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 144

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 144
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 144
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 144
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 144

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.

ORSON H. CROSBY, deputy prothonotary of Potter county, Couders- port, is a son of William Crosby, and was born in Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., January 23, 1835. He was educated at Condersport Academy, and when eighteen years of age commenced to learn the carpenter trade. This he pursued until the fall of 1878, when he was elected prothonotary of Potter county, in which office he has since been retained, three years as principal and seven years as deputy. He has also been a school director for eighteen years, is now president of the board of education, and has always been interested in educational matters, having been active in the fight to obtain, first, a graded school, and, next. a suitable building. He is a Democrat, and past master of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M., of Coudersport. December 1, 1858. Mr. Crosby married Chloe M., daughter of A. S. Armstrong, and they have had two children, one of whom is deceased; the other is now Mrs. Kate Haughenbeng. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

W. A. CROSBY, surveyor and prothonotary, Coudersport, was born in Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., attended Coudersport Academy. and afterward studied surveying and civil engineering. His father, William Crosby, was born in Cortland, N. Y., in 1801. and married Lydia Hammond, who was born in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y., in 1802. Both parents are now deceased. In 1872 he was elected county surveyor by both parties, and thus served for about ten years. In 1881 he was elected prothonotary of Potter county, and was re-elected in 1884. At this election, while Blaine's majority was forty- three, Mr. Crosby's was 128 in the town, and in the county he ran ahead of the ticket by over 100, and was re-elected in 1887. He is a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M. Mr. Crosby is one of the best known and most popular men in Potter county. As surveyor, he has traversed almost the whole of the county, and is the best posted in that section on local topography. Careful and conscientious in his profession, his surveys are regarded as the final solution of disputed boundaries, and his services are sometimes of almost inestimable value. As a county official he has made an excellent record, and has commanded the respect and esteem of all by the faithful performance of every detail of the office business of prothonotary. June 1, 1870, Mr. Crosby married Miss Susie Taggart, who bore him one child, Jennie, and died in 1874. In 1877 he married Eugenia Willard, and to this union have been born four children: Myrtle, Carl, Guy and Grace. He resides on Main street, and his pleasant residence is the home of a cultured family. Mrs. Crosby is a lady gifted with uncommon talent, and has produced many paintings which adorn the interior of their residence. Mr. Crosby is a gentleman of pleasing manner, and a conversation with him elicits much interesting and valuable information.

SAUL DEICHES, merchant, Coudersport, was born in Cracow, Austria, in 1855, and received his education at Vienna, the capital, at Handel's Hoch- schule, from which he graduated in 1876. He then went to London, England, where he remained four years, whence he emigrated to America, landing in Philadelphia in September, 1880. He first located in New York City, but in 1884 removed to Pike Mills (present name Galeton), Potter Co., Penn .. where he engaged as dealer in clothing; two years later he established a branch store at Austin, the firm name then being S. Deiches & Bro. In the spring of 1888, an opportunity offering, he purchased a stock of goods in Coudersport, where he has an elegant brick store; 60x24 feet, on Main street, opposite the court-house. To illustrate the business tact and enterprise of Mr. Deiches, it may be recapitulated: In January, 1889, he bought out Edward Forstor, proprietor of an old. established dry goods store, which Mr. Deiches

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conducts under the name of " The Boston Dry Goods Store." This establish- ment. situated at the corner of East and Second streets, Coudersport, next door to the bank, has ever since enjoyed great popularity, and met with a suc- cessful and profitable trade. In the same month and year Mr. Deiches became sole proprietor of the store at Austin, his brother, E. Deiches, having with- drawn. and the firm name changed to S. Deiches & Co. It will thus be seen that Mr. Deiches is the proprietor of four stores in Potter county. He is a member of the Knights of Honor of Coudersport, and also a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M. In 1881 Saul Deiches married Angusta Deiches, also a native of Austria.

