Biographies from Ulysses Township, Potter Co., PASubmitted by Barb HydeC. E. BAKER, farmer, P.O. Ulysses, is a representative
of one of the early families in this part of Pennsylvania. He was
born in Shippen township, Tioga Co., Penn., in 1846, a son of Hollister
Baker. He is by occupation a farmer, and now owns one of the best
farms in Ulysses township, Potter county. He is a public-spirited,
enterprising man, and has always taken an interest in the public affairs
of the township. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but now
casts his suffrage with the Prohibition party. He was married, in
1871, to Nancy G., daughter of Moses and Julia (Crum) Hackett, granddaughter
of John and Ruth (Baker) Hackett, and great-granddaughter of Gideon
and Lydia (Griswold) Baker. They have one son, Cleon V. Mrs. Baker'
s grandfather, John Hackett, came with his family to Potter county,
from Broome county, N.Y., in 1826, and settled on the farm now owned
by Mr. A.S. Burt. He also owned the land which is the present site
of the town of Lewisville. Mrs. Baker's father died March 9, 1879,
and her mother April 11, 1876. In 1886 the descendants down to the
sixth generation, assembled at the old Hackett homestead to celebrate
the one hundredth anniversary of the marriage of Gideon Baker and
Lydia Griswold, who were married at Lebanon, N.H., August 24, 1786.
The only child of this pair present was Mrs. Rhoda Harvey, of Bingham
township. The descendants of this family are scattered over twelve
states of the Union, and also in Canada, and number up into the hundreds.
Several are residents of Potter county, and are worthy descendants
of this pioneer family. HENRY BARTLETT, farmer, P.O. Ulysses, a son of John
and Hannah (Davis) Bartlett, natives of England, was born in Wiltshire,
England, October 14, 1840. He received a practical business education
in the public schools of his native country, and remained upon the
home farm with his parents during his boyhood days, having charge
of his father's horses. In November, 1861, he married Miss. Mary Bates,
of England, and they are the parents of seven children, all of whom
reside at home. Mr. Bartlett learned the trade of brewing in England,
but engaged principally in farming until 1874, when he came to America,
going to Addison, N.Y., where he engaged in market gardening for three
years. In 1879 he came to Ulysses township, Potter Co., Penn., purchasing
a farm, where he has since found a pleasant home. Mr. Bartlett has
held the office of township assessor for two years. He is actively
engaged in lumbering, and is one of the progressive workers in the
township. EDWARD BORST, lumber dealer, P.O. Ulysses, son of Henry
J. Borst, was born at Erwin, Steuben Co., N.Y., in 1840. In 1861 he
engaged in business as lumberman at Erwin, residing there until 1885.
He then moved to Mills, Harrison township, Potter Co., Penn., where
he purchased the old Lawrence mills, which he operated two years;
then sold and purchased at Lewisville what is known as the Perry Brigham
property, where he has a mill with a capacity of about 3,000,000 feet
of lumber annually. Mr. Borst was married in 1861 to Georgiana D.
Taggart, and they have five children: Adelbert J., Sidney H., Flora
M., Edward and George Harvey. Mr. Borst is a member of Montour Lodge,
No. 168, F. & A.M., and of Corning Chapter, No. 190, R.A.M. In
politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. PERRY BRIGHAM, P.O. Ulysses, was born in Cortland county,
N.Y., in 183 7, a son of Hiram and Louisa Brigham. February 18, 1839,
his parents moved to Potter county, Penn., and settled in Ulysses
township, where his father bought a timber farm and a mill, and engaged
in both farming and lumbering until 1868, when he moved to Tioga county,
where he died. The mother now makes her home with her son Perry. Of
a family of three children but two are living, John and Perry. One
son, Collins, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and while
in the army contracted measles, which resulted in his death. Perry
Brigham made his home with his parents until his majority. He learned
the blacksmith's trade in his youth, and in 1860 located at Lewisville,
where he worked at his trade until 1865, when he bought a farm in
Ulysses township, on which he lived nine years. He then returned to
Lewisville. He, with three partners, built a mill in Lewisville in
1872, subsequently becoming sole owner. He has twice suffered the
loss of his mill by fire, his present mill being the third he has
built on the same site. In 1885 he bought the first carload of pipes
for water-works, nearly all of which he put in during the summer.
In September, 1887, his company became incorporated, and the town
is now supplied with an abundance of pure water, which is chiefly
used for domestic purposes, but is also used in time of fire. Mr.
Brigham is a public-spirited, enterprising man, and devotes considerable
time and means to the promotion of the interests of his town. In addition
to his milling interests he conducted the Lyman House, Lewisville
from 1875 to 1882. He was married, in 1863, to Elizabeth C. Monroe.
