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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Deerfield Township and Knoxville Borough--Westfield Township and Borough--Brookfield Township.
WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH.
JONATHAN SEAMANS, a native of Foster, Providence, Rhode Island, born April 19, 1794, was a son of Israel Seamans and a grandson of Thomas Seamans, who served as a major in the Revolution. Jonathan came to Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and settled on land now owned by Hollister Baker, in Westfield borough. In 1848 he removed to the land still owned by his sons, where he spent the remaining years of his life, dying August 15, 1867. He married Rebecca Tuttle, September 28, 1819. She was a daughter of Ayers Tuttle, who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was born in Catherine, Tompkins county, New York, May 16, 1803. She came with her parents to what is now Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1809, where she resided up to her death, September 16, 1873. Thirteen children were the fruits of this union, twelve of whom grew to maturity, viz: Polly R., who married Levi Scott; Eliza P., who married William Morris; Hannah L., who married Aurora Streeter; Israel A., William Orville, Eli B., Chloe L., who married John Potter; Lorania L., who married Frank Cowles; Sheldon Alonzo, Loren B., John M. and Milo P. The family is one of the oldest and best known in the county, and are earnest supporters of the principles and measures of the Republican party. Numerous descendants of Jonathan Seamans are living in Tioga county, and many of them are among the enterprising citizens of the community which he helped to found.
WILLIAM ORVILLE SEAMANS, son of Jonathan and Rebecca Seamans, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, May 6, 1829, and has spent his entire life in the same. He cleared and improved a farm of seventy acres, and is one of the representative farmers of his native township. On April 17, 1853, he married Julett Thompson, a daughter of Demarcus L. and Philadelphia (Rowell) Thompson, of Westfield. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Sackett’s Harbor. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Seamans are among the well-known people of Westfield, and give an earnest support to every worthy object. In politics, he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.
ELI B. SEAMANS, son of Jonathan and Rebecca Seamans, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, August 23, 1831, was reared upon the homestead farm, and attended the public schools in boyhood. On attaining his majority he engaged in farming, and owns fifty acres of his father’s farm, and 100 acres additional, most of which he has cleared and improved. In April, 1861, he enlisted for the Three Months’ service, in the famous Bucktail regiment, and on May 3, of the same year, he re-enlisted for three years, in Company A, of the same regiment, known as the First Pennsylvania Rifles. He was in the battles of Drainsville, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, and Charles City Cross Roads, and was wounded in the last engagement, in three places, June 30, 1862. He was there taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison. After four months he was paroled and sent to Davis Island Hospital, where he remained four months, and was then detailed for garrison duty at Fort Hamilton, and assisted in putting down the New York riots of July, 1863. In September, 1863, he rejoined his regiment at Culpepper, Virginia, and took part in the battles of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Bethesda Church. On June 14, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the service at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and returned to his home in Tioga county. Mr. Seamans wa smarried July 2, 1865, to Maria McMines, a daughter of William and Olive (Tubbs) McMines, of Westfield, who borne him four children: Jennie, William, Albert and Justus. Mr. Seamans is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield, and in politics, he is a Republican.
SHELDON ALONZO SEAMANS, fourth son of Jonathan and Rebecca Seamans, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, February 15, 1839. He grew to manhood beneath the parental roof, and obtained his education in the common schools. He has been engaged in farming since attaining his majority, and owns and occupies a part of the old homestead, cleared and improved by his father. For upwards of thirty years he has also followed lumbering in connection with farming. From 1857 to 1865, he was connected with the leading lumber frim of Salamanca, New York, but since the latter year he has resided permanently on his farm. Mr. Seamans was married December 3, 1867, to Susan G. Boileau, a daughter of Daniel R. and Betsey Boileau, of Centre county, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of two children: Daniel Ray, and Edna Rebecca. In politics, he is a Democrat, and has held various local offices in his township. He is a member of Eulalia Grange, No. 108, of Westfield, and is recognized as one of the foremost and enterprising citizens of the community.
STEPHEN POTTER, a native of Rhode Island, born in 1789, came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in company with a party of settlers from his State, in 1817, and later cut a road through the forest from the site of Westfield borough to that of Potter Brook. Here he located in 1818, and cleared a farm of 125 acres. The village of Potter Brook stands on a part of the old homestead, the remaining thirty-five acres being owned by his son, George W. Mr. Potter was a stonemason and bricklayer, and followed that business for many years. It is said that he laid every stone in the front portion of the court house at Wellsboro. He learned his trade in Rhode Island, serving seven years’ apprenticeship. He married Matilda Aldrich, to which union were born the following children: Sarah Ann, who married Charles H. Metcalf; Elizabeth, who married David Taylor; Stephen, who married Olive Wood; Jonathan, who married Hannah Brooks; Mary Adelcy, who married I. C. Thompson; Matilda, who married Calvin Brooks; William, who remained single; John, who married Chloe Seamans; George W., a resident of Westfield township, and Benjamin Franklin, who married Amanda Mack, entered the Union army, and died in Andersonville prison. Mr. Potter was a member of the Free Will Baptist church and an adherent of the Republican party. He died April 9, 1875, in his eighty-seventh year. His wife died August 26, 1874, in the eighty-second year of her age.
GEORGE W. POTTER, the only surviving son of Stephen and Matilda Potter, was born on the homestead at Potter Brook, Tioga county, February 14, 1835, and obtained his education in the common schools and at Union Academy. On attaining his majority, he worked for a short time at the mason’s trade, and afterwards worked as a carpenter for fifteen years. He next engaged in farming, and has since operated a planing, shingle, feed and carding-mill. In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was taken prisoner at the battle of Fredericksburg, and was confined to Libby prison about one month. From there he was sent to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained some five months, and was honorably discharged at Harrisburg after ten months’ service. Mr. Potter has been married three times. His first wife was Mary L. Mulford, a daughter of Edward Mulford, whom he married January 1, 1869. She bore him three children: Newell, Eddie and Frank, and died July 13, 1883. His second wife was Emma R. Baker, a daughter of Harrison Baker, whom he married January 1, 1885. She became the mother of three children, viz: Lena, Leon, and Nellie. He was again married July 20, 1895, to Mrs. Sarah E. Ordiway, widow of John Ordiway, and a daughter of Edwin Manning. She has one daughter by her former marriage, Ola Ordiway, now eighteen years of age. Mr. Potter is a Republican, in politics, and a member of the G. A. R.
JAMES KING, SR., a pioneer of Westfield township, Tioga county, and a son of James and Rhoda (Allen) King, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 28, 1765. His father was born in December, 1731, and died December 16, 1818. The family traces its ancestry back to James King, who came from England to American and settled in Rhode Island. His son James married a Miss Clark, and reared two sons and several daughters. The sons were David and James. The former never married, but James married Rhoda Allen, and reared seven children, as follows: Keziah, Rhoda, Phoebe, James, Sarah, Amy and Rachel. The subject of this sketch settled on the farm in Westfield borough, now owned by C. E. Krusen, in 1825. He cleared and improved this property and at his death was buried thereon. He introduced and used the first cow stanchions in the county, and was quite a prosperous farmer. He married Roby Howland, born March 9, 1769, who became the mother of thirteen children, viz: Prince, Allen, Eddy, Ozial H., Sarah, who married Christopher Sayles; John, James, Keziah, who married Joel Crandall; Willard H., Hannah, who married Stephen Partello; Roby, who married James Calkins, Adriel and Almon. There was also a half brother, Stephen, who was older than Prince. Mr. King died November 13, 1844, in the eightieth year of his age, and his wife, Roby, November 2, 1836, in her sixty-eighth year.
PRINCE KING, eldest son of James and Roby (Howland) King, was born in Burrillville, Providence county, Rhode Island, June 20, 1789. In 1815 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in 1881 settled on Jemison creek, in Westfield township. Here he cleared and improved a farm, upon which he died October 14, 1871, at the age of eighty-two years. He married Sally Seelye, a daughter of Ebenezer Seelye, a Revolutionary soldier and a pioneer of Deerfield township. She was born may 4, 1800, the first white female child born in Deerfield, and died April 28, 1845. Ten children were the fruits of this union, viz: James, Allen, Julius S., Roby, who married Rufus A. Stanton; Ozial H., Ebenezer, deceased; Friendship F., who married Squire Southworth; Mary S., who married Ethan Taft, and died May 26, 1894, in Midland, Michigan; Prince W. and Willard A. Mr. King was a carpenter, and followed his trade in connection with farming. Originally a Democrat, he was a Republican from the organization of that party. He was called upon many times to fill various township offices, and was drawn as a juryman in the courts at Wellsboro twenty-one years in succession. Mr. King was a great bible student, led an exemplary life, and was highly respected by his friends and neighbors.
JAMES KING was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, April 9, 1820, a son of Prince King, and grandson of James King, Sr. His parents removed to Westfield township the year after his birth, where he grew to manhood. In 1842 he settled on the farm now owned by his sons, Lorenzo K. and Aaron P., cleared and improved it, and resided there until his death, April 4, 1894. He married Louisa Hoover, a daughter of John and Sarah J. Hoover. Her parents settled in Westfield township in 1833, where her father died in February, 1841, and her mother in June, 1847, aged sixty-three and sixty-six years respectively. Mrs. King became the mother of seven children, viz: Sally J., who married Alexander Lattimer; Amelia, who married Seth Tremain; Adelia, who married G. H. Tremain (Amelia and Adelia were twins); Sarah M., wife of Charles T. Boom; Rhadetska, Lorenzo K. and Aaron P. Mrs. King died November 15, 1893, aged sixty-seven years. Politically, Mr. King was a Republican from the organization of that party, prior to which he was a Democrat, and held various local offices in the township. He was one of the well-known mechanics and bridge builders of Westfield.
RHADETSKA KING, son of James and Louisa King, was born on the homestead farm, in Westfield township, Tioga county, January 18, 1850, and obtained a common school education. He is a natural mechanic, and has followed carpentering, bridge building, and railroad contracting, in connection with farming. He has resided on his present farm since 1870, and is one of the prosperous citizens of the township. He married Mary E. Boom, a daughter of John F. Boom, of Knoxville, Tioga county. Five children were born to this union, three of whom are living, viz: Effie, wife of Byron Havens; Jay and Dix Gilbert. In politics, Mr. King is a Republican, and is one of the progressive citizens of the township.
LORENZO K. KING was born upon the homestead in Westfield township, Tioga county, May 13, 1852, a son of James and Louisa King. He was educated in the common schools and at Mansfield State Normal School; has followed the occupations of farmer, mechanic, teacher and jobber; was clerk in the county commissioners’ office at Wellsboro for three years, and served one term as county auditor. He was one of the chief movers in organizing the Cowanesque Valley Agricultural Society; was untiring in his efforts to establish it on a firm foundation, and was its first president. He also started the Breeders’ and Dairy Association of Tioga county, of which he is secretary. He has given considerable effort toward writing for various publications, and possesses good literary taste. Mr. King was married April 4, 1885, to Ada E. Haven, a daughter of Solon R. and Amelia A. (Kenyon) Haven, of Westfield township. She was born July 15, 1859, in Rutland, Tioga county, and taught fourteen terms of school. She is the mother of one son, James Rex. In politics, Mr. King is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising citizens of the township.
OZIAL H. KING, son of Prince and Sally King, was born on the old homestead in Westfield township, Tioga county, November 3, 1829. He learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed forty years in connection with farming and lumbering, and has lived on his present farm since 1867. Mr. King was married May 13, 1854, to May Elizabeth Carpenter, a daughter of Samuel and Electa (Parker) Carpenter, of Westfield. She was born August 27, 1834, and is the mother of eight children, viz: Amy Celia, born March 16, 1855, wife of Charles W. Bryant; Electa L., born August 22, 1857, wife of Darius S. Short; Eddie P., born September 29, 1859; James Devillo, born May 12, 1862; Willard H., born August 12, 1864; Frank J., born November 7, 1871; Ward L., born June 5, 1873, and Earl, born May 30, 1877, and died July 15, following. In politics, Mr. King is a Republican.
WILLARD KING, the youngest child of Prince and Sally King, was born on the old homestead in Westfield township, Tioga county, August 29, 1843. He there grew to manhood, and has always made it his residence. At thirteen years of age he left school and started in life as a teamster, but since attaining his majority he has cultivated the homestead farm. For the past thirteen years he has been associated with his brother, Prince W., in the lumber business. On October 26, 1883, Mr. King married Sarah Partello, a daughter of Stephen and Hannah (King) Partello, of Whitesville, New York. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.
WILLIAM HOWLAND, eldest son of John and Susannah (Salisbury) Howland, was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1814. His parents were natives of Rhode Island, and among the first settlers of Deerfield township, and later residents of Westfield. Their children were as follows: William, Hannah, who married Eleazer Seeley; Miriam, who married Samuel Monroe; Polly, who married James Swimelar; Roby, Susan, second wife of Samuel Monroe, and John. The subject of this sketch cleared and improved a farm on Jemison creek, in Westfield township, now occupied by his widow, and owned by his son, John M. He married Sarah J. Hoover, a daughter of John and Sarah J. (Albert) Hoover, January 2, 1840. Her parents were residents of Westfield, whence they came from Schoharie county, New York, in 1830. Thirteen children were the fruits of this union, viz: Melvina, Emily, Miriam, who married Sherwood Hotaling; Sarah J., Polly, who married L. Helmer; John M., Hannah, wife of Dolph Brace; Susan, Louisa, Samuel, Bernicia, wife of Fred Warner; Theron, and Clara, wife of Lee Witlers. Mr. Howland was a prominent farmer of his day, and held various offices in the township. In politics, he was a Republican, and a member of the Baptist church for twenty-three years. He died June 7, 1892.
JOHN MELVIN HOWLAND, eldest son of William and Sarah J. Howland, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, may 17, 1849. He attended the common schools of the district, and since attaining his majority has been extensively engaged in farming and lumbering, turning out about 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually. He is the owner of the old homestead in Westfield township, and also owns a fine farm in Chatham township. Mr. Howland was married April 21, 1867, to Jeannette Chapman, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Swimely) Chapman, of Clymer township, and has five children: Lena B., wife of Henry Spicer; Jennie, wife of Oren Mack; Lewell, who married Ella Mack; Maud, wife of J. W. Smith, and Zecal. In politics, he is an ardent Democrat, has held various township offices, and has served as a member of the Democratic county committee. Mr. Howland is a R. A. M. in the Masonic order.
MELKIER LABAR, son of Melkier Labar, a native of France, was born in 1755, and settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son James. His wife was Margaret Jolly, who became the mother of twelve children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, as follows: Catherine, who married Jacob Krantz; Deborah, who married Elijah Bellews; George, Philinda, who married Morgan Huyler; Matilda, wife of Samuel Westgate; Priscilla, wife of Allen Brace; Phoebe A., wife of James Carpenter; John, Mary, wife of Delos Parrish, and James. Mr. Labar died on the homestead in Westfield township in 1851, at the ripe old age of ninety-six years.
JAMES LABAR, youngest son of Melkier Labar, was born in Tompkins county, New York, August 9, 1832, and was about two years old when his parents settled in Westfield township, Tioga county. He grew to manhood in this county, obtaining but a limited education in the common schools, and has since lived on the old homestead, most of which he cleared from the original forest. He has erected all of the buildings now upon it, and has owned the farm since 1861. In September, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He was wounded in the last mentioned engagement, in June, 1864, and was honorably discharged from the service in July, 1865. In 1855 he married Harriet Hunt, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Knapp) Hunt, of Westfield township, and has two sons: Elverson and Marion S. Mr. Labar is a Republican, in politics, and is a leading farmer of the township.
TIMOTHY LEONARD was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, July 3, 1757, a son of Deacon Abiel and Abigail (Elliott) Leonard. His grandfather, Samuel Leonard, was a son of Thomas Leonard, and a grandson of James Leonard, a native of England, who settled at Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1652. James Leonard was the progenitor of the Leonards of Taunton, and the ancestor of the Leonards of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He erected the first forge or furnace in the Plymouth Colony, which afterwards became the principal one in America. He and his sons often traded with the Indians, with whom they were on terms of friendship, and when King Philip’s War broke out, strict orders were given that the Leonards should not be harmed. Thomas Leonard became a noted physician; was a major in the militia, a justice of the peace, a church deacon, and judge of the court of common pleas from 1702 to 1713. Samuel Leonard, his fourth son, was a man of distinguished piety, and filled the offices of deacon in the church, captain and justice of the peace. Deacon Abiel Leonard, son of Samuel, was born February 26, 1710, and died October 27, 1802. But little of his history is known. Timothy Leonard, the subject of this sketch, married Susannah Presby, of Taunton, Massachusetts, who bore him a family of eight children. He was a man of strict integrity, earnest piety, and inherited the sterling qualities of his ancestors, with the exception that he lacked successful financial ability. He died at Smyrna, New York, July 10, 1830.
