History of Lycoming Co. PA edited by John F. Meginness; ©1892

LEVI HOUSTON, capitalist and manufacturer, was born in Enfield, New Hampshire, August 21, 1835, son of John and Judith (Cox) Houston, both natives of New Hampshire. He left his native town when, he was twelve years old, moving with his parents to Manchester, New Hampshire. He received a common school education, in the schools of Enfield and Manchester, after which he learned the machinist trade in the Amoskeag machine shops at the latter city. After having charge as foreman in a department of a machine shop in Lawrence, Massachusetts, for four years, he returned to Manchester and was in partnership with his father in a blacksmith shop for one year. He was then employed as superintendent of a department of the H. B. Smith’s Wood Working Machine Works at Lowell, Massachusetts, for seven years, after which he was transferred to Shrevesville, afterwards known as Smithsville, Burlington county, New Jersey, where he worked for this party another, seven years. In 1873 he came to Montgomery, Lycoming county, and started a foundry in a building 45x60 feet, and also a shop 45x100 feet. From that beginning his enterprise has grown to its present capacity; it is the largest individual plant of the kind in the United States, employing 250 men, and the products are shipped to all civilized countries on the globe. In 1888 he added a planing mill, 75x150 feet, two stories high, together with two drying kilns, 20x80 feet. The present borough of Montgomery owes its growth and prosperity to Mr. Houston, as he, started his business in that place when there was scarcely any town at all. In 1890, he erected a new hotel at Montgomery, which is one of the finest in the county. He also established a mercantile house in that place in 1881, and has since done the leading business of the community, under the firm name of Houston & Company. Mr. Houston is a Republican in politics, but in late years he has taken no active interest in political matters. He was first married in 1858, to Miss Celia Fredericks, a native of Massachusetts, who died in 1866. To this union was born one son. Harry Houston, who was drowned at Montgomery in 1873, when he was seven years old. He was again married, in 1867, to Miss Louisa Mirick, a native of New Hampshire, and to this union have been born two children: Celia Mirick, and Paul-ine Mirick. Mr. Houston has a residence in Williamsport and also in Montgomery, living alternately at these places, winter and summer. He is what may he termed a self-made man, beginning his business life with $2,500, which he had earned by diligent application at his trade; this amount has been judiciously invested and has grown to large proportions. He is the owner of much real estate, and is well known as one of the most philanthropic and liberal men in Lycoming county. Since the foregoing was written, Mr. Houston has died, his death occurring on Wednesday morning, July 27, 1892.

D. W. SHOLLENBERGER, head clerk in the late Levi Houston’s offices at Montgomery, was born July 26, 1857, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, son of Willoughby and Sophia (Wiekley) Shollenberger. His parents came to Lycoming county in 1872. They settled in Limestone township in 1872, where they remained until 1877, when they removed to Montgomery. The father is a miller and is employed by L. C. Kinsey in his mill. Willoughby and Sophia Shollenberger are members of the Lutheran church and the parents of six children: D. W.; William L.; Valeria, who married E. W. Reed; Laura, who married William Davis; Lizzie, and Daniel A. When D. W. Shollenberger was large enough to work, he secured employment oil. the farm of William L. Walcott, and by this means secured money to defray his expenses at school. In the spring of 1877 he entered the normal school at Montoursville, and later attended the normal school at Muncy, subsequently teaching one term of school in Woodward and four terms in Clinton township. In the spring of 1882 he went to Professor Wood’s Business College, Williamsport, from which he was graduated the game year. He was then employed by Levi Houston as bookkeeper, and was later on promoted to his present position. In 1880 he was married to Hannah AL, daughter of Joseph Heilman, and to this union have been born four children: Clara M., deceased; Edmund K.; Martha, and Alma. Mr. Shollenberger is a member of the Masonic order; has been connected with the school board as its secretary since the organization of the borough of Montgomery; is a director and treasurer of the Fairview Cemetery Association; is a member and treasurer of the building committee of the Lutheran church and deserves much credit for the good he has done for that organization, of which both he and wife are consistent members. Mr. Shollenberger is an active Republican, and a director and member of the executive commit-tee of the Board of Trade of Montgomery. He has been a resident of Montgomery since 1874 and is a gentleman trustworthy in every respect and merits the respect of the community in which he resides.

ALEXANDER DECKER immigrated with his wife and family from Germany to America in 1834, and located in what is known as Mosquito valley, Armstrong township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, being one of the first settlers of that section. He married Elizabeth Herman, and to them were born eight children: Two deceased in infancy; Catherine, who married John Lehman; Elizabeth B., who is the widow of a Mr. Ritter of Vandalia, Illinois; Henrietta, deceased wife of Jacob Sweely, also deceased; Gottleib F., who married Miss Mary Fousel, and resides on the old homestead in Armstrong township; Henry, and John C., who, married Julia Fousel. Alexander Decker died in March, 1878, and his wife in 1874. They were members of the Lutheran church.

HENRY DECKER, farmer, was born in Wittemberg, Germany, April 11, 1833, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Herman) Decker. He was educated in the common schools, and has devoted the greater part of his life to farming. May 3, 1855, he was married to Miss Mary Herr, and to this union have been born twelve children: Henry; Rosanna, deceased; Catherine; Alexander; William; George; Mary; John; Frank; Edward; Albert, and Isaac. Mr. Decker and wife are members of the Lutheran church. When Henry Decker had grown to manhood he settled on a farm in Clinton township; and although he has lived there since 1856, he is very largely identi-fied with the business interests of Montgomery. He is noted as a builder, and has invested more in local improvements than any other man, except Levi Houston. He owns more dwelling houses than any other person in the town, and leases them at a nominal rent in order to enable the occupants to acquire a home by purchase on easy terms. His farm in Clinton township is large and well kept. Mr. Decker is a Democrat and has served as school director, supervisor, and assessor, and as a, delegate to county conventions. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church in Brady township, in which he has been deacon.

WILLIAM DECKER, treasurer of the Montgomery Table Works, Limited, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, son of Henry and Mary (Herr) Decker. This establishment was chartered in January 1889, by William Decker; H. M. Weller, and C. W. Fair, with a capital stock of $10,000. Messrs. Decker and Weller subsequently purchased the interest of C. W. Fair, and are now sole proprietors of this valuable enterprise, doing a business of $50,000 a year.

P. HULL, physician and surgeon, was born at Washingtonville, Montour county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1849, son of Thomas R. and Elizabeth (McCormick) Hull. His father was born near Milton, Pennsylvania, and received his education at the old Milton Academy. About, 1832 he entered Lafayette College, and subsequently road medicine under. Doctors James S., Dougal and William McCleery, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1838. He practiced medicine in Washingtonville, until 1861, then he removed to, Milton and continued the active duties of his profession, until his death May 25, 1886. He was a skillful, careful, and conscientious physician, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He was a member of the electoral college which elected Lincoln to the presidency in 1860. He was also chief burgess of Milton two terms, and always took a deep interest in the public schools. When Dr. A. P. Hull was twelve years old his parents moved to Milton, where he attended the Milton Academy until 1864, when, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Company E, Seventy-Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw service until the fall of 1865. In the spring of 1866 he entered the Tuscarora Academy in Juniata county, where he remained two and one half years. During the summer of 1868 he went to Yale College, where he prosecuted his studies until 1870. From 1870 to 1871 he was private tutor for the family of Mrs. Harriet Marr, who lived near Milton. He also read medicine during this year under his father. In the fall of 1871 he became a student at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in March, 1873. He commenced the practice of his profession at the borough of Montgomery, Lycoming county, during the same year in which he was graduated. He has devoted his whole time to his profession, and like all who love their occupation, has been very successful. Dr. Hull is a member of the Lycoming County Medical Society and served as its vice-president; he is also a member of the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is surgeon for the Pennsylvania railroad, having been appointed in 1879. He was the first burgess of Montgomery and has always taken a deep interest in the municipal affairs of the town. He is president of the Board of Trade of Montgomery, and is president of the Montgomery branch of the Hagerstown Building and Loan Association. He is a director of the Milton Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and in a member of the planing mill firm of Henderson, Hull & Company, which he was instrumental in starting after it had been burned. In his political proclivities Dr. Hull is an active Republican, and served as a member of the county committee for many years.

WILLIAM MENGES, of the firm of Henderson, Hull & Company, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1833, son of Solomon and Catherine (Barnhart) Menges. Solomon Menges was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was a cooper by trade, but followed farming the greater part of his life. He was twice commissioned as captain of the Pennsylvania militia. He married Catherine Barnhart, and to them were born seven children: Elizabeth; John, deceased; Samuel B.; Solomon, deceased; Susan; Daniel, and William. Solomon Menges was a member of the Lutheran church, helped to build many of the churches in his neighborhood, and died in 1841, followed by his widow in 1864. William Menges was educated in the common schools, and learned the trade of a plasterer, which he followed for a short time in connection with. lumbering and rafting. In 1883 he, in company with Henderson & Hull, erected their present planing mill at Montgomery, where he has since remained. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, was a non-commissioned officer, and was discharged in May, 1863. The following June he enlisted in Company B, Forty-Seventh Pennsylvania Militia, and was commissioned as first lieutenant. His brother, Samuel B., also served his country in time of need, and was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg. Mr. Menges was married in 1872 to Susan Mosteller, of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and to them has been born one child, Minnie. He is a member of D. L. Montgomery Post, No. 264, G. A. R.

THOMAS E. GRADY, editor of the Montgomery Mirror, was born, June 7, 1862, in England, son of Patrick and Catharine (Cain) Grady, also natives of that country. His father emigrated to America in 1864, and was followed by his wife and son. Thomas E., in 1868. The family located in Williamsport, where the father died and the mother is living. Their living children are: Thomas E.; Michael; Mary A.; John, and Kate. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Clinton township, and at the Muncy Normal. He learned telegraphy at Montoursville, and took the position of operator for the Philadelphia, and Erie railroad at Montgomery in 1885, which position he has since filled. He became interested in the Montgomery Mirror in 1890. Mr. Grady married Margaret Berrigan of Williamsport, and to this union have been born four children: John; Thomas L.; Frank, and Paul. Mr. Grady is a Democrat and has served as treasurer and councilman of Montgomery, two terms in each office. He and wife belong to the Catholic church at Williamsport.

J. G. MCCUTCHEON, one of the proprietors of the Montgomery Mirror, was born, November 24, 1866, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, son of James and Elizabeth (Logan) McCutcheon. He was educated in the Milton public schools. At the age of eighteen years he began learning the printer’s trade in the office of the Miltonian, and subsequently became foreman of that journal. He hold that position until March, 1892, when he purchased a half-interest in the Mirror and has given his time to the interests of that paper ever since. He married Maggie P. Swartz and to them have been born three sons: John L.; James H., and Harold. Mr. McCutcheon belongs to the Sons of Veterans and the Knights, of the Golden Eagle, and is a member of the Milton Military Band. He is a Republican in politics.

REV. SAMUEL M. MOUNTZ was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1858, Son of Philip and Caroline (Snyder) Mountz. He was educated in the common schools and the Cumberland County Institute, at Mechanicsburg, his native county. After teaching school for two years, he took a theological course at New Berlin, Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-one years, he accepted a charge at Leesburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. Following this was a service of one year at Millheim, Centre county, Pennsylvania, and four years at Thompsontown, Juniata county, Pennsylvania. He then came to Lairdsville, in Franklin township, Lycoming county, there by earnest efforts he succeeded in, completing a beautiful church edifice, and also built a Lutheran church at Gorden’s Grove. The Lairdsville charge comprises the Lairdsville church, the Moreland Lutheran church, the Lutheran church of Muncy Hill, and Gorden’s, Grove Lutheran church all constituting a membership of about 200. At the dedication of the Gorden’s Grove church, December 14, 1890, it was not necessary to resort to the usual custom of raising money, as all bills were paid when the edifice was completed. Having been unanimously elected and urgently called to the pastorate of the Lutheran church at Montgomery, Pennsylvania, he accepted and moved there about February 15, 1892. Rev. Mountz was married, April 24, 1885, to Miss. Abbie Strohm, of Leesburg, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.

JOHN KINSEY is descended from a Mr. Kinsey who come to America with William Penn, his mother being of Scotch-Irish parentage. He removed from Luzerne, county, Pennsylvania, to Lycoming county, in 1836, and embarked in the mercantile business at Clinton Mills, about one mile from the present site of the borough of Montgomery. In 1841 he returned to Luzerne county, where he remained three years, and then came back to this county, resuming his mercantile business and continuing the same until he died. He was treasurer of Lycoming county for one term. He married Mary B. Campbell and to them were born nine children: James and Milton, both of whom died in infancy; Panthea; Carolan John, deceased; Susan M. ; Mary E., deceased; Emma H., deceased; Leonidas C., and Harriet A. John Kinsey died, August 15, 1879, and his widow, December 25, 1880.

L. C. KINSEY was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1844, son of John and Mary B. (Campbell) Kinsey. He was educated in the common schools and learned telegraphy, which he followed for eleven years; was train despatcher for three years, and was employed by the Treasury Department in Washington for one year. He then went to Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he, studied law under the tuition of Judge D. L. Rhone and John Lynch, was admitted to the bar in 1876, and practiced law until 1882. Early in 1880 he formed a partnership with H. L. Rhoads of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and under a contract with the American Bell Telephone Company of Boston, Massachusetts, introduced into the county of Lazerne the Bell telephone, connecting all the outlying towns of the county with Wilksbarre, besides erecting an extensive local exchange in the latter place. The whole system embraced a large number of telephone stations connected by many hundred miles of wire. The plant was in 1882 absorbed by the North Pennsylvania Telephone Company, a corporation doing business in Lackawanna and, Luzerne counties. In 1882 he removed to Montgomery Station, the home of his childhood, where he has since resided engaging in farming and other pursuits. In 1887 he laid out "Kinsey’s, addition to the borough of Montgomery" and made some radical improvements therein, establishing streets, building houses, etc. This portion of the borough is enjoying a steady and permanent growth and is destined to he a fine portion of the town. In 1890, on the occasion of the burning of the flouring mill of Frank Porter in the village of Clinton Mills, adjacent to the borough, he purchased the mill site and erected thereon the present model milling plant which he continues to run.

