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 145

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 145
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 145
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 145
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 145

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The two brothers having purchased a tract of wild land at Colesburg, Poiter county, in 1859, they moved thither, and went to work in clearing up a farm. Asa soon sold out his share in the property, and went back to Allegany, N. Y. Edwin resided on the farm until April, 1875, when he rented and move l upon the S. M. Mills farm in the same neighborhood, and engaged in the dairy business for the next six years, working his own farm at the same time. During his residence at Colesburg, though engaged in the most laborious work -- the clearing up of a wild farm-he managed to keep fairly abreast of the times in general information, and to take an active interest in the education of his two daughters, Edith and Bell, who were born soon after he came to Colesburg. Though prospering but moderately in the acquisition of wealth, Mr. Haskell was extremely fortunate in gaining the respect and con- fidence of his neighbors, and of the people of Allegheny township. In township affairs he always took an active part, serving many years as director and secretary on the school board, township clerk, justice of the peace, township auditor, etc. In the summer of 1880 he received the nomination on the Republican ticket for county treasurer, and in the fall was elected by a large majority. In 1882 he moved to Condersport, to attend to the duties of his office. January 1. 1883. he purchased a one-half interest in the Potter County Journal, and at once assumed control of the paper as publisher and editor. For the last six years he has devoted his whole time to the paper. In politics, from earliest youth, he has depended upon his own judgment in forming his opinions. His father, brothers, and all his relatives were Jacksonian Democrats, as they termed it, but he early entertained anti-slavery opinions, and his first ballot was cast with the Free Soil party, in opposition to the extension of slavery into new territory. In religious belief he extends to all the utmost freedom of

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opinion, believing it to be a matter solely between each individual and his Creator, with which no one has a right to interfere, and that honest belief and profession are always entitled to the utmost respect.

From the foregoing it will be seen that Edwin Haskell's life has been one of constant, earnest work, the relaxation in which has been chiefly in studying and reading in those hours which most men devote to absolute rest or social pleasures. He is not an educated man in the common acceptance of the term, nor is his knowledge that of the specialist, yet the fund of information he has acquired is large and varied in its nature, embracing something upon nearly every topic that has claimed the attention of political, scientific and literary men during the past century. He is not a "self-made man," but an in- digenous product of the country which requires every man to work out his own destiny to the best of his ability, under the circumstances in which he is placed, in the end accounting to God, only, for the result.

KNAPP R. HODSKIN, clothier, Coudersport, son of Albert A. and Salina (Johnson) Hodskin, was born at Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., January 27. 1851. His parents, who were natives of New York, removed to Potter county, Penn., locating at Coudersport, where the father was associated with C. S. Jones as dealers in general merchandise, in which business Mr. Hodskin still remains. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Hodskin are as follows: Knapp R., Fannie (now Mrs. James L. Knox), Julius D. (now the main spoke in the wheel of the "regulator," being engaged as clerk in his father's store, also doing business for himself outside), and Kittie J. (now Mrs. James B. Benson). Of these, Knapp R., at the early age of fifteen years, became an employe of A. J. Crandall, of Binghampton, N. Y., as hotel clerk. He then entered the stores of Harry Lyon and Aaron Sloss, both dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods. He then worked for Abel Bennett & Co., traveling for that house six months in the year, and remaining in the retail store the rest of the time; afterward became traveling salesman for the house of Marks & Clark, whole- sale grocery and provision dealers. He later erected a building at Bolivar, and embarked in the clothing and gents' furnishing business for himself, but came to Coudersport in 1882, where he first occupied the store now used by William Shear, and during that year removed to the store he now occupies on Second street, in the A. B. Crowel block, opposite the court-house. In two or three years Mr. Hodskin discontinued business, and became an employe of E. L. Dickinson, of Corning, jobbers and wholesale dealers in confectionery. No- vember 9, 1887, he severed his connection with that house, and April 1, 1889, resnmed business in his old store at Coudersport, as dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods November 9, 1882, Mr. Hodskin married Martha L. Goodsell. At present he is secretary of Coudersport Lodge, No. 815. I. O. O. F. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

W. K. JONES, banker. Coudersport, is a son of Archibald F. and Mary R. Jones, and was born June 22, 1849, in Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., where he was educated, with the exception of two years, one of which was passed at Collegeville. Immediately following his school days, Mr. Jones be- came a practical surveyor, a profession he pursned for several years; and after- ward became associated with his father (who was then a dealer in general mer- chandise) in Coudersport, where they transacted business on an extensive scale under the firm name of A. F. Jones & Son. As early as 1873 they found a de- mand upon them to become the private bankers for many people, and to afford, to a considerable extent, banking facilities to all. which ultimately resulted in the sale of their mercantile interests, and the organization of the banking house known as the Bank of Coudersport. On the death of Mr. A. F. Jones.

