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 44

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 44
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 44
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 44
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 44

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JUDSON E. HASKELL, oil producer, Bradford, was born in Arcade, Wyoming Co., N. Y., September 22, 1844, a son of Andrew L. and Cath- erine (Stowe) Haskell, former a native of Vermont, latter of New York, and both of English descent. His father is now a farmer in Erie county, Penn., where he settled in 1852. Judson E. is the eldest in a family of seven chil- dren. His youth was spent on a farm in Erie county, where he attended the common schools, and also Waterford Academy. He graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Buffalo, N. Y., in 1864, and soon after was employed in the freight office of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, at Corry, where he remained a year. From 1865 to 1873 he was employed by the firm of Vandergrift & Foreman, oil dealers; in 1873 he became connected with the Titusville Pipe Line Company, and in 1876 was given charge of the purchas- ing agency of the Standard Oil Company, under J. A. Boswick, in Bradford, where he now has his office; he is also owner of several wells in the Bradford oil fields. Mr. Haskell was married in Erie county, April 1, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Kibbe, daughter of Levi Kibbe, and they have four children: Florence, Kate, Jessie and Fred In politics Mr. Haskell is a Republican, and has served in the select council of Bradford. He is a prominent Free- mason, and is past master of Pleasantville Lodge No. 501; a member of Aaron Chapter No. 207, of Titusville; Occidental Council, of Titusville; Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T., of Bradford, and Caldwell Consistory, of Blooms- burg. He is a noble of the Mystic Shrine, Syria Temple, of Pittsburgh. Since 1887 Mr. Haskell has been president of the Keystone Land Company, which owns 6,000 acres in Dakota, 4,000 acres of which are cultivated in wheat.

BENJAMIN C. HAVEN, farmer, P. O. Custer City. is a son of Luther and Jemima (Colegrove) Haven, natives of Connecticut. In 1819 they came

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to McKean county and located on a tract of land in Norwich township, near Smethport, on Potato creek. They lived there thirty-five years, then moved to Illinois, where they both died. Mr. Haven was prominent in politics and filled various township offices, and he and wife were prominent members of the Baptist Church. Benjamin C. Haven was born in Connecticut, January 2, 1819, and came to MeKean county with his parents in the same year. He received but a limited education, and engaged in manufacturing lumber, shingles, etc. He has lived at Custer City since he was twenty years of age, with the exception of ten years spent in Bradford as foreman in a lumber-mill. In 1846 he married Miss Elnora, daughter of Ebenezer Calkins, of Crawford county, Penn., and two of their children are living: William with his father, and Martin, of Bradford township, who married Ida, daughter of Erastus Turner and has two children, Erastus and Benjamin C. Mr. Haven has four oil wells on his farm. He has always been identified with the Republican party, served as constable and collector of Bradford township when a young man, and has also served as school director and supervisor for five years. He was a member of the Baptist Church of Norwich township. B. C. Haven is one of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, who are all living at present.

BENJAMIN F. HAZELTON, lumberman, Bradford. The subject of this sketch was born at Machias, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., March 26, 1847, being the fourth son of O. J. Hazelton and wife, of that place. When he was six years of age, his parents moved to a farm near Waterford, Erie Co., Penn .. where they resided for about nine years, his father keeping a large stock of horses, cattle and sheep, also being engaged in the lumbering business. Here young Hazelton's time was occupied in caring for the stock, and helping his father and elder brother about the farm and lumbering. At the age of eight years he was given a team to drive, and hauled lumber from the mills to Erie City, a distance of sixteen miles, making a trip daily during the greater part of the summer. Shortly after this the oil excitement on Oil Creek broke out, and he went to what was then known as the Buchanan farm, but later as Rouseville, where he was engaged in helping to drill oil wells by horse power. He was present when the famous Rouse well was struck, and when it was burned. It was here that Mr. Rouse lost his life. Young Hazelton remained on Oil Creek, drilling wells and driving team, hauling oil from the wells to Ti- tusville, until the winter of 1861-62, when, though not fifteen years old, and too young to enlist, he joined the army. He was in the battle of Shiloh, where his regiment went in eleven hundred strong and came out with less than three hundred men. After this battle he was sent as nurse, with hospital boats, to Pittsburgh, Penn., which place he left for his home at Waterford, Penn., and af- terward went back to Oil Creek. The summer of 1863 his parents moved to Oconomowoc, Wis., he himself following the next winter. The succeeding spring he purchased a meat market in the then village of Oconomowoc, giving only his word for the whole purchase price. In this business he succeeded in paying for his shop and fixtures, and accumulated several hundred dollars, but feeling the need of an education, of which, up to this time, he had been de- prived, he decided to go to school, and entered a preparatory school at Hori- con, Wis., where he remained one year, and then entered the preparatory de- partment of Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis. He was now seventeen years old, and having no help was obliged to teach district school in winter and keep up his studies with his class, and during the summer vacation he worked in the harvest field. At the age of nineteen he entered the University proper, but, from overwork, was taken sick with typhoid fever, and his physi -

