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 40

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 40
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 40
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 40
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 40

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A. HENRY BLOMER, assistant postmaster at Bradford, was born in the city of Philadelphia, May 16, 1846, a son of A. H. and Selina (McDowell) Blomer, of German, Welsh and Scotch descent. His father was a cabinet- maker, and was the owner of one of the largest manufacturing interests in the city of Philadelphia, his factory covering an entire block. He died in 1860. A. H. is the seventh in a family of eight children, six of them boys. His mother and five brothers still live in Philadelphia. When he was twenty years of age he embarked in the oil business at Oil City, remaining there and at Rouseville three years. In 1870 he moved to Bradford, where he sunk the pioneer well in the now celebrated Bradford oil fields, and has since made this his principal business, having drilled eighty wells in this region. In politics Mr. Blomer is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in his party. He served as a member of the State committee, also as chairman of the county committee, and at present is treasurer of the latter. He was appointed to his present position, that of assistant postmaster, in 1886. He is an active mem- ber of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and is a member of the grand council of the State and chairman of the committee on laws. He is also past chancellor and United States supreme deputy of the C. B. L. Mr. Blomer was married in Philadelphia, December 8, 1870, to Nettie M. Martin, daughter of Benjamin L. Martin, a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and they have two children: Harry and Martin.

H. S. BLOSSOM, of the firm of Madison & Blossom, merchants, Bradford, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., February 13, 1841, a son of Erastus and Elizabeth (Cartner) Blossom, natives of New York, former of Scotch-Irish and latter of Dutch descent. He remained at home until eighteen years old, when he bought his time of his father, and, choosing a sea-faring life, obtained a situation as cabin boy, from which, by merit, he rose until he became master of a vessel. He sailed both the ocean and the lakes, and when he left sailing he began farming in Linn county, Mo., but on the breaking out of the oil ex-

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citement at Titusville he removed to that section, where he worked at wells and also built oil derricks for a company, later becoming its manager. In 1880 he was employed by Bennett & Quick to superintend their wells in Mc- Kean county and remained with them until ISS8, when he became associated with L. O. Madison in the grocery business at Bradford. Mr. Blossom was married in 1868, at Hawley, Wayne Co., Penn., to Miss Fannie M. Lord, and they have one child, Sarah Ellen. The wife of Mr. Blossom is the daugh- ter of Solomon Zolotus and Sarah (Mnlford) Lord, the latter deceased and the former now residing at the home of Mr. Blossom, and ninety-one years of age. Mr. Lord is a native of New York State and Mrs. Lord was born at Southamp- ton, Long Island. Mrs. Blossom is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In polities Mr. Blossom is a Republican. He is a Master Mason.

A. B. BOOTH, oil producer, Bradford. was born in England, June 5, 1847. His parents, John E. and Mary Ann (Bamber) Booth, emigrated to America in 1851, and engaged in farming in Montgomery county, N. Y. They reared six children, one of whom is deceased, the living being as follows: Dorothy (wife of J. W. Perkins, of Amsterdam, N. Y.), Henry A. (partner with A. B., re- siding at Warren, Penn.), A. B., Elizabeth (wife of I. C. Sheeler, of Amster- dam) and William Alexander (of Missouri). The subject of this sketch was educated at Amsterdam, N. Y., and at the age of twenty-one years went to Chicago, where he lived one year. He acted as superintendent in railroad construction for several years at New Orleans, in Texas, Arkansas, etc., and for two years was engaged in mercantile business at Hot Springs, Ark. In 1876 he came to McKean county, and has since produced oil under the firm name of Booth Bros. In 1883 he married Miss Maggie D., daughter of Da- vid Bovaird, of Bradford, and they have two children: Mary Elizabeth and Albert Edward. Mr. Booth is a member of Star Lodge, No. 162, F. & A. M., of Hot Springs, Ark., and of the Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican in politics.