SIMON J. BARDO, justice Of the peace, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1838, son of John L. and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Bardo. He was educated in the common schools, learned the carpenter’s trade, and followed the same in connection with the planing mill business for twenty-five years. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Forty-Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was mustered out of service in August of the same year. He is now serving his second term as a justice of the peace. In 1861 he was married to Mary A. Fowler, and to them were born six children: Annie; Olive, deceased; Lou M.; Cora, deceased; Bertha, and Thomas F. Mrs. Bardo died in 1880 of cancer and he was again married, to Maggie A. Shaffer in 1882. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

NATHAN D. FOWLER, son of James Fowler, was graduated from the University at Lewisburg, and first entered his business life in a bank at Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He afterwards owned and conducted a store at Tresekow, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and in 1879 retired from business, removing to his farm near the borough of Montgomery, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. He moved to Montgomery from the farm in 1880, where he died in 1883. He was married to Mary E. Wilson, and to them were born three children: W. H.; T. Pierce, and Minnie E. Mr. Fowler’s father was born in what is known as Black Hole valley, March 29, 1809, was a farmer by occupation, and the father of seven children: Nathan D., deceased; John; James P.; Rankin; Robert; Yoder, deceased, and Mary.

W. H. FOWLER, merchant, was born in Beaver Meadows, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, in 1858, son of Nathan D. and Mary E. (Wilson) Fowler. He was educated at an academy and at the University of Lewisburg. He began his business career as a clerk in a store at Weatherly, Carbon county, where he remained one year, coming thence to Montgomery, where he has been manager of Levi Houston’s store since 1880. He was married in 1884 to Miss Whylie Waltman, and to this union have been born three children, all of whom are deceased. Mr. Fowler is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the P. O. S. of A., and with his, wife belongs to the Presbyterian church.

C. BENJAMIN FRONTZ, dentist, was born in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1869, son of George and S. Emma (Kistner) Frontz. His father was born in Hughesville, and is a brother of William Frontz, whose sketch appears in this work. George Frontz enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after serving nine months returned and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother William in Hughesville, which he continued until his death, in July, 1880; his widow died in July, 1883, leaving five sons: Harry, who is studying dentistry under Dr. Reedy of Hughesville; C. Benjamin; Howard, who is a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania; Chalmers, who is a student at Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, and Arthur. C. Benjamin Frontz was educated in the public schools of Hughesville and began the study of his profession under the tuition of Dr. W. T. Reedy, of Hughesville, and was graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at Philadelphia, February 28, 1890. He began the practice of his profession at Montgomery, Pennsylvania, where he has built up a lucrative business. He was married, March 24, 1892, to R. Myra, daughter of Dr. J. C. Rutter, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

PHILIP F. HARTRANFT, insurance and real estate agent, was born in Armstrong township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1858, son of George W. and Catherine (Fousel) Hartranft, who were the parents of eight children. Our subject was educated in the common schools and the Muncy Normal. After teaching three years in the public schools he purchased an interest in the Chillisquaque Flouring Mills, and operated the same for one and one-half years. He then worked at his trade, that of a machinist, until he went into the insurance business, in 1889. He is also engaged in the lumber business, in partnership with Frank Porter. He married Miss Susan L. Metzger, and to this union have been born two children: James, deceased, and George L. Mr. Hartranft is a member of White Deer Lodge, No. 399, I. O. O. F., and takes an active interest in the Democratic party.

W. H. HARTZELL, proprietor of Hotel Houston, was born, April 15, 1847, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Hartzell. The family migrated to Lycoming county in 1850, and settled in Washington township. In 1855 they removed to Montgomery, where Samuel engaged in the mercantile business until 1887. He was appointed postmaster in 1861 and has held the position ever since. He is the father of six children: W. H.; Mary; Emma; Robert; George, and John. The parents are Presbyterians. W. H. Hartzell was educated in the country schools. He acted as agent for the Philadelphia and Erie railroad at Montgomery for fifteen years. He afterwards kept the Montgomery House two years, and the Globe Hotel at Jersey Shore for six years. In 1890 he took charge of the Hotel Houston. Mr. Hartzell married Annie E. Ranels of Hagerstown, Maryland, and has one child, Claud. He is a member of White Deer Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a Republican in politics.

JOHN JACOB METZGER, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, emigrated to America about the year 1777. He was a farmer, and about 1810 located in Clinton township, Lycoming county, purchasing a farm of fifty acres on which he resided until his death in 1842. Of his eight children, George, Jacob, John, and Thomas grew to manhood, the other four, one son and three daughters, dying before reaching maturity. He was a Democrat, and with his wife belonged to the Lutheran church.

GEORGE METZGER, son of John Jacob Metzger, was born in what is now Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and came to Lycoming county with his parents. He married Susan, a daughter of Frederick Dietrick, and to this union were born twelve children: Catharine, who married Ezekiel Smith; Susan, who married Daniel Keller; Frederick; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Stahl; Margaret, who married, William Strieby; Hannah, who married Edwin Derr; Abbie, who married Samuel Philips; Levina, who married Peter Follmer; Savilla, deceased; John J. George W., and Elias, who lives on the old homestead. George Metzger died in 1879, followed by his widow in 1884. He was a Democrat, and with his wife belonged to the Lutheran church.

ISAAC BEAR married Christiana Hune, and removed from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Buffalo valley, Union county, about 1780. He was a son of Ephraim Bear who was the father of eight children: John; Benjamin; Henry; Ephraim; Jacob; Isaac; Anna, and Elizabeth. In 1789 he and wife removed to, what is known as Black Hole valley, Clinton township, Lycoming county. They used a river boat for transportation and were accompanied by their two oldest children, Benjamin and Samuel. The following children were born to them in Lycoming county: Francis; Anna; Elizabeth; Esther; Jacob; Isaac, and Christiana, all of whom are dead. Benjamin Bear, the eldest son, was reared in Clinton township from the time he was two and a half years old. He married ‘Sarah Worman, daughter of Hon. Ludwig Worman of Berks county, and to them were born seven children: Anna; Emma; John J.; Regina; Mary, deceased; Benjamin, and Rebecca, deceased. John J. Bear, the eldest son of Benjamin Bear, was born in 1830 on the farm where he now resides in Clinton township, Lycoming county. He was married in 1857 to Emily J., daughter of Dr. James Rankin of Muncy; to this union have been born five children: Mary H., deceased; Benjamin, deceased; James K.; Anna B., and Rebecca. Benjamin Bear died in ‘1862 and his widow died in 1888.

GEORGE PORTER immigrated from northern Ireland to America in 1793, and settled where is now located Jersey Shore where his wife, who was Catharine Riddell, died. To them were born two children: Rachel, who married Charles Allen, and Robert. In 1796 Mr. Porter removed to Armstrong township, where he died in 1842.

ROBERT PORTER, son of George Porter, married Miss Nancy Porter; though of the same name, these parties were previous to their marriage not related to each other. He remained with his father till his death, when he came to Clinton township and engaged in farming, which he continued until his death in 1880, aged ninety years. Mrs. Porter died in 1859, aged nearly sixty years. To them were born six children. George W., born in 1827, died from the results of a railroad accident in 1862. James, born in 1829, died of typhoid fever in 1858. Catharine, born in 1831, died in 1880, having married M. Sechler in 1859. Hannah, born in, 1834, married Luke Eger, now deceased, in 1859. Franklin, born in 1836, married Charlotte Piatt, now deceased, in 1862. Rachel, born in 1839, died in 1872.

MICHAEL SECHLER was one of George Washington’s body-guards during the, Revolutionary war. His father immigrated from Germany to Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he reared a family, two of whom, Jacob and Michael, located in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1798. Michael Sechler married Rebecca Lowe, and in 1802 they settled on a farm where the borough of Montgomery is now located. During the "Big Runaway" Rebecca Lowe was among those who escaped by canoes from their homes along the Susquehanna river, and found protection at Fort Augusta. Michael and Rebecca (Lowe) Sechler were the parents of eight children who grew up: William; Abraham; Antis; Rebecca; Mary; John; Catherine, and Olivia. Mr. Sechler was a potter by trade and manufactured crockery on his farm. He also served as a justice of the peace for many years. His second son, Abraham Sechler, was a farmer by occupation, and was a justice of the peace for Lycoming county several years. He married Sarah Bower, and to them were born twelve children: William; John, deceased; Michael; Elizabeth, deceased; Antis; Joseph, deceased; Rebecca, deceased; Mary; James; Abraham, deceased; Dallis, deceased, and Sarah. In 1854 Abraham Sechler removed with his family, excepting Michael, to White Rock, Illinois, where Abraham and his wife died in the Baptist faith.

MICHAEL SECHLER, farmer, was born near his present residence in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1827, son of Abraham and Sarah (Bower) Sechler. He was educated in the common schools, and after teaching for three years he, began clerking in a store, which he continued until 1852, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Now Columbia. Three years later he sold his business at this place and again opened up a store near where he now resides, which he conducted for two years. In 1857 he was elected register and recorder for Lycoming county, which position he filled creditably for one term. He then engaged in farming until 1865, when he moved to Williamsport and built the foundry and machine shop now in possession of William P. Riley. Three years later he purchased the farm where he now lives. April 9, 1857, he married Kate Porter, and to this union have been born five children: Annie; Robert; Sallie; Nellie, deceased, and Lottie, deceased. Mrs. Sechler died, August 22, 1880. Mr. Sechler has always taken an active interest in the principles of the Democratic party, and has served as a justice of the peace for many years.

JOHN HEILMAN, Son of Michael Heilman, was one of the early residents of Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father, Michael Heilman, immigrated from Germany to America, and located in what is known as Frosty valley, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where he reared a family of eight children: Jacob; Joseph; Daniel; Eli.; John; Susan; Elizabeth, and Hannah. John Heilman was a mechanical genius, and made knives and forks with which to supply his poor neighbors when he was traveling in their community, threshing their wheat with a flail, the first occupation for himself. While he was thus engaged, his wife and three children arrived from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in a two-horse wagon. This was in 1811, and the morning following their arrival he employed a number of men, who out timber and built a house into which they moved the next day. He was the father of eleven children: Jacob, deceased; Philip, deceased; Samuel; Elizabeth, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Abraham; John; Joseph; Peter; Sarah, deceased, and Charles. Mr. Heilman died in 1866 aged eighty-three years, followed by his widow several years later, also aged eighty-three. He was of a modest disposition, moral in every sense, was never known to have uttered an oath, was an enterprising man, and a great worker in the Reformed church, having been known to have frequently forded the river on horseback, in order to attend religious services.

ABRAHAM HEILMAN, farmer, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1819, son of John and Hannah (Rentz) Heilman. He was educated in the subscription schools of his neighborhood, having the benefit of only two years of free school. He was married, October 23, 1844, to Miss Sarah Buck, and to them were born three’ children: John W., who married Caroline App, by whom he had six children, only one of whom is living; Philip A., a Lutheran minister, who resided in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and is married to Jane Bennett, by whom he has two living children, and one deceased; and Clara A., who married John W. Bailey. Mr. Heilman was one of the originators of the first Sunday school in the Lutheran church, of which he and wife are members.

JOSEPH HEILMAN, retired farmer, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1823, son of John and Hannah (Rentz) Heilman. He was educated in the common schools, and devoted his life to farming until 1885, since which time he has lived a retired life. In March, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary A. Dietrich, and to them were born seven children, three of whom died in infancy; those now living are: John E., who married Emma Berger, by whom he has four children: Le Roy; Joseph; Marion, and Ruth; Hannah M., who married D. W. Shollenberger; Ida M., who married W. L. Shollenberger, and Clara E., who married John Riale, a grocer of South Williamsport. Mrs. Heilman died in 1883, and Mr. Heilman was again married, to Kate Hart, daughter of Adam Hart. He takes an active interest in Democratic politics, and with his wife belongs to the Lutheran church, of which he has been deacon and elder.

JACOB HESS removed from Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Columbia county, the same State, where he was married, and in 1817 came to Lycoming county. He was a wagon maker by trade, and carried on that business in connection with farming. He was the father of six sons and three daughters: Abbie, deceased; Reuben, deceased; Peter; Samuel, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan, deceased; Frederick, and John. Jacob Hess died, May 5, 1843, followed by his widow in 1848.

PETER HESS, farmer, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, son of Jacob and Hannah (Knorr) Hess. He received his education in the common schools and learned the trade of a miller, which he has followed in connection with farming all his life. In 1840 he was married to Ellen Endy, and to them have been born five children: Three who died when young; Mary, and Hannah. Mrs. Hess died, September 25, 1851, and he was again married, in 1857, to Matilda Berger, and to them have been born seven children: Emily; Laura, deceased; Wilson, deceased; Ella; Carrie; Clinton, and Cora. Mr. Hess and wife are members of the Reformed church.

