Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 87

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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ARCHIBALD R. OSMER was born at Franklin Oct. 12, 1866. He obtained his preparatory education in the public schools there, graduat- ing from high school in the spring of 1884, in the fall of which year he matriculated at Princeton University, then known as the Col- lege of New Jersey. Having completed the full course he was graduated in 1888, and then took up the study of law with his father, gain- ing admission to the bar of Venango county in 1891. Subsequently he was admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme and Superior courts of the State. Mr. Osmer was interested in practice with his father, and later also with his brother, until the father's death. Since then

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he and his brother have had their legal business in common, a large share of the most desirable patronage in this section coming into their hands. During the early part of his career A. R. Osmer enlarged his experience of court procedure by two terms of service as district attorney, to which office he was elected in 1893, making a highly creditable record and acquir- ing a store of practical legal knowledge which has been of great value. He has not aspired to public honors, but has served as a member of the city school board.

On Aug. 21, 1893, Mr. Osmer was married to Mary Alice Grant, daughter of J. R. and Martha Grant, and they have two children : James Harold, born Feb. 4, 1895, graduated from Princeton University in 1917, and is now overseas in the military service as sergeant in Company B, 326th Battalion, Light Tank Corps; Gilbert Grant, born May 25, 1898, is in the Officers' Training Camp at Camp Lee, having been inducted into the service while a Junior at Princeton. Mr. Osmer has various social connections in Franklin, holding mem- bership in the Sons of the American Revolu- tion ; in Myrtle Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M .; the B. P. O. Elks, and the Wanango Country Club.

Mrs. Osmer is a great-granddaughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Johnson) Grant, both natives of Scotland. Her grandfather, Alexander Grant, married Elizabeth Say, daughter of John and Margaret (McMahon) Say, of England, and their son, Capt. James R. Grant, married Mrs. Martha (Smith) Moore, daughter of Peter and Mary Smith. To this union were born children as follows : Caroline, Mary Alice (Mrs. Archibald R. Osmer), Emma (Mrs. Edward King), Myra (Mrs. J. T. Miller), Orville, Margaret ( Mrs Russell C. Rider), and Martha (wife of Dr. Marlin W. Heilman. of Tarentum, Pennsyl- vania ).

NEWTON F. OSMER was born July 23, 1868, in the city of Franklin, Pa., and is the youngest son of the late James H. Osmer. He entered the public schools of the city, and graduated from the high school in June, 1886, and im- mediately took entrance examinations for Princeton University, where he entered in September of that year. He pursued the academic course in college and graduated in June, 1800. After graduation he entered his father's law office in Franklin as a student at law, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1893. From then he was continuously asso- ciated with his father and brother in the prac- tice of his profession until the death of his

father in 1912, since when he has been associated with his brother, under the firm name of A. R. & N. F. Osmer, in general practice, at Franklin. Mr. Osmer is a member of the Supreme and Superior courts of Penn- sylvania and of the Federal court.

On June 30, 1908, Mr. Osmer married Helen Irene Farley, of Milton, Pa., daughter of John M. Farley (see Northumberland County His- tory, 1911). Two children have been born to them: John Lambert, on Aug. 24, 1909, and Jane Elizabeth, on Dec. 10, 1916.

JOHN GRIGGS, the ancestor of Mrs. James H. Osmer, was of Welsh origin. He was a soldier in the Revolution. taking part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and in the retreat after that battle carried Benjamin Chamber- lain, a wounded soldier, three quarters of a mile to safety. The exertion affected him so seriously that he was never afterward a well man. He died about 1800. By his first mar- riage he had two children, Seth and Anna. His second union was to Mrs. Mary (Smith) Thomas, who was born Dec. 13. 1756, and died Dec. 6, 1826. They had a family of five children : Samuel, Polly (wife of Razey Baker), Caleb, Abigail and Elijah.

