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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania with Biographical SketchesBy H. C. Bradsby, 1891If You Have Photos of People Mentioned on the Page, Send Them In For Inclusion |
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| AMAZIAH A. ABELL, funeral director, Warren Centre, is a native of Warren
township, this county, and one of the noted Abell family, who are related
to the great Baltimore publisher Arunah S. Abell. Our subject was born
February 19, 1835, near where he now resides, and is a son of Daniel and
Mary (Allyn) Abell, of Rhode Island and of English descent. The father,
a farmer by occupation, came to Bradford county in 1828, and settled on
the farm Amaziah now owns, at which time it was wild and drear and desolate,
and Capt. Abell valiantly went to work to clear up his farm and make a
home in the wilderness. He was for many years a captain in the militia;
was a man of public spirit, much respected by all who knew him, for many
Years held public offices, and died in 1877, ripe in years and wisdom;
his widow died in 1882. They had four children: Catherine (Mrs. Dr. D.
S. Pratt), of Towanda; Freelove E. (Mrs. John B. Russell ) ) who removed
to Wisconsin, where she died February 4, 1878; Amaziah A., the subject
of this sketch, and Dr. Daniel T., of Missouri. Amaziah A. Abell was reared
in his native place, attended the neighboring- schools and then became
a student at the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, Towanda, where he completed
his education and engaged in farming. He inherited the old homestead, and
now has one hundred and twelve acres of land, but resides in the village
of Warren Centre, in his elegant new residence. He was married in Nichols,
N. Y., in 1867, to Helen Ball, only child of E. B. and Almira
582 HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY. Ball, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. To this marriage have been born two children : Guy Walter and Chat-lie Leonard. -Mrs. Abell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Abell is a Freemason, and in politics is a Republican. |
Photo of Arunah Abell, relative of Amaziah, sent in by Joanne Cooper |
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Amaziah Amariah Allyn Abell, his wife Helen M. Ball, his 2 son's Guy Walter Abell on the left and Charles Leonard Abell on the right. From Adam Dewing January 2007 |
PRESERVED THOMPSON ABELL, retired farmer Warren Centre, is a native of Bristol county, Mass., born December 13, 1811, a son of Caleb and Elona (Shepherdson) Abell, of Massachusetts, and of English stock. The family were farmers from remote times, and the father was a leading man of his day, having held the position of town clerk for over forty years, together with various other local offices; be came to Bradford county about 1840, only on a visit, how ever, and died in his native place 'in 1842; his widow died in 1847; they had ten children, viz: Lois (Mrs. Ezra French), of Providence, .Daniel H., a farmer of this county ; Mary (Mrs. Samuel Wheaton), of this county; Nancy (Mrs. Benajah Allyn), of Warren township; Caleb; Robert; Pawtucket; Arunah S., a printer and publisher, of Baltimore, who died a millionaire, his thirty-two nephews receiving it his death $10,000; Sarah, who died in 1830, aged twenty-two ; and Preserved Thompson, the subject of this sketch, the only survivor of the family, who was reared in Massachusetts and engaged in farming.
He came to Bradford county in 1867, and located in Warren township ;
was married in his old Massachusetts home in 1838, to Sarah Ann Daggett,
daughter of Simeon and Barbara (Brown) Daggett natives of Seekonk, Mass.,
born of English stock, and of this marriage there were ten children, eight
of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and four are now living, as follows:
Lois A.; Helen A. (Mrs. George Leasure), who has six children; Eugene,
a merchant of Binghamton, and Etta M., also of Binghamton Mr. Abell has
long been a leading farmer of the county, noted for his industry and integrity.
He is a Democrat, and was town clerk eight years at his old home in Seekonk,
Mass., and the number of terms the father and son held the office added
together shows an unbroken record of half a century. The venerable gentleman
is with his family, where love and respect are the beautiful order of their
daily, lives, his daughter Lois A. soothing with tenderest love that father's
evening of life that crowns the gray hairs with a sacred halo-making age
lovely and youth noble.
