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 66
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 66
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 66
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 66
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160
MASON G. DENNIS, farmer, P. O. Rixford, was born in Eldred town . ship, Mckean Co .. Penn., August 28, 1845, a son of George T. and Mary A. (Crandall) Dennis. His paternal grandfather was Nathan Dennis, who set tled in Eldred in 1822. Mason G. Dennis was reared in Eldred, and was in the Civil war, enlisting September 5, 1864. in Company C, Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment, and was in the battle of Fort Stedinan, also in front of Petersburg, and was honorably discharged June S. 1865. After the war Mr. Dennis resided in Burt county, Neb .. four years, going first in October, 1867, returning in December, 1868, to wed January 1, 1869, Jen- nie H., youngest daughter of William and Ann Janett Rixford, returning to Nebraska, and residing there until December, 1871, when they came back to Otto township, and settled down on the farm where they now reside. Mr. Dennis paid for his farm (ninety-three acres), in 1872, $800, and in 1878, the time of the oil excitement, he sold his oil and mineral right in said farm for $7,000. He has been in the oil business since 1879, and is still a producer. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have three living children: Burdette (aged sixteen), Ann J. (aged eight) and Fred (aged four years). Their oldest boy. Willie, died October 11, 1881, aged eleven years. Mr. Dennis is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Equitable Aid Union; has been school director for five years, and secretary of the school board, two years. Politically he is a Republican.
JOHN DUKE, the subject of this sketch, was the second of ten children of William and Elizabeth (Cokayne) Duke, true English people, of Derbyshire, England, but who, after marriage, and about the year 1829, removed to Amer- ica, settling in Broome county, N. Y., where they lived until 1841, when they removed to Scio, Allegany Co .. N. Y., on what is known as Knight's creek, where the father died in 1848. After the father's death Mr. Duke remained at home with his mother until his majority, when he entered the world as a millwright, which occupation, interspersed with a little farming and lumbering, he followed for twenty years. He lived at Scio until about 1868, when, with his two brothers, Thomas and Charles, he removed to Mckean county, Penn., and settled on what is now called (and was named in their honor) Duke Centre. He engaged in his old occupation until 1878, when oil was discovered there. Owning some land, he commenced operations by sinking two wells, which are producing at this writing. He still owns these, and the oil right in 104 acres of land at the same place. Mr. Duke's house at Duke Centre was burned, and he lost heavily in the noted Tram Hollow fire in 1880, which doubtless influenced his removal in the following year to Olean, N. Y., where he built himself a beautiful home and now resides. Mr. Duke soon became interested in Olean's industries, and built, among others, the beautiful brick structure known as the Duke Block. The Young Men's Christian Association has a fine suite of rooms in this building, which it has occupied ever since its organization. He has also been interested in real-estate deals. While fortune has smiled on Mr. Duke, and he has had his share of this world's store, yet he has always been mindful of his duty to his God, and, being of a religious turn of mind, early in life identified himself with the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Scio. Later he cast his lot with the people known as the Disciples of Christ, and during his sojourn at Duke Centre, donated the ground and the principal part of the funds for the erecting of the building occupied by what was incorporated
508
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
as the First Church of Christ. at Duke Centre. He also planned and laid out the Duke Centre Cemetery. Mr. Duke was born at Corbettsville, in the town of Conklin, Broome Co., N. Y., on April 14, 1832. He is a man five feet eight inches in height, weighs about 190 pounds. has dark hair and eyes, and strong features: a man of the best of morals, good business tact, and is highly re-pected by all who know him. He is untiring in his efforts, positive, yet not aggressive in his manner, honest to the last, and generous to a fault. He is now a promi- nent and enterprising citizen of Olean, where he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the leading Prohibitionists. Mr. Duke married Nancy J., daughter of Joseph Morgan, of Scio. N. Y., who during their married life has fittingly taken her place beside him, and borne her share of life's toil. They had no children, but adopted William Carr, who took their name-Will- iam C. Duke, now a farmer of Duke Centre.