Mrs. Brigham died in May, 1885, leaving five children: Ione, Charles
M., Ann L., Bert and Grace. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and a lady whose life was one of self sacrifice for the good
of others. Mr. Brigham has held the office of justice of the peace
for ten years, and has held other local positions. W. F. BURT, farmer, P.O. Ulysses, was born in Cortland
county, N.Y., June 20, 1819, the third son of nine children born to
Anson S. and Betsy (Blackman) Burt, natives of Massachusetts, who
came to Ulysses township in 1832. Mr. Burt spent his boyhood days
with his parents on the home farm. He married, in January, 1842, Miss
Caroline Rathbun, a daughter of John and Betsey (Fisher) Rathbun.
Miss Fisher was a descendant of Chief Justice Sylvester, of England.
Mr. Burt, after his marriage, purchased the farm in Ulysses township,
where he now resides. In 1859 he was elected sheriff of Potter county,
in which capacity he served for three years. WOOLSEY BURTIS, merchant, Lewisville, a son of Solomon
and Rebecca (Rosa) Burtis, was born in Sullivan county, N.Y., in 1822.
May 6, 1836, his parents came to White's Corners, Harrison township,
Potter Co., Penn., where his father engaged in farming and blacksmithing.
In 1861 his father died, and his mother made her home with Woolsey
until her decease. Their children were Jacob (deceased), John (now
of Minnesota) and Woolsey. Woolsey Burtis remained with his parents
at the homestead, and cared for them during their lifetime, succeeding
his father in the ownership of the farm. In 1865 he removed to Lewisville,
and has since been engaged in the mercantile business. He was married
in 1844 to Mary J. Potter, and they have had two children: Celia (the
late Mrs. F. M. Johnson, of Nebraska) and Sarah (now Mrs. George W.
Bennett, of Ulysses). Mr. Burtis is a member of Lewisville Lodge,
No. 556, F. & A.M. He united with the Republican party in 1856,
which he supported until 1888, and now votes with the Prohibition
party. In 1862 he was elected treasurer of the county, and served
one term of three years; later was elected associate judge, and served
one term. While in Harrison township he held all the township offices.
Mr. Burtis is now living with his third wife, formerly Mrs. Sarah
Taggart, daughter of Burrill Lyman. GEORGE W. CARPENTER, farmer, P.O. Newfield, son of
Theodore and Charity Carpenter, was born in Tompkins county, N.Y.,
March 1, 1825. Theodore Carpenter was born December 18, 1800, and
Charity Carpenter, May 11, 1806; they were married in Tompkins county
February 1, 1824, and removed to Bingham township, Potter Co., Penn.,
in October of the same year. At that time the country was a dense
wilderness, and they located in the woods and cleared a farm, which
they made their home till death. Their children were George W., Alva,
Betsy, Harriet, Michael, Louisa, Theodore, Esther, Julia and John.
Mr. Carpenter died July 31, 1859, and his widow June 11, 1865. George
W. Carpenter made his home with his parents until 1846, when he located
on and began improving the farm where he now lives, which his father
had previously purchased. September 29, 1850, he married Lucinda,
daughter of Willis Young, and they have had five children: Willis,
Charles, Julia (deceased), Angeline and Theodore. In March, 1865,
Mr. Carpenter enlisted in Company A, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
He received injuries at the battle of Hatcher's run, but remained
in the service until the close of the war, when he returned home and
resumed his former vocation, which he still continues. In politics
Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat. D. J. CHAPPEL, merchant, Lewisville, a son of John
and Mercy (Williams) Chappel, was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland Co.,
N.Y., and came to Potter county, Penn., in 1843, with his parents,
who located in Pike township, where they both died, the father in
May, 1862, and the mother in 1869, leaving a family of four children,
viz.: Maria (now deceased), D. J., E.W. and Henrietta (Mrs. H.R. Burgess,
of Belmont). D.J. Chappel made his home with his parents until their
decease. His first business venture for himself was at Lewisville,
where he became a dealer in general merchandise. He later removed
to Bingham township, and engaged in farming until 1863, when he returned
to Lewisville and resumed his former business, which he continues.
He enlisted March 1, 1862, in Company G, Fifty-third Pennsylvania
Volunteers, but was discharged on account of disability September
18 following. He is a member of O.A. Lewis Post, No. 279, G.A.R. In
politics he is an active Republican, but is not an office-seeker.
Mr. Chappel was married, in 1858, to Anna M. Gridley, and they have
one child, John. D. C. CHASE, dealer in merchandise, Lewisville, son
of John H. Chase, was born at Middleburg, Tioga Co., Penn., in 1857.