DAVID ABRAMS, farmer, P. O. Wilmot, was born in Wilmot township, this county, May 11, 1837, and is a son of David and Sarah (Morris) Abrams, natives of Wales. The father settled in Wilmot in 1837, being among the pioneers of the place. The subject of this sketch began life for himself at the age of twenty, lumbering and stock dealing; purchased, his present home of two hundred acres in 1868, which is a fertile tract of land in an excellent state of cultivation. On September 5, 1864, he enlisted at Scranton, Pa., in Company E, Two Hundred and Third Regiment P. V. I., and was in the following engagements: Siege of Richmond, Deep Bottom, Petersburg, Chapin's Farm, capture of Fort Fisher, where he received three gunshot wounds, the most serious of which was on the head, and he was then taken to Fortress Monroe Hospital, where he remained until his regiment was mustered out at the close of the war, After that he
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY. 583
returned to Wilmot and was married August 17, 1866, to Emma, daughter
of Daniel and Rhoda (Potter) Omsbury, of Wilmot. They have four children,
viz: Stephen, born July 3, 1869; Morris, born July 19, 1875; Weston, born
February 2,1878, and Arthur, born March 14, 1880. Mr. Abrams is a member
of the G. A. R., at Dushore; is a Republican and has been assessor of Wilmot
two terms, and county' auditor one term.
DEMMON ACKLEY, farmer, P. 0. Spring Hill, was born on the old Ackley homestead in Tuscarora, April 26, 1822, and is a son of Harry and Abigail (Bennett) Ackley the former of whom was born on the old homestead in Wyalusing township, April 5, 1795, and died ,January 11, 1864; he was a son of Benjamin Ackley, who was born in Connecticut, the grandfather of subject. Benjamin Ackley was twice married, first to Emeline Gordon, of Standing Stone, and afterward to Amy Lewis. By the first marriage he had the following children: Lloyd, Harry, Niram, Olive (married to Harris Scofield), Mary Ann (married to Aholiab Taylor) and Hannah (married to John Black); by his second marriage Benjamin Ackley had the following: Sally (deceased), Cordelia (married to Moses Tyler, and now resides in Susquehanna County), Caroline (married to Mr. Alphonzo Lloyd, resides in Wyalusing), Sterling (also resides in Wyalusing), Justice (deceased) and Benjamin (residing in Wyalusing). The grandfather was a black Smith, and many years carried on a shot) at Merryall; he began farming and pursued that occupation until his death. The father of subject was married when nineteen years of age, and had the following children: Angelitie, married Milton Lewis, and died February 21, 1890, aged seven ty-fi ve y ears ; Ferris, died September 26, 1888; Alfred, died December 26, 1884, aged sixty-four; Lucretia, married John Lum, died April 2, 1888, aged sixty-four- Ferris, diedSept. 26, I889, aged seventy-three; Nancy, married Washington Taylor, now residing in Keokuk, Iowa; Demmon; Lorenzo, now a, resident of Buffalo, N. Y.; H. S., residing in Binghamton ; Helen, married to Stephen Bowen, and residing in Mitchell, Dak.; Sophia, married to Stuart Biswork, residing in Marshal, Iowa; (Henry diedFebruary 2, 1883, aged forty-seven). The father, Harry Ackley, who was a farmer after his marriage removed to Spring Hill, which was then a wilderness, and began to clear up the land; at the time of his death he owned over five hundred acres of and, land had prepared at least two hundred and fifty acres for cultivation and improved the land by building good farm buildings, fences, etc.
Our subject was born and reared on a farm and educated in the common Schools. He worked with his father and brothers on the old homestead until after his marriage with Abigail 13. Lacey, September 13, 1848 ; then removed to his present farm, in Tuscarora township, where he has since resided; his wife, who was a daughter of Daniel P. Lacey, of Wyoming county, died June 1, 1888. He owns eighty acres of fine farm land which he has well improved ; keeps a tar ge dairy and also owns real estate in Binghamton and Lester Shire, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Ackley were born four children, viz: G. S., born November 25, 1850, married to Helen Brook, is general superintendent for the Lester Boot & Shoe Co., and resides at Binghamton; Effie L., married
584 HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
1'. H.. Edinger, a farmer of Tuscarora township ; Callie A., married Charles G. Brown, a merchant, farmer and lumber dealer. of Skinner's Eddy, Pa.; and An gie E., residin g with and carin g for the household of her hither. Besides his occupation of farmer he has been an extensive .dealer in stock and farm implements and machinery ; he has always been largely dependent on his own resources, has been a successful man, and now ranks among the wealthy and influential farmers of the county ; he is a Republican in politics iind has filled the various township offices; is a director and adjuster of the Tuscarora Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Ackley has always been a man of push and enterprise, and is scrupulously honest, among his neighbors and friends none stand higher than he.
