History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 83

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 83

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JOHN M. DOUDS, physician and surgeon, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1847. He was educated in the common schools of New Sheffield, Beaver county, Edinboro Normal, and finished at Mount Union, Ohio. He read medicine with J. S. Boyd, at New Sheffield, and was graduated from the Homoeopathic Medical College of Cleveland in 1881. He at once began practice at Mercer, Mercer county, this state, where he built up a lucrative business, until in November, 1888, when, because of an earnest desire to locate in a larger town than Mercer, he removed to Franklin, this county, forming a parnership with E. P. Wilmot. On June 26, 1879, he was married to Sarah E. Jackson, and has two chil- dren: Thomas C., and Edward H. He is a Republican; he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM HILANDS, county surveyor, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1809, son of Robert and Sarah (Dickson) Hilands. Barnabas Hilands, father of the former, was residing in the vicinity of Hannastown, Westmoreland county, at the time it was burned. He was a native of Scotland and a Covenanter in faith. Shortly after the territory northwest of the Allegheny river was opened to settlement he located on the Franklin road, seven miles from Pittsburgh; there he died, leaving a widow and three children. Robert, the eldest son and father of the subject of this sketch, was a farmer, land agent, and surveyor, and under his instruction William Hilands learned the profession that has been his princi- pal occupation throughout life. In 1827 he was on the staff of Charles T. Whipple in making the first survey under state auspices for a water com- munication between Lake Erie and the Ohio river, running the compass line from Clarksville to Erie. He was also employed in making the initial observations for the French Creek canal. In 1828 he was on the staff of Edward F. Gay in making an examination of the Allegheny river from Franklin to Pittsburgh for slackwater navigation. After several years spent in teaching school and in the construction of mills at various points, he entered the employ of McKee, Clarke & Company as clerk on a steam- boat plying between Pittsburgh and Louisville, serving as freight agent at the company's wharf in Pittsburgh more than a year. In 1836 he became assistant engineer in charge of the construction of the first division of the

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Erie extension canal above New Castle, and superintended the construction of twelve miles of that work, including four locks between New Castle and Middlesex, under the direction of Charles T. Whipple and Henry C. Moore, from both of whom he received the highest testimonials, relinquishing this position in 1839. From March of that year until the spring of 1855 he was engaged in the lumber business in Forest county. He then located at Two Mile run, engaging in farming and surveying, and in 1865 came to reside at Franklin. November 13, 1839, he married Maria, daughter of Thomas M. Henry, of Lawrence county, and of thirteen children born to them seven are living: Robert, Henry, William, John M., Edwin, Mary (wife of Delavan Young), and Nettie. Mr. Hilands has been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of county surveyor, to which he was first elected in 1859, continuously since 1871, performing its duties with care and fidelity.

WILLIAM REID CRAWFORD, ex-sheriff of Venango county, was born in Perry township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1827, son of Eben- ezer and Jannette Crawford, a sketch of whom appears in the biographical chapter of Scrubgrass township. Our subject was reared on the old home- stead, and received a limited education in the schools of his neighborhood. He followed farming up to the spring of 1853, and then went to California, where he spent about fifteen months in the gold mines. Returning to his home in 1854, he removed to Scrubgrass township, Venango county, and was engaged in farming about ten years. In March, 1865, he located in Franklin and engaged in oil operating, which he followed up to taking office as sheriff in January, 1887. Mr. Crawford was married May 15, 1851, to Jane, daughter of Thomas P. and Isabella (Craig) Kerr, a pioneer family of Scrubgrass township, where Mrs. Crawford was born. Seven children were the fruits of this union, four of whom are living: Zelia E., wife of John Gill, superintendent of the Galena Oil Works, Franklin; Jessie Benton, wife of Robert McCalmont, lawyer, of Franklin; John Kerr, attorney, of Franklin, and Jennie June. Politically Mr. Crawford is an ardent Republican, has served three terms as mayor of Franklin, and also in the council and school board of the city. In November, 1886, be was elected sheriff of Venango county, and filled the office until January, 1890. He has been a member of the Masonic order many years.

