History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics, Part 116

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320

USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 116
USA > Pennsylvania > Potter County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 116
USA > Pennsylvania > Elk County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 116
USA > Pennsylvania > Cameron County > History of the counties of McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections; including their early settlement and development; a description of the historic and interesting localities; sketches of their cities, towns and villages biographies of representative citizens; outline history of Pennsylvania; statistics > Part 116

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DORTAGE TOWNSHIP is an angular little piece of mountain land de- tached from Potter county in 1860, so as to place all the inhabitants of the old Portage township within easier distance of a county seat. The highest (measured) point is 1,967 feet above ocean level (hill east of Shippen depot), and lowest elevation 1,007 feet (one and three-quarter miles south of Sizer- ville, where river crosses the town line). All the streams-Cowley run, Lu- core run, Salt run and numerous spring streams-flow southwest into Sin- nemahoning portage, while the headwaters of Plank Road branch and Hunt's run flow south. The Portage branch enters the township from Shippen, near Sizerville, flows through a beautiful valley and re-enters Shippen at the fourth bridge. The Driftwood branch flows south through the southwestern

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

portion of the township. Outside the valley limits of the Portage and other creeks the township is only fit for the lumberman or trapper.

The population in 1880 was 186; in November, 1888, there were twenty-six Republican and thirteen Democratic voters, on which figures the present popu- lation is based at 234. The assessment of 1889 is as follows: 63 taxables; exempt, $500; occupation $2,145; real estate, $11,777: unseated real estate. $24,240; 34 cows and oxen, $324: 22 horses, $565-total $39,051. Money, etc., at interest. $2.082.

The families residing in Portage township in 1859, the greater number of whom became citizens of Cameron in 1860, were A. H. Boynton, Harris Barnes, George Barnes. Daniel Britton, Henry Blish, David Blish, George Briggs, W. Boylan, Z. C. Cowley, Thomas Campbell, Henry J. Cole, Russell Carter, Jack Degarnio. Cornelius Davy. William Ensign, Edmund T. Huff, J. S. Huff, L. B. Jones, Lemuel Lucore, John Moore, N. P. Minard, Hiram, H. F. and E. D. Sizer. Ed. Pangburn, George Emory, T. F. Fuller, Martin German, W. H. Green, Oliver Hungerford, John Hohnes and John Jeremat; W. L. Ensign was then assessor.

The Portage township elections of 1861 were presided over by E. C. Davy, judge, and Russell Carter and D. H. Gibbs, inspectors. The candidates and votes are given as follows: Clerk. - George W. Barnes, 6; William Ensign, 5. Supervisor .- H. F. Sizer, 7; D. Burlingame. 7; Wash. Boylan, 1. Assessor. - Thompson Huff, 6. Auditors. - Daniel Britton, 5: G. W. Barnes, 5; D. Gibbs, 5. Election Judge .- Daniel Britton, 5. Election Inspectors. - Thompson Huff, 4; R. Carter, 3. School Directors. - Russell Carter, 9; W. L. Ensign, S; Thompson Huff. 9; H. F. Sizer, 9; Daniel Britton 9; C. S. Robinson, S.

The officers of Portage township elected in 1890 are Robert McDowell and E. D. Sizer, supervisors; L. Lucore, clerk: V. Burlingame. Samuel Heckman and George Smith, school directors; W. R. Sizer, and P. H. Shumway, andi- tors; Samuel Heckman, poor master: N. R. Covel, collector, and he with Samuel Heckman, constables.

Shippen is a thriving village located in the extreme northern part of the township. It is a station on the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, and a post-office was recently established there. Of the stores in the place one is carried on by M. P. Jones, who opened out in general merchandise in 1885.

SIZERVILLE.

Sizerville is the capital of this section of the county. It is a historic place, the salt lick in the vicinity being noted in 1788, when travelers to Canoe Place passed that way. The salt-works were carried on there early in the "thirties," and according to others in the second decade of this century. In April. 1887, the contract for building the Sizerville Hotel was sold to C. E. Grover, of Port Allegany, by Green & Westcott, of Tioga county, Penn .. the projectors. The main building is 36x50, three stories in height, and the wing is 20x36, two stories in height. In January, 1SS8, the Sanitarium and Hotel Company en- tered on the work of building. The site, containing forty-nine acres, is one of the most beautiful, situated in a picturesque valley on the eastern slope of the Alleghany mountains, free from all miasmatic influences. and the most desirable spot in this country for a health institute. It is situated on the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, 114 miles from Buffalo, and about the same distance from Rochester, N. Y., and Williamsport, Penn.

