Biographies from Portage and Wharton Townships Potter Co., PASubmitted by Barb HydeE. O. AUSTIN, farmer, P.O. Austin, Penn, Mr. Austin is
a son of Oramel Austin, and was born in Greene, Chenango Co. N.Y., in
1825. He received a limited education in his native county, and in 1841,
with his parents came to White' s Corners, Harrison township, Potter
county, remaining there until 1856, when he removed to what is now the
borough of Austin, then in Sylvania township. He soon after built the
road from North Wharton (now Costello) to his place, three miles. In
1870 he built the State road from Austin to Keating Summit, to bring
his township in connection with the W.N.Y. & P.R.R. which was built
in 187 2- 73. He bought a tract of land, which he cleared, and was largely
instrumental in the location of extensive manufacturing interests. His
solicitation with Mr. Goodyear largely influenced Mr. Garretson to locate
his business there in 1885, and this resulted in the location of other
important mills and enterprises. He was educated as a civil engineer,
and was largely concerned in surveying and engineering in his county
some years ago. The town, which was named Austin in honor of E.O. (he
being its founder), was incorporated as a borough October 19, 1888.
It is located on a tract of 147 acres belonging to Mr. Austin, and was
laid out on plans drawn by him. He has always been prominently identified
with the town, doing all in his power to promote its interests. Mr.
Austin began life as a poor boy, and is emphatically a self-made man.
He has been justice of the peace about thirty years, or ever since 1857,
with the exception of a few months; was elected county commissioner
in 1863, serving two terms, and has been a school director forty years.
He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the fall of 1862, and served
until July, 1865, being chief clerk in the department of the Pamlico.
Mr. Austin wrote the reminiscences of Potter county deposited with the
State Historical Society, and a history of the county published in Egle'
s History of Pennsylvania, which has been of great value to the compiler
of the history of Potter county. He is a correspondent of many papers,
and is a writer of ability on any subject he chooses to discuss. He
read law with Isaac Benson from 1847 to 1849, and fitted himself for
the bar, although he had no intention of practicing. He is the leading
citizen of the town of Austin, and no man in the county has a more extended
influence or is more widely known and respected. He was married, in
1849, to Amelia Stedman, who died, leaving five children. He afterward
married Julia Allington, and to them have been born three children.
Mr. Austin is a stanch supporter of, the principles of the Republican
party. He is a member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, F. & A.M. FRANK L. BLAISDELL, proprietor of the Kindling Wood Factory,
Austin, son of E.F. Blaisdell, was born in Maine in 1852, where he was
reared and educated. He came to Potter county, Penn., and began the
erection of his works at Austin, in July, 1886, in company with his
brother. Their sawing machinery and bundling presses are of his own
invention. The Blaisdell Brothers are pioneers of the kindling wood
business, and were compelled to invent machinery to avoid infringement
of patent, and have the best in the world. Their mill has a capacity
of sawing 100 cords of four-foot wood daily, giving employment to 150
hands. Mr. Blaisdell was married in 1877 to Margaret Fenter, of New
York City, and to them have been born five children. Mr. Blaisdell is
liberal in religion and politics. JOHN BROWNLEE, proprietor of saw-mill, P.O. Costello,
is a son of Robert and Ruth Brownlee, and was born in Ballymena, County
Antrim, Ireland, in 1827. When he was two years old his parents moved
to Killyleagh, County Down, where he was reared and educated, and learned
the trade of baker and pastry cook. In 1851 he came to the United States,
the passage occupying thirteen weeks, and located in New York City.
The first engagement he had on this side of the Atlantic was as pastry
cook on the steamship "Georgia," under Admiral Porter, running
between New York City and Aspinwall. After following his trade five
years in New York, he came in 1856, through the influence of his half
brother, Gorman Young, of Ulno, to Potter county, where he has ever
since resided. He settled in Portage township, on the place he now owns,
which he purchased when it was a wilderness. This he cleared and improved,
making it a very fine property. Coming here, as he did, with $2, 000
in money, Mr. Brownlee was considered a capitalist in those days. He
is the owner of a saw, grist, planning and shingle mill, and, in addition
to attending to the work of his farm, has always been in the lumber
trade. Mr. Brownlee has been twice married- first, in Liverpool, England,
to Elizabeth Savage, of Downpatrick, County Down, Ireland, who bore
him ten children, all natives of Potter county, except the eldest, who
was born at 73 Fulton street, New York. Seven of the children are yet
living. This wife dying, Mr. Brownlee afterward married Rebecca Courtney,
of Fulnek, a Moravian settlement in Yorkshire, England. Politically
Mr. Brownlee is a Republican. HARRY D. CASKEY, son of M.C. and Eliza L. (Thayer) Caskey,
was born at Great Valley, N.Y., January 5, 1862. He received his education
at the Chamberlain Institute, Randolph, N.Y., and entered the office
of the Courant at that place as an apprentice, in 1878. Remaining three
years, he moved to Warren, Penn., and worked in various offices in Western
Pennsylvania and Western New York until 1883, when he purchased the
office of the Cherry Creek (N.Y.) Monitor, and in partnership with John
Ackley, conducted that paper until the close of the year, when he returned
to Randolph. In the summer of 1884 he moved to Butte, Mont., and entered
the Miner office. In 1885- 86 he traveled through the West, and, returning
to Pennsylvania, resumed work, establishing the Sharon Leader and Ceres
Courant. After a term of fifteen months, he moved to Austin, September
1, 1887, and with the editor of the Reporter established the Austin
Autograph. In April, 1888, he sold the office to Snyder & Co., who
in turn, sold to W.H. Sullivan in November, 1888. In April, 1889, the
latter sold to D.W. Butterworth, but in September of that year Mr. Sullivan
resumed possession of the office, and immediately turned it over to
Mr. Caskey, who has been editor since its establishment here. His marriage
with Miss Matie Brock, took place November 1, 1887, at Ceres, N.Y. Mr.