CHARLES E. SHOUP, treasurer of Venango county, was born in Cranberry township, August 8, 1855, son of John and Rachel (Karns) Shoup, the former a native of Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, born December 27, 1819, the latter a daughter of William and Anna (Sullinger) Karns, born in Richland township, Venango county, January 11, 1826. John Shoup is a son of Jacob Shoup, an early settler of Armstrong county and a boatman on the Allegheny river between Pittsburgh and the headwaters of that stream during the war of 1812. The family came to Venango county when

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

he was about six years old and here he has resided to the present. He was engaged successfully in the hotel business in the Third ward of Franklin for thirty-three years. To John and Rachel (Karns) Shoup have been born the following children: Fanny, wife of Joseph Shafer; Jacob; Charles E .; Luella, and three who died in infancy. Charles E. was reared in this county and educated in the Franklin public schools. Having become pro- ficient in telegraphy, he accepted a position at Scrubgrass on the Allegheny Valley railroad in 1874. He was assigned to the Franklin office, a much more responsible position, within a brief period, and continued in the em- ploy of this company ten years, when he resigned to accept a situation at . Franklin with the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad. He had charge of the telegraph department of the Franklin office three years, and at the expiration of that period was made chief clerk in the freight office. Politically Mr. Shoup is a Republican; in November, 1887, he was elected county treasurer, and in this responsible capacity is recognized as a capable and courteous official. March 6, 1883, he married Miss Elizabeth Klepfer, daughter of Reuben and Lucinda Klepfer of Reidsburg, Clarion county, and they are the parents of two daughters: Gertrude and Grace. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and B. P. O. E., and the family affil- iates with the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN E. ADAMS, postmaster of Franklin, is a son of John and Sarah (Whann) Adams, pioneers of French Creek township, in the biographical chapter of which a sketch of the Adams family appears. Our subject was born in Sandy Creek township, February 2, 1845, was reared in Mineral township, and received his early education in the public schools and academy at Franklin. His youth was spent upon the homestead farm. In 1877 he engaged in the coal business in this city, and subsequently was appointed special agent for the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad Com- pany, filling that position three years. On the 31st of March, 1888, Mr. Adams was appointed by President Cleveland to his present position, which he has since filled in a highly creditable manner. He married Miss Susan, daughter of P. G. Hollister (formerly of Emlenton) and Clarisa McKee, daughter of Judge McKee, a pioneer of Clinton township, who has borne him three children: Harry E., Lew H., and Ella B. Politically Mr. Adams is a stanch Democrat and strongly Methodistic in belief and practice.

NATHAN P. KINSLEY, superintendent of the Franklin public schools, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1843, son of Reverend Hiram Kinsley, a minister of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His mother was Elsie L. (Moulton) Kinsley. Reverend Kinsley was born in Vermont, while his wife was a native of Canada. He was a boy of fourteen when the battle of Lake Champlain was fought, and witnessed that battle and the great victory won by Commodore McDonnough. He was reared in Vermont, and afterward came west into New York state, where

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he married. He subsequently studied for the ministry and was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. While engaged in itinerant labors in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, he purchased a home in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, whereon our subject was born. Reverend Kinsley died in Geneva, Ohio, in January, 1887, whither he retired after giving up the ministry. His widow survived him two years, and died in Franklin in January, 1889. Professor Kinsley received his primary education in the public schools, and entered the preparatory department of Allegheny Col- lege, Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1855. In 1859, having completed the course of study of the Sophomore year, he left college for a time. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-Fifth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, and served until the close of the war, being mustered out as orderly sergeant in June, 1865. Governor Curtin conferred upon him a lieutenant's commission bearing date October, 1864. He served in all the campaigns of his regiment from Antietam until his capture in the assault at Petersburg, June 16, 1864. He remained a prisoner at Andersonville until the war ended. Returning to Crawford county he again entered Allegheny College in the spring of 1866 and graduated in June, 1868. After graduating, he was, for two years principal of the high school, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, during which time he commenced the study of law. In June, 1871, he graduated at the Ohio State and Union Law College, Cleveland, Ohio, re- ceiving the degree of LL. B., and was admitted to practice. The same year he received the degree of A. M. from Allegheny College. During the six years following, he was engaged in the practice of law in the West. After spending some time in Kansas and Missouri, he located in Chicago. In 1877, while located in Chicago, he was tendered the position of principal of the Franklin schools, which position he accepted. In September of that year he came to Franklin, commenced his work as principal, and continued to hold that office until 1885. In 1885, the right to the office of city super- intendent having been extended by law to cities of five thousand population, Professor Kinsley was elected to that office, which he has since filled in a highly creditable manner. He is an ardent Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and takes an active interest in everything that pertains to the wel- fare of the veterans of the late war. He was married May 28, 1879, to Miss Mary Lindsay, of Chicago, and has three children: Pearl, Charles, and Hiram. Professor Kinsley is one of the best known and most popular educators in northwestern Pennsylvania.