HARRY C. DORNAN. attorney at law, Coudersport, son of Thomas Dor- nan. was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn .. in 1848. There he received his early education, and for a couple of years pursued his studies with a pri- vate teacher, completing his classical education at the University of Pennsyl- vania. Close application to study impaired his health, and for a year and a half he sought to regain his health in travel, after which he studied law with Hon. James H. Campbell, of Philadelphia, and also in the law department of the university. He was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia in 1869, where he first began the practice of law. He afterward located in Schuylkill county, but removed to Mckean county, thence to Coudersport, Potter county, where, after a time, he became associated with Hon. Isaac Benson, in the practice of law, and now has a large and remunerative practice. Mr. Dornan is an active Democrat, but not an office seeker. He married. on September 7, 1880, Miss Hattie, daughter of the late Ezra M. Huntley, of Herkimer county, N. Y.

J. E. FORSTER, merchant, Coudersport, was born in Austria, in 1850, and emigrated to America in 1865, eventually locating at Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn. He had previously been engaged in business, principally as a wagon-maker. at Philadelphia, Brookland (Potter county), Lawrenceville (Tioga county), and St. Mary's (Elk county). He worked at the same business for about five years in Coudersport, but in 1886, having by economy and industry accumulated considerable means, he entered mercantile life as grocer and dealer in boots and shoes, occupying a commodious brick store on Main street opposite the court-house, known as the "Forster Block," where he has a constantly increas- ing business. He is a member of Coudersport Lodge. No. 915, I. O. O. F.

C. S. FRENCH, M. D., Coudersport, son of Dr. Amos and Sabria French. was born at Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., March 7, 1857. His parents Io- cated at that borough in 1838, and his father was among the first, if not the first, to practice medicine at that point. C. S. French completed his educa- cation at Alfred University, and at Parkesburg. He read medicine with his father, and attended his first course of lectures at Buffalo, graduating from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Md., in 1879. He first began the pratice of medicine at Sterling, Penn., remaining there a year. Then he came to Coudersport May 18. 1880. the day of the big fire at that place; he remained for about three months, when he removed to Millport, where he lived nearly two years, and then returned to Coudersport, where he has since been engaged in practice. November 17, 1886, he became associated with O. L. Chase in the drug trade, the firm name being French & Chase. They have a large trade, their store being located on the corner of Second and Main streets. in the brick block opposite the court-house. Dr. French was married May 18. 1880, to Eva Warner, and they have three children: Fred Amos, Walter MI. and Fannie S. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations.

MARK GILLON, merchant tailor, Coudersport. is a native of Ire- land. born in County Mayo, in 1839. He was educated in England, and in

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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.

November, 1857, came to America, locating in the following year at Couders- port, Peun. He had learned the tailor's trade in his native country, and since coming to America has followed that vocation, having now the leading establish- ment of the kind in Coudersport, located on Main street. He was married in 1856. to Mary McHale, and to them have been born eight children: Mary E., Kate, Nellie, Edward M., George T., Celia, Anna and Stephen H. In poli- tics Mr. Gillon affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

L. A. GLASE, proprietor of sash and door factory, P. O. Ladona, was born in Lehigh county, Penn., July 17, 1848, and is a son of Jonathan and Fanny Glase, both natives of Lehigh county, Penn. In 1849 his parents came to Potter county and settled in Sweden township, where he was reared and edu- cated, and after leaving school he worked with his father at the carpenter's trade until twenty-four years of age. He then engaged in taking contracts and in building until 1885, when he built a sash and door factory at Lymansville (now Ladona), where he now has a good business, and is one of the enterpris- ing business men of the place. Mr. Glase was married, June 27, 1876, to Miss Ada Wright, of Port Allegany, Penn., and they have two children: Lula and Don. He is a member of Coudersport Lodge No. 49, K. O. T. M. He has held various official positions in the township, and has been an efficient priblic officer.

NELSON H. GOODSELL, proprietor of planing-mill, Coudersport, is a son of Daniel W. and Dinah (Barker) Goodsell, and was born in Hornby, Steuben county, N. Y., in 1833, where he remained until 1854, when he came to Potter county and became a contractor and builder. He located at Coudersport in 1856, and erected the planing-mill now owned by him, dur- ing the Civil war, and remodeled it in 1874, making it a water-power mill, and introducing the first cylinder-planer in Coudersport. Since 1880 he has devoted his time exclusively to the mill, where he does all kinds of work for house building. He resides on Allegany avenue, where he has one of the pleasantest places in the borough. Mr. Goodsell married, October 11, 1856, Louisa M., daughter of Hon. Lyman Nelson. Mr. Goodsell is a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M. and Coudersport Chapter, No. 263, R. A. M. He is a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and for ten years has been a member of the borongh council.