STEPHEN A. LEONARD, son of Timothy and Susannah Leonard, was born in Saratoga county, New York, September 9, 1798, and in 1836 he settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on what is now known as the Leonard homestead. He cleared and improved this farm, and resided there until his death, which occurred May 4, 1868. On April 26, 1821, he married Penninah U. Darrow, to which union were born nine children, viz: Lovina H., who married C. Henry Judd; Sophia, who married Samuel B. Price; Cornelia, who married Darius W. Nobles; Walter, Timothy R., Peter D., S. Selina, who married Sidney Beach; Orpha and Delos F. Mr. Leonard was a licensed preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist church, and in politics, a Republican.
PETER D. LEONARD, son of Stephen A. Leonard, was born in Smyrna, Chenango county, New York, August 19, 1832, and was four years old when his parents located in Westfield township, Tioga county, where he grew to manhood. He was a farmer and manufacturer of cheese, and followed these vocations in Westfield and Delmar townships, also in New York, Harrison Valley and North Bingham, Pennsylvania, finally returning to Westfield, where he continued to reside until his death, march 20, 1893. Mr. Leonard was twice married. His first marriage occurred march 14, 1859, to Selina Houghton, who died July 17, 1860. He was again married December 15, 1863, to Martha Peet, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Allen) Peet, pioneers of Delmar township, Tioga county. To this marriage were born seven children, four of whom survive, two sons and two daughters.
GEORGE CHAMPLIN, a native of Charleston, Rhode Island, born September 29, 1793, was a son of Joshua Champlin, and came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, about 1821. He worked a farm on shares in Deerfield township for one year, and in 1822 he purchased a farm in Harrison township, Potter county, cleared up a part of it, and resided there fifteen years. In 1837 he returned to Tioga county, and purchased the land in Westfield township now owned by his sons, James and John, upon which he resided until his death. On January 6, 1822, he married Loncy Works, a daughter of James and Rachel (Cass) Works, of Otsego county, new York, to which union were born eight children, viz: William, Robert H., Mary M., James, Emma A., wife of Stephen Sperry; Joseph W., John, and Alpha A., wife of James E. Dodge.
JAMES CHAMPLIN, son of George and Loncy Champlin, was born in Harrison township, Potter county, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1831, and was six years old when his parents located in Westfield township, Tioga county. He attended the pioneer schools of his neighborhood in youth, and assisted his father in clearing and improving the old homestead, of which he now owns seventy-eight acres. He also owns 187 acres adjoining, a good share of which he cleared himself, and erected thereon all of the buildings. He lived there until 1889, and then removed to Cowanesque, where he is now enjoying the fruits of his early industry. In 1861 he married Mary Lattimer, a daughter of James and Helen (Haining) Lattimer, natives of Scotland, who settled in Westfield township in 1853. Her parents died at the age of eighty-five and seventy-five years, respectively. Mrs. Champlin was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, April 10, 1841, and is the mother of five sons, viz: Harrison, Sherman, Luman, James and Elder, all of whom are dead. The three eldest and the youngest all died within five weeks with diphtheria, and a strange coincident is that each died on a Thursday. Mr. Champlin has an adopted daughter, Hilda. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the township.
HOLLISTER BAKER, born in Rochester, new York, in 1816, a millwright by trade, settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1839, and erected one of the first grist-mills in that locality. He afterwards lived on Pine creek for a time and later worked in a foundry and machine shop at Otsego, New York. In 1849 he returned to Westfield and built a foundry, which he operated until the sixties, when it was burned down. In 1865, in company with his son Albert, he rebuilt on the same site, and began the manufacture of carriages and wagons, which they manufactured four years, when the structure was again burned. Nothing daunted, they rebuilt and carried on the works for a short time and then sold out. Mr. Baker has since been engaged in farming. He married Dorlesca Phillips, a daughter of Richard and Amity Phillips, of Westfield, to which union were born six children, viz: Albert, Victoria, wife of Dr. Frank Buck; Cecil E., Viola, wife of E. M. Baker; Effie, wife of Herbert E. Baker, and Ora E. Mrs. Baker died November 10, 1888, aged sixty-six years. Mr. Baker has been rather independent in politics, and has filled the office of assessor.
ALBERT BAKER, oldest son of Hollister Baker, was born in Westfield, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1842. He attended the public schools in boyhood, and later Eastman’s Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. Being a natural mechanic, he adapted himself to the machinist’s trade, though for some years prior to the Civil War he worked at carpentering. On May 30, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, First Rifle Regiment, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Reserve, widely known as the Bucktail regiment, and participated in fifteen battles and skirmished. He lost his left arm at South Mountain, September 15, 1862, and was honorably discharged November 26, following. From 1865 to 1869, he was engaged in business with his father in Westfield, and later studied civil engineering. In May, 1880, he embarked in business for himself in Westfield, where he has since successfully carried on a foundry, machine and general repair shop. Mr. Baker was married in 1864, to Sellie Smith, a daughter of E. G. and Betsey (Burdic) Smith, of Sabinsville, Tioga county, and has three children: Ilba, wife of Emil Buhr; Vida, wife of Edward Ladd, and Klein D. In politics, Mr. Baker is independent, and has held various local offices.
NEWBURY CLOOS, SR., a native of the Mohawk valley, New York, came with his father, Reuben Cloos, a native of Scotland, to the Cowanesque valley in 1807, and settled in what is now Deerfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he cleared and improved a farm. The records show that he acquired title to his land on January 1, 1908. He was twice married. His first wife, Esther Short, was the mother of eleven children, as follows: Reuben, Polly, who married George Parker; Abel, Matilda, whose first husband was William Falkner, and second husband, Barney Daniels; Sophia, who married Charles Avery, an early settler of Chatham township; Hannah, who became the wife of Daniel D. Church; Armon, David, Ambrose, Newbury, and Esther, who married Henry F. Daniels, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Daniels. Mrs. Cloos died October 2, 1829, and her husband married Mrs. Patty P. Reynolds, who survived him three months. He died May 7, 1853, in his eighty-first year, and his wife, Patty P., August 7, following in the eighty-third year of her age.
DAVID CLOOS, a son of Newbury and Esther Cloos, was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, March 7, 1809, and was reared on the old homestead. He cleared and improved a farm in his native township, and in December, 1840, removed to Westfield township, where, with the exception of two years that he occupied the old homestead in Deerfield , he resided until his death July 12, 1853. From December, 1840, to April, 1847, he was proprietor of a hotel in Westfield, after which period he devoted his whole attention to farming. He married Maria Sweet, of Deerfield township, who bore him twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, viz: Ambrose, Noah, Marietta, wife of Elias H. Clark; Amelia, wife of Robert R. Parshall; Matilda, wife of Albert W. Potter, A. Byron, Bernard, Burnett, Marie, wife of G. A. King, and Cora, wife of George Trim.
AMBROSE CLOSE, originally spelled "Cloos," is the oldest son of David and Maria Cloos. He was born in Deerfield township, Tioga county, March 4, 1835, and came to Westfield with his parents when but five years of age. He was reared in Westfield, and educated at Union Academy and Alfred University. For twenty years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Westfield, and three and a half years at Elkland, and for forty years he has been more or less engaged in farming. Mr. Close was married March 12, 1861, to Ann V. Secord, a daughter of Gilbert S. and Sophia (Marsh) Secord, of Westfield, who bore him one son, Roy, who died February 2, 1881, in his fifteenth year. Mrs. Close died November 9, 1891, aged fifty-nine years. She was an attendant of the Universalist church, a charitable and kind neighbor, and a good wife and mother, who enjoyed the love and esteem of all who knew her. Mr. Close has liberally supported the churches of Westfield, more especially the Universalist church. He is an ardent Republican, has been burgess of Westfield for several terms, and has also filled other local offices. He is recognized as one of the representative citizens of the borough, in which the greater portion of his life has been passed.
DANIEL McNAUGHTON, M. D., a son of Malcomb and Christie McNaughton, was a native of Howard, Steuben county, New York, and of Scotch descent. He studied medicine in Rochester, New York, and in 1845 began the practice of his profession at Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death, which occurred December 24, 1883, aged sixty-five years. He always took an active part in public affairs, was a stanch Republican from the organization of that party, and was appointed postmaster of Westfield in 1861, which position he filled until 1872, when he resigned to take his seat as associate judge of Tioga county. He filled the latter office one term, and was then elected a justice of the peace for Westfield borough. Dr. McNaughton’s wife was Ann gray, a daughter of Abiathar and Amelia Gray, of Howard, New York. She bore him a family of three children, viz: Niles Wesley, Francis D., and Helen M., wife of B. E. Close. As a physician, Dr. McNaughton became prominent among his professional brethren of Tioga and adjoining counties, and as a citizen he was identified with the growth and progress of his adopted home for nearly forty years.
NILES WESLEY McNAUGHTON, eldest son of Dr. Daniel McNaughton, was born in Westfield, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1845, and was reared in his native town. He was educated in the public schools and at Union Academy, Academy Corners, and at seventeen years of age began clerking in a drug store, which business he followed as clerk and proprietor from 1862 to 1893. During the incumbency of his father as postmaster of Westfield, he filled the position of assistant, and during President Grant’s first administration he was appointed postmaster of Westfield, which position he filled continuously until the fall of 1885. Like his father, he is a stanch Republican, and gives his earnest support to the principles and measures of his party. In 1867 he married Emma L. Larrison, a daughter of William and Sarah (Stryker) Larrison, of Clymer township, Tioga county. Mr. McNaughton is a member of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., Westfield Chapter, no. 265, and Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, of Wellsboro, all of which he takes an active interest.
WILLIAM SIMMONS was born in Benton, Yates county, new York, December 12, 1827, eldest son of Peter and Sarah (Perry) Simmons. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Simmons, was a pioneer of Yates county, where his father was born. Peter Simmons was twice married. His first wife, Sarah Perry, bore him four children, viz: William, Joseph P., Charles H., and Della, who married Alvah Hurlbut. His second wife, Cynthia Lilley, became the mother of six children, as follows: Leonard, Peter, Wilbert, Lafayette, Triphena, and Elizabeth, who married William Wood. When the subject of this sketch was a child his parents moved to Independence, Allegany county, New York, and a few years later to West Union, Steuben county, in 1845 he came to Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he became a clerk in the store of Russell & Hunt, then in charge of Richard Krusen. About five years later he formed a partnership with Mr. Krusen, and they carried on business in the original store building for two years. In 1855 he purchased apart of the farm in Westfield borough on which he now resides, and has made additional purchases from time to time, erected a commodious residence, and made many other improvements. Mr. Simmons has been connected with the mercantile business more or less for a number of years. He was a member of the firm of E. E. & William Simmons, of Westfield, for about seven years, and carried on the business for two years alone after his father’s death. He has since devoted his principal attention to his farm. On November 3, 1850, he married Annice C. Boardman, a daughter of Elkanah and Clarissa C. (Benedict) Boardman, of Otsego county, New York. Five sons were born to this union, as follows: Esson E., born January 26, 1852, who married Addie L. Smith, and died November 26, 1882; Charles B., born January 19, 1862, who married Lena R. Patten, and lives in Westfield; Frank W., born March 6, 1864, a resident of Buenos Ayres, South America; Fred P., born April 29, 1867, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who married Ida Lounsbery, and Arthur J., born May 27, 1869, a resident of Westfield. They have also reared an adopted daughter, Mrs. Henry Hyde, of Groton, New York. The family are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, support the Republican party.
FRANK W. SIMMONS, a son of William Simmons, was born in Oswayo, Potter county, March 6, 1864. He attended the common schools of Westfield and graduated at the State Normal School, Mansfield, in the class of 1882. He then entered the law office of Maj. George W. Merrick, of Wellsboro, but was compelled to discontinue his law studies because of failing eye-sight. He later became book-keeper in the office of H. H. Crary & Company, tanners, of Westfield, and subsequently went to Salamanca, new York, to fill the position of general business manager for the same people, under the firm name of James Horton & Company. In July, 1894, he was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, by the United States Leather Company, as superintendent of two tanneries in Tennessee, one in Georgia, and one in Kentucky. In March, 1895, he was sent by the same company to Buenos Ayres, to represent them in South America, where he is at present living. Mr. Simmons was married January 10, 1892, to Fannie W. Seidler, of Leroy, New York, who accompanied him to the southern hemisphere.
ARTHUR J. SIMMONS, youngest son of William Simmons, was born in Westfield, Tioga county, May 27, 1869, and was educated in the Westfield public schools. He later found employment in the tannery of H. H. Crary & Company for a short time, and then went to Salamanca, New York, where he filled the position of book-keeper in the tannery office for some two years. Returning to Tioga county, he became book-keeper in the tannery office at Tioga. In July, 1893, he was appointed traveling auditor of the United States Leather Company, for the tanneries controlled by that company in new York, Wisconsin and Maine, which position he still occupies, though making his home with his parents in Westfield.
LYMAN TREMAIN was born in Connecticut, October 29, 1786, a son of Julius and Lucy Tremain. His father was a son of Joseph and Mary (Shapley) Tremain, and grandson of Joseph and Eliza Tremain, who came from England to America in 1666, and settled at New London, Connecticut. Their grandson, Gaines Tremain, was a soldier in the Revolution. Lyman Tremain was a pioneer of Lawrence township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he improved a farm, and died in Westfield, January 13, 1864. He was married January 16, 1811, to Sophia Mersereau. She was born August 24, 1786, and died August 10, 1880. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Edward, Julius, John M., Joshua, Martin, Theodore and Arthur.
JOHN M. TREMAIN, third son of Lyman and Sophia Tremain, was born December 2, 1816, was reared on a farm, and commenced life for himself at Lindley, Steuben county, New York. He was a pioneer of Lawrence township, Tioga county, where he cleared and improved a farm. In 1858 he removed to Westfield, and died in that borough, January 15, 1878, in his sixty-second year. He was twice married, his first wife being Abigail B. Goodwin, of Lowell, Massachusetts, who bore him ten children, namely: Almira M., who married Orson Edgcomb; Seth K., Lyman J., John A., Gilbert H., Warren H., Abigail, who married George W. Neely; Orrin A., Maria L, who married Robert Walker, and Theodore M. His second wife was Mrs. Betsy Whipple, nee Pierce, of Westfield, who bore him two children, Willis J. and Luther D. Six of his sons by his first marriage served in the Rebellion, namely: Seth K., Lyman J., who is supposed to have been killed in the war; John A., who was killed at Gettysburg; Gilbert H., Warren H., and Orrin A. Mr. Tremain was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, an ardent Republican.
GILBERT H. TREMAIN, fourth son of John M. and Abigail Tremain, was born in Lindley, Steuben county, New York, December 26, 1843, and is of the sixth generation from Joseph and Eliza Tremain, who settled at New London, Connecticut. He was reared in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the common schools. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-first New York Volunteers, August 14, 1862, and served in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Ringgold, Tunnel Hill, Resaca and other engagements. He was wounded at Resaca May 15, 1864, and was honorably discharged from the service may 27, 1865. On his return home he engaged in lumbering up to 1873; later served as constable and collector of Westfield, and in 1882 was appointed agent for the Addison and Pennsylvania Railroad company at Westfield, which position he still occupies. Mr. Tremain was married May 26, 1869, to Adelia, a daughter of James and Louisa (Hoover) King, of Westfield. He is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield; also of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., and Westfield Chapter, No. 265, of Westfield, and Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, of Wellsboro. In politics, he is a Republican, and has taken an active interest in local political affairs for many years.
THEODORE TREMAIN was born in Lindley, Steuben county, New York, April 10, 1825, a son of Lyman and Sophia Tremain. He removed with his parents to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and for many years was engaged in farming in Lawrence and Westfield townships. He has been a resident of Cowanesque valley since 1877. Mr. Tremain has been twice married. His first wife was Josephine Sprague, a daughter of Thomas and Keziah (Warren) Sprague, of Westfield, who became the mother of three children, viz: Herman, E. Augustus and Samuel. His second wife was Hannah Reynolds, who bore him two children: Josephine, wife of William Kress, and Lyman H. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist.
