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 59

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 59
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 59
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 59
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 59

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EDWARD H. TAYLOR, merchant, Smethport, is a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Holcomb) Taylor, and was born in Smethport, Mckean Co., Penn., in 1858. His father was a native of Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., and his mother of Granby, Conn. They each came to Smethport with their parents, and were here married. They had a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living: James V., John L., Myrtilla E., Mary E., Maria A., Edward H. and Ezra V. Edward H. Taylor was reared and received his education at Smethport, and at Randolph, N. Y. After the completion of his studies he en- gaged in jobbing, and eventually became one of the merchants of Smethport, dealing in boots, shoes and groceries. He married, in 1886, Laura M., daugh- ter of H. M. Reynolds, of Mansfield, Tioga Co., Penn., and they have two sons, John H. and George R. (latter born April 4, 1889). James Taylor, grand- father of Edward H., was among the pioneers of the county, locating here in 1824, when the country was a wilderness. Mr. E. H. Taylor is a Republican in his political views.

JAMES M. TRACY, postmaster and merchant, East Smethport, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in April, 1844, a son of Edward and Bridget (Riley) Tracy, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. They came to Philadelphia from their native land, but, thinking a newer country better adapted to their needs, came to Keating township, McKean county, in 1842, and purchased a tract of land for a farm. They were the parents of seven children, James M. being the third son, who during his youth attended the common schools and worked upon the farm. After his marriage, Mr. Tracy remained upon the farm with his parents until September, 1876, when he came to East Smethport, where he erected the building he now occupies, and engaged in mercantile business. Mr. Tracy married in June, 1863, Miss Ann, daughter of Bernard and Ann (Gallagher) Burns, natives of Ireland, who came to Union City, Erie Co., Penn .. in 1845. Five children have blessed this union, viz. : Thomas A., Mary E., Lillie E., Annie E. and Paul E. In July, 1885, Mr. Tracy was appointed postmaster at East Smethport, which office he still retains. In politics Mr. Tracy is a Democrat, and he and his family belong to the Catholic Church.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

F. E. TULL, merchant, Smethport, was born in Bath, N. Y., August 25, 1846, the ouly son of three children born to R. D. and Harriet (Colegrove) Tull, natives of New York State, who came to Ceres township. Mckean Co .. Penn., in 1860. He was educated at Portville, N. Y., and his boyhood days were spent with his parents upon the home farm. He married, in February, 1873, Miss Almira, daughter of Luther and Sophia (Maxon) Eastman, of Port- ville, N. Y., and they are the parents of two children, Herman and Ethel, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Tull, in 1875, engaged in mercantile business and became postmaster at Myrtle, Penn., which he continued until June, 1887, when he sold his business out to J. C. Burt, and went to Ceres, Penn., en- gaging as a drug clerk. From there he moved to Eldred, Penn., where he embarked in the clothing trade. Here he remained until March, 1889, when he came to Smethport and engaged in his present business. Mr. Tull served for six years as justice of the peace in Ceres township, and has held various township offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Eldred, Penn., and of the K. O. T. M. In politics he is a Republican.

MANVILLE TUTTLE, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Coryville, a son of Daniel and Lucina Tuttle, was born in Freetown. Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1815, and with his father removed to Wellsville, N. Y., in 1837, where the father died in 1842, the mother having died in Freetown, N. Y., in 1828. Manville Tuttle came to Pennsylvania about 1845, locating at Turtle Point. McKean county; eventually he purchased the farm he now owns in Keating township, McKean county, where he is interested in business as a lumberman and farmer. In 1838 he married Cordelia Kent, daughter of R. C. and Pru dence Kent, and they have had a family of seven children, of whom but two are living: Prudence L., now Mrs. Orson Cory, and F. S., on a farm opposite the old homestead. Mr. Tuttle is a Republican in politics, and is a prominent man in this portion of the county.

JOHN K. WILLIAMS, born August 22, 1822, died April 4, 1880, was the first white child born in Smethport. He read law under W. A. Williams, and was admitted to the bar of his native county, June 6, 1846. For two years be- fore his admission he was Prothonotary Hamlin's deputy. In the summer of 1846, he moved to Wisconsin, where he died. He was named by John Keat- ing after himself, and received from the great land owner a silver dollar, which his mother invested in the purchase of a sheep, and this investment yielded $200 by 1846, which sum was forwarded to Wisconsin.

