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 52

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 52
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 52
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 52
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 52

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A. B. ARMSTRONG, druggist, Smethport, is a son of Alexander and Julia Armstrong, and was born at Cuba, Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1838. His parents were originally from Seneca county, N. Y., but removed to Allegany county about 1830, being among the pioneers of that county. They were married at Nunda, Living. ston Co., N. Y. Alexander Armstrong was a cabinet maker by trade, and for many years resided at Cuba, N. Y .; he was also a contractor, engaged npon the con- struction of the Erie Canal, but moved to Rushford, Allegany county, in 1849, and went west in 1860, locating in Iowa. They reared a family of eight children, of whom but three are living: A. B., M. L. (a merchant in Smeth- port) and Alice (now Mrs. J. L. Anderson, of Kansas). A. B. Armstrong completed his education at Rushford Academy, Allegany Co., N. Y., and in 1854 became an employe of Joseph Hyde, of Ridgway, Penn., with whom he remained about a year; then was clerk in a store and hotel for James M. Miller at Smethport, and later with Ford & Smith, merchants. In 1857 he became associated with Gideon Irons in the purchase of the grocery store of H. F.

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Williams, and the general store of Ford & Smith, the firm name being Irons & Armstrong. He continued in business for about two years, when he sold his interest to his partner and began the study of law with John C. Backus, of Smethport, being admitted to the bar in 1861. He, however, never became a practitioner, and that year found him in the grocery trade as the senior member of the firm of A. B. Armstrong & Co. In this he was engaged until 1866. In that year he, with H. L. McCoy, purchased the drug store of Seems & Hogarth, corner of Main and State streets-it being the only drug store in the county at that date. In 1869 he was elected a member of the legislature, representing the counties of Clinton, Cameron and Mckean, which necessitated a dissolution of partnership, and since his return to private life he has been in business alone. In 1860 Mr. Armstrong married Carrie, daughter of David R. Bennett, and they have one child, Ethel. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Mckean Lodge, No. 334, F. & A. M., and of the Chapter at Olean. Politically he is a Demo- crat. Mr. Armstrong is practically a self-made man. and in the evening of his years enjoys the fruits of a successful business career, having the esteem and confidence of the community generally. Domestic in his tastes, he has never, with but one exception, accepted positions of a political nature which tended to separate him from the home circle, although he served as justice of the peace for ten years, and was a member of the borough council many terms; an active member in the Rose Hill Cemetery Association, holding the position of treas urer for the last twenty years; was also among the first to organize the Smeth- port Water Company-securing to Smethport one of the best systems in the State-being the treasurer and manager and director from its first meeting; he was also among the first citizens of Smethport to secure and make successful the Smethport Gas Company, which supplies the borough with fuel-being its treasurer and managing director; also any enterprise with which Smethport was to be benefited found in Mr. Armstrong a champion and an earnest sup- porter. He is contented with his lot, and is the owner of the oldest drug store in Mckean county.

M. L. ARMSTRONG, jeweler, express agent and telegraph operator, Smethport, son of Alexander Armstrong, was born in Cuba, N. Y., in 1845. In early years he attended school at Cuba, and when thirteen years old his parents removed to Denmark, Iowa, where he completed his studies, remaining there until he was nineteen years of age. In 1865 he came to Smethport and engaged in the jewelry trade, which he still continues. He is also agent for the American Express Company and has charge of the telegraph office; he was also postmaster for many years. Mr. Armstrong married Alice, daughter of John R. Chadwick, but she did not long survive her marriage, dy- ing in November, 1877, and he afterward married Miss Nettie Ripley, daughter of William Ripley. She died in November, 1887, leaving two children-one son and one daughter. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Select Knights of the A. O. U. W. He has been burgess of the borough, and for the past three years has been a member of the council and trustee of the borough.