DAVID BOVAIRD, of the firm Bovaird & Seyfang, manufacturers of oil tools, Bradford, Penn., is a native of Scotland, born in July, 1834, a son of William and Dorcas (Walker) Bovaird, who were natives of Ireland. David was the seventh in a family of nine children. He went into a factory to learn the trade of a calico printer, at which he served an apprenticeship, and in 1854. when twenty years old, came to America, whither his parents had pre- ceded him in 1852. He first located in Allegheny county, Penn., where he followed farming, subsequently dealing in cattle, and was also for a time in the coal business. He afterward went to Venango county, and engaged in teaming, having for a time work for twenty horses. He went to Titusville during the oil boom, and opened a repair shop with Mr. Seyfang, where he had a large custom repairing the machinery and tools used in the oil wells. From there he removed to Bradford, and in 1878 entered into partnership with J. L. Seyfang in their present business, which has increased beyond their most sanguine expectations. They have a branch office in Pittsburgh, which is in charge of Mr. Bovaird's son, Walter. Mr. Bovaird was married in Allegheny City to Mary A., daughter of John McClanahan, and they have six children: Maggie (wife of A. B. Booth), Mary, William John, Walter, David and Joseph H. Mr. and Mrs Bovaird are members of the Presbyterian Church. In polities Mr. Bovaird is a Republican, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.

WILLIAM J. BOVAIRD, foreman of the blacksmith shops of the Central Iron Works, Bradford, was born in Allegheny county, Penn , March 25, 1863. a son of David and Mary A. (McClanahan) Bovaird, former a native of Scot- land, and the latter of Ireland. He was rearel and educated in Titusville,

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Penn., and early learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1878 he came to Brad- ford, where he worked in the shops of Bovaird & Seyfang, proprietors of the Central Iron Works, and since 1885 has held his present position. Mr. Bovaird was married May 20, 1885, to Anna L. Davis, daughter of F. T. and Mary (Douthett) Davis, both natives of Pennsylvania, now residents of Bradford. Mr. and Mrs. Bovaird have two children: Zella A. and Francis David. Mr. and Mrs. Bovaird are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are active workers in both church and Sabbath-school. He is a member of the K. O. T. M. ; has been president of the Bovaird & Seyfang Employes Mutual Benefit Association four years, and is one of the active young business men of Bradford.

PATRICK C. BOYLE, Bradford, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1846, and was brought to this country by his parents while still an infant in arms. His boyhood days were passed at Brady's bend, in Armstrong county, Penn. He received a common-school education, and not much of it. He en- listed in January, 1862, in the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and re-en- listed in March, 1864, and served to the end of the war as a private soldier. He began life as a laborer in the mines; came to the oil country in 1868; labored in various capacities about wells and pipe lines till 1874, when he began writing for the press. A year later he entered actively into newspaper work, which, with few brief interruptions, has been continued up to the present writ- ing. In Martinsburg, Penn., about 1877, he helped to establish the first dis- tinctively labor newspaper in the oil country. It died young, but none too young for its alarmed stockholders. Since then he has been at various times associated with the leading oil country dailies, and at this writing is publisher of the Oil City Derrick, Bradford Era and Toledo Commercial.

E. A. BOYNE, oil producer, Bradford, is a native of New York City, born January 14, 1839, the fourth son of Patrick and Julia (Corcoran) Boyne, natives of Ireland, who came to America about the year 1830, locating in New York City, where they resided during their lives. At an early age our subject was thrown upon his own resources, for at the age of twelve he was left an orphan. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-seventh Regiment, New York Vol- unteers, under Maj .- Gen. Henry Warren Slocum, serving two years, when he returned to his home, where he remained for six months, and again enlisted for three years, serving until the close of the war. He was in the first and sec- ond battles of Bull's Run, was in the Seven Days' engagement at Gaines' Mill, here receiving a wound in his left arm, and participated in the battle of An- tietam-these embracing the chief engagements covering his first enlistment. On his return to the field he enlisted January 4, 1864, in the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, and was through the Shenandoah Valley with Maj. - Gen. David Hunter on his famous raid. Mr. Boyne was mustered in as a private, and, being twice promoted, returned to his home at the close of the war a sergeant, with honors well earned. In 1865 Mr. Boyne came to Bradford, Penn. At the opening up of the Bradford oil field he became interested as a producer, to which business he has devoted most of his attention since. In 1887 he was elected city treasurer, serving two years, and re-elected in 1889. Mr. Boyne is a member of Union Lodge, 334, F. & A. M., of which he was worship- ful master two consecutive years, Chapter 260, Bradford Council, 43, and Trin- ity Commandery, 58. Our subject was married September 12, 1883, to Miss Rosalie Van Scoy, daughter of John K. and Elizabeth (Lain) Van Scoy; the fruit of this union is two sons and two daughters: Elizabeth Van Scoy, Olive Lain, Edward Corcoran (deceased) and Peter Kennedy. Mrs. Boyne is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Boyne is treasurer of the Masonic Temple

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recently erected on Main street at a cost of $30,000; politically he is a Re- publican.

C. L. BRADBURN, wholesale and retail dealer in wall paper, draperies. fixtures and curtains, Bradford, is one of the most artistic paper hangers and drapers in the United States. He keeps a full stock of everything in his line, and has a large trade, his reputation for fine work bringing the custom of the best families in town. He served a regular apprenticeship at his trade, and for several years was employed by others, but since 1879 has been in business for himself. Mr. Bradburn is a native of New York, born January 25, 1854 a son of John and Elvina (Bailey) Bradburn, who were of Scotch-Irish ances- try. He was married January 1, 1883, to Ella, daughter of C. Heath, of Titusville, Penn. He is now erecting a three-story brick block, 37x90 feet: the first floor he will occupy for his store room and it will be filled with wall paper, drapery goods, paints, etc. ; the second story is laid out in commodious offices, the third story being fitted up expressly for lodge rooms, including dining-room, cloak and ante-rooms, the interior wood-finish of the whole build- ing being antique oak, and interior decorative work being the latest arts of the work, embracing lincrusta scratch work, high relief and all bronzed in an- tique and modern bronzes. In politics Mr. Bradburn is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

JAMES BRODER was born in Ellenburg, Clinton Co., N. Y., January 14, 1835. a son of William and Mary (McKee) Broder, former a native of Ver- mont, of German descent and latter of New York, of Scotch-Irish descent. His father died in New York State in 1870. James, who is the fourth of a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, early in life learned to depend on his own exertions for his support, and began to work in the lumber districts on the head-waters of the Hudson river, in the Adirondack Moun- tains. In 1856 he went to Canada, and in 1861 to Michigan. In 1865 he came to Pennsylvania, where he represented a large lumber company in McKean county, and in 1868 removed to Bradford, where he continued the lumber trade until 1876, having under his supervision two hundred men, and then became agent for an oil well supply company. In 1873 he was elected a commissioner of Mckean county, in 1876 a justice of the peace, and in 1879 first mayor of Bradford, being re-elected to the same office in 1883. Mr. Broder was married December 28, 1871, to Miss Belle Blair, daughter of James E. Blair, of Bradford, and they have one son, William J., a clerk in the gas office. Mr. Broder is a member of Union Lodge No. 334, F. & A M .; Bradford Chapter No. 260, R. A. M., and Trinity Commandery No. 58, K. T., being a charter member of chapter and commandery. He is also a stock- holder and director in the "Manufacturers' Gas Company of Mckean County." In politics he is a Democrat.

F. E. BROOKS. superintendent of the Pennsylvania Lumber Storage Com- pany. Bradford, Penn., was born in Olean, N. Y., March 19, 1860, a son of Amos C. and Mary (Miner) Brooks, natives of New York, and of Irish, German and English descent. His father died in 1873, leaving to the widowed mother the care of five children, F. E. being the second son. He was reared on a farm, attending the common schools, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1888, when he became a stockholder in the Pennsylvania Lumber Storage Company and was appointed its superintendent, having about 100 men under his supervision. In politics Mr. Brooks is a Republican.

WILLIAM WALLACE BROWN was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 22, 1836. He is the son of Rasselas W. and Mary (Brownell)

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Brown, natives of New York, of Scotch and English blood, and, in religion, of the Baptist faith. They emigrated to Pennsylvania in the year 1838, and soon established their home in the then unbroken wilderness of that part of Elk county formerly belonging to McKean, and where is now located Rasselas. The land upon which they settled was covered with an immense growth of pine and hemlock. It was remote from a mill, and as the trees could not be manufactured into lumber, they had to be burned to ashes. To this huge task the father and sons addressed themselves with hard and constant labor. A large share of the settlers who undertook a like task in that neighborhood gave up in despair. The Browns came to stay and to conquer, and in a large sense they were successful. The farm was cleared, the children, six in num- ber, three boys and three girls, were comfortably fed and clothed, their educa- tion made sure and their moral and religious culture in no wise neglected.