Samuel Griggs, son of John, was born Feb. 10. 1794, at Hector, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and being quite young when his father died was reared in the family of his brother-in-law at Troupsburg. N. Y. In 1814 he went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, with his brothers Caleb and Elijah, where Caleb was soon after drafted into service for the war of 1812-15, while Samuel was apprenticed to a baker who sup- plied the army with hard bread. Returning to Troupsburg two years later, he purchased a farm of one hundred acres and engaged in agricultural work, in which he was very suc- cessful. Altogether he cleared off about four hundred acres of heavy timberland, accumulat- ing a fine property and the means of giving his children a better start in life than he had. In 1836 he engaged in merchandising at Troups- burg Center. continuing in that business until his death, which occurred Jan. 9, 1864. His son William N. was later associated with him. Mr. Griggs had a remarkable life. Though his educational opportunities were limited. he not only made the most of them, such as they were, but also carried on his studies at night until he was qualified to teach, which he did for several years. He was an able business man, and as honorable as he was clever, qual- ities which won him the confidence of his fel- low men in all the relations of life. He served

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in all the town offices, holding that of super- visor for six years, and was elected to the legis- lature in 1837. The question of providing adequate educational facilities for the young always held special interest for him, and he not only saw to it that his own family was well educated, but assisted in securing such advan- tages for all. He was the father of Troups- burg Academy, toward which he contributed eighteen hundred dollars. On political ques- tions he was a Democrat. He also took an active part in church work, from the time he united with the church, he and his wife joining the Methodist Episcopal denomination in 1828 and ever afterward supporting its enterprises. From that time until his death Mr. Griggs served as steward or class leader.

On Oct. 13, 1819, Mr. Griggs married Amy Church, who was born Feb. 27. 1803, at Hills- dale, Columbia Co., N. Y., and their children were born as follows: Sabrina, May 1, 1820; Harriet, June 8, 1821 ; William N., Feb. 8, 1823; Amy Caroline, Jan. 30, 1825; Samuel, Feb. 20, 1827 ; Luther C., Dec. 8, 1828; Rhoda P., March 8, 1830; John E., Jan. 7, 1832: Wilson S., Dec. 7, 1833; Mary Jane, Nov. 16, 1835 (Mrs. James H. Osmer) ; Martha M., Dec. 19, 1837; Emma Minerva, Aug. 31, 1839.

Luther Church, father of Mrs. Griggs, was born in April. 1781, in Barrington, Mass., and was of English descent. He removed to Madi- son county, N. Y., and thence in 1816 to Troupsburg, where he died March 28, 1858. In 1802 he married Rhoda Darrin, who was born Nov. 24, 1783, daughter of Daniel and Martha (Travis) Darrin, and died Jan. 17, 1861. Her father was born Dec. 8, 1756, in Britain, Conn., and died Nov. 4, 1838, at Troupsburg. He was a Revolutionary soldier, enlisting July 24, 1776, at West Britain, Conn., in Capt. Gad Stanley's Company, Col. Fisher Gay's regiment, 2d Battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, Connecticut Volunteers. This bat- talion was raised in June, 1776, to reinforce Washington at New York. Mr. Darrin served at Brooklyn just before and during the battle of Long Island, Aug. 27, 1776, and was in the retreat from New York City. Sept. 15, 1776, with the main army to White Plains. His term expired Dec. 25, 1776. On an applica- tion dated Sept. 15, 1832, at which time he was living in Rome, N. Y., he was granted a Revolutionary pension, and his widow Martha was granted a pension on account of his serv- ices until her death, Oct. 16, 1861. They were married Dec. 12, 1782, and she was his second wife, the first being named Rhoda.

WILLIAM JACKSON McCRAY (de- ceased) was a typical member of the sterling family to which he belonged, whose represen- tatives have been substantial residents of Cornplanter township for many years and owners of some of its richest oil lands. From 1873 until his death he owned and occupied the Egbert farm, the site of a famous oil pro- duction for many years and still yielding well, his widow continuing to make her home there.

William McCray, grandfather of William Jackson McCray, came to this country from the North of Ireland and was an early settler near Titusville, Pa., where he lived and died. His son William was the father of William Jackson McCray, and record of both appears in the biography of James Story McCray, elsewhere in this work.