F. D. SULLINGER, teacher, son of James and Susan (Christy) Sullinger, and grandson of John Sullinger, a pioneer of Rockland township, was born in Richland township, Venango county, in 1833. His early life was spent upon the homestead farm and his primary education was obtained in the public schools of his native township. He began teaching at the age of eighteen, and completed his education under private tutors. In 1870 he

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

organized the first graded school at Rouseville, Venango county, where he remained until 1873. He was then appointed principal of the Third Ward school of Franklin, which position he has since filled. In 1875 he organ- ized what is known as the Normal School of Franklin, of which a session of eight to ten weeks is held every year. Professor Sullinger was married in 1858 to Miss Emily, daughter of Jesse Holliday, of Rockland township. She died November 21, 1886, leaving three sons: James P., Andrew C., and Frank D., all of whom are in the employ of the Edison Electric Light Company of New York city; also one daughter, now the wife of Robert Collier. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F., I. O. R. M., and K. of P., and in politics is a Republican.

GEORGE B. LORD, county superintendent of public schools, was born February 14, 1845, in Summer Hill township, Crawford county, Pennsyl- vania, son of Freedom and Elizabeth (Beatty) Lord, of English and Scotch origin, respectively. Freedom Lord, grandfather of the subject of this sketch and son of Nathan Lord, a captain in the Continental army, was born at Hadley, Connecticut, July 4, 1776, and received his surname, which has since been retained in the family, in honor of the great event of the day of his birth. It was his son, Freedom, second, who came to Crawford coun- ty and still resides in Summer Hill township, at the advanced age of seventy- three. Elizabeth (Beatty) Lord, daughter of James and Elizabeth Beatty, who came to that township in 1828 from Perry county, died August 8, 1889, at the age of seventy-three. Our subject was reared in his native township, and attended the public schools. At an early age he became a teacher, joining the ranks for the first time in the winter of 1862-63. At the age of nineteen he graduated from the Conneautville Academy, then a flourishing institution and embracing in its cirriculum Latin and the higher mathemat. ics. From that time he has been continuously engaged in public-school work. Leaving Crawford county in 1869, he went to the state of Missouri and was the first principal of public schools at Bellingville, Cooper county, retaining that position eighteen months. He came to Venango county in 1871, and during the following ten years was connected successively with the schools of Tarr Farm, Rynd Farm, Petroleum Center, and Rouseville in Cornplanter township. In 1881 he accepted the principalship of the Pleasantville schools, and in June, 1884, was elected county superintendent, a position for which he is well qualified by natural endowments and a long experience in public school work. Professor and Mrs. Adelia Lord (nee Mc- Dowell) are the parents of five children: H. Merrill; Bessie Mabel; George Clyde; Harold Owen, and Delia Estelle. The family is Presbyterian in faith. In politics Professor Lord is a Democrat. He is a member of the Royal Ar- canum and A. O. U. W.

W. M. EPLEY was born at Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania October 24, 1820, son of Peter and Amelia (Sterrett) Epley, the former a