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cian forbade his going to school again for a year. That spring his mother died, and he remained at home, taking charge of the farm while his father made a trip to his old home in the East. That fall he went to Madison, Wis., taking a business course in the Worthington Commercial College. It was here he made the acquaintance of Miss Clarissa Florence Purple, daughter of As sistant State Treasurer C. H. Purple, and the following year, 1869, she be- came his wife. Although the combined years of the young couple were but thirty-eight, they started out in life to make a success of it, and while they were met by the various disappointments incident to folk of their years, they overcame every difficulty, and can look back to their small beginning with pride. At twenty-four years of age Mr. Hazelton had charge of heavy grading and rock work on the Madison Division of the Chicago and Northwestern Rail- road, and upon the completion of that division he was given a train, but re- signed to accept a position with the lumber firm of J. W. Woodruff & Co., Green Bay. It was here that he first acquired an insight into the business he chose as his own, and in which he has been so successful. He remained with J. W. Woodruff & Co. until the summer of 1878, when he moved to Bradford, accepting a position as foreman at the Bradford Oil Company's mill on the West Branch, and within a few months he and a brother, A. L. Hazelton, had secured the mill property of said firm, and for several years they enjoyed a large local business. About this time Mr. A. L. Hazelton sold his interest to E. E. Wheeler, and Hazelton & Wheeler were kept busy for the next few years sup- plying the demand for rig lumber in the Bradford field. In January, 1884, Mr. Hazelton purchased Mr. Wheeler's interest, and at once set about increasing the business, and acquiring better facilities for handling the stock and placing it in the large markets of the North and East. He purchased large blocks of timber, built another mill on the West Branch, was largely interested in and had charge of the construction and management of the West Branch Railroad, until its purchase by the Erie Railroad Company. Each year his business has increased, and he and his lumber are known in most of the markets of the East. He has lately purchased a large amount of timber lands in Elk county, on the Clarion river, where he has built one of the finest mills in the State, a hotel, shops, etc., for operations in that locality. He has platted out the new village of Glen Hazel, and has built the necessary railroad to connect it with the Erie system, and to convey his logs to the mill, and the product to the market. He has in his employ, at the various seasons of the year, from 150 to 300 men, besides contract work, and, as his headquarters have always been at Bradford, which has been largely benefited, his employes all pur- chasing their supplies of the various merchants in that thriving city. In addition to his mills and yards he has lately purchased the Bradford furniture plant, and has converted it into a planing-mill to surface and dress lumber for the various markets. Although these enterprises take up the greater portion of his time, and all requires his personal attention, Mr. Hazelton has still found time to do much for the improvement of draught horses in this section of the country. Using many teams, and knowing the value of first-class draught stock where heavy loads are to be moved, together with a natural love for fine horses, he was led to make purchases of this class of horses both in this coun- try and in Scotland. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Mr. Joseph Gar- field, of Jamestown, N. Y., for the purpose of importing and breeding stock, and already the stock farm of Garfield & Hazelton is favorably known to all lovers of choice high-bred horses. There, and at Mr. Hazelton's barns in Bradford, may be seen prize winners in the various classes, from the 200- pound Shetland pony to the Clydesdale of a ton weight, one of which, Sir