J. THEODORE HESS, farmer, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1843, son of Reuben and Jane S. (Hart) Hess. Reuben Hess married Jane S. Hart, daughter of Adam Hart, and to them were born eight children: Three who died in infancy; J. Theodore; Thomas, a carpenter, who married Maggie McKinney, of Williamsport, and resides there; Samuel, who is a railroad engineer, and married Gertrude Hasbrouck, of Kingston, New York, and is now living at New Durham, New Jersey; Lemuel B., who is a druggist and lives in Shamokin, and married Louisa Russell, of Muncy, Pennsylvania; and Anna E., who married John Rentz, and is living in Clinton township. Reuben Hess died, January 12, 1881, and his wife died in 1858. J. Theodore was educated in the common schools, at Missionary Institute, and at Dickinson Seminary. After teaching school for 101 months, he kept books for Levi Houston, at Montgomery, for seven years. He enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-First Pennsylvania Volunteers, for nine months, and then re-enlisted in Company B, Forty-Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three months. He has three times been elected justice of the peace, and has served as township auditor for nine years. He has always taken an active part in the Democratic party. He was married to Sarah E. Harmon, and to them have been born five children: Two deceased in infancy; Emma J.; Bertha A., and Flora M. He is a member of David Montgomery Post, G. A. R., and is one of the well-to-do farmers of Clinton township. The first school house of Clinton township was located on the present site of Mr. Hess’s dwelling, and the first school was taught by the "Yankee School Teacher."

DANIEL GROSS was born in what is now Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and educated at New Berlin. He married Susan App and soon after removed to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a store in a hotel building. In 1845 he came to the farm where his son, Daniel Gross, now resides in Clinton township, Lycoming county, and followed farming and surveying the remainder of his life. He was the father of nine children: Zebulon, deceased; Mary A., deceased; Catherine, deceased; Jackson; Elizabeth, deceased; Soupharous; Satina; Sarah, and Daniel. Mr. Gross died in 1859, and his widow in March, 1886.

DANIEL GROSS, farmer, was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1843, son of Daniel and Susan (App) Gross; He was educated in the common schools, and in 1862 enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, from Snyder county, and served two years and nine months. He was married, December 25, 1866, to Lydia Wagner, and to them have been born eight children: Charles E.; Minnie V.; William H.; Luther W.; Anna; Lettena; Susan A., and D. Otto, Mr. Gross and family are members of the Lutheran church, and he also belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry.

JACOB B. HERBST was born, May 1, 1808, and came to Lycoming county in 1838. His father immigrated from Germany to America in the latter part of the last century, and settled on a farm in Buffalo valley, Union county, Pennsylvania, where he reared four sons and three daughters. March 2, 1837, Jacob B. Herbst was married to Abigail Hess, who died August 17, 1856. He was again married, June 17, 1858, to Mary Smith, and to them were born two children: Saloma, who died young, and Aaron B. Mr. Herbst served as a justice of the peace for eleven years, was an active and enthusiastic Republican, and died September 17, 1887, followed by his wife September 2, 1882.

AARON B. HERBST, farmer, was born in Clinton township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1860, son of Jacob B. and Mary (Smith) Herbst. He was educated in the common schools and the Muncy Normal. He was married, September 28, 1882, to Ada E. Mensch, daughter of Harvey Mensch, and to this union have been born three children: Willie E.; Ralph A., deceased, and Harvey M. Mr. Herbst is an active and enthusiastic Republican.

CHARLES THOMAS was a farmer and, lumberman, and was a son of John Thomas, a sketch of whom will he found in this work. He married Elizabeth Tackenberry,. and to them were born ton children: Allen, deceased; William; Charles W.; John M., deceased; Francis, deceased; George W.; Mary A.; Jane; Maggie, deceased, and Alice, deceased. Charles Thomas died in 1878, and his wife in 1875.

WILLIAM THOMAS, farmer, was born in Mifflin township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1829, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Tackenberry) Thomas. He was educated in the common schools and when at the age of twenty-three years he went to California, where he remained three years. Returning to his native county he engaged in the mill business at Millville, buying the mill property at that village, operating it for nine years, then selling it and purchasing the Montgomery Mills, which he conducted until 1885, when he sold them to his two sons: Charles H., and Allen E. In January, 1856, Mr. Thomas, was married to Margaret J. Williamson, and to this union were born eight children: James E.; Allen E., who married Miss Elizabeth Koons, by whom he had four children: Royal, Mary, Miles, and Margaret; Charles H., who married Miss Sadie Rentz, by whom he had two children: Charles H., and Edith; Clinton L.; Harry H.; William W.; Maude, and Nellie.

J. A. COPPES was born in Susquehanna township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1857, son of John and Rachel (Bonnell) Coppes. He was educated in the common schools, and is a farmer and dairyman, residing in Clinton township. He was married, October 17, 1882 to Rachel Corson, and to this union have been born four children: Nellie; Reta; Mattie, deceased, and Storres.

ANDREW SHAFFER came to Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in 1785 from near Philadelphia. He purchased a farm of 400 acres. His brother, George Shaffer, came to this county a few years later and purchased Andrews property, and from him have descended the Shaffers of Lycoming county. George Shaffer died about 1837, and was the father of ten children: Samuel; George; Adam; Andrew; John; Martin; Christian; Jacob; Sallie, and Elizabeth; of these children, Samuel, George, and John were soldiers in t he war of 1812; and John and C. A. Shaffer, sons of Jacob Shaffer, saw service in the late war, the former dying in camp and the latter being a member of Company K, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry; he. is serving at present as constable for Williamsport.

SAMUEL SHAFFER, a son of George Shaffer, was a farmer and took an active part in securing the free school system; he was a Whig in politics, and married Elizabeth Eason, and to them were born four sons and three daughters: John; Robert; Samuel P.; William H., who enlisted as a private in Company K, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in 1861, was promoted and filled the office of captain, was taken prisoner at Wilson’s Cross Roads, June. 28, 1863, and was exchanged in March, 1864, and served until the close of the war; Jane; Susannah, and Nancy E.

SAMUEL P. SHAFFER, farmer, the third son of Samuel Shaffer, was born March 18, 1884. He was educated in the common, schools and has always been engaged in farming as an occupation. In 1866 he was married to Margaret Scott, and to them were born two children: Harvey and Jennie. Mrs. Shaffer died, November 14, 1890. Mr. Shaffer enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, in October, 1862, was sergeant, and served nine months. In 1864 he re-enlisted in Company K, Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He is a member of D. S. Montgomery Post, No. 264, G. A. R.; has served in several offices of trust, has been school director twenty-one years, and township committeeman ever since the war. In politics he is a Republican, always taking an active interest in that organization.

CHARLES ALLEN was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, September 24, 1791 son of Isaac Allen, who came to Lycoming county in 1800 and located at the "Long Reach." He subsequently became the owner of the Galloway tract, embracing, the site of South Williamsport, and resided thereon until his death in 1844. Charles Allen was reared to manhood in this county, and after a brief term of service in the war of 1812 he located on the Galloway farm in 1816. He was an agriculturist all his life, and his farm was one of the best in the county. The old homestead on the South Side is one of the landmarks of the county, and many pleasant memories of early days cluster around it. Mr. Allen married Rachel, daughter of George Porter, and they were the parents of four children: George P., deceased; Sarah, who married John P. Beard, of McEwensville; Rachel, who became the wife of J. Walker Hays, of Williamsport, and Robert P., deceased. Mr. Allen died on the 1st of May, 1882; his wife, born February 26, 1793, died August 28, 1865.

JOHN DUBOIS was one of the pioneer lumbermen of Lycoming county, and during the early development of that great industry he laid the foundation of a large fortune. He was a native of Tioga county, New York, and in 1838 came to this county and located on Lycoming creek, between Field’s Station and Bodines. He purchased, with his brother Matthias, large tracts of pine and hemlock timber lands in Lewis and Cascade townships, erected a mill, and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber at that point some twelve years, under the firm name of J. DuBois & Brother. About 1850 they took into partnership E. S. Lowe, then a prominent merchant of Williamsport, and the firm was changed to DuBois & Lowe. In the meantime Mr. DuBois had become interested in building a boom in the Susquehanna river at Williamsport, and when the Susquehanna Boom Company was organized, he was elected its first president, and was the largest stockholder in that institution. He also made large purchases of timber lands in Clearfield county, which in future years proved a veritable bonanza. His brother Matthias having died, DuBois & Lowe bought several hundred acres of land on the river, including the site of DuBoistown, where they built a large saw mill with an annual capacity of from 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 feet of lumber. In the spring of 1860 the flood carried away the boom, and many million feet of logs went down the river, some as far as Chesapeake bay. DuBois & Lowe bought the greater portion of the logs, built a saw mill at Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, to cut, them into lumber, and established an extensive wholesale lumber-yard at the same place. In 1863 Mr. DuBois bought the interest of his partner, and thenceforth conducted the business alone. In December, 1870, he sold his mill at DuBoistown to John G. Reading, William P. Emery, and others, and then built a large stone saw mill a short distance from the old one, which embraced a planing mill and sash and door factory. He continued to operate these mills until the celebrated "sawdust war" occurred, which so disgusted, him that he abandoned his enterprises in this county and turned his sole attention to the development of his lands in Clearfield county, where he erected large mills and manufactories, and in fact founded the present town of DuBois. He dismantled his mills at DuBoistown, Lycoming county, and shipped the machinery, etc., to his now mills at DuBois, Clearfield county, where he continued to reside up to his death, May 5, 1886. Mr. DuBois was one of the most successful business men of his time in Pennsylvania, and left a fortune of between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 to his nephew, John P. DuBois, of DuBois, Clearfield county.

WARREN T. MARTIN, justice of the peace, was born near Saratoga Springs, Saratoga county, New York, June 30, 1830, son of John and Eleanor (Clarke) Martin, natives of Vermont and early settlers of Saratoga county. He received a fair education in the public schools, and became an architect and millwright by trade. In 1856 he moved to Lycoming county, locating in Williamsport. His first work was on the old Dodge mills, which he repaired and rebuilt, and he has since made repairs on many of the mills in this city. In 1879 he became foreman and general manager of the Ten Eyck mill at DuBoistown, and conducted the same until 1883. In 1884 he operated the Brown, Clarke & Howe mill at Williamsport, after which he went to Caledonia, Elk county, Pennsylvania, and conducted a mill for J. E. Putnam for some years. He then went to Kentucky, where he erected a large iron saw mill for the Keyes Creek Lumber Company. In the fall of 1889 he built a large mill for Strong, Deemer & Company, at Sparrow’s Point, Maryland, after which he again took charge of the Ten Eyck mill and conducted the same for two years. He is a member of the F. and A. M., and belongs to Baldwin II Commandery, and Lafayette Chapter of Loch Haven. He is also a member of the Scottish Rite Masonic organizations of Bloomsburg. For nearly eleven years he was a member of the lumber firm of Simpson & Martin, and Martin, Dunn & Company, of Lock Haven. Mr. Martin is a Democrat, and has filled the office of justice of the peace for many years; he has also Served as school director. He was married at Glenn’s Falls, New York, August, 18, 1853, to Cordelia, daughter of Ephraim and Asenath (Shaw) Manchester, of Addison county, Vermont. She was born at Lake George, Warren county, New York. Her ancestors were of the old patriotic stock, and rendered valuable service to their country. One of them served with Gen. George Washington during the war of the Revolution; another served at the same period with Gen. Richard Montgomery, and was present when he fell at Quebec. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born four children: Dudley A.; Elisabeth; Asenath, and Chloe. The eldest of these children was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1857, and was educated at Dickinson Seminary. He has always been identified with his father in the lumber business, and has traveled quite extensively, during which time he has gathered a fine collection of war relies, and Indian antiquities illustrating the Stone Age of America.

JOSEPH C. CARSON was born in Old Lycoming township, Lycoming county, January 4, 1834. He received his education in the public schools, and learned the trade of a wagon maker, which occupation he followed for two years near Perryville. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves, as a private, and was chosen corporal September 20, 1861. He was wounded at Charles City Cross Roads June 30, 1862, and was discharged in the following October on account of disability. He was on guard duty on the Alexandria railroad and participated in the fights at Fredericksburg, Mechanicsville, Gaines’s Mill, Charles City Cross Roads, and the Seven Days’ Fight around Richmond. Since the war he has been engaged in counting lumber and in various duties about lumber mills. He is an active Republican and has filled the office of school director of Armstrong township and of the borough schools. He is now serving his fourth term as a justice of the peace. Mr. Carson is a member of Reno Post, G. A. R., of Williamsport, and is a charter member of Encampment No. 47, Union Veteran Legion. He was married December 13, 1866, to Barbara, daughter of Andrew Kauffman, and to this union have been born three, children: William S.; James B., and John F.

GOTTLIEB F. DECKER, farmer, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, January 9, 1831, son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Beeler) Decker. His parents came to America in 1835, and located on the farm where our subject now resides in Armstrong township. They were members and active workers in the Lutheran church. The father was a Democrat, and filled various township offices. He died, March 16, 1887. The mother died in 1884. They reared six children: Catherine, wife of John Lahman; Barbara, widow of George Schmohl; Henrietta, deceased wife of Jacob Sweely; Gottlieb F.; Henry, and John C. Our subject received a limited education. in the township schools, and has lived, on his present farm since he was four years old. He was married, October 4, 1855, to Mary Barbara, daughter of Philip Fousel, and to this union were born six children: Alexander G.; Albert P.; Annie, Ross, deceased; Edward J.; Clara Amelia, wife of Harry Lampe, and an infant, deceased. Mr. Decker is a Democrat in politics, and has served as ‘school director, supervisor, and auditor of his township.

