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 39

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 39
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 39
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 39
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 39

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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commissioner, in which capacity he served six years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Equitable Aid Union. He was married August 12. 1852, to Sarah Ann Elizabeth Beeman, and they have had four children: Burton J. (killed in a railroad disaster). Jesse E .. Eva (wife of Charles Welch, of Newton, Kas. ), and Anna A. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are prominent mem - bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

J. L. ANDREWS, proprietor of the Hotel Brunswick, Bradford, was born January 19, 1842. He was reared in Bradford county. Penn., and enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred and Thirty second Pennsylvannia Volunteer Infan- try, Company D, serving his term of enlistment. He has lived in Bradford since 1875, and has been one of the most active in the promotion of her public interests. He was one of the most prominent movers in the organization of the Bradford Fire Department, and was elected its first chief, serving in that capacity five years, and still enjoys the reputation of having been one of the best chiefs the department has had. He is now serving his third term as a member of the select council of Bradford. In politics Mr. Andrews is a Re- publican, and he is a member of Bradford Post, No. 141, G. A. R. He was married in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1870, to Miss Blanche, daughter of Col. James T. Henry, and they have two children: James and Blanche Broder.

S. AUERHAIM, dealer in dry goods, millinery, etc., Bradford, is a native of Germany, born November 28, 1838. He was reared in his native country, and his father. Moses Auerhaim, being a merchant, he, when but a child. he- gan to learn the business, serving a regular apprenticeship of three years. In 1550 he came to America, and in New York learned the cigar-maker's trade. He was obliged to rely on himself for support, and as he had not money enough to start the dry goods business, for some time he gave his attention to the manufacture and sale of cigars. He remained in New York until 1866. when he removed to Petroleum Centre, Penn .. and there embarked in the dry goods business: later he went to Erie, and from there to Oil City, where he remained five years. In 1879 he located in Bradford, where he now has one of the best dry goods stores in the place. Mr. Auerhaim married Miss Fannie Kuntz, and they have seven children: Selina. Ida, Bertha, Emma, Clara, Samuel and Moses Martin. In politics Mr. Auerhaim is a Republican. He is a member of the Jewish Reformed Church, of which he is a trustee. He is also a miem- ber of the I. O. O. F.

HARVEY S. BAKER, M. D., one of the oldest physicians in Bradford. settled in Mckean county in an early day, and has lived to see the wonderful changes in the county in the last half century. When he first came to the county. and for many years thereafter, his practice extended for twenty iniles from his home. in all directions, and his professional visits were mostly made on horseback, he carrying his own drug store in his saddle-bags. He has had an extensive practice both in Pennsylvania and New York, and is one of the best-known physicians in the county. Dr. Baker is a native of New York, born May 26, 1827, a son of Thomas and Abigail (Shaw) Baker. His grand- father. Abner Baker, was a soldier in the colonial army during the war of the Revolution. Dr. Baker graduated from the Medical Department of the State University of Michigan, March 29, 1855. He was married September 26, 1860. to Nancy J. Comstock, who died in 1878, leaving four children: C. L., R. N., Ernestine and Nancy J. February 23. 1SS1, Dr. Baker married Nellie M .. daughter of Emanulus O. and Lydia (Starkwether) Dickinson. and they have one child, Leala D. Dr. Baker is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

J. W. BAKER, one of the prominent business men of Bradford, was born

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in Allegheny county, Penn., July 13. 1849, son of Daniel and Harriet (Hughes) Baker, natives of Maryland, former of German, and latter of English descent. Mr. Baker remained with his parents in Allegheny City until seventeen years of age, attending school the most of the time, and then went to work in the oil fields, later buying property and working wells for himself until 1875, when he began dealing in torpedoes and nitro-glycerine. In 1878 he removed to Bradford, where he has continued the same business. In politics Mr. Baker is a Republican. He is a member of the F. & A. M., lodge and chapter.

A. F. BANNON, reading clerk of the Pennsylvania State senate, is a well- known figure of MeKean county, where he has hosts of friends among all par- ties. He is a native of the Keystone State, born in Blossburgh, October 13, 1847. and is a son of Patrick and Joanna (Lanergan) Bannon, natives of Ire- land. His parents came to America in 1841, and soon thereafter settled in Blossburgh, Penn. When he was twelve years of age the subject of these lines was put to work with his father in the mines, an occupation he followed ten years. As he was obliged to work at an age when most boys are at school, his educational advantages were necessarily very limited; but being of a stu- dious disposition, and having a natural thirst for knowledge, he attended night-school, thus obtaining a fair education. In the year after reaching his majority, being determined to seek other employment, he secured a situation as clerk in a grocery store in Blossburgh; and so well did he improve his opportunities that, in 1872, he was enabled to start in business for himself. In 1875 he closed out his store, and in 1877 removed to MeKean county, where he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Company at Kendall Creek. A year later he embarked in the coal business, in which he continued five years, when, having purchased valuable oil property, he sold out and devoted his attention to the production of oil, a business he is thoroughly acquainted with. In politics Mr. Bannon has for a long time been a prominent Republican, and in 1883 he was chairman of the county committee. In 1880 he was elected coroner of the county; between the years 1885 and 1888 he served as sheriff of the county, and in 1889 he was appointed to his present position of reading- clerk of the Pennsylvania State senate, his services commencing with the session of that year. He has two years to serve, so that his voice will be heard in that distinguished body in 1891. Mr. Bannon was married August 25, 1870, at Corning, N. Y., to Mary J., daughter of Samuel Carlyle, and they have three children: Anthony F., William P. and Mary. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Bannon is a member of Lodge No. 133, A. O. U. W., and represented his lodge in the grand lodge in 1883.

H. F. BARBOUR, editor of the Bradford Evening Star, Bradford, was born in Chemung county, N. Y., March 14, 1845, the youngest of five children that lived to maturity of J. N. and Elizabeth (Thompson) Barbour, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut. His mother died just as he reached manhood. His father, over eighty, is now residing near Elmira, N. Y. The subject of these lines was reared in his native county, and here obtained his rudimentary education, and at the age of sixteen entered Alfred University. After three years he left college to prepare himself for his life work as publisher and editor, the University, at the commencement in 1889, voluntarily granting him an honorary diploma and degree of Master of Arts. In March, 1869, he received an appointment in the Government printing office at Washington, where for three years he held the Greek cases. In 1872 he came to Mckean county and purchased the Smethport Miner. In 1884 he sold the Miner and bought a half interest in the Bradford Evening Star. A year later he purchased his partner's interest and organized The Star Publishing Com-

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pany, of which he is president, and owner of more than three-fourths of the stock. He is an able writer, aggressive and forcible, but never scurrilous; is an out-and-out Republican, and the Star, being conducted in the interests of that party, has proved of great benefit to the Republican cause of Mckean county. The Star is published daily, and has the largest circulation in the county. in- deed. remarkably large for a city like Bradford. Mr. Barbour is an indefati- gable worker, and the success the paper has attained is due to his untiring energy and his ability as publisher and editor. He is an active member of the Masonic order, and is a Knight Templar. Mr. Barbour was married at Smeth- port, Mckean Co., Penn., September 17, 1873, to Mary E., daughter of Rev. H. and Jane (Smith) Peck, her father having been a minister in the Methodist Church for several years, in Mckean county, but now living in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Barbour have one child. Ward W., a lad of fifteen years.

J. S. BARLOW, alderman of the First Ward, Bradford, Penn., was born in Rochester, N. Y., November 20, 1849, a son of A. S. and Margaret (Phelps) Barlow, the former of English and German, and the latter of Irish descent. His father was a prominent citizen of Rochester and later moved to Chicago, Ill., where he was extensively engaged in the real estate business. J. S. Bar- low attended the schools of Rochester and also the Satterlee Institute, and. when a boy, clerked in a grocery store, a business he carried on for himself for a time in Rochester. In 1869 he moved to Pennsylvania and, for a time, was engaged in refining oil in the lower oil fields; then went to Butler county and embarked in the grocery business. In 1878 he came to Bradford and engaged in the oil business, producing oil in the Bradford fields. He was elected constable in 1878, served nine years, and in 1888 was elected to his present position. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Barlow was married in Rochester. in 1871, to Miss Maggie Ward, a native of Rochester, N. Y., of Irish descent. daughter of Anthony Ward, and they have one child, William. Mrs. Barlow is a member of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W .. and also a member of the Select Knights.

B. H. BARR. superintendent and general manager for the C. F. McAmbley Lumber Company, Bradford, was born in Bradford, Mckean Co., Penn., July 11, 1852, the eldest of eight children of Henry W. and Statira (Sears) Barr, former a native of New York, and latter of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a lumber dealer, was a pioneer settler of Mckean county, being at the head of the Tuna Lumber Company. B. H. Barr was given good educational advantages, and was a clerk for his father for several years. In 1879 he entered the employ of the Ridgway Lumber Company. an extensive concern, operating at Ridgway, Elk county, and elsewhere, remaining with them three years, and has since 1886 been with the C. F. McAmbley Lumber Company at Bradford. Mr. Barr was married in 1886, at Kendall Creek, Mckean Co., Penn., to Luella R., born June 29, 1853, a daughter of P. and Clarissa (Owens) Ackley. and they have one child, Lulu. In politics Mr. Barr is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

J. L. BARRETT (deceased), late manager for the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, at Bradford, Penn., was born in Steuben county, N. Y., July 16, 1859. a son of Charles and Margaret (Christler) Barrett, former of English and latter of English-German descent. He began the study of telegraphy before he was twelve years old, and in 1874 was given charge of an office on the Erie Rail- road. In 1877 he came to Bradford, and was in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company until 1883, when the operators had a strike, and

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he worked an independent line between the oil exchanges in Bradford until 1884, in which year he accepted the position of manager for the Postal Tele- graph Cable Company at Bradford. Mr. Barrett was married October 12, 1881. in Bradford. to Miss Minnie, daughter of Albert DeGolier, and to this union one child, Paul D., was born. Mr. Barrett died August 28, 1889. In politics he was a Republican, and socially he was treasurer of the Royal Arcanum.

G. W. BARTLETT, general superintendent of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad Company at Bradford, Penn., was born in Portsmouth, N. H., August 20, 1856, a son of James P. and Frances (Harris) Bartlett, natives of New Hampshire, and of English descent. He graduated from Dart- mouth College in 1877, then went west, and obtained a position in the freight office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Council Bluffs, where he remained two years; then moved to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed as civil engineer by the Erie Railroad Company, and from there went to Port Jervis, same State, where he became chief clerk in the superintendent's office. Here he remained until appointed road master of the Delaware Division of the Erie road, and subsequently was promoted to superintendent of the Rochester Division, with headquarters at Rochester. In 1887 he was again promoted by the Erie Company to the position of superintendent of the Third and Fourth Divisions of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, with headquarters at Galion, Ohio, but in 1888 he resigned to accept his present position, and located at Bradford. He is a young man of good business ability, and his vari- ous promotions have been the results of his integrity and strict business prin- ciples. He married in 1883, and has two sons: Francis Harris and Robert Duncan. In politics he is a Republican.

W. W. BELL. cashier of the First National Bank, Bradford, was born in McKean county, Penn., April 6, 1854, a son of Horatio and Ann Mary (Leon- ard) Bell, who were natives of New York, of English descent. His father was a successful lumberman until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- lion, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, was elected captain of Company G, and served in that capacity until he was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. W. W. is the elder of two children. He attended the common school and also a select school in his boyhood and youth; when sixteen years old he obtained a position in a bank in a neighboring town. Here he remained five years. In April, 1876, he was ap- pointed cashier of the bank of Canisteo, N. Y., which position he held four years. and in April, 1880, came to Bradford to accept the position of assistant cashier in the First National Bank, which he filled only nine months, when he was promoted to his present incumbency. He is well qualified for this responsible position, which he has now held over nine years. Mr. Bell was married at Cuba, N. Y., in August, 1877, to Mary E., daughter of M. U. Underwood, and they have five children: William Lawrence, Mary, Leonard J., Donald W. and Margaret E. In politics Mr. Bell is a Republican.

