JOHN HILL was born at Windsor Castle, Berks county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1787, son of Jacob Hill, a soldier of the Revolution, and grandson of John Daniel Hill, who was born in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, about 1723, and late in life removed from Windsor Castle, Berks county, to Greensburg, Westmoreland county, where he died about 1814. The family is descended from an ancestor who migrated from Ireland to Switzerland after the Reformation; and as early as 1682 and soon after they were represented in southeastern Pennsylvania. Jacob Hill removed to the Muncy valley in 1794, locating within the present limits of Wolf township, and here John Hill was reared and obtained a limited education; and here he resided upon the parental homestead or in its immediate vicinity, until his death a period of seventy-nine years. His father suffered from physical disability entailed by his military service, and at the age of eighteen John Hill, being the eldest of his sons, was obliged to do much of the business of his father beyond the home, especially at the courts of the county, and thus early formed those business habits to which his future success is largely attributable. In 1815 he married Catharine Steck, and they were the parents of twelve children: George Hill, M. D., of Hughesville; Jacob and John, who died in infancy; Rev. R. Hill, of Mount Airy Seminary, Philadelphia; Dr. Charles M. Hill, of Hughesville, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Elwood Hughes, of Dixon, Illinois; Sarah A., deceased wife of Rev. P. Born, D. D., of Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove; Susanna, widow of Rev. Joshua Evans; Hannah, deceased wife of Capt. A. C. Mensch, of Dover, Delaware; Martha, deceased, who married Rev. Charles Ehrhart, deceased, formerly professor at Pennsylvania Col-lege, Gettysburg; Mary C., wife of Rev. J. R. Dimm, D. D., principal of Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, and Margaret, deceased. About the year 1812 Jacob Hill was elected captain of a military company; he subsequently rose to the rank of major, "and displayed ability as a tactician. In 1836 he was commissioned as justice of the peace, and held this office until it became elective. He became a Whig during the second term of Jackson’s presidency, and at the formation of the Republican party became an earnest supporter of its principles and measures. About the year 1830 he took advance ground regarding the use of alcoholic stimulants, and was ever after an ardent temperance advocate. He became a member of the Lutheran church early in life; much of his life he was an officer in the church, and at all times he was zealous in promoting her interests. In this faith he died, June 1, 1873, at the advanced age of eighty-six years and six days.
GEORGE HILL, M. D., was born in Wolf township, Lycoming county, January 14, 1816, son of John Hill. His early education was obtained under the tuition of Mary Hopkins, daughter of Rev. Uzal Hopkins, an Episcopal clergyman, William Rea, Jonathan Worthington, and B. M. French. At the age of seventeen he entered the Milton Academy, where he received instruction from Revs. David Kirkpatrick and David Furgeson, and among his surviving schoolmates at this famous institution are Dr. Thomas Lyon, Andrew G. Curtin, and William Hayes. In the spring of 1835 he entered the office of Dr. John W. Peale at Hughesville as a student of medicine; and after attending two preparatory and two regular courses at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, he graduated from that institution on the 1st of March, 1838, with the degree of M. D. On the 1st of April following he began practice at Hughesville in partnership with his former preceptor, whose property he purchased at the expiration of six months. Here he continued until the autumn of 1847, when he disposed of his professional interests and took a third course of lectures at his alma mater. On the 1st of April, 1848, he located at Bloomsburg, where he had an extensive practice until April 1, 1855; he then returned to his former field of practice at Hughesville, where he has ever since prosecuted his profession. In 1839 there were but three practitioners in Lycoming county south and east of Williamsport Doctors Wood, Rankin, and Hill; the latter has lived to see this number increase to thirty within the period of his active professional life. On the 10th of September, 1840, Dr. Hill married Rachel, daughter of Jeremiah Hughes, of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, and granddaughter of William Hughes, the founder of that town. This family was prominent in the Society of Friends, their ancestors having come from England in 1682 with Penn. To Dr. and Mrs. Hill were born the following children: J. Clinton, attorney at law, Williamsport; J. Harvey, M. D., Baltimore, Maryland; George A., M. D., Williamsport; Justin L., pharmacist, Williamsport; Cornelia; Catharine, deceased, and Rachel Ada.
BALTZER STECK was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, of German parentage, .July 6, 1759. At an early date he located at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, where he became employed in the business of milling. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Fague, daughter of Frederick Fague, then residing near Sunbury. The dust from the grinding grain not agreeing with his health, he abandoned his chosen occupation and came to Lycoming county, where he purchased the farms on the west side of Muncy creek a short distance below Hughesville in Wolf township subsequently owned by his two sons, Frederick and John. Baltzer and Elizabeth Steck had three children, two of whom, Frederick and Catherine, were born while they still resided at Northumberland, and John was born in Wolf township. Baltzer Steck was a brother of Rev. J. Michael Steck, who so long and so ably filled the pulpit of the Lutheran church at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and like the latter he was a stanch Lutheran, and today, ten of his descendants, eight of them bearing the name of Steck, are in the ministry of the same church. He died in the year 1821, and his wife died in 1847, aged eighty-seven years.
FREDERICK STECK, son of Baltzer and Elizabeth (Fague) Steck, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He died, May 15, 1860, and was the father of nine children: John, deceased; Daniel, deceased, who was a Lutheran minister, and was sent by. his congregation to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he organized congregations and built churches; George; Jacob, who is a Lutheran minister living in North Carolina; Andrew J., deceased, Charles T., who is a Lutheran minister of Shamokin, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth D.; Christiana, and Julia, who married J. J. Hess.
JOHN STECK, son of Baltzer Stock, was born in Wolf township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1796. In the earlier part of his life he followed the occupation of farmer; later he also engaged in the lumber business and merchandising. He was a number of times elected to the office of justice of the peace, and in the year 1844 he was elected a county commissioner, being the first Whig elected to that office in Lycoming county from its organization up to that time; at this election he received the unanimous vote of his native township. In the year 1820 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hill, daughter of John Jacob and Christina Hill, and sister of the late John Hill, deceased. To this union were born three children: Michael; Jacob, and Susan. The two former are now deceased; Susan was married to Henry Dieffenderfer. After the death of his first wife, John Steck was married to Sarah Baker, daughter of Jacob and Susannah C. Baker, and to them were born ten children: Elizabeth; George W.; Daniel; John M.; Mary Catherine; William H.; Christina; Harriet; B. Frank, and Julia E.; of these George and Frank have died, and Elizabeth was married to Rev. C. W. Sanders, a Lutheran minister, now located at Canton, Illinois; Daniel resides at Hughesville; John M. is a Lutheran minister now residing at Williamsport; Mary Catherine was married to Dr. E. Andrews, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she now resides; William H., is a Lutheran minister now located at Coatesville, Pennsylvania; Christina was married to Jacob F. Hill, of Muncy, where she now resides, her husband being deceased; Harriet was married to Samuel B. Wheelock, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, but her husband being dead, she now lives in Hughesville, and Julia E. was married to A. D. Hall, of Shenandoah, Iowa, where she now resides. John Stock died, August 25, 1854, and Mrs. Stock in October, 1865.
MICHAEL STECK, eldest son of John and Elizabeth Steck, was born, October 6, 1818. He was graduated from Jefferson Medical College about the year 1844. After practicing medicine for some time at Mifflinville, Pennsylvania, he was appointed by President Fillmore Indian agent for a number of tribes in the Territory of New Mexico, which position he hold until the early part of President Buchanan’s administration, when he was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs for the same Territory for a term of four years. At the expiration of his term of office he returned to the States, and settled near the place of his birth, Hughesville. In the year 1882, he purchased landed interests near Winchester, Virginia, where he died October 6th of the following year. Dr. Steck was twice married; his first wife and their only child died while they resided in New Mexico. His second wife and three children who survive him still reside at Winchester.
DANIEL STECK, son of John Stock, was born on a farm near Hughesville, December 28, 1832. He was educated at the Bloomsburg high school, and has devoted the most of his time to farming. In 1875 he was elected county commissioner, and in 1883 prothonotary for Lycoming county. In 1887 he purchased thirty acres of land adjoining Hughesville, and laid out what is known as Steck’s addition to that borough, whereon there have been already about thirty houses built. He has devoted considerable time to scientific study and research. In the summer of 1855 he furnished for publication in The Agriculturist, at the request of the editor of that journal, a history of the "Habits, etc. of the Wheat Midge," an insect which at that time threatened the total destruction of the wheat crop of our country. Other articles of a scientific character from his pen have from time to time appeared in the public press. At the present time he has in course of preparation a treatise on the "Origin and Formation of Coal," which embraces a revision of the ancient "Transportation" hypothesis, and also includes a logical disposal of the only two material objections that have ever been urged against, the same. Mr. Steck was married, December 28, 1859, to Sarah, a daughter of Hon. L. B. Rupert, late of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born three children: Edwin R., deceased; Eva S., who married E. A. Chamberlain, and Hattie, who married W. M. Wise. Mr. Steck is a Republican, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church; he has filled all the offices of the church and was one of the building committee for the Hughesville and South Williamsport churches.
CHARLES REEDER was born in England, June 24, 1713, and came to America in 1734. In 1737 he married Eleanor Merrick, and they were the parents of eleven children: Joseph, born September 3, 1738; Charles, June 15, 1743; Benjamin, March 20, 1746; Jesse, August 25, 1748; David, May 3, 1750; Abraham, July 8, 1752; Merrick, July 31, 1754; Hannah, August 15, 1756; John, November 20,1761; Mary, September 10, 1764, and Job. The parents of these children were both members of the Society of Friends. The will of Charles Reeder, Sr., was made June 16, 1800, and admitted to probate on the 8th of September, 1804. Benjamin Reeder settled in Shamokin, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. Jesse Reeder was drowned when a young man while fishing in the Delaware river. Job Reeder was born in New Jersey while his parents were temporarily sojourning in that State, having been driven by the Indians from their home in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He removed to Lycoming county and his sons, Samuel and Joseph, settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania.
MERRICK REEDER, Sr., son of Charles and Eleanor Reeder, removed from the Canaan farm, Wrightstown, Pennsylvania, to Muncy in 1810. In 1773 he married Elizabeth Collins, and they had thirteen children: Benajah, born November 30, 1774; Merrick, February 8, 1776, Jonathan, June 10, 1777; David, August 23, 1778; Hannah, April 11, 1780; Mary, October 29, 1781; Rebecca, May 30,1783; Elizabeth, April 3, 1785;Charles, April 18, 1787; Andrew, June 12,1789; John, May 18, 1791; Eleanor, November, 4, 1793, and Jesse, August 10, 1796.
ANDREW REEDER, son of Merrick Reeder, was a farmer, and took an active part in Democratic politics; he was elected commissioner for Lycoming county in 1852, and was married to Anna Kimble, who was born September 6, 1791, and to this union were born seven children: Margaret, born June 12, 1814; Charles, deceased, January 16,1816; Henry C., March 22, 1818; Andrew C., September 15,1820; Anna, January 20, 1824; Peter, and Merrick, deceased, (twins), October 4, 1827. Andrew Reeder ‘died, September 2, 1874, and his wife, January 23, 1879.