CHARLES DUKE, banker, Duke Centre, is a native of Broome county. N. Y., a son of William and Elizabeth (Cokayne) Duke, natives of England and pioneers of Allegany county, N. Y. Charles was reared in Scio. N. Y .. where he received a common-school education. He began life as a lumberman, and has always been interested in that business in Allegany county, N Y., and Mc- Kean county, Penn. He located in Otto township in 1868, in what is now Duke Centre (named in his honor), where he was engaged in lumbering four years. He then went to Wellsville, N. Y., and engaged in the same business, in which he is still interested. In 1876 he returned to Duke Centre and re-embarked in the lumber business, purchasing his former mill, which he is still conducting. The oil excitement started in Duke Centre in 1877-78, and the present town was laid out in lots by Mr. Duke. He took an active part in developing this territory, opened a general store, and was twice burned out. In 1878 he built the Duke House, the principal hostelry of the place. In March, 1883, he succeeded to the banker's business established by a Mr. Robbins. He is a member of the drug firm of Duke & Mills, and is a representative and prom- inent citizen. Politically he is a Republican. In 1869 he married Lydia E. Taylor, of Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y. They have three children, named respectively Charles A., Jr., Darwin T. and Mary Alice Duke.
GEORGE FISCHER, grocer, Duke Centre, is a native of Wyoming county, N. Y., and a son of Bernard and Abby (Koscher) Fischer, natives of Alsace. Germany. They immigrated to America in 1847 and located in Wyoming county, N. Y. ; later removing to Erie county, same State, where George was reared and educated. In 1878 he came to Duke Centre and embarked in the grocery business, which he still successfully conducts. Mr. Fischer has been engaged in the oil business, three years, and is now the owner of nine producing wells in Foster township. this county. Politically he is a Democrat, and served two terms as member of the council when Duke Centre was a borough.
F. C. GILFILLAN, oil driller and manufacturer of the Gas Regulator and Low Water Alarm, Duke Centre, was born in Troy, N. Y., where he was reared until fifteen years of age. In 1865 he removed with his par- ents to Venango county, Penn., where he engaged in the drilling of oil wells. and learned all the rudiments of the business. He afterward worked in the Clarion district, and in 1879 came to Duke C'entre, where he followed the occupation of a driller until June, 1887. In 1879 he invented and patented the Gas Regulator and Low Water Alarm (patented again in 1886), which, dur- ing his residence in Duke Centre, he has manufactured and sold. In 1887 he opened a shop of his own, and has already built up a lucrative business. Mr. Gilfillan is a pushing and energetic business man, and one of Duke Cen- tre's most worthy, representative citizens.
509
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PHINEAS L. GOLDEN, Duke Centre, of the firms of Carlin Bros. & Golden, and Carlin & Golden, oil producers, was born in Sardinia. Erie Co., N. Y., October 18, 1845, a son of Phineas L. and Mary (Strong) Golden, former a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., born in 1804, and the latter of Fort Herkimer, N. Y. The paternal grandparents of our subject were of English and Scotch descent, respectively, while his maternal grandfather was an Englishman, his maternal grandmother being of German descent. The subject of these lines was reared and educated in his native town, and in 1865 he moved to the oil regions, to Tidioute, Penn., where he remained four years, during which time he became thoroughly experienced in all the details of the oil business, and from 1867 to 1869, he was a producer in that territory. In the latter year he went to Shamburg. Venango Co., Penn., where he carried on a hotel and livery stable, under the firm name of Carlin & Golden, and where they were also in the oil producing business from 1872 till 1874, in which latter year he located at Petrolia, Butler Co., Penn. Here at this time was formed the firm of Carlin Bros. & Golden, who developed several wells, being also engaged in a livery and in a drug business. The firm commenced operations at Duke Centre in 1878, in which fieldt they have drilled twenty-nine wells, all but one of which are producers. The firm of Carlin & Golden are interested as pro- ducers in the Allegany county (N. Y. ) fields, and the Lima and Maxbury dis- tricts of Ohio. Mr. Golden has been a permanent resident of Duke Centre since 1879, and was its efficient postmaster from January 1, 1886, to August 13, 1889. Politically he is a Democrat.
JOHN GRIDLEY, lumberman. Duke Centre, is a native of Schoharie county, N. Y. He settled in Allegany county, N. Y., in 1849, where he was engaged in teaming until 1874, when he located in Eldred, MeKean Co., Penn. Here he followed farming, one year; then settled in Otto township, and soon after, with his sons, embarked in the lumber business at Gridley Station, where they have since carried on an extensive trade, manufacturing about three mill- ion feet of lumber per annum. Mr. Gridley is one of the most prominent cit. izens and lumbermen of Otto township.