JAMES MASTEN, M. D., was born in Penn Yan, New York, May 26, 1827, a son of Cornelius and Maria (Vosburg) Masten. His father was a prominent lawyer of his day, and during President Van Buren’s administration he was president judge of Yates county, New York, and was also for a number of years president of Yates County Academy. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Gen. Peter I. Vosburg, of Stuyvesant, New York, who distinguished himself in the War of the Revolution. Cornelius Masten at one time was the owner of valuable tracts of timber lands in Warren county, Pennsylvania, which have since become valuable as oil producing territory. Dr. Masten was educated at the Yates County Academy, and the Military University of Norwich, Vermont. He commenced the study of medicine with Drs. A. F. & W. Oliver, of Penn Yan, New York, and attended lectures at Buffalo Medical College. He began the practice of his profession at White’s Corners, Potter county, Pennsylvania, in 1849, remaining there for eleven years. In 1860 he located at Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since resided, having attained a front rank in the practice of his profession. Dr. Masten was married April 9, 1851, to Nancy C. manning, a daughter of Lewis and Amanda M. (Gilbert) Manning, of Harrison Valley, Pennsylvania, and grand-daughter of Rev. John D. Gilbert, a distinguished divine of the Protestant Episcopal church. Dr. Masten and wife are the parents of six children, five of whom grew to maturity, viz: Norman L., Ida E., wife of Dr. W. R. Francis; Edward S. and Effie, twins, the latter the wife of Isaac Taft, and Frank G., a graduate of the University of Buffalo, and the Western Pennsylvania Medical College of Pittsburg. He also has a diploma from the New York Polyclinic School, and began the practice of medicine in 1891, and is now located at Westifeld. He was married February 18, 1896, in New York City, to Miss Amy Stead. The subject of this sketch is an active member of the Masonic order, with which he has been prominently connected since 1852. He is a member of Westfield Lodge and Chapter, being secretary of the latter, and is a charter member of both organizations. Dr. Masten was censor, vice president, and president of the old Tioga County Medical Society while it was in existence, and is at present a member of the State Medical Society and the Elmira Academy of Medicine. In 1884 he was appointed postmaster of Westfield by President Cleveland, and filled the office four years. He has been a life-long Democrat, as was his father, and a stanch advocate of Democratic principles. He has done considerable work as a correspondent of various newspapers, and has also written a history of Westfield. During the Rebellion he drilled the first members of the famous Bucktail regiment in Tioga county, and has always taken a deep interest in military affairs. As a physician, Dr. Masten is widely known, being the oldest practitioner in the north-western part of Tioga county, where he has enjoyed for many years a large and lucrative practice. He is now president of the Cowanesque Valley Agricultural and Fair Association, and has given much attention to the growth and progress of agriculture.
WILLIAM N. HURLBUT was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1835, third son of Lyman Hurlbut. He came with his parents to Tioga county in the spring of 1856, and five years later removed to Lawrence township. He was educated in the public schools of his native county and at Wyoming Seminary. In 1862 he embarked in merchandising at Westfield, as a member of the firm of R. Krusen & Company, which partnership lasted two years. He then removed to Cowanesque village and formed a partnership with R. Skinner and Ira Edgcomb, under the firm name of R. Skinner & Company, general merchants, and manufacturers of doors, sash and blinds, in which he was engaged for ten years. He then returned to Westfield as a member of the firm of R. Krusen & Company and followed the lumber business until July, 1889. at that time he was appointed postmaster of Westfield, was re-appointed on December 27, 1891, and filled the position up to the close of 1895. Mr. Hurlbut was married January 18, 1869, to Helen Close, a daughter of George and Rachel (Miller) Close, of Westfield, and has three children, viz: Satie B., Nellie and Fred. In politics, a Republican, he has been a school director of Westfield for twenty consecutive years. Mr. Hurlbut is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is one of the enterprising, well-known citizens of Westfield.
ISAAC PLANK, third son of Lovel Plank, Sr., was born at Perris Hill, Oneida county, new York, in 1817, and removed with his parents to Brookfield township, Tioga county, where he received a common school education. He cleared a farm in that township, and followed agriculture until 1875, when he removed to Westfield and embarked in merchandising, which he followed for two years, and then retired from business. He married Sally Ann Smith, a daughter of David and Catherine (Duscheimer) Smith, of Harrison township, Potter county, to which union were born five children, viz: Catherine, wife of Henry Wood; Lovel, Devalience, Harvey, and Lydia, wife of Tyler Spaulding. Mrs. Plank was a member of the Methodist church, and died July 24, 1859, aged forty-two years. In politics, Mr. Plank was a Republican, and held various offices in Brookfield and Westfield, and always took an active interest in public affairs. He was constable and collector for many years, and at one time was personally acquainted with nearly every voter in the county. He was a great favorite with the young, and was familiarly known as "Uncle Isaac." Mr. Plank died May 6, 1883, aged sixty-seven years, dying as he had lived, a consistent member of the Baptist church.
LOVEL PLANK, eldest son of Isaac and Sally Ann Plank, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, July 26, 1843, and grew to manhood upon the old homestead. Shortly after attaining his majority, he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles of Fort Stedman, Petersburg, Hatcher’s Run, and other minor engagements, and was honorably discharged from the service May 13, 1865. In 1866 he located in Westfield, Tioga county, where he embarked in the grocery business, which he continued for ten years, when he added thereto a stock of dry goods and carried on a general store until 1882. In that year he engaged extensively as a dealer in all kinds of agricultural implements, wagons, buggies, harness, etc., in which he has since successfully continued. The firm of L. Plank & Company also carries on the leading undertaking and furniture establishment in this section of the county, keeping as fine a line of goods as is usually found in large cities. Mr. Plank is also interested in other industries of Westfield. He owns and occupies for business purposes the finest block in the borough, which he erected in 1885 on the same site where he commenced business nearly twenty years before. On August 27, 1868, Mr. Plank married Mary A. Hancock, a daughter of Warren and Clarissa (Hill) Hancock, of Clymer township, and has three children: Lydia, Burt B. and Isaac W. In politics, Mr. Plank is a Republican, was the first burgess of Westfield, and has served three consecutive terms in that office. He is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield; Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M.; Westfield Chapter, No. 265; Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, of Wellsboro, and Jemison Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Westfield. He was one of the founders of the Cowanesque Agricultural Society, of which he was president for several years, and it owes much of its success to his liberality and efforts. Mr. Plank is now the pioneer business man of Westfield and is recognized as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the Cowanesque valley.
HARVEY PLANK, the youngest son of Isaac and Sally Ann Plank, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, June 19, 1847, and was reared and educated in his native township. After attaining his majority, he engaged in farming until 1883, when he removed to Westfield borough and embarked in the sash and blind manufacturing business, as a member of the firm of R. Krusen & Company, which he continued for two years. He then became a drover and stock dealer, which he followed for five years. In 1891 he carried on a meat market in Westfield, and has since been engaged in various pursuits. Mr. Plank was married in 1871, to Jean E. McCoy, a daughter of Hiram and Appin (Coffin) McCoy, of Brookfield township, and has one daughter, Hattie. Politically, he is an earnest Republican, and is a member of the K. of H.
FRANK EBERLE was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 28, 1845, a son of Joseph and Fanny (Schalkohn) Eberle. The Eberle family were tanners for many generations, while his mother came from an old and wealthy family of brewers. Frank was reared and educated in his native land, and there served an apprenticeship of three years at the tanner’s trade in his father’s tannery and under his father’s instruction, and subsequently worked two years as a currier. In 1866 he immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked in his brother’s tannery one year, as a currier, and in 1867 he located in Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He continued working at his trade for six months and then purchased the old tannery property of Ambrose Close, at that time almost completely run down. With characteristic enterprise and energy, Mr. Eberle soon remodeled and equipped the tannery with modern appliances and machinery, and gradually bu9ilt up a successful business, his product, upper leather and harness leather, finding a ready market in the east, principally in New York City. Mr. Eberle’s great energy was manifested on many occasions. During the flood of 1889 he suffered a loss of over $8,000, by the washing away of all his vats, barns and storehouses, but he immediately rebuilt the plant, which is to-day one of the best appointed and equipped tanneries in the State. On September 8, 1873, Mr. Eberle was married to Mary H. Jeager, a daughter of Alouis and Cresence (Lang) Jeager, of Germania, Potter county, to which union were born four children, viz: Joseph F., who has charge of the tannery; Frank and Fannie C., both deceased, and Cressie C. Mr. Eberle died April 16, 1895, almost in the prime of his life. In his death Westfield lost one of its most substantial and useful citizens. In all that goes to make true manhood and the higher success in life he was a shining example. A kind father and husband, a good neighbor and a charitable man, he won and retained the respect of those who knew him best. He was the moving spirit in the erection of the new Episcopal church at Westfield and was an indefatigable worker in church affairs. He was ever ready to assist the needy and lend a helping hand to those starting in life. In politics, he was a Republican, and was a member of the Knights of Honor. His son, Joseph F., is following in his father’s footsteps, having served an apprentice-ship at the tanner’s trade in all its branches, and has now the general supervision of the business.
GEORGE BULKLEY, third son of Israel Bulkley, was born in what is now Osceola, Tioga county, October 2, 1801. He was reared on the old homestead; was a natural mechanic, and for some years carried on a general blacksmith and wagon shop. He also owned and conducted a farm and had a fine orchard in which he took much pride, but his taste was for mechanical pursuits. About 1823 he married Laura P. Whitaker, of Osceola, formerly of Rhode Island, who became the mother of nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, viz: Olivia C., who married Julius Seelye; Sarah F., who married Ira D. Hotchkiss; Lucy M., who married Augustus Alba; Edwin B., Hannah, who married Jerome S. Warner; Julia, deceased, and Ralph. In early life Mr. Bulkley was a Whig, but was a stanch Republican from the organization of that party. He died January 17, 1867.
EDWIN B. BULKLEY, eldest son of George and Laura B. Bulkley, was born in Osceola, Tioga county, June 2, 1835. He was reared on the old homestead; educated in the common schools and at Deerfield Academy, and began life as a farmer upon the home place. On March 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers, and was honorably discharged from the service October 18, 1862, because of disability through typhoid fever. In 1868 he located at Westfield, where he has since resided. Mr. Bulkley has been twice married. His first wife was Della H. Ellison, a daughter of Richard and Jane (Hazlett) Ellison, of Nelson, Tioga county, who bore him one son, Ira E. The latter married Maude Williams. Mr. Bulkley’s second marriage occurred March 30, 1864, to Malvina Doud, a daughter of Harrison and Emily (Miller) Doud, of Lenoxville, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of three children, viz: Emily, wife of James Streeter; George H., who married Rachel strait, and Charles E. Mrs. Bulkley’s father, Harrison Doud, was a member of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalary, and was a prisoner in Libby prison for some time. His brother, George H. Doud, also served three years and ten months in the late war. Mr. Bulkley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife is an Episcopalian. He is one of the charter members of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., and is also a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield. In politics, he is a Republican.
LYMAN HANCOCK was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, in 1799, removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, and settled in Clymer township. He cleared a portion of a farm from the wilderness and resided upon it until 1868, when he removed to Westfield, where he died in 1882. his wife, Rhoda Ide, bore him a family of seven children who grew to maturity, viz: Electa, who married Freeman Wilcox; Sophronia, second wife of Freeman Wilcox; J. Warren, John, Oliver, Lyman and William.
JAMES WARREN HANCOCK, eldest son of Lyman and Rhoda (Ide) Hancock, was born in Lebanon, Madison county, New York, July 5, 1830, and came to Tioga county with his parents when six years of age. He was married in Clymer township, and cleared about sixty acres of the home farm before he was of age, his father having been an invalid from the time our subject was thirteen years old, and never afterward able to work. He obtained a limited education in the common schools of his neighborhood; learned the carpenter’s trade, and has followed that business since attaining his majority. He lived in Clymer township until 1870, in which year he removed to Westfield, where he has since resided. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, and other minor engagements, and was honorably discharged from the service in August, 1865. In 1851 Mr. Hancock married Clarissa, a daughter of Harry M. and Luna (Coburn) Hill, of Clymer township, and has two children: Mary, wife of Lovel Plank, and Clarence. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield. He is also connected with Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M., and Westfield Chapter, no. 265, R. A. M.
WILLIAM KIZER was born in Greenwich, Sussex county, New Jersey, March 7, 1808, and came from Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to Farmington township, Tioga county, in 1845. Here he cleared and improved a farm, on which he resided until his death, in 1866. His wife was Susannah M. Stocker, a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, whom he married in Wilkes-Barre, February 7, 1836. She bore him a family of nine children, all of whom are living, viz: Morris, Delilah, wife of Samuel Satterlee; Warren H., William M., Frances A., wife of John J. Mascho; John A., Mary A., wife of Charles Stansborough; Charles C. and Legrand R. Mr. Kizer was a Republican, and a stanch adherent of his party.
WILLIAM MORGAN KIZER, third son of William and Susannah M. Kizer, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1842, and was reared in Farmington township, Tioga county, from the age of three years. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and was engaged in farming, and later in butchering, in Westfield and Wellsboro. Since 1869 he has been a resident of Westfield, where he followed farming and merchandising until he finally retired from active business. On May 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company L, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and participated in most of the battles of the Army of the Potomac, including Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. He received a bayonet wound at Ream’s Station, August 21, 1864; was taken prisoner, and confined in Libby, Danville and Salisbury prisons until March, 1865. Mr. Kizer was married April 1, 1866, to Nettie Tubbs, a daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Lewis) Tubbs, of Brookfield township, Tioga county, and has one son, Samuel T., who married Bertha Pritchard, of Westfield. Mr. Kizer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife of the Universalist church. In politics, he is a Republican, and is connected with the G. A. R., and the P. of H.
JOSEPH P. SIMMONS was born at Italy Hill, Yates county, New York, February 13, 1838, a son of Peter and Sarah (Perry) Simmons. He was reared in West Union, Steuben county, New York, attended the common schools during his boyhood, and commenced life as a farmer in West Union. In 1864 he embarked in the mercantile business at Oswayo, Potter county, Pennsylvania, but after six months removed to White’s Corners, same county, and engaged in general merchandising and farming for eight years. In 1872 he located at Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since continued the mercantile business. His wife was Lucy M. Mosher, a daughter of Lola Mosher, of Big Flats, Chemung county, New York, to whom have been born two sons: George H. and Arthur W. Mr. Simmons is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the E. A. U., and in politics, he is a supporter of the Republican party.
GEORGE H. SIMMONS, eldest son of Joseph P. Simmons, was born in Corning, Steuben county, New York, September 2, 1857. He was reared in New York and Pennsylvania, and was educated in the common schools and at Alfred University. He came to Westfield with his parents in 1872, and in 1879 embarked in the livery business, which he has since continued. He was married September 11, 1878, to Fannie L. Packard, a daughter of Peter M. Packard, of Oxford, New York. Mr. Simmons is a member of the F. & A. M., and the K. O. T. M. He is a stanch Republican, and has served seven consecutive years as constable of Westfield borough.
WILLIAM H. PARSONS was born in what is now Gallatin, Columbia county, New York, July 4, 1827, and is a son of Joshua and Maria (Miller) Parsons, who were of Scotch and Holland Dutch descent. He was reared in his native county, received a limited education in the common schools, and served five years’ apprentice-ship at the tailor’s trade at Hudson, New York. After working as a journeyman three years in Hudson, he removed in 1850 to Lanesboro, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he carried on business for himself thirteen years. He was afterwards located in business at Unadilla, Gilbertville and Stamford, New York, and in 1872 settled in Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since conducted a merchant tailoring business. Mr. Parsons has been twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Baker, a daughter of Lewis Baker of Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, who became the mother of three children: George A., William H., and Frank F. His second wife was Antoinette Flint, a daughter of Henry Flint, of Unadilla, new York, to which union has been born six children, namely: Alice, Lester, Edwin, Anna B., Vanness and Charles J. His wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Parsons is a Republican, and has held various offices in Westfield, having served nine successive years as school director, and is now serving his sixteenth year as justice of the peace.
CHRISTOPHER SAYLES was born in Burrellsville, Rhode Island, January 18, 1791, a son of Christopher and Martha (Brown) Sayles. He was of the fourth generation from John Sayles, who came to America from England in the Seventeenth century, and a great-grandson of Roger Williams. He was reared in his native town, and spent three years in Vermont, where he learned the blacksmith’s trade. In March, 1825, he removed with his family to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, settling in Delmar township, where he followed his trade until 1828. He then purchased a farm on Jemison creek, in Westfield township, and conducted a farm in connection with his trade until 1856, when he removed to a farm near the village of Westfield. In 1863 he went to Wellsville, New York, where he lived for eighteen years. Returning to Westfield township in 1881, he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Keziah Batcheller, until his death, July 10, 1884, in his ninety-fourth year. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of James and Roby (Howland) King, of Rhode Island, and a descendant of John Howland and Governor Winston, of Massachusetts, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. She bore him a family of eight children, who grew to maturity, viz: Ira, Roby, who married Henry Crandall; James, Loren, Martha, who married Joseph Pickett; Philander, Keziah, who married Harrison Batcheller, and Adriel K. Mr. Sayles is one of the well remembered pioneers of the community.
ADRIEL K. SAYLES, youngest son of Christopher and Sarah Sayles, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, December 9, 1832. He was reared in his native township, learned the blacksmith’s trade with his brother James and others, and afterwards followed that business for twelve years as a journeyman. He served in the Rebellion three years, as a sergeant of Company A, of the famous Bucktail regiment, enlisting in 1861 and being honorably discharged in 1864. Mr. Sayles was wounded at Spottsylvania Court House, and participated in nearly every battle in which his regiment was engaged during his term of service. In 1865 he established a blacksmith shop at Edgcomb, and for more than twenty years he has carried on the same business at Westfield, doing the leading business in his line in the borough. In 1862 he married Martha Bennett, a daughter of John and Betsy (Shouff) Bennett, of Elkland, and has two sons: Edmund K., and Elmer T. Mr. Sayles is a stanch Republican, is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., and is connected with Westfield Lodge, no. 477, and Westfield Chapter, No. 265, F. & A. M.