PETER REEDER, lumber dealer, was born near Montoursville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1827, son of Andrew and Anna (Kimble) Reeder. He was educated in the common schools, and began his business life as a farmer and drover, alternating with teaching school in the winter. In 1866 he engaged in the mercantile business in Hughesville, and also the lumber business; he has built thirteen houses in Hughesville, and is still engaged in lumbering, but sold his mercantile store in 1887 to Reeder & Derr. In 1878 he was elected to the State legislature; he has been county auditor, and has served on the school board and council of Hughesville. He was married, September 15, 1853, to Sarah F., daughter of Henry Ritter, and to them were born nine children: Annie, born July 1, 1854, who married William L. Laird; Lizzie, who was born July 25, 1856, and died May 23, 1890; Robert K., whose sketch appears elsewhere; Margaret, born March 6, 1860; Henry C., born September 25, 1862, who is a civil engineer of Williamsport; Charles, born April 2, 1864; Milton, born March 18, 1866; Frank A., born June 17, 1869, and Jessie May, who was born November 1, 1875, and died July 28, 1876.
JACOB POUST, a native of Ireland, settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, at an early date, subsequently removing to Lycoming county, where he settled in Muncy Creek township upon the land now owned by John Youkem. He had five sons and three daughters: John; Henry; Samuel; Daniel H.; Jacob; Hannah; Catharine, and Mary, all of whom are deceased. Jacob, the youngest son, was born in Berks county and came with his parents to Lycoming, where he was reared and learned the carpenter’s trade. After reaching manhood he settled in Penn township and cleared a farm of 250 acres, whereon he resided until his death in 1836. In religious connection he was a Lutheran. He married Elizabeth Houseknecht, and to them were born eleven children: Catharine, who married David Vandine; Charles, deceased, who married Margaret Shipman; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John Berger; Hannah, deceased wife of Philip Frantz; John, who married Elizabeth Frantz; Jacob, who married Jane Derr; Levina, who married Daniel S. Smith; Mary, deceased wife of Jacob Gray; George H., who married Phoebe Miller; Philip, deceased, and Daniel.
DANIEL H. POUST, carpenter, was born, November 1, 1833, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Houseknecht) Poust. He was educated in the common schools until the age of thirteen years, when he hired out to work on the farm for two years. He then began to learn the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for twenty-three years. After working for some time on a farm which he had purchased he again resumed his trade, which he has continued to the present time. December 27, 1859, he was married to Mary C. Deifenbacher, and to this union have been born two children: Clarence, who was born, October 22, 1861, taught three terms of school, and died October 22, 1881; and Howard, who was born July 31, 1865, and died November 26, 1881. Mrs. Poust died June 30, 1886, and was a member of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Poust is also a member.
JAMES LAIRD was born, May 11, 1761, and married Mary McFarland, February 12, 1788. She was born, November 15, 1770, and to their union were born three children: John, who was born, August 2, 1789, and died, September 23, 1862; William, born October 11, 1791, and Mary, born March 15, 1794. Mrs. Laird died, July 24, 1796, and he was again married, to Miss Sarah Watson, May 11, 1797. She was born, January 21, 1772, and to them were born the following Children: Samuel, born March 8, 1798; Jane McKinney; James, born July 27, 1801; James, born October 21, 1806, and Thomas, born March 21, 1810. Mr. Laird removed from the Cumberland valley to Montour county, Pennsylvania, where he died, February 15, 1846.
JOHN LAIRD, son of James Laird, moved to what is now Lairdsville in 1822. He taught school during the winter and followed surveying during the summers for several years. November 22, 1810, he was married to Miss Margaret Smith, born June 2, 1790, and to them were born six children: Mary, born December 26, 1811; Hugh, deceased, born February 18, 1813; James, deceased, born April 1, 1814; Elizabeth, deceased, born September 7, 1819; John, born February 19, 1812, and William, deceased, born January 3, 1832.
JAMES LAIRD, son of John Laird, was a merchant and lumberman in the early part of his life. In 1869, in company with his sons, he built the first furniture factory in Hughesville. He married Ruth A. Carver, and, died January 1, 1882, fol-lowed by her, June 7, 1891. They were the parents of five children: E. Livingston, deceased in 1872; John C.; Martha, who married J. K. Rishel; William L., and H. Newton. Mr. Laird helped to build the first Lutheran church in Hughesville, organized the first Sunday school in 1850, and was its superintendent for twelve years.
J. C. LAIRD, foreman of Rishel’s furniture factory, was born at Hughesville, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1844, son of James and Ruth A. (Carver) Laird. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1863 engaged in the lumber business, which he continued for six years. He then became interested in the furniture factory as a partner until 1878, when he sold and has since been foreman of that enterprise. He has served in the town council, and has been burgess of Hughesville and school director. June 6, 1867, he was married to Miss Sophia S. Tallman, and to them was born one child, Frank L., October 28, 1872. Mr. Laird and family are members of the Lutheran church and he is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school.
THOMAS NEWMAN, son of Joseph Newman, who immigrated from England to America and settled in New Jersey, came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolutionary war, and settled on a farm near the present site of Hughesville. His brother Joseph accompanied him, and the latter raised a company and served as captain in the Revolutionary war. Thomas Newman was the father of two children: Rebecca, deceased at the age of fourteen years, and Joseph.
JOSEPH NEWMAN, son of Thomas Newman, was born in 1796. He started to join the army to serve in the war of 1812, but before he reached his destination the war was over. He returned and lived on the farm which his father had left him until 1840, when he removed to Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, remaining there six years and then returning to Lycoming county and settling near Tivoli, where he and his wife both died in 1877, having reared a family of eleven children: Jeannette; Rebecca; Sarah, deceased, Rosetta, deceased, Margaret; Elizabeth, deceased; Ann; Seth C., deceased; Joseph, who enlisted in Company F, Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in 1861; John, who enlisted in Company F, Eighty-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and George. Joseph and John both died from wounds received in the wars.
GEORGE NEWMAN, carpenter, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1836, son of Joseph and Mary (Marsh) Newman. He was educated in the common schools and learned the carpenter trade, which he has followed for thirty-three years. May 20, 1860, he was married to Phoebe H. Hill, and to them were born the following children: P. Burley, who is employed in the railroad office at Hughesville; Joseph S., who is employed in the railroad office at Nordmont; Mabel B.; George H.; John W.; Mary R., deceased, and Seth Q., deceased. Mr. Newman enlisted in July, 1862, in Company F, Eighty-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw active service until the close of the war. After the close of the war he lived for several years in Virginia, five years in Williamsport, and two in Texas, and then returned to Lycoming county, where he has since resided.
THE FRONTZ FAMILY in Lycoming county are descendants of William Frontz, who immigrated from Switzerland to America prior to the Revolution, and located in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Gower and lived in Monroe county, Pennsylvania. They reared a family of twelve children: Sarah, who married George Shaffer; Jacob, who married Mary Wies; Jonas, who married Elizabeth Getz; George, who married Betsy Shoemaker; Catharine, who married Jacob Smith; Mary, who married John Smith; Susan, who married Joseph Metzger; Samuel, who married Elizabeth Young; Michael, who married a Miss Smith; Peter, who married Betsy Beaver; John, who married Christiana Lessick, and Solomon, who married Elizabeth Young. Of these children George, Jacob, Jonas, and Solomon removed to Luzerne county, where they died; Michael, Samuel, Sarah, Catherine, Mary, and Susan lived and died in Monroe county, and John and Peter came to Lycoming county. John Frontz reared a family of six children: Jacob; Joseph; John; Philip; Mary, and Elizabeth. Jacob Frontz, son of John Frontz, learned the wagon maker trade in the building where his son, William Frontz, is now doing business. He purchased this property in 1837, and carried on wagon making until his death, which occurred May 6, 1855. He married Lydia Gray, and to them were born two children: William, and George C., deceased. His widow survived him until April 6, 1879.
WILLIAM FRONTZ, merchant and lumber manufacturer and dealer, was born in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1831, son of Jacob and Lydia (Gray) Frontz. He was educated in the common schools and began his business life in a store. In partnership with Jeremiah Kelly, he purchased a mercantile establishment from Mr. Kelly’s father, and did a thriving business for two years, when Mr. Kelly withdrew and Mr. Frontz continued alone until his brother, George C. Frontz, returned from the army and joined him in the business. This partnership lasted until July 8, 1880, when his brother died. In 1883 his son Walter C. became a partner and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of William Frontz & Son. He was married, November 14, 1855, to Sarah A. Saunders; to this union were born three children: Walter C., cashier of the First National Bank of Hughesville; Howard, deceased, and Eulilia, who married J. H. Laird. Mrs. Frontz died, August 11, 1880, in the Lutheran faith. Air. Frontz is a member of the Lutheran church, in which he is an elder, while his son Walter C. is superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a director in the First National Bank of Hughesville. Politically he is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the growth and progress of his native county.
GEORGE P. FRONTZ, insurance agent, was born in Penn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1842, son of Philip and Hannah (Poust) Frontz. His father was born and died on the same farm in Penn township, and his children were named as follows: George P.; John; Wilson; Emeline, who married A. L. Starr; Mary, and Elizabeth, deceased. Our subject was educated at the public schools of Penn and Hughesville, and taught school for eight winters. He learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for ten years, and has since engaged in farming and the insurance business. Mr. Frontz was married, June 3, 1867, to Emeline, daughter of Matthias Fague, and to this union has been born one child, Edward E., a druggist of Williamsport. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville, of which he has been deacon and at present is one of the trustees.
GEORGE FAGUE came to Lycoming county at an early day, locating on a farm one mile east of Hughesville. He was the father of seven children: Jacob; Peter; Matthias; Hannah; Savilla; Elizabeth, and Susan. Matthias, the youngest son, was a farmer by occupation, and died November 26, 1872; his wife, whose maiden name was Ann Derr, died in 1869. They were the parents of nine children: Sarah J.; George; Emeline; Clara; J. Harvey; Ella; James P.; William AT., and Mary, deceased.
J. H. FAGUE, merchant, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania May 4, 1849, son of Matthias and Ann (Derr) Fague. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1873 he went into the general mercantile business in Hughesville in company with W. H. Kitchen. At the end of five years he withdrew from the firm, purchased a property, fitted up a storeroom of his own, and took C. B. Vandine into co-partnership with him; at the expiration of five years, the latter withdrew, and Mr. Fague has been sole proprietor. He was married in 1874 to H. Agusta Tallman, and to this union has been born one child, Laura.
HENRY DIEFFENDERFER was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1814, soil of Philip and Catherine (Seibert) Dieffenderfer. He is a blacksmith by trade and has worked at that occupation for thirty-five years. January 11, 1844, he was married to Susan Steck, a half-sister of Daniel Steck, whose sketch appears in this work, and to them were born the following children: Frank, who enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was killed in battle; William, who married Lavina Sharrow, Elizabeth, who married Dan Stephenson; Michael, who married Miss Alice Sones; Clara, who married David Bryan; Fannie, who married Charles W. Buck; George M.; Katie, deceased; Rose, deceased, and Frederick, deceased. Mr. Dieffenderfer is a Democrat in politics, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church.
JOHN P. DERR, retired farmer, was born in Penn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1822, son of John P. and Ann (Bartlow) Derr. His grandfather came from Germany and was one of the first settlers of Moreland township, Lycoming county, and was the father of four children: George, deceased; Frederick, deceased; John, deceased, and Peggy. Our subject’s father, John P. Derr, was the father of eleven children: Sarah, deceased; Peter, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Catherine; Andrew J., deceased; John P.; Jane; Martha, deceased; Lavina, deceased; Charles W., and one deceased in infancy. John P. Derr died in 1866, and his widow died in 1882. Our subject was educated in the common schools and has followed lumbering and farming. He was married in 1846 to Miss Mary Freeman, and to this union have been born five children: Ella J., who married Wilson Grundrom; Anna, deceased; Alice, who married Jacob Miller; Charles F., who is a merchant at Hughesville, and Martha E., who married Joseph Parker. Mr. Derr and wife are members of the Lutheran church.