G. W. WILLIAMS, merchant, Smethport, was born in Canton. St. Law- rence Co., N. Y., August 7, 1842, and began his studies there, completing them in Franklin county. He commenced business life as a grocer, in Burlington, Vt., and afterward removed to Franklin county, where he went into the cattle business, from that to mercantile business, remaining until 1877, when he went to Bradford, Penn., and engaged in the livery business, and later removed to Red Rock, eventually locating in Smethport, where he is now dealing in gro- ceries and meats. Mr. Williams married Candace C. Lyon, in 1866, and they have two sons: Ezra L. and Joseph G. He is a member of the Select Knights of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and North Star Lodge, F. & A. M, of New York. Politically he is a Republican.

CLARK WILSON. the present editor and publisher of the Mckean Democrat, is now a few months over sixty-two years of age, and has perhaps devoted as much time as editor and publisher as any man living in the State. He is of Irish descent, his parents having emigrated at an early day from a part of Ire- land, adjacent to Scotland, his father leaving Ireland when about nineteen years old, and his mother at the age of nine. They were strict Presbyterians

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

during all their lives and raised their family in the same faith. Clark Wilson went as an apprentice to the printing business when twelve years of age, and served no less than seven years before he graduated as a journeyman printer. A few years after finishing his trade, he commenced business as one of the editors and publishers of the Jeffersonian, published at Brookville, Jefferson Co., Penn. He afterward established and published for some time the Ma- honing Register, at Punxsutawney, same county, then became one of the editors and proprietors of the Clearfield Republican, a radical Democratic sheet pub- lished in the town of Clearfield, Penn. Next Mr. Wilson appears as editor, publisher and proprietor of the Democratic Messenger, a paper which he es- tablished and published for over five years, in the town of Indiana, Indiana Co., Penn. He then served five years as editor of the Union Herald, a Demo- cratic paper published in Butler, Butler Co., Penn., after which he was for a time editor and publisher of the Democrat and Sentinel, at Ebensburg, Cam- bria Co., Penn. He next established and for ten years edited and published. as an independent paper, the Oilman's Journal, at Parker's Landing, Arm- strong Co., Penn. Last, and perhaps least, the past ten or eleven years of Mr. Wilson's life have been spent in publishing the MeKean Democrat, estab- lished by him at Smethport, Mckean Co., Penn., May 20, 1879. He claims to have labored under many disadvantages during his career as a journalist here, and if favored with life and health will probably make a better showing hereafter. Mr. Wilson was married when about twenty-three years of age, to Miss Cornelia A. Magee, of Clearfield, Clearfield Co .. Penn., and five children were born to them, four of whom are still living, one son and three dangh - ters. The son, like his father, took to the printing business, and has been for some years engaged as editor and publisher of the Public Spirit, an inde- pendent Democratic paper, published in the town of Clearfield, Penn. In 1860 the subject of this notice was appointed deputy marshal, and took the census of the northern part, about one-half, of Indiana county. In 1888 he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster at Smethport, Penn .. and on June 11, same year, he took charge of the office and continued, assisted by two of his daughters, to discharge the duties pertaining thereto up to April, 1890. His successor, E. M. Kerns, was appointed in July, 1889.

CHARLES C. WRIGHT, lumberman, P. O. Coleville, is a son of Rens- selaer and Sally (Moore) Wright, and was born at Smethport, Mckean Co .. Penn., in 1829. His father came from Delaware county, N. Y., and located at Eldred, Penn., where he was engaged in farming; was also the proprietor of a hotel and quite extensively engaged in the lumber business. His family con- sisted of eleven children. six of whom are living, viz. : Charles C., James, Mar- tha, Sally, Maria and Junius. Mr. Rensselaer Wright was one of the first commissioners of McKean county, and in 1829 was elected sheriff of the county. During his official career he went to Philadelphia on horseback, and returning brought with him funds necessary for the erection of the first court house of Mckean county. He was emphatically a self- made man, and held a deserv- edly high place among the representative men of his day. He died in 1884 and his wife in 1881. Charles C. Wright was reared and educated in Eldred, and on starting in life for himself located on Cole creek, in Keating township, on the place he still owns, where he erected a steam saw-mill, and is now known as one of the extensive lumbermen of Mckean county. Mr. Wright married Jernsha Dennis, and to them were born six children: Victor C., J. B., William, Delbert, Lillie J. and Milton. Mrs. Wright died in 1877, and in 1879 Mr. Wright married Miss Madison. Mr. Wright takes an active interest in the questions of the day, and is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, of which he is a prominent member.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