William Jackson McCray, youngest son of William and Elizabeth (Story) McCray, was born June 4, 1834, on the homestead in Corn- planter township, and was reared there, ac- quiring his education in the public schools of the locality. His early practical training was mostly in the line of agriculture, which to- gether with lumbering occupied him during young manhood. He fell in with the trend of the time and in the fall of 1860 ventured into oil production, striking a gusher on the well known Buchanan farm which opened the way to thorough development of that prolific field. Later he settled at Petroleum Center, purchas- ing the well known Milton Egbert farm, a tract of thirty-nine acres in Cornplanter town- ship first made famous by the discovery of the Hollister well, and in the immediate vicinity of the great Maple Shade well, of which his brother was part owner, on the adjoining Blood farm. This tract once sold for a million dollars, at the height of the oil excitement. Mr. McCray bought it in 1873, and though he had a number of good paying wells there he also engaged in farming, which he fol- lowed very successfully, in all his enterprises displaying marked business ability and a gift for good management. He once owned and operated a refinery at Petroleum Center, which he sold to the Standard Oil Company in 1876. He was active until his death. which occurred at his home Nov. 26. 1907. and led a worthy life in all his associations. Long an earnest member of the United Presbyte- rian Church at Plumer, with which his wife also united, he served as trustee for over twen- tv years. He is buried at Plumer. Mr. Mc- Cray was not directly active in public affairs, though he always gave his encouragement and support to good objects and voted regularly,

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affiliating with the Democratic party. Frater- nally he belonged to the Equitable Aid Union.

On Oct. 17, 1867, Mr. McCray was mar- ried, at Erie, Pa., to Anna McCray, daugh- ter of John and Mary (White) McCray, of Warren county, Pa., where her parents died. She survives him, remaining on the home- stead at . Petroleum Center where they came to reside in 1873. Mr. McCray drilled eight- een wells on this tract, and fourteen are still producing, in good quantities. To Mr. and Mrs. McCray were born the following chil- dren : Clara Emma, born Aug. 5, 1869, was married Oct. 3, 1894, to Irwin K. Thomas, and they reside with her mother; they have one daughter, Wilma I., born Dec. 11, 1902. James B., born Dec. 7, 1871, died Jan. 6, 1876. Lora May, born April 2, 1875, died Nov. 8, 1877. Earl C. and Edna Gertrude, twins, born Sept. 8, 1876, died in November, 1877. Anna M., born Oct. 28, 1878, married Stacy C. Jones Jan. 3, 1900, and they have had five children, born as follows: Leal, Sept. 19, 1901 ; William T., Sept. 28, 1904; Stacy Clifford, Aug. 5, 1907; Howard, Nov. 28, 1910; and Robert, March 10, 1914. William L., born Oct. 6, 1880, was accidentally killed by a boiler explosion July 8, 1889. John, born April 11, 1882, died in infancy. Martha Isabella, born June 26, 1883, married W. C. Hamlinton, of Oil City, Pa. George Ralph, born Oct. 4, 1885, married Florence Beatty, and they have one son, George Ralph, Jr., now (1918) four years old; they reside at Titusville, Pa. Robert S., born Dec. 20, 1887, has joined the United States service and is now in training at Camp Lee.

EDWARD P. THEOBALD, president of the Independent Refining Company, has him- self had an unusually broad experience in the oil business, and is the son of Peter Theobald, of Titusville, retired after a prosperous career as a refiner.

PETER THEOBALD was born Nov. 11, 1838, at St. Wendel, Rhine province, Germany, and in his seventeenth year came with the family to America, in 1855, settling at Wellsville, N. Y. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted, and served in the Army of the Po- tomac throughout the struggle. Coming to Titusville when discharged, he entered into partnership with William Teague in a small refinery. Later he sold this interest and formed an association with A. D. Deming, of Oil City, being soon thereafter joined by Louis Walz. establishing the Independent Oil Com- pany in 1882 on the site now occupied by the

Independent Refining Company. Mr. Theo- bald was president of the company, its suc- cess in a large measure resulting from his vigilance and ability. Though he maintained his home at Titusville his energies were de- voted to the plant until his retirement in 1908, he becoming one of the most widely known independent refiners.