In the year 1865 a stock company. in prospecting for oil, drilled a well here on land leased from Preston & Co., known as the Cowley farm.

The Sizer Springs Hotel was destroyed by fire October 22. 1889. J. O.

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

Kilbourn, the lessee, lost the furniture, and J. E. Green, the owner, the building.

The fire of August 5, 1885, at Sizerville destroyed Goodyear's mill, the second time this industry at that point was burned . . . . Mrs. Bundy, who resided at Sizerville, was burned to death October 18, 1889.

The Portage Township Cemetery Association was incorporated August 13, 1883, with E. D. Sizer, L. Lucore and D. Burlingame directors. E. C. Davey and W. L. Ensign are named among the stockholders, and, with the directors, they owned eight $5 shares each. In 1866 this society sought to be incor- porated, but owing to a defect in decree the matter was left in uncertainty until 1883.

CONCLUSION.

Cameron county of to-day, rejoicing in the pride of her strength, teeming with wealth and glittering in prosperity's sunlight, was, even a few years ago, a wilderness almost as unbroken as when the pioneers came in. What prompted the pioneers to enter those valleys ? Was it that spirit of adventure which impelled the cavaliers of the olden time to pursue with eagerness the phantom of a hope in the East? No! Was it that spirit which sent forth Columbus to find a new world? Was it a sense of duty to themselves and children? Yes-partly. The original object of some was to find a spot where they could rest after the turmoil of the glorious Revolution; of others to hew ont a home in the wilderness. Few of the pioneers are here to-day. They have given place to a new people, whose enterprise is greater, whose advan- tages are ten times more numerous. The grizzled grenadiers of the West branch moved to a better land, leaving their children in possession of all they won in the long battle with the wilderness.

CHAPTER XIII.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-SHIPPEN TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF EMPORIUM.

JOHN ARTHUR is owner of a foundry and machine shops in Emporium, and of a like establishment in Williamsport, in same State. At present he is residing in the former place, superintending his business. Mr. Arthur was born in Scotland, Angust 20, 1819, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Mc- Conochy) Arthur, former of whom died in Scotland in 1835. He is the youngest child in the family, and until his twenty-first year lived in Scotland, where he received his education, subsequently learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1839 came to the United States. He worked for some time in New York and Philadelphia, and then moved into Bradford county, Penn., where he plied his trade until 1865, in which year he went to Williamsport, and there established his foundry, which was a successful venture. Mr. Arthur's stay in Emporium is only temporary, as his son will before long take charge of the shops and foundry, which were built in 1887. Mr. Arthur was married in Bradford county, Penn., in 1842, to Nancy A., daughter of William and Nancy (Smith) Knapp, natives of New York State, and of English origin. Mr. and

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Mrs. Arthur have four sons and one daughter now living: Elizabeth, wife of C. K. Whiting; William, a blacksmith; Lawrence, John and Oscar, mechanics, the last named of whom superintends the Williamsport foundry. Mr. Arthur has been for fifteen years a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. of which he and his wife are members. In politics he is a Republican, and is now a mem- ber of the town council of Williamsport.

HENRY AUCHU, lumber jobber and saw mill superintendent, Empo- rium, was born in Portneuf county, Canada East, November 16, 1843, and is a son of Peter and Luella (Luckey) Auchu, who were natives of France. He is the eldest of seven children, and was reared in Canada, where he chose his present occupation. Mr. Auchu located in Williamsport, Penn., in 1867, and resided there until 1883, when he came to Emporium, where he has since taken extensive lumber contracts, meeting with merited success. He was married in Williamsport, in 1874, to Cordelia, a native of Williamsport, and daughter of William and Ellen (Treon) Hartman, the former born at Williams- port, and the latter at Muncy, Penn., and the union has been blessed with four children: Jennie, Willie, Hattie and Edna. Mr. Auchn is in politics a Republican, in religion a Catholic, and is counted one of Emporium's best citizens.