B. F. WRIGHT, proprietor of Wright's Hotel, Smethport, was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1835. He removed to Oneida county, thence to Lima, Livingston Co., N. Y., and completed his education at the seminary there, after which he visited the West. In 1859 he removed to Smethport, and at the beginning of the war enlisted in Company C, First P. R. V. C. He was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, Md., and received a second wound at Spottsylvania Court House in 1864. On July 3, 1865, he was mus- tered out of the service, and returning to Smethport accepted a position with the Lafayette Coal Company at Lafayette. In the fall of 1866 he was elected sheriff of Mckean county, serving one term of three years. In 1875 he built the hotel named after himself, becoming its proprietor, and being one of the representative men of the county, social and courteous with his guests, and hav- ing a large and favorable acquaintance, Wright's Hotel is well and favorably known. He is a member of Mckean Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 388, of Lodge No. 183, A. O. U. W., and of the G. A. R. He is a worker in the Republi- can party. In 1859 he married Miss Catharine L., daughter of O. L. Bennett, and they have five children: F. O. (an only son), Ella, Lena, and Lucy and Elida (twins).

HENRY WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Smethport, son of Pardon and Clarissa Wright, was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., in 1849. With his parents he removed to Keating township, McKean Co., Penn., where they engaged in farming. They had a family of four children, viz. : Helen A., June, Mandana and Henry. Pardon Wright died October 23, 1885, and his widow has her home with her son, Henry. Henry Wright, in 1875, married Mary, daughter of Charles Guenther, formerly of Smethport, and they are the parents of four children: Mollie G .. William H., W. Leo and Sarah Alice. Mr Wright is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and was elected auditor in 1889. He owns and operates a farm on Marvin creek, in Keating township. Mrs. Mary Wright, for several years before her marriage, was a school-teacher of some note.

D. C. YOUNG, merchant, Smethport, son of Arthur and Laurinda (Stull) Young, was born May 5, 1843, at Farmers Valley, Mckean Co., Penn. His parents were among the early settlers of that county, and his paternal great- grandfather, William Young, was a native of Providence, R. I., where he married and became the father of a numerous family of children, and where he lived and died. Stephen, a son of William Young, removed to Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., when that county was comparatively in a state of nature, and then married Betsy Green, and reared a family of ten children. Remov- ing with his family to Norwich township, Mckean Co .. Penn., he purchased lands and followed farming until his decease in 1841, Betsy, his widow, sur- viving him until 1858. Their children were as follows: Clinton, Edward, Anna, Hannah, Arthur, Betsy, Harriet, Stephen, Malvina and William. The parents of Lucinda Stull, mother of D. C. Young, were also among the pio- neers of Mckean county, her father having located in Eldred township in 1811. Arthur, the third son of Stephen and Betsy Young, was born at Nor- wich, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1813, and with his parents removed to McKean county, Norwich township, settling in 1821. When a boy of fourteen years of age he engaged in trapping for mink and otter, and after making a sale of his furs he found himself in possession of a sufficient sum of money to enable him to purchase a gun. Later he became one of the noted hunters of his day, and had the reputation of having killed a greater number of deer, bears, panthers and wildcats, than any other individual in the county. This gun, his first purchase, which he always used in his expeditions in search of game, he be-

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queathed to his son, D. C., who cherishes it as a most valuable heirloom. Educational advantages were not as great then as now, and Arthur Young's experience in that connection was of a practical nature. After his marriage he engaged in farming, and became one of the successful agriculturists of Mckean county. He was a member of the Democratic party until 1858, when he enlisted in the ranks of the supporters of Fremont, and ever after was iden- titied with the Republican party. He never sought political preferment, choosing the enjoyment of the home circle rather than the more exciting field of politics. His death occurred in 1879; his widow still has her residence upon the old homestead farm. D. C. Young, the subject of these lines, after attending the common schools at home, completed his education at Alfred University, Alfred Centre, Allegany Co., N. Y., after which he, in 1865, began his mercantile career as an employe of A. N. Taylor, at Smethport, Penn., with whom he remained three years, when he accepted a similar position with Henry Hamlin, of same place, serving him for a like period of time; then, in 1871, he became associated with his former employer. A. N. Taylor, as dealers in general merchandise. This partnership, however, was dissolved in 1875. and Mr. Young removed to Larrabee, McKean Co., Penn., where he carried on business for six years, and where he also owned (and yet owns) a large stock farm. In 1881 he returned to Smethport, where he has since been en- gaged in business, and is now one of the representative men and leading suc- cessful merchants of the place. In 1871 Mr. Young married Ada M., daughter of the late Hon. A. N. Taylor, of Smethport, and has three children: Ray- mond, Louis and Ada. He is a member of Smethport Lodge, No. 388, F. & A. M., Arnold Chapter, No. 254, R. A. M., of Port Allegany, and of Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K. T., of Bradford. In politics he is a Republican.