ARTHUR L. BOTTUM, M.D., was born in what is now Nelson township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1847, and is a son of Walter C. and Content (Culver) Bottum. His father was born in Connecticut in 1805, was a son of Clark and Hannah (Clark) Bottum, and came to Tioga county in 1829, his parents coming later and settling in Nelson township. Walter C. was extensively engaged in the lumber business for upwards of thirty years, and during this period he erected three saw-mills in the Cowanesque valley. He also cleared and improved a farm in Nelson township, upon which he resided until 1861, when he removed to Woodhull, Steuben county, New York. In 1886 he returned to Tioga county, and made his home with his son in Westfield until his death, which occurred in 1890, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. His wife was a daughter of Amasa Culver, a native of New England and a surveyor by profession. Her father was one of the pioneers of Tioga county, and owned at one time a portion of the land now embraced in Wellsboro. Mrs. Content Bottum, mother of our subject, was born in what is now Nelson township, Tioga county, in 1810, and was one of six pupils which formed the first private school in that section of the county. She was the mother of six children, as follows: Dorothea, Sarah, who married Samuel Hazlett; Hannah, who married Lester Dorrance; Cornelia, who married T. A. Patterson; Clark, and Arthur L. The last mentioned was reared in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and Steuben county, New York, and received an academical education at the Knoxville and Woodhull Academies. In 1871 he began the study of medicine with Dr. William T. Humphrey, of Osceola, Tioga county, later took a course of lectures at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the Detroit Medical College, Detroit, Michigan, in 1875. In the spring of that year he located at Westfield, where he continued to practice for nine years. He then went to Europe and took a special course at the Royal Imperial Hospital of Vienna, whence he returned to Westfield to continue his professional duties. Dr. Bottum has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and is recognized as one of the leading physicians of his native county. In 1891 he established a private hospital in Westfield, for special diseases of women and surgery, which has proven a successful venture. On April 13, 1876, Dr. Bottum was married to Lettia, daughter of David and Isabel (Tate) Webber, of Westfield, and has two children: Charles N., and Content A. The doctor was a member of the old Tioga County Medical Society during its existence, and in June, 1896, he was elected president of the present society. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and has always taken a deep interest in the growth and progress of medical science. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and is connected with the I. O. O. F., the K. of H., and the K. O. T. M.
JOSEPH FREDERICK RUGABER was born at Hazleton, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1855, a son of Christian Z. and Mary G. (Pfluger) Rugaber, natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. His father came to Pennsylvania in 1852, and located at Hazelton, removing in 1857 to Germania, Potter county, where he cleared a farm from the wilderness. He was one of the pioneers of that section and took an active part in building the first public highways in his vicinity. He served in the Rebellion one year, as a member of Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was the father of ten children, as follows: C. Henry, J. Frederick, Minnie, who married C. N. Rawson; Christian G., Sophia B., who married Cyrus Quick; Pauline C., who married Fred Hagemann; George W., Gottlieben D., who married John McKay; John, and Mary M., wife of Fred Daggett. Mr. Rugaber died in 1885. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead in Germania, Potter county, and graduated from the Wellsboro Academy in 1872. In 1873 he entered on an apprenticeship to the shoemaker’s trade, and served three years. In 1876 he engaged in the shoe business at Westfield, as a member of the firm of Northrup & Rugaber, which partnership existed until 1881. In that year he purchased the plant of the Free Press, at Westfield, which he carried on successfully for ten years, enlarging the subscription list from 300 to 1,000 in a short time, and changing the sheet from a four to an eight-page paper. He sold the plant in 1891, and has since conducted a job printing office in Westfield. Since 1892 he has also been proprietor of a variety store. In 1883 he married Sophia Baur, a daughter of John J. and Amelia Baur, of Elmira, New York. They have four children: Charles F., Emma, Arthur and Walter. Mr. Rugaber is a member of the Lutheran church; is a Republican in politics, and is connected with Jemison Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Westfield, Westfield Encampment, Canton Keystone of Wellsboro, the F. & A. M. and the K. O. T. M.
EDWARD M. TUCKER, president of the Farmers and Traders Bank, of Westfield, was born in Troupsburg, Steuben county, New York, February 21, 1839, a son of John and Lydia (Farwell) Tucker. His paternal grandparents, Daniel and Sally J. (Mackenzie) Tucker, were of Scotch ancestry, and were among the pioneers of Chenango county, New York, where they cleared a farm from the primitive forest which is still in the possession of their descendants. Daniel Tucker was the youngest of several brothers who served in the Revolution, two of whom died in the service. The maternal grandparents of our subject, Abram M. and Lydia (Jackson) Farwell, were of Puritan stock. His father, John Tucker, was born in Chenango county, New York, may 8, 1797, and removed to Steuben county in 1827, where he engaged in lumbering. He afterwards followed agricultural pursuits and cleared a farm which is still owned by the family. He was the father of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity and are now living, as follows: Edward M., Jeannette, wife of L. A. Williams; Daniel A., Catherine S., wife of Oscar F. Spencer, and Naomi. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old homestead in Steuben county, New York, was educated in the common schools and Oxford Academy, and commenced life as a farmer in his native county, where he resided until 1871. In that year he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in 1872 embarked in merchandising at Little Marsh, in which he continued until 1877, when he removed to Westfield. Here he followed the mercantile business in connection with the purchase of tan bark for the Osceola tannery until 1885, when he became the leading spirit in establishing the Farmers and Traders Bank of Westfield, the only banking house in the borough. It proved a successful business venture, and is recognized as a solid, substantial institution. Mr. Tucker was married in 1862, to Esther M. Perry, a daughter of Wooster and Maria (Lucas) Perry, of Woodhull, Steuben county, New York. They are the parents of two children: Erna L., wife of W. R. Westbrook, and Perry H. Politically, Mr. Tucker is a Republican, and a member of Ossea Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., of Wellsboro. He is a progressive and enterprising citizen, and has shown his public spirit in many ways since locating to Westfield.
JOHN WESLEY SMITH was born in Wayne, Steuben county, New York, February 11, 1852, a son of Benjamin and Lydia J. Smith. His father was a native of England, and came to the United States with his parents in childhood. He was reared in Steuben county, new York, learned the carriage maker’s trade, and carried on a shop of his own. He married Lydia J. Smith, a native of Orange county, New York, where her parents were pioneers. Three children were born to this union, viz: John Wesley, George S., deceased, and Carrie, wife of Edward Kniskern, of Elmira. In religion, Mr. Smith was a Methodist, and both he and his wife took a deep interest in church affairs. He died February 22, 1890, aged seventy-two years. His widow resides in Wayne, New York. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native place, was educated in the public schools, and began his business life in 1876 as manager of Strock’s Hotel, Woodhull, New York, where he remained two years. In the spring of 1878 he came to Westfield, Tioga county, as manager of the Westfield House, and in November of the same year purchased the hotel, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. Mr. Smith was married September 3, 1876, to Maria VanGorden, a daughter of J. D. VanGorden, of Barrington, New York. One daughter, Inez, was born to this union, but died in infancy. Mr. Smith is a member of Westfield Lodge, no. 477, F. & A. M.; also of Westfield Chapter, No. 262, and Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, of Wellsboro. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is recognized as one of the progressive citizens of Westfield.
HENRY EICK was born in Prussia, Germany, March 20, 1847, a son of Frederick and Mary (Wilson) Eick, who came to America in 1868 and located in Hancock, Sullivan county, New York. In 1877 they removed to Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where they spent the remaining years of their lives. They had a family of five children, viz: Henry, Mary, wife of Hugh McNellen; Ricka, deceased; Minnie, wife of Henry Roner, and Betty, wife of John Weeks. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native land, remaining there until 1872, and then immigrated to Sullivan county, New York, where he worked in a tannery three years. In 1875 he located at Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since been in the employ of the Cowanesque tannery, and has held the position of foreman since 1880. Mr. Eick married Augusta Taggie, a daughter of John and Dora Taggie, of Germany. Ten children have been born to this union, viz: Charles, Fred, Otto, deceased; Frank, Willie, deceased; Roland, Mary, deceased; Eddie, Johnnie and Essie. Mr. Eick is a member of the Lutheran church; is a Republican, in politics, and is connected with the K. of H., and the E. A. U. societies.
CLARK KIMBALL was born at Weare, New Hampshire, April 21, 1802, a son of Jonathan and grandson of Jonathan Kimball, both natives of Massachusetts. In 1825 he removed to Woodstock, New York, and in 1835 settled in Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for many years, and also in farming in what is now Osceola borough. He was twice married. His first wife was Clarissa Cilley, of Woodstock, New York, who bore him four children, one of whom survives, Laverne L. His second marriage occurred in may, 1841, to Hannah, a daughter of Clark W. Whittemore, of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, and grand-daughter of Jonathan Whittemore, a son of Daniel Whittemore. She bore him six children, three of whom survive, viz: Orville S., Alvin C., and Ida H. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he was a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, he was for many years a Republican, but in later life he was a stanch Prohibitionist.
ALVIN C. KIMBALL, son of Clark and Hannah Kimball, was born in what is now Osceola borough, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1846, was reared on the homestead farm, and educated in the Osceola High School. He began teaching at the age of seventeen, and followed the vocation, off and on in Tioga county, and later in Wellsville, Missouri, for a number of years. In 1868 he removed to Wellsville, where he owned a prairie farm, which he cultivated up to 1876, when he returned to Tioga county and lived on the old homestead at Osceola until 1881, since which time he has been a resident of Westfield. From 1880 to 1890 he was engaged in the portrait and view business in various sections of the county. On January 1, 1890, he purchased the plant of the Free Press, at Westfield, which paper he has since made one of the brightest and newsiest papers in the county. Mr. Kimball was married October 5, 1867, to Lucy L., a daughter of Orrin and Sarah N. (Morse) Rice, of Farmington township, Tioga county. They are the parents of two living children: Claude C. and Orrin E. Mr. Kimball and wife are members of the Universalist church of Westfield. He is connected with the F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F. of Westfield. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and has served in the borough council of Westfield for three years.
ORVILLE S. KIMBALL, son of Clark and Hannah (Whittemore) Kimball, was born in Osceola, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1842. In 1847 his parents moved to the farm, where he practically resided until 1893. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Third New York Volunteers, for three years or during the war. The regiment was a few days ordered to Washington, D. C., thence to Annapolis, Maryland, and embarked on the United States steamer Erricson. After a stormy voyage of five days it was landed at Hatteras Inlet, North Caorlina, and the following day, April 1st, proceeded by a river steamer to New Berne. Mr. Kimball’s company was on outpost duty at Evans’ Mills, seven miles from new Berne, until April 20, 1862, and was then detached with two other companies and sent to Hatteras Island for guard duty. Corporal Kimball, with a detachment of twenty men, was sent to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, as guard. September 1st, they received orders and joined the regiment on the 29th, at Antietam Creek, Maryland, and marched with the Army of the Potomac to Fredericksburg, Virginia. The army crossed the Rappahannock on December 12, charged Marye’s Heights on the 14th and recrossed the river on the 15th. In February, 1863, the regiment came to Newport News, and a month later to Suffolk, Virginia, where it was during the siege of that place, which ended in a hard fought battle, may 3, 1863, in which the regiment sustained heavy loss. It was near Portsmouth, Virginia, may 27, 1863; Yorktown, June 22; White House Landing, July 1; Taylor’s Farm and Hanover Junction, July 4, and destroyed the railroad, cutting off Lee’s communication with Richmond; returned to Portsmouth, July 13, and landed at Folly Island, South Carolina, August 2, 1863. Mr. Kimball re-enlisted in the field, in same company and regiment, at Folly Island, in February 1864. He was at James Island, South Carolina, from July 2nd to the 10th, 1864, and while commanding a skirmish line, his boot sole was shot away by a grape shot. He was at Washington, D. C., in August, and later in the Shenandoah Valley until December, 1864. he was at Bermuda Front from January until April, 1865. After the close of hostilities, he was on detached service at Petersburg, and Surry Court House, Virginia, in the subsistence department, until mustered out, December 16, 1865. He was promoted to sergeant in September, 1862, and to orderly sergeant in December, following. On October 24, 1866, he married Mary L., a daughter of Charles D. and Lucretia (Weeks) Cameron, of Osceola, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and went to housekeeping on the old homestead farm. Three children have been born to this union: Ernest Harlan, Ida Grace, and Bessie may. In 1880 he was commissioned a justice of the peace, and held the office for ten consecutive years. He is a charter member of Capt. A. J. Sofield Post, G. A. R., of Osceola, of which he was commander four successive terms, quartermaster one term, and adjutant eight terms. In March, 1891, Mr. Kimball accepted a position with the Free Press, of Westfield, with which paper he was editorially connected for nearly five years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, also of the F. & A. MN., and he and family are members of the Grange and the K. O. T. M. In politics, a Republican, he gives an earnest support to the principles of that party.
ERNEST HARLAN KIMBALL, only son of Orville S. and Mary L. Kimball, was born at Osceola, Tioga county, march 22, 1868. In early life he showed an aptitude for photography, and has always been identified with that business, which he has prosecuted quite successfully at Elkland, Tioga county, also in Kentucky, Indiana, and different counties of Pennsylvania, as well as at Camden, New Jersey, and other places. In January, 1894, he located permanently at Westfield, where he has established a fine studio and has built up a successful business. Mr. Kimball was married April 23, 1891, to miss May L. Davies, of Westfield, to which union has been born a son, Harlan D. In politics, he is a Republican, and is also a member of Westfield Tent, No. 155, K. O. T. M., and a charter member of Fleetfoot Tribe, No. 366, I. O. R. M., of Westfield.
WILSON DAVIS, eldest son of Jared and Parmelia Davis, early settlers of Clymer township, was born in Cortland county, new York, and came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, with his parents early in the century. He began his business career as a lumberman on Pine creek, which business he continued for many years. He later engaged in farming in Tioga and Potter counties, and died in the latter July 12, 1877, in his sixtieth year. His wife Esther Pease, a daughter of Abram and Cynthia (Bowen) Pease, of Westfield township, who bore him three children: Frank M., Emmett, and Hattie, wife of Uri Lucas. Mr. Davis was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the I. O. O. F.
FRANK M. DAVIS, eldest son of Wilson and Esther Davis, was born in Clymer township, Tioga county, August 14, 1853. He grew to maturity in Potter and Tioga counties, attending the public schools during boyhood, and after attaining his majority he followed lumbering for seven years, and for five years was a farmer in Westfield. He was a clerk ten years at the Westfield House, in Westfield, and served one year in the same capacity at the Coles House, in Wellsboro. In 1893 he embarked in the grocery and bakery business in Westfield, in which he still continues. Mr. Davis was married June 10, 1883, to Ida Hoffman, of Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and has three children, viz: John W., Perley, and Hazel. In politics, Mr. Davis is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Westfield; Westfield Encampment, No. 272; Canton Keystone, No. 5, of Wellsboro; also of the K. of P., and the K. of H., and is First Sachem of Fleetfoot Tribe, No. 366, I. O. R. M.
ELISHA S. HORTON was born in Spring Mills, Allegany county, New York, July 10, 1842, a son of Elias and Almira (Knox) Horton, and is descended from Puritan ancestry. His ancestors on the paternal side, tradition says, came to America in the Mayflower, in 1620. His father was a native of Wolcott, Connecticut, was a millwright and carpenter, and settled in early manhood in the Cowanesque valley. He married there and later located at Spring Mills, Allegany county, New York, where he reared his family. In 1865 he returned to Tioga county, locating at Lawrenceville, where he resided until his death, in 1882, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife was a daughter of William Knox, a pioneer of Tioga county, in whose honor the borough of Knoxville was named. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, viz: Alonzo B., Ira, Elias, William, Sarah, who married Christopher Prutsman; Elisha S., John C., Myra, who married J. C. Doane; Chauncey, Emily and Mary. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood at Spring Mills, New York, and received his education in the public schools and at Ulysses Academy. On August 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was promoted to second sergeant in 1864. He served in the battles of Winchester, and Chancellorsville, and was with Sherman on his celebrated March to the Sea. He was taken prisoner twice, first at Winchester, where he spent two months doing hospital duty, and was then exchanged. He was again taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and after spending two months in Libby, Castle Thunder and Belle Island prisons, was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, where he was exchanged. He rejoined his regiment at Dechard Station, Tennessee, and was honorably discharged from the service at Washington, D. C., June 30, 1865. He then located at Lawrenceville, Tioga county, and was engaged in farming two years; next went to Blossburg and entered the hardware business, which he followed four years, and then embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, in which he continued for the same period. He later engaged in general merchandising for two years, when he was appointed administrator of his father-in-law’s estate. After settling it up he again engaged in farming, but in December, 1882, was appointed station and express agent at Westfield, for the Fall Brook Railroad Company, a position he still holds. Mr. Horton was married in 1872, to Kate Campbell, a daughter of William and Helen (Peaslee) Campbell, of Nelson, and has four children: Frank G., Nellie C., Harry J. and Arthur E. In politics, Mr. Horton is a Republican. He is a member of Babcock Post, No. 238, G. A. R., of Westfield, and Westfield Lodge, no. 477, F. & A. M.
