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 119

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 119
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 119
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 119
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 119

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JOHN D. LOGAN, agent for the Adams Express Company at Emporium, was born in Centre county, Penn., in December, 1853, and is the son of Roby and Ellen (Patton) Logan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter in Huntingdon county, Penn. The father served in the Union army as a teamster. The subject of this sketch, who is the seventh in a family of twelve children, lived upon a farm in his native county until he was ten years of age, when he removed to his sister's in Clinton county same State, and there attended the common schools. Early in life he learned telegraphy, which he followed as an occupation for five years. In 1875 he commenced his present business at Emporium, and for eleven years has, in connection with his other work, been a Western Union Telegraph operator. Mr. Logan married, in 1876, Jennie L., daughter of the late John M. and Marion B. Judd, of Em- porium, natives of New York State, and of English and Irish descent, respect- ively. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Logan are Charles T. and Mary E. Mr. Logan is a Democrat and a Royal Arch Mason, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

R. J. LONG, manager of Alfred Truman's general store at Truman, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Brookville, October 14, 1868, a son of J. C. and Mary Long. He was reared in his native village, and was given good educational advantages, preparing him for the business of life. After

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leaving school he was given a situation in the general store of Alfred Truman, at Truman, and is now employed in the capacity of manager. Mr. Long is an energetic young man, and has by his attention to trusts imposed upon him gained the confidence of his employer. He is one of the rising young men of Truman, of which place he has been a resident about three years. His parents still reside at Brookville.

HENRY G. LYON, farmer, P. O. Emporium, is a son of Alanson and Elizabeth Lyon, and was born in New Jersey, January 9, 1845. He re- mained at home until eighteen years of age, working on the farm for his father, and in 1863 he came to Pennsylvania, where he worked in the lumber woods of Cameron and Elk counties until 1870, when he bought 127 acres of land, which was the homestead of the Spangler family, and he now has one of the best farms in Shippen township. Mr. Lyon married, in 1870, Miss Mary E. Spang- ler, daughter of Christian and Rachel Spangler, and they have a family of four children: Fannie J., Arthur W., George R. and Floyd E. Mr. Lyon is a member of Emporium Lodge, No. 163, A. O. U. W.

DUNCAN SAMUEL McDONALD, proprietor of bottling works, Empo- rium, a son of Samuel and Annie K. McDonald, natives of Scotland, was born in Canada, February 2, 1828. He was educated at the district schools of his native place, and worked in the lumber woods till 1855, when he came to Clin- ton county, Penn. In 1862 he moved to Cameron county and commenced lumbering, following same till 1868, in which year he took up his residence in Emporium and opened a hotel. In 1880 he commenced his present beer bot- tling business, and has met with well-merited success. September 2, 1862, Mr. McDonald married Miss Caroline Heck, of Lock Haven, Penn., and by her has a family of eight children: Samuel, proprietor of the Central Hotel, Emporium; Annie, married to William McDonald, of Emporium; Mary, mar- ried to Moses Minard, also of Emporium; John, at home (he had both legs cut off by the cars in 1876), and Dora, Lena, Charles and Lizzie, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are members of the Roman Catholic Church; her parents belonging to the Lutheran Church. Our subject was elected burgess of Emporium in 1872.

A. A. McDONALD, proprietor of wholesale liquor store. Emporium, was born in Canada, June 10, 1851, a son of Angus and Mary McDonald, also na tives of Canada, of Scotch descent. He remained in his native province until sixteen years of age, when he came to the United States, and worked in the lumber woods of Michigan and other of the Western States. In 1871 he came to Cameron county, Penn., where he worked for a lumber firm two years; then hired to a Mr. Cummings to tend bar. After one year he came to Emporium, where he was employed to tend bar for D. S. McDonald. In 1874 he opened a saloon for himself in Emporium, which he conducted until 1886, when he closed it up and opened a wholesale liquor store. March 5. 1875, Mr. McDon ald married Miss Nellie McCray, daughter of Daniel and Sarah MeCray, and they have three children: Maggie, Sarah and Christina. Mr. McDonald has served as a member of the borough council of Emporium.