Edward P. Theobald was born Nov. 10, 1874, at Titusville, receiving a public school education. His first responsible position in the oil business was as clerk, in 1895, with the Evansville Oil Company, of Evansville, Ind .. a subsidiary of the Independent. The Pure Oil Company of Holland is an organization of independent refiners and producers created for the purpose of marketing their products. the stockholders including nearly all the in- dependent operators. Mr. Theobald was sent in 1900 as manager of the Pure Oil Company of Holland to the headquarters at Rotterdam, taking charge of the distribution in the terri- tory including Holland, Belgium and Germany. The company owned two ocean tank oil car- riers, Rotterdam being the seaport, whence shipments were made by canal boats. Rhine river boats and tank cars to the interior points of distribution. Mr. Theobald was in charge for thirteen years, during which time the busi- ness attained immense proportions. To keep in touch with it at all points and to give it adequate personal attention he visited prac- tically every part of those interesting sections. becoming as familiar with the Rhine as with the Allegheny. Though his responsibilities were heavy, and he added to his business cares service as vice consul general in Holland for the United States, these were most agreeable years, but his father's failing health made his return essential, his attention being demanded in the details of management of the Indepen- dent Refining Company, to whose interests he has since given unstinted devotion. He was married Oct. 5. 1898, at Evansville, to Edith Mackey, of Mount Vernon, Indiana.

The Independent Refining Company, Lim- ited, had its beginning in the Independent Oil Company, organized May 11, 1882, by Peter Theobald, president. Louis Walz, treasurer. and A. A. Rockwood. secretary. The site of the original works on Oil creek, two miles north of Oil City, is now that of the Indepen- dent Refining Company. It was equipped with one still, having a capacity of one hundred barrels daily, but this was increased until within a few years it had quadrupled in vol- ume. and high test steam stills were installed. The memorable fire and flood of 1892 did such

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extensive damage to the works, with losses in ideals, and he endeavored to live up to it in his tanks, plant and products, that it was neces- own life. sary to rebuild almost entirely, when a com- plete set of modern machinery was secured. The plant covers several acres, having seven stills, each of one thousand barrels capacity. Waste has been practically eliminated by the production of all possible by-products, the out- put including gasoline, lubricating oils, kero- sene and wax. The company owns one hun- dred tank cars and maintains two distributing stations, at Grand Rapids, Mich., and at Evans- ville, Ind. Seventy-five employes are regularly on the payroll, which amounts to seventeen hundred dollars weekly. After a few years of operation under the original name the com- pany became known as the Independent Re- fining Company, Limited, being thus incorpo- rated in July, 1917, with a capital of six hun- dred thousand dollars and the following offi- cers: Edward P. Theobald, president ; T. B. Gregory, of Emlenton, vice president ; S. Mes- ser. of Emlenton, treasurer ; R. P. Byles, sec- retary; the other directors being S. Messer and H. J. Crawford, of Emlenton, and J. D. Berry, of Oil City.

HON. W. C. RHEEM (deceased) is well remembered in Franklin and all over Venango county, especially among the older residents, to whom he had become endeared through the pleasant associations of many years in social and business relations. Mr. Rheem was a man of broad nature, and had many interests. A lawyer, first, and always devoted to his pro- fession, he also acquired valuable land and oil holdings in the course of his business opera- tions which placed him among the solid prop- erty owners in the county, and in addition to his business and legal cares found time for cooperation with his fellow citizens in the de- velopment of the community, for participation in public affairs, and for the amenities of social intercourse, making friends everywhere. His fine mentality had its practical value in the acquisition of legal learning and its application to his professional work, but it also afforded him keen pleasure in the pursuit of his natural taste for literary and other studies, and mani- fested itself in private conversation, in public speaking and occasionally in writing, besides his helpfulness in the advancement of educa- tional interests. Those who knew him well could not fail to be impressed by his cultiva- tion of the kindly virtues, and the high value which he set upon real character and worth. Wholesomeness was one of his cherished

