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 51

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 51
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 51
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 51
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 51

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

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

ereign Sanctuary of U. S. Royal Masonic Rite. Besides these he is president of the board of school control, and secretary of the Bradford Driving Park and Fair Association. He was married April 19, 1865, to Helen A. Gilson, and they have three children: Genevieve, Clarence E. and Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestryman.

P. L. WEBSTER, surveyor, Bradford, was born in Lebanon, N. H., Au- gust 6, 1830, a son of Philip H. and Lucy J. (Dix) Webster. His father was a nephew of Daniel Webster, and his mother was a sister of Gen. John A. Dix, who was famous for having said " Whoever attempts to tear down the Ameri- can flag, shoot him on the spot." His father died in October, 1830, leaving two sons, Charles D. and P. L., and in 1837 his mother married Col. L. C. Little. The Colonel was employed as their agent by the United States Land Company, who owned 140,000 acres of land, considerable of it lying in Me- Kean county, and soon after his marriage started for Pennsylvania, where he established headquarters at Bradford, which town was called Littleton until about 1859. This country at that time was a wilderness, and the trip from New Hampshire was made with a team. Col. Little was a good father to his stepsons, and the subject of this sketch was given good educational advantages, taking an academic course at Springville, N. Y. The Colonel died in 1854, and his wife in 1858. After his stepfather's death, Mr. Webster was em- ployed by the land company, and spent some time settling up the business. He learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for a time. For twenty-five years he was engaged in the undertaking business, and has few superiors as a funeral director. In all his enterprises Mr. Webster has met with success. and is now one of the leading business men of Bradford. He has a fine orange grove in Florida, where with his family he spends his winters. He was mar- ried in 1871 to Mrs. Ellen (Johnson) Morrison, and they have one son, Frank Morrison. Mr. Webster is a Republican in politics, and has held most of the offices in the city of Bradford, among others those of treasurer and burgess. In 1862 he was appointed military storekeeper at Fortress Monroe, and had charge of twenty assistants, serving in that position until 1865. His brother, Charles D. Webster, was captain of Company E, Fifty-eighth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving throughout the war, and now lives at Tarpon Springs, Fla. Mr. and Mrs. Webster are among the prominent citizens of Bradford, both in social and religious circles, Mrs. Webster being a member of the Baptist Church.

W. L. WELLS, ticket agent for the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad at Bradford, was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., January 7, 1855, a son of W. R. and Ann (Lippencott) Wells, former of whom died in 1880. W. L. Wells, who is the only surviving member of his father's family, when a boy began learning telegraphy, and in 1872 he entered the employ of the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company at Dunkirk, N. Y., remaining with them four years, and since 1877 has been in the employ of the Erie Railroad Company. with the exception of one year, during which he was a clerk in the Bradford post-office. He was married in Summit, N. J., in 1882, to Nina Effie, daugh- ter of Rev. J. W. Loane, but she died March 30, 1884. Their only child. William Snow, died February 29, 1884. In December, 1885, Mr. Wells mar- ried Frankie Holt, daughter of J. T. Holt, and to this union have been born one girl and one boy. Coral Vane and Hugh Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Prohibitionist.

C. B. WHITEHEAD, postmaster, Bradford, was born in Lawrenceville, Tioga Co., Penn., January 8, 1840, a son of Isaac and Sarah (Lugg) White-

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

head. former a native of Massachusetts, of Swedish ancestry, and latter a native of England. His father moved to Tioga county in 1830, and made that his home until his death, in 1848. He was twice married, and had a family of three children, C. B. being a son by his second marriage. C. B. Whitehead was reared in his native county, where he attended the common schools, and afterward became a student at the high school at Spring Mills, N. Y. In 1860 he went to Titusville, where he was employed by Brewer, Watson & Co., oil producers, two years, and then for four years was in the employ of Fisher Brothers at Oil City. He then returned to Tioga county, and with his unele, A. W. Lugg, was engaged in mercantile business at Nelson, four years. He sold his interest in 1870, and went to Blossburg, Penn., where he carried on a hotel four years; but not liking that business he opened a drug store in Wells- boro, Penn., which he conducted until 1878, when he removed to Bradford, and has since been engaged mainly in oil producing. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served three terms as a member of the select council, a part of the time as chairman of the board. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. In 1875 he married Miss Mary Ferris, daughter of H. W. Ferris, and they have two children: Sarah and Waldo M.