THOMAS NUNN was born in New Jersey, and migrated to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, before the Revolutionary war, but was forced by the Indians to return to his native State at the time of what is known as the "Great Runaway." He returned in 1796, a short time after he was married. He was the father of one child, Aaron, who was born in 1794. Thomas Nunn died at the age of eighty years, followed by his wife a few years later. Aaron Nunn, son of Thomas Nunn, a farmer by occupation, was married to Miss Ann Hall, and to them were born four children: Thomas; Mary, deceased, Elizabeth, and William.
THOMAS H. NUNN, retired farmer, was born in Mill Creek township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1825, son of Aaron and Ann (Hall) Nunn. He was educated in the common schools and taught one term, and has devoted the remainder of his life to farming. In January, 1851, he was married to Barbara Gortner, and to this union have been born eleven children: Two deceased when young; J. Asher; Susan; Ellis; Ann; Amanda; A. Beeber; Jane; Rachel, and Julia, deceased. Mrs. Nunn died in April, 1889. Mr. Nunn is a stanch Democrat.
JACOB R. HILL was born in Hughesville, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1832, and is a son of Martin and Mary (Dougherty) Hill, also natives of Lycoming county. Martin Hill was a farmer and shoemaker, and a son of Frederick Hill. The latter was a Revolutionary soldier, and also served in the war of 1812, and was quite prominent in early military affairs in Lycoming county. The subject of this sketch was reared in Hughesville, and learned the cabinet maker’s trade, which he has since followed. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Hill was twice married. His first wife was Jamella Kahler, who bore him four children: Spencer W., of Williamsport; Llewellyn K., of Egg Harbor City, New Jersey; Norman P., assistant station agent of the Williamsport and North Branch railroad at Hughesville, and Hester C., wife of Joseph W. Shea, of Picture Rocks. Mrs. Hill died in 1868, and he subsequently married Almira Renn, who became the mother of four children, as follows: Arthur E.; Edwin E.; Jacob Wilber, and Hattie. Mr. Hill is a Republican, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since boyhood.
JOHN G. BARTCH was a son of Frederick Bartell, a native of England, who emigrated to America from Germany and settled on a farm in Berks county, Penn-sylvania, at a very early day. He was the father of three children: John G.; Fred-erick, and Barbara. John G. was a farmer during the early part of his life, but for several years preceding his death, he was a minister of the Evangelical denomina-tion. He married Magdalena Stiner, and to this union were born ten children: John; Fred; Franklin; Washington, who is judge of the court in Salt Lake City, Utah; Gottleib; Maggie; Eliza; Lena; Barbara, and Mary A. John G. Bartell died in 1859, and his wife died in 1851.
FRED BARTCH, retired, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1832, son of John G. and Magdalena (Stiner) Bartell. He was educated in the common schools and farmed for a number of years, after which he began the lumber business, manufacturing the same for a period of thirteen years. In 1877 he came to Hughesville where he has lived a retired life ever since. He was married in 1855 to Miss Mary, a daughter of John and Julia Sanger of Hughesville, aged eighty-three years and seventy-two years, respectively. Mr. Bartch and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville.
SAIMEL B. WHEELOCK, deceased, was born in Tompkins county, New York, December 23, 1840, and was educated at Northampton, Massachusetts. After spending a few years with the firm of W. M. Seymore & Company of New York City, he in 1860 went to Warren, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as teller in the Northwestern Bank of that city. September 12, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Kane’s Rifle Regiment, and served all through the war, receiving several promotions. At the close of the war he went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he studied law and practiced for a short time, when he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of that city. In 1878 he came to Hughesville, Pennsylvania, where he died, December 14, 1879. He was married to Harriet Steck, and to them were born four children: Harriet; Charles; Catharine, and Alice.
CORNELIUS BODINE was descended from Huguenots who settled in New Jersey and New York. He was born in 1757, and settled in the vicinity of Hughesville. He married Margaret Sutphen, and with her migrated to Lycoming county in 1802. They subsequently settled in Seneca county, New York, where Mr. Bodine died on June 12, 1820, and Mrs. Bodine, on November 15, 1824. Their children were Charles, Isaac, Peter, John, Gilbert, George, Abraham, and Cornelius. Abraham was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and was twice married; his first wife was Mercy Paxon, and to this union were born five children: John; Charles; George; Margaret, and Elizabeth; his second wife was Barbara Cruze, by whom he had one son, Russell. Charles Bodine, son of Abraham Bodine, was a merchant and one of the most prominent and enterprising men of Hughesville during his life. He married Maria Christman, and to them were born five children: Clinton, deceased; C. Christman, deceased; De Witt; Milton, and Mary, who is deceased. Charles Bodine died in 1850, and his wife, February 26,1880.
DE WITT BODINE, lumber dealer and banker, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1841, son of Charles and Maria (Christman) Bodine. He received his education at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, from which institution he was graduated with high honors; he has established a scholarship in Dickinson Seminary, of which he is a director, which is awarded yearly to the student of Hughesville high school having the best degree of advancement at the close of the school year. He is also a director of the Missionary Institute at Selinsgrove, Penn-sylvania. He enlisted in the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, and on his return from service he began the lumber business in partnership with his uncle, George Bodine, and continued until the death of the latter, at which time Mr. Bodine became sole proprietor of their business. He is president of the First National Bank of Hughesville. He was married in October, 1876, to Emma Biddle.
SALATHIEL KELLY was a son of Jeremiah and Anna (Hahn) Kelly, and came from Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Hughesville, Lycoming county, with his parents in 1828. His father was a farmer and cooper, and died in 1856, leaving two sons, John and Salathiel, both of whom are dead. Salathiel learned the cooper’s trade, and followed it, for many years, but the last sixteen years of his life were devoted to the mercantile business. He married Christiana Sanders, who was born February 28, 1817, in Lycoming county, daughter of Israel and Sarah (Kelly) Sanders. Her parents came from Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and settled in the Muncy Hills, Lycoming county; they reared a family of nine children, of whom Mrs. Kelly is the only survivor. Salathiel Kelly was the father of six children, four of whom are living: Jeremiah; Sarah C., widow of William A. Krouse; Anna, wife of Israel Buck, and William. B., general agent of the American Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia.
JEREMIAH KELLY, merchant, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1838, son of Salathiel and Christiana Sanders) Kelly. He was educated in the common schools, and was married December 13, 1863, to Mary, daughter of Philip and Sarah Stetler, and to this union have been born four children: Harry; Charles; Elma, and Walter. Mr. Kelly and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hughesville. Politically he is a Republican, and has always taken a deep interest, in the social and material growth of Hughesville.
W. H. WARN, of the firm of Bodine & Warn, manufacturers and dealers in lumber, shingles, and general merchandise, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, son of Isaac S. and Maria (Corson) Warn. Isaac S. Warn came to Lycoming county at an early day. He was a tanner by trade, and died in 1846, followed by his widow in 1880. They were the parents of three children: Isadore, who is deceased; W. H., and M. C., deceased. W. H. Warn was educated in the common schools, and from fourteen to eighteen years of age he drove a back from Muncy to Sonestown and Dushore, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. He then learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for five years. In 1864, in company with Ira Robins, he engaged in the manufacture of spices and coffee in Hughesville, and one year later they purchased the mercantile store of William Stetler, which they conducted for two years. De Witt Bodine thou purchased Mr. Robins’s interest and it was conducted by these gentlemen for several years in connection with their lumber business. They sold their store in 1873 to Fague & Kitchen. In a few years Mr. Warn, in company with Milton Bodine, 5gain bought the store and still continues the business. They are also extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. Mr. Warn was married in 1875 to Miss Elizabeth Kline, of Williamsport, and to this union have been born four children: Preston S.; George K.; W. H., and Robert B. Mr. and Mrs. Warn are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville.
JAMES K. BOAK was a lumber merchant in Centre county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1870. He married Sarah Rupley, and to them were born the following children: George; R. Addie, who married a Mr. Ash; Sarah, who married a Mr. Cook, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, James K.; Cameron, a merchant at Snow Shoe, Centre county; Mary E., who married a Mr. Shaw, of West Virginia; Theodore; Anna, who married a Mr. Weakley, of Harrisburg, and Lucy, deceased. Mrs. Boak, widow of James K. Boak, resides on the old homestead at Pine Glen, Centre county, Penn-sylvania.
JAMES K. BOAK, manufacturer, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1848, son of James K. and Sarah (Rupley) Boak. He was educated in the com-mon schools and at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport. He was engaged in farming until 1879, when he began the manufacture of furniture at Hughesville, which he has continued ever since with good success. He was married in 1860 to, M. Ella Bodine, and to this union have been born four children: E. May; Ida; George R,., and James E. Mr. Boak is a Republican in politics, a member of Baldwin Commandery, K. P., and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church of Hughesville, of which he is a trustee.
THEODORE A. BOAK, furniture manufacturer and merchant, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, son of James K. and Sarah (Rupley) Boak. He was educated in the common schools and at Millersville State Normal School, and for several years was general freight agent at Hughesville for the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad Company, and was also a conductor for the same. He was engaged in the coal and lumber business in his native county for ten years; in 1887 he returned to Hughesville, where he purchased Jeremiah Kelly’s interest in the Hughesville furniture factory. In January, 1891, he and his brother, James K. Boak, purchased A. B. Worthington’s interest, and now control the entire establishment, employing from seventy-five to 100 men, and doing a business of about $150,000 per year. He was married in 1885 to Miss Lydia Yarnell of Centre County, Pennsylvania. He was appointed postmaster at Hughesville in 1889 and is the present incumbent. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville, and he belongs to the Masonic order.
C. WILLIAM WODDROP, of the firm of Woddrop, & Welch, lumber dealers, is a native of Philadelphia and came to Hughesville. January 31, 1881, as secretary and treasurer of the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad Company, which position he filled for about five years. In 1885, in company with Harvey Welch, he went into the lumber business and has continued it to the present time; he was a member of the firm of Boak, Woddrop & Company for two years in the general mercantile trade. Mr. Woddrop is president of the Eaglesmere Railroad Company, vice-president of the First National Bank of Hughesville, and a member of Woddrop & Company of Philadelphia, wholesale shoe dealers. He has been superintendent, and at present is a teacher of the Methodist Sunday school, and is one of Hughesville’s enterprising citizens.
BENJAMIN WELCH immigrated from England to America in 1849, and settled in Philadelphia, where he engaged in manufacturing until his death in 1876; his widow died in 1889, and was the mother of six children: John, who is the treasurer of branches of the Reading, railroad; Jane, who is the widow of Dr. Robert S. Woddrop; Anna, deceased; Joseph, who is a Methodist Episcopal minister and chaplain of the State Prison at Philadelphia; Benjamin G., and Sarah S., wife of J. S. Bailey, of Philadelphia.
BENJAMIN G. WELCH, general manager of the Williamsport and North Branch railroad, was born in Birmingham, England, in 1839, son of Benjamin and Mary (Wilkes) Welch. After he was graduated from the Philadelphia high school he engaged in the wholesale saddlery hardware business in that city for eight Years. In 1861 he moved to Danville, Pennsylvania, where he was general manager of the iron works of Hancock & Foley, for ten years. He spent the following two years in Toronto, Canada, as manager of a street railway, and two years in Kingston, Canada, as manager of an iron ore mine. Returning to the United States he engaged in the coal business at Pittston, Pennsylvania, for a short time, after which he came to Hughesville, in 1881, having been appointed receiver of the Muncy Creek Railroad Company. He held this position until that company was reorganized and changed to the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad Company, of which he has been general manager ever since. He was the organizer of the Eaglesmere land syndicate. In 1864 he was married to Sarah, daughter of William Hancock, of Danville, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born four children: Three deceased in infancy and Miriam. Mr. Welch and family are members of the Methodist church of Hughesville; he became a Sabbath school pupil when he was six years old, and has been a regular attendant ever since; he has been superintendent of Sunday schools for twenty years, and at times has filled the pulpit of Methodist churches.