J. B. ACKLEY, stone cutter and contractor, Athens, is a native of Macedonia,
this county, and was born February 14, 1849, a son of John and Susan (Bennett)
Ackley, natives of same place; his grand parents were among the first settlers
of Asylum township. His grand father, Benjam in Bennett, was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and lived to the advanced age of one hundred and one
years. John Ackley was a farmer, and died in Asylum township in 186S in
his seventy-seventh year; his widow is now a resident of Athens. J. B.
Ackley is the seventh of a family of eleven children, and when he started
in life for himself he served an apprenticeship at the stone cutter's trade,
at which he worked until 1866, when he went to boating on the canal. In
1868 he resumed work at his trade doing all kinds of cut stone work for
buildings and street work. In December, 1862, he enlisted in the army in
Company C, Twenty-second New York Cavalry, participated in thirteen general
engagements, and was wounded September 7, 1864, in the third battle of
Weldon Railroad (near the powder house); was mustered out in July, 1865.
he was married May 30, 1868, in Litchfield, to Miss Sarah E., daughter
of Benjamin and Phoebe (Mills) Kershaw, the former a native of England,
and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ackley was born March 4,1849, in Litchfield
township and is the second born in a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs
Ackley are members of the Episcopal Church; in politics Mr. Ackley is a
Republican.
HON. JOHN ALDEN, ancestor of most persons bearing the name of Alden in this country, was one of the Plymouth Pilgrims, and the last male survivor of those who came in the " May Flower," and signed the compact in her cabin in 1620. He was not of the Leyden Church, but as Bradford in his " History of Plymouth Plantation informs us, was hired for a cooper at Southampton, where the ship victualled, and being a hopeful young man, was much desired, but was left to his own liking to go or stay when he came here, so staved and married here. He was distinguished for practical wisdom, integrity and decision, and early acquired, and retained during his long life, a commanding influence over his associates. He was much employed in public business, was an assistant to the governor many years, and, in every position he occupied, fulfilled his g duties promptly and to the satisfaction of his employers. So far as is known his ancestry in England has not been traced. He was born in 1599, and died at
Quite forgetful of self, and full of the praise of his rival,
Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with laughter,
Said, in a tremulous voice, why don't you speak for yourself, John?
Their residence, after a few years, was in Duxbury, on the north side of the village, on a farm which is still in possession of their descendants of the seventh generation, having never been alienated. It was supposed, until recently, that John and Priscilla Alden had but eight children. Bradford, however, states in his history, that, at the time of his writing, they were both living and had eleven children : John (born about 1622), Joseph (born 1624), John, Elizabeth (born 1625), Jonathan, S'arah, Ruth, Mary, David and two whose names are unknown.
John Alden, Bridgewater and Middleborough, Mass., farmer, was son of Joseph (second); had his father's homestead in West Bridgewater, which, upon June 20, 1700, he conveyed to Isaac Johnson, and removed to Middleborough, where he diedSeptember 29, 1730, aged fifty-six. He married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Ebenezer White, of Weymouth, who was born May 12, 1661, and died October 5, 1732. Their children were as follows: David, born May 18, 1702 ; Priscilla, born March 2, 1704, Thankful, born May 3, 1706 ; Hannah, born March 24, 1708 ; Lydia, born December 18, 17 10; Marv, born November 10, 1712 Abigal, born September 8, 1744 ; Joseph, born September 11, 1716 John, born October 8, 1718 ; Ebenezer, born October 8, 1720; Samuel, died in infancy ; Nathan, born June 12, 1723, died young ; Noah, born May 31, 14 25.
Rev. Noah Alden, of Stafford, Conn., and Bellingham, Mass., the son of John Alden (third), was born May 30, 1725, and diedat Bellingham, May 5, 1797, aged seventy-two. he was received into the Middleborough Congregational Church, March 7, 1742, dismissed to the Congregational Church in Stafford, Conn., in 1744, and continued a member there until 1753, when fie changed his religious views, and became a Baptist min ister, and was ordained at Stafford, COD n., June 5,
586 HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
1755, and in Bellingham, November 12, 1766. He was a member of the convention for adopting the constitution of Massachusetts, and was a pious and worthy man, and was one of four ministers who formed the Warren association in 1767. A further account of him may be found in the annals of the American pulpit, by Rev. Dr. Sprague). He married Mary Vaughn, by whom fie had the following children: Joanna, Lucy, who married A. Marshall ; Ruth, married to Benjamin Thayer; Elisha, Israel and Noah.