ASAPH T. KUNKEL, M.D., was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1859, a son of Daniel S. and Catherine (Trexler) Kunkel. He was reared upon the homestead farm, and after obtaining a common school education, he attended the State Normal School at Kutztown and Muhlenburg College, at Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1880 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. L. Bottum, of Westfield, Tioga county, and afterwards read under Dr. J. W. Chambers, of Baltimore, Maryland. He was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the latter city in 1883, and at once located in practice at Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since prosecuted the duties of his profession. On September 25, 1884, he married Dollie Parker, a daughter of Isaac P. and Ruth (Kelley) Parker, of Brookfield, Pennsylvania. Two children have been born to this union: Ruth and Kate. Dr. Kunkel is a member of the Hornellsville Medical Society, Steuben county, New York, and the Tioga County medical Society. He is a member of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M.; Jemison Lodge, No. 332, I. O. O. F., of Westfield, and Westfield Encampment.
JOHN R. DENGLE was born in Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1860, a son of John and Mary (Blinn) Dengle, both natives of Germany. His father came to the United States about 1850, and located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but removed to Wellsboro prior to 1860, where he still resides. For some years he was engaged in farming in Delmar township. His children were John R., Louise, wife of Herbert Severson; Samuel L., and Anna, wife of William F. Jordan. Our subject was reared in Wellsboro, and was educated in the public schools. In 1877 he entered the employ of White Brothers, grocers, of Wellsboro, in whose services he remained until the fall of 1883. He then removed to Gaines, where he was manager of the store, warehouse and lumber business of Charles H. Rexford, until May, 1885, when he located at Westfield, and has since been successfully engaged in the grocery and crockery business. Mr. Dengle was married February 21, 1883, to Elizabeth U. Rexford, a daughter of Charles H. and Alwilda (Vermilyea) Rexford, of Gaines, and grand-daughter of Horace Vermilyea, one of the first settlers of that section of the county. One daughter, Alwilda M., was born to this union. Mr. Dengle is a member of Jemison Lodge, No. 232, I. O. O. F., of Westfield; Westfield Encampment, No. 272, and Canton Keystone, No. 5, of Wellsboro; the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and of Westfield Lodge, No. 477, F. & A. M. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat, and was elected burgess of Westfield in February, 1897.
JOHN C. EDGCOMB, conductor on the Addison and Pennsylvania railroad, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1865, a son of Orson and Almira (Tremain) Edgcomb. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Edgcomb, came from Broome county, new York, to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, at an early day; was a cooper by trade, and one of the pioneers of the Cowanesque valley. His maternal grandfather, John m. Tremain, was one of the pioneers of Tioga county, as was also his maternal great-grandfather, Lyman Tremain, both of whom have sketches in this chapter. Orson Edgcomb was engaged in lumbering in early manhood, and was later a farmer and hotel-keeper at Cowanesque. His children were as follows: Hester A., wife of George Daugherty; John C., and Charles W. Our subject was reared in Westfield township, and obtained his education in the public schools. He then became an employe of a sash and blind factory at Cowanesque, where he worked for three years. In 1884 he entered the employ of the Addison and Pennsylvania Railroad Company, as a brakeman, and in the fall of 1891 was promoted to passenger conductor, a position he still holds. Mr. Edgcomb was married April 24, 1889, to Kittie Melvin, a daughter of Edward and Catherine (Loftus) Melvin, of Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania, and has one daughter, Faye A.
JOHN RIEPPEL was born in Hopfau, Bavaria, Germany, June 8, 1837, a son of Albert and Theresa (Schrembs) Rieppel, who came to the United States in 1872 and located in Renovo, Pennsylvania. His mother died there, and is buried in North Bend Cemetery. His father was an iron worker, and was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for several years. After eleven years’ residence in Renovo, he returned to Germany, and died there in 1889, aged seventy-nine years. Our subject was reared in Bavaria, Germany, and was educated in the Industrial and Polytechnic School, and by profession is a mechanical engineer. For seven years he was connected with his father in the machinery and foundry business in Germany. In 1871 he immigrated to Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Renovo, where he worked as a machinist for twelve years. In 1883 he removed to Gaines, Tioga county, and carried on a machine shop four years, when he was burned out, and then located in Westfield township, establishing his present foundry and machine shop, which he has since successfully conducted. In 1871 he married Anna Koller, a daughter of Christopher Koller, of Renovo. They are the parents of five children, viz: George, Maggie, Martin, Emma and John. Mr. Rieppel is a member of Renovo Lodge, No. 495, F. & A. M., and in politics, he is independent.
NIMROD STOTT, senior member of the firm of Nimrod Stott & Sons, was born in Yorkshire, England, May 8, 1836, and is a son of Hartley and Nannie (Peal) Stott. He was reared in his native land, and at the age of eight years began working in a stone quarry, at which he served a thorough apprenticeship in all its branches, and has followed the business for over half a century. In 1891 he came to the United States, and located at Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and in partnership with his sons, George, Harry and Nimrod, purchased the stone quarry at that place. They have since so successfully developed and operated it, that it now produces the finest grade of stone for building and flagging purposes. Their product finds a ready market in Westfield and nearby towns, while large shipments are also occasionally made to Elmira, New York. The handsome new Episcopal church at Westfield is constructed of stone from this quarry, and it has been used in many other buildings in the borough. Mr. Stott was married in England, to Maria Jewett, a daughter of John Jewett, of England, and has four living children, viz: George, Harry, Nimrod, and Lucy, wife of John Beach. The firm of Nimrod Stott & sons is one of the prosperous and substantial ones of Westfield.
JOHN N. MEAD was born in New Jersey, in 1810, and in early manhood lived in Ludlowville, New York, where he engaged in contracting and in the carriage and foundry business. In 1857 he came to Tioga county and settled on a farm in Chatham township, where he was engaged in farming until his death, April 1, 1872. He was a son of Robert and Rebecca (Nichols) Mead. His first wife, Sarah, was a daughter of William Brown, of Tompkins county, New York, and had two children: William B. and Emily C. His second wife was Maria H. Newton, of the same county, who became the mother of seven children, viz: John N., Celia A., wife of Egbert Woodcock; Sarah L., wife of Horatio Chisholm; Marian A., Maria B., wife of Homer Hawley; Ada R., wife of Alfred Short, and Ward. Mr. Mead was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, an adherent of the Republican party.
WILLIAM B. MEAD, only son of John N. and Sarah (Brown) Mead, was born in Ludlowville, Tompkins county, New York, April 11, 1839, and was eighteen years old when his parents removed to Chatham township, Tioga county. He attended the common schools, and also Union Academy, at Academy Corners, and in 1862 became an apprentice in a sash and blind factory, which business he has since followed. He has been a member of the firm of Plank, Krusen & Company, of Westfield, since 1893. Mr. Mead was married in 1867, to Viola, a daughter of Hiram and Cynthia L. (Thompson) Freeborn, of Knoxville. His second wife was Eva M. Benedict, a daughter of Dr. Elisha and Emily (Ryon) Benedict, of Elkland. They have had two children, only one of whom, Harry, is now living. Mr. Mead is a member of the Presbyterian church, and also of the K. of H. In politics, he is a Republican, and during his residence in Elkland he was a justice of the peace for two years.
E. J. NEAL, proprietor of livery stables, was born in Ulysses, Potter county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1870, a son of John W. and Mary J. (Bailey) Neal. He was reared in his native county, and obtained a common school education. On attaining his majority, he engaged in the grocery business at Mills, Potter county, Pennsylvania, and in 1893, he located at Westfield, Tioga county, where he has since been connected with the livery business. In June, 1893, he married Miss Bertha Stone, of East Charleston, Tioga county. In politics, Mr. Neal is a Republican.
ASA HILL, proprietor of the American House, Westfield, was born in Ulster county, New York, July 9, 1856, a son of John and Harriet (Bowers) Hill, and of English descent. He was reared in his native county, where he attended the public schools, and in 1879 removed to Laporte, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, where he was employed by the Laporte Tannery Company, for two years. In 1880 he located at Coudersport, Potter county, where he worked one season in the lumber woods, and after a varied business career, he started a restaurant and billiard hall at Galeton, Potter county, in 1886, which he conducted seven years. In February, 1894, as a member of the firm of Hill & Rohrbach, he purchased the American Hotel property at Westfield, which has since been thoroughly remodeled and fitted up with modern improvements, and under Mr. Hill’s management has obtained a fine reputation. He married Carrie Rohrbach, a daughter of John Rohrbach, of Germania, Pennsylvania, in April, 1887, and has one daughter, May. Mr. Hill is a member of Galeton Lodge No. 1014, I. O. O. F.; Westfield Encampment, No. 272, and Canton Keystone, No. 5, of Wellsboro. Politically, he is a Republican.
JOHN ROHRBACH was born in Sullivan county, New York, May 6, 1862, a son of John and Catherine (Yagge) Rohrbach, both natives of Germany. In 1886 the family located at Germania, Potter county, Pennsylvania, where the father, who was a carpenter, died in 1889. He had a family of ten children, of whom six are now living, viz: Kate, wife of Michael Kerry; Mrs. John Applalf, Ludcy, Andrew, John and Michael. Our subject was reared in Sullivan county, New York, and came with his parents to Potter county, Pennsylvania, in 1886, where he worked as a lumberman for six years. In February, 1894, in partnership with Asa Hill, he purchased the American Hotel at Westfield, which they conducted together, under the firm name of Hill & Rohrbach, until Mr. Rohrbach’s removal to Addison, New York, in 1895. He was married in 1884, to Libbie Abbel, of Germania, Potter county. In politics, Mr. Rohrbach is a Democrat, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.
GEORGE O. MANWARING was born in Smyrna, Chenango county, New York, March 10, 1863, a son of Daniel O. and Helen A. (Wilber) Manwaring. The family is of English descent, and of Puritan stock. Our subject was reared in his native county, attended the common schools in early boyhood, and at the age of eleven years began working by the month on a farm, in which vocation he continued nine years. He then went to Syracuse, New York, where he was engaged in clerking for five years, and in 1888 came to Potter county, Pennsylvania. For a short time he was employed as a book-keeper in a lumber office, and was engaged in lumbering on his own account for one year. in 1892 he located at Brookfield, Tioga county, where he conducted a general store, and also filled the position of postmaster, up to April 1, 1894, when he removed to Westfield borough. Manwaring was married November 11, 1891, to Lizzie M. Pedley, a daughter of John and Martha (Malone) Pedley, of Baldwinsville, New York. In politics, he is a Prohibitionist, and in religion, an adherent of the Baptist church.
JOHN YOUMANS, SR. was born in New Jersey, May 12, 1811, and came in boyhood with his parents to Chatham township, Tioga county. They were formerly from New Jersey, and were among the pioneers of this section of the county. John was reared on the homestead farm in Chatham township, and later cleared several farms, one in Covington, and one in Richmond, and also jobbed for others. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Jacob A. I. Johnson, of Covington township, and they were the parents of eight children, viz: Harriet, who married Harry Cleveland; Miles, Martha, who married, Z. M. P. Baird; John, William, Alphonso J., Charlotte, wife of Edwin Klock, and Adelaide, who married Contine Connelly. Mr. Youmans died January 26, 1859. His wife died in the fall of 1862.
JOHN YOUMANS, second son of John and Sarah Youmans, was born in Covington township, Tioga county, February 2, 1841. He was educated in the common schools and at Mansfield Classical Seminary, and began life as a teacher. He taught for several terms, and was the first principal of the graded school at Covington. In the meantime he had engaged in farming, and in 1880 removed from Covington to Chatham township, where he partially cleared and improved a farm. In 1888 he located in Knoxville, and engaged in the sewing machine business as a salesman for the Singer Manufacturing Company, removing to Westfield in April, 1894. He is now located in Athens, Bradford county, where he is general agent of the Singer Company. Mr. Youmans was married February 15, 1863, to Elizabeth Wallace, a daughter of Thomas and Isabel (Baird) Wallace, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, and has five children, viz: Lizzie B., wife of George Beach; Lottie, wife of William H. Husted; Ella, wife of Fred J. Wood; Myron L. and Arthur. In politics, he is independent, has served as auditor of Tioga county one term, and is a member of the K. of H.
DANIEL HUNT, a native of Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1796, was a son of William and Nancy (Colborn) Hunt, and a grandson of Wilson Hunt, a native of Cheshire, England, who was driven from his native land because of his religious opinions, and at an early day settled in Warren county, New Jersey, whence he removed to Scipio, New York. The parents of our subject immigrated to Muncy, Pennsylvania, and later removed to Lansing, New York, where they died. His father, William Hunt, entered the Continental army at the age of seventeen, and served during the last three years of the war. Daniel Hunt was reared in Lansing, New York, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in 1840 settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Barton, which, with the assistance of his sons, he cleared and improved. There he resided until his death, December 14, 1862, in his sixty-seventh year. His wife was Sarah Knapp, a daughter of Samuel Knapp, of Dryden, New York. They were the parents of nine children, viz: Samuel, Barton, Ann, who married John Brown; Isaac, who married Catharine Whitmarsh; Charity, who married Dewey Whitmarsh; Harriet, wife of James Labar; Betsey, Freelove, and Adeline, wife of John Rowland.
BARTON HUNT, second son of Daniel Hunt, was born in Ithaca, New York, November 13, 1824, was reared in Tompkins county until sixteen years of age, and then removed with his parents to Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he assisted in clearing the old homestead, which he now owns and occupies, and where he has resided since coming to this county. For twenty-two years he followed lumbering, and was also a pilot for twenty years on Pine creek and the Susquehanna river, from Gaines to Fort Deposit and Columbia. He is an adept with the jack-knife, and has more than a local reputation for making anything that can be whittled out with an ordinary pen-knife. Mr. Hunt was married November 13, 1859, to Anna Douglass, a daughter of William A. and Salina L. (Hancock) Douglass, of Clymer township, and has had four children: Ada, deceased; Effie M., wife of Clawson McMindes; William Sherman, deceased, and Charles B. In politics, Mr. Hunt is a Democrat, has held various local offices in his township, is a good farmer and respected citizen.
JOHN WHITMARSH was born in Otsego county, New York, about 1810, there grew to manhood, and in 1842 settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the farm now occupied by Cornelius Bush. He cleared a portion of it, and resided in this township until his death, at the age of sixty-three years. He was twice married. His first wife, Catharine Hilsinger, of Oneonta, New York, was a daughter of Michael Hilsinger, a Revolutionary soldier. She bore him one son, Alexander. His second wife was Eleanor Hilsinger, a sister of his first wife. Seven children were born to this union, viz: Catherine, wife of Isaac Hunt; Dewey, Jacob, Amelia, wife of Jonathan Weeks; Frances, wife of Oscar Butler; Lucinda, wife of William Case, and Susan, who married Herbert Moore.
DEWEY WHITMARSH, son of John and Eleanor Whitmarsh, was born in Oneonta, New York, March 12, 1832, and was ten years old when his parents settled in Westfield township, Tioga county. Here he grew to manhood, and obtained a limited education in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he commenced life for himself, as a farmer, and in 1866 located on fifty acres of land in Westfield township, which he still occupies, all of which he cleared and improved. In 1851 he married Charity Hunt, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Knapp) Hunt, of Westfield, and is the father of six children, viz: William, Charles, Lavina, wife of Lewis Breese; Alice, wife of Fred Beach; James, and Nettie, wife of Charles Roe. In February, 1864, Mr. Whitmarsh enlisted in Company F, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, North Anna, James River, and Petersburg. He was wounded in the last mentioned engagement, June 17, 1864, and was honorably discharged from the service in February, 1866. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the G. A. R.
AARON L. S. LEACH was born in Niagara county, New York, August 6, 1813, a son of Willard and Irene (Brown) Leach, natives of New Hampshire. He was reared in his native State, where he served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker’s trade, which occupation he followed for some years in new York state, and for a short period after his permanent settlement in this county, in 1840. In later life he engaged in farming in Westfield township, clearing a part of the land now owned by James Vincent, and also followed various other occupations, including dealing in horses, hotel keeping, and for a short time was in the grocery business at Westfield. He was a tireless, energetic man, and changed his business as often as circumstances warranted. Mr. Leach was married March 8, 1843, to Mary F. Bennett, a daughter of John W. and Betsey (Shoff) Bennett. She was born in New Hampshire, and became the mother of seven children, viz: James V., a lawyer by profession, who died in 1875, in his thirty-first year; Virgil V., deceased; Frank V., George V., deceased; Ross V., Mary V., deceased, and William V. Mr. Leach died January 25, 1890, in his seventy-seventh year.