W. B. GORDNIER, of Coudersport, was born in Covert, Seneca Co., N. Y., July 24, 1826, a son of Thomas Gordnier (in the original French "Gordinier," many of the family now spelling the name "Gardner "), who was French, his parents being among the first settlers of Kinderhook, N. Y. The subject of these lines was brought up ou a farm, and obtained his educa- tion at the common schools. At the age of twenty he commenced peddling jewelry, which occupation he followed three years. He then took up the joiner's trade at Trumansburg, Tompkins Co., N. Y., with Sidney Grant, con- tractor and builder, and in 1851 he came to Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., where he engaged with Eli Rees as foreman of the joiner's work on the court- house being erected at that place, continuing with Mr. Rees five years. In 1864 Mr. Gordnier moved to Titusville, Crawford county, same State, where he embarked in oil prospecting on the Watson Flats, starting up the wells known as "Old Abe," "Continental." "U. S. Grant," etc., and in the fall or win- ter of same year he moved his family to Watson Flats. In 1865 he was among the first to build up Pit Hole City in Venango county, a place of ninety days' growth. Mr. Gordnier leased a lot of A. G. Morrey, 4xS rods, paying

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$2,500 bonus, and agreeing to give one-half of all oil taken from the lot as royalty. At this time oil was worth $10 per barrel, and there was a well lo- cated nine rods distant from this 4x8 lot, which was flowing 600 barrels of oil per day. So Mr. Gordnier paid $3,000 to have a well drilled 640 feet. and tested, on his lot. but was disappointed, getting no oil. He had built and equipped a machine shop there for making drilling tools, etc., all of which collapsed, as the city did, and everybody left there as quickly as they came. Mr. Gordnier's health having failed while he was in the oil business, he moved back to Coudersport, where, after a year's rest, he commenced business, starting a foundry and machine shop, a steam saw-mill, etc., giving employment to a number of men. He is of the opinion that Eulalia township has gas enough for light and heat to supply all of its citizens, and he has been instrumental in having a number of test wells drilled in the locality, which have confirmed and strengthened his opinion. On October 29, 1854, Mr. Gordnier contracted marriage with Lydia R. Armstrong, of Coudersport, and they have had seven children: Flora. Mary (deceased), Charles (deceased), Frank, Harry, Lettie and John. Our subject is an active business man, outspoken and firm, with- out fear or favor. In religious matters he is non-committal. He is with the temperance people in the fight against intemperance, but thinks they are not fighting on the right line. He believes in free whisky, and pure, and would favor a law making it a penitentiary affair for any one to adulterate liquor, or sell to a drunkard. Mr. Gordnier is a Republican, but not an active politician.

GUSTAVE H. GRABE, furniture dealer. Coudersport, was born in New York City in December, 1851, and in 1854, he with his parents, removed to Col- lege Point, New York, where he remained until his parents came to Eulalia township, Potter Co., Penn., in 1868, where the father engaged in farming and also worked at cabinet making. Hermau Grabe, the father, was a native of Germany, and immigrated to this country about forty-five years ago; in 1849, in New York City, he was married to Catharine Grabe, also a native of Ger- many. He died in 1870, and his widow now lives with her children. Their children were Gustave H. : Louise, now Mrs. Conrad Chrastain, of Keating township, Potter county; Anna, now Mrs. John Peck, of St. Johnsville, Mont- gomery Co., N. Y .: Martha, now Mrs. Wencil Klasse, of Homer township, Potter county ; and Theodore, now on the old homestead. Gustave H. started in business in 1881 as a dealer in furniture and as undertaker, in the same store he still occupies on Main street. Mr. Grabe for a time was at Duke Centre, MeKean county, where he worked at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner. and soon after the fire at Condersport, in 1880, returned and was engaged at his trade until he became established in his present business. He is a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M. He married Emilie Breunle in 1878. and they have three sons: Herman F., Carlton A. and Almond R. Mr. and Mrs. Grabe are members of the Lutheran Church.