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native of Sunbury, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, the latter of Pequa valley, Lancaster county. His father was a lumber merchant at Colum- bia, but in 1833 he removed to Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, and purchased a farm on Pine creek. The subject of this sketch was engaged in farming until the spring of 1842, when he came to Clarion county and entered the employ of Shippen, Black & Company, who were engaged in the manufacture of pig metal and bar iron. After leaving them he assumed the management of Clay furnace, formerly known as Horse Creek, and then owned by Ed- mund Evans, remaining there until the spring of 1849, when he became associated with William Elliott under the firm name of Elliott & Epley in the ownership of the Franklin foundry. Retiring in 1856, he engaged for several years in various lines of business. In 1862 in connection with T. H. Martin he purchased the dry-goods business formerly carried on by Myron Park, and continued in this as a member of the firm of Martin & Epley until 1868; during this period he was also engaged in the hardware trade at Frank- lin. In 1865 he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of S. S. Painter & Company; Martin & Epley succeeded to Painter's interest in 1867, and from that date he has been a member of the last named firm. He is a Democrat in politics, and is connected with the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Epley was married July 27, 1860, to Miss M. J. Bailey, daughter of Samuel Bailey, an early merchant of Franklin. They are the parents of six children: James, deceased; Mary; William; Sidney; Arthur, and Henry.

D. W. MORGAN, merchant, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, July 21, 1837, son of William and Elizabeth (Richards) Morgan, who immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1841, settling at Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, then the location of extensive iron works. Here he was brought up, attending the public schools until the age of twelve, when he entered the mines and roll- ing mill. From that time until he reached the age of twenty he was a pupil in a night school, obtaining in this way sufficient education to enable him to take a position in the office of the Brady's Bend Iron Company shortly before attaining his majority. Having acquired in this manner a taste for mercantile pursuits, with the ability and means to engage in business indi- vidually, he removed to Franklin in 1865 and opened a general store on the corner of Ninth and Liberty streets. The uninterrupted continuance of this business places Mr. Morgan among the oldest of the present merchants of Franklin. In 1858 he married Miss Margaret Davis, who died in 1884, without issue, and in 1887 he married Miss Jennie Stoner. A member of the Baptist church for thirty years, he was clerk of the church at Franklin during the first twenty-one years of its history, and is deacon in that organ- ization at this time. He has twice served as moderator of the French Creek Association of churches, 1888 and 1889. He is also a member of the I.O.O. F., R. T. of T., and A. O. U. W. In politics he is an undeviating Repub-

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

lican, and has been connected with the local civil administration in various official capacities. February 7, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of Franklin. He is a member of the board of managers, and has been on the finance committee of the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Franklin since its organization.

JOSEPH H. SMITH was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1825, son of Jacob and Martha (Harrison) Smith, the former of German descent, the latter a native of Ireland. They removed to the locality known as Davis' Corners, Rockland township, Venango county, in 1825, and there resided during the remainder of their lives. Here our subject was brought up and received a common school education, also deriving much benefit in his early manhood from the Rockland literary society. At the age of twenty-five he entered the employ of Charles Shippen as clerk at Stapley furnace, continuing at this three years. After a year in Illinois he became clerk for Davis Brothers at Rockland furnace. In 1862 he acquired an interest in the American Citizen at Franklin as a member of the firm of Burgwin & Smith. In 1866 he was elected prothonotary of Venango county, serving a full term of three years. After a partnership of several years with H. M. Davis in general merchandising at Rockland he embarked in the book and stationary business at Franklin in 1872; from that date he has been con- nected with this line of business at Franklin and is recognized as one of the best authorities in the book trade in northwestern Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith married Eliza Margaret, daughter of Lemuel and Margaret (Elliott) Davis, of Rockland, and they are the parents of eight children: William Pitt, in the government service at Washington city; Flora A., wife of George S. Criswell; Mary Ella; Elisha W., of Bensinger, Smith & Company; Charles Wesley; Edward E., deceased; James H., druggist, Conneautville, and Cas- sius Clay, secretary to the general manager of the Rio Grande and Western railway, Denver, Colorado. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican, and beside the important official position referred to he has also been a member of the Franklin school board and president of that body. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has served as Sunday school superintend- ent, class leader, or steward of the organization at Franklin during his residence here.

THE KARNS FAMILY .- Among the early settlers of Venango county was Mrs. Anna Karns, widow of Henry Karns, who with a family of nine sons and one daughter located in Richland township. Jacob, the fifth son, was twice married. His first wife was Nancy, a daughter of Frank Thompson, of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had eight children, six sons and two daughters. She died in 1842. He subsequently married Mrs. Mollie Bickel, who also is dead. After his first marriage he removed to Cranberry township and purchased a farm of five hundred acres, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1885, in his eighty-seventh year.