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March 8, 1879, the entire business fell into the hands of his son, W. K., which the latter still continues, and which has expanded with the growth of the county, till now it is an institution of great magnitude and unqualified popu- larity, and the executive and financial abilities of Mr. Jones have won for him the confidence of the community generally. He is largely interested in all local enterprises, being a director in the Citizens' Water Company and of the Condersport & Port Allegany Railroad, also holds large realties, and is ex- ecutor of the Ross estate. Beyond doubt he is one of Potter county's ablest men; is unassuming, genial, liberal in his charities, and of an unimpeachable character. He is a past officer in both the Masonie organizations of Couders- port, and member of the Commandery at Bradford, and petitioner for the crea- tion of the Coudersport Commandery. In February, 1890, he was appointed D. D. G. H. P. for the counties of Potter, McKean, Cameron and Elk. Mr. Jones well deserves the honor thus conferred upon him. He is a member of the Republican party, was a delegate to the Chicago convention in 1888, which nominated Harrison, and has frequently been a delegate to Harrisburg. He is chief engineer of the Coudersport fire department, and fire marshal of the borough, of which he has also served two terms as burgess. Mr. Jones married, in 1887, Miss Fannie Holman, and they are the parents of two sons,

DAVID E. KENDIG, tinsmith and plumber, Coudersport, is a son of Jacob and Jane (McDowell) Kendig, and was born in Orrstown, Franklin Co., Penn., in 1853. His parents had a family or sixteen children, of whom nine are living: Harry B., Joseph R , Mary E., Samuel W., Mrs. Sadie J. Kramer, Josie C., David E., Maggie R. and Elmer. One son, William, was killed at the battle of Antietam. Another son, Abram, was captured by the rebels, escaped, and his death resulted from exposure. Joseph R., Harry B. and Samuel W. were also soldiers in the Civil war, and were all wounded in battle. David E. Kendig made his home with his parents until his apprenticeship to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, with whom he served from 1873 to 1877 as tinner. He then removed to Colorado. where he remained for a year and a half; then returned and resumed his trade at Renovo with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, remaining with them three years. In 1884 he came to Condersport, where he was engaged with Olmsted & Sons as tinsmith and plumber, four years, and in 1888 began business for himself. His marriage to Miss Emma Strawbridge took place in 1879. Mr. Kendig is president of the Coudersport Hose Company, and he has served one term as member of the coun- cil of that borough.

MRS. MARY T. KENT, Coudersport, daughter of Joseph and Polly (Andrns) Gates, was born in Franklin, Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1812. She was educated in her native town and at Delhi, the county seat. Her parents removed to the city of Albany, where her mother died, her father then coming to Williamsport, Penn., where he also died. Mary T., in 1831, married Rev. Bloomer Kent, a Presbyterian clergyman, who was pastor of a church at Delhi, but was taken sick and died in Franklin in 1839. Mrs. Kent's family being afflicted with consumption, and as she was in a decline, her physician advised her removal to some place abounding in hemlock timber, hence her coming to Condersport in 1842. Mary A., an only daughter, accompanied her, and resides with her still. Mrs. Kent taught school, kept boarders, and man- aged in every way to provide for the future, and now in her declining years has secured a competency. Potter county at the time of her arrival was a wilderness, and she has lived to witness its great growth and development.

HENRY H. KIES, county superintendent of schools, Coudersport, was born in Pitcher, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1860, and with his parents, Enos J.