Israel Alden, Tryingham, Mass., and Windsor, N. Y., the son of Noah Alden, diedat Windsor, N. Y., JuIy 20, 1817, aged seventy-one; He was a farmer and purchased land at Windsor. which is still in the possession of his descendants residing there. He married Lucy Markham and had children as follows: Israel, Noah (born March 6, 1768, in Barrington, Mass.), Timothy, Lucy, Zilpah, Samuel Abner (Windsor, N. Y.), Elisha, Benjamin (Windsor, N. Y.), Thankful, Moses (Windsor, N. V.), David (Windsor. N. Y.) and Ruth.
Timothy Alden, Tryingham, Mass., and Monroe, Bradford county, Pa., the son of Israel Alden, was born February 22, 1770, and died September 20, 1859. He -was one, of the pioneer settlers of this country, having located in Bradford county in December, 1800. as fie bad visited the country the year before, 'and being satisfied with the prospects, decided to make it his home. he purchased eight hundred acres of land under the Connecticut title, paying the money for it, ; He built a log house a few rods from the stone house now standing on the place which he settled; the stone house was built by him in 1827, and is but a short distance from the present town of Monroeton. Many were the adventures related by him and his son, S. W. Alden, of early pioneer life. A high sense of humor prevails in all the accounts of hairbreadth escapes, lights with wild beasts and all the dangers incident to such a life. " He is described as a man six feet two inches in height, well-proportioned, commanding and of a noble bearing; he was firm, benevolent and possessed of good judgment, and though not given to frivolous things he was fond of humor. For sometime he was captain of militia and, hence, -was generally addressed as Captain was one of the first and most liberal supporters of the Baptist Church of Monroe, and remained a consistent and faithful member until the time of his death. The following appeared in the Bradford Reporter October 13, 1859 " Capt. Alden was one of the pioneer settlers of northern Pennsylvania, emigrating from Massachusetts and fixing his home in these sylvan wilds in December of the year 1800. His ax cut the road for the teams ,is he approached the place which he selected for a home; he grappled manfully with the inconveniences of frontier life, and wild beast of the mountain and forest alike stood out of his way, and the earth and his mechanical genius were compelled to yield him a support. He has lived until all the original surroundings have changed while he gazed upon them ; the village, the church, the railroad and all the accompaniments of thrift now occupy the cities upon which he gazed in their original attire. The red mail has -one to his imaginary hunting ground, the sturdy pioneer has fallen a martyr to his priva
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY. 587
tions and hardships, and two generations have passed away from this western home, leaving a patriarch to tell us of events that were well- a century agone, and thus to stand as a connecting link, associating us with men and events of quite another era of time. The aged oak has finally fallen and the connecting link is broken and forever gone, bowed with age ind with locks whitened by the frosts of many winters. The sluggish stream is stayed, and the, weary wheels of life have Ceased to move. Panoplied by -a life of rich experience and fed by fruitful thought and meditation, and nerved for the event by long and careful Observation, he wrapped around him the mantle of his Christian faith and sat down to await the (lay of his appointed time as quietly as the infant reposing In the arms of maternal affection ; he was gone on that ]on(, journey. Verily, as the waters fail from the sea and the flood drieth Up, so man lieth down and raiseth not till the heavens be no more."
Before Timothy Alden removed to Monroe he married Lois, daughter of Sheffield Wilcox. one of the early pioneers in Albany. They had nine children:Adonijah, born about 1791, married to Vesta, a daughter of Rev. At. M. York, of Wysox, and after a few Years went to Illinois their children were Adaline, born February 25, 181 6 : Adrian Minor, born April .5, 1819 ; Timothy Wells, born March 13, 1821 ; Elizabeth, born September 29, 1822, died April 20, 1839 ; Mahala, born August ,,0, 1824, died May 22, 4839 ; Charles Edward born JuIy 23, 1826 Cora Caroline, born June 13, 1828; Percival York, born July 22, 1830, died May 17, 1839 ; Sylvester Jerome, born May 28, 1832 twins, son and daughter, born September 23, 1834, died in infancy Marinda Arloa, born May 12, 1836. Adonijah Alden died August 6, 1839, and his wife Ala y y I '1, 1839. Their descendants now reside in parts of Illinois and lowa. I
nfant born, April 19, 1792, died in infancy. Sophronia, born May 9, 1793, married Jared Woodruff, a pioneer in this country, and remained here until her death, April 8, 1876.