S. D. TOWNSEND, auditor of the Williamsport and North Branch Railroad Company, was born, October 18, 1847, in Philadelphia. He came to Hughesville, January 15, 1884, and has been identified with that railroad ever since. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville.
ALFRED H. HILL, salesman, was born in Muncy Creek township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1836, son of Jacob and Charlotte (Dimm) Hill. He was educated at Pennsylvania College, and taught seventeen terms of school. In 1871 he was nominated for prothonotary of Lycoming county, but was defeated in the election by a small majority. He was then appointed conductor on a passenger train for the Muncy Creek railroad, which position he filled until 1876, when he was elected to the legislature of Pennsylvania. On his return from his official service he resumed his position as conductor until this railroad was reorganized and changed to the Williamsport and North Branch Company. He then took employment with the Standard Oil Company for two years, after which he superintended the macadamizing of the streets of Hughesville. For the past six years he has been employed by Burrows Brothers, furniture manufacturers of Picture Rocks, as traveling salesman. Mr. Hill has been secretary of the school board of Hughesville eight years. He was married, October 4, 1859, to Caroline C. Corsen, of Shrewsbury township, Lycoming county, and to this union have been born three children: Emory D., deceased; Charles S., and Fannie B. Mr. Hill is a member of the Masonic order at Muncy.
REV. J. A. WIRT, A. M., pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Hughesville, was born in Millersburg, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, the only son of Simon Wirt. He was graduated from Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1874, and immediately began a theological course at Gettysburg and Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. His first charge was at Lykens, Pennsylvania, where he remained for six years. When he began his labors at that place the church was heavily in debt, and at the close of his pastoral charge the buildings were in good repair and there were $246 in the treasury. In 1883 he came to Hughesville and took charge of the Evangelical Lutheran church of that place. At that time the church building was valued at about $1,300, but within two years Rev. Wirt had so aroused the congregation that a new edifice was begun which cost $20,000, and is wholly out of debt at the present time. It was through Rev. Wirt’s influence that Mrs. John L. Shipman before her death deeded to the church its present parsonage. In 1883 the membership of the church was 196 and at the present time there are 429 members. The benevolent collections have increased from $100 in 1882 to $1,068 in 1891. Rev. Wirt has attended more dedications and laying of cornerstones than any other minister of the Susquehanna Synod. He was president of the Susquehanna Synod for three consecutive terms, and is at present chairman of the educational committee. He delivered an address before the General Synod at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which the publication society had printed and circulated 5,000 copies. He is at present a member of the board of trustees of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, and is connected in a similar capacity with Missionary Institute at Selinsgrove and Irving Female College at Mechanicsburg. He was married while in the Theological Seminary to Mattie J., daughter of David A. Buehler, of Gettysburg, and to this union have been born four children: Ray F.; Guyon B.; S. Edgar, and John A.
H. H. RUTTER, editor and publisher of the Hughesville Mail, was born at Wilmington, Delaware, June 13, 1851, son of Dr. J. C. and Jane (Clayton) Rutter. His parents removed to Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1854, where he was reared and received his education at the Literary Institute, now known as the State Normal School. In 1868 he entered the office of the Bloomsburg Columbian and learned the trade of printer. Subsequently he found employment on the Morning Standard at Williamsport, then published by Hon. Henry L. Dieffenbach, where he remained two years. In 1876-77 he was employed upon the Shickshinny Mountain Echo. in the latter part of 1877 he accepted a position as city editor and manager of the Banner at Carthage, Missouri, where he remained until 1883, when he located at Atlantic, Iowa, and assisted in establishing a daily paper. In June, 1883, he purchased the Hughesville Enterprise, re-established it under its present name, and has since continued its publication. Mr. Rutter was appointed postmaster under the Cleveland administration, and filled that office with credit and ability. He was a delegate to the Democratic State convention of 1889 and has been otherwise prominent in political circles. In 1881 Mr. Rutter married Eva, daughter of Col. W. F. Cloud, of Missouri, and they are the parents of three children: Clara C. Cloud C., and Harry H. J.
NICHOLAS CRAWFORD was born in 1816 in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father, William Crawford, was a native of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1793. Nicholas Crawford was a tanner by trade, and followed that occupation at Montoursville for a number of years. He was twice married, and by his first wife he had four children: Richmond, deceased; Samuel; William E., and an infant deceased. Mrs. Crawford died, May 8, 1858, and he was again married, to Sarah J. Condrick, and to this union were born five children: Della; Curtain; Stanton; Emeline, and Elizabeth. Mr. Crawford is now living in Jackson county, Kansas.
WILLIAM E. CRAWFORD, lawyer, was born at Warrensville, Lycoming county, August 14, 1850, son of Nicholas and Rebecca (Casner) Crawford. He was educated in the common schools and Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He began the study of law under the tuition of the Hon. J. J. Metzger, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county in August, 1873. He practiced in Williamsport until 1875, when he located in Hughesville, where he has given his entire time to his profession. He was married, February 14, 1877, to Anna, daughter of Jacob Artley, and to this union have been born three children: Alethera; Lillian, and Rebecca. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled many of the borough offices. He is a member of Muncy Lodge, No. 299, F. & A. M.
G. W. METZGER, physician and surgeon, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1841, son of George and Susan (Deitrick) Metzger. He was educated at Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport, and Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. After finishing his literary education he began the study of medicine with Dr. Thomas Smith of Clinton township, Lycoming county, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1856. He at once located at Hughesville, where he has devoted his whole attention to his profession, and has built an extensive and a lucrative practice. He enlisted in Company G, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the first three months call, and was honorably discharged at the end of the term. He was married, May 28, 1867, to Rebecca, daughter of George Beeber, of Muncy Creek township, and to this union have been born two daughters: Alta and Rebecca. Mr. Metzger has been a member of the school board for twenty-two years, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church.
ANDREW REEDY emigrated to America at an early day and reared quite a family. His son, Conrad Reedy, was a harness maker by trade and removed to Hughesville in 1852; there he went into the general mercantile business, which he followed until the close of the war. He then studied dentistry with Dr. J. K. Rishel and followed that profession until his death, June 30, 1881.
W. T. REEDY, dentist, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1850, son of Conrad and Catherine (Frymire) Reedy. He was educated in the common schools and began the study of dentistry with his father in 1873. He was graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Philadelphia, in 1884. He located at Hughesville, and has prosecuted his profession ever since. He was married, May 24, 1888, to Miss Hattie Keller, of Muncy, Pennsylvania.
THE KAHLER FAMILY of Lycoming county is descended from Christopher Kahler, a German immigrant who first located at Philadelphia upon his arrival in America. He subsequently removed to Easton, Pennsylvania, and then to Bloomsburg, where he resided at the time of his death. He was married in Philadelphia, and was the father of the following children: Christian, deceased; John; Charles, deceased; Samuel, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Elizabeth, and Sarah, deceased. Christopher Kahler died in 1823, and his wife survived him until 1850.
CHRISTIAN KAHLER was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1798, son of Christopher Kahler. He learned the tailor’s trade at Bloomsburg, having removed to that place with his parents in 1810. In 1828 he came to Hughesville and. Engaged in the merchant tailoring business, continuing at this for many years. He served as justice of the peace in Wolf township, and filled the same office in the borough of Hughesville after its organization, serving in this capacity a period of twenty-eight years. In the latter part of his life he resided upon his farm, just beyond the borough limits, but subsequently returned to Hughesville, where he died on the 22d of December, 1884. On the 18th of March, 1823, he married Sarah Keller, who died in 1860; to this union were born seven children: John; Margaret, who married Peter Sevison; Thomas W.; an infant, deceased; Annie R., who married Theodore Hill; Sarah, deceased wife of Fleming Webster, and Parson D. Mr. Kahler was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran church, in which he filled the office of deacon.
JOHN KAHLER was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1824, son of Christian and Sarah (Keller) Kahler. He received his education at the public schools and at the age of fourteen was employed by James Huling as clerk in a store. Here he remained two years, and then taught school for the same length of time, after which he engaged in the mercantile business with Henry Frymire. Four years later he became individual proprietor of a store and also engaged in the lumber business in connection with it, relinquishing mercantile pursuits in 1874 in order to devote his entire attention to his lumber interests. On the 15th of November, 1849, he married Elizabeth Ball, and to this union have been born seven children: Calvin; Estella, deceased; Walter F., deceased; John; McClellan, deceased; Harvey, and an infant, deceased. Mr. Kahler is an enthusiastic Democrat and belongs to the Lutheran church. He served as captain of a company of State uniformed militia under the old regime, and has been connected with the local government as auditor and burgess. He has also served as school director ten years.
THOMAS W. KAHLER, justice of the peace, was born in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, in 1829, son of Christian and Sarah (Keller) Kahler. He was educated in the common schools, and was married in 1862 to Savilla Doctor, and to them have been born two children: Sarah R., and Martha, deceased. In 1878, Mr. Kahler was elected a justice of the peace and has filled that important office ever since.
SAMUEL KAHLER was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1803, son of Christopher Kahler. He was reared in Northampton and Columbia counties, and learned the trade of blacksmith. He came to Hughesville in 1828 for the purpose of obtaining employment with the Wells-Johnson Wagon Company, with which he continued for some time and then engaged in business for himself, which he carried on until 1835. At this time he purchased 300 acres of land about one mile northwest of Hughesville, which he cleared and improved, and engaged in farming until about 1871. He then rented the farm and settled in Hughesville, where he died March 12, 1881. He married Hester, daughter of Daniel Pursel, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born nine children: Harriet, wife of Hiram Croman; Andrew J.; Jamella, deceased wife of Jacob Hill; Theresa, wife of S. P. Wallace; Annie, deceased, Caroline; Martha, wife of Edward Melhuish; Samuel Norman, and Sylvester P. Mrs. Kahler survived her husband for some years. Samuel Kahler was a life long, Democrat and took an active interest in his party. He was a member of the State militia and held a captain’s commission. In his religious views he was a Baptist, and was one of the organizers and original members of Picture Rocks Baptist church, the first of that denomination in that section of the county. In this he filled the office of deacon for many years. Mr. Kahler was one of the first members of the P. of H. in Lycoming county; he was a man who manifested great interest in public matters, and died respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
HON. A. J. KAHLER, the eldest son of Samuel and Hester Kahler, was born July 27, 1834, at Hughesville. He received his education in the common schools. He was reared upon the homestead, working upon the farm in summer and teaching school in the winter for about ten years. He finally took charge of the homestead, where he remained until 1864; he then purchased a farm, where he lived until 1868. He then bought his present place, where he has since resided. After his father retired he purchased the homestead estate and is now one of the most extensive farmers in the county, cultivating about 400 acres. Mr. Kahler was married, December 31, 1858, to Maria, daughter of Benjamin Houseknecht, of Moreland township, and to this union have been born the following children: Forrest; Martha; Sadie, wife of Hugh Phillips Benjamin; Maggie; Stella; Anna; Russell; Alma, and Charles. Politically Mr. Kahler is a Democrat and is one of the leading men of his party. He has filled all of the township offices and was elected in 1890 to represent his party in the State legislature. Mr. Kahler has always taken an active part in the affairs of his party and is one of Lycoming county’s influential and leading citizens. He is a member of the P. of H. and Muncy Valley Alliance. In his religious convictions he is a Baptist, and is a member of Picture Rocks Baptist church.