JOHN F. BLAIR, merchant, was born in Old Lycoming township, Lycoming county, June 9, 1844, son of John and Nancy (Carson) Blair. His father was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ireland. The former removed to Lycoming county with his parents, who were among the pioneers of this county. Our subject was reared in his native township, and in 1858 he removed with his par-ents to DuBoistown. He received his education in the common schools, and worked in saw mills until 1872, when he was employed as a clerk in the store of Thomas Wheeler. There he remained for ten years, and in 1882 he engaged in the butcher business for a short time. He then became a partner of Mr. Wheeler in the general mercantile business, and did a thriving trade under the firm name of Wheeler & Blair, until their stock was destroyed by the flood of 1889. Since them Mr. Blair has conducted the business on his own responsibility, Mr. Wheeler having retired from the firm. In 1874 he was married to Mary, daughter of George Haist, of DuBoistown, and, to this union have been born seven children: Maggie L.; George F.; Ella; Della; Myrtle; Jessie, and Floyd. Mr. Blair is a Republican, and has served as school director and burgess of DuBoistown. He was appointed postmaster by President Hayes and President Harrison.

C. F. WHITEHEAD, merchant, was born in Williamsport, April 24, 1850, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Gable) Whitehead. He received his education in the public schools and by private tuition. He worked on the river and in lumber mills until 1879, when he engaged in the tobacco and cigar business in DuBoistown. From this he has gradually worked into the general grocery business, and has built up a good trade. Mr. Whitehead was married in 1871 to Mary L., daughter of John J. Miller, of Williamsport, and to this union have been born five children: Howard, deceased; Beulah; Lenora, deceased; Nellie, and Margaret. Since 1889 he has carried the mail from Williamsport to DuBoistown; he served as postmaster of the latter place by appointment of President Arthur. He is a Republican in politics and is serving his second term as school director of his borough. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and belongs to Wildey Encampment, No. 3, of Williamsport. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of DuBoistown.

BERNARD DOHERTY was born at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, in 1839. When he was a child his parents walked from Harper’s Ferry to Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, carrying him in their arms. He received a common school education, and for the past twenty-five years he has been employed by the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, as night watchman and track walker. No served four years during the great civil war in the Fiftieth New, York Volunteer Infantry, and is independent in his political proclivities. In 1867 he was married to Catherine Wurtz, of Clinton town-ship, Lycoming county. She was one of four children: Margaret, who married a Mr. Miller; Samuel; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Adams, and Isaac. Mr. and Mrs. Doherty have two children: Jacob, and Sarah, who married James Payn.

J. C. BOWER, proprietor of the Valley House, was born in Limestone township, Lycoming county, May 4, 1861, son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Swoyer) Bower, natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and now residents of Nippenose township. He received his education in the public schools, and in 1884 engaged in the meat business in DuBoistown. In 1890 he became proprietor of the Valley House, and in 1892 he again engaged in the butchering business. Mr. Bower was married in 1884 to Catherine, daughter of Anthony Axman, of Bastress township, and to this union has been born one child, Helen May. He is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Catholic church.

THE MCCORMICK FAMILY were among the earliest settlers in White Deer valley. In 1770 Hugh McCormick of Cumberland county purchased 1,300 acres of land on South creek within the present limits of Washington township, Lycoming county, upon which his sons–James, Thomas, and Seth–settled about five years later. Their father was a native of Ireland, and after immigrating to Pennsylvania he resided successively in Lancaster and Cumberland counties. He was one of the framers of the first Constitution of Pennsylvania, and a man of considerable local prominence during the Revolutionary period. James McCormick represented White Deer town-ship in the Committee of Safety for Northumberland county in 1777. During the "Big Runaway" of 1778, the McCormicks took refuge at Fort Augusta. James afterward removed to Virginia. Thomas McCormick was born in 1754, and married Elizabeth Crockett; he died in Washington township on the 6th of October, 1826, and was buried at the Stone church. Seth McCormick was born in Paxtang township, Lancaster county, in 1756, and married Margaret Simmons, who bore him seven sons and three daughters, as follows: Robert; Samuel S.; Thomas; Seth; Hugh; John; Joseph; Sarah, who married Robert J. Foresman; Cynthia, who mar-ried Samuel Eason, and Susan, who married Matthew B. Hammond. Seth McCor-mick died on the 17th of January, 1835, and both he and his wife were buried at the old Stone church. Seth McCormick, fourth son of Seth, Sr., was born in Washington township in 1793 and died in December, 1821. He married Hannah Hammond, who survived him until 1869. They were the parents of the following children: James H.; Mary; Margaret, who married D. Watson Foresman; Seth T.; Elizabeth C., who married John Wilson, and Robert H., who resides at Watsontown and is the only survivor of the family. Numerous descendants of this pioneer family are resi-dents of Lycoming county, and many of them are prominent in professional and business circles.,

ROBERT FORESMAN was one of the earliest settlers of White Deer valley, where he located in August, 1794. He came here from Northampton county, Pennsylvania, whither his ancestors had. emigrated from Ireland before the Revolution. He brought with him his wife and two children, and settled in what is now Washington township, Lycoming county, where the remaining years of his life were spent. He kept a hotel at the head of the valley for some years, and was one of the well known pioneers of that vicinity. He was a Democrat, and served as a justice of the peace. He reared a family of five sons and five daughters Henry; Robert J.; John; George; D. Watson; Mrs. Nancy McCormick; Mrs. Susan Oaks; Mrs. Margaret Jordan; Mrs. Sarah Parks, and Mrs. Polly Piatt. The parents died in 1829 and in 1831, respect-ively, and were buried in the graveyard at the old Stone church. Their ten children have also passed away, but their descendants in the West Branch valley are very numerous.

JOHN FORESMAN was born in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pennsyl-vania, in 1800, and grew to manhood in this, county. He was a farmer, and about 1849 he moved to Centre county, thence to Clinton county, and in 1858 he returned to Washington township, where he resided until his death. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Piatt, a sister of Judge Piatt, who bore him five children: Piatt, who died in. Illinois; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Mackey, who also died in Illi-nois; Henry, who died at Beech Creek, Clinton county; Susan, wife of William K. Brown, of Look Haven, and Sarah Jane, wife of Samuel Leather, of Centre county. His second wife was Maria B. Follmer, a native of Lycoming county, who bore him eight children, as follows: Daniel F., of White Deer valley; Robert S., of Nebraska; David R., of Williamsport; Mary T., widow of Matthias Eder; William B., of Williamsport; Martha C., wife of Matthew Oakes, of White Deer valley; Abner P., of Williamsport, and Oliver P., deceased. Mr. Foresman was a Democrat, and served as county commissioner three years. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church of Washington township. His widow survives, and is spending the latter years of her life with her children.

JOHN SEDAM was born in New Jersey, son of John Sedam, a native of Holland, who settled at Six Mill Run, New Jersey, prior to the Revolution. In company with his wife and one child, he came to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, from whence they walked to what is now Brady township, Lycoming county, and settled on Penny Hill. He was married three times. His first wife was Jane Piatt, who bore him five children: Isaac; Sarah; Jane; John Piatt, and William. Jane died unmarried; all the others removed to Ohio, except William, who lived and died at the old home-stead on Penny Hill. As his second wife he married Sally Rose, who died without issue. As his third wife he married Jane Tate, and five children were born to them: Robert; Maria; Fanny; Andrew, and Samuel T. Fanny died unmarried; the others married and lived at various places in this State and the West. John Sedam was an older in the Presbyterian church and superintendent of the Sunday school, and was considered by all an excellent man.

SAMUEL T. SEDAM, son of John Sedam, was born in 1817 in what is now Brady township. After, he grew to manhood he engaged in the construction of turnpike roads, and built many of the old roads in Lycoming and Centre counties. He pur-chased farms in Brady township and finally settled on the farm of 145 acres where his son Samuel now resides. There he died, December 9, 1888. He married Lydia Ann, daughter of John Piatt, who died October 27, 1889. To this union were born the following children: John; Henry; Robert; Joan, wife of A. L. Shreiby; Jane M., deceased; Kate; Betty, wife of John W. Piatt; James; Samuel, and Fanny. Mr. Sedam was a collector of taxes several years before the division of Brady and Washington townships, and also served as a justice of the peace for sixteen years, and school director for some time. He was a Democrat in politics and belonged to the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder and trustee.

SAMUEL SEDAM, the youngest son of Samuel T. Sedam, was born, July 27, 1857, in Washington (now Brady) township, Lycoming county. He received a common school education and was reared on the farm. Upon reaching his majority he took charge of the homestead and has ever since farmed the same. He was married, December 21, 1882, to Maggie O., daughter of Samuel Dunbar, and to this union were born four children: John Faries; Lester D.; Samuel T., and Frank M. Mr. Sedam has filled the office of township auditor, is a member of Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., and belongs to Washington Alliance, No. 175.

WILLIAM SCHOOLY was a native of New Jersey and one of the family for which Schooly’s Mountain, a famous summer resort in Mercer county, Now, Jersey, is named. He came to Lycoming county in the last decade of the last century. He settled. about a mile and a half west of Allenwood, in the portion of Lycoming county now included in Union. Their land is now owned by Dr. Truckenmiller. He married Elizabeth, a daughter of William, Oaks, and to this union were born the following children: John; Samuel; William; Joseph; Andrew J.; Benjamin; Elizabeth; Margaret, Mary; Christiana; Lucy, and Hannah. Mr. Schooly took an active interest in public affairs, yet he would not accept public office. He was an old-line Whig and taught school for a number of years in White Doer valley. He died in 1856.

SAMUEL SCHOOLY, the second son of William Schooly, was born in 1809 on the farm near Allenwood. While a young, man he was engaged in boating on the West Branch canal between Dewart and Philadelphia for a number of years. In 1841 he purchased a farm where his son, William M., now resides, which he partially cleared and upon which he put improvements, and there resided until 1868. He then retired to Dewart, where he died in 1877. He married Alvina, daughter of Will-iam Moore, of Washington township, and to them were born the following children: James L.; William M.; John; Joseph; Samuel; Margaret, and Elizabeth. Mrs. Schooly died in 1890. In politics Mr. Schooly was a Republican and was a member of the Presbyterian church.

WILLIAM M. SCHOOLY, the second son of Samuel Schooly, was born on the home-stead, April 22, 1845. He was educated in the common schools and at Milton Academy. He was reared a farmer and has followed that occupation through life. At the death of his father he purchased the homestead farm on which he was born and where he now lives. He is also engaged in the sale of farming implements and fertilizers. Mr. Schooly married Verdelia, daughter of George Leamon, and to them have been born eleven children: George L.; Ella; Samuel; Letitia; Minnie L.; Lula M.; Edward; James B.; Amelia; Rebecca, and Irwin. Mr. Schooly has filled local offices and, was appointed. census enumerator in 1890 for the townships of Washington and Brady. Politically he is a Republican, and is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is trustee. He is also a charter member of Elimsport Council, No. 132, O. U. A. M.

JAMES DUNBAR was one of the early settlers of Washington township. He was a native of Scotland, and some time in the middle of the last century, he in company with his parents, emigrated to this country. On the passage the father died and was buried at sea. James and his mother settled in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, where his early life was spent. He learned the trade of a blacksmith and subsequently settled in Columbia county. In the latter part of the last century he came to Elimsport, and purchased about five acres of land where the tannery and church now stand. Here he established the first blacksmith shop in that place and. conducted the business for many years. He married Elizabeth Coan, and to them were born two sons and two daughters: Samuel; Robert; Ann, who married Joseph Graft, and Sallie, who married James Irwin. Mr. Dunbar died in 1849, near La Porte, Indiana. He served in the war of 1812, and was one of the early members of the White Deer Valley Baptist church. His wife died in 1846.

ROBERT DUNBAR, the second son of James Dunbar, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1803. He learned the blacksmith trade, and after growing to manhood he carried on business in Washington township for a number of years. He also taught school and singing school. For a while he carried on business near Milton, Pennsylvania, and in Union county, Pennsylvania. He finally purchased a farm where his son James now lives in Washington township, where he followed his trade for fifteen years. He hold the offices of school director and auditor. Mr. Dunbar was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Irwin, who died in 1875, the mother of ten children: Amanda, deceased wife of William Woodley; Samuel; Hiram I.; James M.; Elizabeth A., who married George Moore; Sarah M., who married Robert Foresman; Jennie, who married David D. Manville; Rebecca D., deceased; Emma, deceased, and Rella, wife of Charles Snoddy. The second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, nee Foster. Robert Dunbar died in 1881. He was one of the principal founders of the Elimsport Baptist church.

SAMUEL DUNBAR, the oldest son of Robert and Elizabeth (Irwin) Dunbar, was born December 1, 1828, in Union county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools, and remained on the homestead until he was twenty-seven years old, when he purchased his present farm of 100 acres upon which he has put improvements and lived ever since. He was married to Martha, daughter of Joseph Oaks, and to this union have been born eight children: Mary E., wife of G. L. Bailey; Maggie O., wife of Samuel Sedam; Josephine; an infant son; Flowrella; Carrie; Rebecca, and Sarilda. Mr. Dunbar has filled the office of school director nine years, tax collector two years, and supervisor. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Baptist church. He also belongs to Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., and Washington Alliance.

HIRAM I. DUNBAR, the second son of Robert, was born July 12, 1831. He received a common school education and in 1859 purchased the farm whereon he now lives. He married Emeline, daughter of James Galloway, and has three children: Jennie, wife of W. H. Pawling; Bettie, wife of J. N. Bryson, and Robert M., who married Jennie Pawling. Mr. Dunbar is a Republican, and is a member of the Baptist church of Williamsport, of which he has been treasurer and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of Washington Alliance, No. 175.