Philinda, born February 10, 1795, married Warner Ladd, of Albany, in 1818, and lived there until her husband's death, when she removed to Monroe in(] died ; she is buried at Albany.
Louisa, born Januarv 5, 1797. married Benjamin Coolbaugh, of Monroe, and died in Monroe township, July 16, 1846.
Timothy Wells, born June 9, 1800, died in infancy.
Parmelia, born December -18, 1801, married Jacob Arnout, and, afterward, Charles Homet ; died June 4, 1876, in Monroeton.
Sylvester Williams and Sevellon Wells (twins) born March 49, 1810.
Sylvester William,,;, married Francis Wilcox it Middletown, Bradford Co., Pa., September 25, 1833, and removed to Menekaunee, Marinette Co., Wis., in the fall of 1855, and died at Green Bay, Brown Co., Wis., July 13, 1881. Francis Alden, wife of Sylvester Williams Alden, was born July 31, 1815, (it Middletown, Bradford Co., Pa., and died at Monroe, Bradford Co., Pa., August 29, 1847. Sylvester married, for his second wife, Harriet Bishop, who survives him. De Alanson Taylor Alden, son of Sylvester Williams and Frances Alden, was born
588 HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
January 28, 1837, at Monroe, Bradford Co., Pa., removed to Marinette, Wis., in the fall of 1856 enlisted in Company 11, Twenty-flrst Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, August 15, 1862, and was discharged May, 1864, on account of disease contracted in the service, which resulted in his death, June 30, 1 864, at Fort Howard, Brown Co., Wis. He was never married. Charles Judson Alden another son of Sylvester and Frances Alden, was born July 5, 1844, at Monroe, Bradford Co., Pa., removed to Menekaunee, Marinette Co., Wis., in September, 1859. He also enlisted in Company II, Twenty-first Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, August 15, 1862, and was discharged from service June :30, 1865, at the close of the war. He married Antoinette Davidson, September 10, 1872, at New Lisbon, Wis. She was born April 9, 1856, at Menomonee Falls, Waukesha Co., Wis. They have had fve children, and now reside at La Crosse, Wis.
Sevellon Wells, twin of Sylvester Williams, less than 1 generation ago, was one of the well-known men of Bradford county. On November 16, 1831, he married Mathena, daughter of Dr. Benoui -Mandeville, who still resides with her son in Monroeton. When a young man, Sevellen entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church and became one of the most widely known preachers on the circuit, and at one time was presiding elder: was a man of more than ordinary ability, a great reader, and had a most retentive memory. H le was a frequent contributor to both the local and foreign press ; his communications were full of interest, and were (I valuable contribution to our local history, for they supplied many forgotten facts and incidents of' the early times in this section. He was, without doubt. better informed about matters pertaining to the early history of this part of the county than any man living. In the field of local research he, was an industrious gleaner, and it is d tie to his exertions that much in early history has been preserved.
Until the last his faith and doctrines where the same as when in the active ministry. In the heat or the war he endured some persecution because of his political opinions, but he always felt and remained loyal to the Methodist Episcopal Church, even to the day of his death While attending to the duties and studies of pastoral work, he gained a good acquaintance with Greek and Latin ; education was with him :I necessary. not in ornamental, accomplishment, ; his power to acquire an education was great, and his mental retention was scarcely ever at fault when In the prime of life. He preached about twenty-five years, and was never on a charge without more or less prosperty and Conversion under his ministry fourteen churches were dedicated during the time of his pastorate. His demise occurred March 22, 1883.
The children of Sevellon Wells and Mathena Alden were ,Angeline born September 20, 1832, at Monroe ; DeWitt Clinton, born June 10, 1834, at Monroe; Philo Elzer, born August 27, 1845, at Tyrone, N. Y. Angeline Alden, died May 5, 1842, it Southport N. Y., aged nine years. DeWitt Clinton Alden was of a. roving disposition, and, during rather brief lifetime, visited many parts of the world ; he Nvas a soldier during the Civil War. and took part in the engagements at Ft. Donelson. Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Yazoo Pass, Arkansas Post,
E. May, born November 12, 1865 ; Flora June, born May 4, 1867, died December 1.5, 1873 ; Nathan Elzer, born June 6, 1869, died July 14, 1885, and John Mandeville, born May 10, 1888.