Amos Burrows and three brothers immigrated to America from Ireland at an early date. For five generations the Burrows family consisted of seven sons and three daughters, the oldest of each of four generations being named Amos, and the youngest of the fifth generation was also named Amos. Amos Burrows, the great grandfather of S. H. Burrows, is the only one of the original family of whom any extensive information can be found. He settled in Groton, Connecticut, and with three of his brothers, was a participant in the battle of Fort Griswold when it was attacked and taken by the British, each having stood in the midst of the fray on top of the fort during forty rounds and received no injuries. He and his son, who was the grandfather of S. H. Burrows, removed from Whitestown, Connecticut, to Stafford, the same State. This son, whose name was Amos, was the father of six sons and four daughters by his marriage to Miriam Eaton: Isaac; Asa; Eliza; Jesse; William; Ariel; Amos; Miriam; Nancy, and Weltha. Amos, the youngest of the sons, was the father of S. H. Burrows, and married Mary Melhuish, a native of England, and to this union were born three sons and three daughters: Asa W.; Sabin H.; Amos E.; Nancy; S. Elizabeth, and Miriam.
SABIN H. BURROWS, manufacturer, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1834, son of Amos and Mary (Melhuish) Burrows. He removed to Picture Rocks with his father in 1846, and was employed in the sash and blind factory owned by his fat0er and A. R. Sprout for a number of years. He taught school for some time, and when he had reached his majority he engaged in the manufacture of bedsteads, making a success from the beginning. Ton years subsequent to entering this business his father became a partner, which business connection existed until the death of the latter. Later on his brothers were interested in the business with him, and still later, his sons became partners and remain as such to the present time. In 1882 the firm of Burrows Brothers & Company was reorganized as a stock company, with A. M. Cowles, president; S. H. Burrows, secretary, and A. W. Burrows, treasurer. They give employment to over 100 men, and make a specialty of medium and fine chamber sets and side-boards. They also conduct a general store in connection with their manufacture. In 1884 S. H. and C. W. Burrows purchased the Highland Lake property, and soon after erected the Highland House, which he has managed with excellent success each summer since its completion. He was married in 1855 to Mary Lockard, and to this union have been born four children: C. W.; J. H.; Adelia, deceased, and Ernest, deceased. At one, time Mr. Burrows received the nomination by acclamation for treasurer of Lycoming county on the Republican ticket. The Burrows family for several generations have adhered to the Baptist church.
CHARLES W. BURROWS, eldest son of S. H. and Mary (Lockard) Burrows, was born at Picture Rocks, February 22, 1857. His education was obtained at the local schools and at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen he entered the factory of his father and was employed in the different departments of the business, of which he thus obtained a practical knowledge. At the age of twenty-three he took charge of the shipping department, which position he filled for several years. He was then placed in charge of the business as general manager; in 1887 he was elected secretary and in 1891 he was elected president and general manager, which positions he How fills. In 1878 he married Anna Mary, daughter of Daniel Corson, and they are the parents of one child, Ernest S., born October 21, 1885. Mr. Burrows is a Republican in politics, and is president of the town council of his native borough.
AMOS E. BURROWS, proprietor of Hotel Grand View, Highland Lake, Pennsylvania, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1843, and came to Picture Rocks at the age of two years with his parents, Amos and Mary (Melhuish) Burrows. Here he received such education as the common schools of that period and locality afforded, and early entered the employ of his father, with whom he remained until the outbreak of the civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was discharged for disability after six months’ service. He was subsequently employed by his father until the death of the latter, when he became a member of the firm of S. H. Burrows & Company, and subsequently of Burrows Brothers & Company, which connection continued until 1891. Our subject was the first to conceive the location of a hotel for summer visitors at Highland Lake, where he commenced the erection of a hotel in 1886. In 1890 he rebuilt and constructed the present edifice, a four-story structure 38x166 feet, fitted throughout with first-class appointments, and containing 110 rooms. Verandas twelve feet wide and 266 feet in length surround the building on three sides. In 1863 Mr. Burrows married Martha W., daughter of Chapman Baldwin, of Picture Rocks, and they are the parents of five children: Clora, wife of W. E. Clark, of Picture Rocks; Charles D., deceased; Ida, deceased 1 Henry P., and Fred Amos. Mr. Burrows has filled the office of burgess of Picture Rocks, and is one of the enterprising citizens of that borough.
THE SPROUT FAMILIES of Lycoming county are descendants of one of two brothers, who came from Scotland, at about the time of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, and settled, in Massachusetts. Several of their descendants served in the French and Revolutionary wars, among whom was Colonel Sprout, of Revolutionary fame, his regiment having been chosen to quell the mutiny in the Continental Army at Valley Forge.
Nathaniel Spout was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and was the father of eight sons and three daughters; four of his sons James; Robert; Samuel, and Ebenezer, were soldiers in the Revolutionary war.
Ebenezer Sprout was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, September 23, 1787. He married Miriam Burrows, a native of Tolland county, Connecticut, and a sister of the late Amos Burrows, of Picture Rocks. They removed to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, endured the hardships of pioneer life, and reared eight sons and three daughters. In 1862 to removed to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Sprout died, January 10, 1871, aged eighty-four years, and Mrs. Sprout on her birthday, July 4, 1878, aged eighty-seven years. They were both exemplary Christians and members of the Baptist church for more than half a century. The majority of their children united with the same church, and all save one professed religion, and, with one exception, became members of different churches. This family was remarkable for robust constitutions, height, weight, and longevity; the father and four sons were each six feet in height, and their average weight was 200 pounds. They were farmers, inventors, and manufacturers. Many of their inventions have been patented and several of them manufactured by them until the expiration of the patents, proving useful and remunerative. Several of the grandchildren seem inclined to continue the same occupations, and have prospects of even greater success. Some have been successful teachers, and one, Clarence E. Sprout, son of Samuel E., is practicing law at Williamsport.
A. Renselaer Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Massachusetts, April 25, 1816, and died at Picture Rocks, October 55, 1888; he married Mary M. Bates, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and to them was born one son, Willis Gaylord, deceased in infancy. Mr. Sprout, with the late Amos Burrows, came to Lycoming county in 1848, and under the firm name of Sprout & Burrows erected the first sash, blind, and door factory in this county, where is now the thriving borough of Picture Rocks. His brother, Amos B. Sprout, came at the same time, and Erastus T. one year later. The last two named entered into co-partnership, and the firm name became Sprout, Burrows & Company. A large factory was built which is still in operation, although the ownership has been frequently changed.
Ariel B. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1818, and died at Hughesville, April 12, 1890; he married Julia Bergstresser, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four children: Edwin; Samuel B.; Alonzo, and one daughter, Ella. Mrs. Sprout died and he was again married, to Rachel A. Cowles, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had four children: Sidney; Alton; Edna, and Vennie. Mr. Sprout was the inventor of the celebrated "Sprout Horse Hay Fork," and started the first bending factory in Lycoming county; he also built the little hamlet of Villa Grove, situated about half-way between Picture Rocks and Hughesville.
Erastus T. Sprout was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1819, and married Mary Eddy, of the same county, by whom he had two sons and four daughters: Henry; Charles E.; Alice; Emma; Eva, and Lucy J. Mrs. Sprout died and he was again married to Angeline L. Freeman.
Charles Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1821, and died near Montrose, August 5, 1888; he married Jane Hinds, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, by whom lip had six sons: James M.; C. Edgar; Lewis H.; George P.; Samuel, and Richard, the two last named dying in infancy; he also had two daughters: Susie C., and Jane, deceased.
Zebina E. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822, and married Elizabeth Nichols, of Wyoming county, the same State, and to them were born five sons and two daughters: Edwin; Samuel; Ezra B.; William A.; Frank; Ellen, and Elizabeth.
Amos B. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1826, and married Catherine G. Hinds, of the same county, and to them were born four children: Judson H.; Gordon D.; Morton I., and Orpha D.
Samuel E. Sprout, son of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1828, and married Mary Sutton of the same county, by whom he had two sons and two daughters: Clarence E.; Willis; Miriam, and Anna. He has been a resident of Muncy, Pennsylvania, for several years, where under the firm name of S. E. & L. B. Sprout, the Sprout hay fork was first manufactured; the last named subsequently added the manufacture of the hay elevator, Samuel E. having, with his nephew, James Al. Sprout, under the firm name of S. E. & J. M. Sprout, commenced the manufacture of the Williams Fruit Evaporator, which they have sold quite extensively, and which Samuel E. still continues to manufacture, in connection with flooring, doors, sash, and blinds.
Lewis B. Sprout, soil of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1830, and married Ellen S. Donnelly, of the same county, and to them were born six children: Charles H.; Fred; Maggie; Augusta; Annie, and Lucilla. Mr. Sprout sold his plant for the manufacture of forks and elevators to his son-in-law, John Waldron, who in connection with Charles H. Sprout, under the firm name of Waldron & Sprout, erected a large and extensive factory, which was destroyed by fire and which they subsequently rebuilt; they are now engaged in the manufacture of their celebrated French Buhr Feed Mill and their new Buckwheat Flouring Mill, and Wheat Flour Bolts, upon which they have secured several patents.
Mary Ann, daughter of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Massachusetts, February 22,1813, and married Joseph F. Crause, a native of Germany, by whom she had six children: Franklin J.; William; Edgar; Philip P.; Martha, and Catherine.
Emeline N., daughter of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Massachusetts, March 5, 1814, and married William F. Lathrop, by whom she had two sons and one daughter: James; Charles, and Nancy J.
Sophronia M., daughter of Ebenezer Sprout, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1824, and married Charles Wells, and to them were born three daughters: Melissa; Ida, and Hattie.
BARNET RYNEARSON was the son of Rynear Rynearson, who lived in New Jersey at the time of the Revolutionary war, and migrated to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1784, settling on the farm now owned by Richard Ecroyd, in Muncy township. He was the father of four sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. His death occurred in 1796, and that of his widow in 1826. Barnet Rynearson was a farmer, and in 1837 he settled where his son John now resides. He married Magdalena Dudder, December 26, 1811, and to this union were born five children: John; Sarah; Joseph; Elizabeth, who died February 14, 1819, and Ann, who married William Rogers. Barnet Rynearson died, September 14, 1869, and his wife, March 1, 1847.
JOHN RYNEARSON, farmer, was born in Muncy township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1813, son of Barnet and Magdalena (Dudder) Rynearson. He was educated in the common schools, taught seven winters, and did some surveying, but the greater part of his life has been spent in farming. He was married, November 3, 1842, to Catherine, daughter of Benjamin Warn, and to this union have been born seven children: Charlotte, deceased; Maria; Phoebe, deceased; John F.; Barnet; James, and Henry. Mrs. Rynearson died, February 19, 1863. Mr. Rynearson is a member of the Lutheran church. He has filled the office of school director ten years, and other minor township offices. Politically he is independent.