H. A. YOUNG, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Farmers Valley, is a son of Arthur and Laurinda H. (Stull) Young, and was born in Keating township, McKean Co., Penn., in 1845. Here he was reared and educated, and in July, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fiftieth P. V. I. At the battle of Gettysburg he received a wound which disabled him, but neverthe- less he continued in the service until August, 1865. After the close of the war he was mustered out, returned to his home in Keating township, and in 1869 married Miss Ocelia N. Howell. The young couple located on the farm he now owns in Keating township, where he has since been extensively en- gaged in the lumber trade and in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Young six children have been born: Arthur L., Mettie E., Eunice, Floyd A., Ada E. and Clinton B., all at home. Mr. Young is a member of the G. A. R. For three terms he has served as supervisor of the township, a position he now holds. He is a supporter of the Republican party, is active in politics, and is a prominent and representative man of his township.

WILLIAM A. YOUNG, farmer and lumberer, P. O. Farmers Valley, is the third son of Arthur and Laurinda H. (Stull) Young, and was born in Keating township, June 28, 1856, on the farm he now owns. His mother was the daughter of Joseph and Delinda (Brewer) Stull, and was born in Stull Town, McKean Co., Penn., in April, 1818. Her father was a native of Sussex county, N. J., and his parents removed to Elmira. N. Y., when he was a child of seven years of age. There he was married, and later he removed to Steuben county. N. Y., and thence to Sartwell, Mckean Co., Penn., and a little later lo- cated in Stull Town. Their children were Alma (who married Lyons Dodge, and removed to Ohio, where she died), Abram (who died in Stull Town), John (now a resident of East Smethport), Abbey (now a resident of Port Allegany, McKean county, and who married Joseph DeLong), Camilla (now Mrs. John

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L. Daniels, of Scioto county, Ohio), Caleb B. (deceased), Laurinda H., Mary (widow of the late John Nolan, of Emporium, Cameron county), Jerome (of Keating township), George (deceased) and Joseph (of Stull Town). The ma- ternal grandmother of W. A. Young. Delinda Stull, died in 1862, and the grandfather, Joseph Stull. died in 1866. Laurinda H. Stull was educated in the common schools, and attended the academy at Smethport one term. In 1842 she was married to Arthur Young, and located on the farm now owned by William A. Young, in Keating township, where they reared a family of seven children, viz .: Violetta, Flora E., Alma (deceased), D. C., H. A., Will- iam A. and Gardner. Stephen Young, paternal grandfather of William A ... was born June 25, 1779, and married Betsy Green, July 16, 1803. Their children were Clinton, Edward G., Anna T., Hannah, Arthur, Betsy, Har- riet, Stephen D., Amanda M. and William, of whom Edward G. is the sole survivor. Stephen, their father, died July 16, 1840, and Betsy, their mother, in March, 1858. William A. Young was reared and educated in his native township. October 30, 1878, he married Jane, daughter of Augustus Day, formerly of Farmers Valley, Penn., and they located at the old Young home- stead, where he has since been extensively engaged in lumbering and farming. Mr. and Mrs. Young have five children, viz. : Ella, Edith, Ruth, Frank and Lena. Mr. Young is a member of the I. O. O. F., lodge and encampment, at Smethport. He is identified with the Republican party, and has been super- visor of Keating township for two terms.

CHAPTER XXIV.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-FOSTER TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF KENDALL.