R. R. McQUAY. This gentleman, who is the owner of a general store at Emporium, is a native of Northumberland county, Penn., the date of his birth being November 4, 1852. His parents, William and Caroline (Smith) McQuay, were born in this State, of English and Scotch descent, and had eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the tenth. Mr. McQuay, Sr., was killed fighting for his country iu the war for the Union. His son, of whom we are writing, was educated in his native county, also at the State normal school at Shippensburg, and after graduation he taught for some

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

time. In 1879 he came to Emporium, where he was employed as a teacher in the common schools for seven terms. At Turbotville, Northumberland county, in ISSO. he married Lydia E., a native of that place and daughter of Michael C. and Louisa Welsh, of Holland-Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. McQuay have three children: Lora Ellen, Carrie Louise and Russell M. Mr. McQuay is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and secretary and treasurer of the Sunday- school. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., being secretary of the Select Knights. His politics are Republican.

GEORGE METZGER, Jr., proprietor of jewelry store, Emporium, one of the largest of the kind in Cameron county, was born in Emporium, Cameron county, Penn .. January 30, 1865, and is the son of George and Lora (Clark) Metzger, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, and of German and English descent, respectively, former of whom is a jeweler in Wilson, N. Y. The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of four children, and was reared in Emporium, where he attended the high school, afterward taking a course at the commercial college in Williamsport, Penn., and graduating in 1883. He learned the trade of a jeweler in Emporium, and succeeded his father in the store there in 1885. This business was established in pioneer days by the senior Mr. Metzger, and is the oldest house in that line in Emporium. Our subject is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F., and for ten years was librarian of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school.

L. T. MORE, farmer, P. O. Buckwalter, was born in Ticonderoga, N. Y., January 7, 1811, a son of John and Wilhelmina More, former a native of Scotland, and latter of the State of New York. Mr. More remained in his native county, living on the farm with his parents until their death. In 1850 he moved to Cameron county, Penn., and bought 7,000 acres of land in Shippen township, erected a saw-mill and began the manufacture of lumber. The floods of 1861 swept away about $100,000 worth of his property in logs and lumber, but he has since been successful, and is now one of the most prosperous citizens of his township. Mr. More was married June 15, 1838, to Miss Sophronia Fuller, of Vermont, who died in 1852. They had a family of five children, but two of whom are living: Helen, wife of J. R. Bond, of Port Deposit, Md. ; and William, of Buckwalter, Penn .; Wilbur, Frank and George are deceased. Frank was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. September 5, 1854, Mr. L. T. More married Miss Charlotte Fuller, of Vermont, and to them were born two children: Mary, wife of Ed. Cummings, and Charles, the latter now deceased. Mrs. More dying in April, 1859, Mr. More married, May 14, 1862, Harriet Kline, daughter of John and Harriet Kline, of Lancaster, Penn., and they have had five children, three of whom are living: Thompson F. (of Johnson- burg, Penn. ), Richard C. and Maud; their eldest and youngest born, Harriet and Addie, are deceased. Mr. More has served five years as associate judge of Cameron county, and is a well-known and highly-respected citizen.

JOHN K. K. MORRISON, farmer, P. O. Emporium, is a native of Ithaca, N. Y., born October 6, 1822, a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Morrison, natives of New York State. He accompanied his parents to Cameron county in 1844, and worked with his father on the farm until his marriage, when he bought 100 acres of land on West creek, which he improved and still makes his home. He is one of the enterprising farmers of Shippen township. and his land is under a high state of cultivation, his building improvements being models of convenience and comfort. Mr. Morrison was married May 27, 1855, in Mckean county, Penn., to Miss Celestia Bliss, who was born in Centreville, Elk Co., Penn., a daughter of Thomas and Sally Bliss, natives

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of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have had a family of four children : Celestia E., wife of R. E. Avery, of Sheffield, Warren county: Mary B. (deceased): John K., and Bessie K. Mr. Morrison is a Methodist in religion, and in politics is a Republican.