ABNER FAGUE, farmer, is a grandson of William Fague, an early settler of Lycoming county, where he settled in Penn township at the close of the Revolutionary war. He owned a tract of 400 or 500 acres, now in the possession of his descendants, and his homestead was situated where his grandson, W. B. Fague, now resides. Here he spent his life, engaged in agricultural pursuits upon the farm which he had reduced to cultivation. He married Mary Poust, and their children were: Elizabeth; Frederick; John; Samuel; Sarah; Catherine; Daniel; George, and Julia, the only survivor of the family, who married a Mr. Parrs and resides in Williamsport. The father of our subject was John, who was born in this county in 1807 and reared upon his father’s homestead. He subsequently purchased a tract of land embracing the site of the borough of Picture Rocks. He married Jane Lockard, and to them were born five children: Peter, deceased; Savilla; Mary J.; Barbara A., and Abner. The last named was born in this county, October 15, 1840. He was educated in the common schools, and has devoted his attention principally to farming. A large portion of the homestead farm of his father is now in his possession, and he resides thereon within the corporate limits of the borough of Picture Rocks. He cultivates about 400 acres of land, and is also engaged in lumbering. He imported the first Holstein stock in this county, and was also among the first to introduce Jersey Red hogs. He is largely interested in the breeding of blooded horses, and is justly regarded as one of the most progressive agriculturists in this section of the State. He is the present repre-sentative of Lycoming county on the State Board of Agriculture. In the late war Mr. Fague enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Militia. On the 9th of November, 1865, he married Angeline Bull, and to this union were born six children: M. Alice; Charles S., deceased; Harry S.; Cora E.; Alida M., and Gusta J. Mr. Fague is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist church of Picture Rocks.
PETER FAGUE, deceased, was born, June 3, 1811, son of George and Elizabeth (Corson) Fague. He was married March 17, 1842, to Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Warren) Houseknecht, and to this union were born nine children: Harriet, who married Ellis Weaver; Hiram B., who married Charlotte Poust; Sarah, who married J. Hammond Michle; Emma, who married James Poust; A. W., who married Cora McCarty; Jennie, who married Joseph Milnor, and three deceased young. Peter Fague died, August 12, 1863, in the faith of the Lutheran church.
HIRAM D. FAGUE, farmer, was born December 11, 1846, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Houseknecht) Fague. He received a common school education and was married, June 17, 1875, to Charlotte, daughter of Charles Poust, deceased, and to this union have been born two children: Chester and Althea. Mr. Fague and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville.
A. W. FAGUE, farmer, was born, August 28, 1859, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Houseknecht) Fague, whose sketch appears in this work. He received a common school education, and was married, September 17, 1885, to Cora, a daughter of Hiram McCarty, a resident of Lycoming county.
WILLIAM BRYAN immigrated to America and settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming. His son, Samuel, was one of the first settlers in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He built a small woolen mill on Carpenter’s run and operated the same in connection with farming for a number of years, finally removing to Sullivan county, where he died about the year 1840; he was twice married, his first wife being a Miss McCarty, by whom he had seven children: William; Ellen; Ellis; Joseph; Mary; Elizabeth, and Eliza; the second Mrs. Bryan was a Mrs. Osler, a widow, and to this union were born five children: Adam; Samuel; Albert; Margaret, and Martha, all of whom are deceased except Albert.
ELLIS BRYAN, born in 1804, son of William Bryan, was a woolen manufacturer, and removed from Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, to Hughesville, this county, about the year 1830, where he worked at his trade for a short time, and then purchased his employer’s machinery, rented a room, and manufactured woolen goods therein for twelve years. He then, in 1842, erected a woolen mill about one and a half miles from Hughesville, on Muncy creek, which he conducted until 1855, when he tore it away and erected upon the same site what is known as the Eagle mill. He was the father of thirteen children, as a result of his marriage to Sarah Rogers: Elizabeth A. deceased; Samuel; Mary; Jonathan R., who was killed in the first day’s fight of the battle of Gettysburg; William, who was lieutenant and was killed in the battle of Antietam; Ellis; Sarah J.; Rosa B.; Clarrisa V.; David; John; Edward, and Florence M. Mr. Bryan was active in Republican politics and died in 1876, followed by his widow in 1880.
SAMUEL BRYAN, farmer, was born in the first house which was located on the present site of Hughesville, Lycoming county, December 20, 1831, son of Ellis and Sarah (Rogers) Bryan. He was educated in the common schools and at the age of nineteen years he began farming, which he continued until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, as a private, and served three years and ten months; he was promoted to lieutenant, major, and lieutenant colonel. During his service he was wounded twice; first, March 23, 1862, by a shell striking the foot, at the battle of Winchester; and second, May 12, 1864, at the battle of Spottsylvania, by a bullet passing through the arm. After the close of the war he followed the manufacture of woolen goods for twelve years and since then has followed farming. In 1875 he was married to Julia Foster, and to this union have been born four children: Ellis J.; Maude E.; Fred G., and Nean V. Mr. Bryan is an active worker in the Republican party.
AARON MUSGRAVE moved from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, to Hughesville, Lycoming county, in 1839, and. subsequently settled on a farm. He was married to Mary Lake, October 20, 1840, and to them were born four children: Henrietta, deceased; W. H., who lives in Kansas; Sarah, deceased, and John D. Mrs. Musgrave died, November 20, 1889.
JOHN D. MUSGRAVE, merchant, was born in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1849, son of Aaron and Mary (Lake) Musgrave. He was educated in the common schools, and learned the trade of a wood turner, which he followed a few years. He then began clerking in Burrows Brothers’ store, at Picture Rocks, and was with them for five years; he was station agent on the Williamsport and North Branch railroad at Glen Mawr for two years, after which he opened a general store at Picture Rocks, with a branch store at Eaglesmere, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. He conducted the store at the latter place for two years, but is still engaged in business at Picture Rocks, where he has built up an excellent trade. January 25, 1872, he was married to Miss Jennie A. Artley, and to this union has been born one child, Florence. Mr. Musgrave is an active and enthusiastic Republican, has served in several offices of trust for the borough of Picture Rocks, and is school director and burgess. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Hughesville, and he is a member of the Junior O. U. A. M.
JOHN OSLER immigrated from England to America in 1800 and settled in Philadelphia, where he engaged in manufacturing. At the breaking out of the war of 18t2 he enlisted, and while in service contracted a disease from which he soon died. His widow, with her one son, John H., came to Lycoming county soon after his death. She married Samuel Bryan, who is mentioned in connection with the sketch of Samuel Bryan.
JOHN H. OSLER, the son of John Osler, was born in Philadelphia, October 3, 1808, and learned the woolen business under Jonathan and Samuel Rogers, of what is now Sullivan county. This occupation he followed until about five years before his death in November, 1889. He was the father of twelve children: Jeremiah; Sarah, deceased; Catherine; John S.; Clay M.; Lydia; David W.; Wilson, deceased; Edwin R.; and three deceased in infancy. Mr. Osler helped to build several Methodist churches, was an earnest worker in that organization, and was a delegate to the State convention, as an advocate of free schools.
DAVID W. OSLER, woolen manufacturer, was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, October 14,1850, son of John H. and Jane (Myers) Osler. He was educated in the common schools, taught several years, and at the age of twenty-one began the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1884 he purchased from his father the Forksville woolen mills, located in Sullivan county, which he still operates. In January, 1891, he also purchased the Eagle mills, on Muncy creek. The Forksville HIM has a capacity of 8,000 pounds per year, and the Eagle mills, a capacity of 20,000 pounds per year. His principal output is flannels and yarns. He was married, June 30, 1881, to Sarah Lyon, of Williamsport, and to this union have been born three children: Annie; Caroline, and Howard, deceased. Mr. Osler is an active Democrat, and a member of Dushore Lodge, No. 387, F. & A. M.
HENRY PFRSUN, of German extraction, was born October 12, 1808, in New Jersey, and in 1838 migrated to Cherry township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. December 1.5, 1834, he was married to Lucy Potter, and to them were born eleven children: George; Rachel; Delilah, deceased; Wilson; Albert; Maria; Freeman; Hester; Charles W.; Rose, deceased, and an infant deceased. Mr. Persun removed to Lycoming county in 1858, and died February 24, 1883, aged seventy-four years, preceded by his wife. July 28, 1882, aged sixty-seven years. Albert, one of his sons, served four years in the Twenty-Eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and another soil, Wilson, served two years and nine months in the Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, Heavy Artillery. Freeman went as a substitute just before the close of the war.
CHARLES W. PERSUN, miller, was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1853, son of Henry and Lucy (Potter) Persun. He received a common school education, and learned the trade of wood turner, which occupation he followed in the furniture factory of Burrows Brothers & Company at Picture Rocks for twelve years. He then rented the Bryan grist mill for three years, purchased the same in 1887, and has since done a general milling business. February 1, 1887, he was married to Clara V. Bryan, next to the youngest daughter of the late Ellis Bryan.
SAMUEL BAKER, deceased, son of Jacob and Susan C. (Gortner) Baker, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1800. Jacob Baker was of German extraction, and was the father of thirteen children, all of whom are deceased and were members of the Lutheran church. Samuel married Miss Hannah Fague, and to them were born nine children: Savilla; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan, deceased; George, who married Miss Maggie, daughter of John S. Warren, by whom she had two children, Harvey M. and Carrie M.; Jacob; Samuel, who died young; Catherine, deceased; John, who married Julia C. Nunn, by whom he had two sons, Brady N. and Lloyd M.; and Sarah. Mrs. Baker died in 1885 and he was again married, to Miss Ella Hess, and to this union were born two daughters: Sadie A. and Anna M. The Baker family for several generations have been identified with the Lutheran church, and the most of them have been farmers.
W. H. BOYLE, farmer, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in June, 1815, son of Rev. James and Esther (McAlpiii) Boyle. Rev. James Boyle received his education in Ireland, immigrated to America, and took a theological course at Washington College, Washington, Pennsylvania, receiving the degree of D. D. from that instition. He then returned to his native land and was the father of ten children, all of whom are deceased but one, W. H. Boyle. He and his brother James were the only sons of Rev. James Boyle who immigrated to America. The latter was for many years a merchant at New Orleans, Louisiana, and died in 1834. W. H. Boyle learned the drug business in Ireland, came to America in 1832, and was employed in a laboratory for eight years in Philadelphia. He then took employ-ment with Charles Ellis & Company, druggists, with whom he remained thirty years, at the expiration of which time he was retained by their successors and was with them three years. He then came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, purchased a farm of 250 acres in Wolf township, and has remained thereon ever since. He was married in 1834 to a Miss Stevens, who died in 1882 and was the mother of five children: James; John; Catherine; Esther, and William. Mr. Boyle is a member of the Society of Friends.
JACOB POUST, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1822, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Houseknecht) Poust. His grandfather immigrated from Germany to Berks county, Pennsylvania, and thence to this county. He was the father of eight children, all of whom are deceased. Jacob Poust, his son, was a farmer by occupation, and the father of eleven children: Catherine; Charles, deceased; Hannah, deceased; Elizabeth; John; Jacob; Lovina; Mary, deceased; George; Philip, deceased, and Daniel. Jacob Poust died in 1835, and his widow in 1885. Our subject, Jacob Poust, is a carpenter by trade, which occupation he has followed in connection with farming. He was married in 1844, to Jane Derr, and to this union have been born fourteen children: Clinton, deceased; Milton; Elizabeth; Henrietta; Harvey D.; Pearson L.; Martha, deceased; Ella; Monroe; Elonson; Arabella; James W.; Priscilla, deceased, and Bruce deceased. Mr. Poust is a Democrat in politics, and with his family belongs to the Lutheran church.
GEORGE STECK, farmer, was horn in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822, son of Frederick and Catherine (Hill) Stock. He received a common school education, and alternated teaching school with farming for a number of years, until 1864, when he bought the Villa Grove Works from Sprout & Lyon, and thenceforth prosecuted an active and profitable business in the manufacture of wagon and buggy spokes, hubs, and bent goods for a number of years. He is now engaged in the manufacture of mine rollers, shingles, and general turned goods. About 1875 he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Sullivan county, continuing this, and also the cultivation of a fine farm, in connection with his other business. Mr. Steck is a life long Democrat, and in 1874 he was elected to the legislature as the nominee of his party. He is now serving as school director, and has had other township offices. In 1852 he married Mary E. Tice, and to this union have been born four children: Annie; Charles C. ; J. Chester, and Lizzie. Mr. Stock and his family are members of the Lutheran church, and he is justly regarded as one of the leading men in his community.