R. E. WHITELEY, manager of the Star Publishing Company, Bradford, was born May 5, 1838, at Hyde Park, Dutchess Co., N. Y., whither his parents (who came to the United States in 1823) had removed from Philadel- phia about 1837. Mr. Whiteley was educated in the last-named city, to which the family returned in 1843, and in 1859, when twenty-one years of age, he moved to the lumber woods of Maine, where he followed lumbering until Sep- tember 28, 1861, at which date he enlisted in the First Maine Cavalry. During Banks' retreat from the Shenandoah Valley he was captured at Middletown, Va., and imprisoned at Lynchburg and Belle Isle from May 24 to October, 1862, when he was paroled. In 'December of same year, being exchanged, he rejoined his old corps at Frederick, Md., and served with it until mustered out in November, 1864. During the three years following his discharge from the army he was in the employ of the C. & A. R. R., and then embarked in busi- ness in Jersey City. Mr. Whiteley was married in 1866 to Allie E., daughter of Joshua King, of Smethport, and nine years thereafter moved with his fam- ily to Port Allegany, McKean county, taking up his residence in 1876 at Brad- ford. Later Mr. Whiteley became paymaster during the construction of the Tide Water Pipe Company's line, and in 1880 he was engaged in a similar position during the construction of the Buffalo Company's pipe line. From 1881 to 1885 we find him filling the position of deputy sheriff of MeKean county under Col. A. I. Wilcox, and in June, 1885, he assisted in organizing the Star Publishing Company, in Bradford, of which he is manager.

WHITNEY & WHEELER, Bradford. Among the representative oil pro- ducers in the city of Bradford mention should here be made of the well-known firm of Whitney & Wheeler. This firm is composed of Charles S. Whitney and Samuel A. Wheeler, both of whom have been identified with the oil- producing interest at Bradford from its infancy, and are among the largest producers at the present time. Mr. Whitney, who has been in the oil country since the 'sixties," at present resides at Belmont, N. Y. Mr. Wheeler came to the oil country in 1871; he was formerly a wholesale dealer in dry goods in Toledo, Ohio, and his present residence is in Buffalo, N. Y.

C. A. WILBUR, merchant, Custer City, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., December 6, 1850, a son of Simeon and Christina (Griffith) Wilbur, natives of Otsego and Chautauqua counties, N. Y., respectively. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was one of the early settlers of Chautauqua

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

county ; he was a supporter of the Republican party, and filled various town- ship offices; was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Chautauqua county; his widow is still living on the homestead. C. A. Wilbur and his brother and partner in business, were the only children born to their parents. They were reared on the homestead farm, and received a com- mon-school education. C. A. Wilbur engaged in mercantile business in Chau- tauqua county for a number of years, and in 1876 came to MeKean county, es- tablishing a general store at DeGolier. In 1883 Mr. Wilbur moved to Custer City, where he has since conducted a general store -- oil well supplies, etc. In 1871 Mr. Wilbur married Miss A. Damon, of Chantangna county, N. Y., who died in 1873, leaving one child, Florence E. He was again married, on this occasion, in 1883, to Miss Adell Carrier, daughter of Timothy Carrier of Cat- taraugus county, N. Y., and to them have been born two children: Ralph and an infant unnamed. Mr. Wilbur is a supporter of the Republican party.

FRANK S. WILBUR, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., July 20, 1862. In 1878 he came to McKean county, where he engaged in mercantile business with his brother C. A. This partnership still exists, under the firm name of Wilbur Bros. They are also vil producers, owning at the present time fifteen wells. In 1880 Mr. Wilbur married Miss Jessie, daughter of John Cobb, of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and they have two children: Daisy and Lillian. Our subject is a member of Columbia League of Custer City, E. A. U., and is an active supporter of the Republican party.

