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 120

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 120
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 120
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 120
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 120


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S. S. SMITH, physician, Emporium, was born near Kingston, Province of Ontario, Canada. August 12, 1845, and is a son of Hiram and Mary (Leonard) Smith. He was reared and educated in his native country, and began the study of medicine in the spring of 1866, in the office of Dr. O. K. Knight, of West Brook, Ontario, entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, IlI., same year, and was graduated in July, 1869. He began the practice of his profession in Chicago, in 1868, and September 23, 1869, located at Driftwood, Cameron Co., Penn., where he built up a good business. The Doctor has recently located in Emporium. He married, January 10, 1871, Mary, daughter of Asa Brown of Wyoming county, Penn. Dr. Smith is a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and of the Cameron County and Elk County Medical Socie- ties. He is a member of the F. & A. M. ; was elected coroner of Cameron coun- ty, in ISSS. In politics he is a Democrat.


JAMES A. SPANGLER, farmer, P. O. Emporium, is a native of Cam- eron county, Penn., born December 30, 1844, the only son of James W. and Susan Spangler, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died when he was very young. and his mother took her son and returned to her father's house, where he was reared, remaining with them until twenty-two years old. March 22, 1866, he married at Bronson, Mich., Miss Annie Thayer, of Sherwood, Mich., a native of Williams county. Ohio, and daughter of John and Annie Thayer, natives of Vermont. To this union have been born four children-George W., Dora B. (wife of Alonzo Cheesbro, of Emporium), Charles M. and Cora E., the last named being ten years of age and weighing 165 pounds. He lived in Michigan until 1868, when he returned to his native county, and for ten years worked for farmers by the day. In 1878 he bought seventy-six acres of land on Lot 4950, Shippen township, where he has erected a pleasant resi- dence, and now has a good home. He is one of the prominent citizens of the township, and has served two terms as supervisor. Mr. Spangler is a member of Emporium Lodge, No. 163, A. O. U. W., and is a Select Knight of the same order.


L. TAGGART, merchant and lumberman, Emporium, was born in Whar- ton, Potter Co .. Penn., April 6, 1845; a son of George and Sarah Taggart, both natives of Vermont. He was a mere hoy when his father died, and he was obliged to assist in the support of the family, remaining with his mother until 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and in 1862 was discharged on account of disability. In August, 1864, he again enlisted, this time in Company D, First Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, when he returned home and for two years ran a dray in Emporium, and then was employed by Stoors, Phelps & Co., as clerk in their general store. A year later he bought their drug department, and continued the drug business until 1879, when he went to Rixford, Penn., and engaged in the production of oil; at the same time he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Cameron county, in company with


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J. R. Buckwalter, but subsequently sold his interest to F. H. Goodyear, of Buffalo, N. Y., and for five years was employed by Mr. Goodyear as superin- tendent. In 1886 he resigned his position with Mr. Goodyear, and again embarked in business for himself, in a general mercantile line, and also in the lumber trade at Keating Summit and at Austin, Potter Co., Penn. Mr. Tag- gart was married at Jersey Shore, Penn., November 13, 1872, to Miss Helen M. Cole, a native of Jersey Shore and a daughter of William C. and Sarah Cole, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, and both now deceased. To this union have been born the following children: George Cole, born December 16, 1874; Birdie Leona, born October 16, 1878, and Flossie Fay, born June 23, 1880. In 1880 Mr. Taggart was elected to represent Cameron county in the State legislature, and served two years. He has held various township and borough offices, and for eight years was postmaster of Emporium. He is a member of Emporium Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M .; Emporium Chapter, No. 227, R. A. M., and Lieut. D. W. Taggart Post. No. 241, G. A. R. Mr. Taggart's parents came to Emporium in 1846, being among the first settlers of the borough. The father held the office of justice of the peace several years. They had a family of eleven children, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of Almeron Nelson, of Coudersport, Penn. ; Hollis T., of Emporium; Daniel W., who died of disease while serving in the war of the Rebellion; Samuel D., who was also a soldier in the Rebellion, and died from the effects of wounds received at the battle of Five Forks; Mary J., wife of I. L. Craven; Elliott, deceased; Henderson, who was drowned in the first fork of the Sinnemahon- ing river; L., the subject of our notice; Annis, the wife of Beldin Burt: A. E., wife of John Wamsley, of Ridgway. Penn., and Flora, wife of James Ryan, of Leadville, Colo. Mr. Taggart is now engaged in the drug trade at Emporium, Penn., as proprietor of the Old Reliable Drug Store.