G. F. BALCOM, of the firm of Balcom & Lloyd, dealers in general mer- chandise, Emporium, was born in Calais, Me., June 5, 1847, and is the son of J. E. and Sarah (Beady) Balcom, both of whom were natives of Nova Scotia, of English descent, and who moved into the State of Maine in 1846; the father was a carpenter and farmer. G. F. Balcom, who is the third in a family of four children, resided with his parents at Calais until he was seventeen years of age, when he left home and came to Cameron county. Mr. Balcom worked at farming and lumbering, and was for ten years with the firm of J. W. Cochran & Brother. In 1884 he started in business as a merchant, an occu- pation he still continues. Mr. Balcom was married in New York State, March 16. 1884, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of James Fenton, and a native of New York, of English origin. They have one child, George Waldo. In politics Mr. Balcom is a Republican, and served as burgess of Emporium. He is a member of Emporium Lodge, No. 382, F. & A. M., and chapter, and of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W.

EUGENE ORVILLE BARDWELL, M. D., Emporium, was born in War- ren county, Penn., March 12, 1854. His father, R. R. C. Bardwell, also a physician, was a native of Yates county, N. Y., and was of Quaker descent. He married Mary Browne, of English and German parentage, and their eldest child was Dr. E. O. Bardwell, the subject of this sketch. There were four other children as issue to this marriage, one of whom died in infancy. The family moved to Penn Yan, N. Y., when Eugene was but three years old, and it was there that he received his early education. At the age of eleven he entered the Penn Yan Academy as a student, and passed the Regent's examina- tion of the State of New York at the age of twelve, an unusually early period in life for one to attempt, let alone pass, this difficult probing into one's knowledge by the faculty of an institution which is noted throughout the State for its high standard of marking in studies. In February, 1879, he completed his course in the medical department of the University of Buffalo, graduating, as the Dean of the College expressed it, cum laude. In April of the same year the Doctor began active practice at Emporium, Penn., where, by his skill, he soon won a large clientage. He was made secretary of Cameron County Medical Society not long after his arrival in Emporium, and in 1880 he was elected coroner by a phenomenal majority, the head of the ticket being defeated.

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

In 1882 the Doctor was sent as a delegate to the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, of which he was made a member. This society made him a member of the State District Board of Censors, and at its next meeting he was elected secretary, a position he held until he left the State. In 1883 he was sent as a delegate to the State Society from Elk County Medical Society, of which he was at the time vice-president. In the year 1884, Dr. Bardwell moved to Moline, Ill., where he practiced until called east by the serious illness of his father. While in Moline, Dr. Bardwell was made a member of the Iowa and Illinois Central Medical Association, of the Rock Island Medical Society, of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences, also secretary of the Moline Medical Society, and member of the staff and consulting physician at St. Mary's Hospital in the city of Rock Island. Dr. Bardwell is a member of the American Medical Association, and was appointed as a delegate to the Illinois State Medical Society while in Moline. During the fatal illness of Dr. R. R. C. Bardwell, his son remained in Penn Yan, and while there was made a member of Yates County Medical Society. Upon the death of Dr. Bardwell, Sr., in 1886, the subject of this sketch, at the earnest solicitation of prominent citizens of Emporium, returned to that place, and at once assumed a large and lucrative practice. Politically the Doctor is a Republican, and religiously a pronounced agnostic. On May 5, 1888, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Evans, of Emporium, a daughter of Hiram and Cynthia (Loder) Evans, both natives of this State, and of Quaker descent. The Doctor takes a particularly active interest in the fire department of Emporium. He was the first foreman of the Mountaineer Hose Company, the first uniformed company of the place, and to his skill in organization and drill, much of the department's efficiency is due. He resigned the position of foreman in January. 1889, to accept the place of chief engineer, which he has been compelled to give up owing to press of pro- fessional duties. A skillful physician and surgeon, and a live citizen, Dr. E. O. Bardwell is a man of advanced thought and liberal ideas, and is invariably in favor of those things which will inure to the benefit of his borough and county.

F. X. BLUMLE, brewer. Emporium, was born in Zeughaus, Wurtemberg, Germany, September 9, 1848, and is a son of Christian and Annie Mary Blumle, the former a game-keeper in his native land. The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a family of eight children, and passed his boyhood in Germany, attending school until he was eighteen years old, when he came to America. In this country Mr. Blumle learned the brewing business, and has made that and farming the occupation of his life. He owns a farm of sixty- six acres in Shippen township, Cameron county, where he resides, and has cleared the land completely. it having been but little better than a wilderness in 1876. Mr. Blumle was married, in 1882, to Frances, daughter of Joseph and Annie Mary Sing, and also a native of Germany, the ceremony having been performed by Rev. Meagher, pastor of St. Mark's Church, Emporium. Their children are Anna M., Theresa Mary, Francis J., Helen J. and Agnes. The family are members of the Catholic Church, Mr. Blumle being treasurer of the C. M. B. A. Politically he is a Democrat.