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and Sarah M., who were natives of New England, removed to Allegheny township, Potter Co., Penn., in 1866, where his father engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Kies received his education at the common schools of the county, with the exception of a few terms at select schools. He began life by teaching in winters, finding employment on the farm during the summers, for a period of years, after which he attended Mansfield Normal School, from which he graduated in 1881. He then resumed his former vocation, and taught in graded and select schools until elected school superintend- ent of Potter county in the spring of 1887, a position he is eminently qual- ified to fill, both by study and natural inclination. He now has his resi- dence in Condersport. He is a Prohibitionist, and a member of the Sons of Temperance. He is a gentleman of sterling worth. is genial and affable, one whom it is a pleasure to meet. July 15, 1883, Mr. Kies married Miss Carrie E., daughter of J. C. and Abigail S. Bishop, natives of Vermont. Car- rie E. Bishop was a teacher of wide experience, having graduated from the Lock Haven Normal School.

F. W. KNOX, Coudersport, was born in Deerfield township, Tioga Co., Penn., March 8, 1824, his father, James Knox, being the first white boy born in that county, on March 17, 1800. The grandfather of F. W. Knox, soon after the close of the Revolution, was appointed, by the State of Connecticut, a commissioner to take possession of and hold disputed territory between the Delaware and the lakes, including a twenty mile strip along the northern por- tion of the State. These commissioners were stationed twenty miles apart. The grandfather had been a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his army experience eminently qualified him for this position. Block-houses were built. and trenches dug by the several commissioners. James Knox, the father, and F. W. Knox, the son, were both born in the Deerfield block-house, twenty- four years apart. F. W. Knox received his rudimentary education in select schools at Knoxville, a village in Deerfield township, the academy at Wells- boro, and later attended Alfred University, at Alfred Centre, N. Y., most of the time for five years, graduating in 1848. After leaving the university, he was engaged in teaching; at the same time was a student at law under the in- struction of Judge John C. Knox, then of Wellsboro, Tioga, Co., Penn., one of the able and prominent attorneys of the State. During the two years fol- lowing his leaving the university, most of the time was devoted to teaching; a part of which time he was principal of the academy at Coudersport, and the high school at Whitesville, N. Y. In 1849 John C. Knox was appointed ju Ige of the Jefferson, Armstrong and Clarion judicial district; shortly after, became attorney-general and supreme justice of the State, and so continued until near his death.

F. W. Kxox, the subject of these lines, entered the law office of the well-known Hon. James Lowrey. Under the instruction of these able jurists, the subject about which we write was found well qualified, and in September, 1850, was admitted to the bar of Tioga county. In February, 1851, Mr. Knox located at Coudersport, there opened a law office, and very soon had clients, and from that date until 1884 continued in active practice, not only in this county, but also had a very large collection business in MeKean and Cameron counties as well. For thirty-two years, practically, all the legal business of this county, and much in adjoining counties, was done in four law offices here, and each office was full of legal work, and continued unbroken until the death of Hon. John S. Mann. Many, very many, important, intricate and interesting cases were tried, and land titles were settled in our courts. During all the years Mr. Knox not only continued in active practice in courts, but gave much time