L. J. BACKER, one of the proprietors of the Smethport Extract Works, East Smethport, son of Peter and Lovisa Backer, was born in Tioga county, Penn., in 1836. where he was reared and educated and began his business career. For several years he was in the employ of a large hemlock extract company, and as their traveling agent and salesman visited nearly all the territories of the United States, also Europe. While in their employ he contemplated the establishing of a company, and the erection of works for the manufacture of an extract for tanner's that would be in every way serviceable and reliable. With that purpose in view he devoted a year's time, and expended over $1,000

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in traveling through the hemlock districts in search of a location. Finally his attention was called to Smethport, which is located in one of the finest white hemlock districts in the world, and he decided to make this the place of his opera- tions. He accordingly had the necessary buildings erected, supplying them with the latest improved machinery, and in 1877 began the manufacture of the ex- tract. In 1883 the buildings were destroyed by fire, but were immediately re- built, and greatly enlarged, having now a capacity of 300 barrels weekly, being the largest works of the kind in the United States, and affording employment to a large number of men. The factory is now under the superintendence of Mr. Backer's son, Clarence A., Mr. Backer and his family residing in Boston, Mass. Mr. Backer was married in 1860 to Miss H. E. Peters, and they have three children, two daughters and one son: Minnie E., Effie L. and Clarence A. In religion Mr. Backer is a Methodist, and in politics a Republican.

MAJOR JOHN C. BACKUS (deceased). Among the leading and representa . tive men of Smethport, no one has held a higher place in the affections and es- teem of its people than the late Maj. John C. Backus, who for nearly half a cen- tury was closely connected with all their efforts for its welfare and improvement. Maj. Backus was generous almost to a fault, no one needing help ever applying to him in vain; naturally positive and energetic, he pursued with untiring zeal every cause he championed, and every work he undertook. He was born in 1817. at Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., and had seven brothers and two sisters, of whom Cornelia (the eldest, born in 1801), William and Seth survive him. In his fourth year his parents, Thomas and Rebecka Backus, removed to Lansing. N. Y., where his childhood and youth were spent. He was a graduate of Oberlin College. Ohio. After attaining his majority, he with his older brother, Seth, engaged in the lumbering business at Wellsville, N. Y., and in 1845 they came to Turtle Point, McKean Co., Penn., where they purchased a saw mill (the remains of which are still to be seen), and continued their lumbering opera- tions at that point, until 1848, when, becoming tired of the business, John C. removed to Smethport, and commenced the study of law with N. W. Good- rich, a then prominent lawyer of the county. Mr. Backus was admitted to the bar in 1851, and to practice in the supreme court in 1856. For over twenty- five years he was engaged in nearly every important case tried in the county. and at the time of his death, which occurred October 26, 1888, he had prac- ticed law for a longer time than any other attorney in Mckean county, except Hon. B. D. Hamlin. In politics Mr. Backus took an active part, being a life- long Democrat, and in 1851 was elected register and recorder of Mckean county ; was burgess of Smethport borough about ten years, and was a member of the legislature in 1875 and 1876. He was one of the first to answer the nation's call to arms in 1861, and in December of that year was commis- sioned captain of Company E, Fifty-eighth Regiment, P. V. I., afterward rising to the rank of major; he participated in all the engagements of his regi- ment until he was compelled to resign on account of ill health, in 1863. In 1877 Sheridan Gorton, of Friendship, N. Y., became his law partner, continu- ing with him until the major's decease, and succeeded to his extensive law practice. He was a charter member of Mckean Post. No. 347, G. A. R., and its second commander. In 1857 he married Mary, the only daughter of Solo- mon Sartwell, one of the oldest residents of the county, and to them were born two children: Frank, who died in infancy, and Cora, who died in 1880. This wife died in 1860, and in 1861 Major Backus married Mary A. Windsor, daughter of Ebed and Mary A. Windsor, who, with eight children-six sons and two daughters-was left to mourn his loss. His funeral obsequies were con- ducted by the Masons, of which order he was a prominent member. No more

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fitting tribute can be paid his memory than that said of him by his brethren of the bar. "In him his country has lost one who proved, by his acts, that he fully appreciated the duty of a good citizen and true patriot. In him his wife has lost a kind husband, children an indulgent father, and kin of every degree a generous friend."

JOHN BAKER, proprietor of planing-mill, Smethport. son of Ezra and Sarah (Sweet) Baker, was born at Stanbridge, Canada, in 1821. With his par- ents he removed to Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., and thence to Red Rock, and in 1847 he became an employe on a railroad. In 1873 Mr. Baker came to Smethport, where he bought a planing-mill of Sheridan Gorton, and is still engaged in planing and manufacturing moulding, sash, doors and blinds. In 1854 he married Miss Betsy P. Barnum, and they have had eight children: Charley, Frank S., Fred M., John W., Josie E., George W. and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican.