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Herbert, has just taken first premium at the New York State Fair. So much for the business energy displayed by Mr. Hazelton. Socially, he is a gentle- man of retiring manners, and, while most of his hours of recreation are en- joyed with his family, he is always willing, by his presence or means, to con- tribute to the enjoyment of others. He and his wife being both members of the Bradford Methodist Church and Sabbath-school, of the latter of which he is superintendent, not a little of their time is devoted to various interests con- nected with these organizations. Their family circle includes a son, Frank, aged seventeen, now in his last year in the high school, another son, Courtney, aged twelve, a little daughter, Bessie, aged eight, and Bennie F., an infant. Lumbermen being noted for large-heartedness and an appreciation of good things, Mr. Hazelton is no exception to the rule. He is a good liver, a liberal giver, and is well liked by those having business or social intercourse with him. He has always voted the Republican ticket, believes in protection, fair profits, good wages, and better advantages to the wage workers. Were we asked to point an example of what energy, patience self-denial, honesty and strict attention to business could accomplish, we would not have to look beyond the subject of this sketch, who, hardly at the prime of life, has already accumu- lated a very handsome property in MeKean and Elk counties. While not one of the old settlers of the county, he has nevertheless taken a deep interest in its welfare, and has done what he could to develop some of its natural resources.

A. N. HEARD, insurance agent, Bradford, was born in Mercer county, Penn., November 30, 1834, a son of William and Anna Heard. When he was fourteen years old he worked for a short time in a nail factory, and then began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he served an appren- ticeship. He soon after went West, where he worked on a railroad a year and a half, and then returned to Mercer county. Five years later he removed to Petroleum Centre, where for a year and a half he was engaged in the grocery trade, which he sold out, and then built a hotel at Rouseville, which was after- ward burned. His next move was to Turkey City, where he followed mercan- tile trade until again burned out, when he came to Mckean county and lived in Duke Centre five years, becoming while there a solicitor for a fire insurance company. In 1886 he removed to Bradford, where he continues the insurance business, representing the Providence Fund of New York, and the manufact- urers of Geneva, N. Y. Mr. Heard takes an active interest in the order of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and has spent considerable time in organizing lodges. He has also passed all the chairs in the I. O. O. F. and Royal Tem- plars of Temperance. Mr. Heard was a soldier in the defense of his country, during the war of the Rebellion, as a member of Company K, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and at the time of his discharge was second sergeant of his company. He is now a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is sergeant-major of his Post. Mr. Heard was married in 1861 to Adelaide L., daughter of Samuel and Sarah Newkirk, and they have had three children, two of whom are living: C. M. and Lillian: a daughter, Edna, died at the age of seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Heard and their daughter are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

JACOB HECKEL, proprietor of the meat market, 62 Corydon street, Bradford, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, November 4. 1857, a son of Jacob and Barbara Heckel, both natives of Germany. He is the youngest of six children, four sons and two daughters, All the brothers came to America, where they now reside, but their two sisters still remain in Germany. Our subject was reared in his native country, and there served an apprenticeship to

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a butcher. In 1873 he came to America and worked at his trade in Chicago, Ill., until 1875, when he removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained until 1877. Learning of the new oil field he moved to Bradford, then a hamlet but now a thriving city, known all over the world, where he embarked in bus- iness for himself. In 1881 he made a flying visit to his native country. After returning to Bradford he was married, in 1881, in Buffalo, N. Y., to Miss Mary Mollath, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Mollath, and born in Wies- baden, Germany. . In 1883 he sold his business here and started west "to grow up with the country," but, not being contented there, returned in a short time and embarked in the same business at his present location, where he is now carrying on his business successfully. He has three children: Gustav, Mary and Gretchen. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees of the World, of the order of the Equitable League of America, of the order of the Golden Chain, and is also an active member of the Bradford Fire Department.

S. D. HEFFNER, coroner of Mckean county. Bradford, was born in Hunt- ingdon county. Penn., December 16, 1843, a son of Benjamin and Eliza (Leich- enteller) Heffner, natives of Pennsylvania, of English and German descent, respectively. He was reared on a farm and was given good educational advan- tages. He learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked until Angust 30. 1861, when he enlisted in Company D. Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and participated in twenty-two battles, among which were Gettysburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville and the Wilderness. His regiment went into the battle of Gettysburg after marching thirty-six miles without stopping for rest, coming in on the relief. He was wounded at Mine Run. After the war he re- turned to his native county and learned the miller's trade, working at it until 1867, when he took charge of the Franklin Hotel, which he carried on two years, and since 1869 he has been in the oil business. In 1879 he removed to Parker's Landing, and later to Bradford. In politics Mr. Heffner is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being senior vice- commander of his post, No. 141, of the Union Veteran Legion, of which he was commander, and of the Knights of Pythias. He was married in McConnells- town, Huntingdon Co., Penn., in the spring of 1868 to Mary J., danghter of Henry Peightel. and they have two children: Daisy May and Henry Clay. Mrs. Heffner is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM HELENBRECHT, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was born in Buf- falo, N. Y., May 4, 1844. His parents were natives of Germany, his father serv- ing twelve years in the French army and two years in the Mexican war, draw- ing a pension. In 1873 William married Miss Julia M. Morris, of Bradford township, and they have seven children: Ella, Roy, Ray, Ivy. Ralph, Panline and Ruth.

J. W. HICKOK, liveryman, and dealer in horses, buggies and carriages, Bradford, was born in Sullivan county, N. Y., November 2, 1856, a son of David and Mary J. (Russell) Hickok, now of Bradford, Penn., but natives of New York, and of Irish and English descent, respectively. He remained in his native county until 1876, when he came to Bradford and became established in the livery business, which he has since continued. He has a large, well-stocked stable, keeping on hand from six to twenty horses and a fine line of buggies and carriages. He also buys and sells horses and carriages, having a good trade in this branch of his business. Mr. Hickok was married in Sullivan county, N. Y., in 1879, to Miss Maggie Hawkins, a native of that county, daughter of James Hawkins. They have two children: Lena Belle and Mag- gie. Mr. Hickok is a Republican, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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LEROY L. HIGGINS, hotel proprietor, Bradford, was born in Beaver county, Penn., June 21, 1849, a son of Richard L. and Elizabeth J. (Ham- mond) Higgins, former a native of the Eastern States, and latter of Pennsyl- vania. LeRoy L. was given a business education, attending Duff's College, at Pittsburgh, where he graduated in 1869. His father being a merchant, his spare time had from a boy been spent in the store, and he acquired a practical knowledge of business. After leaving school, he obtained a situation as book- keeper, which he retained until 1872, when he removed to Oil City and worked in the oil fields. The same year he changed his location to Rouseville, where he carried on a hotel until 1879, and then removed to Bradford, where he was again employed as book-keeper and clerk until 1882, in which year he estab- lished the Higgins Hotel. This structure was destroyed by fire November 11, 1889, but Mr. Higgins immediately set to work to erect a new building, to be opened to the public March 1, 1890. Mr. Higgins was married in Ohio, in 1871, to Miss Laura Carrollton, a native of Vermont. She died in 1886. leaving one child, Richard L. In politics Mr. Higgins is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Red Men, also of the A. O. U. W. and the Equitable League of America.

F. P. HOLLEY, proprietor of the Riddell House, Bradford, was born in Monticello, Sullivan Co., N. Y., June 24, 1855, a son of John C. and Phoebe (Linderman) Holley, natives of New York, of English descent. His father, who was a hotel keeper in early life, and later a merchant, died in 1868. F. P. Holley was reared in his native State, and when a boy clerked in his father's store. In 1879 he went to Port Jervis, N. Y., where for five years he was in general mercantile business. In 1884 he sold out and came to Pennsylvania. where he became proprietor of the Hyde House, at Ridgway, Elk county, but in 1885 removed to Bradford, and, in company with W. An- derson, took charge of the well known Riddell House. In 1887 he bought Mr. Anderson's interest, and has since conducted the hotel alone. The Rid- dell House is first-class in every respect, fitted with all modern conveniences, and under the able management of Mr. Holley is well patronized, being favor. ably known by the traveling public. Mr. Holley was married in June, 1877. at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Ada Geraghty, daughter of Frank Geraghty, and they have two children: George M. and Earl. In politics Mr. Holley is a Democrat.

J. F. HUBBARD, proprietor of a meat market, Bradford, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., August 15, 1847, a son of Nehemiah and Harriet Hubbard, now dead. After reaching maturity he engaged in farming in his native county until 1873, when he began butchering, which he continued until 1876, when he came to Bradford, and, with the exception of about two years and a half, when he was engaged in the manufacture and sale of oil well pack- ers, has carried on a meat market in which he has been successful. He is also one of the largest stockholders in the Bradford Paint Company, and was treas- urer of its first organization. He has charge of the Ohio territory, and has appointed his son a salesman. This enterprise promises to be successful. Mr. Hubbard and wife are members of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and of the Equitable Aid Union. Mr. Hubbard is also a member of the Knights of Honor, and the Southern Tier Masonic Relief Association. He was married in Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1868, to Lodeska A. Eggleston, daughter of Rolf and Patty Eggleston, and born in 1845 in Chautauqua county, N. Y. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Society, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and the Woman's Relief Corps, No. 13, auxiliary to the G. A. R., and of the last named she is now the president. They are

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the parents of three children: Levant, Lavern and Sadie Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

CAPTAIN J. C. HUGHES, grocer, Bradford, was born in Northumber- land county, Penn., December 2, 1831, a son of Morgan and Martha (Corey) Hughes, of Welsh and English descent, respectively, former of whom died in 1861. Mr. Hughes began business for himself at Scio, Allegany Co., N. Y., as a druggist, continuing there until 1877, when he removed to Bradford, and became established in the grocery business. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in 1862, in the Sixty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned second lieutenant of his company. After the battle of Cold Harbor, he was promoted to first lieutenant and later to captain. He was slightly wounded once, but did not leave the battle-field until the enemy was defeated. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Republican. Capt. Hughes was married in 1857 to Miss Maria Louden, daughter of James and Ordella (Jacobs) Louden, natives of New York, of English ancestry, and they have one son, J. C., Jr.

MAYNARD INGALSBY, farmer, P. O. Custer City, was born in Steu- ben county, N. Y., in 1827, a son of John and Amanda (Chapin) Ingalsby. His father was born at Black River, New York State, his mother in Massa- chusetts. In 1843 they moved to McKean county, Penn., and located on the present farm of Maynard Ingalsby, in Bradford township, where they lived and died. The father took an active part in politics, and filled various town- ship offices. He was a deacon in the Bradford Congregational Church for many years, and died April 18, 1865; his widow died in 1866.

Maynard Ingalsby moved from Steuben county, N. Y., to Warren county, Penn., when about two years of age, and since coming to MeKean county has lived on his present farm. In 1854 he married Miss Melinda, daughter of Edward Freeman, of Bradford township, and they have one child, Maynard Ingalsby, Jr., who is living with his father and studying for the ministry. He married Miss Minnie Wright, of Potter county, Penn. Mr. Ingalsby, Sr .. is Republican in politics, with Prohibition proclivities. He has filled the office of assessor, auditor, etc. He is one of the trustees and is superintendent of the Sunday-school in the DeGolier United Brethren Church. In 1861 he en- listed in Battery H, Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and served until the close of the war; is now a member of Bradford Post, No. 141, G. A. R.

I. G. JACKSON, oil producer, Bradford, was born in the State of Wiscon- sin, February, 27, 1844, a son of George and Mary (Clark) Jackson, who were natives of Utica, N. Y. His father, who was a commission merchant, became a pioneer of Wisconsin, and afterward moved to Coldwater, Mich., which city he took a prominent part in building up. He was twice married, and had three children by his first wife: S. D. Jackson, superintendent of the Security Trust Company of New York City; L. A. Jackson, cashier of the Coldwater National Bank, and I. G. Jackson, our subject, who received a high-school ed- ucation at Coldwater, Mich., and for a number of years held a position in the banks of that city. In 1866 he moved to Titusville, Penn., where he was assistant cashier in the First National Bank for some years; later, he held the same position in the City Savings Bank, and after that he was cashier of the Citizen's Bank for some years. In 1876 he came to Bradford, where he has since been engaged in oil producing. He has been a member of the Bradford Oil Exchange for six years. In 1867 he married at Highland, on the Hudson river, Miss Mary E., daughter of Dr. De Witt and Phoebe Hosbrook, of Ulster county, N. Y., and of French Huguenot descent. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have

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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