B. S. MORRISON, farmer. P. O. Emporium, was born in Ithaca, N. Y .. November 22, 1826, a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Morrison, natives of Pennsylvania. He attended the schools of Allegany county, N. Y., and in 1844 accompanied his parents to Cameron county, Penn., who located on West creek, where they bought 120 acres of land, which he assisted in clear- ing and improving, and it is now his pleasant home. Mr. Morrison was mar- ried May 30, 1858, in Norwich, MeKean Co., Penn., to Miss Alvira A. East- erbrook, a native of Steuben county, N. Y., and daughter of George and Mar- rilla Easterbrook, also natives of New York State, who moved to McKean county, Penn., in IS54. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have had a family of six children: Hattie, wife of E. H. Gregory, of Buckwalter. Penn. ; Tillie A., deceased; Alice, wife of N. A. Ostrum: and Walter G., Maud and Mabel, at home. Mr. Morrison is the sixth in a family of nine children, the names of the others being as follows: Martha A .. wife of James Towner, of Emporium; Lydia B. and Hannah, deceased; John K .; Elizabeth P., wife of James Piersall; Rachel C., wife of Henry Gifford; David J., of Michigan, and R. H., of Beechwood, Penn. Mr. Morrison, with his family, is a member of the Meth- odist Church, and in politics he is a Republican.

R. H. MORRISON, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Beechwood, was born in Allegany county, N. Y., October 13, 1833, a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Morrison. He was eleven years old when his parents moved to Cameron county, Penn., and here he was reared, living with his father until twenty. five years of age. He then worked for his brothers in the saw-mill for a time, and in 1860 engaged in the lumber business on his own account. which he has since continued; he has also given his attention to the work of his farm in Shippen township. Mr. Morrison was married February 6, 1859, to Miss Alzina Bliss, daughter of Thomas and Sally Bliss, of Allegany county, N. Y., and they have had a family of six children: R. M., residing at Beechwood; K. R. M., at Tyler, Clearfield county, Penn .; Emma, wife of J. Rhodes, also of Tyler; Myrtle and Bertie, both at home; and Jennie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Morrison has held various township offices, and is a prominent man in the township.

WILLIAM MORRISON, boot and shoe manufacturer. Emporium, was born in Ireland June 4, 1839, and is a son of Thomas Morrison, who was a branch pilot and a fisherman on the coast of Ireland until his death, which occurred in the year of his son William's birth. The subject of this sketch attended the graded schools in his native land until he was ten years of age, when he went to sea, finally crossing the ocean at the age of sixteen and settling at Bristol, Penn., where he learned the trade of a shoemaker. In 1861 he enlisted at Lock Haven, same State, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served as a non- commissioned officer until the expiration of his three years' term of service, when he returned to Lock Haven, and from there went to Bradford county. Mr. Morrison came to Emporium in 1867, and soon after began the manu- facture of boots and shoes, in which he has since been actively engaged. He was married to Miss Eleshia, daughter of James Purcell, and of Irish descent. They have two children: James T., who is in business with his father, and Ella, wife of H. J. Swain. The family are Episcopalians, and

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

Mr. Morrison is in politics a Republican, having at one time been a member of the town council. He belongs to the G. A. R., the I. O. O. F., and is a Royal Arch Mason.

HENRY H. MULLIN, son of Rev. James and Caroline (Osborne) Mullin, was born at Carlisle, Penn., January 24, 1851. The grandparents of Henry H., Joseph and Ann Mullin, were the first of the family to leave Ireland for the United States, and, arriving here, settled at Mt. Holly Springs, Penn., where Rev. James Mullin was born, August 10, 1826; he moved to Carlisle when a young man, and subsequently to Emporium, where he was pastor of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church for two years. Henry H. Mullin came here with his father in 1867, and entered the Press office, with which office he has since been con- nected, being associated with Mr. C. B. Gould in the management. He was married August 1, 1883, to Ella M., daughter of C. B. Gould. In 1884 he was elected clerk of the borough of Emporium, and re-elected in 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, and in January, 1885, was also chosen clerk to the county commissioners, and now holds the position. He is a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and has served as permanent secretary from that period of organization down to the present time, except the year he presided over the lodge. In 1888 he was chosen member of the Republican State Committee, in recognition of his earnest, well-directed work in the interest of his party. Into his local official life politics do not enter, and this, in conjunction with the excellent manner in which his office is administered, insures him the con- fidence and good will of citizens of every shade. In all matters relating to the advancement of Emporium, his voice and pen have been always in service, and his zealous efforts have had no small share in drawing to this location the important industries of the town.