GEORGE N. BARRETT, farmer, P. O. Smethport, is a son of Gard ner and Elizabeth Barrett, was born in Keating Township. Mckean Co., Penn., in 1849. His father was one of the pioneers of the county, coming here in 1825, and engaging in farming. He had a family of four children, of whom three are living, viz: John C., George N. and Cyrus E. The father died in March, 1887; the mother still survives. George N. Barrett attended the schools of MeKean county. also other educational institutions abroad, and after the completion of his studies married, in 1872, Ellmerett, daughter of J. W. Stark, of Keating township, after which they located on the farm he now owns in that township, and where he has since been engaged in farming. They have one child, Frances E. Mr. Barrett is an active and prominent worker for the Republican party, having been for three years auditor of the county. He has also been supervisor, overseer of the poor, and has filled various political positions in his township. He is a member of Mckean Lodge, No. 388, F. & A. M .; Arnold Chapter. No. 254, R. A. M .; Bradford Council, No. 43. R. & S. M., and Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T.

E. M. BELL, merchant, East Smethport, was born in Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1846. where he attended school until 1859, when his parents, Worthy and Julianna Bell, removed to Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he completed his education. He then accepted a clerkship with a commercial house in Olean, N. Y., remaining there until the disastrous fire of 1865 threw him out of employment; then he entered a wholesale dry goods house in New York City, remaining till December, 1867, and then became one of the firm of Bell Bros. at Limestone, N. Y., still retaining an interest there. He, however, became associated as partner with Messrs. Stickney & Co., the firm now being Stickney, Bell & Co., of East Smethport, dealers in general mer- chandise, and they are now doing an immense business. He is a member of Henry Renner Lodge, No. 780, F. & A. M. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Methodist Church. In 1869 he married Nellie C. Beardsley, and they have two children: May and Carl.

R. W. BLOODSWORTH, merchant, East Smethport, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Pew) Bloodsworth, natives of Hamilton. Canada, who came to Penn- sylvania in 1867. He was born in Hamilton, Canada, in August, 1863, and came to Erie county with his parents when four years of age. When twelve years of age he entered a store in Oil City, Penn., where he remained until 1881, when he went to Olean. N. Y., and was employed in the store of N. S. Butler, dry goods merchant, for one year, at the close of which time he went to Philadelphia, and engaged with the dry goods firm of Sharpless & Sons,

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

Here he remained for one year, at the close of which time he came to Carlton, Penn .. and took charge of a store for Stickney, Bell & Co. In December, 1886, he came to East Smethport, where he is now employed by Stickney, Bell & Co. as overseer. Mr. Bloodsworth married in November. 1883, Miss Minnie, daughter of Rufus Page, of Olean, N. Y., and they have two children: Robert and Charles. He is a member of Smethport Lodge, No. 389, I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Bloodsworth are members of the Baptist Church of Smethport.

ALFRED J. BOND, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Smethport, is a son of James A. and Elizabeth P. Bond, and was born on Marvin creek, Keating township, Mckean Co., Penn., in 1860. James A. Bond purchased what is known as the Bond coal vein, a tract of land containing about 400 acres, the occupation of which necessitated the opening of a railroad. After making the purchase, James Bond, grandfather of Alfred J., removed to this locality, and they were the means of developing the coal mines here. which have been extensively operated. They sold that tract, however, and located on Marvin creek on the old Marvin farm, the first settled farm on the creek. Here they passed the remainder of their lives engaged in agriculture. The family of James A. and Elizabeth P. Bond consisted of two sons and two daughters, viz. : Laura A., now Mrs. Harley Sawyer; Emma, now Mrs. Strong Hayden, of Wyoming county, N. Y .: Alfred J. and Erastus, the latter attending college in Eastern Pennsylvania. Alfred J. Bond completed his education at the Smethport Academy, and in 1886 married Miss Christine, daughter of Casper Hafner. of Sergeant township, this county. After his marriage he located on the old homestead, and has since been engaged in farming, and also extensively in the lumber business. His father was one of the representative men of this portion of the county, liberal in dispensing charity to the needy, and respected by all. He died in 1881, having lost his wife, Elizabeth P., about eight years previously, and, after remaining a widower about five years, married Miss Amy K. Lackey, who still survives. A. J. Bond is a member of Mckean Lodge, No. 388, F. & A. M. He is in politics a Republican, and for two terms has been supervisor of his township.