W. B. THOMPSON, furniture dealer and funeral director, Emporium, was born in Reading, Penn., October 3, 1854, and is a son of C. C. and Catherine (Bodder) Thompson, natives of Pennsylvania and of Dutch origin. W. B. Thompson, who is the eldest of five children, attended the common schools, and in early life was clerk in a clothing store. He came to Emporium in 1876, and worked at farming and lumbering until 1888, when he established his present business, soon proving himself an industrious and energetic man of affairs. Mr. Thompson was married to Sarah, daughter of Edward Cush, and of Irish and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F.


ALFRED TRUMAN, P. O. Truman, is a native of Nottingham, England. born December 14, 1843, and is a son of Sylvester and Mary Truman. He worked in his father's bobbin and carriage factory, where he learned to run a stationary engine until 1861, when he came to the United States, and settled in Brookville, Jefferson Co., Penn .. where he was employed to run a sta- tionary engine at that place. In 1868 he bought a tract of wild land, which he improved; but in 1877 he sold his farm and took a contract to manufacture lumber, which he continued until 1883, when he entered the employ of the Ar- thurs Coal & Lumber Co., at Swissmont, and a year later was appointed super- intendent of their lumber mill. conducting a retail store on his own account at the same time. In 1887 the company's plant was removed to Truman, where he still has charge of the entire business. The mill has a capacity of 60,000 feet of lumber and 20,000 lath daily. Mr. Truman was married July 15, 1865, to Elizabeth Ford, daughter of George and Sarah Ford, who came from England to Jefferson county, Penn., in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Truman have


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five children: Ella, Lorrena, Frank, Fred and Ralph. Of these, Fred, a boy nine years old, is frequently engaged to run one of his father's switch engines in the mill yard and on the tram road. He is remarkable for his ability, and is possibly the youngest engineer living. By perseverance and industry Mr. Truman has accumulated a fortune, and has recently bought an interest in a large lumber operation in Alabama, to which State it is his intention to move as soon as the present operations are completed.


M. C. TULIS, merchant and county commissioner, Emporium, was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., September 25, 1842, and is a son of John and Mary ( Lynch) Tulis, who were natives of the County Mayo, Ireland. M. C. Tulis is the second in a family of four children, and spent his early life in New York State, where he attended the commou schools. His first work was as a peddler of Yankee notions. He came to Emporium in 1863, and in 1872 ven- tured his all in mercantile pursuits. He had the great misfortune to be burned out in 1875, lost everything, and was forced to return to his peddler's pack, with which he was so successful that he was again able to open a store in 1882. He was married in New York State, in 1869, to Miss Anna, daughterof Thomas and Margaret (Feeny) White, and of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Tulis have two children, John E. and Robert Emmett. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Tulis is a Democrat, was elected a county commissioner in 1887, and has filled various offices of trust in the borough of Emporium, in which he resides, and where he enjoys the full confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens.


JAMES T. WALKER, harness maker, of the firm of Mauck & Walker, Emporium, is a native of Armstrong county, Penn., and was born Novem- ber 18, 1849, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Lockhart) Walker, who were of English and Scotch descent, respectively. Robert Walker, who still resides in Armstrong county, Penn., is by trade and occupation a carpenter and farmer. James T., the subject of these lines, who is the eldest in a family of twelve children, received his education in the common schools of his native county, and served an apprenticeship at the miller's trade. In 1883 he came to Em- porium, and for a long time was employed in the roller flour-mills. In 1889, however, he joined Mr. C. E. Mauck in the harness business, and is co-equal with him in carrying on that business under the firm name of Manck & Walker. In 1884 Mr. Walker married Ida, a native of Armstrong county, Penn., and daughter of Frederick and Love Yockey, of German origin. They have two children: Stella and Frederick. Mr. Walker is a Republican in politics, a master workman in the A. O. U. W., and senior workman of the Select Knights. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Baptist Church.