FRANK MUNDY. harness maker, Emporium, was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., July 14, 1852, and is a son of Frank and Anna (Calhoun) Mundy, who were natives of this State, and of Scotch-Irish origin. The father, who was a miner, died in 1862. while in the field with the Union army. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the farm in his native county, attending school until 1869, and in the following year he began learning the trade, which has formed his occupation ever since. Mr. Mundy was married in New York, in 1875, to Miss Kate Burns, who is of Scotch lineage, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have had three children, but only one, William, now survives. Mr. Mundy is a Republican in politics, and a member of the borough council of Emporium. He belongs to the I. O. O. F .. and is a master Mason.

H. C. OLMSTED, a well-known leading Emporium merchant, is a brother of Judge A. G. Olmsted of Potter county, Penn., where he was born October 26, 1846. He is a son of Daniel and Lucy (Scofield) Olmsted, natives of the State of New York. and of English descent. Mr. Olmsted, Sr., was a farmer, and his son. who is the subject of this sketch, is the youngest of his six children. He attended school, living upon the farm until he attained his ma- jority, and continued to make Potter county his home until he was twenty-eight years old, when he came to Emporium, and for one year kept a meat market, afterward adding to it a store, and here for several years he has been engaged solely in mercantile pursuits. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Martha, daughter of Leavitt Cushing, of English descent, and they have seven children: Florence, Lucy, Clara, Herbert, Bert. Myrtle and Vera. Miss Lucy was a member of the first graduating class of Emporium high school, in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted are members of the Baptist Church, he being a deacon in same, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. Olmsted usually votes the

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Republican ticket, and has served four terms on the school board, of which he is now president. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W. (Se- lect Knights), and is a past officer in the two organizations. He has been bur- gess of the borough of Emporium, and owns an interest in four stores in Pot- ter county.

J. F. PARSONS, a successful business man of Emporium, was born in Muncy, Penn., March 3, 1841, his parents being Joseph and Ann E. (Fribley) Parsons, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish, German and English descent. In early life his father was a contractor, but later became an attorney, and now resides in Lock Haven. J. F. Parsons, the subject of this sketch, is next to the eldest of seven children, and after receiving an academic course of instruction, he attended an institute at Fort Edward, N. Y. Early in life he entered mer- cantile trade as a clerk, and was employed as a salesman for ten years, when he started a store for himself. In 1867 he came to Emporium, where he has since carried on a general store, and has dealt extensively in real estate. Mr. Parsons is president of the Water Company, and superintendent of the water- works. He has made his own way in the world. His wife, whose maiden name was Ella A. Freeman, is the daughter of Seneca and Lydia C. Free- man, and is a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent. Mr. Parsons is, politically, a Democrat. He has acted as burgess of Emporium, as assessor and as a member of the school board.

JAMES PEARSALL, farmer, P. O. Buckwalter, was born in Livingston county, N. Y., January 27, 1822, a son of John and Nancy Pearsall, natives of Connecticut. He lived in his native county until 1844, when he moved to Cameron county, Penn., and bought an interest in a saw-mill on West creek, which he operated, and also engaged in farming until March, 1866, when he sold his property and went to Michigan, where he bought a farm and lived until 1877. He then returned to Cameron county and bought the farm where he now lives in Shippen township. Mr. Pearsall was married January 23, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth P. Morrison, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Morrison, and they have had a family of five children: Maria, wife of Edwin Close, of Truman, Penn .; Evangeline, wife of O. D. Bishop, of Michigan; George and William, in Michigan, and Charles, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

H. L. PEARSALL, superintendent of the Cameron county public schools. Emporium, was born in Sharon township, Potter Co., Penn., in October, 1854, and is a son of Solomon and Rachel (Warner) Pearsall, who were of English descent, and natives, respectively, of New York and Vermont. The father was a pioneer settler of Potter county, where he died in 1874. H. L. Pearsall received his education at the common schools, Erie Academy, and at the State (Pennsylvania) Normal School, where he graduated in 1876. He has devoted his time ever since to teaching, having been employed for three years at Sizerville, Cameron county, and since 1883 has held his present position. He was married, August 13, 1884, to Irene, daughter of J. M. and Elizabeth (Collins) Herrick, and of English and Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee and Sunday . school superintendent. They have two children: Beva C. and Arthur H. Mr. Pearsall is a member of the F. & A. M.