OWEN W. GRIDLEY, of the firm of John Gridley & Son, lumbermen, Duke Centre, was born in Irwin Centre, Steuben Co., N. Y., September 3. 1843, a son of John and Susan (Colgrove) Gridley, natives of Steuben county. N. Y. He was reared in Stenben and Allegany counties, educated in the common schools and Union school at Wellsville, same State, and began life as a teamster in the woods. He was also engaged as a mover of buildings in Wellsville, for five years. In 1875 he located on the old Dennis farm in Eldred, where he carried on farming one year; then removed to Otto township, and with his father purchased a farm of 300 acres of A. N. Taylor, which they conducted two years. When the oil excitement struck that locality they sold 100 acres for oil purposes, and still own the balance. In 1878 they erected a saw-mill at what is now Gridley Station, and have since done a large and suc- cessful lumber business, manufacturing about three million feet of lumber annually. Mr. Gridley married, in 1861, Sarah, daughter of William Ocker- man, of Steuben county, N. Y., and they have three children living: George W .. Susie and Arthur. Mr. Gridley was in the Civil war, enlisting August 13, 1863, in the First Brigade Band. Harding's Division, Twenty- second Army Corps, served two years, and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. He is a member of the G. A. R. Politically he is a Democrat. In addition to their lumber business Messrs. Gridley & Son have been operating in oil for the past six years, and now have three producing wells on the farm, and are continually developing more of their oil property.
510
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
MARION HENSHAW, oil producer, Duke Centre, is a native of Butler county, Penn., where he was reared and educated. He began life in the oil fields of Venango county, and there learned all the rudiments of the oil busi- ness. In 1871 he located at Petersburg, Clarion county, where his business was principally putting down wells by contract, and where he was also a pro- ducer to some extent. In 1877 he came to Custer City, Mckean Co., Penn .. where, with Col. Vera, he engaged in the production of oil, and was associ- ated with him for three years. Since 1880 he has been located at Duke Centre, operating on his own account, and now has twenty eight producing wells in MeKean county, besides having been interested in seventy-tive wells in the en- tire oil fields. Mr. Henshaw is one of the pioneers in the oil business at Duke Centre, and one of the few who still remain in the field. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; in politics a Democrat.
O. P. IRVINE, machinist. Duke Centre, is a native of Montreal, Canada. In 1853 he located at Lawrence, Mass., where he served an apprenticeship of over three years at the machinist's trade, after which he worked as a journey- man in the cities of Boston, Mass., Rochester and Dunkirk, N. Y., Titusville, Penn., and other points. In 1864 he was in the employ of the United States government at Nashville, Tenn. In 1878 he located at Duke Centre, where he opened a blacksmith and machine shop with Sidney Morgan, under the firm name of Irvine & Morgan; they have built up a successful business in the manufacture of oil drilling and fishing tools, and all kinds of machine and re- pair work necessary in the oil district. For five years the firm had a branch shop at Bolivar, N. Y., and they are also large oil producers in the field of Mc- Kean county, Penn., and Allegany county, N. Y. Mr. Irvine is one of Duke Centre's prominent and representative citizens. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Politically, he is independent. William Irvine, grandfather of the subject of these lines, came from Glasgow, Scotland, and landed in Quebec in 1802. His son, William, father of O. P. Irvine, was born in the same year in Quebec, and married Miss Matilda Lebare, of Montreal, about the year 1824. O. P. Irvine was married in Dunkirk, N. Y., to Miss Mary Young, a resident of that place, but a native of Schenectady, N. Y., and of Scotch parentage. To this latter union have been born children as follows: William Andrew (born April 14, 1860, in Dunkirk, died March 13, 1881), Addie E. (born September 16, 1861, at Dunkirk), Fred G. (born at the same place Feb- ruary 28, 1864), Mary Ellen (born also at the same place in 1866, died De- cember 25, 1870), Albert (born February 1, 1871, also at Dunkirk), Mary (born at Dunkirk February 5, 1875, died at Duke Centre, Penn., March 21, 1881), and Isabella (born in Duke Centre, August 7, 1879).
C. F. KEIM, is a native of Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. He was brought up on a farm, and at the age of six- teen rented a farm, which he successfully conducted six years, after which he operated a cheese factory in Erie county, N. Y., one year; was then engaged in the sale of agricultural implements in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., two years. In January, 1885, he located at Duke Centre, and embarked in the grocery business. Mr. Keim has an interest in fourteen producing oil wells at Allentown, Allegany Co., N. Y. He is a member of the K. O. T. M. and K. of L. : is a Democrat in politics, and served as a member of the council one term while Duke Centre was a borough.