JOSEPH W. BOUTON, attorney at law, Smethport, son of Enoch E. and Mary L. (Crandall) Bouton, was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., in 1856. When a child of twelve years of age he began life's struggle, and al- though young in years, seeing the value of an education, secured the best his limited means afforded. He was engaged in the hardware business about two years in Port Allegany, Mckean county; then accepted a position as book- keeper, which he held for five years. He was also deputy clerk of court- and recorder of deeds of MeKean county, during which time he read law with the Hon. Judge Morrison, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He began the practice of law in Smethport, and in October, 1887, became associated in the practice with J. N. Apple, the firm name being Apple & Bouton, and they en- joy a large and remunerative practice. Mr. Bouton was candidate for district attorney, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1877 he married Julia A., daughter of Luther Eastman, of Ceres township, Mckean Co., and they have one child, Victor B., nine years of age. Mr. Bouton votes with the Dem- ocratie party.

W. S. BROWNELL, retired merchant, Smethport, was born October 27, 1818, and is a native of Cicero, Onondaga Co., N. Y., whence he removed in the spring of 1857, to Smethport, Penn .. where he became a merchant, and carried on business until 1882, having previous to latter year admitted his sons as partners He married, on Angust 22. 1852, Miss Octavia Howard, born October 13, 1822, and became the father of three children: G. R., F. W. and

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Addie, the last of whom was married to William F. Specht, May 15, 1889. Brownell Bros. (G. R. and F. W.) is now the style of the firm, which upon the retirement of W. S. Brownell became successor to Brownell & Sons, and they are now doing a prosperous business in general merchandise. Of these brothers at Smethport, Fred. W. is a member of MeKean Lodge, No. 388, F. & A. M., of Bradford Chapter, No. 260, R. A. M., and of Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T., and has been master of Mckean Lodge for three years. He was elected burgess of the borough of Smethport in 1888. G. R. Brownell is a member of the Select Knights, A. O. U. W. Both brothers are identified with the Democratic party.

JOHN T. BURKHOLDER, general merchant, P. O. Cyclone, was born June 19, 1841, and was reared and educated in Lycoming county, Penn. He served an apprenticeship of three and one-half years in the Illuminary office, one of the oldest papers in the State. On December 20, 1860, the day South Carolina passed a secession ordinance, he was married to Margaret A. Rook. They located at Hughesville, where he carried on black- smithing until he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he returned to the same place, resumed his former business which he continued until 1873, and then removed to Williamsport, same State, where he was in the lumber trade, remaining until the close of the Centennial, when he came to State Line, McKean county, and was in the employ of the Forest Oil Company. Later he became a merchant at Davis City, whence he removed to Kinzua Junction, and went into the hotel business. Afterward he was on the ill-fated train that burned with such a fearful loss of life. Removing to Simpson, also in MeKean county, he here commenced his present business as dealer in general merchandise. He has suffered severe losses by fire, but has rebuilt, and is still in trade. Mr. Burkholder is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., G. A. R., A. O. U. W., Order of the Iron Hall, and Knights of St. John and Malta. In politics he is an active Democrat.

JOHN W. BUSH, farmer, P. O. East Smethport. is the third son of Elisha and Hannah Bush, and was born on the farm he now owns in Keating township, Mckean Co., Penn., in 1837. His father was a native of Oneida county, N. Y., where he married, and in 1828 located on the farm now owned by his son, John W. When Elisha Bush settled on his purchase, Mckean county was an unbroken wilderness. Dense forests of pine, hemlock, cherry, maple and almost every species of timber stood in majestic grandeur; slop- ing hills and fertile valleys spread out before them, and little streams of pure soft water flowed in great abundance through these grand old forests, winding their way to the Allegheny river. Land was cheap, and his keen eye fore- saw that with industry and economy he could soon possess a comfortable inde- pendence, for MeKean was soon to develop mines of wealth and stand as one of the first counties for health and industries in the State. True, it must be a life of toil and privation, with land to clear before he could raise food for him- self, wife and little ones; during this time of waiting he must work wherever opportunity offered, and has worked all day from sunrise till sunset for the small sum of 50 cents, or eight pounds of flour, and was thankful for even that. To-day you hire a man, and he will work nine hours and charge $1.50 or 82. At that time there were no mills where grain could be ground nearer than twenty miles, but for the convenience of himself and the little settlement where he lived, Mr. Bush invented a small hand-mill for grinding corn, and this convenience supplied many a want. But if they had privations, they had blessings also, and, when want pressed hard, each neighbor felt his friend's