JAMES M. DUNBAR; the third son, of Robert and Elizabeth (Irwin) Dunbar, was born November 12, 1833, on the homestead where he now resides, which is supposed to be about one hundred years old. He was educated in the common schools, and after reaching manhood entered into partnership with others in the erection of a steam saw Mill. In 1873 it was blown up, when Duncan Lockwro was instantly killed by the explosion. In 1883 the mill was rebuilt, but in 1887 it was destroyed by fire. In the latter year Mr. Dunbar entered into partnership with others in the erection of the mill now operated by his son Robert. Mr. Dunbar was married in 1860 to Cinderella, daughter of Daniel Flick, who died in 1875, leaving six children: Maggie E.; Catherine, wife of Emmet Lockwood; Robert; Martha, wife of William Van Buskirk; Mary, wife of Daniel Shollenberger, and Amanda. Mr. Dunbar was again married in 1877, to Marietta, daughter of John Fogleman, and to this union has been born one child, James C. Mr. Dunbar has filled the office of school director. He is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Baptist church. He is also a member of t he Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., and the Washington Alliance.

JOSEPH DEITRICK, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, settled in Clinton township, Lycoming county, on the land where Frederick Metzger now lives. He was a Democrat in politics and was one of the founders of the Lutheran church in that township. He married a Miss Rentz, and to them were born the following children: Joseph; deceased; Frederick, deceased; Charles, deceased; Susan, deceased wife of George Metzger; Abbie, deceased wife of Jacob Arnold; Catherine, deceased wife of David Fullmer, and Peggy, deceased wife of Christian Gosh. Joseph, the eldest son, was born in 1800, in Columbia county. He was educated in the subscription schools. During his early life he was engaged in teaming between Muncy and Philadelphia. He purchased 300 acres of land, which he cleared and improved and upon which he resided until his death in 1865. He filled the offices of school director and others in the township. He was a Democrat in, politics, and belonged to the Lutheran church, of which he was elder and deacon. He married Rosanna, daughter of Adam Follmer, who died in 1886, the mother of ten children: Solomon; Joseph; Mary, deceased wife of Joseph Heilman; John; Samuel, deceased; Sarah, wife of J. A. Keiser; Simon, deceased; Daniel F.; Margaret S., and Rebecca, deceased wife of Jacob Keiser.

DANIEL F. DEITRICK, the youngest son of Joseph, was born March 13, 1841. He’ was educated in the common schools, and after the death of his father he took charge of the homestead farm, and is now engaged in general farming and dairying. He married Catherine, daughter of Asa Everitt, of Northumberland county, and has two children: Emma J., wife. of G. A. De Wall, and Annie E. Mr. Deitrick was elected a member of the State legislature in 1883 and was instrumental in getting the State appropriation to the Williamsport Hospital. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1882, re-elected in 1889, and has filled the office of township auditor. He was one of the founders of the West Branch Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has been a director since its organization. He also filled the office of treasurer And is one of the adjusting committee. He is a Democrat in politics and belongs to, the Lutheran church, in which he has held the office of deacon and elder. He is a member of Elimsport Grange, No. 98, P. of. H., and the Washington Alliance.

FREDERICK DEITRICK, the third son of Frederick Deitrick, was born in 1810, on the homestead farm in Clinton township. He was educated in the common schools, and after growing to manhood he purchased 120 acres of land in Washington township where John Bennage now lives. This he cleared, improved, and lived upon until his death, in 1854. He married Elizabeth Heilman, and to this union were born the following children: Levi; John H.; Frederick; Sarah, deceased wife of John Strieby; Joseph H.; Susan, deceased wife of George Wagner; Jacob, who was a soldier and died in a Southern prison; Hannah, wife of William Shuler; William; Laura A., deceased wife of John Wilson, and Heilman 9. Mr. Deitrick was a Democrat in politics and belonged to the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH H. DEITRICK, the fourth son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Heilman) Deitrick, was born November 9, 1840, on the homestead farm, in Clinton township. He was educated in the common schools and brought up at farm labor. In 1870 he purchased his present farm containing seventy acres and is engaged in general farming. He married Sarah E., daughter of Samuel Sunderland, and to them were born the following children: Robert; Bettie; Samuel S.; Joe; Clara A.; Delroy, and Elwood. Mr. Deitrick has held some of the minor township offices and is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Lutheran church and belongs to the, Patrons of Husbandry.

MCLEES FAMILY.-Among the early settlers of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, was a Mr. McLees. He was a native of Ireland and his business was that of a land jobber. He owned a large tract of land in what is now Lycoming county, and also a number of tracts on the north side of the Susquehanna river between Williamsport and Jersey Shore. He resided and died in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. His family consisted of six children: Samuel; James; William, and three daughters, who married men by the names of Kirkpatrick, Worden, and Inghram. Samuel, his eldest son, was born in Northumberland county in 1777. He learned the trade of a saddler, and subsequently traveled through the country between Sunbury and Philadelphia, engaged in his business. Later in life he settled at Catawissa, where he followed his trade for some time. In 1826 he purchased a tract of 336 acres at the head of Spring creek, in Washington township. In the spring of 1827 he Settled upon the same, and cleared up a farm and resided there until his death in 1860. He was a solder of the war of 1812, and served in a company raised in Catawissa. He was a prominent old-line Whig, and while not a member he was a consistent attendant of the White Doer Presbyterian church. He married Ann Winter, of Philadelphia, and to them were born seven children: James, deceased; Inghram, deceased; Mark, deceased, Worden, deceased; William; Eliza, deceased, and Maria, deceased. His wife died in 1840 and he died December 29, 1859. William, his fifth son, was born at Catawissa, September 16, 1819. He was reared on the homestead farm in Washington township and was educated in the common schools. On reaching his majority he rented the home farm and subsequently purchased a part of it. He followed farming until 1871, when he retired from active business and settled in Elimsport where he now resides. He has hold the office of supervisor, and while thus acting he built the road from Elimsport over the mountains to Williamsport. He is one of the organizers and original stock-holders of the White Deer Bridge Company, and has been its president for ten years. He is a member of the White Deer Presbyterian church, and has been a trustee for several years. He is one of the prominent Republicans, and takes an active interest in the advancement of the party. He was married, November 9, 1843, to Catherine H., daughter of Thomas Comly, who died February 17, 1892. Mr. McLees is one of the leading citizens of Washington township, and enjoys the respect of his fellow citizens. Always alive to matters of public interest, his advice and counsel have been sought by the people of his township.

JACOB HESS was born in Mifflinville, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1801. He learned the trade of a tanner and when a young man he built a tannery at Mifflinville, where he did business until 1836. During this year he purchased 124 acres of land in Washington township, Lycoming county, which he cleared, improved, and farmed until 1839. He then removed to Elimsport where he died, January 13, 1841. He was a major in the State militia, and was a prominent Democrat. During his early life he was a Lutheran, but after settling in Washington township, he became connected with the Evangelical church. He gave liberally to the support of churches, having contributed to the construction of the Methodist Episcopal church of Elimsport. Mr. Hess married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Knorr of Mifflinville, December 15, 1822, and to this union were born ten children: Elisha, deceased; an infant, deceased; Savilla; Elias, deceased; William, deceased; Whitney; Samuel, deceased; Silas, deceased; Jacob, and Mary, wife of George Forseman. Mrs. Hess died, December 31, 1878.

WHITNEY HESS, the fourth son of Jacob Hess, was born in Mifflinville, November 11, 1830. He removed with his parents to Lycoming county and was educated in the common schools. At the age of eighteen he went to Mifflinburg, where he learned the trade of tanning. After having been engaged in business for four years in partnership with John Reighard, he purchased the tannery of William Sechler of Elimsport, which he has ever since conducted. He was originally a Democrat but is now a Prohibitionist. He has served as township auditor, and has been elected twice a justice of the peace but would not serve. He has also been elected school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Elimsport, and is class-leader and secretary of the board of trustees. Mr. Hess was married in 1876 to Nancy, daughter of Robert F. and Isabella McCormick, and to this union have been born three children, two of whom are living: Ethel B. and Kate M. Mr. Hess is a member of the Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., No. 232, and belongs to the Washington Alliance.

SAMUEL L. PAWLING was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, of English extraction, and a son of Benjamin Pawling, who emigrated from England and settled in Montgomery county. Samuel was taught the trade of a miller by his father, and after reaching maturity he removed to. Dauphin county, where engaged in the mercantile business. About 1829 he settled in the White Deer valley, purchasing a farm where his son Samuel now resides. Here he died. He married Wilhelmina, daughter of Llewellyn Davis of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born the following children: Zeikel D.; Lemuel; Samuel S.; Miranda; Harriet; Caroline, deceased, and Caroline, wife of Thompson Lemon. Mr. Pawling died in 1865 and his widow survived only a few months. He was an old-line Whig and afterwards affiliated with the Republican party. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

SAMUEL S. PAWLING, youngest son of Samuel L. Pawling, was born January 18, 1821, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Lycoming county, where he received his education in the common schools. In 1850 he purchased seventy-two acres where his son William H. now lives. Upon this he resided for nineteen years and then bought the farm where he is now located, consisting of 140 acres. Mr. Pawling was formerly a Republican, is now a Prohibitionist, and has filled the offices of supervisor, school director, and overseer of the poor. He has also served as administrator, executor, and trustee. He gave $1,000 for a substitute in the late war. He is an original member of the Elimsport Baptist church and served for years as deacon of the same. Mr. Pawling was married in 1843 to Hannah, daughter of William Schooly, and to this union have been born the following children: Rev. Lemiel D., deceased in 1876; Elizabeth, deceased wife of John Fisher; Wilhelmina, deceased wife of James Flick; Mary F.; Lucy S.; William H., and Robert S.

JOHN CANADA, a native of Ireland, settled where William Deitrick now lives in Washington township at an early day. He was the father of six children: John; Christian; Jacob; William; Elizabeth, wife of George Breen, and Kate, wife of Henry Berger, William, the fourth son, was born in 1808 on the homestead, and was educated in the log cabin school houses of his neighborhood. He purchased a farm where his son Henry now lives and after clearing about 100 acres, he died in May, 1887. He married Elizabeth Farley, and to them were born the following children: Henry; Mary; Hiram; Harvey;’ Alma, wife of J. H. Presler; Annie; John; Sarah, and William. In politics Mr. Canada was a Democrat. Henry, the eldest Son of William Canada, was born March 11, 1843, on the homestead farm. He received a common school education and was brought up at farm labor. He enlisted in Company H, Two Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and saw service for nine months, participating in the’ battles of Petersburg and Fort Stedman. Returning from the war he resumed farming on the homestead, where he has since remained. In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the progressive farmers of his native township.

JACOB BASTIAN, a native of Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war, was an early settler at Newberry. He owned the grist mill now in possession of a Mr. Good. Here he operated a saw mill, a grist mill, and a carding mill. He also cultivated 300 acres of land which eventually passed into possession of John H. Cowden. Mr. Bastian died at what is now Nesbit. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Hartley, by whom he had the following children: Henry; George; John; Frank; Jacob; Samuel; Rosanna, who married John Sloan; Kate M., who married Peter Hacker, and Hettie, who married John Epley. His second wife was a Miss Verline, to whom were born: Solomon; Betsy, and Peggy. Jacob Bastian was one of the leading men of his day. He gave the, land for the Newberry cemetery and was a pushing and enterprising citizen.

HENRY BASTIAN, the eldest son of Jacob, was born in Snyder county, and came with his father to Newberry. He lived upon a portion of his father’s farm for thirty-five years. He then bought a tract of 400 acres in the Nippenose valley where he lived for twenty-five years. He afterwards purchased a farm in Upper Fairfield township situated on Loyalsock creek, and finally died at the home of his son George, aged eighty years. He married Mary Busler, and to them were born ton children: Harry; Jacob; Dr. John C.; George; Annie, wife of William Spangler; Lydia, deceased; Polly, wife of T. Cypher; Catherine, wife of P. Konkle; Amelia, wife of William Konkle, and Ellen, wife of John Konkle.

DR. JOHN C. BASTIAN, the third son of Henry Bastian, was born March 21, 1818, at Newberry, Lycoming county. He was educated at the subscription schools and attended the Williamsport Academy for seven years. At the age of seventeen he commenced working on the farm which he continued for three years, after which he served an apprenticeship with Daniel Newcome, and learned the shoemaker’s trade. He followed that occupation for a number of years, and during his spare moments he studied medicine. In 1845, he began the active study of medicine with Dr. George Treon, of Muncy, with whom he remained one year. After spending another year with Dr. Pollock, of Williamsport, he attended a medical college at Philadelphia. He practiced for six months at Ralston, and in the spring of 1848 was graduated from the medical college at Philadelphia, after which he, located at Block House, Tioga county, remaining there for three years. He removed thence to Hughesville, where he practiced seven years, and then settled on the old homestead in Upper Fairfield township. Seven years later he purchased a farm in Brady township and practiced his profession in that community for eight years. He then settled upon his present farm, where he has lived for seventeen years. He is now retired from active practice. Dr. Bastian was married January 3, 1850, to Catherine, daughter of Isaac Moore, of Block House, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, who died May 8, 1876, the mother of the following children: Sylvester; Maria, wife of Gird Felter; Francis A.; Harriet A., wife of Charles Baysore; Charles B. B., a physician at Salladasburg; C. P., who graduated at Missionary Institute, Selinsgrove, in 1892; William K., who graduated at the Muncy Normal School in the autumn of 1891; Ellen, and Margaret A.