GEORGE W. WARNER, ex-associate judge of Cameron county, and at present engaged in the lumber business, is a pioneer settler of Emporium, and one who has always taken an active interest in the advancement of the borough and county. He was born in Chenango county, N. Y., November 13, 1827, and is a son of Robert and Priscilla (Bixby) Warner, who were of English origin. In his youth the Judge attended the common schools, and lived upon the farm in his native county. He came to Emporium in 1851, and engaged in farming and lumbering, which have constituted the main business of his life. Judge Warner was married in Emporium, November 10, 1861, to Julia daughter of John and Anise (Taggart) Earl, who were of English descent. and natives, respectively, of New York and Vermont. Judge and Mrs. Warner have one child, Robert B., who is a farmer and lumberman, residing in Em- porium. Judge Warner has held many positions of trust, such as member of the school board and of the borough council, justice of the peace, and bur-


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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.


gess of Emporium; also served as county treasurer, as associate judge, one term in 1876. and as a member of the legislature in 1887. Mrs. Warner was born near Coudersport. Penn .; she is an active member of the Episcopal Church. Of a family of six sisters still living, five are members of the same church. all earnest Christian mothers.


RILEY WARNER, proprietor of the Warner House, Emporium, was born in the State of New York, March 27. 1828, and is the son of Philip and Mary (Preket) Warner, who were of English and Dutch origin, latter being descended from famous Holland Dutch stock. The family's history shows them to have been farmers and tillers of the soil for generations. The father of the genial landlord of the Warner House, whom this writing concerns, was a carpenter and contractor as well as a farmer. He lived to be seventy-four years old, and died after bequeathing to the world sixteen children, of whom twelve grew to be men and women. Mr. Riley Warner, who is the third child in the family, spent his early years on the farm, attending at the same time the public schools. When about twenty years old he went to Bradford coun- ty, Penn., and there learned the trade of a blacksmith. Subsequently he moved to Wyoming, Penn., where he followed farming for the space of two years, after which the hotel and livery business claimed his attention, and the major portion of his life has been passed in this line of accommodation for the traveling public. For a number of years he controlled a stage line in Wyoming county, from Tunkhannock to Towanda, a distance of forty-three miles, and during the Civil war he was extensively engaged in the buying of government horses. For a time he kept a livery stable at Lock Haven, Penn., but in 1867 he removed to Emporium and bought a small hotel, of which he was proprietor until it was destroyed by fire in 1875. That same year his fel- low-citizens elected him sheriff of Cameron county, an office he held for three years, at the end of which time he again embarked in the business of hotel keeping, in which he has been employed until the present day. In 1886 Mr. Warner erected the building which he now occupies for hotel purposes; it is a neat and substantial brick structure, in height four stories, well lighted and well ventilated. He is a model landlord, and his house is first-class in every respect, a fact recognized by commercial travelers, who make it their head- quarters while at Emporium. In 1849 Mr. Warner married Rachel L., daughter of Peter O. Dunlap, and of Scotch and German origin. She has borne four children: Norman P., Lulia, Elizabeth N. and Margaret R. In politics Mr. Warner is a Democrat, and, besides the shrievalty, has held the office of school director and member of council. He is a master Mason.


H. H. WEBER. professor in the Emporium schools, of which he is also principal, was born in Centre county, Penn., September 6, 1860, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Hackman) Weber, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The father combined the occupation of a farmer and mer- chant. The Professor is the tenth in a family of fourteen children, twelve of whom are living. In his boyhood he lived on the farm, and attended the common and normal schools. When only seventeen years of age he began teaching. and since that time this has been his occupation, his fields of labor being principally in the boroughs. Prof. Weber had taught eleven years when he came to Emporium, and the schools are in a flourishing condition under his management. He is a Prohibitionist, a past officer of the Good Templars, a member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and of the I. O. O. F.


JOHN M. WEISS, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Beechwood, was born in Williamsport, Penn., August 31, 1861, a son of Martin and Elizabeth Weiss, natives of Germany. In 1878 his parents moved to Beechwood, Cameron


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county, and bought the farm where they now live. They have a family of five children: Elizabeth, wife of Sylvanus Emery, of Elimsport, Penn. ; Mary H., wife of W. H. Harley. of Curwinsville, Penn. ; Sophia, wife of Benjamin Sykes, of Curwinsville, Penn. ; Dorothy, wife of George Market, of Truman, and John M., the only son. John M. Weiss was given good educational advantages, remaining with his parents until manhood, and has since been engaged in farming and lumbering. He was married, February 14, 1887, to Miss Adelia Benson, a native of Maine. In politics Mr. Weiss is a Democrat.