William Wallace, named in honor of his Scotch ancestors, was the second son. In such a home, and inured to hardships of such a frontier life, he grew

to robust and hardy manhood. The opportunities for a common-school education were few and precarious. His first recollection of going to school was in the winter time, on horse-back, accompanied by his mother and elder brother, the three perched upon a single horse. The first mile of the journey was up a steep hill, through the woods and over a rough road covered with ice and snow. The old mare was " smooth shod," and it was quite as difficult for her to cling to the road as for the three to eling to her back. Wallace being in front, it became his duty to grip to the horse's mane, and as the hill grew steeper and the road more slippery, his youthful imagination brought him to the easy conclusion that his little arms alone kept the four from going to the bottom of the hill in a heap together! Thereafter, no matter how much his brother was inclined to go to school on horse-back, Wallace insisted that he would rather "climb the hill of science " upon his legs than "pull through " by his arms! By the time young Brown had reached his sixteenth birthday, he had not received more than that number of months of school training. At this time, it was determined that he should go to the Smethport Academy. Arrangements had been made for a home in the family of Solomon Sartwell, where he was to work inornings and evenings for his board and washing, and to remain two winters "if he suited." It must be assumed that he suited. for he remained the two winters. During a portion of the time he was in attend- ance at this academy it became somewhat difficult to get tuition money. This little hinderance was overcome by his ringing the academy bell and building the fires, which being passed to his credit squared the tuition account.

Returning in the spring, he took to the plow with a zest that plainly told that, under the tuition of Prof. Fordyce A. Allen, his mind had been filled with an enthusiasm that would be satisfied with nothing short of a college diploma. By teaching school in the winter, and at the same time pursuing his studies, he succeeded by the autumn of 1857 in preparing himself to enter college. While attending a teachers' institute at that time, he listened to a lecture by the president of Alfred College, Prof. W. C. Kenyon, in which many times he repeated the injunction: "Young man, do your best." So much pleased was he with the lecture of the pushing and sanguine professor, that he at once determined upon Alfred as the place, and that very fall as the time to enter college. If he could obtain the money to pay his board and tuition for the first term, he would take chances for the future. Knowing as he did that, though he would not ask of his father in vain, the amount could not well be spared by him, he at once called upon Col. A. I. Wilcox; $32 was the sum required. Of course, he secured it; Col. Wilcox was never known to refuse

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

'such an appeal. With this sum added to his meager savings, just about enough to pay railroad fare both ways, with grip in hand he undertook, on foot, the journey of fifty-one miles to Olean, then the nearest railroad station. There was a good deal of struggle in his heart when, reaching the top of the hill, he turned to wave good-bye to the dear ones "still standing at the gate," for it was then that a whole chorus of voices persuasive seemed to say: "Fling to the winds thy ambition; there is no rest or peace whither thou goest; return to contentment and home." This was no time to parley. A moment, and hesi- tation had fled, the command, "Young man, do your best, " had come clear and unmistakable; he had waved his adieu, and was trudging on with firm, determined step, out into the conflict where men contend and faint and strug gle and conquer.

