Bixby, in 1839. The latter built the paint- mill in 1855, and died in 1862.
DR. JOSEPH P. MORRIS, son of Isaac WY Morris, was born in Philadelphia, in 1809. In 1835 he went to Bloss- burg, when there were but three families there, and helped to open the mines and build the railroad, in which enterprises he was largely interested. He first came to Mansfield in 1842, remaining here four years, or until 1846, when he went to reside in Wellsboro. In 1854 he returned to Mansfield, where he has lived ever since. He had purchased his property here in 1842, of James R. Wilson, for $12,000. Mr. Wilson had bought it at sheriff sale in 1839 for $6,300. It was the Asa Mann property, which included nearly all the ground now oc- cupied by Mansfield, and we give these figures to show the difference in valuation effected in the short space of forty years. Surely Mansfield has had a wonderful growth, only surpassed by some of the western villages; and to this growth the subject of this sketch has con- tributed not a little, having been an active participant in . the place. He gave the site of six acres for the Mans- field Classical Seminary and the lot for the Episcopal church, and has given largely in many other directions. As a friend and benefactor of the school on the hillside, of which our people are so proud, Dr. Morris stands among the foremost. He gave largely for its establish- ment, and has been a trustee and corresponding secre- tary almost from the beginning.
The old House and Barn in 1833.
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The Lorin Butts Homestead.
MANS Tioga Co,Pa.
BUTTS
HHB.
H.B
L.B.
The Family Monument.
T.P.R
TIOGA PAIL RAD
IELD.
in 1882.
Residence of D. J. Butts.
299
JOSEPH S. HOARD-MART KING.
Dr. Morris was married in 1836 to the amiable Miss Sarah E., daughter of Samuel W. Morris, of Wellsboro. Their children have been: Alfred W. (deceased), Cather- ine (Mrs. C. F. Swan, and James Wilson Morris. Mrs. Morris was born in 1815, and is well known as one of the most dignified and accomplished women ever residing in Mansfield. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morris are enjoying a serene old age in their beautiful home-the "Wren's Nest" -on an elevation overlooking the village from the west. King died in 1867.
Lane received a wound from the effects of which he never fully recovered. During the latter part of his life he was a zealous member of the Baptist church, and was noted far and wide for his faithfulness. "Father King" was never absent from the prayer meetings. Even yet we seem to see the gleam of his lantern from the vesti- bule windows, where he used ever to place it, and which always seemed to beckon and say, "Come in." Father
MART KING
COLONEL JOSEPH S. HOARD .- This gentleman, who, MART KING, son of George W., was born in Washington once figured so prominently in Mansfield affairs, was |county, N. Y., in 1825, and in 1845 came to Mansfield, born in 1818, and in 1841 was married to Laura M. Rob- where he worked at blacksmithing two years and car- bins, by whom he had six children. He came in 1844 pentering five years. In 1852 he went on the railroad, to Mansfield, which was then described as the most di- remaining until 1858. He then engaged in the produce lapidated town in the State. For many years he sold trade until 1869, when he built a factory and went to goods with Lyman Beach. In 1854 he with others de- manufacturing bedsteads. His factory, which was a vised the plan to inaugurate the Mansfield Classical Seminary. It is to his great and lasting credit when we say that he was probably the first man to suggest a school. For his part in this enterprise the reader is re- ferred to the history of the normal school. At its build- ing he gave much time to its supervision and the collect- ing of funds for its benefit. In 1855 he with others en- gaged in the building of the Mansfield Iron Works, of which he was secretary and treasurer several years. In 1861 he was engaged in organizing a company for the war, which was Company B of the 101st Pennsylvania volunteers, and of which he was elected captain. At the organization of the regiment he was elected major, and afterward promoted to be lieutenant colonel, and was act- ing colonel at the battle of Fair Oaks. He was in the bat-
model one and first-class in every particular, was burned, with all its splendid and costly machinery, December 24th 1870. It was rebuilt in the spring of 1871, and has since been devoted to the manufacture of bedsteads and extension tables as a specialty, with a general line of fur- niture made from our native timber. It is probably the largest wood-working establishment in the county, em- ploying a large number of men, and turning out thou- sands of dollars' worth of furniture every year. There is run in connection with it a large steam laundry and Mr. King has at times nearly 40 persons on his pay-roll. He is a self-made man, having once been at the bottom round of the ladder, and is now among our very first business men. He is president of the Smythe Park As- sociation, and has been largely instrumental in making tles of the Chickahominy, Williamsburgh, Seven Pines and the Tioga county agricultural, mechanical, and industrial Fair Oaks, at the latter of which he was reported killed, fair, which is annually held in the park, such a great sucess.
as many will remember. Losing his health, he resigned and went to Tarrytown, N. Y., thence to Vineland, N. LYMAN BEACH, a son of Rev. Lyman Beach, was born J., and afterward to Chicago, Ill., and Red Wing, Minn. in Wallingford, Conn., November 13th 1813, and came He died recently, aged 64, in Florida, whither he had to Mansfield from Earlville, N. Y., in 1845. He married gone for the benefit of his health.