ROSS V. LEACH, son of Aaron L. S. Leach, was born in Westfield, Tioga county, June 9, 1853, and obtained a public school education. He commenced life for himself working on a farm by the month. In 1878, with his brother, Frank V., he purchased 100 acres of land in Westfield township, and shortly afterwards bought his brother’s interest. He lived upon his farm until 1893, when he removed to Westfield borough, which has since been his home. Mr. Leach was married March 13, 1878, to Almeda Converse, a daughter of frank and Adelia (Jones) Converse, of Steuben county, New York. They are the parents of two children: Leon V. and Nina V. In politics, Mr. Leach is a stanch Democrat.
CHARLES H. METCALF was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, a son of Daniel and Jedidah (Lacy) Metcalf, natives of Connecticut, and pioneers of Susquehanna county. He was reared in that county, and there learned the cooper’s trade. In 1827 he settled in Harrison township, Potter county, where he cleared a farm of 200 acres, upon which he resided until 1843. In that year he removed to Westfield township, Tioga county, where he cleared a portion of a 100-acre farm. In 1833 he married Sarah A. Potter, a daughter of Stephen and Matilda (Aldrich) Potter, pioneers of Westfield township. Four children were born to this union, viz: Sarah M., wife of Peter Edgcomb; James H., Mary E., wife of Charles A. Gilbert, and Stephen L. Mr. Metcalf was prominent in temperance circles, and died July 29, 1878, aged seventy-six years.
JAMES H. METCALF, eldest son of Charles H. and Sarah A. Metcalf, was born in Harrison township, Potter county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1838, and was five years old when his parents located in Westfield township, Tioga county. He obtained his education in the public schools and at Union Academy, Academy Corners, and later learned the mason’s trade, which he followed seventeen years. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was honorably discharged May 29, 1863. He re-enlisted February 29, 1864, in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and was finally discharged from the service May 29, 1866. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and other engagements. He entered the service as third sergeant, and was promoted to first sergeant. During his second term he was commissary sergeant of Battery I, Provisional Heavy Artillery, and for twenty months was on detached service in the chief quartermaster’s department of Appomattox, under Capt. C. W. Folsom. Since 1868 Mr. Metcalf has been engaged in farming in Westfield township, and has also followed his trade when convenient. He was married February 4, 1864, to Philena Tanner, a daughter of A. B. and Dorcas M. (Roblyer) Tanner, of Clymer township, and has three children: Minnie, Estella and Jennie. He married a second time, in 1878, Mrs. Elizabeth Aldrich, nee Dodge, of Westfield. Her parents, Israel and Sally (White) Dodge, came to Potter county as pioneers. Mr. Metcalf is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., and also of the K. of H. Politically, a Republican, he has served ten years as justice of the peace of Westfield township.
NATHAN BROUGHTON, a native of Delaware county, New York, was among the pioneers of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. In 1817 he located on Pine creek, but later removed to Delmar township, where his principal business was lumbering, and he resided there until his death, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. His wife was Sally Walker, and their children were as follows: Uriel, Henry, Horace, Maria, who married Fred Boos; William, Eliza, who married Andrew Greiner; Rachel, who married Hiram Campbell; Nathan and Everton.
HENRY BROUGHTON, second son of Nathan Broughton, was born in Delaware county, New York, in 1812, and was about five years old when his parents settled on Pine creek, in Tioga county. He was reared in Delmar township, and in early life engaged in farming and in lumbering. In 1845 he settled in Westfield township, on the farm now owned by his son, William, cleared and improved it, and died there at the age of seventy-two years. His wife was Parmelia Phillips, a daughter of Richard Phillips, of Westfield, who bore him a family of seven children, viz: Sarah J., who married George Baker; William, Saloma, who married Herman Seeley; Barzilla, Phillips, Uriel, and Flora, wife of le Grand Mascho. Mr. Broughton was an adherent of the Republican party, and in religion, a member of the Christian church.
WILLIAM BROUGHTON, eldest son of Henry Broughton, was born in Delmar township, Tioga county, March 27, 1840. When he was five years old his parents removed to Westfield, where he has since resided, now owning the old homestead farm. In 1862 he married Nancy Guile, a daughter of Herrick and Jane (Butler) Guile, of Otsego county, New York. Mr. Broughton is a Republican, in politics, and one of the enterprising farmers of the community in which he lives.
PETER B. BUSH, son of John Bush, was born August 4, 1819, in Orange county, New York, and came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1843, locating at Knoxville, where he was engaged in the hotel business two years. He then removed to Westfield, and continued the same business five years, conducting the Red Lion and Boardman Hotels. He later engaged in farming, bought and sold stock quite extensively, and for four years operated a stage line between Westfield and Addison, New York. Mr. Bush was twice married. His first wife was Mary Ann Linderman, a daughter of Cornelius Linderman, of Schuyler county, New York, who bore him three children: Cornelius, Mary, wife of Abijah Stanley, and Harriet, wife of Delos Ellis. His second wife was Sarah Miller, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Strawn) Miller, of Chatham township, Tioga county. Four children were born to this union, viz: John M., Samuel, who died February 27, 1896; Jacob and Edwin M. Mr. Bush died January 7, 1874. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics, a stanch Republican.
CORNELIUS BUSH, eldest child of Peter B. and Mary Ann (Linderman) Bush, was born in Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1844, and when he was about two years old his parents located at Westfield, where he grew to maturity. He then engaged in farming and lumbering, partially clearing the farm in Westfield township on which he now resides, upon which he located in 1867. In 1866 he married Lina L. Douglas, a daughter of William A. and Salina (Hancock) Douglas, of Clymer township. They have had one son, Charles P., who died October 26, 1896. Mr. Bush is a Republican, in politics, and is one of the representative farmers of Westfield township.
JOHN LITTLE was born in Woodhull, Steuben county, New York, may 12, 1834, a son of William and Margaret (Sammis) Little, and came with his mother and family to Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1847, where, with the assistance of her sons, she cleared and improved what is now known as the Graham farm. She married George Graham after locating in this county, and died upon the homestead in Westfield township. By her first husband, William Little, she was the mother of nine children, viz: Susan, who married Luke Scott; Latham M., Jesse, John, William W., James, Emma, who married William D. Redner; Edwin R., and Mary A., wife of Onan Trowbridge. The subject of this sketch was reared in Westfield township from the age of thirteen years, and obtained his education in a pioneer frame school house. Since arriving at manhood, he has devoted his attention to farming, though sometimes engaged in jobbing as a lumberman. He has cleared a portion of several farms in Westfield township, and has lived on his present homestead since 1864. In August, 1862, Mr. Little enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. After nine months’ service he was honorably discharged, having never been absent from duty or missed a day’s service during his term. On December 25, 1863, he married Rachel M. Aldrich, a daughter of Halsey and Matilda (Works) Aldrich, of Westfield township, to which union have been born the following children: William J., Jesse H., Halsey J., and Walter D., and they have also an adopted daughter, Grace B. Inn politics, Mr. Little is a Republican, has held various local offices, and is a member of Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield.
THOMAS SPRAGUE settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1849, where he cleared and improved a farm, now owned by L. R. Garner. He was a native of Colchester, Delaware county, New York, and resided on his farm in Westfield township until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-six years. His wife was Keziah Warren, who bore him a family of eleven children, viz: Page, Maria, who married Arthur Tremain; Melissa, who married Fred. Thurber; Josephine, who married Thomas Tremain; Hiram, Helen, who became the wife of John Burtross; Henrietta, who married Hiram Burdic; Hannah, who married Albert Orson; Arthur, Albert, and Mary, who became the wife of L. R. Garner.
HIRAM SPRAGUE, son of Thomas and Keziah Sprague, was born in Colchester, New York, May 18, 1834, and removed with his parents to Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1849. Here he cleared and improved a farm of fifty-one acres upon which he now resides. He married Mary K. Rice, a daughter of Sylvanus and Harriet (Seeley) Rice of tioga, and has two children: Lewis and Eugene. In politics, Mr. Sprague is a Republican.
LEWIS SPRAGUE, eldest son of Hiram and Mary K. Sprague, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, October 3, 1862; attended the common schools of his district, and is a farmer and miller by occupation. In politics, he is a Republican, and is filling the offices of constable and collector of Westfield township. On November 27, 1884, he married Alvira A. Cooper, a daughter of Erastus and Amanda (Sedam) Cooper, of Westfield township, and has two children: Frank E. and Harriet A. Mr. Sprague is a member of the K. O. T. M.
WILLETT VINCENT was a native of Swaygo, Dutchess county, New York, born June 3, 1805, and a son of Gilbert and Rebecca (Justis) Vincent, and was of French, English, German and Irish ancestry. He came to Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1850, settling on the farm now occupied by his son, James T. He cleared a portion of it, and then died in November, 1868. His wife was Maria Tompkins, a daughter of Cornelius and Kate (Brown) Tompkins, of Schenectady county, New York. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, viz: Katie, who married James Southall, of Alabama; James T., Horace G., who died in 1864, from disease contracted in the army, and who was buried in Greenwood, Long Island; Phoebe, deceased; George, who was killed by a falling tree, in 1859; Dow, deceased; Mary, wife of William R. McFall; Mercy, wife of Mulford Labar; Harriet, wife of Orlando Tarbox, and Gilbert G. Mr. Vincent was a member of the Baptist church, and in politics, an adherent of the Democratic party.
JAMES T. VINCENT, son of Willett and Maria Vincent, was born in Broome county, New York, December 26, 1830, was educated in his native county, and came with his parents to Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1850. He has since resided on the old homestead, settled by his father, most of which he has cleared, paid for and improved. In politics, Mr. Vincent is an independent voter.
ISAAC THOMPSON, a native of Connecticut, born in April, 1794, was a son of Jared Thompson, and a grandson of Samuel Thompson, a pioneer of Tompkins county, New York. In 1832 Isaac settled in Harrison township, Potter county, Pennsylvania, in the midst of an unbroken forest, his nearest neighbors being from two to four miles distant. Here he cleared a farm, upon which he resided until his death, in 1873, aged seventy-nine years. His wife was Keziah Wickes, a daughter of Israel P. Wickes, of Tompkins county, New York, but later a resident of Ohio. She bore him six children who grew to maturity, viz: Lydia, who married E. Z. Olney; Jared, Isaac C., Nancy, who married Aaron Webster; Prudence, who married Alonzo Hawks; Harriet E., who married J. A. Smith, and Israel. Mr. Thompson was a member of the Baptist church, and in politics, an ardent Republican. He filled the office of county commissioner, and also treasurer of Potter county, for one term each, and was a man of enterprise and public spirit.
ISAAC C. THOMPSON, second son of Isaac and Keziah Thompson, was born in Ulysses, Tompkins county, New York, November 16, 1821, and was in his twelfth year when his parents settled in Potter county, Pennsylvania. He attended school in the little log school house of his district, and after attaining his majority, he worked at the carpenter’s trade seven years. Since that time, with the exception of four years that he was engaged in merchandising at Potter Brook, where he erected the first store building, he has followed farming in Potter and Tioga counties. He assisted his father to clear the old homestead, and also cleared and improved a farm for himself in Hector township, Potter county, but since 1866 he has been a resident of Westfield township, Tioga county. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers; was detailed on detached service, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. Mr. Thompson has been twice married. His first wife was Mary A. Potter, a daughter of Stephen and Matilda (Aldrich) Potter, who settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, in 1817. She bore him five children, viz: Emily, who married William Weeks; Sophronia, who married B. F. Mulford; Julia A., who married L. J. Skinner; Eva K., who married A. V. Hawley, and Hattie, who became the wife of William Nivison. He married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah A. Stevens, nee Rossiter. In politics, Mr. Thompson is a Republican, and an advocate of prohibition. During his residence in Potter county, he served as auditor, and also as a justice of the peace. Since locating in Westfield township, he has filled the latter office two terms. He is known in the community as a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a public-spirited man.
ERASTUS G. HILL, a native of Lebanon, Madison county, New York, was one of the first settlers of Clymer township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he cleared and improved a farm, owning at one time 300 acres of land, which has since been divided into several farms. Later in life he removed to Westfield township, where he continued farming, but afterwards erected a hotel in what is now Westfield borough, known as Hill House. He conducted this hotel for five years, then sold out and retired from active business. His wife was Violet Thompson, who bore him four children who grew to maturity, viz: Lafayette, Kirk B., Emma, wife of George Parmenter, and Perry. Mr. Hill died in Westfield, in 1879, at the age of sixty-two years.
KIRK B. HILL, second son of Erastus G. and Violet Hill, was born in Clymer township, Tioga county, January 9, 1845. He obtained his education in the common and select schools of Westfield, and in early manhood worked at the carpenter’s trade. For fourteen years he was employed in a sash and blind factory at Cowanesque. Since 1883 he has been engaged in farming in Westfield township, and is one of its progressive and successful citizens. Mr. Hill was married September 25, 1874, to Addie Burdic, a daughter of Nelson and Susan (Pease) Burdic, of Westfield, and has two children: Benjamin and Hazel. In politics, he is a Republican, is a member of Eulalia Grange, of Westifled, and has filled various local offices in his township.
JAMES LATTIMER was born in England, February 6, 1803, was a miller by trade, and spent some years in Scotland. In 1854 he immigrated to the United States, and settled in Westfield, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming until his death, September 8, 1889. His wife was Helen Haining, a native of Scotland, who was the mother of eight children, viz: William, Agnes, who married John T. Stephenson; Alexander, Mary, wife of James Champlin; James, George, David and John. Mr. Lattimer was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics, he was an adherent of the Democratic party.
GEORGE LATTIMER, fourth son of James and Helen Lattimer, was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, June 23, 1846, and came with his parents to Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1854. He was reared upon a farm; obtained a common school education, and has followed agricultural pursuits since boyhood. He has resided upon his present homestead in Westfield township since 1879. On December 25, 1874, he married Mary A. Price, a daughter of Phineas and Sybil (Bump) Price, of Westfield township, and has one daughter, Maggie. In politics, Mr. Lattimer is a stanch Democrat, and gives an earnest support to Democratic measures and principles.
S. AUSTIN BUCK, a native of Bennington, Vermont, born about 1826, was a son of Hiram Buck, and came with his parents to Elkland, Tioga county, about 1849. Hiram Buck was a blacksmith, which trade he followed for some years at Elkland, whence he removed to Coudersport. His children were as follows: Abel, S. Austin, Hiram, Clarissa, who married Harry Wheaton; Lucy, who married Alpheus Bassett; Myrtle, who became the wife of William H. Banks; Lucretia, Frank and Charles. The subject of this sketch learned the blacksmith’s trade with his father, and followed that business for many years at Elkland and Westfield. He was also in the mercantile business at Westfield, and Harrison Valley, Potter county, for several years, as a member of the firm of R. Krusen & Company, general merchants and millers. About 1865 he purchased the farm in Westfield township now occupied by his sons, Eugene A. and Randolph H., where he continued to reside up to his death, in 1870. His wife was Aurilla Hurlbut, a daughter of Giles Hurlbut, of Harrison township, Potter county, to which union were born four children, viz: Eugene A., Randolph H., Norman and Loren. In politics, Mr. Buck was a Republican, and was a justice of the peace for several years at Harrison Valley.
RANDOLPH H. BUCK, second son of S. Austin Buck, was born in Elkland, Tioga county, November 25, 1852. He was reared in this county, obtained a common school education, and served an apprenticeship of five years at the tanner’s trade, which business he gave up on account of ill health. Since 1879 he has been engaged in farming, and is now serving his fourth year as treasurer of the Cowanesque Valley Agricultural Society. Mr. Buck was married October 5, 1876, to Emily A. Wheaton, a daughter of Lewis and Rozetta (Whitcomb) Wheaton, of Pine Creek, Potter county, and has one daughter, Helen O. In politics, he is a Republican, and has been clerk of Westfield township for the past seven years. He has been financial secretary of New Hall Council, No. 846, Jr. O. U. A. M., of Potter Brook, since its organization, and secretary of Eulalia Grange, No. 1088, of Westfield, for the past three years.
JAMES E. DODGE was born in Steuben county, New York, September 26, 1836, a son of Israel and Sally (White) Dodge, both natives of Oxford, Chenango county, New York, who settled in Harrison township, Potter county, Pennsylvania, in 1839. His father was a millwright, at which trade he worked in connection with farming, until his death. He had a family of nine children, viz: Angeline, who married Henry Cummins; Martin, Franklin, Elizabeth, who married Horatio Aldrich; James E., Vincent, Clarissa, who married John Champlin; Anna, who married Eugene Stevens, and Eugene. The subject of this sketch was reared in Potter county, obtained a common school education, and began life for himself as a lumberman, which business he followed four years. In 1860 he located in Westfield township, Tioga county, where he cleared and improved a farm which he still owns, and is now the owner of two farms in Westfield township, embracing 260 acres, and one of 111 acres in Harrison township, Potter county, besides some village property in Harrison Valley. Mr. Dodge was married October 28, 1860, to Alpha A. Champlin, a daughter of George and Loncy (Works) Champlin, of Westfield township. Politically, he is a Republican, and has held various township offices.