J. C. BONHAM, superintendent of the tannery at Emporium, is a gentle- man well qualified to fill his responsible position. Since he took hold of the tannery the business has been in a flourishing condition. He was born in Campbell, Steuben Co., N. Y .. August 1, 1846, and is the son of Charles D. and Mary (Goodwin) Bonham, both of whom were natives of New York State, and of French and English descent, respectively. The elder Mr. Bonham was a farmer and died in 1847. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

four children, and lived with his parents in early life, attending the Steuben schools and seminary, and for a time was a clerk in a store. It was in the year 1874 that he came to Emporium, and here he worked in different ca- pacities in the tannery until 1878, when he was given his present position. He is interested with others in the coal trade, but devotes his time to the tannery. He was married in Steuben county, N. Y., in 1869, to Miss Clarrissa, daughter of Edward and Charlotte (Wall) Jessop. She is a native of New York and of English descent. Their children are Emma L. and Guy D. Mr. and Mrs. Bonham are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. He belongs to the Select Knights, A. O. U. W.

HENRY L BURNS, capitalist and lumber dealer, Emporium, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., where he received his education and his first start in the lumber business, which has formed the main occupation of his life. Mr. Burns has met with good fortune in his lumber ventures, and has successfully speculated in other lines. He owns considerable real estate in Emporium, and in the county generally. In politics Mr. Burns is a Demo- crat, and he is a Master Mason.

C. L. BUTLER, carriage manufacturer, Emporium, was born in New Brunswick June 6, 1855, and is a son of Thomas Butler, a farmer. He is the eldest of eight children, and attended the common schools in his native place. where he also learned the carriage-making trade. Coming to the United States in 1884. Mr. Butler settled at Emporium, where he has since followed his trade, devoting most of his time, however, to repairing carriages. He was married at this place in 1886 to Helena, daughter of William and Catherine (Krug) Lewis, and of German descent. Mrs. Butler's father died in the Union army during the Civil war. Mr. Butler is a Republican. He attends. with his wife, the Catholic Church, and is a member of the C. M. B. A.

J. M. CARD, dentist, Emporium, although not a pioneer of the place, has done much to improve the borough, having erected a substantial brick block and a number of other buildings. He was born in Orleans county, N. Y., No- vember 9, 1854, and is a son of E. H. and Maria (Olds) Card, who were of English and Scotch descent, and natives of Massachusetts and New York. respectively. The father, who was a drover and shipper of cattle, died in 1860. Dr. Card is the second in a family of three children, and was reared in New York State, where he received his early education, afterward going to Kingston, Canada, where he studied dentistry, in which profession he gradu- ated at the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, at Toronto, in 1875. The Doctor has made dentistry his chief occupation in life, although at present controlling a notion store, where he carries a first-class line of goods. He has been a resident of Emporium since 1886. is a Republican in politics, a mem - ber of the Knights of Pythias and of the borough council. Dr. Card was married in Niagara county, N. Y., to Miss A. Griswold, a native of the State of New York, of English descent, a daughter of William and Sylvia (Nelson) Griswold, and they have two children, Florence and Jay M. Mr. and Mrs. Card attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J. W. COCHRAN, ex-associate judge, and one of the best known citizens of Emporium, is senior member of the firm of J. W. Cochran & Bro., extensive lumber dealers; also a member of the lumber firm of Payne. Cochran & Co., of Williamsport, Penn., and of the banking firm of Cochran, Payne & McCormick, Williamsport; also of the wholesale and retail firm of J. O. Brookbank & Co., of Driftwood, Penn. He was born in New Brunswick, Canada, August 3, 1842, and is the second eldest in the family of seven chil- dren of James and Mary (More) Cochran, who were of Scotch-Irish lineage,

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

and the greater portion of whose lives were spent at Calais, Me., where the childhood and youth of their family were spent, and where they attended school. Judge Cochran moved to Williamsport, Penn., in 1862, where he worked by the month for a couple of years; then in 1866 he came to Cameron county, and here, in company with his brother, J. Henry, he embarked in the lumber business. The firm of J. W. Cochran & Bro. have taken more pine lumber from the mountains of Pennsylvania than any other firm, and they have employed as many as five and six hundred men in their different lumber establishments. Judge Cochran has done much toward the improvement of Emporium, and has been eminently successful in business. He was married at Calais, Me., to Sarah A. Balcom, a native of that town, a daughter of James E. and Sarah A. (Beady) Balcom, former of whom was of English descent, latter of Yankee stock. To this union have been born six children, four of whom are now living: Joseph E., Mary E., Carrie E. and Percival Max. The Judge, in politics, is a Republican, and was a delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention, in 1888, that nominated Benjamin Harrison. He has served as associate judge, county commissioner and school director. Judge Cochran attends the Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestryman. He is a Knight Templar.