CHARLES EDDY, a native of Connecticut, migrated to Susquehanna county, Penn-sylvania, in the early part of the present century. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Abigail, daughter of Asa Lathrop, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and built the Lathrop flour and saw mills at Elk Lake, that county. They reared seven children: Seth W.; Asa L. ; Charles H. ; Eliza E.; Mary E., deceased; Alice L., and Eveline, deceased wife of A. C. Little. Charles Eddy died, July 30, 1861, and his widow in 1865. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife was a Methodist.
C. H. EDDY, retired farmer, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania July 15, 1831, son of Charles and Abigail (Lathrop) Eddy, natives of Connecticut. He was educated in the common schools, and followed farming in his native county until 1854, when he went to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and remained until 1867. He then sold his farm, and removed to Picture Rocks, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where, in partnership with his brother, Asa L. Eddy, he began the manufacture of rakes, handles, shingles, and excelsior. He remained thus engaged until 1888, when they sold their factory. In 1861 Mr. Eddy enlisted in Company C, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry; he was with the Army of the Cumberland and took part in all the battles fought by his regiment; he was also with Sherman on his famous March to the Sea, and was mustered out in December, 1864. He was married, September 28, 1853, to H. Elizabeth Mulkey, daughter of Rev. John Mulkey, a Methodist minister of the Wyoming and Oneida Conference, who was twice married, first to Myra Ray, by whom he had four children: Mary A.; George T., deceased; H. Elizabeth, and Sarah L. ; after the death of his wife, March 16, 1844, he married Hannah Jones, by whom he had three children: William A. and James A., who died while in Andersonville prison; and John H. The second Mrs. Mulkey died in 1885, and her husband, April 22, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Eddy, are the parents of four children: T. Willis, who married Araminta Little; Alida I., who married M. M. Moyer; Mary E., deceased wife of J. P. Gray, and Sadie who married W. S. Corson. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Eddy has been class leader and steward for a number years.
JONAS YEAYEL was born on the 7th of December, 1800. His grandfather was forced to leave Germany, his native country, on account of his religious opinions, and consequently came to America with his family and located in Lehigh county, where Jonas Yeakel was born. He came to Muncy at the age of twenty-two years and has lived in Lycoming county all his life. He learned the carpenter and cabinet maker’s trade, which he followed as long as he was able to work. He was the father of the following children: Mary, deceased; Catherine; Geyer; Sarah; Spearman; Deborah; Dentler; Charles B.; John; William; George, and Jeremiah. He was a Whig from the beginning of that party, and at the formation of the Republican party drifted into that great organization. Although too old for service, he took a deep interest in the cause of his country in the late rebellion. John, his son, served until the close of the war in 1865.
CHARLES YEAKEL, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1839, and is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth Yeakel. He received a common school education and was married to Charlotte Lauchle, and has devoted his life principally to farming. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three years and nine months; he was on picket duty at the battle of Gettysburg, fell back in line of battle, and took an active part against Pickett’s charge, when he was taken prisoner and confined for seventeen months at Libby prison, Belle Island, Andersonville, Savannah, and Mellen, Georgia; he was discharged from the latter, carried out on a stretcher, and then paroled. He had taken part in every engagement of his regiment until captured. He retains a vivid recollection of the experiences of his army life, and relates that the highest officer he ever saw in battle was a second lieutenant. Mr. and Mrs. Yeakel are members of the Hughesville Lutheran church.
R. P. BARDOE, farmer, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1845, son of Reuben and Catherine M. (Rice) Bardoe. Reuben Bardoe’s father moved from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, to Northumberland county, the same State, where he reared a family. Reuben was a carpenter by trade, and the father of seven children: Hiram; Sarah; Alfred, deceased; R. P.; William, deceased; Barney, deceased, and an infant, deceased. While erecting a building for Solomon Garrett, of Clinton township, Lycoming county, Mr. Bardoe accidentally fell, and died from injuries received. His widow was subsequently married to Daniel Cronrath, who died about ten years later, and she resides in Hughesville. R. P. Bardoe, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, followed milling for nine years, and has engaged in auctioning, farming, and buying wool for Coulter, Rogers & Company, woolen manufacturers, of Muncy, Pennsylvania, for eleven years. February 8, 1866, he was married to Lydia M., daughter of John Gray. They have no children of their own, but, have reared one girl, Daisy I. Runyan. Mr. Bardoe has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty years; is an active worker in political circles, and has filled several offices of trust in his township. He and wife have been members of the Methodist church at Picture Rocks for twenty-five years.
FRANK P. SCHUG, farmer and lumberman, was born at Light Street, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1852, son of Peter and Eliza (Wright) Schug. Peter Schug was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania; he married Eliza Wright, a native of Columbia county, in the same State, and is the father of eight children: Susan; Emory, deceased; F. P.; Cordelia; Ida; Emma, deceased; William, deceased, and Thomas. Frank P. Schug received his education in the common schools of his native county, and was graduated from the Eastman’s Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He taught a number of winter schools in Sullivan and Lycoming counties, and in 1880 he began the lumber business at Beaver Dam, which he has since continued. In 1889 he purchased what is known as the Lyon farm, near Hughesville, this county, where he now resides. Through his earnest efforts he succeeded in securing the erection of the water and electric light plants of Hughesville, on his farm. He was married in 1880 to Clara L. Thomas, of Williamsport and to this union have been born five children: Harold G., deceased; Ethel I., deceased; Franklin H.; Peter R., and Carlisle.
ELLIS NUNN, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Thomas and Barbara (Gortner) Nunn, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was educated in the common schools, and has devoted his time exclusively to farming. He was married, September 20, 1883, to Aldica Glidwell, and to this union have been born two children, Ernest and Edna. Mr. Nunn and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Picture Rocks.
ROBERT TAYLOR was born April 29, 1778, in Ireland, son of Frederick Taylor, who immigrated from Ireland to America in 1783, and located on a farm in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was twice married; by his first wife he had one child, Robert, and by his second wife, whose maiden name was Gailey, he had seven children. In 1802, Robert, the only child by his first marriage, located in what is now Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. In 1831 he built a saw and grist mill, and in 1832 he constructed a still-house, operating them in connection with his farm. He married Elizabeth Mahew, and to them were born eight sons and four daughters: Frederick, deceased; Robert; Richard M., deceased; James, deceased; William, deceased; John, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Catherine, deceased; George Washington; Matthew, deceased; Mary A., deceased, and Jane. Robert Taylor died, March 17, 1838, and his widow died, February 6, 1878, in the ninety-fifth year of her age.
G. W. TAYLOR, merchant and farmer, was born in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1817, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Mahew) Taylor. He received a common school education, and began business for himself on a farm. In 1845 he built a saw mill, and manufactured lumber until 1886. He erected his business room in 1865 at Tivoli, where he has done a general mercantile business ever since. In 1848 he commenced to build the little hamlet of Tivoli, now containing twenty houses, sixteen of which were built by himself. February 28, 1839, he was married to Miss Mary A. Craft, and to them have been born ten children: Norman, deceased; Oliver W.; Maynard, deceased; Jurushia, who married Francis Hall; C. Lloyd; H. Wilson; Amanda, who married J. W. Fiester; Margaret E., deceased; M. Tivoli, and Thomas W. Mr. Taylor has always taken an active interest in the Democratic party, and in 1864 he was elected to the State legislature. In 1841, when at the age of twenty-four year’s, he was appointed a justice of the peace, and is now serving his eighth term. He is a member of the Masonic order, and in his religious views he is liberal.
PETER CORSON migrated from New Jersey to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and located on a farm, now the present site of Hughesville. He was the father of five sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and reared families: Elizabeth, who married George Fague; Abraham, who married Jemima Morris; Isaac, who married Sarah Shipman; Jane, who married Henry Buck; Jacob; John, who married Elizabeth Buck; Ann, who married Fred Taylor; Mary, who married David Woodly, and after his death, Jesse Blaker, and Peter, who married Margaret McCarty.
JACOB CORSON, son of Peter Corson, was born in New Jersey in 1782. He married Elizabeth Fiester, and to them were born fifteen children: Two who died when young; Charles, deceased, who married Mary Britton; Mary, deceased, who married William Taylor; George, deceased, who married Susan Jones; Peter, who married Hannah Dugan; Ann, deceased, who married Aaron Whittaker; John, deceased, who married Jane Mary Borrows; Susan A., who married George Myers; Isaac, deceased, who married Josephine Wilson; Eliza, who married H. R. Merhling; Jacob F., who married Emma Neece; Maria, who married Thomas Howlett, deceased; Caroline, who married Alfred H. Hill, and Daniel, who married Sarah Neece. Jacob Corson died, December 23, 1842, and big widow December 19, 1861.
JACOB F. CORSON, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides, in Shrewsbury township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1830, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fiester) Corson. He received a common school education, and has fol-lowed farming all his life. The farm upon which he now resides was purchased by his grandfather in 1798; his father, Jacob Corson, resided thereon and owned an adjoining tract of 400 acres, in connection with which he operated a saw mill. After his father’s death our subject took charge of the mill and timber tract, and conducted the business until his mother’s death. On the 18th of May, 1859, he married Emma Neece, daughter of John Neece, and to them have been born five children: Clara B., who married Dr. Essick; Thomas, who married Iola Taylor; William, who married Sarah Eddy; Joseph, and Flora. Mr. Corson is one of the leading Democrats of his township, in which he has served in many offices of trust, and with his family takes an active interest in the Methodist Episcopal church.
BARTHOLOMEW PARSONS, a Revolutionary soldier and a shoemaker by occupation, migrated from Connecticut to Massachusetts. His son, Aaron R. Parsons was quartermaster in the war of 1812, and married Sarah C. Clark, who bore him nine children: Henry C.; John. R., deceased; Eliza J., deceased; Franklin; Amanda M.; O. F.; Mary E., deceased; Sarah A., and William O., deceased. Aaron R. Parsons died, December 5, 1861, and his wife died, March 17, 1871.
O. F. PARSONS, farmer, was born in Massachusetts, April 10, 1822, son of Aaron R. and Sarah C. (Clark) Parsons. He received no education, except that obtained after work hours, often pursuing his studies into the "wee small" hours of morning, and is thus virtually self-taught. He has devoted his time principally to farming, He enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after seeing service for about one year was discharged on account of sickness. On March 30, 1862, he was married to C. Francilla Heath, and to them were born six children: George A.; Maude L., who married Jacob A. Casselberry; John W.; Elbert O.; William H., and Abigail G., deceased. Mr. Parsons is a member of J. R. Bryan Post, No. 503, G. A. R., and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM PEDDIGREE was pressed into the British service, and transported to America to take part in the Revolutionary war. Soon after he was landed at New York, provisions being scarce, he was sent out by the British army on a foraging expedition. This gave him an excellent opportunity to disguise himself and escape, which he accordingly did by having his long hair cut off, and by swimming the Hudson river and joining the American army, then in New Jersey, and at the close of the war he located in Lancaster county. He was with the militia from that county, which marched to Northumberland at the time of the Whiskey Insurrection. He was the father of seven children: William; John; Peter; Moses M.; Abbie; Polly, and Clara, all of whom are deceased. William Peddigree died in 1839.
MOSES M. PEDDIGREE, son of William Peddigree, was a farmer, born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Elizabeth Clinger, a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born six children: William; Peter, deceased; Morris; James; Rachel, and Catherine. In 1836 he removed with his family to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and located on Pine creek, where he died in June, 1839, followed by his widow in January, 1879.
W. H. PEDDIGREE, farmer, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1827, son of Moses and Elizabeth (Clinger) Peddigree. He received a common school education, and after learning the carpenter’s trade followed boat building for seven years; was car repairer and inspector for twenty years, and then settled upon the farm where he now resides. June 19, 1851, he was married to Margaret B. Newman, and to them were born six children: Maurice, deceased; Mary; Anna; Joseph, deceased; James, deceased, and Albert, deceased.
PETER FRANTZ, accompanied by his brother John, came to Lycoming county about 1800, from Monroe county, Pennsylvania, Their father, William Frantz, a Swiss emigrant, had settled many years before in Lancaster county, married Mary Gower, and afterwards lived in Monroe county. Peter purchased a tract of 200 acres, upon which his grandson, Daniel G. Frantz, now resides; he subsequently secured a second tract of 200 acres, upon which his great grandsons, Allen J. and Ellis L., sons of Daniel G., now live. He lost his life by drowning. He married Elizabeth Beaver, and they were the parents of three sons and five daughters; Jacob, the youngest son, was born where his son, Daniel G., now resides. He married Elizabeth Good, and they are the parents of five living children: Peter; Daniel G.; Amanda; Henry, and William B.
DANIEL G. FRANTZ was born May 30, 1843, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Frantz. He learned the trade of blacksmith, but relinquished that calling in 1864 to enter the United States service as carpenter. Six months later he returned and engaged in farming on the homestead, subsequently embarking in the lumber business. At present he is one of the most extensive farmers of this section and operates a steam saw mill in connection with his agricultural interests. He is one of the Democratic leaders of this part of the county, and has filled the office of school director twenty years. He is a member of Penn Alliance. He was married September 23, 1863, Harriet, daughter of Philip and Sarah (Shipman) Smith, of Moreland township, to them seven children have been born: Howard M., deceased; Allen J.; Ellis Amanda L., who married George Wesley Drick; Sarah E., deceased; Harry Ralston, deceased, and Jennie.
JOHN FRANTZ married Savilla Fague, by whom he had born to him eight children: Mary Elizabeth, deceased; Peter Milton; Sarah Ann, who married Francis Smith; David Thomas; Susannah Catherine, who married Elias Sahm; Hannah Rosetta, deceased; George Washington, and Martha Jane, who married George Nerfer. Mr. Frantz was a farmer, and died in February, 1878; his wife, whose maiden name was Savilla Fague, died September 27, 1862.
PETER MILTON FRANTZ, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1837, son of John and Savilla (Fague) Frantz. He received a common school education, and has always followed farming. He was married in 1862, to Miss Mary Flick, and to this union were born nine children: Charles McClellan, who married Etta Houseknecht; Bradia M., deceased; Elsworth, deceased; Clara Ada; Harvey Ernest; Stella May; Bruce Clyde, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Frantz is a descendant of one of the pioneers of Muncy valley, where the Frantz family settled early in the century.
JOHN BARTO and three brothers were traders, and concealed themselves for some time to prevent being forced into the ‘British army during the Revolutionary struggle for American independence; they finally succeeded in escaping to America, where they separated, John locating in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he married Elizabeth Beeber and reared a family of seven children: Abraham; David; Daniel; Christiana, who married a Mr. Gray; Mary, who married George Cleese; Hannah, who married a Mr. Hamilton; and Catherine, who married Sam Hoff. John Barto died in 1834, followed by his wife two years later, both in the faith of the Presbyterian church.
DANIEL BARTO, a farmer by occupation, son of John Barto, removed from Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Lycoming county, and located on a farm in what is now Penn township. He married Catherine Sellers, and was the father of six children: George, deceased; Sarah, who is the widow of Abraham Day, deceased; Samuel, deceased; John G.; Anna, who married William Farney, and Mary, who is the widow of Richard Bartlow. Daniel Barto died February 10, 1867, and his wife died July 24, 1888, aged ninety-six years; they were both members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Barto always took an active interest in politics; in the early part of his life he was a Democrat, but at the organization of the Whig party, he joined its ranks, and naturally drifted into the Republican party.
JOHN G. BARTO, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1827, son of Daniel and Catherine (Sellers) Barto. He received a common school education, and began his business life at farming, which he has followed all of his life with the exception of a few years which were devoted to lumbering. April 5, 1849, he was married to Miss Savilla Baker, daughter of. Samuel Baker. She was born, November 11, 1828, and to her union with Mr. Barto have been born eleven children: Emma, who was born in 1851 and died December 27, 1890; Sarah, who was born in 1853 and died February 1, 1887; Samuel, born in 1855, who married Catherine Kepner; Francis L., who was born in 1858, and died June 5, 1884, in Texas; Clinton W., born in 1860, a merchant at Washington, Iowa, married to Miss Emma Wright; John H., born in 1862; Lloyd M., born in 1865; Cora A., who was born October 31, 1867, and died January 20, 1882; Carrie, who was born May 15, 1870, and died in 1882; Maggie, who was born in July, 1872, and Harry J., born in 1875. Mr. Barto and wife belong to the Mt. Zion Lutheran church; for the last thirty-eight years he has been agent for the West Branch Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is one of the stockholders of the paint works at Rupert, Pennsylvania. In politics he is a Republican, and filled the office of school director for nine years. He is a member of Penn Alliance, No. 202.
ISAAC KEPNER was a blacksmith by trade, which occupation he followed in connection with farming. He was married to Mary Miller, and to them were born five children: Benjamin; Emanuel, deceased; Moses, deceased; Valentine, and William. Isaac Kepner helped to build all the churches in the section of the county where he resided; with his wife he belonged to the Lutheran church, and died November 4, 1863, followed by her in February, 1864. His grandfather emigrated from Germany to America about the year 1750, and is buried in the graveyard of Immanuel’s church, Muncy Creek township. The father of Isaac Kepner was Barnett Kepner, who enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary war, served over seven years, a part of the time under General Washington, and filled all the army offices from private to quartermaster. He was married three times; by his first wife he had two children; by his second wife he had three children, and by his third wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Kettery, he had sixteen children. He died in 1820, and was buried in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania; his widow died in 1844.
VALENTINE KEPNER, farmer, was born in Penn township, Lycoming county, Penn-sylvania, October 25, 1828, son of Isaac and Mary (Miller) Kepner. He received a common school education and has always followed farming and lumbering; he now operates a saw mill, and also conducts a farm of 200 acres. He was married, March 13, 1851, to Miss Catherine Flick, and to this union have been born eight children: Isaac M., deceased; Mary L.; Amanda T., deceased; Edward W.; Jane; Anna; David M., deceased, and Mary, who married Peter Neufer. Mr. Kepner is a director in the Moreland Fire Insurance Company. In politics he is a Republican with independent proclivities, and has filled several township offices. He and wife are members of the Evangelical church.
JOHN P. DERR, a cooper by trade, came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. He was the father of ten children: Sallie, deceased; Peter, deceased; Daniel, deceased, Catharine; Jane; Andrew, deceased; John; Martha, deceased; Lavina, deceased, and Charles W. Peter Derr, a Cooper by trade, son of John P. Derr, was married to Elizabeth Fague, by whom he had born to him twelve children, six of whom grew to maturity: Martha J., who married Elias Reese; Amanda, who married Milton McCarty; John E. ; Sarah E., who married David Bartlow; Lewis S., and Hiram, deceased.
JOHN E. DERR, farmer, was born in Penn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1850, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Fague) Derr. He received a common school education, and has been a farmer during his entire business life. He was married in 1875 to Miss M. Sophia Kepner, and to this union were born two children: Brady M. and Gertie A. Mrs. Derr died, September 19, 1883, and he was again married, to Selecta M., daughter of Charles Poust, and with her belongs to the Lutheran church.
CHRISTOPHER F. FRY came from Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, to Lycoming, county in 1819, and took up a tract of 400 acres. He was the father of three children: Daniel; Abigail, and Mary, all deceased. He died in June, 1836, followed by his widow, September 22, 1842. Daniel Fry, eldest son of Christopher F. Fry, was born July 9, 1797, and married Anna Raver, born August 4, 1804, and to this union were born twelve children: Barnabas, deceased; William, deceased; Daniel; John; Charles; an infant, deceased; Savilla; Christian; Caroline, deceased; Sophia, deceased; Susan, and George W. Mr. Fry was a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belonged to the Lutheran church. His death occurred May 16, 1875, and that of his widow in February, 1879.
GEORGE W. FRY, farmer, was born on the farm where he now resides in Penn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1842, son of Daniel and Anna (Raver) Fry. He received a common school education and has devoted his life to farming. He was married, May 21, 1865, to Hannah E. Flick, and to this union have been born two children: Stephen M., and William E., deceased. Mr. Fry served several years as auditor for his township, and takes an active interest in the Democratic party. His wife died August 9, 1889, in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which organization he is a member.
JOSEPH HILL, a native of the southern part of Pennsylvania, located in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, when the Indians were quite numerous in that section. He died there in 1832. Daniel Hill, a son of Joseph Hill, was the father of a family of ten children, all of whom became members of the Lutheran church. He died in 1870, followed by his widow two years later, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Corchner. The names of their children were as follows: Frederick; Israel, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Jesse; Frymire; George, deceased; Sallie, deceased; Elizabeth; Mary, and Robert.
FREDERICK HILL, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1824, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Corchner) Hill. He received a common school education and has always been engaged in farming. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served for nine months. He was married in March, 1851, to Miss Anna Edwards, and to this union have been born six children: Harvey; Sarah, deceased; Mary, who married Frank Smith; Charles; Elmer, and Gertrude, deceased.
ISAAC MCCARTY was one of four brothers who came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, at an early day, locating on a farm. He reared a family of eight children: Benjamin, deceased; Lewis, deceased; Charles, deceased; George, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Hannah, deceased; Sarah, and Lavina. Isaac McCarty died in June, 1847. Benjamin McCarty, oldest son of Isaac McCarty, was born in Penn township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and married Lavina Harding, and to them were born six sons and one daughter: Silas, who enlisted in the first nine months’ call for soldiers at the breaking, out of the rebellion, afterwards serving six weeks with the State militia; he then enlisted in Company F, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, for three years, serving until the close of the war; Josiah; John; James; Ellis; Benjamin, and Alwilda, who married William Rogers, of Penn township, Benjamin McCarty died November 17, 1863. Josiah McCarty, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1847, son of Benjamin and Lavina (Harding) McCarty. He received a common school education and has always been engaged in farming.
DANIEL HOUSEKNECHT, a carpenter by trade, who spent a portion of his time at farming, married Elizabeth Shipman, and to them were born eight children: Lavina, who married Henry Lake; Christopher, deceased; John; Theodore; William; Charlotte, who married John Tolly; Helda M., who married John C. Lake, and Susan C., deceased. Daniel Houseknecht died July 2, 1870, and his wife in 1844. William Houseknecht, son of Daniel Houseknecht, a carpenter by trade, was married October 27, 1850, to Mary DeWalt, and to this union were born two sons: Bert and Hiram F. Mrs. Houseknecht died June 17, 1864, and he was again married, to Matilda Yaple, and to them were born four children: Manda T.; Sarah J.; Eli W., and Mabel M. Bert Houseknecht, farmer, son of William T. and Mary (DeWalt) Houseknecht, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He received a common school education, and was married December 28, 1882, to Martha Poust, daughter of Jacob Poust, who died March 20, 1890.