DARWIN N. ALLEN, farmer. P. 0. East Troy, was born in Troy township, August 27, 1824, and is a son of Samuel and Maranda (Sheffield) Allen. His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Allen, a native of Long Island, N. Y., settled In Troy township in 1800, was a surveyor by occupation, and prior to his settlement in Troy was in the employ of the Connecticut Land Company. He was to receive his pay in land, but like many, thus lost his labor as well as pay owing to defect of title. He located on the farm now owned 1) y Phileman Pratt, cleared most of it and died there in 1839; his wife was Lydia Stevens., by whom be had the following children : Adolphus; Laura, (Mrs. IT. Laberien); Samuel; Alma, (Mrs. Ezra Canfield); and Myron. Of these, Samuel was born in Catskill, N. Y., and was reared in Troy township. He was a farmer by occupation and cleared most of the land where East Troy now stands, and died. there in 1855; his wife was a daughter of James Sheffield, of Madison county, X. Y., and by her he had three children.: Darwin N.; Lydia -M. (-Mrs. Monroe Jones.) and Adolphus G.
Our subject was reared in Troy township, and, with the. exception of two years he was in mercantile business at Addison and Binghamton, N. Y., has always followed farming. In 1854 he married Marv Elizabeth Lament, of Troy, and has two children : Nellie L. (Mrs. Howard Cole) and Laura B. Mr. Allen is I member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and or the F. & A. At.; he has held various offices in Troy township; politically he is a Republican.
EZRA ALLEN, farmer and stock grower, Wyalusing, was born Tioga county,, N. Y., October 18, 1832, son of Noah and Rhoda (Miller) Allen, the former of' whom was born in Vermont August 11, 1786, and died December 8, 1 846, and the fatter was born in Tioga County, N. Y., February 10, 1802, and died April 12, 1862; they had children as follows: Lorenzo, born July 22, 1824, died November 19, 1868, was a farmer of Browntown and left a family who after his death removed to Manchester, Con n. ; Lucretia, born January 17, 1826, died September
590 HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
26, 1856; Lewis, born November 5, 1827, died March, 5, 1850; Noah, Jr., born March 6, 1830, died June 12, 1865, a member of Company E, One Hundred and Third P. V., and died at Davis Island Hospital; Ezra Charles, born June 20, 1839, diedMarch 47, 1869; Ethan, born April 1, 1843, now a horseman of Manchester, Conn. His parents came down the river with their family and earthly y possessions on an ark, and settled on the farm now owned by out, subject, in 1841 ; his father was a carpenter and afterward a farmer; as a carpenter he was noted for his skill, and he drafted the plan; for the first court-house of Owego before his removal to Bradford county be followed lumbering- and ran. rafts down the Susquehanna as far is Marietta and Fort Deposit; after coming to Bradford county he turned his attention mostly to farming, and died a few Years later. There was but a small amount of cleared land on the place when his father purchased it. but they proceeded to clear it and fit it for cultivation, and soon had as fine a farm as any in the neighborhood ; his father built a neat frame dwelling which was destroyed by fire in March. 1882. Mr. Allen then built his present residence which is a handsome and commodious farm house; his parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his mother was an earnest worker in the same. The old homestead, now in his possession, contains one hundred and twenty-five acres of land which he has under a high state of cultivation and is well improved.
He has passed the greater portion of his life on the old farm and attended the common school of' his neighborhood until he was about twenty-five; always living on the old homestead which he has owned since 1868. He has his farm. well stocked with horses, cattle and sheet). He was united in wedlock, April 3, 1862, with Margaret Mahoney, daughter of Michael Mahoney (deceased), a, farmer of Tuscarora, and this union has been blessed with three children: Evaline, married to George L. Best, a member of the Washington Fire Cla Company, of Tacoma, Cora and Jessie. The family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he is a Republican and has filled the various town offices. Mr. Allen has made his way upward without aid from in.\, source but his own industry, and is now one of the most prominent or Wyalusing's farmers. The family occupy a prominent place in 1, and are noted for their genial welcome to friends and abundant society and hospitality.