Mr. Rheem practiced at the Venango county bar for almost forty years. He was a native of Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., born in 1834, and spent his early life there, graduating from Dickinson College, Carlisle, in 1853, and gain- ing admission to the Cumberland county bar in the year 1855. He married early, and in 1857 the young couple went out to Minne- apolis, Minn., which was then but a small village, but of sufficient promise to offer him a good field for practice. Opening a law office, he followed his profession and also handled real estate, doing well in both lines during the five years that he remained there. In 1862 he went farther west, to Montana Territory, which then embraced a large part of the United States west of the Mississippi, and transportation facilities were so poor at the time that the long journey was tedious travel- ing, occupying several months. During the three years of his residence in that section he became one of its prominent men, prospecting successfully, practicing law, and taking a lead- ing part in politics, being elected a member of the legislature. He was long the only notary public in all that region. In 1865 Mr. Rheem returned to Pennsylvania, settling at Franklin, and the same year was admitted to the bar of Venango county. He soon formed a law part- nership with Hon. J. H. Osmer which lasted for several years, and built up an extensive practice, to which he devoted a large share of his time until incapacitated by illness about a year and a half before his death. When he came to Franklin the oil excitement was at its height, and the rush of business which accom- panied the development of the new industry not only brought him legal responsibilities but incidentally afforded him opportunities for profitable transactions in land and oil through which he acquired land and oil interests all over the county and accumulated a handsome competence. For many years he also con- tinued his activity in politics, being an ardent member of the Republican party and aiding in many of its local victories, but he withdrew from such things in his later years, though he never lost his interest in public matters.

Mr. Rheem made a success of both his law practice and his business operations, and won the respect of his associates by his strict integ- rity and uprightness in all his dealings. He became noted for his faculty of deciding quickly and accurately upon any question which came up for his consideration, developed

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no doubt by long experience with legal matters and the necessities of business during a time when prompt action made all the difference be- tween success and failure. He was trusted by all with whom he came into contact. But it was the traits which endeared him to his fellow men in a personal sense for which he was best known, and which were usually quoted as his most prominent characteristics. In view of his abilities and industrious atten- tion to the necessary things his material suc- cess was taken for granted. That he found time to help others and make the world a pleas- anter place to live in-these were the adorn- ments of his character. His own fondness for study and the pleasures of the mind naturally led him to encourage education and the pro- viding of educational privileges for all. and he kept in close touch with public school work and teachers in Franklin besides supporting all the measures designed for their benefit. He liked to visit the schools. Mr. Rheem had a strong sense of man's responsibility toward his fel- lows in all matters and never evaded what he considered to be his own duty in this respect, whether in the domestic or other social rela- tions, the performance of public duties or the obligations he felt due from him to those less fortunate than himself. Though everywhere accorded the deference due to his superiority he was unassuming and unostentatious, his genial manners showing cordial sympathy, fur- ther expressed in the generous aid which he gave to all good things. He was independent in his views, favoring any movement which appealed to his sense of right regardless of its popularity or unpopularity with others, and showing a liberality of thought toward those who disagreed with him which won their friendly personal regard without reference to the subject of difference. He enjoyed con- templating the advances of civilization, and feeling that he could have a part in the work and he was always generous in his appreciation of what others accomplished. The spirit he invariably infused into those associated with him in any enterprise was worth more than any material help' he could give. A delightful conversationalist, he was also a talented public speaker. either in court or before general audi- ences. His familiarity with literature and his- tory included a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, and his reverence for the principles of Christianity led him to respect any belief if it was sincere. His writings include a metrical blank verse translation of certain por- tions of the New Testament, of which one critic said : "It had a subtle beauty and charm

which caused me to regret greatly that it was only a fragment."

Mr. Rheem kept up his varied activities until eighteen months before his death, when a stroke of apoplexy enfeebled his health, though he recovered sufficiently to be about up to within two weeks of his death, which occurred Nov. 21, 1903, at his home in Franklin. He was in his seventieth year. Mr. Rheem was buried in the Franklin cemetery. At the time of his decease he was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and of the Venango Bar Association.

Mr. Rheem married, at Carlisle, Pa., Anna C. Burkholder, who was born there, daughter of Henry L. and Margaret (Foulk) Burk- holder and granddaughter of Gen. Willis Foulk. Her early life was spent in that Cum- berland valley town, and she accompanied her husband to the West shortly after their mar- riage. When he came to settle at Franklin in 1865 the town was so crowded that neither house nor lodgings could be secured there, so they boarded at Utica until quarters could be had in Franklin, where they spent the rest of their lives. Their home was a social center whose hospitality many remember with pleas- ure. Mrs. Rheem was as active in all good works as her husband, and made as many friends, and to the close of her long life never lost her interest in their welfare or in the events of the day. She had many interesting recollections of the early days in her native section of Pennsylvania and of the Civil war period and the oil boom, as well as other im- portant happenings of her time.

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 87

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: