History of Northumberland Co., PA - Chapters 46-47



CHAPTER 46 - Pages 1068-1092
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
WATSONTOWN

   SILAS RAMBACH was born in Newport township, Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, February 15, 1813, son of John and Elizabeth Rambach. His
father died, October 17, 1836, and his mother, August 13, 1846. He
engaged in teaching in the common schools of his neighborhood, and
afterward entered the general store of his uncle, Jacob Rambach, first
as clerk, and subsequently becoming the owner of the store. He later
formed a co-partnership with Michael Hess, and opened a store at Newport
Centre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1847. During the
administration of President Polk, a post-office was established at this
point and Mr. Rambach was appointed post-master. He soon afterward sold
his interest in the mercantile business, and directed his attention to
the management of his farm, which was situated in the immediate
vicinity. In 1854 he decided to enter politics, and presented his name
to the Luzerne county Democratic convention for nomination to the office
of county commissioner. His friends did not indorse him for that office,
but the convention voluntarily nominated him for the office of county
treasurer. He was elected by a large majority, and made for himself an
enviable reputation as a business man and financier. In the spring of
1859 he removed with his family from Luzerne county to Delaware
township, Northumberland county, having purchased the Frederick Fox
farm, which now forms the northern boundary line of the borough of
Watsontown. Here he resided until the village of Watsontown commenced to
assume the proportions of a modern town, when he erected for himself a
commodious brick mansion, where he resided until his death. At the
erection of the first church edifice in Watsontown, St. Bartholomew's
Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed, he was the chairman of the
building committee, and the treasurer. He declined to serve longer as an
elder, but served as trustee and treasurer until his decease. He was one
of the corporators and managers, as well as the secretary and treasurer,
of the Watsontown Cemetery Association, a member of the Watsontown town
council, and borough treasurer a number of years. He took an active
part in the organization and placing upon a good business basis of many
things pertaining to the town. At the organization of the Watsontown
Bank, he at once became identified with its interests, solicited for
stock, became a member of the board of directors, and was the vice-
president, and he succeeded Ario Pardee in the presidency after the
institution was made a national bank. He was also for many years a
director and treasurer of the Watsontown Building Association. July 14,
1834, he married Sarah Fenstermacher, of Salem township, Luzerne county,
and to this union were born three children: Emily, who married George
W. Hess, of Watsontown, and died June 19, 1878; George W., cashier of
the Watsontown National Bank, and John W., of Milton. He was a man of
sterling integrity, and of most excellent business qualifications, and
maintained the respect and confidence of the entire community. He died,
September 8, 1881. His wife was a consistent member of Trinity Reformed
church of Watsontown, and contributed very generously to the erection of
the new church edifice built several years ago. She also presented the
bell hanging in the tower, which is engraved with the name of the
congregation, the date of the presentation, and the name of the donor.
She died, May 16, 1887, aged seventy-seven years and ten months. The
portrait of Mr. Rambach which appears in this work, was inserted by his
son John W., of Milton, as a final tribute to the memory of his father.

   GEORGE W. ROMBACH, (originally Rambach) cashier of the Watsontown
National Bank, is a son of the late Silas Rambach, and was born in
Newport township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of February,
1840. He was educated in the public schools and at Wyoming Seminary,
Kingston, Pennsylvania, and soon after the completion of his education,
his parents left Luzerne county and located on a farm in Delaware
township, Northumberland county, adjoining the borough of Watsontown.
Mr. Rombach followed farming until the year 1873, when he accepted a
position, first as a clerk, and subsequently as teller in the Watsontown
Bank. In the fall of 1876, he was chosen cashier, which position he has
filled up to the present. He is a member and one of the trustees of the
First Lutheran church of Watsontown, was the chairman of the building
committee of the substantial new edifice erected by that church, and was
one of the many contributors to the building fund. He is also a member
of Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A.M., has been a member of the town
council, and is at this time treasurer of the White Deer Bridge Company,
and secretary and treasurer of the Watsontown Cemetery Association. On
the 27th of September, 1864, he was married to S. Kate Lantz, only
daughter of Simon and Harriet Lantz of Watsontown. To this union have
been born three children: Hattie N.; De La. G., and Howard W.

   PHILIP SHAY was born in Pittston, Kennebec county, Maine, in 1813. His
parents were Michael and Anna Shay, who both died in the year 1821, after
which the subject of this sketch went to reside with a married sister,
Mary, the wife of Abiathar Field, at Brookline, near Boston. Soon
thereafter Mr. Field removed to Baltimore, where as a young man, Mr. Shay
assisted his brother-in-law in the establishment and management of one of
the pioneer oyster packing houses of the Monumental City. It was in the
interest of this business that Mr. Shay located in Northumberland,
Pennsylvania, where he opened a depot for the distribution of this, then,
comparatively unknown bivalve to the citizens of the West and North
Branches of the Susquehanna. While a resident of Northumberland he
became connected with the packet company, and by reason of it was known
by his many friends along the route as Captain Shay. In 1854 he left
Northumberland and located in Muncy, Lycoming county, where he engaged
extensively in the mercantile and lumber business; soon after this time,
but for one year, however, he resided in Hughesville, in the same county,
at the end of the term returning to Muncy, where he continued his
mercantile and lumber operations, and in the great flood of 1865, he was
one of the heavy losers. During the civil war, Mr. Shay was one of the
directors of the old Northumberland Bank, of which Joseph Priestley was
the cashier, and John Taggart and John B. Packer were in turn the
president. General Simon Cameron, Samuel T. Brown of Milton, and other
leading citizens of this part of the State were his associates as members
of the board. In 1868 he removed from Muncy to Watsontown, and at once
became one of the leading merchants and citizens of the new borough, and
was identified in many interests pertaining to the early growth and
establishment of the town. In 1871 he was elected chief burgess and for a
number of years he served as a member of the school board. He was one of
the corporators and a charter member of the Watsontown Bank (now the
Watsontown National Bank) and soon after its establishment he was
appointed to the office of notary public by Governor Geary, and at the
expiration of his term, he was re-appointed by Governor Hartranft. He was
also one of the corporators and influential members of the First
Presbyterian church of Watsontown, and served many years as one of the
trustees. In 1868 he was appointed postmaster of Watsontown, and
commissioned by Alexander W. Randall, postmaster general. He held the
office under this commission only a short time, but eleven years
afterwards he was again appointed, and held the office during several
administrations to the date of his death, his last commission being under
the hand of President Arthur.
   Mr. Shay was married three times; first, in 1851 at Northumberland
to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Samuel H. Wallis, (son of the pioneer
Samuel Wallis); Mrs. Shay died in 1853, and left to survive her an only
son, William Field Shay. Mr. Shay was next married on the 22d of
November, 1855, at Muncy to Priscilla Minerva Llewellyn. By this union
there were four children: Charles P.; Edward E.; Mary V., and Priscilla
L. The wife and mother died at Muncy, April 19, 1862. Mr. Shay was again
married, March 9, 1865, to Emma J., daughter of the late Leonard
Stoughton, of Milton. Their children are Frank S. and Emma E. Shay.
Philip Shay took part as a good citizen in many of the affairs of life.
He was a patriot, loved his country, and in all proper ways sought to
advance her interests. In his younger days he was an old line Whig, and a
great admirer of Webster and Clay, having heard them both speak during his
boyhood. He was present at the laying of the corner-stone of the great
Bunker Hill monument by General Lafayette in June, 1825, when Daniel
Webster pronounced the oration to an immense concourse of people, and he
was also present at the dedication of the monument, eighteen years
afterwards, when Webster was again the orator. Mr. Shay was temperate in
all things, and opposed excesses of every kind. He was a moral and
religious man and his neighbors respected him. He loved his family and
his home, and he was a kind and affectionate husband and father. His
death occurred on the 2d of February, 1885, and his remains repose in
the beautiful cemetery at Watsontown. His wife and children survive him.

   WILLIAM FIELD SHAY was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. He is
a son of the late Philip Shay and Mary Elizabeth Shay, nee Wallis, who
was a daughter of Dr. Samuel H. Wallis and Elizabeth Wallis, nee Cowden,
and a granddaughter of Samuel Wallis, the noted pioneer. His paternal
grandparents were Michael and Anna Shay, of Pittston, Kennebec county,
Maine. Some years prior to his majority, the subject of this sketch
entered the law office of Oscar Foust, at Watsontown, who was a leading
member of the Northumberland county bar and an able preceptor. After
three years of hard study and close application he was admitted to the
bar, after a very creditable and satisfactory examination, and soon
thereafter he engaged in practice in Watsontown, where he is still
pursuing his profession. He has been admitted to all the courts of the
neighboring counties, as well as to the Supreme court of Pennsylvania,
and to the district and circuit courts of the United States. He has
given considerable attention to local historical matters, and a number
of leading articles in print are from his pen. He has been closely
identified with leading projects in Watsontown, prominently the building
of the water works, and the securing to the town the terminus of the
Wilkesbarre and Western railway. He has been the solicitor of the road
since its inception, as well as for the Watsontown National Bank and the
borough of Watsontown for many years. In addition to his legal
business, he has for years managed a large and profitable insurance
agency. Masonic matters have received considerable attention at his
hands. He has served both as secretary and worshipful master of
Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, and as secretary and most excellent high
priest of Warrior Run Royal Arch Chapter, No. 246, at Watsontown. He is
also a member of the council, the commandery, and of the A. & A. Rite,
thirty-second degree. He is a member of the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania, and the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter, and in the years
1885-86 he was the grand high priest's deputy for the counties of
Lycoming, Clinton, Elk, Snyder, Union, and a portion of Northumberland.
Mr. Shay is married to M. Alice, the only daughter of Charles Hower, the
leading member of the Snyder county bar.

   KILYAN DUNKEL was born in September, 1805, and was the third son of
Peter Dunkel, who removed from Northampton to Union county, Pennsylvania,
at an early date. Peter Dunkel's family consisted of six sons and five
daughters, Kilyan being the third son. When the latter was about thirty
years of age his father removed with his family to Northumberland county.
In March, 1836, Kilyan Dunkel married Mary, youngest daughter of James
Slote, of this county. She was born, August 9, 1815, and became the mother
of one son, Hiram, now cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of
Watsontown. Her father lived near the Warrior Run church, his farm being
the site of Fort Freeland, until his removal to Michigan with his family
about 1837. His family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. About
one year afterward he returned on a visit to this county, and was taken
sick and died. His interment took place in the Warrior Run graveyard. Mr.
Slote was active in the rebuilding of the old Warrior Run church, and
served on the building committee. Kilyan Dunkel was a farmer all his life,
and for thirty-three years owned and cultivated a farm near Muddy run, in
Turbut township. He was industrious and energetic, a man of strict
integrity and unimpeachable character: The last two years of his life he
resided with his only son, Hiram, in Delaware township, and died, March 2,
1878. He was buried in the cemetery at Paradise church. His widow still
survives, and is spending her declining years with her son and married
grandchildren.