COL. A. I. WILCOX, vice-president of the Bradford, Bordell & Kinzna Railroad, Bradford, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., March 22, 1819, the only son of William P. and Betsey (Paine) Wilcox, who were natives of the New England States, of Irish and English descent. His father was a mer- chant in Connecticut when a young man, and thence moved to Nunda, N. Y., where he lived until 1832, when he came to Mckean county, Penn., and settled in Williamsville, but removed to Port Allegany, where he died. He was a prominent Democrat, was speaker of the State senate during the administration of Gov. Porter, and for many years took an active part in State politics. The subject of this biographical record was reared under Democratic doctrine, and adhered to the faith of his father until the break- ing out of the war of the Rebellion, when he became a strong Union man, and has since voted the Republican ticket. He was given good educational advantages, first attending the common schools, and then the academy at Lima. N. Y. After reaching his majority, he embarked in the lumber trade, in which he was very successful until the flood of 1861, when, in one night, $100,000 worth of his lumber was swept away. He had built a neat and substantial residence at Wilcox (a place which had its origin in his lumber interests, and was named in his honor), at that time the best private resi- dence in the county. After his loss by the flood, Mr. Wilcox began con- tracting and building railroads, becoming superintendent of the construction of a large part of these roads. He next embarked in the oil interests, as a producer, and he has carried on an extensive business in this line. Col. Wilcox has experienced many ups and downs in his business career, having seen fortunes vanish in a few hours, then made fortunate investments, and thereby retrieved his losses. He has not been soured by misfortune, but through all the varied vicissitudes of life, his manliness and integrity have been manifest. He has taken an active interest in the prosperity of Brad- ford, and it was largely through his influence that the Board of Trade, of which he is now general manager, succeeded in establishing many new indus- tries in Bradford. He earned his title of colonel by serving on the staff of Gov.

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William F. Packer, and Gov. John W. Geary. In 1847 he represented Warren, Elk and Mckean counties in the legislature as a Democrat, and was re-elected, serving two terms; and in 1871 he represented Jefferson, Elk and Cameron counties as a Republican, although at that time those counties were strongly Democratic. In 1881 he was elected and served one term as sheriff of Mckean county. He was married in June, 1845, to Miss Louisa Horton, daughter of Judge Isaac Horton, of Elk county, Penn. She died in 1880. Their only child, Ida, is the wife of Ernest Koester, an attorney of Mckean county.

D. J. WILDER, proprietor of the Pierce House, Bradford, was born in Franklin county, Mass., September 18, 1837, a son of Josephus and Louisa (Hastings) Wilder. In 1851 his parents moved to South Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, bis commander being James A. Garfield. Prior to this enlistment he had served three months in the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. While in the service he had seven holes shot in his clothes, and one bullet-hole in his hat, but was never seriously wounded. After the war he returned to Ohio, and for seven years was engaged in the flour and feed business, and then for six years was in the ice business at Cleveland. Ohio. In 1878 he came to Bradford, and in 1888 embarked in his present business. He was married, in Ohio, to Miss Lilian Yeager. They have no children. Mr. Wilder is a Republican in poli- tics, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

E. S. WILLIAMSON, proprietor of Williamson's restaurant, Bradford, was born in Buffalo, N. Y .. March 12. 1847. a son of Ely and Elizabeth (Riding) Williamson, natives of England. His father was a mechanical en- gineer, and established the Buffalo Steam Engine Works in Buffalo, N. Y .. known now as Tiff's Engine Works. He still lives in Buffalo, and is now eighty-one years old. E. S. Williamson was given a good business education. graduating from Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Buffalo. In 1864 he removed to the oil regions and worked in the oil fields, buying an interest in some wells. He then became manager of the hardware store of D. C. Backus, and in 1877 established three stores for Kerr, Geider & Co., in Brad- ford, and superintended their business till 1879, when he again turned his attention to the oil industry. In 1882 he went to Richburg, Allegany Co., N. Y., and established the Central Machine Shop which afterward burned. and in 1883 he returned to Bradford and opened the restaurant which he is still conducting. He was married in 1878 in Buffalo, N. Y., to Miss Lottie A. Keeler, and they have two children: Pearl and Hazel. Tru- man Keeler, father of Lottie A .. is now deceased; Nancy A. (Hoard) Keeler, her mother, still survives. Mrs. Williamson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Williamson is a Master Mason, and in politics is a Democrat.

THOMAS WILSON, farmer, P. O. Bradford, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., July 5, 1825, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Rogers) Wilson, former a native of Ireland, latter of Pennsylvania. The father was a stone-mason by trade, and moved with his family to Ohio in 1828, where he remained until his death. Thomas Wilson received an ordinary education, and came to MeKean county in 1845, and purchased his present farm, where he has since resided. In 1854 he married Miss Amanda J., daughter of Dyer Cranmer, who moved from Steuben county, N. Y., to Mckean county in 1844. Five children were born to this union, two of whom are living: John E. (farmer of Bradford town- ship, married to Miss Lina Black, and has three children: Fred E., Alice and an infant), Rose B. (wife of Hill Buroughs, of Bradford township, also has three

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

children: Lanra, Harry and Nellie). Mr. Wilson has always been identified with the Republican party.

F. J. YOUNGS, oil producer and dealer in boots and shoes, Bradford, was born in Normal, N. Y., June 8, 1859, a son of Charles and Caroline (Tator) Youngs, natives of New York, and of English descent, who moved to Brad- ford, Penn .. in 1860, and are still residents of the place. They have three children: James, F. J. and Charles. F. J. Youngs has spent the most of his life in Bradford, and since 1876 has been engaged in the production of petro- leum, owning several good wells. In ISSS he embarked in the boot and shoe business, and now carries an extensive and well-assorted stock. He is a young man of good business ability, and is one of the prosperous and active men of Bradford. He is a prominent Freemason, and has taken the thirty-second degree in that fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOHN P. ZANE, oil producer, Bradford, was born in Bridgeport, N. J .. February 15, 1826. He was the only child born to James and Catherine (Bender) Zane, natives of New Jersey, former of Danish and latter of German descent. His ancestors were among the poineers of New Jersey who figured in the Revolutionary war. They came to America from the Old World in search of a country where liberty prevailed, and where men's rights were not due to birth, but where every one succeeded according to his own merits. The mother of the subject of these lines dying when he was eighteen months old, his father married again, but died in 1834. When John P. was but eight years old he went to live with a farmer, and when fourteen went to Camden. where he was bound to a saddler and harness maker, understanding that he was to have three-months' schooling. This contract was not kept, as Mr. Zane never attended school a week in his life. Having an innate desire for knowl- edge, however, his spare moments were given to study, and he is now, purely by his own efforts, one of the best-informed men in the county. He has been a frequent contributor to the papers, writing extensively on political subjects, and as his position has given him the opportunity of knowing the needs of business men, his articles are read by many, and have been the means of doing much toward helping men in the ordinary walks of life. He was a personal friend of President Lincoln, and was a delegate to the convention that nomi- nated him for the presidency. Mr. Zane was engaged learning his trade until eighteen years of age, when he concluded to start in life for himself. He went to Philadelphia, and served a further apprenticeship of two years at the harness maker's trade; in 1846 he proceeded to New Orleans, where he worked as a journeyman for a time, and then embarked in business for himself. In 1851 he sold out and went via the isthmus to California, where he engaged in various speculations and business enterprises, and became the owner of large landed interests. He was an active member of the vigilance committee, and prominent in political circles. In 1861 he was appointed, by President Lincoln, United States appraiser for the port of San Francisco, and was con- firmed by the senate July 29, 1861. He held that office until 1863 when he concluded to resign, on account of business speculations, and was permitted to name his own successor. Mr. Zane built a street railroad in San Francisco, but before doing so was obliged to get a bill through the legislature, granting the charter. The road cost $400.000 ; Mr. Zane put in $100,000 cash and borrowed $47.000 to bear interest at 2 per cent a month, compounded monthly. He found the interest growing so rapidly that he concluded to go to New York and borrow the money to pay the indebtedness. He, however, found that he would have to borrow nearly three times that amount as it was to be paid in gold, and owing to the expansion of currency during the war, gold was at a

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high premium. Hearing of the oil excitement at Titusville, he concluded to try and make the money instead of borrowing it. He accordingly went to the oil fields, where he took in the situation and bought and leased land. He soon after sold one half of his land for $200,000 to a Hartford company, but six days before the papers were made out panic came and the price of oil went down, and the company backed ont. Mr. Zane lost his all, and was obliged again to commence at the foot of the ladder. He remained in the oil fields, and September 10, 1877, came to Bradford, bought land and took leases. Since coming to Bradford he has been successful, and is now the owner of a large number of producing oil wells. He has a pleasant home on Congress street, and is counted among the leading business men of Bradford. He was married in San Francisco, November 9, 1854, to Miss Jane Herrington, daughter of John Herrington, and they have one child, Anna Jane, who is now the wife of J. W. Vantine, and has five children.

JOHN R. ZOOK, dealer in wall paper, etc., Bradford, is a native of the State of New York. He was born in Williamsville, Erie county, in 1831, the son of David and Anna Zook, natives of Lancaster, Penn. Joseph Zook, the youngest of the family of seven sons aud two daughters, was born in Canada in 1833. John R. Zook married Jennie A. Youngs, of Williamsville, Erie Co., N. Y., daughter of Hon. Jasper B. Youngs, who was elected member of assembly of the State of New York in 1854. was also elected several terms as supervisor of the town of Amherst, and was appointed one of the commis- sioners for the building of the city and county buildings, erected in Buffalo, N. Y., and was one of the founders of the Republican party. He died in 1886, at the age of seventy-one years. John R. Zook moved, in 1858, to Kansas, was appointed station agent for the Pike's Peak Express Company, and settled seventy-five miles from Denver City, then a small town. The family, which then consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Zook and one son. moved back to Buffalo in 1861, and in company with his brother, Joseph, opened a store on Commercial street, where they carried on business until 1877, when they removed to Bradford, Penn., and began a business, dealing principally in wall paper, at No. 68 Main street, where they may still be found. The firm name is Zook & Co. In politics Mr. Zook is a Republican; he is a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the directors of the new Commercial National Bank of Bradford; his family consists of Jasper F., Florence E., Clara B., Minnie V. and Gertrude G.

CHAPTER XXIII.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-KEATING TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF SMETHPORT.

N. W. ABBEY, merchant, Smethport, son of Timothy and Betsy (Jaycox) Abbey, was born at New Berlin, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1819, and with his parents removed to Norwich township, Mckean county, where his father be- came a farmer. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, of whom three are deceased. N. W., the second son, received a common-school education, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1886,

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when he started a grocery, flour and feed store in Smethport. He married Emily P. Patterson in 1850, and they have two sons: J. B. and Pitt E. Mr. Abbey is an active Republican, and was elected county commissioner in 1881, serving a term of three years.

M. N. ALLEN, justice of the peace and insurance agent, East Smeth- port, was born in Steuben county, N. Y. , January 21. 1854, a son of Alfred and Jane (Davis) Allen, natives of New York State. He received a practical business education in Watkins, N. Y., and when only thirteen years of age began working in a foundry and machine shop, where he remained five years; then engaged with Matteson Brothers, of Watkins, N. Y., to learn the mill- wright trade; he worked there for six years, when he came to East Smethport with the same firm for the purpose of building the extract works. Since that time he has rebuilt the works throughout, and has also been engaged in con- structing bridges, etc. He married July 3, 1878, Miss Emma. daughter of William S. and Belinda (Hall) Oviatt. William S. Oviatt published the first newspaper in this section of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of four children, named as follows: Barber D., Bessie O., Rena R. and Frank, all at home. Mr. Allen worked at his trade until 1884, when he was elected justice of the peace at East Smethport, since which time he has been en- gaged in the duties of his office and in the insurance business. Mr. Allen has erected a handsome residence in East Smethport, and is one of the wide- awake men of the town.

JAMES F. ANGLUN, county commissioner, Smethport, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1846, and with his parents, Thomas and Bridget Anglun, came to Steuben county, N. Y., in 1849, where he remained until 1860, when he removed to Scranton, Penn. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He was twice wounded, first at the battle of Gettysburg, and again at Five Forks. He was promoted to first lieutenant. was discharged at the close of the war, and removed to Bradford, Penn., where he was engaged in hotel keeping and the oil-producing business, and was for eight years member of the council and of the school board. There he remained until July, 1888, when he came to Smethport, having been elected as one of the county commissioners in 1887. He married May 16, 1867, Catherine . Cannavan, and they had ten children, six of whom are still living: John F., aged twenty years; Nellie, fifteen years; Thomas C., thirteen years; Mary, nine years; Charles, six years, and William, three years. Mr. Anglun is a member of the Union Veteran Legion and of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

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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