J. M. WHITE, engineer at the Emporium Rolling Mills, was born in Maine, July 11, 1839, and is a son of Michael and Catherine (Driscoll) White, the for- mer of whom was born in Ireland, of English parentage, the latter being a native of Maine, and of Irish origin. The subject of these few lines, who was the eldest in a family of four children, received his early education in Maine, and later attended the United States Naval School. At the age of seventeen he went to sea, and studied engineering. He enjoys the distinction of having been on board the Monitor during the famous fight with the Merrimac, shortly after which he was promoted to full engineer. In 1868 he was married to Isabella Ellis, a native of Iowa, and of English origin, a daughter of Levi Ellis. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. White are Nellie, wife of G. M. Ferris; C. E .; Lewis; Ray B., and J. L. W. Mr. White is a Republican and a member of the town council. He is deputy grand master of the A. O. U. W., and is district commander of and a major in the Select Knights.


J. S. WILEY, Emporium, is one of the associate judges of Cameron county, and one of the most popular men of that locality. He is an extensive manufacturer and dealer in lumber, and a farmer with large landholdings, over 6,000 acres being now in his possession. Judge Wiley's fortune is due entirely to his own exertions, as he was left an orphan when a mere child. He was born in Steuben county, N. Y., January 22, 1837, and is of English and Scotch descent, his father having been Capt Robert Wiley, and his mother Elizabeth Ellise Wiley. The Judge is the eldest of six children, all of whom are still living. He was reared in New York State, and attended the district schools until he was in his eighteenth year, when he went to work by the month. Mr. Wiley was married July 22, 1863, to Miss Louise Smith, daugh- ter of William and Almira Smith, of Angelica, N. Y., of German and English descent, respectively. Their children are Justina, Grant, Sarah and Charles. Judge Wiley is a Republican; he was elected associate judge in 1886, an office he still holds, and has been for nearly twenty-one years a school director, for about one-half the time serving as president of the board. He is a Knight Templar, and has hosts of friends.


CHARLES ZARPS, blacksmith, Emporium, was born in Germany, April 18, 1830, and is a son of Fred. and Christena (Fraley) Zarps, natives of Ger- many. The subject of these lines was reared on his father's farm, attending the common schools until he was fourteen years old, when he came to the United States, and at Baltimore, Md., he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he has since made his occupation. Mr. Zarps has been a resident of Emporium for more than a quarter of a century. He was married at Elmira, in 1856, to Mary, daughter of Matthew and Earnstena Haupt, all natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Zarps have two children: Henry, who is in the hard- ware, dry goods and grocery business with Walker, Howard & Co., Emporium, Penn., and Katie. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Zarps is a Demorat.


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HISTORY OF CAMERON COUNTY.


CHAPTER XIV.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-GIBSON TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF DRIFTWOOD-GROVE, LUMBER AND PORTAGE TOWNSHIPS.


GIBSON TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF DRIFTWOOD.


HEZEKIAH M. BAILEY, farmer, P. O. Sterling Run, was born in what is now Gibson township, Cameron Co., Penn., April 18, 1832, and is a son of Aaron and Savilla (Myers) Bailey, formerly of Lycoming county. Penn., and among the pioneers of Gibson township, where they cleared and improved a farm on which they lived and died. Aaron Bailey was twice mar- ried; his first wife was Mary Rutty, a daughter of John Rutty, of Tioga county, Penn., by whom he had two children: Susan (Mrs. William Sterling) and Samuel. By his second wife, Savilla (Myers), he had five children: Solo- mon, Mary A. (Mrs. Nathan Housler), James, Hezekiah M. and Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Barr). The subject of these lines has always resided in Gib- son township. In 1858 he settled on the farm he now occupies, all of which he cleared and improved. He was married in September, 1858, to Jemima, daughter of William and Sarah (Miller) Barr, of Gibson township, and they have three children, Monroe, Mcclellan and Ella. Mr. Bailey has held several offices in Gibson township; in politics is a Democrat.


AMOS BARBER, farmer, P. O. Driftwood, was born in Maryland, Otsego Co., N. Y., June 12, 1829, and is a son of Darius and Rachel (Bishop) Bar- ber. He was reared in his native county, came to what is now Cameron county, in 1853, and has resided on the farm he now occupies in Gibson township since 1865, a part of which he cleared and improved. His wife was Ann E., daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Paul) London, of Delaware county, N. Y., and they have one daughter: Mary (Mrs. James Beal). Mr. Barber is a representative farmer and citizen; has held office as supervisor, councilman, collector and treasurer, and in politics is a Republican.