ADAM BAIR, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, came to Lycoming county in 1811. He settled on a farm near Montgomery, where he died about 1862. He was married in his native county and was the father of the following children: Daniel; Gideon; Eli; Samuel; Adam; Isaac; Lydia; Polly; Ann, and Leah. Eli, the third son of Adam Bair, was born in 1808. He was reared on a farm and settled on the land where his son Joseph now lives. He owned and cleared three farms in Washington township. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Waltman, who died in 1841. To this union were born: Joseph; John; Benjamin; Isaac; Levi; Harrison; William; Susan, wife of M. French; Savilla, deceased wife of W. B. Sheddy, and Margaret, wife of Jacob Derr. Eli Bair died in 1878, and was a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH BAIR, the eldest son of Eli Bair, was born February 25, 1835. He was educated in the common schools and reared upon the farm. In 1867 he purchased a portion of the old homestead and erected his present buildings thereon. He was married three times. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Myers, he had five children: William; John; Charles; Robert, and Emma. Catherine M. Shuler was his second wife, and died in 1884. His third wife was Mrs. Emily A. Deitrick, a daughter of Anthony Follmer. Mr. Bair has served as a member of the school board for seven years and has held other township offices. He is a Democrat in politics and belongs to the Lutheran church, in which he has been deacon and elder. He is also a member of the P. of H. and the Washington Alliance.

MICHAEL BAYSORE came from Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, about 1819, to Lycoming county. It is thought that he was born in Easton and emigrated with his brother Jacob, who settled in Ohio. Michael first rented a farm with John Waltman in what is now Brady township, where he lived for two years. He and Henry Berger purchased a tract of 280 acres where his son now resides. Mr. Baysore retained 140 acres of this farm and Mr. Berger sold his portion to Peter Buck. Mr. Baysore was a Lutheran and was one of the organizers of the Lutheran church of Washington township. He filled the offices of deacon and elder, and was the leader of the choir of that organization for many years. He was married in Lebanon county, and was the father of one child, Lydia, who married Jacob Keeler of Northumberland county. Mr. Baysore was married a second time, to Mrs. Elizabeth Berger, also of Lebanon county, and to this union were born the following children: William; Daniel; John; Mary; Joseph, and Henry. Mr. Baysore died in 1870.

JOHN BAYSORE, third son of Michael Baysore, was born, February 11, 1831, and was reared on the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools, and in 1860 he and his brother Daniel purchased the homestead, which they subsequently divided. John was married to Hannah E., daughter of Charles Glass, of Brady township, and to this union have been born eight children, seven of whom are living Charles; Wilson; Mary C.; Sadie, wife of Robert Bear; Henry C.; William, and Watson. Mr. Baysore is a Democrat in politics and has served as a mem-ber of the school board. He is a member of the Lutheran church and has been elder and deacon of the same, and also belongs to the P. of H.

PETER BUCK was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and was a son of Peter Buck, a native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Black Hole valley, Clinton county, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, where he cleared a farm and died about 1855. His children were Peter; John; Susan, who married Jacob Heverly; Catherine, and Mrs. Samuel Eyre. About the year 1835 our subject settled in Washington township, Lycoming county, where he purchased 120 acres of land. He cleared the same, and lived thereon until his death, in 1877. He was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Lutheran church, and helped to build the old Stone church. He served as elder, deacon, and trustee in that organization. He married Sarah Bauey, a native of Berks. county, Pennsylvania, and to this union were born the following children John; William; Peter; Daniel; Margaret, wife of A. Keefer; Lydia, wife of Josiah Serles; Sarah, wife of William Bredering, and Susan, wife of Stephen Fry. Mrs. Buck died in 1881.

PETER BUCK, JR., son Of Peter Buck, and grandson of Peter Buck, Sr., was born in 1847, in Washington township. He was educated in the public schools and reared on the old homestead. About the time of the death of his father he purchased his present farm, and is engaged in farming and burning lime. He has two lime-kilns, from which he produces about 2,000 bushels a year. Mr. Buck was married to Mary E daughter of John Hoffman, of Brady township, and to them have been born six children: John; Otto; Charles; Cora; Annie M., and Blanche. Mr. Buck is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Lutheran church, and belongs to Elims-port Council, O. U. A. M.

JACOB BOWER was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1796, son of Michael Bower, a native of Germany, who settled in Berks county at an early day. Jacob lived in his native county until 1839, when he settled in Washington township; Lycoming county. There he purchased what is now the Koch farm of 115 acres. This he cleared and lived upon until his death in 1850. He married Mary Zimmerman, who died in Berks county in 1832, and was the mother of the following children: Benneville; Hettie, who married Abel White, and died in Michigan, and Sarah, who was twice married, first to William Oaks, and secondly to Jacob Henning. Jacob Bower was a Lutheran, and a member of the Old School Lutheran church, in which he was a deacon. He was a Democrat in politics. Benneville, his Only son by the first marriage, was born in 1818, in Berks, county, and came with his father to Lycoming county. In 1848 he settled upon a farm where William Deitrick now lives, which he rented for eleven years. He then purchased his present farm, which he has cleared and improved. He is a Democrat in politics, has filled some of the township offices, and belongs to the Lutheran church. He was married in 1847 to Susan, daughter of Jacob Kocher, of White Doer valley, and to this union were born eleven children, eight of whom grew to maturity: Albert, deceased; Jacob; Lucy; Wilson; Henry; Pierce; Levi, and Susan M., wife of George Kitchen. Jacob Bower married for his second wife Eliza Harner, by whom he had eleven children: Joseph; Mahlon; Catherine; Harriet; Harrison; Jacob; Richard J.; Mary; Rachel; Emma, and Maggie.

RICHARD J. BOWER, the sixth son of Jacob Bower, was born September 22, 1842. He was educated in the common schools and worked on a farm until he was eighteen years old. He then learned the trade of miller with William Trump, which he followed for twelve years, operating mills for various persons. In 1873 he purchased his farm of eighty-three acres and has since followed farming. He was married to Louisa S., daughter of David Ramsey, of Union county, and to this union have been born three children: Annie J.; John S., deceased, and Harry C. Mr. Bower is a Democrat in politics and has served as school director for eleven years. He is a member of Elimsport Council, No. 232, O. U. A. M., and Washington Alliance. In his religious views he is an Old School Lutheran.

JACOB BAKER, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born in 1812, a son of Joseph Baker, settled at Alvira, Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. He was a blacksmith by trade and established the first business of that kind at that place, which he carried on for twenty-eight years. He also purchased the farm on which he now resides. He married Dinah Rotharmel, and to this union were born the following children: Maria, wife of Rev. S. E. Davis; Sophia; Keziah, wife of Francis Fegley; Joel; Jacob; Ella; Henry C., and Charlotte, wife of J. H. Clarke. Mr. Baker is a Republican, and a member of the Evangelical church.

JOEL BAKER, the oldest son of Jacob Baker, was born, April 2, 1846, in Alvira Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools and at New Berlin Seminary. He learned the blacksmith trade and carried on the business at Alvira for three years. After farming for nine years in Union county, he located on Red run, along the road from Alvira to Williamsport, where he carried on the blacksmith business for seven years. He then purchased his present farm and established the blacksmith business which he now conducts. He has always taken an active interest in the schools of his neighborhood, and has served as school director. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of Elimsport Camp, No. 463, P. O. S. of A He was married in 1871 to Sarah C., daughter of Nathaniel Yoder, of New Berlin, and to this union have been born eight children: George H., deceased; Willis Y.; Mary E., deceased; Jacob N.; Annie D.; Emma C.; Joel R., and Sarah R.

FREDERICK YARISON was born in Mecklenburg, Prussia, in 1819 and emigrated to America in 1852. He first settled in Anthony township, Lycoming county, where he worked one year for Jacob Smole. He then purchased 100 acres of land in Washington township, to which he has added 300 acres, and cleared and improved them. He married in Prussia Mary Ahrent, by whom he has the following children: Charles; Frederick, deceased; Frederica, who married Henry Greenawalt; William; Jonathan and John, deceased, who were twins; George, now living in Texas; Elizabeth, deceased; Jacob; Catharine, who married William Greenawalt and resides at Williamsport; Caroline, who married Albert Douby, and resides near Elimsport, and Lewis, who is at home with his father. Mr. Yarison is a Democrat in politics, and is a member and elder in the Mount Union Lutheran church.

CHARLES F. YARISON, the eldest son of Frederick Yarison, was born in Prussia in 1842. He was educated in the public schools of his native country, and worked for various farmers until he was nineteen years old. He then took employment in saw mills for different companies for fourteen years, after which he engaged in farming. He purchased several small places until 1874, when he bought his present farm of eighty acres, upon which he erected his buildings. He was married to Catherine, daughter of George Swartz, of Union county, and to them have been born three children: Maggie, wife of Charles Bair; M. Luther, a teacher, and Abbie T. Mr. Yarison has filled the offices of overseer of the poor, school director, and supervisor. He is a member of the P. of H., the Washington Alliance, and belongs to the Lutheran church, in which he has been deacon and elder.

JOHN P. HAGENBUCH, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1812 and about 1839 he settled in Delaware township, Northumberland county, where he engaged in the hotel business for three years. He then located in Allenwood, Union county, where he kept hotel for eighteen years. From there he removed to the farm in Washington township, where J. B. Kitchen now resides. After remaining there for three years: he went to Winchester, Virginia, remaining there for ten years. He again returned to Washington township and settled near Elimsport, where he died in 1801. He filled the office of county auditor, and was a delegate to the national Democratic convention of 1860. He was a prominent member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Hagenbuch was married to Barbara, daughter of Solomon Dentler, and to this union were born seven children: Solomon, who was killed before Petersburg, June 7, 1864, and was a member of Company H, Fifty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers; William, deceased; Samuel, who served in Company D, Seventh, Pennsylvania Cavalry; Jacob F.; George E.; Henry E. and John. Mrs. Hagenbuch died in December, 1890.

GEORGE E. HAGENBUCH, the fifth son of John P. and Barbara (Dentler) Hagenbuch, was born December 27, 1849, in Delaware township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was reared at Allenwood and educated in the common schools. In 1872 he located on his present farm, where he has ever since been engaged in farming. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken a deep interest in the schools of his neighborhood, having served as director for nine years. He is a member of Elimsport Council, No. 132, O. U. A. M., the Washington Alliance, and the Lutheran church. He was married December 21, 1871, to Rebecca, daughter of Jacob Gartner, who died, in June, 1889, leaving three children: Frank; William, and Grace. November 26, 1894, he was again married, to Hettie, daughter of J. B. Kitchen.

HENRY E. HAGENBUCH, son of John P. Hagenbuch, was born, August 13, 1857, in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools, and reared upon a farm. At the age of fifteen years he removed with his father to Virginia, where he was engaged in farming for six years. He then settled near Washington, D. C., and was engaged in trucking. In 1878 he returned to Washington township, where he followed farming with his brother, George E., for two years. After farming for one year in Iowa he returned to Lycoming county and. farmed in different places until the spring of 1892, when he purchased his present place, known as the John Hoffman farm, of 114 acres, where he now resides. He was married in 1886 to Martha, daughter of John and Caroline Best, of, Brady township. To this union have been born two children: Mary E. and Harry H. Mr. Hagenbuch is a Democrat in politics, and has served as auditor for three years and school director three years. He is a member of Elimsport Council, O. U. A. M., the Washington Alliance, and belongs to Zion Lutheran church.

PETER DE WALL was born in 1818, and emigrated to the United States about the year 1823, settling, in Schuylkill county, where he was employed as a miner for several years. He subsequently bought a farm in Nippenose valley where he lived for some time, and in 1870 he bought a farm of eighty acres in Washington township, where his son Peter now resides, upon which he lived until he retired from active, business. He settled finally in Allenwood, where he died. He was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church. He married Catherine Woatman, of Centralia, Pennsylvania, and to them were born eight children: Mary, wife of E. Kurt; Sarah, deceased wife of O. Bropst; Crissy, wife of Fred Binger; William; Edward; Jennie; Peter P., and George.

PETER P. DE WALL, farmer, son of Peter and Catherine (Woatman) De Wall, was born March 12, 1868, in Nippenose township. He was educated in the schools of Washington township. At, the age of eighteen he located in Kansas City, where he was employed by J. D. Clapp as . a clerk, and subsequently by Garrett Keith & Company, with whom he remained five years. He then returned to the homestead and took charge of the farm, where he has remained ever since. He was married in 1890 to Annie, daughter of William Everett, of Union county. In politics: he is a Republican and belongs to the Reformed church.

THOMAS G. BUBB, son of Thomas L. and Sarah (Scott) Bubb, was born December 27, 1863. He was reared in Fairfield and Susquehanna townships and educated in the common schools. In 1886 he settled upon his present place and is cultivating 142 acres. He was married to Mary, daughter of G. F. Brown of Susquehanna township, and to this union have been born three children: Bertie; Flora, and Edwin. He is a Republican in politics, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

GEORGE CRANE was one of the pioneer settlers of Lycoming county. He was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, who immigrated to Pennsylvania and located on the Quiggle farm, on the south bank of the Susquehanna river, in what is now Wayne township, Clinton county, where he married Catherine Quiggle, a daughter of the gentleman with whom he lived. He afterwards purchased a farm of 300 acres in Nippenose township, Lycoming county, and moved into a log cabin which stood close to the river bank, where he resided until he built the stone house still occupied by his grandson, M. Q. Crane. Here he spent the remaining years of his life, and died December 25, 1819. He was buried in the old graveyard on the farm of Samuel Stewart, which joins the tract upon which he settled. To George and Catherine Crane were born two sons and two daughters: Michael, who married Maria Crownover, and inherited and settled on the upper part of the farm, but subsequently removed to the vicinity of Burlington, Illinois, where many of his descendants still live; George, who took possession of the old homestead; Maria, and Nancy. Mr. Crane was a Presbyterian, and one of the rugged, fearless pioneers of the West Branch valley.