Caskey has always been a Democrat, and his journal is strongly favorable
to that party. A. DEICHES, merchant, Austin, a son of W. Deiches, was
born in Austria in 1852, and came to the United States in 1870. He first
located in New York City, where he remained until 1886, when he removed
to Austin, Penn., and became associated with S. Deiches in the clothing
business. While in New York he was engaged in the manufacture of cigars
at Brooklyn, and was also in the clothing business. He was the first
to manufacture cigars in Austin, and still carries on an extensive business
in that line. He was married in New York to Celia Tyroler, and they
have three children. They are adherents of the Hebrew faith. In. politics
Mr. Deiches is a Republican. R. J. GAFFNEY, Austin, son of Michael Gaffney, was born
in New York City, January 14, 1863. He remained in his native city until
nine years of age, when his parents removed to Valley Falls, Rensselaer
Co., N.Y., where he remained some twelve years. After leaving school
he was for some years working in the manufacture of mosquito nets, linen
twines, and buckrams, in Valley Falls, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., and March
15, 1884, left Valley Falls and returned to New York City, remaining
there one year in the employ of Clarkson & Allen, painters and wall-paper
decorators, as their collector. In March, 1885, he left New York City
and went to Fish' s Eddy, Delaware Co., N.Y., to take charge of a country
store for Keery Bros., in connection with their chemical works at that
place; he remained with Keery Bros. three years, and, was at the time
of leaving them, their general superintendent of chemical works and
store, which, by the way, grew and prospered in his hands. March 15,
1888, he came to Potter county, Penn., erected the Austin Chemical Works,
where he manufactures wood alcohol, acetate of lime and charcoal, and
is also superintendent of the extract works. June 22, 1887, Mr. Gaffney
married Hattie L. Sproat, of Valley Falls. He is a strong supporter
of high license and firm against the removal of the internal revenue
tax on grain alcohol. W. H. SULLIVAN, Austin, son of Timothy Sullivan, was
born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, in 1864, where he was educated,
graduating from the collegiate institute in 1880. In 1882 he became
connected with the Buffalo Hardware Company, and upon the completion
of their works at Austin, in 1886, came here as their general manager.
In December, 1888, with Mr. Harvey, he leased both mills of the Buffalo
Hardware Company, the upper one being the largest in the State, and
one of the largest in the United States, giving employment to 275 men.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of A.C. Calkins, of Buffalo. He is a
member of Eulalia Lodge, No. 342, I.O.O.F. He is, in his political views,
a Democrat, and was a member of the State Central Committee in 1888. WHARTON TOWNSHIP Back to Top SETH BRIGGS, manufacturer of lumber, P.O. Sanders, was
born in Tioga county, N.Y., October 9, 1834. He came with his, father,
Seth Briggs (who was one of the first settlers of Wharton township),
to Potter county, October 9, 1854. The family settled on a tract of
wild land, and held it by peaceable possession, living on it twenty-one
years. His father died in 1862, and although a resident of the county
only eight years, was well-known and highly respected. In 1875 Mr. Briggs
bought the saw-mill formerly owned by David Card, and now carries on
an extensive business in lumber. He was married July 9, 1887, to Miss
D.M. Horton, of Wharton. He has been a prominent citizen of the county,
and has held various official positions. In politics he is a Democrat. DAVID CARD, lumberman and farmer, P.O. Sanders, was born
in Chautauqua county, N.Y., February 14, 1818. In his childhood his
parents moved to Vermont and from there to Oswego county, N.Y., where
they lived until 1850, when they moved to Tioga county, N.Y. Mr. Card
bought a farm in Tioga county, living on it until 1858, when he came
to Potter county, Penn., and exchanged his farm in Tioga county for
a tract of wild land, heavily timbered, in Wharton township. He built
a mill on his land, and has been extensively engaged in the lumber business.
He also has given his attention to agriculture, and owns a well-improved
farm on the Sinnemahoning river, which is attractive, his residence
and farm buildings being among the best in the township. Although deeply
engrossed in his own business, he is interested in all matters of public
benefit, and has held various official positions. Mr. Card was married,
in 1851, to Miss Diadona Green, who died in 1858, and May 11, 1861,
he married Miss Louisa Briggs, daughter of Seth Briggs, who came from
Tioga county, N.Y., to Potter county, in 1854. Mr. Card has a family
of five children: Della, wife of Henry Engle; Laura, wife of Wesley
Harding; David; Cora, wife of Isaac Cornelius, and Charles. Mr. and
Mrs. Card are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. M. T. SEIBERT, farmer, P.O. Costello, was born March
.26, 1826, in Berks county, Penn., where he was reared and educated,
remaining with his father until he became a young man. He bought a farm,
in Berks county, and remained there until 1848, when he came to Potter
county, and purchased a tract of wild land, but did not move to the
county until 1871. He now has a good home in Wharton township, and is
one of the prosperous farmers of the township. Mr. Seibert was married
in October, 1847, to Miss Mary A. Good, who died in 1856. In November,
1866, he married Miss Amelia Bishop, of Berks county, and they have
seven children: John M. (in Alabama), Luther B., (an attorney in Austin),
Douglas S. (a merchant in Sanders), Mary L. (wife of George Olmsted,
of Coudersport), Annie A. (in Eldred), Nellie G. and Nora V. Mr. Seibert
is a member of Williamson Lodge, No. 807, F. & A.M. |
If you have anything of genealogical or historical interest to add to this site, or if you are interested in becoming a member of the Painted Hills Genealogy Society, please contact me at:
This page is maintained by the PHGS
Last Update April 9, 2009