M. L. GRIDLEY, merchant, Condersport, a son of A. A. and Rhodentha (Hubbard) Gridley, was born in Tioga county, N. Y., in 1842. His parents removed to what is now Lewisville, Potter Co., Penn., in 1848, where they engaged in farming, and still live. At the time of their settlement there was but one house in sight, where now there is a borough. Their children were Thomas; Sarah, now Mrs. Seth Lewis, of Lewisville; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Burton Lewis, of the same place; Walter, deceased: Mary, now widow of Hon. D. C. Larrabee; M. L. and Henry. M. L. Gridley removed to Couders- port, having been appointed deputy sheriff. He, however, in 1863, en- listed in Company F, Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was wounded in the head by a piece of shell, at Berrysville, in the Shenandoah Valley, and was

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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.

mustered out of the service in June, 1865. Returning to Coudersport, he en- gaged in the clothing trade, but sold in 1871, and became proprietor of the Coudersport Hotel. which he sold, and then took possession of the Baker House. In 1882 he went into the flour, feed and coal business, corner of Main and First streets, where he is at present, being the only dealer in coal in the borough. Mr. Gridley married Orrel Nelson, of Eulalia, daughter of Lyman Nelson. Mr. Gridley is a member of Eulalia Lodge, Knights of Honor, and of the G. A. R. He is also foreman of the hose company. of Coudersport.

J. F. GRIESEL, Coudersport, son of Franz and Rosie Griesel, was born in Germany in 1856. When he was a child his parents removed to America and located in Eulalia township, Potter Co., Penn., where his father engaged in farming, and was also associated with Ignatz Griesel in the harness trade, until his decease. His children were Anna, J. F., Adelaide (deceased). Frank, George and Rosie. Rosie Griesel. mother of J. F., for her second husband married Ignatz Griesel, who continued the business in Coudersport, and be- came one of its respected business men. J. F. Griesel made his home with his parents, and. November 13, 1883, purchased the entire business which he has since conducted, enjoying a very large and remunerative trade. Septem- ber 28, 1882. he married Matilda R. Cammerer, and they have four children: Frank, Alfred. Georgie and Emma. Mr. Griesel is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

JOHN R. GROVES, surveyor, Coudersport, was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1833, of Scotch-Irish parentage. His parents removed from there to Delaware county, and in 1841 to Jefferson county, Penn. Mr. Groves received his early education in the common schools, and later attended Alfred University, in Allegany county, N. Y., eventually graduating from Allegheny College, at Meadville, Penn., in 1868. From 1868 to 1885 he was engaged in teaching, in Virginia, Iowa, Pennsylvania and at Alfred University, N. Y., for ten years being principal of the graded school of Coudersport. In 1885 he retired from teaching, devoting his time to surveying; in 1886 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he accepted at the earnest solicita- tion of the citizens generally. He is a Republican; a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 204, having enlisted in September, 1864, in Company A, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was appointed clerk of his company. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, his wife being a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. He married in December, 1873, Miss Charlotte E. Dowse, a graduate of Alfred University. A family of seven children blesses this union. F. B. HACKETT, attorney at law, Condersport, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., July 22, 1838, and received his education at Alfred Centre N. Y. In 1858 he came to Coudersport, where he commenced the study of law with Judge A. G. Olmsted, and was admitted to the bar in 1860; he then went to Emporium, where he was elected district attorney in 1863. Here he remained until 1868, when he moved to the western country, where he prac- ticed his profession; also engaged in mining. In 1882 he returned to Pennsyl- vania, and located at Ulysses, Potter county, and in 1883 he married Mrs. N. T. Jackson, a daughter of Willis and Sally (Grover) Young, of Ulysses, who were among the early settlers of Potter county. April 1, 1889, Mr. Hackett established an office in Coudersport, where he is now practicing his profession.

EDWIN HASKELL, editor and publisher of the Potter County Journal, Coudersport, like thousands of others whose parents were pioneers of the wil- derness, knows but little of the genealogy of his family, being unable to trace