ALLEN BARR, lumberman and farmer, P. O. Dent's Run, Elk county, was born in what is now Gibson township, Cameron Co., Penn, April 28, 1827, and is a son of William and Sally (Miller) Barr. His paternal grandfather, John Barr, a native of Ireland, settled in what is now Clinton county, Penn., in 1787. He was a soldier of the Revolution, under Washington, and served seven years and six months. John Miller, the maternal grandfather of our subject, and who settled in Gibson township, Cameron Co., Penn., in 1811, was also a soldier of the Revolution, serving three years and six months, and was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware near Trenton, N. J. William Barr, father of Allen, was a farmer and lumberman by occupation. He was a pioneer of Gibson township, and cleared and improved the farm now occupied by his grandson, James F. Barr, where he died April 28, 1886. His children were fourteen in number, thirteen of whom grew to maturity: Elias, Oliver, Delilah (Mrs. James Overturf), Charles, Selana (Mrs. David F. Marsh), Allen, Jemima (Mrs. Hezekiah Bailey), Loruhama (Mrs. Solomon Mix), Emily (Mrs.


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James Thomas), Martha (Mrs. Henry Loophole), Darius, Wesley (killed in the battle of the Wilderness, in the Civil war) and Alice (Mrs. George Ingerson). Allen Barr has always resided in Gibson township. He began life as a lumberman, which occupation he has since followed, and cleared and improved the farm he now occupies, besides other lands. He married Nancy, daughter of James and Kate (Overturf) Mix, of Gibson township, and they have four children: Marshall, James, Flora (Mrs. Alex. McPhee) and Merritt A. Mr. Barr is a prominent citizen of his township, and has held the office of school director eighteen years; politically he is a Republican.


F. A. BLACKWELL, Iumberman, Driftwood. was born in Somerset county, Me., December 23, 1852, and is a son of N. Russell and Sarah H. (Nye) Blackwell. He was reared and educated in his native State, and at the age of sixteen years came to Pennsylvania, where he worked in the woods of Clearfield county one year. Later he located in St. Mary's. and entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad Company, with which he re- mained eight years, six of which he spent in Driftwood, as assistant agent of the freight department. He then engaged in business for himself, as con- tractor in stocking logs by the thousand, near Driftwood, where he has made his residence since 1876. He married, in 1876, Isabel, daughter of Jonathan Bell, of Holton, Me., and they have two children: Russell and Nellie B. He is a representative and enterprising citizen of Driftwood, a member of the F. & A. M., R. A. M., and K. T. Commandery, of Pittsburgh; politically he is a Republican.


RT. REV. MGR. T. F. BRENNAN, D. D., is at present pastor of St. James' Catholic Church at Driftwood. He is a Roman Prelate and Chaplain of Honor extra urbem of His Holiness, the Pope. He was born near Cashel, in Ireland, thirty-three years ago, and came to America at the age of eight, entering college soon after to study for the priesthood; he spent some years at St. Bonaventure's, near Olean, N. Y. In 1873 he went to France, where he finished his classical education, and thence to Germany, where, entering the University of Innsbruck, in the Tyrol, he graduated with the title of doctor of divinity. After having spent a year studying canon law at the Roman Uni- versity, he returned to the diocese of Erie, Penn., and was first assigned as assistant to Greenville, Mercer Co., Penn., later in the same capacity to Du- Bois, Penn., and Frenchville, and lastly to Driftwood, Penn., his present pastorate. He twice visited Europe, passing also through portions of Africa and Asia-once as delegate of Bishop Mullen to the Pope's Jubilee, and on another occasion to visit the scenes of his school days. When last in Rome the Pope conferred on him the exalted title of Monsignor. He speaks and writes twenty languages, and, besides his charge at Driftwood, has charge of the parishes of Sterling Run (Cameron county), Benezette (Elk county ), and Germania and Galeton (Potter county).


JAMES O. BROOKBANK, merchant, Driftwood, was born in Ebensburg, Cambria Co., Penn., March 8, 1843, and is a son of John and Hannah (Davis) Brookbank. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in 1866 located in Driftwood, where he engaged as a clerk with O. J. Spafford, in general merchandise, with whom he remained two years. Two years later he again engaged with Mr. Spafford, in whose employ he continued until the latter sold out to Coryell & Bates, and was in their employ one year. Then Col. J. S. Bates purchased his partner's interest, and Mr. Brookbank continued with Mr. Bates in the store until 1873, when he embarked in the lumber business with the Colonel. The partnership existed one year, when he sold his interest to Col. Bates. He then returned to the store for Col. Bates, remaining in his




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