GEORGE READ, proprietor of meat market, Buckwalter, was born in London, England, December 4, 1852, a son of Daniel and Eliza Read, who were also natives of England. He remained with his parents until he was sixteen years of age, attending school and assisting his father, and then began to learn the blacksmith's trade, also served an apprenticeship at the butcher's

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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.

trade, at which he worked until 1882, when he came to the united States and located at Emporium, Penn. He worked for F. D. Leet one year, and then removed to Buckwalter, where he opened a meat market, and also bought 100 acres of wild land. Mr. Read was married October 5, 1884, to Miss Nellie Enault, a native of Paris, France. They are members of the Episcopal Church of Emporium.

H. C. ROCKWELL, druggist, Emporium, was born in Pennsylvania, June 8, 1837, and is a son of Hiram and Hannah (Watkins) Rockwell, former a native of New Hampshire, and latter of Vermont, both being of English descent. The subject of this writing passed his early days in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he attended school and also learned the millwright's trade, an occupation at which he worked in what is now Cameron county as early as 1856. Mr. Rockwell entered into the drug business at Emporium in 1886, and has met with success. He was married in this county, December 10, 1867, to Margaret, daughter of Benjamin and Mary A. (McCarty) Elliott; she is of Scotch-Irish and English descent, and a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell have one child, Editha A., who is now Mrs. Samuel T. Howard, of Williamsport, Penn. During the war for the Union Mr. Rockwell was in the South, assisting in the construction of military rail- roads. Politically he is a Republican, and he is a Knight Templar.

ALLEN RUSSELL, farmer, P. O. Emporium, was born at Wyoming county, Penn .. January 15, 1830, a son of Albion and Jaue Russell, natives of Connecticut. His father dying in 1834, he was reared by his widowed mother, and remained on the farm with her until 1850, when he left home to seek his fortune alone. In 1864 he moved to Cameron county, where he bought seventy acres of wild land in Shippen township, where he now lives. He has a fine farm, all well improved, and is one of the prosperous men of the township. Mr. Russell was married November 20, 1855, to Miss Frances Jenkins, a daughter of Benjamin and Polly Jenkins, and they have two chil- dren: Ada L. and Mary E. (wife of Matthew Leadbetter, of Emporium).

N. SEGER is a prominent business man of Emporium, having sold wear- ing apparel of all descriptions at the place for years. He was born in Baden, Germany, July 18, 1836, and is a son of Landolin and Sabina Seger, the former a merchant tailor who had five children, of whom Mr. N. Seger is the second. The subject of these lines received a collegiate education, and learned the tailor's trade in Germany. Coming to America in 1862, he landed at New York, where he worked at his trade until 1865, since when he has been a merchant tailor, establishing, in 1882, his present business in Emporium, at which he has made a marked success. Mr. Seger has been compelled to make his own way in the world, and his prosperity is due entirely to his own earnest efforts. He married Elizabeth Cook, in New York, in 1864; her parents were Adam and Susana Cook, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Seger have eight children: Charles, Josephine (wife of Joseph Woodley) Henry (a salesman). Rosa, Mary, Emma, Frank and Clara. Mr. Seger, with his family, attends the Catholic Church. He is a Republican, a director of the First National Bank of Emporium, also of the schools and water-works. and at one time was in the town council.

R. SEGER is proprietor of the most extensive merchant tailoring establish - ment in Emporium, where he does work of the highest order, carries an exten- sive line of imported goods, and by all means in his power endeavors to satisfy his customers. He was born in Baden, Germany, February 16, 1846, and is a son of Landolin and Sabina Seger, both of Baden. His father was also a merchant tailor, and both parents passed their lives in Germany. The subject

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

of this sketch is the third in a family of five children, and came to New York City in his eighteenth year. Not long after he went to Chambersburg, this State, and after living there for one year, he went to Baltimore, Md .. where he worked at his trade until 1869, when he came to Emporium, and after work- ing for others until 1882, he established his present business. Mr. Seger was married in Elk county, Penn., to Miss Elizabeth Cimet, a native of Elk county, Penn., daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Cimet, who were both born in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Seger have three children: William, Fritz and Edward. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Seger is past officer of the C. M. B. A. of Emporium.

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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