   HIRAM DUNKEL, cashier of the Farmer's National Bank of Watsontown,
was born in Turbut township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, March
30, 1837, and is the only child of Kilyan and Mary (Slote) Dunkel. Up
to the age of thirteen he attended the public schools in winter and
assisted his parents on the farm in summer. He subsequently prosecuted
his studies at the McEwensville Academy until sixteen years of age, when
he began clerking in a store at Milton. After spending eight months as a
clerk, he commenced teaching a school in his native township, and he
continued to teach during the winter sessions and assisted his father on
the farm until January 14, 1858, when he married Christiann, eldest
daughter of Isaac and Julia (Wolf) Frederick. After his marriage he
devoted his whole time to the cultivation of the homestead farm until
the spring of 1872, when he purchased and removed to what was known as
the old Kirk farm, near the Warrior Run church, and continued to
cultivate this farm for several years. In March, 1886, the Farmer's
National Bank at Watsontown was organized, and Mr. Dunkel became
identified with the enterprise, and was chosen as cashier. Although he
had no previous experience in the banking business, he has filled the
position up to the present in a very creditable and satisfactory manner.
In early life he was a member of the German Reformed denomination, but
after removing to Warrior Run he united with the Presbyterian church
there, in which he served as trustee and elder. Since locating in
Watsontown he has been a member of the Presbyterian church in that place,
and is now filling the offices of elder and trustee. Mr. Dunkel has always
been a conservative Democrat, and has never taken an active interest in
politics. He is the father of one son and six daughters: E. K., of Easton,
Pennsylvania; Mary J., wife of K. P. Dateman; Ada L., wife of Ambrose
Fairchild; Sarah S.; Annie L.; Bessie, and Kate G.

   SAMUEL BELL MORGAN, general manager and treasurer of the Pardee Car
and Machine Works, of Watsontown, was born at Northumberland,
Pennsylvania, February 15, 1845, and is a son of Henry and Sarah
(Housel) Morgan, who were born in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland
county, in 1803 and 1811, respectively. His grandfather, John Morgan,
was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, whither the great-grandfather of
our subject removed from Wales while a single man, and where he married
a Miss Bell. John Morgan was a son of that marriage, and on arriving at
maturity he married Mary Burns, of County Tyrone, and about 1795
immigrated with his wife and three children to Pennsylvania, first
settling at McVeytown, Juniata county. Some two years later he removed
to Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county, where the father of
our subject was born and reared. In 1828 Henry Morgan and wife removed
to the town of Northumberland, where both resided until their death, in
1869 and 1890, respectively. They were the parents of eight children,
five of whom are living: Thaddeus G.; Martin Luther; William H.; Celinda
J., wife of John Volp, and Samuel Bell. The deceased are: Hamlet H.;
Mary E., and John Calvin. The last mentioned died in March, 1865, at
Annapolis, Maryland, from sickness contracted in Southern prisons. Four
of the sons served in the Union army in the late Rebellion: Martin
Luther; William H.; Samuel Bell, and John Calvin.
   The subject of this sketch was named after the late Samuel Bell, of
Reading, Pennsylvania, whose father was a brother of his great-
grandmother Bell. He received a common school education in the public
schools of Northumberland, attending only the winter terms from 1859 to
1862. From January, 1862, until July, 1864, he clerked in the
postoffice of his native town. On the latter date he enlisted in the
One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the one
hundred days' service, and at the expiration of his term he re-enlisted
in the Seventy-fourth regiment, and served until August, 1865, when he
was mustered out. In October, 1865, he entered Eastman's Business
College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and on the 23d of December following he
graduated with the highest honors in a class of twenty-three. On the
1st of March, 1866, he accepted the position of book-keeper and clerk in
the general store of W. T. Forsyth, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and
in August, 1868, he was admitted to a partnership in the business. In
1874 he sold his interest to his partner and embarked in the planing
mill business, from which he retired, April 1,1876, by reason of
unsatisfactory results. Mr. Morgan then entered the employ of Cook &
Pardee (later A. Pardee & Son) at Watsontown, May 1, 1876, and the
following June he was appointed manager of the firm's saw mill and match-
stick factory business, which position he filled until the sale of the
plant, May 6,1890. In March, 1882, he was appointed by Ario Pardee, of
Hazelton, Pennsylvania, as agent in charge of his personal and real
estate in Watsontown and vicinity, and in August, 1883, he was appointed
assistant manager of the Pardee Car and Machine Works. Upon the death of
H. F. Snyder, general manager, in November, 1883, Mr. Morgan was elected
by the firm general manager and treasurer, and at the expiration of the
limited partnership, June 1, 1890, when Ario Pardee became sole owner of
the works, he was appointed by that gentleman general manager and
treasurer, which position he still holds. Mr. Morgan was married,
September 18, 1871, to Maggie H., daughter of William and Catherine
(Weimar) Leighow, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania. Three children are
the fruits of this union: Walter W., deceased; Ione M., and Mae; the
last two reside with their parents. Politically Mr. Morgan is a
Democrat, and has served as a school director in Northumberland, and in
the borough council of Watsontown.

   SAMUEL CALDWELL was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1818,
son of James and Nancy (Woods) Caldwell. Robert Caldwell, the grandfather
of our subject, immigrated from Ireland to America about the year 1796 and
located in what is now Montour county (then Northumberland), Pennsylvania.
The eldest son, Samuel, died at Black Rock, while serving in the war of
1812. James Caldwell was born during the voyage across the Atlantic. He
was a farmer, and reared a family of six children: Robert, deceased; John,
deceased; Margaret, widow of John McWilliams; Samuel; James, of New
Jersey, and Dr. L. T., deceased. Samuel Caldwell was educated in the
common schools, and has followed farming all his life. In 1855 he took a
contract on the construction of the Catawissa railroad, and after
completing this he was engaged ten years in the tanning business. He was
one of the charter members of the Watsontown Bank, and was active in
securing stock for the same. He became the first president of this bank
and continued as such four years. In 1884 he was a candidate for the
legislature on the Republican ticket and was defeated by only one hundred
sixty-four votes when the county gave a Democratic majority of over eight
hundred. He was married, February 22, 1844, to Elizabeth A., daughter of
Thomas and Nancy (Butler) Gillen, of Montour county, Pennsylvania, and to
this union have been born nine children: Thomas G., a merchant of
Watsontown; Margaret; Martha A., wife of Ezra Weist, of Fairmount,
Florida; Nora A.; James, who was one of the corps of engineers who
surveyed the Nicaragua canal; Kate; Rhoda; Ida, and Pansy. Mrs. Caldwell
died, March 20,1876, in the faith of the Baptist church. Mr. Caldwell is a
member of the Reformed church, and one of the best known and most
enterprising citizens of Watsontown.

   JACOB KREMER, ex-sheriff and treasurer of Northumberland county,
was born in Albany township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1827,
son of Benjamin and Sarah (Levan) Kremer. The former was a weaver; he
located at Milton in 1829 and thence removed successively to the Stitzel
farm near McEwensville and the De Armond farm near Warrior Run church,
remaining at each place two years in the pursuit of his trade. He
engaged in farming in White Deer valley in 1834, subsequently kept hotel
one year in White Deer township, Union county, and five years later
removed to Allenwood, Union county, where he opened a hotel and
continued at that business the remainder of his life. Jacob Kremer
accompanied his parents to this county, and obtained a common school
education at the different points where they successively resided. After
attaining his majority he embarked in the stock business at Allenwood.
In 1867 he removed to Armstrong township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania,
and thence in 1869 to Williamsport, where he continued in the stock
business and engaged in the raising of thoroughbred horses. In April,
1875, he located at Dewart, Northumberland county, as proprietor of a
hotel, and in 1879 he assumed the proprietorship of the Mansion House at
Watsontown. In 1881 he was the candidate of the Republican party for
sheriff of Northumberland county, but was defeated; he was again
nominated in 1884, and was elected by a majority of two hundred seventy-
four, the first Republican sheriff in this county for a number of years.
In 1887, before the expiration of his term of office, he received the
Republican nomination for county treasurer, and was elected by a
majority of seven hundred sixty-four, his largest gains being at his
home and where he was best known. Three years later (1890) he was again
the Republican candidate for sheriff, but shared in the general reverses
of his party in that year. Mr. Kremer married, January 6, 1854, Julia
A., eldest daughter of Isaac and Jane (Piatt) Allen, of Allenwood, Union
county; of nine children born to them five are now living: Sarah Alice,
wife of Charles G. Pursell, of Jersey City, New Jersey; Allen I. and
Daniel A., proprietors of the Mansion House at Watsontown; Charles L.,
who has served as deputy sheriff and treasurer during his father's
official terms, and Jennie L.

   SAMUEL M. MILLER, retired farmer, was born near Catawissa, Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1820. His father, Henry Miller, was
born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1778, was a farmer, and died in
1860. His mother, Catharine Mastellar, was also born in Berks county in
1779 and died in 1840. Her marriage with Henry Miller gave her twelve
children: George; Henry; Benjamin; Daniel; Samuel M.; John; Susan;
Lydia; Elizabeth; Catharine; Sarah, and Rebecca, all of whom are dead
except Samuel M., John, Sarah, and Rebecca. Our subject was educated in
the public schools, and is a farmer by occupation. He came to this
county in 1864, and in 1871 settled in Watsontown. He has been largely
interested in the tannery business, the car shops, the Watsontown
Furniture and Table Works, the Watsontown Boot and Shoe Company, is a
stockholder in the Watsontown National Bank, and for several years was one
of the proprietors of the Watsontown Record; he is also a director of the
Watsontown Cemetery Association. He was one of the trustees of the Union
church; the first church erected in the town, and was one of the largest
subscribers to the erection of the new Lutheran church, of which he is an
active and consistent member. He is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to
the Masonic order. He has served as school director and in various
township and borough offices. He was married at Catawissa, Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1841, to Emelia Shuman, born at Catawissa
in 1821, and a daughter of Jacob and Barbara Shuman, of Columbia county.
To this union have been born the following children: Hulda, wife of John
Rarick; Barbara, wife of William Seeman; Miranda and Amanda, both
deceased; Francis H., of the firm of Bower & Miller; Emma, deceased;
Charles, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Miller and family are members
of the Lutheran church, and he is one of the old and respected citizens
of the county.

   GEORGE BURNS, retired, was born in Sunbury, Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, June 14, 1814, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Specs) Burns.
His grandfather immigrated to this country from Scotland, and settled in
Union county, Pennsylvania. Peter Burns, his father, was a pilot on the
Susquehanna river. He helped build one of the first public school houses
in the county outside of a borough. This school house was built by four
neighbors; Peter Burns gave the ground, gave and hewed the timber, and
carried the nails and glass for the building from Harrisburg, a distance
of fifty-five miles, on his back. He served in the war of 1812, and was
the father of thirteen children, five of whom are living: Peter, of
Wisconsin; George, of Watsontown; Christian, of Union county; Mary, Mrs.
Jacob Frederick, and Leah, Mrs. William Campbell. The subject of this
sketch was educated in the log school house his father helped build, and
at the age of twenty-one went to the Arctic ocean on a whaling
expedition; he returned in eighteen months and learned the gunsmith
trade. In 1841 he accepted the contract to deliver the stone and timber
for the Shamokin dam. He then built the bridge across the mouth of
Mahanoy creek, after which he went to Indiana and spent nine years in
that State farming and wool growing, after which time he returned to
near the headwaters of Penn's creek, built a saw mill, and ran it
successfully for several years, rafting the products of the mill down
Penn's creek to Selinsgrove, thence down the Susquehanna to the
different markets. In 1862 he removed to Watsontown, and engaged in the
mercantile business. He was one of the stockholders of the tannery and
shoe factory, has served in the town council, and as president of the
Cemetery Association since its organization. Mr. Burns has been married
three times. His first wife was Lucinda McMoody, daughter of John R.
McMoody, of Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania,
and by her he had seven children, three of whom are living: Samuel P., of
Selinsgrove; Lucy A., Mrs. Andrew Hyronimus, and Sarah J., Mrs. Samuel
Winkleman. His second wife was Eliza Quinn, and the third Anna Quinn,
daughters of Michael Quinn, of Union county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Burns has
been a member of the Masonic order since 1832.

   ROBERT BUCK, deceased, was born at New Castle, Delaware, December
14, 1827, son of James and Mary (Thompson) Buck. His father was a native
of Ireland, and died in October, 1869; the mother was a native of
Delaware, and died in 1872. They were the parents of twelve children,
seven of whom are living: David, of Iowa; Margaret, Mrs. Absalom Barben,
of Chester county, Pennsylvania; Mary E.; Samuel, of Renovo,
Pennsylvania; John, of Driftwood, Pennsylvania; James, of Harrisburg,
and William. The subject of this sketch received a common school
education, and engaged in the boot and shoe business at London Grove,
Pennsylvania, and in 1864 embarked in railroading, first as a laborer,
and then took charge of construction. In 1871 he was appointed
supervisor by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and continued in that
position up to his death, January 7, 1890. He was married in 1855 to
Ruth A. John, who died in 1868, leaving three children: Emmaline, Mrs.
H. P. McKee; Mary H., Mrs. Edwin B. Hogue, and Jennie, Mrs. William
Rossel. He was again married in June, 1870, to Elizabeth A. Seiler, of
this county, and to this union has been born one child, Robert M. Mr.
Buck was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Watsontown, also
a member of Watsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & A.M., Warrior Run Chapter,
and Baldwin Commandery, No. 22, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

   SIMPSON SMITH was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 22,
1821, son of Jonathan and Annie (Simpson) Smith, natives of Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject built the first
grist and saw mill erected on Muncy creek, in Lycoming county. Jonathan
Smith, father of our subject, died, April 7, 1854; his wife died,
November 18, 1832. They were the parents of nine children: Hannah;
Sarah; John; George; Barclay; Effie; Mary A.; Thomas, and Simpson, all
deceased but the last two named. The subject of this sketch attended the
public schools, after which he began business life as a farmer and
lumberman. He came to this county in 1867 and located on a farm, and in
1879 removed to Watsontown. At the organization of the Farmers' National
Bank of Watsontown in 1886, he was chosen president, and served in that
position until January 1, 1891. He was married, March 22, 1855, to
Charlotte Opp, of Lycoming county, and to this union have been born four
children: George, a cattle dealer, of Kansas; Allison O., a lawyer of
Clearfield, Pennsylvania; Clara S., wife of Rev. M. A. Denman, of
Schuylersville, New York, and Thomas K., of Watsontown. Mr. Smith was
one of the trustees of the Presbyterian church of Watsontown, of which
he and wife are members.

   SAMUEL DE ARMOND, retired farmer, was born in Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, March 22,1811, son of Samuel and Esther (Wallace) De Armond.
His grandfather emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, from there to America,
and located in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. The De Armond and Wallace
families came from Dauphin county to Northumberland county about 1793, and
settled near the present site of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.
Samuel De Armond was the father of seven children, but two of whom are
living: Thomas and Samuel. He died in 1818, and his widow in January,
1851. The subject of our sketch was educated in the old log school house,
and followed farming as an occupation until 1873, when he removed to
Watsontown to live a retired life. He was married in 1842 to Rebecca G.
Ferguson, a native of this county, and to this union were born five
children: Hadssah G.; William W.; Andrew W.; Thomas D., and Samuel E., all
of whom are dead except the last mentioned. Mr. De Armond and wife are
members of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.

   JOHN M. KIRK was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, October
14, 1815, son of William and Jane (Knox) Kirk. His grandfather, Moses
Kirk, emigrated from Scotland at an early date, and located at the Warrior
Run church, this county. At the time of the surrender of Fort Freeland to
the British and Indians in 1779, the treaty guaranteed the women and
children freedom, while the men were to remain prisoners. Mary Kirk, the
widow of Moses Kirk, with her ten children, was in the fort; she put
dresses on her little boys and passed them out as girls, and thus obtained
their freedom. William Kirk, father of our subject, sold his farm in this
county in 1829, and removed to Monroe county, New York, where be purchased
a farm. He was the father of eleven children, only two of whom are living:
William, of Monroe county, New York, and Mary, residing in Michigan. He
died, June 8, 1842, and his widow in May, 1862. The subject of this sketch
was educated in the public schools, and followed the occupation of farmer.
He was married, June 8, 1843, to Margaret Burns, who died leaving five
children: Myron B.; William T.; John F.; Frank E., and Ettie L., deceased.
He was again married, October 28, 1873, to Catharine, daughter of James
Kirk. Mr. Kirk was a member of the Presbyterian church up to his death,
March 30, 1890, to which faith his widow also adheres.

   THOMAS KIRK was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, March
15, 1821, son of James and Mary (Foster) Kirk. The grandfather of our
subject came to this county before the Revolutionary war, and purchased
a farm, the deed of which is written on sheepskin, and signed by William
Penn. The parents of our subject were natives of this county, and reared
a family of ten children, two of whom are living: Catharine, who married
John Kirk, and Thomas. The subject of this sketch was educated in the
public schools, and has followed the occupation of farming all his life.
He is a member of the Warrior Run Presbyterian church.

   SIMON LANTZ was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September
21, 1814, and was a son of Henry and Christiana (Follmer) Lantz. Henry
Lantz was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county when
a boy. He followed farming, and was the father of ten children, three of
whom are living: Mary, wife of Charles Brown, of Ohio; Christiana, wife of
Jonas Fox, of Michigan, and Jonathan, of Goshen, Indiana. Our subject was
educated in the subscription schools, and followed farming all his life.
He was married in November, 1843, to Harriet, daughter of Griggs Marsh,
and to this union were born five children: Catharine, wife of G. W.
Rombach; S. Griggs, and three who died when young. Mr. Lantz remained on
his farm until the spring of 1889, when he moved to Watsontown to spend
the remainder of his life in retirement. He was a consistent member of the
Reformed church of Watsontown up to his death January 10, 1890, to which
denomination his widow belongs.

   JOSEPH ALBRIGHT, retired, was born at Allentown, Pennsylvania, July
6, 1836, son of Charles S. and Esther (Newhart) Albright. The father of
our subject was a tailor by trade, but was engaged in the latter part of
his life in farming. He died in 1867, his widow in 1881. They were the
parents of twelve children; eleven grew to maturity, and six are now
living: George W., of Oregon; John T.; Joseph; Charles F., of Iowa;
Esther, and Lizzie. The subject of our sketch received his education at
the public schools, and at the age of twenty learned the trade of
plasterer. He came to this county in 1856, and worked at his trade
until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and
Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months. He again
enlisted in February, 1864, in Company K, One Hundred and Twelfth Heavy
Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner
at Petersburg, July 30, 1864, and was confined in Danville and Libby
prisons until March 10, 1865. After the war he worked at his trade one
year, engaged in the livery business eight years, and returned to his
trade until 1881. He was married in December, 1858, to Mary A. Tate, of
Milton, and to this union were born four children: David; John S. and
Elmer C., twins, and William N. Mr. Albright and wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a member of the G.A.R.

   ANDREW M. LOWRY, retired minister of the Presbyterian church, was
born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1820, son of James
M. and Sarah (Laird) Lowry. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland and
located in Columbia county, Pennsylvania. James Lowry was a farmer; he
went to the war of 1812, but was too late for active service. He was
born, June 15, 1792, and died, March 17, 1871; his wife died, December
15, 1866. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are
living: Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel McKean; Margaret, Mrs. Joseph G. Durham;
Andrew M.; Jane W., and Mary E. The subject of our sketch was educated
at the common schools, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and
Washington College, now known as Lee University, Lexington, Virginia,
graduating from the last named in June, 1850, after which he spent three
years at Princeton Theological Seminary. He spent several months doing
the work of an evangelist. His first charge was at Port Carbon,
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he remained twenty-one and a half
years, and his ministry was crowned with much success. Owing to ill
health he has not accepted a charge since 1877, when he removed to
Watsontown, where he has lived a comparatively retired, though very far
from an idle life. He preaches occasionally, and renders such
ministerial service as circumstances call for and the condition of his
health will permit.

   ISAAC N. MESSINGER, hardware merchant, was born in Union county,
Pennsylvania, November 22, 1841, son of Aaron and Susan (Royer)
Messinger. Aaron Messinger was a farmer by occupation; and died, June
7, 1889. He was the father of seven children: Isaac N.; Joe B.; Mary,
wife of Kilian Dunkel, of Reading, Pennsylvania; Kate, wife of Samuel
Linthurst, of Muncy, Pennsylvania; Susan, wife of Dr. T. H. Fisher, of
New York; Ethan A., and Horace A. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the common schools and at J. M. Kelso's Institute, Danville,
Pennsylvania. He enlisted, April 19, 1861, in Company G, Eleventh
Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the three months' service, returned and
taught school one term, and reenlisted in Company B, One Hundred and
Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, in which he served nine months; he
again enlisted in August, 1864, in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and
was mustered out in June, 1865. He came to Watsontown in 1867, and, in
partnership with Phineas Leiser, engaged in the mercantile business,
continuing one year, when he opened a new store composed of hardware,
groceries, and wall paper, in which business he has since continued. He
has also been interested in farming since 1879 and has been remarkably
successful in both. Mr. Messinger has served as a member of the town
council several terms, and at present is the president of the school
board. He was married, September 2, 1869, to Sarah E. Mackey, and to
this union have been born seven children, five of whom are living:
Rachel; Isaac N.; Bessie; Carl, and Ruth. Mr. Messinger is a member of
the G.A.R. and the Masonic order.

   JOSIAH STEWART, merchant, was born in Carbon county, Pennsylvania,
March 25, 1836, son of Joseph and Maria (Leigh) Stewart the former a
native of Berks county, and the latter of Germany. The Stewart family
is of Scotch descent. David J. Stewart, the grandfather of our subject,
and his mother were the only ones of the Stewart family not killed by
the Indians. Joseph Stewart was a farmer of Schuylkill county,
Pennsylvania. He died in 1874, and his wife in 1883. They reared a
family of ten children: David L.; Josiah; James; William; Edwin; Hettie;
Mary A.; Solomon; George, and Levi, deceased. The subject of our sketch
obtained his education by diligent self-application, not having the
opportunity of going to school when young. He was engaged at farming and
the coal mines until he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Seventy-
third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served ten months. Th 1873 he removed
to Watsontown and engaged in the coal and grocery business. He was
married, November 12, 1863, to Sarah Groe, of Northumberland county, and
to this union have been born four children: Harry C., of Shamokin;
Gertrude; Oliver, and Emma, deceased. Mr. Stewart and wife are members of
the Lutheran church, and he is a member of Bryson Post, No. 225, G.A.R.

   J. A. WEIDENHAMER, merchant, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
April 5, 1836, son of Jacob and Susanna (Dreibelbis) Weidenhamer. His
father was a farmer by occupation; he died in 1863, and his wife in 1887.
They reared the following children: Wellington, a tanner and justice of
the peace in Montour county; Sarah, deceased; William; Daniel, of Milton;
John A.; Mary E., and Mouser, of Milton. The subject of our sketch was
educated at the common schools, and at the age of fourteen began clerking
in his brother's store. In 1867 he bought C. B. Reifsnyder's general store
at Dewart, Northumberland county, and in 1882 removed to Watsontown and
opened a general store, where he has since been engaged in business. He
was married, November 1, 1859, to Sarah A. Deitzman, and they are the
parents of three children: Charles D.; Horace G., and Walter L. He and
wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which he has served in the
office of deacon.

   W. T. RUSSELL, merchant, was born in Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, January 31, 1856, son of John and Mary (Tweed) Russell.
The Russell family are the descendants of Andrew Russell, great-
grandfather of our subject, and his brother, who removed from Delaware
to this county. John Russell, father of our subject, was a carpenter by
trade, but was engaged the latter part of his life in farming. He was
born, February 21, 1817, and died, June 19, 1886. He was the father of
ten children: John A.; Albert P.; Mary H.; Sarah T.; Preston W., and
John A., all deceased; and Isabel, wife of E. H. Russell; William T.;
Ella L., and James H. In politics he was a Republican, and served in
various local offices. The subject of this sketch was educated in the
public schools, and in 1878 began clerking in the general store of J. E.
Durham, and afterwards became a partner. In 1880 he sold his interest,
and opened a dry goods and notion store, which he has since conducted.
He was married, September 7, 1881, to Maud D. Hunter, of Watsontown, and
by this union they have had three children: Helen, deceased; Isabel, and
Mary. Mr. Russell is a member of the I.O.O.F., and a Knight of the
Golden Eagle.

   H. W. HAGENBUCH, photographer, was born in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, March 28, 1834, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Hess)
Hagenbuch, natives of Berks and Columbia counties, respectively. The
father was a blacksmith by trade, but devoted part of his time to farming.
He died in 1870, and his widow two years later. They reared a family of
eight children; Artemus, deceased; Henry W.; Matilda, Mrs. Cornelius
Scales, of New Hampshire Lavina; Hiram; Selicia, Mrs. Daniel Menges; Sarah
E., Mrs. Henry Dieffenbach, and Emma E. The subject of our sketch was
educated in the public schools, and in 1858 learned the daguerreotype
business. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served one year. He again turned his
attention to photographing, and has continued at it since. In 1870 he
settled in Watsontown, where he has devoted his whole time to his
business. He is a member of the Lutheran church of Watsontown.

   SAMUEL G. FREY, proprietor of a bakery and manufacturer of
confectionery, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 18,
1835, son of Charles and Sarah (Ritter) Frey, natives of Montgomery and
Berks counties, respectively. His father was a carpenter, and devoted
his whole life to that occupation. He died, July 20, 1888, and his
widow, April 21,1889, leaving a family of five children: Samuel G.;
Henry, of Colorado; Francis R., of Lewisburg; Charles A., of Montandon,
and John W., of Arkansas. Our subject was educated in the common
schools, and his first business venture was at farming and teaching
school, after which he kept hotel at Montandon three years, and during
which time he started a general store at that place which he conducted
five years. He then ran a wholesale store boat for four years on the
Pennsylvania canal, afterwards returning to a store in Montandon, where
he manufactured confectionery. In 1876 he came to Watsontown, where he
conducted his confectionery business in connection with a drug store; he
abandoned the latter in 1878. He was elected surveyor of Northumberland
county in 1874, re-elected in 1877, and served six years. He was
married, January 1, 1857, to Deborah Hackenberg, of Snyder county,
Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born four children: Sarah C.,
wife of H. M. Knowlton, of Elk county, Pennsylvania; Emma J., at home;
Mary E. L., wife of S. B. Hilliard, and William H., who died in infancy.
Mr. Frey is a member of the Masonic order, is connected with the
Lutheran church, and his family are attendants of the Baptist church.

   J. F. MCCLURE, physician and surgeon, was born along the west
branch of Brandy Wine, Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1850, son
of James and Francina (McCalmant) McClure. John McClure, the great-
grandfather of our subject, and his brother, Joseph, with a colony of
about two hundred persons, were banished from the North of Ireland on
account of their religious opinions, in the year 1680. They immigrated
to America and John and Joseph purchased a tract of land from the sons
of William Penn in Chester county, Pennsylvania, which is still owned by
their descendants. James McClure, the father of J. F. McClure, died in
1860 and was buried in the Presbyterian grave-yard at Honey Brook, Chester
county. His widow died in 1870 leaving four children: Sarah, wife of
Wesley Good; Elizabeth, wife of George Prutsman; Hannah, deceased, and
John F. The last named received his education at Kingston Seminary. He
taught two years in Lawrenceville Academy, Tioga county, Pennsylvania,
after which he began the study of medicine with R. B. Smith of Tioga, this
State. He then attended Bellevue Medical College, from which he was
graduated in 1875, and the following April located at Watsontown where he
has built up an excellent practice. He was married, August 18, 1875, to
Jennie Mills, of Steuben county, New York. He is a prominent member of the
Masonic order, and one of the censors of the Medico-Surgical College of
Philadelphia. He is a member of the Northumberland County Medical
Society, has served in the borough council of Watsontown for three
years, acting as secretary of that body, has been a member of the school
board for six years, three of which he was secretary of the same, and in
1891 was elected chief burgess of Watsontown.

   FULLER S. DERR, physician and surgeon, was born in Lycoming county.
Pennsylvania, November 4, 1860, son of John F. and Sarah (Houseknecht)
Derr, natives of Lycoming county. Our subject's paternal great-
grandfather immigrated from Germany at an early date and located in
Montour county, Pennsylvania, where his grandfather, Christopher Derr,
was born, and from whom the present Derr family have descended.
Christopher Derr removed into Lycoming county and died there. John F.
Derr is a farmer, and in 1871 he moved from Lycoming to Montour county,
where he has resided ever since. He has reared nine children: Judson;
Alice, wife of John Krumm; Hiram H., deceased; Fuller S.; Phebe J., wife
of Albert Muffly Elmer B.; Miles J.; Homer M., and Annie F. Our subject
was educated in the common schools and at Bucknell University. He began
the study of medicine under Dr. E. H. Horner, of Turbutville, and was
graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, March 29, 1884.
He immediately formed a partnership with his preceptor, which continued
four years, when he removed to Watsontown, where he has since devoted
his entire attention to the practice of his profession. Doctor Derr was
married, December 27, 1888, to Annie Schmucker, of Watsontown, and has
one child, Woods F. He is a member of the Masonic order, and one of the
well known citizens of his adopted home.

   DR. J. R. HOUSEL, dentist, was born in Milton, Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, January 15, 1840, son of Isaac and Mary (Hougendobler)
Housel, natives of this county. The Housel family originally came from
Holland, but the grandparents came from New Jersey to this county. His
paternal grandfather served in the war of 1812, and his great-grandparents
on both sides served in the Revolutionary war. Isaac Housel was the father
of the following children: J. R.; Annie, widow of William Everard; George,
deceased; Miller, deceased; Frances E., widow of Lindsley Priestley;
Sallie S.; Johnston, of Milton, and Kate C., deceased. He died, August 28,
1872. The subject of our sketch was educated at the common schools of
Reading and the Nickson Street grammar school of Philadelphia. He studied
dentistry with Dr. H. H. Martin, of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, began
practicing in Milton in 1860, and came to Watsontown in 1878. He
enlisted in the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Emergency regiment in 1862, and
re-enlisted, February 28,1865, as a private, in Company F, Seventy-
fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war.
He was married, December 31, 1863, to Rebecca J. Smith, of Jersey Shore,
Lycoming county, and to this union have been born two children: Edgar L.
and Mary B. Doctor Housel and wife are members of the Methodist church,
and he is a member of the G.A.R.

   EDGAR L. HOUSEL, dentist, was born in McEwensville, Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, son of J. B. Housel. He was educated at the
Watsontown high school; and at the age of sixteen be entered the dental
office of his father, and in 1886 the Pennsylvania Dental College at
Philadelphia, and graduated in 1888. He located in Watsontown in the
same office with his father, where he has devoted his whole attention to
his chosen profession. He was married, December 12, 1888, to M.
Clemence, daughter of Charles Heilman. Doctor Housel is a member of the
Masonic order.

   LEW C. FOSNOT, editor and publisher of the Watsontown Star, was
born, February 8, 1848, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. His father,
Jacob Fosnot, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1799, was a
weaver by trade, and died in 1850. His mother, Mary Vanderbilt, was
born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and died in 1872. Her
union with Jacob Fosnot gave her twelve children, eight of whom grew to
maturity: William C.; Mary Jane; Martha M.; John C.; Joshua V.; Edward
A.; Lew C., and Henry J. Our subject received his education in the
common schools of Cumberland county, and began learning the printer's
trade, working at that at intervals until 1864. He began his business
career clerking in a country store, following this with labor on the
line of the Cumberland Valley railroad for three years; he also drove a
huckster wagon and worked upon a farm. June 30, 1864, he enlisted as a
private in Battery G, Second Pennsylvania Artillery, and served until
January 29, 1866, with the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the
James. He was employed in the United States weather bureau for three
months, and began the printing and publishing business in 1871, which he
has continued to date. He is a member of the G.A.R. and the I.O.O.F., is
a Democrat in politics, and somewhat liberal in his religious belief. He
was married, January 23,1871, at Newville, Pennsylvania, to Belle
Westafer, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, who was born in 1850. To
this union have been born the following children: Lula Maud, who died in
1879; Bessie Irene, who died in 1877, and John Clyde.

   J. WARD DIEHL, editor and proprietor of the Watsontown Blade, is a
son of Alfred Diehl, a baker of Watsontown, and was born at Laurelton,
Union county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1867. He was apprenticed to the
"art preservative" in a printing shop at his present home, and on the
completion of his trade was tendered the foremanship of the Williamsport
Sunday Breakfast Table, which position he accepted and held for eighteen
months. He founded the Blade in 1889. During a vacation on the Breakfast
Table given him on account of impaired health, he started for Colorado
as a special contributor to the Philadelphia Sunday Press, but did not
get farther than Kansas owing to sickness en route. Prior to going into
the newspaper business, he was employed at the Cook & Pardee match-stick
factory, where he earned his first money. His education was very
limited, and he is a true specimen of a "print-shop educated man." His
first contributions, under the nom-de-plume of Sam Sykes, were of a
humorous nature and were "set from the case." They attracted
considerable attention, and Sam Sykes soon gained a local reputation.
Mr. Diehl was married, January 13, 1891, to Sadie C., daughter of Rev.
S. P. Orwig, of Montgomery, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania.

   THOMPSON BOWER, president of the Watsontown National Bank, was born
in Washington township, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1826,
son of John and Sarah (Quinn) Bower, the former a native of New Jersey
and the latter of Ireland, both of whom spent the greater part of their
lives in Lycoming county. Thompson was reared a farmer, and has
followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He lived in Lycoming and
Union counties, successively, until 1884, when he came to Watsontown,
where he has since resided. He has been president of the Watsontown
National Bank several years, and is one of the substantial citizens of
the town. Mr. Bower was married, November 15, 1849, to Catharine A.,
daughter of Christian Gosh, of Northumberland county. She was born in
Lycoming county, and is the mother of three children: Laura E., wife of
B. M. Griffey; J. G., of Watsontown, and Margaret J., wife of George W.
Crane. Mr. Bower is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of the
Lutheran church.

   WILLIAM BLY, ferryman, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania. His
father, Captain John Bly, was born, December 18, 1814, and was married
in 1835 to Lydia Rhoads, and to this union were born ten sons, all of
whom grew to maturity but Edwin, the youngest, who died at the age of
seventeen months. Those living are: Joseph; David, a broker of
Williamsport; James, a ferryman of West Milton, and William, all of whom
served in the war of the Rebellion; Manoah; Charles; Alem; Phineas, and
John A., of Buffalo, New York. Captain John Bly was one of the original
settlers of Watsontown, having resided there over fifty years. He was
one of the first to establish the ferry at that place, and was captain
on a canal boat on the Pennsylvania canal about fifteen years. In 1866
he bought the ferry across the Susquehanna river at Watsontown, and
operated it until his death. William, the subject of our sketch, was
married, December 23, 1869, to Mary Bower, who died, February 7, 1884,
leaving four children: Elizabeth; John; Minnie, and William. He was again
married, February 14, 1887, to Annie Wallize, of Watsontown. Mr. Bly
enlisted in Company B, (Captain David Bly's), One Hundred and Thirty-first
Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 1, 1862, and served nine months; he
subsequently served three months in the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth
regiment, and one year in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry. He is a member
of the G.A.R. and of the Masonic order.

   JAMES W. MUFFLY was born in Montour county, Pennsylvania, May 17,
1842, son of Samuel and Mary (Kleppinger) Muffly, natives of Northampton
county, Pennsylvania. His father came to what is now Montour county in
1837, and located upon a farm. He was a leading Whig of his section of
the country. He died, July 1, 1873; his wife died in December, 1868,
leaving a family of six children: Samuel K.; Catharine Walter; Maria
Kamp; George H., of Illinois; Stephen J., and James W. The subject of
this sketch was educated in the public schools, and at the age of twenty
began to work at the carpenter trade, after which he was successively
engaged in the coal and lumber business until 1876, when he, in company
with Wagner Brothers, built the planing mill, and formed what is known
as the Watsontown Planing Mill Company, from which he retired on the
26th of August, 1890. He was married, December 19, 1882, to Sarah E.
Caldwell, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and they have two children: Walter
C. and William J. Mr. and Mrs. Muffly are members of the Reformed
church, and he is a charter member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 401, of
Watsontown.

   J. H. WAGNER, of the Watsontown Planing Mill Company, was born in
Montour county, Pennsylvania, son of Daniel and Catharine (Follmer)
Wagner, who were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are
living: William, a lumberman of Virginia; G. N. and L. B., lumbermen of
Michigan; C. A., living on the homestead in Montour county; J. H. and D.
F., both of the Watsontown Planing Mill Company; Lucy, Mrs. William
Hackenburg, of Emporium, and Amanda, Mrs. James Caldwell, of Titusville,
Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch received his education in the
public schools of his native county. In 1863 he enlisted in the Twenty-
eighth Pennsylvania militia, was mustered out, and then re-enlisted in
the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served until the close of the war.
He was with Sherman's army from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and took part in
Wilson's raid through Alabama. After the war he located in Watsontown,
and engaged in his present business. Mr. Wagner was married, December
23, 1880, to Mary, daughter of Mrs. E. H. Follmer, and they are the
parents of five children: Elizabeth C.; J. H.; Edith M.; William C., and
Ned F. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are members of the German Reformed church,
and he is connected with the F. & A.M. and G.A.R.

   D. FRANK WAGNER, of the Watsontown Planing Mill Company, was born
in Montour county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1849, son of Daniel and
Catharine (Follmer) Wagner. He was educated at the public schools, and
reared upon his father's farm. He came to Watsontown in 1868 and worked
in the planing mill two years, when he bought an interest, and has since
been connected with the firm. He was married, November 22, 1882, to
Mary I. Cooner, of Watsontown, and to this union has been born one
child, Clara C., deceased. Mr. Wagner has served in the town council of
Watsontown, and has for years been identified with the fire department,
having been a member of Hope Hose Fire Company since its organization in
1873, and serving as the company treasurer for many years, a position he
now fills, as well as that of chief of the borough department, which is
composed of paid and volunteer firemen.

   D. C. HOGUE was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 11,
1844, son of Joseph P. and Sarah A. (Caldwell) Hogue. William Hogue,
his great-great-grandfather, was banished from Scotland on account of
his religious opinions, came to America on the ship Caledonia in 1680,
and located at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Three of his sons went to
Cumberland county and located at what is known as Hoguestown, opposite
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; here they separated, one going south, to
Virginia, one to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and John located in
the West Branch valley. He was a Presbyterian minister, and a graduate
of Princeton College. He had four sons and three daughters. Samuel,
grandfather of our subject, was a farmer and blacksmith, and owned what
is now known as the Rombach farm adjoining Watsontown. He had five sons
and two daughters. Joseph, father of D. C., kept a store at White Deer
Mills, after which he went to South Bend, Indiana, thence to
Logansville, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and back to White Deer Mills,
where he bought a farm. In 1854 he returned to Watsontown, and continued
in the mercantile business and as postmaster until his death, March 23,
1868; his wife died, September 9, 1863. Both are buried in the upper
cemetery at Milton, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of four sons
and two daughters: D. C.; Davis, a physician of Clearfield county;
Edmund B.; James H., a physician of Altoona; Grace, and Mary, both
deceased. The former is buried at the Milton cemetery, the latter at
Logansville, Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was educated at
the Milton and McEwensville Academies. On the 1st of August, 1862, he
enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and served nine months. On the 18th of June, 1863, he
enlisted for the emergency in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers
to serve so long as the soil of Pennsylvania was invaded. In August,
1864, he again enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and was discharged in August, 1865, by reason of the war being
over. After the war, in company with others, he started the first planing
mill in Watsontown. He then served as book-keeper for the Watsontown
Lumber Company eleven years, after which he kept a general store seven
years. He was secretary of the Watsontown Nail Works at its organization
in 1886. Mr. Hogue was first married, June 10, 1869, to Rebecca B. Starr,
who died, December 8, 1880, and is buried in Watsontown cemetery. Two sons
survived her: Charles J., and Frank, deceased. May 23, 1888, he married
Sarah E. Parvin, of Leesport, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hogue is a member of
the Masonic order, and of Bryson Post, No. 225, G.A.R. He served in the
first council of Watsontown and several terms since, and has also served
as burgess and school director.

   J. P. STARR was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 10,
1838, son of John and Sarah (Parvin) Starr. The Starr family is of
Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were natives of Berks county,
Pennsylvania, who came to Lycoming county about 1831 and established a
shoe factory at Muncy. The father in company with Enos Hawley bought the
Franklin tannery, near Lairdsville, Lycoming county, and operated it
until 1849, when he sold out and accepted a position as superintendent
of the Madison tannery in Columbia county. In 1856 he removed to
Watsontown and served as agent for the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad
Company, after which he kept books for Marr & Griffey's woolen factory
until his death in March, 1863. His widow died in March, 1884, leaving a
family of six children: Mary, deceased; Ellen, Mrs. Clinton Robinson;
Jacob P.; Rebecca, deceased; Charles E., of the firm of Starr, Durham &
Company, and Henrietta, Mrs. P. Leiser. The subject of this sketch
received his education at the common schools, the Academy of Millville,
Columbia county, and Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania. He began clerking in a dry goods store when seventeen
years old, and in 1861 took his father's place as agent of the
Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company at Watsontown, remaining in this
position until 1880, and had charge of the office at White Deer until
1888. Mr. Starr helped establish and was superintendent of the Electric
Light Company of Watsontown, after which he was interested in the
planing mill business. He was married, June 5, 1873, to Agnes Sloan, of
Lock Haven, and to this union have been born four children: Sarah E.;
Margaret A.; John E., and William P. Mr. Starr and wife are members of
the Presbyterian church, and he was a charter member of the Masonic
lodge of Watsontown.

   T. H. KISTNER, foreman of the Watsontown Planing Mill Company, was
born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1839, and is
a son of George and Catharine (Confare) Kistner. The Kistner family are
of German ancestry. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and
at the age of twenty years learned the carpenter trade with James
Henderson at Turbutville, Pennsylvania. April 18, 1861, he enlisted in
Company G, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served for three months.
At the expiration of said enlistment he returned home and engaged in the
carpenter business at Picture Rocks, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, for
a short time. In August, 1862, he again enlisted, in Company H, One
Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, and held the rank of
second sergeant until mustered out at the end of nine months. He at
once entered the United States Militia Railroad department as a
carpenter and bridge builder, with headquarters at Alexandria, Virginia,
and served in that department until after the close of the war. He was
married, June 21, 1864, to Sarah F. Wallize, of Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born: Flora I., wife of O. H.
Hilliard: Dora E. wife of John L. Fisher; Ambrose P.; Sherman S.; Lewis
W., and Loreda M. In l868 he came to Watsontown and accepted his
present position. Mr. and Mrs. Kistner are members of the Lutheran
church, in which he has served as an active member in the church
council. He is a member of Bryson Post, No. 225, G.A.R., and was its
commander for l890. He is a Republican in politics, and has served a
number of years in the town council, and also as school director.

   JOSEPH BLY, machinist, was born, January 17, 1836, in Union county,
Pennsylvania, son of John and Lydia (Rhoades) Bly. Our subject was
educated in the common schools and at the age of eighteen years began to
learn the trade of machinist. He was engineer in a saw mill for Seth T.
McCormick for some time, after which he assisted his father in running a
canal boat. He helped to construct the first saw mill in Watsontown, in
which he was employed until he enlisted in Captain David Bly's company,
known as Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania
Volunteers, August 8, 1862. After serving out his term of enlistment he
again enlisted, September 6, 1864, in Company D, Two Hundred and Second
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and remained in active service until the close
of the war. After returning from the war, he, in partnership with the
firm of Follmer & Cook, operated a planing mill for one year, when the
mill was destroy by fire, after which time he was connected with
different lumber companies of Watsontown until 1876, when he was
employed by the Watsontown Planing Mill Company, in which institution he
is still working. In 1872, when the first fire engine was purchased by
the citizens of Watsontown, he was chosen engineer, and in 1875 was
appointed chief engineer, and has served as such ever since. He was
married, December 30, 1858 to Harriet Slenker, who died, January 17,
1868. To this union were born three children, one of whom is living,
Ida, wife of James Findley, of Iowa. He was again married, June 17,
1817, to a Mrs. Hogey, whose first husband died in the army. By this
union two children have been born: Irman I. and Minnie, both deceased.
Mrs. Bly had two children by her first marriage: Charles and Mary C.
Mr. and Mrs. Bly are consistent members of the Reformed church of
Watsontown.

   W. A. DURHAM was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, January
7, 1852, son of Joseph G. Durham. He was educated in the common schools
and at Dewart Academy. He taught school three years, and then engaged in
the mercantile business in Watsontown. Soon after he opened a general
store at Coburn, Centre county, Pennsylvania, which still continues in the
name of Durham Brothers & Company. From 1880 to 1884 he dealt in farm
produce, agricultural implements, etc., in Watsontown. Since 1887 he has
been engaged in the lumber business and in manufacturing doors, sash, and
blinds. May 31, 1876, he married Mary A. Giffen, of Marion, Iowa, and to
this union have been born four children: Joseph E., deceased; Glenn G.; W.
Leigh, and James G. Mr. and Mrs. Durham are members of the Presbyterian
church of Watsontown, of which church he is a trustee. He is connected
with the Masonic order, is secretary of the town council, and in politics
is a stanch Republican.

   ALFRED HOCKLEY, manufacturer and dealer in carbonated drinks, was
born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, son of Clement L. and Elizabeth
(Keyser) Hockley, natives of that county. The father was a farmer by
occupation, and was one of the first men to vote for the public school
system in Montgomery county. He reared a family of nine children:
Alfred; Jacob, agent for the Standard Pipe Line Company of Ohio;
William, a school teacher, of Lycoming county; Irwin R., who has been
principal of the high school at Emporium, Cameron county, ten years, but
is now in the general merchandise business; Franklin C., deceased;
Theodore; Amelia; Lucy, and Maggie. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the public schools of Montour county, and worked as a
carpenter ten years. He then opened a grocery and provision store in
Mahanoy City, and remained there eight years, and three years was at the
same business at Eldred, McKean county, Pennsylvania. In 1880 he came
to Watsontown, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of
carbonated drinks. He was married, December 1, 1870, to Hattie Fox, of
McEwensville, and they are the parents of three children: Roscoe L.,
deceased; Chester F., and George A. Mr. and Mrs. Hockley are members of
the Lutheran church; he is a member of the town council, and on the 1st
of June, 1890, became chief burgess of Watsontown, being appointed by
the town council vice E. Sherman Follmer, resigned.



CHAPTER 47 - Pages 1093-1106
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
NORTHUMBERLAND BOROUGH AND POINT TOWNSHIP

   THOMAS TAGGART was the first of the Taggart family to come to
Northumberland county. He was born in Ireland, May 11, 1728, and prior
to the year 1750 immigrated with his brother, Robert, to Philadelphia,
where the latter became a merchant. It was about 1775 when Thomas made
his advent into the town of Northumberland, settling near the present
site of Morgan's shoe store. He married Mary Vanderbilt, a native of
Philadelphia, who died in Northumberland in 1805. The children of this
union were: Elizabeth, who was born, January 15, 1753, married William
Bonham, and died about 1780 (her son, Thomas, was for many years a
tanner at Northumberland, but finally removed to Wabash county,
Illinois, where he died); Christiana, who was born, May 17, 1755,
married a Mr. Sample, and settled in Allegheny county, this State;
Robert, born, February 18, 1757; John, who was born, June 30, 1759, and
died, July 21, 1759; Catharine, who was born, September 6, 1760, married
Captain John Painter, and died in 1840; Thomas, who was born, October
27, 1762, and died, January 16, 1780; Mary, who was born, January 19,
1765, and married a Mr. Patterson, a noted frontiersman of Pennsylvania;
John, who was born, July 11, 1767, and died, February 8, 1773; David,
who was born, February 21, 1769, and died, May 17, 18l2; William, who
was born, October 3, 1771, and died, January 24, 1773; William (2d), who
was born, August 6, 1773, kept store at an early day in Northumberland,
and in the latter part of his life resided on a farm in Chillisquaque
township, where he died at the age of eighty years, and James, born,
January 1, 1780.

   DAVID TAGGART, previously mentioned, was educated in Northumberland
and was a prominent Democrat. He married Mary McCalla and to them were
born the following children: John, born, April 12, 1796, in
Northumberland; James, who died in Northumberland about 1855, was a
merchant, and was engaged for some time in running packets on the canal,
and was collector of tolls on the canal at Huntingdon for many years
(his son, Grantham I., is a coal dealer at Savannah, Georgia, and
another son, John, deceased, was a physician and died at Salt Lake City;
his two daughters were: Mary, who married Marks B. Priestley, and
Gertrude, who married Solomon Kregar). Sarah who married Samuel C.
McCormick, and Mary A., who married Alexander Colt.

   JOHN TAGGART was educated in Northumberland county and began his
business career as a brewer at the town of Northumberland, his brewery
being located near the present steamboat landing. When the canal was
constructed his brewery was removed to give place to it, so he quit the
business. He was appointed canal commissioner by Governor Joseph Ritner,
held the position about one year, resigned, and was succeeded by
Thaddeus Stephens. He was president of the Northumberland Bank for a
number of years. He married Hannah Huston, a native of Philadelphia.
Both were members of the Unitarian church, and at the time of his death
Mr. Taggart was a Republican in politics. He was a highly respected,
enterprising citizen.

   David Taggart, son of John, received a good education, read law
with Ebenezer Greenough, was president of the Pennsylvania State
Agricultural Society for some years, was State Senator before the war,
serving the last year of his term as Speaker of that body; he was
chairman of the Whig State central committee in 1852, subsequently a
Republican, and was in the pay-master's department during the war. He
married Anna P. Cowden, and his children were: James; Helen, and Hannah.

   Matthew H. Taggart, son of John, was brought up in Northumberland,
born, February 18,1824, and was educated in the public schools and
Lewisburg Academy, closing his literary studies at the latter in 1842.
He began at once to clerk for Walls & Green, general merchants, then at
Lewisburg, where he remained for three years, after which he commenced
the study of law with his older brother, David. Subsequently he taught
school for two winters and then took charge of a store in Union county,
remaining there from 1846 to 1858. Closing this connection, he opened
up a store on his own account at Beaver furnace, Union county, this
State, where he did a successful business for six years, removing thence
to Northumberland, and soon became an employee of the State treasurer's
office at Harrisburg, continuing in that important position for about
ten years, having his home a part of the time in Lancaster county. In
1884 he removed to Philadelphia, where he resided until 1890. when he
returned to his native town of Northumberland to give personal attention
to the business of the Taggart Nail Mills, in which he has been
interested for fifteen years. His first wife was Rebecca McCurley, who
died, leaving six children: Harry C. and John K., both interested in the
nail mills; Anna, widow of J. F. Frueauff; Clara, and James, book-keeper
at Godcharles's nail mills at Milton. His second wife was Eliza
McCurley, by whom he has the following living children: Matthew H., Jr.,
and Mary. His third wife was Ella G. Royer before their marriage.

   Captain James Taggart, third son of John Taggart, was born in the
borough of Northumberland, February 4, 1827, and received his education
almost entirely at the public schools of his native town. At the age of
sixteen years he was employed by the late Ephraim Shannon in his store at
Northumberland, where he remained four years, properly mastering the
duties assigned to him and to a large extent engrafting the spirit of
his employer, whose genial humor, facetious witticisms, and well spun
yarns are thoroughly remembered by the older citizens who congregated
around this store, where fun always took precedence. In 1848 he went to
western New York in the capacity of paymaster for James Moore, who had a
large contract in the vicinity of Hornellsville, and after completing
this he returned to Northumberland, purchased the store of the late
William H. Waples, and entered into business for himself. He forgot
none of the training by his old employer, and mixing fun with business
he did a fairly profitable trade until 1861, when he entered the army.
In December, 1850, he married Sarah, daughter of John H. Cowden, by whom
he had four children; two died in infancy and two survive to the present
time: Sarah C., who resides in Northumberland, and David, a physician at
Frackville, Schuylkill county, this State. Immediately upon the news of
the firing on Fort Sumpter, a roll was started, naturally at his store,
because it was the principal rendezvous for the young and active spirits
of the community. A company was formed and he was elected captain.
But, owing to the spontaneous response to the call of President Lincoln
and the inability of the government to furnish guns for all, this eager
company was not directly accepted; but through the foresight of Governor
Curtin in effectively recommending the formation of reserve corps, they
were received as Company B, Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve, and placed under
command of that brave and able officer, Colonel Seneca G. Simmons. This
company has a history and the subject of this sketch figures largely in
that history. His comrades will attest his worth as a man and soldier;
and the laying down of his life, as he did in the field at the battle of
Charles City Cross Roads, proved his valor and patriotism.
   John K. Taggart, another son of John, was secretary and clerk to his
brother, David, in the paymaster's department in the army, and died about
1868 in St. Louis.
   Hannah, daughter of John Taggart, married Dr. Joseph Priestly and has
four children: Hannah, who married Rev. H. D. Catlin; Fannie D., wife of
William Forsyth, Jr.; Anna, and Jennie.
   Frank A. Taggart, son of John Taggart, is employed by the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company in Philadelphia, and his children are: John; William;
Joseph, and Anna, Mrs. Christy.

   WILLIAM FORSYTH, deceased, was born of Scotch parentage in Hamburg,
Berks county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1788. His father, Andrew Forsyth,
was with Washington in Philadelphia and Valley Forge. By reason of
depreciation of Continental money he was reduced in circumstances, and
with his family moved to the mouth of Fishing creek, where he taught
school and also at Danville. In 1804 William was apprenticed to John
Cowden, of Northumberland, to learn the art and mystery of store-keeping.
After he was free he managed a keel-boat, and was one of the first to
navigate the Susquehanna river from Northumberland to Owego, New York,
carrying iron and stoves to the latter, and bringing salt and plaster to
the former. In March, 1817, he was married to Betsey Gaskins, daughter
of Thomas Gaskins of Point township, and kept a tavern and stage office
on Water street, Northumberland. At the commencement of the construction
of the public works, he took contracts and built several miles of canal,
and also of the Susquehanna canal. In 1835 he purchased the store of John
Cowden and in 1837 was appointed postmaster, which position he filled
until 1841. He was an active business man, took a great interest in the
affairs of his adopted borough, and served many years in its council. He
died in March, 1876, an honored and respected
citizen.

   WILLIAM ELLIOTT, farmer, was born, October 5, 1814, son of Alexander
and Mary Elliott, born, respectively, May 29, 1777, and October 31, 1783.
The father was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and after learning the hatter's
trade at Reading, Pennsylvania, removed from that city to Northumberland
county and followed his trade at the borough of Northumberland, where he
died, February 5, 1835. To Alexander and Mary Elliott were born the
following children: Mary, born July 4, 1804; Thomas, born September 18,
1806; Margaret, born August 21, l810; Sarah; William; Ann, and Samuel. Our
subject received a common school education with means obtained by labor at
such jobs as he could get to do. The first work he did for himself, was
digging in a ditch from the river to what is known as the gut in Sunbury -
the old Sunbury canal, which was never completed. He received seventy-five
cents at this employment and was subsequently hired by John Cowden for one
summer at two dollars fifty cents per month. With the money thus obtained
he attended school, doing chores for William Forsyth mornings and evenings
for his board and lodging. After closing this term of school he took
employment at the tavern of C. Buttles, in Northumberland, where he
remained one summer, and then drove a team on a trip to Philadelphia with
William A. Lloyd. After this he purchased a team and followed farming and
teaming for some time. He was married in January, 1837, to Christiana
Knox, and settled in Northumberland. Two years later he removed to a farm
of one hundred acres on what is known as Blue Hill and which still belongs
to the family. In 1841 he began boating on the canal, transporting lumber,
coal, etc., which he continued successfully eight years. He then purchased
an interest in the grocery business of Henry Wenck; two years later he
became sole proprietor of the store, which he conducted until the
Philadelphia and Erie railroad was opened, when he withdrew and took
the position of first station agent for that company at Northumberland;
after this began a series of railroad contracting, as follows: Bennett's
branch; Oil Creek road, Venango county; Philadelphia and Erie, at Will-
iamsport, eight miles of double track, and eight miles of the same road
from St. Mary's to Rathburn.
   He was appointed by the State canal commissioners as superintendent
of the canal from the month of the Juniata river to Northumberland, to
which was subsequently added the line to Milton. In 1880 he was elected
to the legislature from this county; he has also served as school
director twenty-five years, and belongs to the I.O.O.F. His wife died,
November 7, 1875, and was the mother of four children: Anna; Emily I.,
wife of Charles Davis; Mary J., wife of A. H. Hathaway, and John. The
last named was educated at Freeburg College, graduated from the Bellevue
Hospital of New York City, and is practicing medicine in Northumberland.
Mr. Elliott is the owner of one hundred seventy-six acres of land in
Union county, three hundred seventy-eight acres in Chillisquaque
township, one hundred thirty-eight acres in Point township, and other
valuable property, all of which is the acquisition of his own labors.

   DR. ROBERT McCAY, deceased, was born in Northumberland, May 17, 1820.
His father, William McCay, was born in 1776 and was, it is said, the first
white child born in the town of Northumberland. His grandfather, Neal
McCay, was of Scotch nationality; he immigrated to America, settled in New
Jersey, and about ]774 removed to Northumberland, where he cleared a tract
of land. He died, March 2, 1814. William McCay became a land speculator
and a practical surveyor. He served in the war of 1812. He was twice
married, and lived and died in Northumberland. Dr. Robert McCay, the
subject of this sketch, was educated at Gettysburg, read medicine with
Doctor McClellan, of Philadelphia, and graduated from the University of
New York in the winter of 1844-45, after which he practiced his profession
in Danville one year, and then located at Northumberland, where he had an
extensive practice until his death. He was a fine Spanish scholar, and
during the Mexican war was the bearer of dispatches to General Taylor. May
1, 1861, he enlisted as assistant surgeon, was promoted to surgeon, and
subsequently to first assistant medical inspector general at Washington,
D. C. He organized hospitals at Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads, and
Portsmouth. In 1864 he was sent to New Orleans, and remained there
until July, 1865. He was also a practical civil engineer. He took an
active interest in the affairs of the town, especially to matters
pertaining to the advancement of education, and was possessed of more
than ordinary knowledge of the general topics and information of his
time. He was one of the oldest Masons in the State, and was prominent
in the workings of the order. Politically he was a Democrat, and took an
active part in promoting the interests of his party. He died, November
18, 1880. In 1856 he married Susan C., daughter of Alexander and Mary
Ann (Taggart) Colt, of Northumberland, who still survives him. One
child was born to this union, Dr. Mary A. McCay, who read medicine with
her father and also with Dr. William Stoner, graduated from the Woman's
Medical College of Philadelphia in 1887, and has since practiced in
Northumberland and Sunbury. She was married in 1875. Mrs. McCay, the widow
of our subject, has been engaged in the drug business for several years.
This drug store was established by Miss Mary McCay, sister of Dr. Robert
McCay, in 1848, and has since remained in the family.

   JESSE C. HORTON, deceased, was born near Forty Fort, Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, May 1, 1797, son of John and Mary (de la Montague) Horton.
The latter was of Scotch and French descent; her mother, whose maiden name
was Sarah Miller, was a Scotch Puritan, and her father was the son of a
French physician. John Horton was of English descent. During the
Revolution he served as a lieutenant in the New Jersey militia. After the
conclusion of peace he sold his property in that State for Continental
money and removed to the vicinity of Forty Fort in the Wyoming valley,
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. There he died in 1810, leaving a widow and
nine children. Jesse C. was then in his thirteenth year. Four years later
he served in the New Jersey militia under Colonel Seward and Captain
Swazey in the war of 1812. In 1816 Miller, Lewis, and Jesse C. Horton
inaugurated a new era in stage coach traveling in northern Pennsylvania by
establishing a line of four-horse coaches from Baltimore to Owego, New
York, by the way of Harrisburg, Sunbury, Wilkesbarre and Montrose, and
also a line from Philadelphia to Wilkesbarre by the way of Easton, and
from New York City to Montrose, Pennsylvania, by the way of Morristown and
Newark, New Jersey, and Milford, Pennsylvania, with post-offices
established at Plymouth, Kingston, Pottstown, and Tunkhannock. In 1820 he
lived at Berwick, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, engaged in staging and
carrying the United States mail; he removed from there to Owego, New York,
in 1831 to Northumberland and soon after to a farm in Point township. In
1841 he represented Northumberland county in the legislature, and in 1842
he was elected to the Senate. He was a stockholder and director in the
Bank of Northumberland. February 6, 1820, he married Harriet Ford,
daughter of Dr. Samuel Headley, of Berwick, by whom he had two children:
Annie Maria, Mrs. Allen M. Gougewer, of Washington, and Mrs. Harriet
Westler, of Berwick. His wife died, June 17, 1823. He was again married,
December 12, 1825, to Mrs. Martha Cooke, daughter of James Lemon, of
Northumberland county. Five children were born to this union, two of
whom are living: Mary C., and Amelia H., wife of Anthony Simpson of
Michigan. The second wife died, July 25, 1880. Mr. Horton was a Democrat
in politics. He was active in getting the public school system established
and an active worker and supporter of any enterprise conducive to the
welfare of the general public. He was well known throughout Pennsylvania
and had an extensive and intimate acquaintance with the prominent men of
the State.

   C. W. GUTELIUS, editor and publisher of the Public Press, was born
in Mifflinburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, November 4, 1837, son of
Israel and Sarah Gutelius. The father was born in 1802 at Mifflinburg,
Pennsylvania, and the mother in Trappe, Montgomery county. They were
the parents of ten children: Louisa; Henrietta; Sarah; Percival; Mary;
Emma; H. Clay; Clara; Florence, and C. W. The last named received a
common school education and began his business life as a printer. From
1863 to 1866 he edited and published the Post at Selinsgrove,
Pennsylvania, and from January 1, 1870, to the latter part of 1872 he
edited and published the Democratic Guard at Sunbury. He established
the Public Press at Northumberland in 1872, and has made it a paying
institution. He went out in an emergency company during the late war,
is a Democrat and a member of the S.P.K., and was janitor for the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1883. He was married at
Greenville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, to Eleonora Lescher, born
in Wilkesbarre, this State, in 1845, daughter of Rev. J. W. Lescher and
Jane (Foltz) Lescher, natives of Northampton and Franklin counties,
Pennsylvania, respectively. To this union have been born the following
children: Jennie; N. T.; W. L.; Norah; Edith, and Warren.

   J. C. FORSYTH, ex-postmaster, was born, October 16, 1839, son of
William and Elizabeth (Gaskin) Forsyth. He received a common school and
commercial education, and after clerking some time, formed a partnership
in 1865, with William H. Morgan in the grocery and coal business, which
lasted until 1876. After two years experience in the grocery business
in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, he purchased in 1884 the general store
of William T. Forsyth at Northumberland and continued the business until
1886. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster at Northumberland and served
in that office until 1890. He was married in 1865 to Alice Gulick, by
whom he has four children: Charles G.; Walter L.; Jennie C., and J.
Howard. He served as chief burgess of Northumberland for three
successive years, and is a Democrat in politics and a member of the
Lutheran church.

   S. M. G. WENCK, pharmacist, was born in the borough of Northumberland,
September 24, l836, son of George and Elizabeth (Pardoe) Wenck, of German
and Quaker ancestry, respectively. He received an ordinary education, and
in 1855 established his present business at McEwensville, this county,
where he remained until 1880; he then removed his stock to Northumberland,
where he has built up a large trade. He was married in 1855 to Christiana
Kauffman, by whom he has three children: William G.; Maggie, wife of
Morton McFarland, and Edgar S. Mr. Wenck is a member of the Lutheran
church.

   JAMES DIEFFENBACHER was born in a part of Northumberland (now Montour)
county, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1809, son of Conrad Dieffenbacher, a native
of Montgomery county, this State, and a grandson of Conrad Dieffenbacher,
who was born in Germany and settled and died on the farm where our subject
now resides. Our subject learned the carpenter trade which he followed
forty years. He settled in Northumberland in 1831 and was married in 1838
to Nancy Goston, who died in 1842, the mother of one child, James G. He
was again married to Maria Hunsicker. He was a justice of the peace twenty-
two years and a school director twenty years.