PHILO ACKLEY, farmer and oil producer, Kendall Creek, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1821, a son of Ahiel and Clarissa (Olmstead) Ackley, natives of Connecticut, and farmers by occupation. At the age of six years Philo was sent to Prattsburg, Steuben Co., N. Y., to live with his uncle and aunt. He remained there three years and attended the district schools. In October, 1830, he came to MeKean county. Penn., with his uncle, James De- Golier. They drove cattle and hogs from Steuben county, and located on what is now known as the Jewett farm, in Bradford township. Philo remained with them for nearly five years after coming to this county, and then hired to his cousin, with whom he worked from March till August, for which he received $2.50. With this amount of money he started on foot for Cortland county, N. Y., and arrived there in due course of time. He remained there about eight years, and added to his education by attending the winter schools. In 1844 he started on his return to McKean county, walking from Elmira to Bradford, where he obtained his living by day's work for some time. In 1846 he erected a blacksmith shop, and conducted a general blacksmithing business until 1879, having his shop in Kendall Creek for three years during that time. At the breaking out of the oil excitement, he leased 400 acres of land in Toad Hollow at $1 per acre for ten years. This lease ran out without being operated on. He afterward leased other land and succeeded in getting several good wells.

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HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.

In 1882 he purchased the Hollenbeck farm of 182 acres, at Sawyer City, on which he has produced a number of good wells. In 1846 Mr. Ackley was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa, daughter of Alvin Owens, of Smethport, Penn .. and six children have been born to their union, two of whom are living: Charles L., of Bradford, married to Miss Alice, daughter of William R. Fisher, and has two children, Clara and Maud; and Luella R., married to Charles Bailey, who died leaving one child, Lulu, and she afterward married Bradley H. Barr, and is now living with her parents. Mr. Ackley has always been an active supporter of the Democratic party. In 1869 he was elected justice of the peace in Bradford, and served ten years. He also filled that office in Ken- dall Creek ten years, and the office of burgess also ten years. In 1874 he was elected supervisor of Bradford township, serving four terms, and for eleven years was constable of Bradford.

H. H. ARGUE, oil producer, Derrick City, was born near Ottawa, province of Ontario, July 22, 1843, a son of John W. and Esther (Wilson) Argue. His father was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and his mother in Canada. Her father, Hugh Wilson. served twenty-one years in the English army. John W. Argue moved to Canada when six years of age with his parents, and later followed farming as an occupation. He died in that coun- try. His widow now resides in Derrick City. Their family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living: H. H., our subject; R. W., of Derrick City; A. G. and Thomas, of Gillmor; Esther Jane, wife of George W. Bet- tis, of Buffalo, and Sarah. H. H. Argue was reared in Canada, and there remained until 1863, when he came to the United States and first located at Portland. He started in life single handed, and worked at various kinds of labor. In 1865 he went to Titusville, Penn., where he took contracts as a well driller, and has since followed the oil business. He and his brother, R. W., now operate under the firm name, of the Watson Oil Company. They also have a large quantity of gas, and supply Derrick City and Gillmor with gas for fuel and light. In 1871 Mr. Argue married Miss Ellen C., daughter of Daniel and Bridget (McCoully) McNeal, of Canada, and they have three children: Lizzie, Edwin Harry and Albert J. Mr. Argue is active in politics, and is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in Titusville. He and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

R. W. ARGUE, oil producer, Derrick City, was born in Ottawa, Canada, March 1, 1845. He received a common-school education, and came to the United States in 1865, where he began life in Titusville, Penn., as a day laborer. He then associated himself with his brother, H. H., as contractor, and they have since been in business together. March 16, 1880, he married Miss Eva, daughter of Norman Allport, of Shamburg, Penn. They have three children: Edith, May and Ethel. Mr. Argue is an active worker of the Republican party. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 334. of Bradford, F & A. M., Bradford Chapter, No. 260, R. A. M., and of Trinity Com- mandery, No. 58, K. T.

JONAS ARTLEY, proprietor of the American House, Kendall Creek, was born in Liberty, Tioga Co., Penn., June 20, 1830. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Long) Artley, were natives of that county and farmers by occupa- tion. Our subject was reared on the homestead, and remained there until 1859, when he married Miss Sarah E. Shaffer. They then moved to Ly- coming county, Penn., where they kept a hotel at Linden for six years, and also another hotel near there for two years. They then moved to Jersey Shore, where they kept hotel for eleven years. In 1877 Mr. Artley came to Kendall Creek, where he has since been proprietor of the American House,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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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