By practicing the most rigid economy, working during vacation, at any labor offered, and teaching and clerking for a year, and sometimes borrowing money of his elder brother, he succeeded in reaching his place in the class of sixty-one. Two months more would bring him to his graduation day. It was then that the thunder of guns in Charleston's harbor disturbed the dreams of many a college student. None responded sooner or more freely than the class of sixty-one, of Alfred University. On the day the Tribune brought full details of the surrender of Sumter, twelve students, mostly of his class, gathered in the room of "Brown and Dexter," and there, before separation, pledged each the other, to go and be a soldier for the Union. They started next day for Elmira, and at once enlisted to fill the ranks of the Southern Tier Rifles, a well-drilled and fully officered militia company, which, in due time, was incorporated in the Twenty-third New York Regiment. In this regiment, as private in Company K, he served until December, when he was transferred to the famous Pennsylvania Bucktails, serving the balance of his term of enlistment as a member of Company C. He participated in several hard-fought battles, among them being South Mountain, Antietam, the second battle of Bull Run, Shantilla and Fredericksburg. After his return from the war, he came to Smethport, Penn., and studied law under the in- struction of the Hon. B. D. Hamlin, and while pursuing his legal studies served as register and recorder of Mckean county and at the same time as deputy prothonotary. He was admitted to the bar at Smethport in 1866, and the same fall was elected district attorney. He also filled the office of county superintendent of common schools of Mckean county by appointment of Gov. Geary. In 1869 he moved to Erie county. Penn., and for nine years was a resident of Corry. While there he served three years as city attorney. and two years in the city councils. From 1872 to 1876 Mr. Brown was a member of the legislature, serving on the judiciary committee two sessions. He introduced the first bill to establish fish culture west of the Allegheny Mountains, which became a law. He was appointed aid-de-camp to Gov. Hartranft in 1876, and has been connected with the National Guards of Penn- sylvania ever since, serving upon the staff of the major-general. Coming to Bradford in 1878, he has since lived in that city, and has been an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1882, and served in the XLVIII and XLIX Congresses. He took an active part in opposition to the Morrison horizontal tariff bill, and was the first member from Pennsylvania to oppose the bill for the stoppage of the coinage of silver. When President Cleve- land's message was read to Congress, urging the measure, most of the Penn- sylvania members were in favor of the bill, but before it came to a vote, over one-half agreed with Mr. Brown, and voted in opposition to the demonetiza-

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tion scheme. During his terms in Congress, Mr. Brown procured appropria- tions for the United States court-house and post-office now being constructed in the city of Williamsport, and, besides establishing a very large number of post-offices and mail routes in his district, secured free delivery of mails for Bradford, that being the youngest city ever securing free delivery of mails in the State of Pennsylvania. At the expiration of his Congressional term, Mr. Brown resumed his law practice and soon became a member of the firm of Stone, Brown & Sturgeon. He has always been active in the promotion of public enterprises; he procured the charter for the city of Bradford, organized and obtained the charter for the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzua Railroad and its branches, and has served as a director of the road since its comple- tion. For several years he has been a member of the Board of Trade, and is now its president. Since 1879 he has been interested in the production of oil, owning considerable oil lands in Mckean county. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic; has served several times as post commander, and has been junior vice-commander of the department of Pennsylvania.

March 16, 1862, while at home from the army on recruiting service, Mr. Brown married Miss Ellen Crandall, of Independence, N. Y., daughter of Nel- son Crandall, and they have one daughter, Jessie Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Baptist Church, and have always been active in church and Sunday-school work, he having been superintendent most of the time for twenty-five years in Smethport, Corry and Bradford, He was graduated at Alfred in 1861, after he had entered the army (receiving, with others of his class, a furlough to return for that purpose) and from the same institution, the degree of LL. D., was conferred in 1886.

T. B. BROWN, a prominent merchant of Bradford, is a native of the Key- stone State, born in Armstrong county, May 24, 1852. a son of Matthew and Kate (Foster) Brown, natives, also, of Armstrong county, of Scotch-Irish de- scent, former of whom now lives on a farm in East Brady, Clarion Co., Penn. T. B. is the youngest son in a family of four sons and two daughters. He was given good educational advantages, and in 1872 graduated from the Iron City Commercial College. He then clerked for a time in a store at Park- er's Landing, and the same year became established in the dry goods trade at Petrolia, Penn., where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Bradford and opened his present place of business. He is a man of good business ability, whose gentlemanly demeanor and fair dealing have been the means of building up a large trade, and have placed him on a sound financial basis. He gives employment to eight persons, having one of the largest stores in the town and keeping on hand a complete stock of dry goods, notions, etc., which he sells at the lowest market price. Mr. Brown was married in Erie, Penn., January 1, 1877, to Rose F. Rolph, a daughter of Charles Rolph, and they have one child, Mary. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., both lodge and encampment.

JOHN N. BROWN, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was born in Blandford, Hampden Co., Mass., June 15, 1830, a son of Andrew and Tryphena (Shep- pard) Brown, natives of Massachusetts and Columbia county, N. Y., respect- ively. William Henry Brown, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in Massachusetts, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Andrew Brown and family moved to McKean county, Penn., in 1844, and purchased the farm now owned by John N., in Bradford township; starting in life poor he worked hard and made himself financially well-to-do. In early life he was a Democrat, but afterward joined the Republican party. He and his wife were prominent

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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