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to the care and management of large landed estates placed in his charge by Philadelphians, and to his credit be it said not one acre was lost by neglect in not paying taxes or by occupancy. Any and everything that in his judgment would benefit his village or county found in him a willing assistant. In 1871 he assisted W. W. Thompson in establishing the Potter Enterprise, and gave it his aid and support for some years. In 1869 he became connected with the enterprise of building a railroad from Buffalo to Emporium, now known as The Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad. The subject of this brief sketch became the president of the Pennsylvania portion, but when the two portions were merged, B. C. Rumsey became president and F. W. Knox be- came the Pennsylvania attorney of the road, and held the position for many years. He was also largely instrumental in organizing and building the Coudersport & Port Allegany Railroad, of which he is president, and has been since its organization; and to him Coudersport, and, in fact, the cen- tral portion of the county, is indebted for its facilities as regards railroad transportation and communication. The Vanderbilts and Gen. George J. Magee. in the winter of 1881, had procured a controling interest in the Pine Creek Railway. The principal office had been held here. In March Gen. Magee and party came here to attend the annual election. The railroad had been partly graded west of Coudersport. It was well known that if the Van- derbilt and Magee party carried the election, the Pine Creek line was to be diverted to the lines of the above-named parties, and Potter county was to be given the "go-by." At this important crisis an interview was held, at which were Gen. Magee, H. Sherwood, Judge A. G. Olmsted and the subject of this sketch. The result was that the Vanderbilt and Magee party carried the election, and the two Coudersport gentlemen owned practically the partly graded line from Coudersport to Port Allegany, the grading alone costing $120,000. The railroad was completed in the summer of 1882, and has been a very profitable property, managed as it is with economy. Last June the road was changed from narrow to standard gauge. To do this, a mortgage of $75,000 was placed on the road and its franchise, and will earn the interest on mortgage and fair dividend on stock. Mr. Knox also materially assisted in the organization of the Citizens' Water Company, of this village, where- by the citizens have pure spring water in their homes, and the town is well protected from fire by ample pressure, and insurance rates have been reduced one and one-half per cent. His son, J. L. Knox, is secretary of the company, and, in connection with the president, manages the affairs of the company. Mr. Knox is still the owner of large tracts of valuable timbered land, and was formerly engaged in lumbering with profitable results. His oldest son, Oscar D. Knox, after being admitted to the bar here in 1870, took up his residence in southwest Missouri, and engaged in the practice of his profession. About 1881 he became the trial lawyer of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad, and during the years following was very much of the time in the courts, em- bracing a large district of the southwest. While engaged in court during the winter of 1884-85, he broke down, brain fever set in, and he died March 11, 1885. His remains were brought to Pennsylvania, and placed in the family vault. His children are now here, cared for by their grandfather. His death was due to overwork. He was greatly respected in his far distant home; was a delegate to the Chicago convention in 1884 that nominated Cleveland for the presidency. and had the reputation, in connection with Mr. John O. Day. of carrying the entire delegation to Cleveland. James L. Knox, second son of F. W. Knox, is an attorney at Coudersport. A daughter is engaged in the mercantile business, and has a large trade. Katie, a bright school-girl of eleven

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years, and Frankie D., an active, bright boy of nine years. constitute the children. James Knox, father of F. W. Knox, died in 1882; the mother a few years prior.

The business life of Mr. F. W. Knox has been one of great activity and con- stant toil. Having a fine rugged constitution and rare good judgment, he was well equipped to manage successfully a large business. In church matters, while not a member, he assists the Presbyterian Church liberally, and is re- garded' as " good help."

JAMES L. KNOX, district attorney, Coudersport, is one of the wide- awake young attorneys of the county, having since his admission to the bar, some fifteen years ago, proven himself in many ways well worthy of the popu- larity he enjoys among the legal fraternity and the public at large. He is a son of F. W. Knox, and was born in Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., at the public schools of which place he received his early education, completing same at Freeland University (now Ursinus College), at Collegeville, Mont- gomery Co., Penn., from which he graduated. In June, 1869, he returned to Coudersport, and then removed to Kansas. After a sojourn of two years, he came once more to his old home, where he studied law in his father's office. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar, and has since been engaged in the prac- tice of his chosen profession in Coudersport. He was elected district attor- ney in 1877, has occupied various official positions in the borough, and has been a member of its council; he is secretary of the Citizens' Water Company. and a director of the Coudersport & Port Allegany Railroad. Mr. Knox mar- ried Fannie, daughter of A. A. Hodskin, formerly of Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., and to this union has been born one child, Rathbone A. Mr. Knox is a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A. M., Condersport Chapter, No. 263, and Trinity Commandery, No. 58.

DON CARLOS LARRABEE (deceased). On the brilliant roll of pre- eminently self made men of our times who have achieved a large measure of success, stands, among the most prominent, the name of this able jurist and cultured gentleman, whose lustrous light has been so suddenly forever extinguished. The deceased was born March 5, 1830, at Almond, N. Y., the eldest son of Willett and Rosanna Larrabee, the former of whom was one of the pioneers of Almond, as well as one of its prominent attorneys. When the subject of this biographical memoir was quite young, the family moved to Whitesville, N. Y., where the boy was mainly reared, and where he received the greater part of his school training. When fifteen years of age he came to Ulysses, and here entered the store of his uncle (the late Collins Smith), with whom he remained in the capacity of clerk about four years; then, for a time. was employed in the store of W. T. Jones & Bro., in Coudersport. Re- turning to Ulysses, he was here engaged as a clerk in the store of Ambrose Corey, but shortly after took up a farm west of Lewisville (still known as the Larrabee farm), and for three or four years worked on the same, boarding in the meantime with his uncle. Soon after attaining his majority, young Lar- rabee obtained employment as a brakeman upon the Erie Railroad, and was quickly promoted to conductor, a position he so successfully filled until the fall of 1857, that he was then advanced to the still more responsible post of train dispatcher, at Dunkirk, N. Y. Leaving the railroad service, however, he re- turned to his old home in Ulysses, where, in 1859, he associated himself in mercantile business with Burton Lewis, under the firm name of Larrabee & Lewis, carrying on business in the store now owned and occupied by D. J. Chappel & Son. Soon after this he was elected justice of the peace. which office he held until October, 1862, when he was elected sheriff of Potter county. In 1858 his firm became Larrabee, Lewis & Co., by the addition of

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HISTORY OF POTTER COUNTY.

another partner, and the following season they built the Ulysses Academy. When partly completed it was blown down, but Mr. Larrabee remarked to his co-partners: " We'll rebuild it." It was rebuilt, and has ever since stood as a monument of his interest in the cause of education. Upon the completion of his term of office as sheriff, Mr. Larrabee entered the office of Hon. A. G. Olmsted as a student of law, and in June, 1866, was admitted to the bar, be- coming a partner with Mr. Olmsted, with whom he remained until January 1. 1883, at which time the latter was made judge. He then formed a co-partner- ship with his nephew, W. I. Lewis, an arrangement which the death of Mr. Larrabee terminated. In 1876 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, served one term, but declined re-election. Mr. Larrabee left his home on Tuesday evening, March 12, 1889, for Harrisburg, Penn., where he had some business. On his return trip, on the morning of the 14th, while on the cars, and when about three miles below Renovo, he was suddenly stricken with apoplexy, dying almost instantly and without a struggle. So beloved was he, and such was his popularity, that the special train which brought the remains to Coudersport was loaded with people who had come from all along the route to pay their respects to their deceased neighbor, counselor and friend. The funeral, which was conducted by the Trinity Com- mandery. K. T., of Bradford, Penn., took place on Sunday, March 17, the public services being held in the court house.

The following extracts from the memorial, presented by the members of the bar, are expressions in enduring form of the estimation in which they hold his character, their regard for his manhood, and their veneration for his memory :

" His professional character was above reproach. While possessed to a reason- able extent of the frailties of human nature, yet he never so far forgot himself, or the respect due to the court, as to allow anger to so far control his acts as to cause language ever to fall from his lips unbecoming to a court-room, a place where the rights of property, personal liberty and sometimes human life, were passed upon. Self-control was one of the marked characteristics of his professional life. To the younger members of the bar he was never patronizing, but always kind, courteous and considerate. In his professional relations with other members of the bar, his word was his bond. He tried his causes upon their merits, rather than upon technicalities and legal quibbles; he sought only the just and legal rights of his clients, and was never willing to be a partner in any way to unjust extortion or oppressive demands. Earnest and zealous in the fight, he was always liberal and manly in compromise or settlement. His mind was clever, logical and vigorous. He readily grasped and analyzed the facts in a case, and was equally clear in his application of law; ingenious in cross-examination, he had an unusual faculty of impressing a jury with the justice of his case and his confidence in the truth of his cause. His whole life, as a lawyer, has been an undying example to the younger members of the bar; and to his courteous dignity and influence is due. perhaps, more than to any other one cause, the almost universal and kindly professional spirit and mutual confidence at present existing among the members of the bar of Potter county, a credit to itself as well as to him through whose influence this result has to a great extent been brought about. As a citizen, his loss falls heavily, not only upon the borough of Coudersport and those within the immediate influence of his daily life, but upon the whole county as well. The activity and usefulness of his life was not confined within the walks of his profession; he was actively engaged with every enterprise looking to the advancement of the public gen- erally. To him was largely due the increased educational interests of Couders- port, and at the time of his death he was earnestly pushing a railroad enter-

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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