HENRY H. ALLEN, farmer, P. 0. Mountain Lake, was born February 3, 1811, on the farm where he now resides in Burlington township, a son of A, P. and Caroline (Park) Allen, both of English descent and natives of Luzerne county, Pa.; (heir parents were, natives of New England. The father was a farmer and came to Burlington, took a tract of land in the wilderness, where he cleared a, large farm; was also largely engaged in lumbering many years, he died in Burlington township at the age or sixty-six years, and the mother at the age of fifty-seven years. Henry If. Allen was reared on the farm, and at the age of twenty-two responded to the call for troops in the Civil War, enlisting in Company G, Forty-ninth Regiment 1'. V. I.; he participated in two battles; was shot through the wrist, and after fifteen days, while he was in the hospital at Washing
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY. 591
ton, was obliged to have his arm amputated near the elbow ; -when he was shot he laid on the field thirty hours, and then was obliged to march a long distance in that suffering condition. He was soon after discharged on February 9, 1865, on account of disability. Mr. Allen was married October 27, 1870, to Sylvia Farr, of Forkston, Wyoming Co., Pa., born February 20, 1848. There have been born to them the following named eight children: Aland E., born December 27,1871;
Myrtle, born December 23, 1873 ; Etta C., born March 22, 1876; Myron P., born December 21, 1877; Glenn G., born January 29, 1880 ; Flora, born November 7, 1885; Irene, born October 17, 1888; Ada C., born November 23, 1890. Mr. Allen owns a fine farm, the old homestead of his father. Politically he is a Republican, has been school director, and has held other positions of public trust ; is a member of the G. A. R., of the 1. 0. 0. F. and of the P. of H.
JOHN ALLEN, farmer in Burlington township, P.O. Luthers Mills, was born November 23, 1844, in Ulster, this county. He was adopted and reared by James Adamson and, when only eighteen years of age, enlisted under the name of John Adamson in" Company E, One Hundred and Forty-first 1'. V. I., and served in the Army of the Potomac, participating in many battles, among which were Fredericksville, burg and Chancellorsville which latter he was taken prisoner, but was soon exchanged. He was again captured, however, October 14, 1863, and was confined at Belle Isle, Richmond, Andersonville, Savannah and Milan; for a period of fourteen months he was starving in consequence or which terrible exposure his health was undermined, and he is now a pensioner; he served to the end or the war and was present at Lee's surrender, when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Allen married, October 8, 1866, Annie E. Slater, of Burlington, who was born April 20, 1849, a daughter of Asa and Lucinda (Rundell) Slater, both of whose famihes were among the early settlers of Towanda and Burlington. -Airs. Allen's great-grandfather, Rundell, was a pioneer Methodist preacher. To this happy union have been born children as follows: Marv E ., D. William, AT. Belle and J.Walter. Mr. Allen is the owner of a farm of about fifty acres, where .he settled in 1867, and on which he carries on general farming. He Is a Republican in politics, and has held several offices of public trust; is a member of the G. A. R., and is a man of perseverance, respected by many friends. Mrs. Allen is a consistent member of the Evangelical Church.
J. A. ALLEN, farmer in Rome township, P. O. Rome, is a native or the township, born July 30, 1844, a son of Joseph and Clarissa, (White) Allen., the former of whom was born in Franklin township, this county, and the latter in New York. Grandfather Stephen Allen came to this county in its earliest times and located in Wysox, where he left a family of four children, viz: John, Oney, Sallie' (married to George Davidson) and Joseph, the father of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. Joseph Allen left the following children
Mary Eliza (who died in infancy), Dayton, J. B., Sarah, S. W. and S. 0., J. H., Clarissa (who died in Texas it the age of twenty-two),
Jemima R. (married to J. C. Forbes) ,in(] I. A. Our subject passed his
592 HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
boyhood on the farm and he attended the Rome public school's until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted, August 12, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-first P. V. I., Capt. J. 1. Spalding, and was discharged July 21, 1865; he was in the battles of Fredericksburg and C hancellorsville, and at the latter he received a gunshot wound in the left knee, from the effects of which he never entirely recovered. He was injured by a fall, causing internal injury, that now troubles him greatly. After the battle of Chancellorsville he was taken to Aft. I Pleasant Hospital, Washington, where he was then transferred to the veteran. reserve corps, awl acted as guard. After the close of the war he returned home and engaged in farming, commencing on the farm he now occupies of fifty acres, which he has improved and brought to its present state of excellence. His injuries are such as to disable him from hard labor. Mr. Allen was married, April 8, 1866, to Helen I., daughter of It. R. and Eliza (Mandevile) Brown, the former of whom was born in New York, the latter in Massachusetts, of a family of eight children. Their children are: Myrtie E., born January IS, 1868; Freddie J., born February 8, 1871, died January .5, 1874 ; Lizzie W., born January 19, 1875 ; and one daughter that died in infancy. Air. Allen is a member of Stevens Post, No. 69, G. A. It., and fills the office of Quartermaster; is also a member of Rome Lodge, No. 480, O. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs and now fills the office of 11. S. N. G.; he has been a member sixteen years. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he fills the office of trustee; politically he is a Republican.