L. J. LILLY, dealer in boots and shoes, clothing and gents' furnishing goods, Duke Centre, was born in Bloomfield township, Crawford Co., Penn .. October 1, 1845, son of Orrin and Olive (Hancock) Lilly, formerly of Massa- chusetts, who settled in Crawford county about 1843. L. J. Lilly was reared
511
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in his native township until sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade in Union City, Penn., where he worked two years. March 29, 1864, he enlisted in Battery L, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artil- lery, One Hundred and Twelfth Regiment. The regiment was immediately divided, and he was assigned to the provisional Second Pennsylvania Artillery. He participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Petersburg, Cold Harbor, Chapin's Farm, and other engagements, and was honorably discharged February S, 1866. He then returned to Craw- ford county, and worked at his trade in Riceville until 1872; then located at Antwerp, Clarion Co., Penn., where he opened a shoe store, which he conducted one and one-half years; then removed to Turkey City, where he was engaged in business until 1879, when he located at Duke Centre and embarked in his present business, which he has conducted with marked success. Mr. Lilly married, March 24, 1868, Sarah B., daughter of Capt. Samuel and Nancy (Laughlin) Johnson, of Crawford county, and they have three children: Ellis O., Arthur L. and Lynn M. Mr. Lilly is one of the leading and prominent merchants of Duke Centre, and while it was a borough served as member of "council and school director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he is a Republican.
WILLIAM F. LOVEJOY, farmer, P. O. Prentiss Vale, was born in Washington county, Me., August 21, 1837, a son of William and Ruth T. (Treworgy) Lovejoy, who settled in Farmers Valley, Mckean Co., Penn., in 1847, and in 1848 in Otto township, on the farm now occupied by William F., a part of which they cleared, and where they resided until their death. They had four children: William F., Willard T., Susan M. (Mrs. Charles C. Bel- knap) and Arthur P. William F. Lovejoy was reared in Otto township from eleven years of age. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, One Hun- dred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, served three years, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. After the war he carried on lumbering in Otto township for one year. He then removed to Minnesota and engaged in farming and lumbering there, with the exception of one year, until 1877, when he returned to Otto and has since resided on the old homestead, a part of which he cleared and improved. He is a representative citizen of Otto town- ship, and has held various local offices. In politics he is a Republican.
J. C. LOOKER, oil producer, P. O. Summit City, was born in Crawford county, Penn., in 1855, a son of Henry and Louisa (Hatch) Looker, who now reside with him. Mr. Looker is a carpenter by trade, and worked in Warren county, Penn., previous to coming to McKean county, in 1878. He has been engaged in producing oil since 1880, and now owns and operates eighty-six wells. In 1876 he married Miss Sarah E. Putnam, of Crawford county, Penn., and they have five children: Ralph, Louise, Myrtle, James and Ida. Mr. Looker is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
JOHN C. MILLS, of the firm of Duke & Mills, druggists. Duke Centre, was born in Sharon, Mercer Co., Penn., December 22, 1857. He was reared in Venango county, Penn., and educated in the Venango Normal school. In 1870. when thirteen years of age, he engaged as a clerk with the drug firm of Chamberlin & Tyler, of Rouseville, Penn., with whom he remained for seven years. From Rouseville he went to Colorado, where he was employed as a sur- veyor for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company for one year. In November, 1879, he located in Duke Centre, where he was engaged in the tank business six months, after which he was clerk in a drug store until 1882. He then, with Charles Duke, purchased the drug business of C. H. Collins,
28
512
HISTORY OF MCKEAN COUNTY.
and they have since conducted a successful business under the firm name of Duke & Mills. In 1886 they purchased the copyright, trade-mark, and sole proprietorship of galvanic oil, which they have since manufactured, a remedy that has been before the public for fifteen years, and has a world- wide repu- tation as a liniment and counter irritant, used internally or externally, for man or beast, having an extensive sale in the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Mr. Mills is a wide-awake and enterprising business man. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Equitable Aid Union, and of the Pennsyl- vania Pharmaceutical Association,
SIDNEY MORGAN, blacksmith, Duke Centre, was born in Newport, England, in 1849. At the age of twelve years he was sent to London and apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, serving until 1869, when he came to America and located at Erie, Penn., where he worked as a journeyman six months. From there he went to Dunkirk. N. Y., where he remained until 1876. when he went to Titusville, Penn., and in 1878 located at Duke Centre, where, with O. P. Irvine, he opened a machine shop, which they have since successfully conducted under the firm name of Irvine & Mor- gan. Mr. Morgan is also a producer of oil in the Bradford and Allegany dis- tricts. He is a leading citizen of Duke Centre, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.