DEACON RICHARD ELLIS, sixth child of Reuben and Mehitabel (Scott) Ellis, was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, December 20, 1760. His paternal grandfather, Richard Ellis, born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1704, came to America in 1717, landing in Massachusetts, and in 1728 married Jane Phillips, a daughter of Capt. John Phillips, of Easton, that State. They had a family of nine children. Reuben Ellis, the father of Deacon Richard Ellis, was born in Easton, November 5, 1728, there grew to manhood, and served in the French and Indian War from 1754 to 1757. He was an ensign in the Colonial service, and three of his sons served in the Revolutionary War, the subject of this sketch being one of them. In 1811 Deacon Richard kellies settled in Delmar township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, purchasing a large tract of land, upon which he later built two saw-mills and two grist-mills. He manufactured lumber on Pine creek, and was a man of great industry and enterprise. In later life he removed to Ellisburg, Potter county, which was named in his honor, where he erected a saw-mill, a grist-mill and a tavern. He was twice married, his first wife being Eunice Chilson, who bore him six children. His second wife, Chloe Chilson, was a sister of his first, and to this union thirteen children were born. Mr. Ellis was a member of the Baptist church, to which denomination most of his children adhered. He died at Ellisburg, Potter county, May 14, 1841.
RICHARD ELLIS, JR., was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, December 6, 1795, a son of Deacon Richard and Chloe Ellis, and came to Delmar township, Tioga county, with his parents in 1811. He became a Baptist minister, though no ordained for some years after he commenced to preach. He kept a general store and shoe shop at Wellsboro, for several years. His wife was Patience Herrington, who bore him four children, viz: Amasa, Consider, Samuel G. and John M. Mr. Ellis died in Wellsboro, in 1827.
AMASA ELLIS, eldest son of Richard Ellis, Jr., was born in what is now Shippen township, Tioga county, February 18, 1819. In 1840 he located in the town of Willing, Allegany county, New York, where he followed farming until 1865, when he removed to Westfield, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, which has since been his home. On September 29, 1849, he married Martha Schoonover, a daughter of Christopher and Chloe (Pemberton) Schoonover, of Clymer township, Tioga county. Five children have been born to this union, viz: Mary E., wife of E. A. Buck; Delos E., James D., Frank and Charles. In religious belief, Mr. Ellis is a Baptist, and in politics, a stanch Democrat. During his residence in Willing, New York, he held the office of supervisor for seven consecutive years.
DELOS E. ELLIS was born in Allegany county, New York, in the town of Willing, September 13, 1853, a son of Amasa and Martha Ellis. He came to Tioga county with his parents when about twelve years old, and obtained a common school education. Since early manhood he has been engaged in farming in Westfield township. On October 10, 1882, Mr. Ellis married Harriet Bush, a daughter of Peter B. and Mary A. Bush, of Westfield township, and has three children: Fred, Bessie M. and Burt. In politics, he is a Democrat.
JOB REXFORD was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, January 23, 1817, and was of Irish descent. About 1839 he came to Shippen township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and for twenty-eight years was engaged in lumbering on Pine creek. In 1865 he located in Westfield, and in 1877 removed to Harrison Valley, Potter county, where he died in 1880. His wife was Chloe Ellis, a daughter of David Ellis, of Shippen township. She became the mother of three children who grew to maturity, viz: Perry E., Nancy O., wife of J. W. Stevens, and Stella, wife of Dr. E. J. Shaw. Mr. Rexford enjoyed a wide acquaintance in Tioga county, and was one of its prominent citizens for many years. In politics, he was a Republican, and filled the office of county commissioner for three terms, being the only man to enjoy that honor in the history of the county.
PERRY E. REXFORD, only son and eldest child of Job and Chloe Rexford, was born in Shippen township, Tioga county, February 22, 1845, and grew to manhood in his native county. He attended the common schools in boyhood, and began his business life as a farmer, which vocation he has followed up to the present. Since 1866 he has occupied his present homestead farm in Westfield township. In 1870 he married Clara J. Swetland, a daughter of M. W. and Parmelia (Stevens) Swetland, of Harrison township, Potter county, and has three children, viz: Lillian, Edith and Lena. Mr. Rexford is a member of the Baptist church, in politics, a Republican, and has held various township offices.
JOHN P. STEPHENSON was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, August 13, 1826, a son of James and Elizabeth (Pool) Stephenson. He was reared upon a farm in his native land, and in 1852 immigrated to Pennsylvania and settled in Westfield township, Tioga county, where he spent five years. For the following five years he was engaged in farming in Du Page county, Illinois. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteers, and participated in the battle of Stone River and all of the engagements on Sherman’s March to the sea. He was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., June 7, 1865. Returning to Westfield, Tioga county, he there engaged in farming, and was also employed in the planning mill at Cowanesque for eleven years. Here he lost his right hand, and has since lived retired from active life. Mr. Stephenson was married in 1845, to Agnes Lattimer, a daughter of James and Helen (Haining) Lattimer, of Westfield township, all natives of Dunfrieshire, Scotland. They are the parents of ten children, viz: John, William, Mathew, Helen, wife of A. P. King; James, Archibald, Mary, Janet, Frank and George. In politics, Mr. Stephenson is a Republican, has held the offices of school director and supervisor of Westfield township, and is a member of the G. A. R.
SAMUEL TUBBS was born in Elkland, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1823. His father, James Tubbs, was a son of Samuel Tubbs, Sr., a pioneer of Elkland, who at one time owned the land upon which that borough stands. James was born in January, 1800, and came to the site of Elkand with his parents in 1811. He married Sally Coates, and they were the parents of two sons: Samuel and Benjamin. The former was reared in Elkland and Brookfield townships, and now resides in Brookland, where he has been engaged in farming for more than half a century, having cleared and improved three farms in the township. He married Mary Lewis, a daughter of Simon Lewis, of Brookfield. Mr. Tubbs became the mother of four children, and died December 9, 1872. The children are as follows: James B., Jeannette, wife of Morgan Kizer; Charles F., and Lucina, the last of whom died February 5, 1872. Mr. Tubbs is a stanch Republican, and one of the substantial farmers of his native county.
JAMES B. TUBBS, eldest son of Samuel and Mary Tubbs, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, July 3, 1844. He received an academical education in Union and Troupsburg Academies. He has followed agriculture as an occupation since boyhood, but has devoted some attention to teaching vocal and band music, and was chorister in the Methodist Episcopal church over twenty-five years. He located in Westfield in 1867, which has since been his home. In September, 1892, he was appointed superintendent of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, which position he still occupies. Mr. Tubbs was married March 16, 1867, to Mary Snyder, a daughter of John and Sally (Marble) Snyder, of Harrison, Potter county, and has two children: Carrie G., wife of Frank Wedge, and Lewis L. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; also of the Grange, and the E. A. U., and is Wigwam of Fleetwood Tribe, No. 366, Improved Order of Red Men. In politics, he is a Republican, has held the office of constable, and is now serving his second term as assessor of Westfield township.
CHARLES H. MARTIN was born in Erwin, Steuben county, New York, August 2, 1850, a son of Alfred and Mary J. (Onan) Martin. His paternal grandfather, Hiram Martin, was a son of John Martin, a pioneer of Addison, New York. His maternal grandfather, James Onan, was born in Ireland September 15, 1785. In 1806, being then in his twenty-first year, he left his native country for America. While on his way across the ocean he was taken by a British man-of-war and held prisoner three years, when he effected his escape. After remaining secreted in Porto Rico three months, he made his way to the United States, and was naturalized in Philadelphia, September 20, 1815. He afterwards removed to Cattaraugus county, New York. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and there received a common school education. In 1869 he located at Cowanesque, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and began work in the sash and blind factory at Cowanesque, afterwards owned and operated by him for two years, of which he has held the position of foreman for eighteen years. Mr. Martin married Olive Luce, a daughter of Ira and Isabel (Pease) Luce, of Cayuga county, New York, September 30, 1874, and has one son, Randall. In politics, he is a Democrat, has held various township offices, and is now postmaster of Cowanesque. He is a member of Jemison Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Westfield.
DANA LEARN was born in Groton, Tompkins county, New York, May 31, 1849, son of Daniel J. S. and Catherine (Houser) Learn. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers, John Learn and Samuel Houser, lived at Lansing, Tompkins county. Our subject was reared in his native county, and obtained a common school education. In 1870 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and for two years worked on a farm and in the lumber woods. In 1873 he engaged in farming in Clymer township, and the following year was elected constable of that subdivision. In 1875 he removed to Woodhull, Steuben county, New York, but returned to Tioga county in 1876, and located in Westfield township, where he followed agriculture for three years. In 1879 he purchased a farm in Brookfield township, and lived upon it two years. In 1880 he bought 110 acres in Westfield township, to which he afterwards added fifty-seven acres adjoining, making a total of 167 acres, seventy of which he cleared and improved himself. Mr. Learn married Anna Baker, a daughter of Sylvanus and Sally (Guiles) Baker, of Westfield township, February 5, 1873. Six children have been born to this union, viz: L. Claude, Alta J., George W., Grace, Clair and William. In politics, Mr. Learn is a Democrat; has held the office of school director of Westfield township for two years, and is one of the substantial farmers in his locality.
PETER RUSHMORE came from Dutchess county, New York, to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, early in the present century, and settled at Knoxville, removing at a later day to Clymer township, where he cleared and improved a farm, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life. His wife was Amelia Wyatt, and their children were as follows: Samuel, Amelia, who married George Campbell; Elsie, who married Elihu Wixon; Abbey, who married Arch Knox; John, Silas, Emily, who married William Tate; Joshua, Lizzie, who became the wife of Jospeh Sunderlain, and Watson B.
SILAS RUSHMORE, son of Peter and Amelia Rushmore, was a native of New York state, and came to Tioga county with his parents. He was a tanner and currier, and operated a tannery in Clymer township about fifteen years, where he also cleared and improved a farm. His wife was Hannah Baker, a daughter of James and Deborah Baker, of Warsaw, New York, who became the mother of eight children, viz: Watson R., James B., Peter, Silas, Levi, William, Deborah, who married Wallace Wheaton, and Frank. Mr. Rushmore was a Democrat, in politics, and filled various offices in Clymer township. He died upon his farm in that township, August 7, 1878, at the age of sixty-four years.
WATSON R. RUSHMORE, eldest son of Silas and Hannah Rushmore, was born in Warsaw, Yates county, New York, September 16, 1843, was reared in Clymer township, Tioga county, and obtained a common school education. In 1869 he commenced farming for himself in Clymer township, which occupation he has since successfully continued, owning two fine farms in Westfield township, where he permanently located in 1877. Since the fall of 1892 he has been a resident of Westfield borough. On October 20, 1869, he married Sophena Cottrell, a daughter of Dr. W. S. Cottrell, of Whitesville, New York, and has four living children, viz: William, Celestia, wife of Ira Sherwood; Albert E. and Nina May. On August 18, 1864 , Mr. Rushmore enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was in the battles of Hallett House Battery, Hatcher’s Run, Fort Steadman, Stony Creek, and Petersburg. He was wounded in the last mentioned engagement, April 2, 1865, and was honorably discharged, May 27, following. Mr. Rushmore is a member of the Baptist church, and is connected with the K. of H., the Grange, and the G. A. R. In politics, he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.
JOSEPH M. DECKER, a native of New York state, was a son of Henry Decker, and was reared in Chemung county. He learned the carpenter’s trade, followed it in Breesport, New York, and in 1870 settled in Rutland township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he continued working at his trade in connection with farming. In 1882 he removed to Westfield township, and resided there until his death, which occurred on January 25, 1892, in his sixtieth year. Mr. Decker was thrice married. His first wife was Jane Benson, who bore him one son, John. His second wife was Minerva Wood, a daughter of Stephen H. Wood, of Rutland township, to which union were born three children, viz: Addie J., wife of Edgar Smith; Charles F., and Anna, deceased. His third wife was Eliza A. Ackley, of Westfield township. Mr. Decker was a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics, a stanch Republican.
CHARLES F. DECKER, son of Joseph M. and Minerva (Wood) Decker, was born in Chemung county, New York, April 30, 1862, and was ten years old when his parents come to Tioga county. He attended the common schools, and also Mansfield Business College, and has been a farmer since attaining his majority. He owns a farm in Rutland township, but has resided in Westfield township since 1885. He married Hattie Ackley, a daughter of Henry C. and Eliza (Sweazy) Ackley, of Westfield, to which have been born three children: Maude, Charles H. and Joseph Walter. Mr. Decker is an adherent of the Republican party.
WALTER C. KENDALL was born at Altay, Schuyler county, New York, October 22, 1858, a son of Merritt and Adeline (Carmichael) Kendall, and is of New England and Scotch descent. He was reared in his native county, and educated in the public schools. He engaged in merchandising in 1877, at Kendall Station, Chemung county, New York, where he carried on business two years, and then removed to Moreland, Schuyler county, where he continued as a merchant three years. In 1882, he located at Potter Brook, in general merchandising, where he has since successfully carried on business, having to-day one of the finest stores in the county. From 1882 to 1889 he was also extensively engaged in lumbering, and for five years has been a member of the firm of Kendall &Wyckoff, proprietors of the Kendall House at Potter Brook. In January, 1886, he married Maude Derr, a daughter of David and Alice (Schrayer) Derr, of Hector, Potter county, and has tow sons: Clarence and Arthur. Mr. Kendall is a Democrat, in politics, and has been postmaster of Potter Brook since June, 1894. He is a member of the K. of H., and is recognized as one of the enterprising citizens of the county.
CHARLES D. MARKHAM was born in Knoxville, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1854, a son of William and Betsey Markham, a sketch of whom will be found in this chapter. The subject of this sketch was reared in Knoxville, and obtained a common school education. He began his business career as a clerk in a drug store at Knoxville, in which he served three years, when he purchased the business of his employer and carried it on four years. The year 1882 he spent in the South, and in 1883 he located at Potter Brook, Tioga county, where he has since carried on general merchandising. In 1879 Mr. Markham married Emma J. Martin, a daughter of William and Mary A. (Johnson) Martin, of Knoxville, and has one son, Carl W. Mr. Markham is a member of the Christian church, and also of Cowanesque Lodge, No. 351, F. & A. M. In politics, he is a Republican, and served as postmaster of Potter Brook five years.
MATTHEW EUGENE McNINCH was born in Conesus, Livingston county, New York, March 5, 1851, and is a son of John and Clarissa (Cruger) McNinch. He grew to manhood in his native county, and there received a common school education. In 1876 he located in Clymer township, Tioga county, where he was engaged in farming until 1883, in which year he removed to Westfield township, where he has continued in agricultural pursuits, and also conducted a milk route in Westfield borough. Mr. McNinch was married January 1, 1874, to Amanda A. Brownell, a daughter of Rev. Veranus Brownell, of Livingston county, New York, and has one daughter, Ada Louise, wife of Delos Cooper. In politics, he is a Republican, and is one of the enterprising young farmers of the township.
WILLIAM CHAMPLAIN, a son of George and Loncy (Works) Champlain, was a native of Potter county, Pennsylvania, but in early life removed to Westfield township, Tioga county, where he spent the remaining years of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife was Nancy Verguson, and they were the parents of two sons, George and Robert.
ROBERT CHAMPLAIN, youngest son of William and Nancy Champlain, was born in Westfield township, Tioga county, September 2, 1846, and lived in his native township until his death, September 24, 1879, caused by being accidentally shot while cutting corn on his farm. He dwelt on a part of the old homestead, and also owned a farm on Broughton hill, which he cleared and improved. His wife, Helen Eliza, was a daughter of Hiram and Catherine Graves, of Otsego county, New York, and bore him two children, Joseph and Emmett. The widow of Robert Champlain married I. P. Van Zile, and now resides in Osceola.
JOSEPH CHAMPLAIN, eldest son of Robert and Helen E. Champlain, was
born in Westfield township, Tioga county, October 1, 1867, and attended
the public schools of Westfield and Osceola in boyhood. He served an apprenticeship
of four years at the blacksmith’s trade, and has worked as a journeyman
since 1885. He is a member of the K. O. T. M., and in politics, an adherent
of the Republican party.
BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM SIMMONS was born April 7, 1804, in Delaware county, New York, and removed to Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1816. In 1819 he married Mary A. Brown, a daughter of John H. Brown, a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the first settlers in Brookfield township. The following children were born to this marriage: John, Ebenezer, Lucinda, who married Rev. William G. Raymond; Elizabeth, who married Joseph Montague; Andrew J., and Mary, wife of William Bullock. Mr. Simmons first settled on the farm now owned by John Dougherty, made a small clearing there, and later removed to the farm now owned by his son, Andrew J., which, with the assistance of his sons, he cleared and improved. He died upon the homestead January 17, 1880, aged nearly seventy-six years. He kept a general store for many years, and for fifteen years filled the office of justice of the peace. He was one of the leading Republicans of his township, and a very worthy citizen.
ANDREW J. SIMMONS, youngest son of William Simmons, was born upon his present homestead in Brookfield township, Tioga county, December 12, 1835. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and later Union Academy, at Academy Corners. He owns and occupies the old homestead, and since 1858 has been engaged in farming, though he also conducted a general store in Brookfield for twenty years, and held the office of postmaster for the same period. December 9, 1858, Mr. Simmons married Martha Hunt, a daughter of Richard and Phoebe Hunt, of Brookfield township. They are the parents of eight children, viz: Gaylord B., Fred C., Rose, wife of G. A. Kelley; Mary, wife of Kirk Perry; George W., Amanda, wife of Schuyler Lozier; Willie, and Lena, wife of P. E. Parker. Mr. Simmons is the possessor of a valuable relic, consisting of a hollow pewter tube, with a plunger or rod for compressing air, which was used by his grandfather, john H. Brown, during the Revolution, for lighting punk with which to build fires. In politics, he is an independent voter, and is an active member of the Farmers’ Alliance.
DANIEL SCHOONOVER, a son of Richard and Mima (Bailey) Schoonover, was one of the early settlers of Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. His father was a native of Massachusetts, whence he removed to Lower Canada and later to Troupsburg, New York, where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. In 1814 Daniel settled on a piece of forest in Brookfield, which he cleared and improved. It is now owned by Jonas G. Kilburn. In 1865 he removed to McKean county, where he died in 1867. His first wife was Minerva Seely, a daughter of Cornelius and Sally Seely, and bore him three children: Anson, Benjamin and Richard. His second wife was Dama Warner, to which union were born three children, viz: Ezra, Charlotte, who married Joseph Fairbanks, and Daniel.
RICHARD SCHOONOVER, youngest son of Daniel and Minerva Schoonover, was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, August 6, 1826, there grew to maturity, and obtained a common school education. He began his business life as a jobber in lumber, but in 1847 located on a farm in Steuben county, New York, and engaged in farming. He returned to Brookfield township in 1875, since which time he has occupied the farm upon which he now lives. For many years he dealt in agricultural implements, beginning in new York state, and has also been engaged in merchandising at Austinburg for several years in company with his son, Richard P. Nearly all his life he has been more or less engaged in lumbering, which business he has found congenial. In April, 1848, he married Sophronia Schoonover, a daughter of Christopher and Chloe (Pemberton) Schoonover, of Clymer township. They have reared five children, viz: Chloe, deceased; Richard P., Lucina, deceased wife of John D. George; Hiram B., deceased, and Elizabeth. In politics, he is an independent Democrat, and has held various local offices in Brookfield.
RICHARD P. SCHOONOVER, son of Richard and Sophronia Schoonover, was born in Troupsburg, New York, February 8, 1854, and was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a common school education. In 1880 he located in Brookfield township, Tioga county, where he followed farming until 1892, when he embarked in merchandising at Austinburg, in which business he still continues. Mr. Schoonover was married February 26, 1873, to Eliza Lurvey, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (George) Lurvey, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and has three children: Albertus, Hiram and Teresa. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; also of the K. O. T. M. and the P. of H. In politics, a Democrat, he has served as clerk of Brookfield township three terms, and has been postmaster at Austinburg since 1892.
DARIUS W. NOBLES was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1823, a son of Asahel and Hannah (Joseph) Nobles. His father, and grandfather, Azel Nobles, both settled in Brookfield township in 1816, locating on the farm now the home of W. S. Hubbard, which was cleared and improved by Asahel Nobles, and on which Asahel and Darius W. lived and died. Azel, grandfather of Darius W., lived on the homestead but a short time. He removed to Farmington township, and there died. Five generations of the family have lived on the homestead, the wife of W. S. Hubbard being the fourth, and their son, Forrest L., the fifth. Asahel Nobles was the father of two children: viz; Hannah, who married John R. Coffin, and Darius W. The latter was born, reared and died on the old homestead. His was Cornelia Leonard, a daughter of Rev. Stephen A. and Peninah U. (Darrow) Leonard, of Westfield. She was the mother of four children, as follows: George R., Walter L., Emma P., wife of W. S. Hubbard, and Cora S., wife of Gaylord B. Simmons. Mr. Nobles died March 11, 1894. He was a stanch Republican, filled various local offices in his township, and was recognized as one of its most prominent citizens.
WINFIELD SCOTT HUBBARD was born in Troupsburg, Steuben county, New York, April 28, 1855, and is a son of Noah B. and Jemima (Cady) Hubbard. He was reared in his native town, and educated in the common schools. Since 1876 he has resided in Brookfield township, Tioga county, where he has been engaged in farming. August 28, 1881, he married Emma P. Nobles, a daughter of Darius and Cornelia Nobles, of Brookfield township, and has one son, Forrest L. Mr. Hubbard is a member of the K. O. T. M.; is a Republican, in politics, and has held various local offices in the township.
LOVEL PLANK, SR., a native of Pomfret, Connecticut, born April 24, 1795, was a son of William and Olive J. (Holmes) Plank, and a grandson of Ebenezer and Jedidah Plank, who were of English descent. Lovel was the youngest in a family of six children, named as follows: Matilda, Waldo, Elijah, Elisha, Elizabeth and Lovel. In 1831 he settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, on the farm now owned by his grandson, W. L. Plank, where he resided until his death, October 1, 1864, in his seventieth year. His wife was Mehitabel Metcalf, who died December 28, 1857, aged sixty-six years. She bore him six children, viz: Sylvester L, who married Permilia Stanton; Daniel L., who married Eliza white; Olive J., who married Samuel Robinson; Isaac, Charles H., who married Lurania Beebe, and Laura L., who married John George. Mr. Plank was a deacon in the First Baptist church of Brookfield for many years, and also took an active part in public affairs.
CHARLES H. PLANK, fourth son of Lovel Plank, Sr., was born in Paris, Oneida county, New York, January 19, 1820, and was eleven years old when his parents settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county. He assisted in clearing the old homestead, upon which he spent the remaining years of his life, dying November 17, 1891, in his seventy-second year. his wife was Lurania Beebe, a daughter of Harry and Martha (Foote) Beebe, of Harrison township, Potter county. She bore him two sons, Spencer B., deceased, and Welcome L. Mr. Plank was a member of the Baptist church, and an adherent of the Republican party.
SPENCER B. PLANK, eldest son of Charles H. and Lurania Plank, was born on the old homestead in Brookfield township, June 25, 1851; was educated in his native county and in Woodhull, New York, and made farming his life vocation. He married Martha Pierce, a daughter of Zenas and Hanna (VanWinkel) Pierce. Mr. Plank died in Westfield township, April 14, 1893. He was a member of the Masonic order, and in politics, a Republican.
WELCOME L. PLANK was born in Brookfield township, Tioga county, August 31, 1854, and is the only surviving child of Charles H. and Lurania Plank. He has lived upon the old homestead all his life, and has followed farming as a vocation. On December 31, 1872, he married Jane Ackley, a daughter of George and Susan (Yale) Ackley, of Clymer township, and is the father of the following children: Charles W., Arthur L., deceased; John S., Anna E., George H., and Ethel M. Mr. Plank is a member of the Baptist church, and a R. A. M. in the Masonic order. In politics, he is a Republican, and is recognized as a successful and enterprising citizen.
STEPHEN LANE, a son of Joseph and Susannah (Ives) Lane, was born in Danville, New York, February 29, 1812. His father died in 1814, and his mother, who was a daughter of Titus Ives, one of the first settlers of Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, returned to that township after her husband’s death. There our subject was reared to manhood, and soon after settled on the farm now owned by his son, William G., cleared and improved it, and died April 1, 1874. He married Jane George, a daughter of John and Olive (Gardner) George, of Brookfield township, who had two children by this union, viz: Juliette, wife of G. J. Davis, and William G. Mr. Lane was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an adherent of the Republican party.
WILLIAM G. LANE was born on the Lane homestead in Brookfield township, Tioga county, June 20, 1850, and is the only son of Stephen Lane. He has always resided upon the home farm, and obtained a common school education in the district schools. On January 1, 1879, he married Ida Davis, a daughter of James and Jane (Finkner) Davis, of Westfield, and has two children, Bessie and Arthur. Politically Mr. Lane is a Republican.
GEORGE W. HUNT was born in Connecticut, in 1771, a son of George and Mary (Herrington) Hunt. His father was a soldier in the French and Indian war, while he served in the War of 1812 for three months. He was married in Dutchess county, New York, to Mary Brown, a daughter of John Brown, a Revolutionary soldier. He removed to Delaware county, New York, and in 1844 settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. He was a blacksmith and worked at his trade up to 1857. He died in 1859, age of eighty-eight years. To George W. and Mary Hunt were born eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Charles, Elizabeth, who married Eri Baker; John, Richard, George, Jane, who married William Millard; Sally, who married William Coffin; Jackson, Robert and Adam.
RICHARD HUNT, third son of George W. Hunt, was born in Middletown, Delaware county, New York, April 6, 1812, and was there reared and educated. He worked on a farm, and also as a carpenter and joiner until 1844, when he removed to Brookfield township, Tioga county, and cleared a part of the farm settled by his grandfather, John Brown. He made all the improvements in buildings, but sold out in 1866 and purchased the farm where he now resides. In 1838 he married Phoebe Van Dusen, a daughter of Lawrence and Peggy (Turner) Van Dusen, of Delaware county, New York. He has reared seven children, as follows: Martha, who married Andrew J. Simmons; Sylvester, who died in 1862, while serving in the Union army; Marietta, wife of Seth Kelly; George, Roxanna, wife of S. P. Chase; Violetta J., wife of Edgar McLean, and Lester B. The last mentioned is a native of Brookfield township, was there reared and educated, and has made farming his life vocation. He married Rosetta Moore, a daughter of Samuel Moore, and has four children living, viz: Lettie, Rea, Ina and Richard E. He is a Republican, and has held several local offices of Brookfield township. Richard Hunt is proud of the fact that he has thirty-seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren living. In religious belief, he is a Universalist. He is an adherent of the Republican party, and filled the office of treasurer of Brookfield township for one term.
PETER KILBURN, a native of Montreal, Canada, came from Vermont to Farmington township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, whence he removed to Woodhull, New York, and in 1857 settled in Brookfield township, Tioga county. He cleared and improved a farm in this township, and died at Austinburg, in 1889, at the ripe age of eighty-four years. His wife was Sophia Burch, and their children were as follows: Sarah, wife of John B. Bush; Jonas G., Serena, wife of Jackson Bush; Solomon P., and Jane, wife of Joseph Bush.
JONAS G. KILBURN, eldest son of Peter and Sophia Kilburn, was born in Orwell, Franklin county, Vermont, may 11, 1842, and came with his parents to Tioga county in 1854. Since attaining his majority he has devoted his attention to farming. On September 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and held the ranks of corporal and sergeant during his term of service. He took part in the battles of James Island, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Knoxville, Jackson, Vicksburg, the Wilderness, and many other engagements. He was wounded in the left knee at the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, and laid in the woods three days before being picked up. He re-enlisted in December, 1863, and was honorably discharged from the service, July 17, 1865, having served nearly four years. In 1871 he married Libbie Wakley, a daughter of John B. and Mary (Woodward) Wakley, of Deerfield township, and has four children, viz: Walter J., Lola, Madge and Rena M. For some years Mr. Kilburn was a breeder of Hambletonian horses, and among other valuable animals, he bred "Kilburn Jim," with a record of 2.23, which he sold for the sum of $5,300. Mr. Kilburn is an ardent Republican, and is one of the representative and progressive farmers of the township.
STEPHEN P. CHASE was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, November 29, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Betsey T. (Payne) Chase, both of whom are dead. He came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, and on September 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers, He was enrolled as a private, and was promoted to corporal, sergeant, color-sergeant and color-bearer, successively. In March, 1862, he was taken sick with typhoid fever, and was confined in the regimental hospital near Good Hope, Virginia, for two months. On May 13, 1864, he was appointed to color-bearer of the regiment, and at the battle of North Anna, by a conspicuous act of bravery, he rallied the regiment, which resulted in the capture of a line of rebel earthworks. Mr. Chase was honorably discharged at Brandy Station, Virginia, December 30, 1863, and re-enlisted the following day in his old company and regiment. He received a gun-shot wound in the left side of head, at Petersburg, June 18, 1864, and was in hospital in Washington, D. C., and Philadelphia, for five months. He has now in possession the bullet extracted from his head, and prizes it as a precious relic. The wound soon broke out, and on October 30, 1864, he was sent to City Point Hospital, where he was under treatment for nine weeks. During his service he took part in the battles of Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wapping Heights, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, South Anna, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, and the final assault on the lines in front of Petersburg, April 2, 1865. He was finally mustered out of the service near Washington, D. C., June 27, 1865. Mr. Chase had two brothers in the service, Vincent, from Rhode Island, and Charles W., who was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers. A brother of Mrs. Chase served in Company H, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers, and died in the service. On November 21, 1867, Mr. Chase was married at Jasper, New York, to Roxanna S. Hunt, a daughter of Richard and Phoebe (Van Dusen) Hunt, of Brookfield township. Mrs. Chase was born January 21, 1848, and is the mother of the following children: Ina A., Cora B., Charlie W., Phoebe A., Maud and Lucy M. Mr. Chase has been superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school at Brookfield most of the time since the war. He is a member of the R. P. Babcock Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of Westfield. He is a Republican, and has held the offices of justice of the peace, constable and collector of Brookfield township. He has made farming his life vocation, and is cone of the most respected citizens in the community.
WILLIAM AUSTIN was born in Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, April 2, 1840, a son of James P. and Sally (Cook) Austin. In 1859 he located in Steuben county, New York, where he followed farming until 1861. In September of that year, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and other minor engagements. He held the ranks of corporal and sergeant successively, and was honorably discharged February 7, 1864, on a surgeon’s certificate of disability. He was slightly wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, but never reported it and continued in active duty. On his return to Steuben county, he continued farming until 1866, when he returned to Chautauqua county. In 1871 he located at what is now Austinburg, which is named in his honor, and there engaged in general merchandising until 1892. A postoffice was established at this point in 1877, mainly through his efforts, of which he was the first incumbent. He held the office until August, 1893, when he voluntarily resigned. In June, 1878, he married Emeline Seely, of Troupsburg, New York, who bore him three children, all of whom are dead. His second marriage occurred October 30, 1888, with Harriet Seely, of Knoxville. Mr. Austin is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the G. A. R. In politics, he is a Republican, and has served as clerk of Brookfield tow3nship two terms.
WILLIAM L. RYDER was born in Gloucester, England, January 8, 1857, and is a son of Charles Henry Ryder, a member of one of the old and well known families of that town. He was reared in his native land, and there received his education, with the exception of three winter terms after coming to the United States. At the age of fourteen he entered the British navy, where he spent five years. In 1875 he came to the United States, and located at Livingston county, New York, where he followed agricultural pursuits five years, and then removed to Brookfield township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1891 he purchased what is known as the Grove farm, embracing ninety-six acres, prior to which year he had conducted the old Samuel Bacon farm. In 1879 Mr. Ryder married Mary Coleman, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza Coleman, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1856. Four children are the fruits of this union, viz: Mattie, Willia, Mabel and Maggie. Mr. Ryder is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a member of the K. O. T. M. Politically, a Republican, he is one of the respected citizens of Brookfield township.
GEORGE RIETTER was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, December 15, 1830,
a son of Michael and Fredericka (Bach) Rietter. He was reared and educated
in his native land, and in 1854 immigrated to the United States, and soon
after located at Smethport, McKean county, Pennsylvania, where he worked
by the month on a farm for two years. He then engaged in farming for himself
in that county, which he continued for twenty-four years, four years at
Smethport and twenty years at Rew City, clearing and improving a farm at
the latter place. In 1881 he removed to Brookfield township, Tioga county,
where he has since resided, and now owns a fine farm of 400 acres. Mr.
Rietter was married August 24, 1856, to Rosa Burtch, a daughter of Frederick
and Barbara (Fleisch) Burtch, of McKean county. Five children have blessed
this union, viz: Christina W., wife of Gotthold Burtch; John F. Ernest,
Frank and Delano. Mrs. Rietter died August 24, 1885, aged fifty-seven years.
In politics, Mr. Rietter, is a Democrat, and in religion, a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He is a prominent supporter of the Patrons
of Husbandry, and is one of the most successful farmers in Brookfield township.
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