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

trouble was his also. If a family had sickness it was not necessary to ask help, for friends or neighbors came miles to assist. There were no schoolhouses or churches, but mothers taught their little ones what they could, and the in- habitants would assemble in some neighbor's house and unite in prayer, feeling even in their rude homes they were sure of the same blessing from their Heav. enly Father that they received in the prosperous far-away home they had left. The woods abounded in wild game; and if meat were needed it was not neces- sary to go far from home to fetch down a fine deer or go to the brook and catch as many speckled trout as might be desired. But there were animals that were not so harmless as deer, for bears were plenty and often tore down the ripen- ing corn or committed depredations on the sheep-fold; and Mrs. Bush states that in this lonely place, without a neighbor within a mile of her, she has stayed alone with her little ones for a week at a time when their necessities kept her husband away to work, and all night long the hoarse bark of the wolf in an ad- joining thicket, or the scream of the panther, kept her company. Woman is said to be weak and dependent, and in many things it may be true, but in times of trial she is strong, and when a man would despair and die, she is hopeful, ever assisting, ever cheering him on, so that difficulties may be overcome. As the settlers had not yet cleared land for grazing purposes, their cattle were obliged to seek food in the forest, and the cows were brought at night and secured in a yard till after they were milked in the morning, when they were driven away again. One night Mr. Bush returned home rather late, and hastened in search of his cow; having found her and started her homeward, imagine his horror when the terrific scream of a panther in a tree near by sounded on his ears. The cow did not need farther urging to start at full speed down the irregular foot- path for the clearing, and Mr. Bush, preferring the company of the fast-fleeing cow to that of the panther, seized hold of her tail, and in a remarkably short space of time the two arrived at home. In due time his children were able to assist him, and at length he got control of the United States mail route from Smethport to Wellsborough, a distance of seventy miles, but, carrying the mail part way the most of the time, and a Mr. Barnaby carrying the other end of the route, the services of his son, John W. Bush, were called into requisition, and he (being a boy about fourteen years of age) was intrusted with the mail. and, there being hardly an apology for a road, he was obliged to carry it on horseback, making two trips a week. For nearly six years he performed this duty through mud and storm with the utmost promptness and fidelity. He had the benefit of an academic course at school, and to-day is an honored citizen of McKean county. Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Bush, however, in course of time, re- tired from active life, and removed to the town of Smethport, where the mother died in 1883, and the father followed her November 22, 1885. Their children were Hiram (deceased), Charles, John W., Mary (wife of Homer Howe), Silas, Andrew, Saloma (wife of William Stanton, of Keating), Melinda (wife of Walter Evans, of Smethport) and Wallace (deceased). John W. Bush bought the farm adjoining the old homestead, and after his marriage located on his pur- chase and engaged in farming, until now he is a large land holder, also owning the old homestead, to which he removed, April 20, 1875, and which is still his residence. He was married in 1856 to Mary, daughter of John and Maria Dexter, of Port Allegany, and they have three children: O. D., Jane (wife of J. L. Smith) and Desdemona (wife of O. B. Cooper). Mrs. Bush is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican.

W. T. CALLAR, druggist, Smethport, son of William and Alvira (Lewis) Callar, was born in Sharon township, Potter Co., Penn., in 1841. His father was a native of England, where he was reared and educated. He emigrated

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to America and located in Allegany county, N. Y., where he married; soon after he went to Potter county, Penn., and from there to what is now the county seat of Cameron county, where he was engaged in the lumber and mill- ing business. He died in 1848, and his widow in January, 1885. W. T. Cal- lar. their only son, began life as a farmer, but removed to Kane, where he started the first drug store, and in 1876 came to Smethport and opened a drug store, which he still carries on. He is a thirty-second degree Freemason, and a member of the consistory at Bloomsburg; also a member of the I. O. O. F., lodge and encampment. Mr. Callar is identified with the Democratic party, but is no politician, as he devotes his entire time to business. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 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