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his ancestry back farther than his grandparents. Even of them he knows very little, further than that his grandfather on his father's side was a citizen of New Bedford, Mass., of English descent; that he was a soldier under Gen. Winfield Scott, and was killed October 13, 1812, at the battle of Queenstown, Canada. His grandmother was a Miss Crapo, a lady of French descent, and at the time of her husband's death she had three sons: John, Peter (the father of the subject of this sketch) and Parmenio. After the war she married a man by the name of Hill, who moved with his wife and stepsons to the township of Lisle, in Broome county, N. Y. Mrs. Hill soon after died, also her son John. A few years afterward Parmenio returned to New Bedford, and for many years followed a seafaring life. Peter, on November 5, 1825, being then eighteen years of age, married Myra Olney, a daughter of Zalotis Ol- ney, of Richford. Tioga Co., N. Y. She was a few months younger than her husband. The Olneys, who were of English descent, came from Nova Scotia and located in Richford at an early date of its settlement, and here reared a large family of sons and daughters. In their old age they followed their daugh- ter Sally, the wife of Hosea Cushing, to Brookland, Ulysses township, Pot-

ter Co., Penn., the latter being one of the first settlers of that township. With their daughter the old people resided, sharing with her family the vari- ous vicissitudes of pioneer life until their death at a ripe old age. In 1833 Peter and Myra Haskell moved from Richford, Tioga Co., N. Y., to Pot- ter county, Penn., and settled two miles from Brookland, in Ulysses town- ship. Their family consisted of three children: Cordelia, Edwin and Asa, Edwin being about four years of age at that time. The journey of 120 miles was made with an ox-team, and consumed a week's time. They went to work with a will, to hew out a home in the forest, but, though a good start had been made in clearing up a farm, in 1836 the family was moved back to Richford, N. Y. Though so young, much that transpired in those few years in the wilderness is indelibly stamped upon the memory of Ed- win. In those days the stern realities of life were early brought home to the children of the pioneers. The condition of things was not much better in Richford. The township was comparatively new and backward in development. The people were poor; the price for labor was low, and the cost of store goods was high. To provide ordinary comforts for a large growing family, it was necessary that each one should contribute some- thing in proportion to his age and strength. Edwin, being the oldest boy and the eldest but one in a family of eleven children, had, from the time he was ten years old. not only to provide for himself, but to contribute one-half of his earnings, from working out upon a farm, to help provide for younger broth- ers and sisters. The wages he received were from $4 to $12 per month, and board. Under such circumstances, the chances of obtaining even the poor education afforded by the common schools were very small-a month or two in the winter, and often under the instruction of teachers receiving a salary of 75 cents or $1.50 per week, whose qualifications were, in many instances, on a par with the wages they received. Fortunately, however, he had acquired an early taste for reading, and thus obtained a very creditable fund of general in- formation, which in part compensated for lack of instruction at school. Com- ing to visit his uncle at Brookland in the fall of 1848, he learned that an apprentice could obtain a situation in the office of the Potter County Journal, a paper that had been recently started at the county seat, as an organ of the Free Soil party in Potter county. He made application for the place, and was accepted as an apprentice for two years. Being a rather old "devil," he made very good progress in learning to set type; but this, with chopping wood for

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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.

office, sweeping floor, washing rollers, distributing pi, etc., was not all he strove to accomplish in his first year of apprenticeship. To remedy in part the deficiency of his education, he entered upon a course of self-instruction in arithmetic, grammar, rhetoric and English composition. At the end of the year he had mastered these subjects quite as thoroughly as have most students on graduating from an academy. At the close of the year the paper upon which he had been working suspended publication for a season, and brought his apprenticeship to an end. Being out of employment for the time being. he embraced the opportunity to attend school for two terms at Coudersport Academy. After this he engaged for a season to carry chain for his former employer, who was a surveyor, and to take lessons in practical surveying, but in a few months he found out there was a great deal of the chain carrying and very little of the lessons. Learning that his mother was dangerously sick, he resolved to return to Richford. The next year was passed in working at hay- ing, teaching a term of school, and setting type in an office at Owego. Re- turning to Coudersport in the fall of 1851, he took charge of the publication of the Polter County Journal, being associated with Hon. J. S. Mann as one of the editors. On May 5, 1852, he married Laura A. Canon, an acquaintance with whom had been formed during his attendance at school at Coudersport Academy, and they went to housekeeping in Coudersport. The county was hew, and the prospects of providing for a family from the receipts of a news- paper office were not very promising, although reasonable success, under the circumstances, had been achieved. Iu the fall of 1854, he retired from the Journal and went to Waterford, Erie Co., Penn., where he worked as a composi- tor for nearly a year in the office of the Waterford Dispatch. Then he moved to Allegany, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and, in partnership with his brother Asa, en- gaged in the manufacture of window-sash for three years.

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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