   JACOB MATTHIAS, merchant, was born in York county, Pennsylvania,
September 20, 1828, son of John and Elizabeth (Crowl) Matthias, natives
of York and Lancaster counties, respectively. They moved to Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, where both died. They were members of the
Lutheran church. Jacob Matthias was reared in York county, and attended
the local schools; he has been engaged in various occupations, such as
boating, driving stage, and railroading. In 1866 he removed to
Northumberland county and established his present business. In 1856 he
married Susan Van Dyke, daughter of Israel Gross, of Snyder county.
Their children, by adoption, are: Mary Guistwelt, wife of Harry Frey, of
Cumberland county; Susan Gross, wife of Frank Shilmer, of Northumberland,
and Bertha Newman. Mr. Matthias and wife are members of the Lutheran
church; in politics he is a Republican, and has served as overseer of the
poor sixteen years.

   CYRUS BROUSE, merchant, was born in that part of Union county which
is now Snyder county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1840, son of Peter and
Amelia (Moore) Brouse, both natives of that county, and farmers by
occupation. They were members of the Lutheran church. The mother died
in 1887 and the father in 1889. They reared five children, four of whom
are living: Cyrus; Margaret, Mrs. E. I. Snyder, of Lewisburg,
Pennsylvania; Mary E., Mrs. Abel Johnson, of Union county, and Franklin,
of Sunbury. The subject of this sketch was educated at the township
schools and at Freeburg Academy. In September, 1862, he came to
Northumberland, and first engaged as clerk for William T. Forsyth, with
whom he remained until June, 1863; he then engaged with M. H. Taggart,
and was subsequently in the employ of Reuben Johnson, Colt & Todd, and
others. April 1 1888, he established his present business. In 1864 he
married Esther J., daughter of John Johnson, of Point township, by whom
he has five children: Reuben; Franklin C., who married Sarah Dull of
Lewisburg; Thomas; Williard, and Earl M. Politically Mr. Brouse is a
Republican, and has served as councilman and burgess of Northumberland;
he is a member of the K. of P. of Northumberland. He and family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the office
of recording steward.

   WILLIAM B. STONER, physician and surgeon, was born at Westminster,
Carroll county, Maryland, October 26, 1845. He received his education
at a collegiate institute at that place, now known as the Western
Maryland College, also received four years' instruction under Professor
Beggs, now of Belfast, Ireland, and graduated from the Edinburgh
University. After completing his education he read medicine with Dr.
William Taylor, of Gettysburg Pennsylvania, was graduated from the
Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery in 1860, and began
practicing in Hummelstown, Dauphin county, where he remained until 1871.
From there he removed to Georgetown, Northumberland county, and in 1873 to
Northumberland, where he has since enjoyed an extensive practice. His
father, George W. Stoner, was a native of Dauphin county. He married Mary
A. Sullivan, and settled in Carroll county, Maryland, where he engaged in
farming and still resides. They reared ten children, seven of whom are
living: William B.; George W., of Baltimore, Maryland Annie, wife of John
C. Eckenrode, of Westminster, Maryland; Sarah S., wife of Martin Babylon,
of Westminster; Leah S., wife of William C. Robinson, of Littlestown,
Pennsylvania; James M., of Baltimore, and Maggie. Doctor Stoner is a
member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A.M., and politically is a Democrat. He
has served as chief burgess and member of the borough council of
Northumberland, and as delegate to the State convention of his party.
May 15, 1866, he was united in marriage with Margaret E. Henderson,
daughter of Dr. William Henderson, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, by
whom he has five children: Mary A.; Sarah H.; Margaret E.; Florence V.,
and William Bruce. In i862 he enlisted in Company G, First Maryland
regiment, and served three months; on account of being under age he
withdrew and afterwards served in an independent company at Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. The Doctor was formerly president of the Board of Trade
of Northumberland, and is now secretary of the Northumberland Electric
Light Company.

   MARTIN J. D. WITHINGTON, agent for the Standard Oil Company at
Northumberland, was born in Mifflinburg, Union county, Pennsylvania,
July 19, 1823, and is a son of George and Catharine (Youngman)
Withington. The father was of English ancestry and was engaged in the
hotel and merchandise business. Our subject was reared in Centre county
until the age of fourteen years, when he came with his parents to the
town of Northumberland. He received his education in the public
schools. For twelve years he was collector of toll for the canal
company, and for some time was engaged in boating and operating coal
mines at Shamokin. Since 1873 he has acted as agent for the Standard
Oil Company. In 1849 he was married to Elizabeth G. Forsyth, daughter
of William Forsyth, late of Northumberland, by whom he has six children:
G. E., cashier of the First National Bank of Oregon; Alice, wife of
Captain C. M. Clement, of Sunbury; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Ball, of
St. Paul, Minnesota; F. H., wife of G. R. Van Alen, of Northumberland;
Helen, and Martin. Mr. Withington is a Democrat, and was at one time a
candidate for Congress. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

   FARNSWORTH REED, farmer, was born in Rush township, Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1824, son of Matthias and Priscilla
(Farnsworth) Reed. His father was born in 1790 in Shamokin township,
where his father had settled, and where he lived and died. After his
marriage he located in Rush township, but in 1833 moved back to Shamokin
township. He was a Whig in politics, and a deacon in the Baptist church
for many years. He died in Shamokin township in 1879, and his wife in
1857. They reared seven children, all deceased except Farnsworth and
Sarah, Mrs. William Depew, of Riverside. The subject of our sketch
attended the schools of Rush and Shamokin townships. In 1843 he married
Rosanna, daughter of David Miller, of Shamokin township, and has since
resided in Shamokin, Augusta, and Point townships, settling on his
present farm in the spring of 1866. His family consists of nine children:
S. O., of Sunbury: Maria Elizabeth, Mrs. Charles P. Seasholtz, of
Northumberland; Clarissa A., Mrs. George W. Vandevender, of Snyder county;
Jacob A., a merchant of Winfield, Pennsylvania: Sarah L., Mrs. Thomas J.
Vandelbing, of Packer's island: Laura D., Mrs. Charles M. Park, of
Kingston, Pennsylvania; Harriet I., Mrs. James B. Lesher, of Nebraska;
Elmer E., of Point township, and George M., of Iowa. Mr. Reed is an active
member of the Republican party, and has served in various township
offices. He is a deacon in the Baptist church of Northumberland.

   GEORGE M. DITZLER, farmer, was born in Turbut township, Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1849, son of Jacob and Sarah (Overpeck)
Ditzler. He was educated in the public schools and learned the trade of
tinsmith, which occupation he followed for ten years and has since been
farming. In 1874 he was married to Isadore M., daughter of Stephen
Bittenbender, one of the early settlers of Shamokin, by whom he has one
child, William. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of Northumberland, the
chapter of Danville, and also of the Danville commandery. He is a
Republican, and a member of the Lutheran church. He settled upon his
present farm in 1875 and is bringing it to a high state of cultivation.

   HARRISON C. KASE, farmer, was born in Rush township, Northumberland
county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1844. His father, Charles Kase, was also
born in Rush township. His grandfather, John Kase, was a native of
England, who came to America as a young man, married Eleanor Dewitt, a
native of New Jersey, and was among the early settlers of Rush township.
He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church for many years.
They retired from farming and moved to Elysburg, where both died. They
reared eight children, four of whom are living: Charles, of Riverside;
Catharine, Mrs. George West, of Danville; Clinton, a farmer of Montour
county, and James, of Danville. Charles Kase, the father of our
subject, was engaged in farming in Rush township until he retired and
moved to Riverside, where he now resides. He is a stockholder in the
Danville Bridge Company, Mt. Carmel Bank, and Danville nail factory.
His wife died, August 25, 1886. They reared four children: Oscar S., of
Riverside; Harrison C.; Hannah Ellen, deceased, and John Wilson. The
subject of this sketch was reared in Rush township and educated in the
township schools and Danville Academy. In 1863 he went as a substitute for
his father in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-second Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and served nine mouths, when he re-enlisted in Company A,
Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served one year; since then he has
been engaged in farming. February 2,1870, he married Maranda Ellen,
daughter of Robert and Bethiah (Banghart) Davidison, natives of New Jersey
and settlers of Montour county, by whom he has three children: Cora May;
Eleanor Gertrude, and Bertha Ellen M. Politically Mr. Kase is a
Republican, and has served in the various township offices; he is a
member of Goodrich Post, G.A.R., and of the Presbyterian church of
Danville.

   ROBERT CURRY McWILLIAMS, farmer, was born in Mooresburg, Montour
county, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1845, son of John and Margaret
(Caldwell) McWilliams, of the same county, and of Scotch-Irish extraction.
He received his education at the public schools, and at academies at
Millville, Pennsylvania, and Newark, New Jersey. His business career has
been principally that of a farmer, and he came to this county in 1872. In
October, 1876, he married Louisa V. Reighard, daughter of Dr. Jacob
Reighard, of Juniata county, this State. To this union have been born six
children: Margaret Caldwell; Lucinda Wagner; Amanda Belle; Jenette June;
Robert Curry, and Mary E. Mr. McWilliams has always been an active worker
in the Democratic party; in the winter of 1883-84 he represented
Northumberland county in the State legislature, and was a member of the
committees on military, election, federal relations, and banking. He has
also filled various township offices. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, No.
404, F. & A.M., a charter member of Warrior Run Chapter, No. 246, and a
member of the S.P.K. of Northumberland. He is a deacon and elder in the
Presbyterian church of Northumberland.

   HENRY WATTS, farmer, was born at his present homestead, October 11,
1817. His father, John Watts, was a native of England, who immigrated
to America in 1801 and settled upon the farm on which our subject now
resides in 1802. He married in this country, Sarah Hales, also a native
of England. He was a Whig in politics, and his wife was a member of the
Baptist church. He died in 1830, and his widow in 1854. They reared
three children: Henry; John, and William, of Des Moines, Iowa. The
subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Point township, and
has always lived upon his present farm. In 1847 he married Lydia Ann,
daughter of Peter and Margaret (Giest) Dentler, of Point township. They
have no children. Mr. Watts is an active Republican, and has served on
the election board twenty-five years, as assessor of the township eight
years, and as school director a number of terms. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are
members of the Baptist church of Northumberland.

   H. W. BURG, physician and surgeon, was born in Lower Windsor, York
county, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1852. He received his literary education
at New Berlin, Union county, the Williamsport Seminary, and at a
commercial college. He read medicine with Dr. S. W. Burg, of New
Berlin, attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, from which
he graduated in 1877, and has since practiced his profession in
Northumberland. In 1875 he married Cora H., daughter of A. C. Simpson,
attorney at law, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, by whom he has three
living children: Edwin; Stoddard, and Dorothy. A daughter, Mary Blanch,
was born, December 23, 1882, and died on the 13th of October, 1885. The
Doctor is a Democrat in politics, has served as burgess and assessor of
Northumberland, and is a member of the Sunbury Medical Association. His
wife is a member of the Episcopal church. His father, Philip William
Burg, was a native of Amsterdam, Holland, came to America when a young
man, and settled in York county. He married Mary A. Eckert, a native of
Northumberland, and lived in York county until 1855, when he died, and
his wife and two sons removed to Northumberland in the same year. They
had two children: H. W., and Somers, a machinist of Danville.