S. O. ALLEN, farmer in Rome township, P. O. Rome, was born in the township, April 7, 1835, a son of Joseph Allen who was twice married, the first time to Polly Johnston, daughter of Peter Johnston, and by her had three children : Dayton, Joseph H. and .J. B. S. O. Allen, who is the third child by the second wife, passed his boyhood on a farm, and attended school at Rome, (roino- to Nancy Woodburn as his first teacher. When about twenty years old He left school and commenced farming. On March 28, 1864, he enlisted in Company 1, One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, and was honorably discharged July 21, 1865 ; while in the service he participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, at which latter battle he received a gunshot wound in the foot, resulting in the loss of a toe and gangrene causing sciatic rheumatism. After recovering from the effects of this wound, he was transferred to Company F, Sixteenth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, and acted as guard at Harrisburg until his discharge. After close of war he returned home and resumed the occupation of farming on the farm he now owns. Re had purchased this farm prior to his enlistment, mid was engaged in improving it when he responded to his country's call ; the house he had partially completed, stood in its unfinished condition until after the war when he completed it ; it burned November 10, 1889, and the present one was built the following spring. His farm contains fifty acres, and he also owns thirty acres east of Rome. His health was broken in the service, and he is no longer able to do manual labor. Mr. Allen was
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY. 593
united in marriage October 17, 1857, with Martha C., daughter of Harry L. and Electa (Allis) Parks, whose family consisted of the following children : Sarah E., born April IS, 1827; Esther -K., born October 18, 1828; Joseph W., born November 26, 1831; Chloe O., born August 1, 1833; Hollis S., born June 15, 1835 ; Martha C., born J tine 22, 1838 ; Mary M., born December 10, 1840; Eliza, born April 15, 1843 ; Charles W., born October 30, 1848, and Laura A., born April 23, 1852. The father, so well known to the early pioneers as " Priest Parks ", was an able and earnest Methodist preacher, and was born close to what is now Rome borough ; his sister Chloe and James Lent were the first couple to marry in what is now Rome township, it being at that time included in Orwell ; his mother underwent the trying ordeal of the Wyoming horror, and was made a prisoner by the Indians, being then twelve years old ; tier future husband was at that time serving in the patriot army under Washington : her father and mother lived together sixty-one years, and celebrated their diamond wedding. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born two children Hattie C., born June 2, 1859, married to G. W. Crum, and Laura A., born June 8, 1863, married to Horace Russell. The family worship at the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Allen is a member of Stevens Post, No. 69, G. A. It.. and also of Rome Lodge No. 480, I. 0. 0. F., has passed all the chairs, and is now filling the position of conductor, and is P. D. 1). G. M. in the Order. Both he and his wife are members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and Mrs. Allen has taken the order of Rebecca. Mr. Allen is a straight Republican. These worthy people are descendants of two of the oldest families of the township, and they have lived honest, industrious lives, are well-known th roughout the community, and command the love and respect of all.
WILLIAM ALLEN,. farmer, P. O. LeRaysville, was born April 8, 1831, in County Antrim, Ireland, and is the eldest in the family of three sons and four daughters of James and Ann Allen. He spent his boyhood on the farm and in attending the common school. In 1856 he came to America. After arriving in the _New World he remained a short time in Philadelphia, and then came to Bradford county, where he has since lived, a farmer of prominence. He purchased his present home in 1874. Mr. Allen was married, in 1855, to Miss Ellen Blair, who was born July 31, 1838, a daughter of Edward and Mary Blair, natives of County Antrim, Ireland; and this happy union has been blessed with three sons and four daughters, viz.: Marv A., born May 8, 1857, married to George R. Brown, a farmer of Pike township; Eliza J., born April 6, 1860. married to William A. Struppler, of Washington ; Martha M., born February 7, 1862
William H., born March 22, 1864, of Eaglesmere. Pa.; Robert 13 , born February 6, 1867. one of the most successful teachers in Bradford county; Lindsay E., born November 11, 1869, also engaged in teaching, and Nellie B., born January 22, 1872, who has taught two years. Mr. and Mrs. Allen early united with the Presbyterian Church in their native place. He has always been identified with the Republican party
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