JOHN ALEXANDER BELL, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was born in Scotland about 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth (Steele) Bell, who died in that country. John A. Bell immigrated to America in 1853, and thence to Canada West, where he remained four years with his brother. While there he learned the machinery moulders' trade, and returned to Buffalo, where he worked at his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-first Regiment. New York Volunteers, and served two years as corporal of his company. He was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, after which he re-enlisted in Company I, New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded in the knee at the battle of Hatch's run, and again in the

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shoulder at Petersburg. He was sent to the hospital in 1864, and remained there until mustered out of service in 1865. After the close of the war he re- sided in Buffalo until 1871, when he moved to Olean and remained until 1877. thence to Fort Smith, Ark., where he engaged in farming for one year; thence to Kansas, and in 1883 came to Bradford township, McKean Co., Penn., where he has since resided. In 1872 he married Miss Emma A., daughter of William S. Morris, of Bradford township; and they have one child, Elmer Julian. Mr. Bell is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Union Veteran Union of Bradford: also of the Machinery Moulders' Union. His wife is a member of the Free Methodist Church and of the Women's Christain Tem- perance Union of DeGolier.

G. G. BENNETT, grocer, Bradford, was born in New Lebanon, N. Y., October 4, 1836, a son of G. K. and Mary E. (King) Bennett, natives of New York. They moved to Crawford county, Penn., when the subject of these lines was a boy, and he made that his home until coming to Bradford in 1878. He keeps a full line of groceries, both foreign and domestic, and his prices are always as low as the lowest. Mr. Bennett was married in Rochester, N. Y., in 1866, to Miss Mary Aldrich, daughter of Adam Aldrich, and they have had a family of three sons, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bennett is a Democrat in politics; is a member of the F. & A. M. and of the A. O. U. W.

G. E. BENNINGHOFF, M. D., Bradford, was born in Petroleum Centre, Ve- nango Co., Penn., February 10, 1854. a son of George and Julia (Baney) Benninghoff, natives, also, of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1867 his parents moved to Meadville, Penn., where they still live. He was given good educational advantages and after leaving the common schools was sent to Ober- lin College, Ohio. Choosing medicine as his profession he attended the medi- cal department of Wooster College, Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1879. He first located at Kendall Creek, where he remained until 1886, when he moved to Bradford. His partner in practice is Dr. James B. Stewart. who is a graduate of Washington College, and also of Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1887. Dr. Benninghoff was mar- ried in June, 1880, to Nannie, daughter of James Hogan, and they have one child, Walter Garrett. Mrs. Benninghoff is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The Doctor has been a Government examining surgeon for pensions since 1883. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical Societies. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. In his profession he gives his special attention to surgery, while Dr. Stewart, his partner, gives his attention to the general practice.

GEORGE A. BERRY, attorney at law, Bradford, was born in Centre county, Penn., November 9, 1848, the youngest of five children of Dr. Benja- min J. and Nancy J. (Irvin) Berry, former a native of Maryland, and latter of Pennsylvania, both of Scotch- Irish descent. His father practiced medicine in Centre county, Penn., about forty years, dying in that county in 1864. George A. Berry was reared near Bellefonte, Centre Co., Penn., where he attended the public schools and the old Boalsburg Academy, later becoming a student at Washington and Jefferson College, from which he graduated in 1868. He then began the study of law, and for one year read under the in- struction of James A. Beaver, the present governor of Pennsylvania, at Belle- fonte. Following this he went to Ebensburg, Cambria county, same State, and studied with J. M. Reade, an eminent attorney of that place. He was ad- mitted to the bar of Cambria county in March, 1871, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. For two years he was successful, but on

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account of failing health he was obliged to abandon work, and for a year he devoted his time to travel and sight seeing. Regaining his health he, in 1874. located in Warren county, Penn., and in December, 1875, removed to Brad- ford, where he has been in active practice, having been admitted to the bar of McKean county in February, 1876. Mr. Berry is a Republican in politics. served one term as chief burgess of Ebensburg, and as a member of the school board of Bradford. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was mar- ried in 1876 to Kate I., daughter of Nelson Parker, a well known lumber dealer of McKean county in his day, who was killed in a railroad accident in 1874. Mrs. Berry is a member of the Universalist Church.

JOHN BIRD, oil producer, Bradford, was born in the State of Maine, August 12, 1842, a son of Francis and Mary (Trainor) Bird, natives of Ire- land, who came from their native country to New Brunswick, and thence to Maine, where the father still lives, now eighty-five years old. John Bird was reared in his native State, remaining there till past his majority, and in 1864 came to Pennsylvania. settling at Oil creek, where he was employed at different oil wells, also in teaming, and later contracting for the drilling of wells. Since a year after he first located at Bradford, he has operated on his own account. He is also a partner in a fruit canning company in Michigan. Mr. Bird was married May 25, 1880, in Ohio. to Miss Belle, danghter of John Williamson, and they have two children: Jay and Cora. Mr. Bird is a mem. ber of the Masonic fraternity. and has taken the thirty-second degree; his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Bird is inde. pendent.

CAPT. JOHN T. BISHOP, of the American Oil Company, Bradford, was born in England. January 1. 1836, a son of William and Sarah (Coates) Bishop. His parents came to America in 1840, and settled in the county of York, Canada, where the father died in 1844. John T., the youngest of eleven children, attended school in Canada, also in New York City, and began his business career when quite young. obtaining employment with a railroad company. In 1855 he was sent to Iowa as contractor's paymaster of a Western road, and a year later went to Illinois, with headquarters at Decatur. August 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and September 6 was commissioned first lieutenant. This regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and so served until mustered out at the close of the war. In 1863 he was promoted to captain, and served in this capacity until compelled to resign on account of ill-health. He returned to Decatur, where he re- mained until 1869, when he again took up the railroad business, and had interests in contracts in the States of Michigan, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In 1877 he came to McKean county aud located in Bradford, since which time he has been with the American Oil Company. In 1878-79 he was clerk of the borough of Bradford, and also served two years as a member of the school board, and six years as city comptroller. While in Decatur he was deputy circuit clerk. and for two years was police magistrate. In politics Capt. Bishop is a Republican. He was an active mover in the organization of the first G. A. R. Post in the United States* and was a charter member of Post No. 1, at Decatur, Ill. He is a member of Bradford Post, No. 141, and has served as its commander, quartermaster and adjutant, and is also an aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief. For twenty-six years he has been identified with the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the F. & A. M., the Knights of Honor. and other societies. He was married, in 1860, to Miss

See History of the Grand Army of the Republic, by Gen. R. B. Beath.

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Sarah E. Vermillion, a native of Scott county, Ill., daughter of William Ver- million, and they have seven children.

J. E. BLAIR, merchant and farmer, Bradford, is a native of Worcester county, Mass., born March 28, 1818, a son of Artemus and Sally (Easterbrook Blair, who were also natives of Massachusetts, of Scotch-Irish descent. J. E. is the second of nine children. In his boyhood his parents moved to the State of New York, where he was reared ou a farm and was given good educa- tional advantages. In December. 1840, he came to Bradford, Penn., where there was but one log house on the present site of the town. He embarked in the lumber business, and later clerked in a store for a time. He invested in land, which he cleared of a heavy growth of timber, and has since devoted the greater part of his attention to farming. He owns 155 acres, on which are twenty seven oil wells. In 1861 Mr. Blair was elected by the Republican party sheriff of Mckean county, and at the expiration of his term was elected treasurer, being required to give bonds for $100,000. While serving as sheriff he helped to organize the regiment known as the Pennsylvania Buck- tails. Mr. Blair was married in Chautauqua county, N. Y., to Miss Calista Tozer, daughter of Richard and Polly (Fitch) Tozer, natives of Otsego county, N. Y., of English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Blair have been born nine chil- dren: Albert R., of Bradford; Laura I., wife of James Broder; Sarah J., wife of Corydon Emerson; Emma, at home; Effie, wife of A. B. Walker; Jose- phine, wife of T. H. Steele, of Findlay, Ohio; Frank P., who died, aged three years; Elmer E., in his father's store at Bradford, and Henry. Mrs. Blair is a member of the Universalist Church.

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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