GEORGE CRANE, youngest son of George and Catherine (Quiggle) Crane, was born on the Quiggle plantation, in Wayne township, Clinton county, June 2, 1792. He was reared in Lycoming county, and attended the primitive pioneer schools of the Nippenose valley. He assisted in clearing up the homestead farm in Nippenose township, but finally becoming tired of farm life he began clerking in the store of George Bressler, at Eagle Mills, with whom he remained several years. On the 22d of February, 1816, he married Christiana, daughter of Robert Crownover, the celebrated Indian scout and veteran of the Revolution, and soon, after removed to Liberty, where they lived three years. On the death of his father he returned to the old homestead, settled up the estate, and resided thereon the balance of his life. For several years he stored wheat in his grain house for the farmers and ran boats upon the river, in partnership with his brother Michael, carrying the, grain and produce of his neighbors to market, and bringing back groceries and provisions for the merchants residing along the river. He finally purchased his brother’s interest and also his farm, and thus became the owner of the whole of the original tract owned by his father. Eight children were. born to him, as follows: Catherine, deceased wife of William C. Sanderson; Robert, deceased, who married Elizabeth M. Strickler; Mercy K., wife of J. J. Sanderson; George W., who married Emma A. Gouter; Creacie A., deceased wife of J. M. Strickler; Michael Q., who married Hannah C. Bailey; Richard M., who died young, and James V., deceased, who married Frances O. Bailey. Mrs. Crane died in 1849, and her husband subsequently removed to Jersey Shore where he died November 26, 1865.

Mr. Crane was one of the progressive, enterprising men of his time. He was a contractor in the construction of the West Branch canal, and furnished the stone and cement for a portion of that work, erecting five kilns for the manufacture of cement. After the completion of the canal he was appointed by Governor Wolf superintendent and supervisor from Bellefonte to Northumberland, which position he filled fifteen years. He took great interest in public affairs, and was a firm friend Of the public schools. He served as school director for several years, and also filled many other local offices. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, and one of the pioneers of that denomination in Nippenose valley. He gave liberally towards the erection of the Presbyterian church in Jersey Shore, and was one of its trustees for many years. Politically he was a Democrat, and a local leader in his party.

MICHAEL Q. CRANE, third son of George and Christiana Crane, was born upon the old homestead in Nippenose township, February 7, 1823. He attended school until he was seventeen years old, and then began Working on his father’s boat, and is today the oldest pilot on the river. He has made the navigation of the West Branch his principal business through life, and has been engaged in piloting in every flood up to 1874. Mr. Crane piloted a raft from the head waters of the West Branch to tide water, a feat never accomplished before or since. At the death of his father he purchased the old homestead, where he has since resided, making the .culture of tobacco a specialty. Mr. Crane was married in 1850, to Hannah C., daughter of Harvey Bailey, and has had a family of five children: Harvey B., of Wisconsin; George, a traveling salesman; Henry C., of Wisconsin; Edward Q., deceased, and Ella, wife of William Wagner of Nippenose township. When the West Branch canal was completed, Mr. Crane ran the first packet boat through it, and continued to run a boat for ten years. He also owned and ran the first boat to Nippono park. Politically he has been a life-long Democrat, and has filled the office of school director, and other minor positions. He is a member of Jersey Shore Presbyterian church, and one of the leading citizens of his township.

WILLIAM WAGNER was born December 31, 1854, son of George and Margaret (Billmyer) Wagner. His paternal grandfather, Michael Wagner, was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Montour county about 1800. He purchased a tract of several hundred acres of ‘land, and resided there until his death, in 1863. He was a member of the German Reformed church. His family consisted of nine children: Betsey; Peter; Daniel; Nathan; Jacob; Mrs. Polly Reynard; George; Rachel, and Abraham, all of whom are dead except Polly, George, and Abraham. George Wagner, the father of our subject, was born in 1817, and lives near Limestoneville, Montour county. He married Margaret Billmyer of Montour county, who bore him four children: William; Martin, deceased; Alice, deceased, and George. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and also attended Selinsgrove Lutheran Seminary, and the Bloomsburg State Normal School. In 1872 he entered the employ of Reighard Brothers of Mifflinburg, and in 1876 he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed three years. He then purchased his present farm’, and is engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. He was married in 1878, to Ella, daughter of Michael Q. Crane of Nippenose township, and has two. children, George C. and Michael Q. Politically he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Presbyterian church of Jersey Shore.

JOHN P. BUBB, farmer, is a son of John and Josephine W. (Bastian) Bubb, natives and old residents of the Nippenose valley, and was born April 15, 1848, in the old brick house near the canal in Pine Creek township, and just inside of the line of Clinton county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of his native township, was reared on a farm, and has followed farming all of his life Mr. Bubb was married in 1879 to Elmira P., daughter of Alfred and Abigail (Arnold) Caswell of Douglas, Massachusetts. Mrs. Bubb was born in Cheshire county, town of Sarrey, near Keene, New. Hampshire. To this union have been born two children: Edwin C., born January 8, 1882, and Emma L., born September 22, 1886. Mrs. Bubb was reared and educated in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to which place her parents removed when she was quite young. Mr. Bubb is a stanch Republican and one of, the representative citizens of Nippenose township.

G. P. SMITH, farmer, was born January 12, 1832 at Pelham, Massachusetts, son of David and Maria (Cook) Smith. It an early age his father died, and he was reared by an uncle named Smith, of Orange county, New York, His early education was received there, and at the age of sixteen he returned to Massachusetts, entered Amherst Academy, and completed his education. He afterwards taught school for a short time, and then entered the employ of Sidney Dillon, contractor on the New Jersey Central railroad, as a clerk. Later he was employed by the same party in constructing the B., H. & E. railroad. In 1854 he came to Lycoming county as a clerk in the construction of a division of the Philadelphia and Erie, railroad. He subsequently built five miles of the same road at St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania, and after completing the same he took contracts upon the New Jersey Central, afterwards building the New York and Long Branch railroad, also the High-Bridge division of the New Jersey Central. In 1876 Mr. Smith returned to Lycoming county and settled upon his present farm in Nippenose township, where he is engaged in cultivating about 200 acres. He was married in April, 1856, to Kate, daughter of George Myers. She died in 1873, the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Smith was again married, to Mary E., daughter of Marcus Morton, of Leverett, Massachusetts, to which union have been born two, daughters Olivia, and Mary E. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has filled the offices of school director and assessor for his township. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church of Jersey Shore.

H. C. HALFPENNY, woolen manufacturer, was born in Laurelton, Union county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1843, and was one of a family of six children, born to H. S. and Julia Ann (Buck) Halfpenny. His parents were both born in Lycoming county, and his father is now residing in Lewisburg, in his eighty-eighth year; his mother is dead, and is buried in Laurelton cemetery. Five of their children are still living: Celestia D., widow of DeWitt Kennedy; Agnes B., who married Samuel. Ruhl; H. C.; Jane D., who married Robert Watson, and William, a conductor on the, Pennsylvania railroad, who reside in Harrisburg. Mr. Halfpenny received a good common school education, and after leaving school he taught for several winters in, Union county, working in the woolen mill daring the summer time. On his twenty first birthday, he enlisted in Battery F, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, which belonged to the Army of the Potomac, a ad was sent to the front and took part at once in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor. This was one of the first commands that arrived at Petersburg, Virginia, in June, 1864, and participated in both the charge on the fortifications and siege of that city, remaining in the breast works in front of Petersburg until the final surrender. He was afterwards appointed chief clerk in the Commissary Department of issues to destitute citizens of the city of Petersburg, Virginia, and vicinity, which position he filled until the regiment was mustered out of the service at City Point, Virginia, January 29, 1865. He was finally discharged at Camp Cadwallader, and returned to Union county, where he assumed his former occupation. He removed to Lewisburg in 1865, and still continued in the woolen manufacturing business. From there he removed to the Larry’s Creek Woolen Mills, then operated by Auble & Artman, where he had charge of the carding, spinning, and weaving departments, remaining there for two years, and then removed to the Nippenose Woolen Mills, taking the position of overseer of the carding and spinning departments of this institution. In 1882 he removed to Bloomsburg, where he was connected with the building and operating of the Bloomsburg Woolen Mill, which was at that time run exclusively on the manufacture of ladies all-wool fancy dress goods. After remaining five years in Bloomsburg, he sold out his interest in that mill and returned to the Nippenose Woolen Mills, where he formed the co-partnership of Halfpenny, Campbell &, Company, Limited, which existed up to April 1, 1892, when Mr. Halfpenny took possession of the mills on his own account. He was married in Mifflinburg, Union county, in 1866, to Carrie D., daughter of Jacob and Anna Mary Deckard, of Mifflinburg, and to this union have been born two children: Grant D., born June 18, 1867, and Lee Roy, who died in infancy., Mr. Halfpenny is a Republican in politics, and one of the enterprising citizens of his township.

GEORGE L. BAILEY, merchant, son of Jacob and Savilla (Hess) Bailey, natives of Washington township, Lycoming county, and of German extraction, was born in Washington township, April 8, 1852. His father died October 8, 1878, and his mother still resides in Elimsport. During his early life he had the advantage of a public school education, and was reared and worked upon the farm until 1883. In 1884 he went into the mercantile business, purchasing the good will and stock of goods of John Griggs. The firm name for three years was G. L. Bailey & Company, which was changed in the spring of 1887 to Bailey & Oakes, and in 1889 to Bailey Brothers, his brother having purchased Mr. Oakes’s interest. No other change have been made in the firm to the present time, and their business consists of a general line of merchandise. Mr. Bailey is a Democrat, and in 1890 he was elected a justice of the peace for a term of five years. In 1874 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Martha Dunbar, of Lycoming county, to which union have been born five children, all of whom are living: Samuel D., born March 24,1876; Jacob Augustus, May 10, 1878; John Ralph, February 11, 1881; Carrie Emma, September 6, 1883, and Martha Oakes, October 3,1888. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members of the Evangelical church.

NAPOLEON BRASHA was born on a farm in St. Charles, near the St. Lawrence river, Canada, in 1849, one of the sons of Joseph and Janevie (Theberge) Brasha. He was educated in La Vale College, Quebec, from which he was graduated in 1866. Returning to his former home he resided with his parents until the year 1869. Being then twenty years of age, and feeling himself competent to embark on the voyage of life, he left his native land and came to the United States, landing at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and he followed various occupations in different. States until the year 1878. By this time he had become sufficiently acquainted with the English language to engage in the mercantile business and finally settled at Antes Fort, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he has ever since been a wholesale and retail dealer in grain and coal. In 1887, in addition to his already established business, he erected a flouring mill with all the modern improvements, of which he is now the proprietor and operator. He was married in 1880 to Amma, daughter of William McKeage. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: William; Nellie; Roy; Laura; Clara, and Lilie. Mr. Brasha is; one of the present school directors of his township, and in politics is a Republican.

JAMES GAMBLE, farmer, was born in 1820, on Pine creek, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, son of John and Sarah (Blackwell) Gamble. He received his education in the common schools, and after arriving at manhood he commenced farming on the John Stewart farm, where he remained until he took charge of the farm belonging to Mrs. John A. Gamble, upon which he has ever since remained. He was, married in 1848, to Rebecca, daughter of Andrew Gamble, and to this union have been born eight children: Elizabeth; Sadie; Orange E.; Jacob; Oliver; George Mary, and William. Mr. Gamble is a Democrat, and has filled some of the minor offices of his township.

JOHN A. BOBST is a son of Jacob and Morey A. (Lundy) Bobst, and was born October 27, 1841, in Mifflin township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. His father was born October 30, 1810, and died December 11, 1865; his mother was born August 17, 1822, and died October 13, 1862. He received a common school education, and was brought up at farm labor, and has always followed that occupation. In 1863 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, was with the Army of the Potomac from the battles of the Wilderness until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Elmira, New York, June 24, 1865, and discharged at Harrisburg. Returning home he resumed farming, which he has since followed. June 13, 1867, he was married to Deborah E., daughter of Abraham and Margaret Stout, of Mifflin township, and to this union have been born three children, all of whom are living: Amasa K., born February 14, 1869; Torrence E., April 20, 1872, and Charles Edward, July 8, 1875. Mr. Bobst is a Republican in politics, belongs to the G. A. R., and he and wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOSEPH ECK, a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, married Mary Bower, also, a native of that county, and in April, 1838, they settled in Limestone township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where they purchased and cleared a farm and lived, thereon until their death. His father, Joseph Eck, was also a native of Berks, county, where he lived and died, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was a Republican in politics, filled various township offices, and with his wife belonged to the Immaculate Conception Catholic church. They were the parents of ten sons and four daughters, seven of whom are living: Nathan; Joel; William; James; Augustus; Lorenzo, and Leah, who married Cyrus Swoyer.

JOEL ECK, farmer, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1819, son of Joseph and Mary (Bower) Eck. He received a common school education in his native county, and came with his parents to Lycoming county when he was eighteen years old. He was married, March 29, 1845, to Margaret, daughter of Anthony Swoyer, and soon after purchased a tract of land in Limestone township, which he cleared and has lived upon ever since. He is a Republican in politics, has served as supervisor of Limestone township for eleven years, overseer of the poor for six years, school director for six years, and was elected constable of the township, but refused to serve. He is the father of twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Mary Ann, who married Samuel Beck; William Ambrose; Augustus; Anthony; George Washington; William Henry; Franklin E.; Carrie, who married William Springman; Kate Alice; Margaret, who married Charles Moore, and Joel N. Mr. and Mrs. Eck are members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church of Bastress township.

LAWRENCE and MARY (DIETRICK) EISWERT were natives of Germany, who settled in Limestone township, Lycoming county, in 1840, and engaged in farming. They, reared a family of nine children, the following eight of whom are living: L. E., and Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Kreutzberger, both of Williamsport; Peter J.; Catharine, wife of Jacob Paul, of Williamsport; Lena, wife of John Engler, of Limestone township; Barbara, wife of William A. Eck, of Limestone township; Mary, wife of Jacob Ritter, of Williamsport, and George, of Limestone township. Mrs. Eiswert died, July 22, 1882; her husband survived until October 6, 1888. He was a Democrat in politics, and one of the industrious farmers of his locality. Both he and wife were life-long members of the Catholic church, in which faith they lived and died.