FRANK J. NEWTON, merchant, Rixford, was born in Sharon township. Potter Co., Penn., August 31. 1859, and is a son of Alonzo and Angeline (War- ner) Newton. His father was a native of Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y .. and among the pioneer farmers and lumbermen of Sharon township, where he now resides. His maternal grandfather, O. C. Warner, formerly of Ver- mont, was one of the first settlers of Sharon township, and a farmer and lum- berman by occupation. Frank J. Newton was reared and educated in his native township, and located at Rixford, Mckean county, in 1879, where he opened a general store in company with George W. Dodge, and they have since con- ducted a successful business under the firm name of Dodge & Newton. Mr. Newton married, February 10, 1881, Ruth Russell, of Buffalo, N. Y., and they have four children: Nellie, George, Esther and Nelson. Mr. Newton is a leading merchant and citizen of Rixford. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of Council No. 43, Bradford, Penn. Politically he is a Republican.
W. G. NOBLE, a prominent merchant of Duke Centre, is a native of Amity. Allegany Co .. N. Y., was reared on a farm and educated in the common and grade schools. He located at Duke Centre in 1878, and with I. C. Show- erman opened a dry goods, glassware and crockery store, which partnership existed three years under the firm name of Showerman & Noble. Mr. Noble then purchased the business interest of his partner, and conducted the business alone until September, 1887. when C. H. Brown purchased an interest in the hi. 'ness, which has since been conducted under the firm name of C. H. Brown & Co. Mr. Noble has been, since 1886, engaged in business as an oil pro- ducer, and owns a controlling interest in twenty producing wells. He is also a lover of horse flesh, and is a breeder of blooded stock, which are regis- tered in Wallace's American Stud Book. When Duke Centre was a borough Mr. Noble served as a member of the council. Though a young man, he is one" of the pioneer merchants of Duke Centre, and one of its leading citi- zens and business men. Politically he is a Republican. The father of our subject was a pioneer to Allegany county, N. Y., from Whitehall, N. Y., hav- ing moved there when a small boy. At that time it was necessary to go ten miles to mill and carry a sack of corn on their shoulders through the forest path, there being no roads. The elder Noble is now sixty-nine years old, and
513
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
hardly gray. He reached Allegany county in IS15, being five years old at the time. His wife was born in the same connty, and is sixty years old. W. G. Noble is the eldest of their family of six children, and was born in 1854. His father is a cousin of O. Noble, of Erie, Penn .. of the old Noble oil-well fame.
ARTHUR PRENTISS. farmer, Prentiss Vale, was born in Paris, Oxford Co., Me., February 1, 180S, a son of Caleb and Mary (Morgan) Prentiss. He was reared in his native county, and labored on his father's farm until twenty- one years of age, at which time (in 1829) he emigrated to Penobscot county. same State, and on July 4, 1831, he opened a variety store at the town of Lee, twelve miles from any other store, and where he sold no intoxicants. Here he resided until his removal in 1847 to Pennsylvania. While a resident of Lee himself and brother, Addison. now of Worcester. Mass., were mainly instru- mental in the establishment of an academy there, called the Lee Normal School (with a grant of half a township of State timber land), which is still in a prosperous condition. In December. 1845, Mr. Prentiss first came to Peun- sylvania, and was induced by an old Maine acquaintance, Hermon Stroug (who came 'here in 1842), to visit Otto township, with a view to purchasing the pine timber land and the locating of a colony of Eastern farmers and lumbermen, an interesting account of which, and the settlement of the township, from the pen of Mr. Prentiss himself, will be found in the history of Otto township in this book. In the spring of 1846 he a second time visited this region, and again in the fall of the same year, when he succeeded in concluding arrangements for all the land wanted. All the contracts were made to George M. Prentiss, a brother, then of Worcester, Mass., who furnished all the capital required. In April, 1847, Mr. Arthur Prentiss moved his family to Farmers Valley, and they occupied the old Sartwell (now Goodwin) farm two years, while he was locating land, etc., preparatory to building a mill, etc. In the spring of 1849 he moved into a log house in the valley, and began the erection of a saw-mill, which was put in operation in the fall of the same year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.