D. C. Galbraith

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He was one of the early constables of the county, a life-long Democrat, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

SAMUEL T. KARNS, his third son, was born on the old homestead in Cran- berry township in 1831, and spent his early life upon the farm. In 1864 he removed to Franklin and engaged in the teaming business, which he has since continued. He is now identified with his sons Gustine S. and Samuel D. in the general notion business, under the firm name of G. S. Karns & Company. He was married in 1853 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Michael Frawley, by which union they have had ten children, eight of whom are liv- ing: Gustine S .; Mary, wife of John McNulty; Samuel D .; Edward J .; Charles W .; Alice B .; Emma J., and Maggie D. Mr. Karns and wife are well-known residents of Franklin. Gustine S., eldest son of Samuel T. Karns, was born August 27, 1857, in Cranberry township, and received his education in the public schools of Franklin. In 1872 he entered the employ of J. and R. H. Woodburn, where he remained for twelve years. In 1884, in connection with his father and brother, Samuel D., he established the present business house of G. S. Karns & Company. He was married in 1881 to Miss Florence Cribbs, of Edenburg, Pennsylvania. They are the par- ents of three children: Benton, Lilian, and Edith. Mr. Karns is a member of the K. of H., politically a Democrat, and connected with the First Bap- tist church of Franklin. Samuel D., second son of Samuel T. Karns, was born August 22, 1861, and educated in the public schools of Franklin. He is a member of G. S. Karns & Company. He was united in marriage in 1889 to Miss Maggie A. Clyde. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and an ardent supporter of the Democratic party.

JOSEPH C. RIESENMAN, wholesale and retail druggist, was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1855, son of Martin and Dorothea (Kohler) Riesen- man, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Butler prior to their marriage, and are now residents of that city. Our subject was reared and educated in his native town, and, after completing the usual curriculum of an English education, took a special classical course under a private tutor. He learned the drug business in Butler, and in 1872 came to Petroleum Center, where he took charge of a drug store. In December, 1873, he lo- cated in Franklin, purchasing an interest in the drug house of Miller & Company. In October, 1874, he bought the remaining interest, and has since carried on the largest and most prominent drug store in the city.

Mr. Riesenman was married May 21, 1876, to Miss Cecilia A., daughter of William H. and B. C. Reese, then of Franklin but now residing in Buf- falo, New York. Mrs. Riesenman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the mother of eight children, all of whom are living: Joseph C., Florence D., Emma I., Mary C., Martin W., John L., Victor E., and Anna K. The family are practical Catholics, and Mr. Riesenman is a member of the C. M. B. A., C. K. of A., and C. B. L. societies, all affiliating with the

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HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

Catholic church. He is a Democrat in politics, but takes very little interest in political matters. Since 1880 he has been successfully operating and . dealing in both heavy and light oils, and he has been a member of the Oil City Oil Exchange since June, 1884. Mr. Riesenman is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, and one of the most successful merchants of his adopted county.

JAMES S. McGARRY was born at Mt. Savage, Allegheny county, Maryland, August 21, 1844, son of Patrick H. and Mrs. Margaret (Murray, nee McCue) McGarry, natives of Ireland, both of whom came to the United States in youth. They married in Maryland and reared the following children: Agnes B., wife of John Murrin of Franklin; Mary E., wife of Captain H. C. Mc- Kean, of Freeport, Pennsylvania; Annie F., and James S., while Peter and William died in infancy. In 1847 the family removed to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, thence to Kittanning, Armstrong county, where the parents passed their remaining years, dying in the Catholic faith, January 11, 1876, and August 13, 1881, respectively. Our subject was educated at the public schools and an academy of Kittanning. In September, 1862, after the battle of Antietam, he entered the hospital service and served as nurse seven months. He then entered St. Francis College, Cambria county, and grad- uated in a mercantile course January 6, 1866. He afterward spent about one year in Missouri prospecting for oil, locating permanently at Franklin in 1868, where he has ever since resided and has been successively engaged in the grocery, railroad, hotel, and wholesale liquor business.

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History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 83

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co. Number of Pages: 1323

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323