BERNARD COYLE, proprietor of the Commercial House, Emporium. was born in Wyoming county, Penn., September 30, 1840, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Donohoe) Coyle, natives of Ireland. The father was a builder and railroad contractor, and died in Pennsylvania, leaving a family of ten children, all of whom are living. Bernard Coyle is the third child, and received his early education in the district schools of Wyoming county. At the age of twenty-two he bought an interest in a manufactory of shingles in Lycoming and Centre counties, and continued in this business until 1870, when he went into a hotel enterprise in the latter county, and there continued until 1885, when he came to Emporium and carried on his former occupation of hotel keeping. Mr. Coyle was married in 1864, at Williamsport, Penn., to Lena M., daughter of Peter and Sarah (Callahan) Cole, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Their children are Mary E., wife of Charles Seger, a merchant; John M. and George B., hotel clerks; Ella S. and Maggie B., who live at home. Mr. Coyle has served as vice-president of the C. M. B. A., and his family are members of the same association.

I. L. CRAVEN, lumberman, Emporium, was born in Lycoming county, Penn., December 16, 1830, a son of Joseph and Sarah Craven, natives of New Jersey. He was educated in his native county and at Painted Post, N. Y., and after leaving school worked in a saw-mill until twenty years of age, when he came to Cameron county, Penn., where, two years later, he was employed by Mersean, More & Co., as overseer of their mills, and in 1879 entered the employ of F. H. Goodyear as overseer of his mills in Cameron and Potter counties. He has been prosperous, and now has a pleasant home in Em- porium. He is a prominent man in his township, and has served ten years as justice of the peace. Mr. Craven was married August 30, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Taggart, of Emporium, daughter of George and Sarah Taggart, and they have had a family of four children: Olive I., at home; George A., who died aged sixteen years; Sarah A., wife of Daniel Goodwin, of Buffalo, N. Y .; and I. L., Jr., at home. Mr. Craven and his family are members of the Pres- byterian Church.

J. M. DAVISON, merchant at Emporium, was born in Chambersburg, Penn., April 7, 1848, and is a son of H. B. and Esther E. (Schaubel) Davison, who were of Scotch-Irish and German descent, respectively, and natives of

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Pennsylvania. Mr. Davison, Sr., was a merchant and justice of the peace at Chambersburg for many years, dying there in 1880. His widow now lives at Emporium with her son, J. M. Davison, whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Davison, who is the third of four surviving children, received his educa- tion at the academy at Chambersburg. Learning the drug business, he fol- lowed it as a clerk for a period of ten years, when ill health caused him to change his occupation. Mr. Davison has been in Emporium since 1873. a period of sixteen years, four years of which time he was engaged in clerking; the past twelve years he has been engaged in business for himself, ten years in the stationery business, and two years in the coal trade, as the firm of J. M. Davison & Co. In politics Mr. Davison is a Republican, but is inclined to vote for men of principle rather than party. He is president of the Mount- aineer Hose Company, and for eight years was the deputy postmaster at Emporium.

E. C. DAVISON, agent of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad at Emporium, was born in Chambersburg, Penn., May 30, 1855, and is a son of Hugh B. and Esther E. (Schanbel) Davison, who were natives of Franklin and Lancaster counties, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish and German-French descent, re- spectively. The father, a merchant and justice of the peace at Chambersburg, died there in 1880, leaving a widow and five children-four sons and one daughter. The youngest son is E. C. Davison, who attended the common schools in his native town, and afterward learned the printer's trade in the office of the Public Opinion, a newspaper at Chambersburg. He followed his trade and the occupation of book-keeping for several years, coming to Em- porium in 1878, where he was a clerk in the railroad office until 1880, at which time he was appointed the railroad company's agent, an office he has since held. Mr. Davison was married at Chambersburg, in 1879. to Carrie A., daughter of D. S. and Rebecca A. (Koontz) Fahnestoch, of Chambersburg. She is of German origin, and a member of the Reformed Church. They have two children: Ralph and Mary. Mr. Davison is a Republican in politics and a member of the school board.

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Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1320

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) comp. cn; J.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1320