PETER J. EISWERT, county commissioner, was born in Limestone township, Lycoming county, May 28, 1845, and is a son of Lawrence and Mary Eiswert. He was reared in his native township, and received a public school education, and engaged in farming and lumbering. Mr. Eiswert is a stanch Democrat. He served as assessor of Bastress township for five years, and afterwards as auditor. He was elected jury commissioner in 1879, and served three years. In 1887 he was a candidate for county commissioner, but was defeated for the nomination. In 1890 he was nominated and elected to that office by a very large majority, and is now a member of the board. Mr. Eiswert was married, November 11, 1871, to Johanna, daughter of Joseph Miller, of Bastress township, and is the father of ten children, as follows: Carrie; William; Catharine; Frank; Joseph; Frederick; John; Samuel; Edward, and Ellen. The whole family are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Eiswert has been engaged in fruit farming for several years in Bastress township, and has found it congenial and profitable.

JOHN ENGLER is one Of the best known business men of the Nippenose valley. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany(then belonging to France), February 26, 1841, and is a son of John and Margaret (Haumm) Engler, natives of the same place. His grandparents, Jacob Engler and wife, spent their entire lives in Alsace Lorraine, where both died at the remarkable ages of one hundred and eighteen years, and one hundred and twelve years, respectively. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1846, and located in Limestone township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where his father, who was a wagon maker, continued that business in con-nection with farming. He purchased and cleared the farm on which George Eiswert now lives, and resided in the township until 1867, when he removed to Minnesota, where he is yet living. John and Margaret Engler were the parents of nine children, as follows: John; Lena; Jacob, of Dakota; Mary, deceased wife of Barney Nuss; Joseph, deceased; Lizzie, deceased wife of Wendel Doll; Anna, wife of Frank Kentz, and two others who died in infancy.

The subject of this sketch was only five years old when his parents settled in the Nippenose valley. He received a common school education, and was reared to habits of rigid industry. Early in life. he entered the lumber business, which he has successfully continued up to the present. He also owns and cultivates a farm of 400 acres near Collomsville, and operates a flour mill and saw mill in that village, besides carrying on a general mercantile business. Mr. Engler was married May 12, 1870, to Lena, daughter of Lawrence Eiswert, and to this union have been born five children: George L.; Maggie A.; Joseph J.; Harry, and Edward, all of whom are living. Politically he is an earnest Democrat, has served as a delegate to State conventions, and in 1892 was. a popular candidate for the legislature and had a large following, but failed to get the nomination because of the late day at which he announced his candidacy. He has served as a school director nine years, and takes a deep interest in the progress of education. Mr. Engler and family are members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church of Bastress, and he is recognized as one of the successful and enterprising citizens of Lycoming county.

REV. JOHN H. LENFERT, pastor of the Church of. the Immaculate Conception, tit Bastress, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, was born near Munster, in the Prussian province of Westfalia, Germany, on the 19th of February, 1831. He was educated at the Munster Academy, and in September, 1862, immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he entered the theological seminary of St. Charles Borromeo. On the 26th of February, 1863, he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Wood of Philadelphia, and the following month was sent as assistant to St. Paul’s church, Reading, Pennsylvania; He. was appointed to the, pastorate of the congregation at Bastress, Lycoming county, June 21, 1863, and for nearly, thirty years he has devoted his life to the spiritual and temporal welfare of that parish. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is the oldest Catholic congregation in Lycoming county. On the 14th of April 1838, Rev., Nicholas Steinbacher, a Jesuit missionary, purchased of Clement. S. Miller a tract of land called "Stanhope," containing 414¼ acres, for the sum of $250. Upon this land he soon after erected a small two story church, the lower story being stone and the upper one frame, and, gathering together the Catholic families scattered throughout the Nippenose valley, he organized the first Catholic parish in the county. He also opened a parochial school in the lower story, of the little building, which he conducted several years. These facts becoming known, a part of the tide of Catholic emigration from Germany and the older counties of Pennsylvania flowed into the Nippenose valley, from year to year, until the parish contained over 150 families. Father Steinbacher came to the valley with the intention of founding a college of the Society of Jesus, and some five years after the erection of the first church, he built another small stone structure, intending it for a, part of a grand church building, which, he had in contemplation when his plans were fully matured. His dream, however, came to naught, and this second building was used by his successors until the erection of the present church in 1859. Of his successors Rev. Antonius M. Grundtner, a native of Tyrol, Austria, and Rev. Joseph Hamm, of Baden, Germany, are especially worthy of mention. The latter erected the present church, which is a substantial stone building, with an interior 45x90 feet in size, and served the congregation faithfully for many years.

Father Lenfert succeeded Father Hamm in June, 1863, and under his kind and judicious management much good has been accomplished, and peace, goodwill, and harmony have attended all his efforts. In 1 872 he built a fine parochial residence, prior to which the first church was used for a dwelling. In 1875 he erected a substantial convent and school building, using the material of the second stone. church in a part of the structure. He established a parochial school, presided over by the Sisters of Christian Charity, which has ever since been carried on successfully. In 1883 he purchased and laid out an addition to the cemetery, and has also beautified the interior of the church. Though emigration to the West has reduced the membership to about 100 families, the Immaculate Conception is still one of the flourishing country congregations of the diocese. During Father Lenfert’s pastorate he had charge of St. Bonifacius church of Williamsport, from October, 1865, until 1869; he also visited Jersey Shore occasionally, and did other missionary work outside of Ls parish. His fatherly care and kindness have endeared him to his flock, who reverence him as their spiritual guide and comforter.

DANIEL DOUGHERTY, son of Charles Dougherty, was born July 23, 1803, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His father immigrated from Ireland to America at an early day, and located in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death. He was the father of two children: Susan, who married Philip Wert, of Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and Daniel. The latter removed from his native county to Snyder county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for fifteen years, and in 1837 he came to Limestone township, Lycoming county. He was a blacksmith, and followed his trade in connection with farming. Mr. Dougherty married Elizabeth Brant, who was born October 14, 1803, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county about the year 1825. To this union were born thirteen children: Magdalena, who married Michael Smith; Joseph, a United Brethren minister of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania; Catherine, deceased; David; Elizabeth, deceased, who married Jonas Auker; Fannie, who married Augustus Eck; Henry B., deceased; John; Daniel; Abram: Susannah, who married Isaac Auker, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Dougherty died March 8, 1869, followed by his widow, April 14, 1870.,

HENRY B. DOUGHERTY was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Brant) Dougherty. He was educated in the common schools, and learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for eighteen years. He then began the lumber business, which he continued up to his death, March 23, 1892. He filled several of the township offices, and came within two votes of being nominated county commissioner by the Republican party, of which organization he was an ardent supporter. He was married August 8, 1861, to Susannah Hoffman, and to this union were born five children: Edward, who is a school teacher and married to Jona A. Blattenburger, by whom he has one child, George B.; Kirk M., who married Alma Righter, and has one child, Calvin; William A.; Eleanor, deceased, and Jeanetta G., wife of William A. Myers, who has one child, Jesse A. Mr. Dougherty was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination his widow belongs.

PETER J. DENWORTH was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1805, and came to the United States in 1824, when about eighteen years of age. His family were farmers, and the Denworths had resided in County Limerick for many generations. After coming to this country he found employment in the construction of railroads, and was afterwards engaged as a contractor upon the public works of Pennsylvania, with Philadelphia as his permanent home. Through ill health, caused by exposure, he was advised by his physician to seek a home in the country, and he removed with his family from Philadelphia to Limestone township, Lycoming county, in April, 1850, where he died, May 21, 1852. His wife was Mary S. Sheppard, a native of Scotland. who bore him three sons, as follows: James B.; Hugh, and Peter S. The whole family are now residents of Williamsport. The two eldest went into the Union army, and served from 1861 until shot out or mustered out at the close of the war. Both exhibited the true soldier’s instinct, and displayed that fearless courage and tenacity of purpose characteristic of the race from which they sprung.

HUGH DENWORTH, second son of Peter J. Denworth, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1846, and resides in Nippenose valley, engaged in mercantile pursuits, lumbering, and farming, and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the valley. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Company D, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and although a more stripling he soon exhibited those essential. qualities that make up the ideal American soldier pluck and pride, and a high sense of honor that characterizes the true patriot. He was a born soldier, with all of the true instincts of a chivalrous race. He was shot almost to death at the opening of the Second Battle of Bull Run, August 20, 1862, from which he has never fully recovered. For a man in his disabled condition he has made a creditable business record and a commendable success. He is a Republican, and a stanch advocate of the measures and principles of that party.

PETER S. DENWORTH, youngest son of Peter J. Denworth, was born in Limestone township, Lycoming county, July 25, 1850. He was educated in the common schools, and engaged in farming for a few years, and then embarked in the mercantile business. After nine years spent in merchandising he returned to the farm, and followed farming and lumbering up to the spring of 1892, when he removed to Williamsport. In 1889 he became a member of the firm of Friedel, Denworth & Company, of Lock Haven, dealers in agricultural implements, which he is still connected. Mr. Denworth was married December 21, 1871, to Rebecca J. Sweir, to, which union have been born six children: Jessie M.; James B.; Hugh H.; Emma M.;. Ruth A., and John W. He is a Republican, and has filled many of the offices in his township. He was mercantile appraiser two terms, school director six years, and overseer of the poor eight years, and also jury commissioner. He is a member of the. Masonic order, and is well and favorably known in the county as a man of honor and integrity.

THOMAS MCMURREN was a native of Ireland, and twice married. In 1829 he. immigrated from Ireland to America with his second wife and their four children, and located on a farm in Limestone township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where the balance of his life was spent.

ANDREW MCMURREN, son of Thomas McMurren, was a farmer, and married Rebecca Martin, and to this union were born three children: Rebecca, deceased; Mary, who married Elim Williamson, and David. Andrew McMurren died in 1874, and his wife in 1858.

DAVID MCMURREN, farmer, was born March 4, 1852, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, son of Andrew and Mary (Williamson) McMurren. He was educated in the common schools, and has followed farming and lumbering all of his business life. He was married to Emma Brown Lee, of Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born two children: Mabel, and Ruth.

WILLIAM WELSHANS, Sr., was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1792. He was a gunsmith by trade, but Spent the most of his life on a farm. He removed from Dauphin to Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and remained there about ten years, and then came to Hall’s Station, Lycoming county, and in 1841 located in Limestone township. He was twice married; his first wife was Elizabeth Griffin, by whom he had seven children: Daniel, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Rebecca; Mary, deceased; Abram; William, and an infant, deceased. His second wife was Margaret Shedunn, and to them. were born ten children: James; Joseph; Charles; Hester; George,. deceased; Henry; Franklin; Martha; Emma J., deceased, and Thomas, deceased. Mr. Welshans died in 1871, at his home in Limestone township, where he had lived thirty years.

WILLIAM WELSHANS, son of William Welshans, Sr., was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1819, and was educated in the common schools. He has followed farming with excellent success since attaining manhood. In 1848 he was married to Mary Phlegar, who died in 1889; to this union were born four children: John, deceased; Catherine; Margaret, and David. Mr. Welshans and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

JOHN COPPES, SR., a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, of German extraction, settled in the Buffalo valley at an early date. He was engaged in the saw mill business and subsequently removed to Muncy, Pennsylvania, where he was also engaged in the milling business. He was married in Berks county, to Catherine Hatt, and to this union were born the following children: Susan; Mark; Nancy; Daniel; Catherine; Rachel; John, and Elizabeth. Mr. Coppes died in Watson township, in 1852. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church.

JOHN COPPES, youngest son of John Coppes, Sr., was born February 25, 1828, in Buffalo valley. He was educated in the common schools and reared on a farm. He worked for various people until 1853, when he rented a farm for twenty-five. years. In 1872 he purchased his present farm of 165 acres, to which he has added, forty acres, and is engaged in general farming and dairying. He is W Democrat in politics, and has filled the offices of supervisor, tax collector, and . school. director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a steward for twenty years. He was married in 1853 to Rachel, daughter of John Bonnell, and to this union have been born five children: William A.; John A.; Isaac M. ; T. B., and Kate, wife of Philip Bluhm.

JOHN BASTIAN was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1797, son of Jacob Bastian, who settled at Newberry, Lycoming county, and was a carder and fuller by trade. He worked with his father for many years, and in 1838 he purchased a farm in Susquehanna township, which he cleared and lived upon until his death, July, 27, 1857. He was an old-line Whig, and served as school director. He was a Baptist in his religious views. Mr. Bastian married Elizabeth Ault, and to this union were born nine children: Samuel; Elizabeth; Joseph; Susanna; Nancy; Harriet; Catharine; Adam, and Sarah Jane. Mrs. Bastian died some years previous to her husband.

JOSEPH BASTIAN, second son of John Bastain, was born September 17, 1829, in Newberry. He was reared in Susquehanna township, and was educated in the common schools. After arriving at manhood he took charge of the homestead farm, and subsequently purchased the same. He is a Republican in politics, and has filled the office of school director, and is a member of the Presbyterian church of Linden. Mr. Bastian was twice married, his first wife being Johanna Tomlinson, by whom he had four children: Sarah A., and Gibson R., both deceased, Elmer; and Joseph. His second wife was Lydia Brion, and to this union were born four children: Mary; Charles; Norman, and Daniel, who died in infancy.

CHAPTER LIII.