GEORGE W. KING was born at Bennington, Vermont, in 1790, and came into Pennsylvania in 1842. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and at the battle of Lundy's
Lucinda Clark, daughter of J. B. Clark, November 9th 1852, and by her he has had seven children, as well as six by a former wife. He was a partner in the mercantile business with J. S. Hoard for thirteen years, and for
3co
HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.
many years justice of the peace. His brother Rev. Whit- ing Beach, a well known and much respected Methodist minister, has also been a resident of this place many years.
THE ELLIOTT FAMILY .- L. H. Elliott was born at Ancram, N. Y., June 4th 1794, and married Mary Wright, of Sheshequin, Pa., September 9th 1821. He came to Mansfield in 1847, where he died on the 12th of April 1872, aged 78. He attained considerable celebrity as a newspaper correspondent during the latter part of his life.
Hon. Charles V. Elliott, a son of the above, was born at Sheshequin, Pa., March 27th 1824. He was educated as a physician at the medical college in Geneva, N. Y., and since coming to Mansfield, in 1847, has been known and recognized as one of the most prominent and suc- cessful physicians in the county. He was postmaster here from 1860 until 1872. In 1867 he built his drug store, which is said to have been the first brick store erected in the county. In 1876 he was elected a repre- sentative in the State Legislature for two years, and was elected for a second term in 1878. His record there was, we believe, exceptionally good, and perhaps the county has had few if any better representatives than Dr. Elliott. He is a trustee of the normal school, and has been burgess of the village. His first wife was Eliza Graves, his second Julia Holden, by each of whom he has had one child. He owns a fine plot overlooking the village, and the views from his windows include a charming stretch of the river valley to the south, with the mountains in the distance. Dr. Elliott ranks among our most substantial citizens.
Hon. Simon B. Elliott, also a son of L. H. Elliott, was born in 1830. He was one of the very first citizens Mansfield ever had, and as a friend and supporter of the normal school, and every other laudable enterprise, as well as a man of progressive and liberal views, had few equals indeed. He also came here in 1847, and in 1860 was elected a representative in the State Legislature, where he made a first-class officer. He proved an able man in this capacity, as he has in every other, serving his constituents faithfully and well. He was architect of the normal school buildings, and has been president of the board of trustees, trustee for the State, etc. No man, aside from Professor Allen, has done as much for this institution as Mr. Elliott. Perhaps it would never have pulled through in its darkest days had it not been for the hard work and enthusiasm of this man. He left here in 1871, since which time he has been engaged in rail- road and mining enterprises for the various companies operating in this county. His departure was a severe loss to Mansfield. While here he married Harriet, daughter of Phineas Clark, by whom he has had two children. Before closing this sketch, all too brief, we wish to say that credit should be given to Mr. Elliott for the major part, and that which is most valuable, in the history of the normal school, which will be found in this work.
FROM 1849 TO 1850 the following besides those else- where mentioned took up their abode here:
Benjamin M. Bailey came in 1840, and was for many years a dealer in general merchandise. He died in Elmira in 1876, aged 60 years. Levi Cooper, cousin to J. Fenimore Cooper, came in 1841 from Princeton, N. J. His wife was Rachel Myers, by whom he had three chil- dren. He built a saw-mill on Lamb's Creek in 1847. He was born in 1795 and died in 1866. Orville M. Patchen came with his father, Vine D., in 1842, from Guilford, N. Y. Edwin Pratt came with his father, Robert H., in 1842, from Broome county, N. Y. Robert is now 91 years old. Oliver H. Phelps came in 1843, and built a hotel in 1850, which he kept until he died, in 1863, at the age of 77. He was postmaster four years, during Buchanan's administration. George Slingerland came in 1844, Joseph Whipple in 1845, James M. Rams- dell in 1846, Deacon John Drew in 1847, and James Hoard, John Voorhees; William Powers and John Kiley in 1849.
WILLIAM HOLLANDS was born at Lewis, Sussex county, England, in 1812, and came from there in 1850 to Mans- field, where he has ever since been engaged in the har- ness business, having become one of Mansfield's most valuable and respected citizens. Mr. Hollands has been foremost in every good work, and has greatly aided in the up-building of the normal school and the Episco- pal church; but it is as a Sunday-school worker that he stands pre-eminent, having been 54 years a Sunday- school superintendent -- 30 years of the time in Mansfield. He married Charlotte Cruttenden, by whom he has had twelve children.
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