He was reared in Allegany county, N.Y., and educated at the Mansfield
State Normal School. After leaving school he located at Spring Mills,
and became associated with W. Leonard (firm name being Leonard &
Chase) as jobbers in cheese, for a period of five years. He then removed
to a farm in Bingham township, Potter Co., Penn., where he remained
two years; thence to Lewisville, where he formed a partnership with
George H. Cobb the firm name being Cobb & Chase, dealers in general
merchandise, and also proprietors of the Ulysses horse sale stables.
In 1881 Mr. Chase married Mary M. Robbins, of Spring Mills, Allegany
Co., N.Y., and they have one child, Laura. In 1888 Mr. Chase invested
heavily in hemlock timber land in Potter county, Penn., another evidence
of his great business enterprise. He is a Republican in politics. DR. A. H. COBB, Lewisville, son of Horace and Diana
(Huntington) Cobb, was born at Spring Mills, Allegany Co., N.Y., in
1843-the family comprising five sons and two daughters. There he was
reared and educated, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred
and Thirtieth New York Volunteers, and was later transferred to the
First New York Dragoons. He was mustered out of the service in 1865,
having been in thirty-seven engagements. He returned to his former
home, completed his education, and studied medicine with Dr. E.U.
Eaton. He then attended medical lectures at Buffalo Medical College,
and first began the practice of medicine in Ulysses, being associated
with his former teacher as partner for a term of five years, when
they dissolved, and Dr. Cobb located at Lewisville, where he is enjoying
a very large and remunerative practice. He was married, in 1866, to
Louise Raymond, daughter of Joel and Matilda Raymond, of North Bingham,
Penn., and they have two children, D. Raymond and Aurelia L. The Doctor
is a member of O.A. Lewis Post, No. 279, G.A.R.; was formerly a Republican
in politics, but in 1880 joined the Prohibition party, of which he
is still a member, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. GEORGE H. COBB, merchant, Lewisville, son of Horace
Cobb, was born in Spring Mills, Allegany Co., N.Y., in 1850. His father
died in 1865, and from that time he was obliged to rely on his own
resources. He was employed at various occupations, attending school,
teaching, farming, etc., until his marriage, after which he settled
at Spring Mills and engaged in farming, until he went to the oil fields,
and, being successful, returned to Lewisville, Potter county, and
embarked in the grocery business. This he continued for four years,
at which time he took as a partner P.O. Chase, and carried on a general
merchandise business for four years, the firm being Cobb & Chase,
and now speculating in hemlock lands; they are also engaged in buying
and selling wool, and are proprietors of the Ulysses Horse Sale Stables.
Mr. Cobb was married, in 1870, to Ruth, daughter of Joel Raymond,
of Bingham township. D. A. COREY, proprietor Hosley House, Lewisville, is
a son of A.D. and Elmira (Stewart) Corey, and was born at Almond,
Allegany Co., N.Y., in 1846. His grandfather, Ambrose Corey, located
at Ulysses (now Lewisville), and was one of the first merchants of
the place, continuing business there until his decease in 1862, his
wife dying the following year. His children were A.D., Charles, Selina,
B.S., Lydia and Mary. (deceased). A.D. Corey was born in 1823, and
made his home at Almond until 1855, in which year he removed to Ulysses,
where he worked at his trade, harness making, until after the breaking
out of the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Fifty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was injured by the concussion of a shell,
from the effects of which he has never recovered, which prevents his
pursuing his former occupation. He is a member of O.A. Lewis Post,
No. 279, G.A.R. In Hornellsville he married Elmira Stewart, and to
them were born four children: D.A., two who died in infancy, and E.A.,
who is a resident of Lewisville, married and has two children. D.A.
Corey made his home with his parents until 1870. He was engaged in
the harness business until 1883, when he purchased the Hosley House,
at Lewisville, which he has since conducted. He was married in 1866
to Antoinette Comstock, and their children are Arthur L., M.M., Gertie
and Laura (who both died in infancy), and Willie, Carrie and Marion. J. N. CROWELL, retired, P.O. Ulysses, son of David
and Mary Crowell, was born in Otsego county, N.Y., in December, 1822.
His father came to Potter county in 1838, and J. N. was employed in
carrying mail from Jersey Shore, Penn., to Olean, N.Y., there being
at that time only one house in sixty miles. There was an office at
Lymansville, and the next was at Jersey Shore. In 1839 his father'
s family located in Ulysses township on the place now owned by Burton
Lewis, it being then comparatively wild; lived there till 1851, when
he removed to Sweden township, Penn., where he remained until his
death in January, 1865; his widow died in 1872. Their children were
Deborah, now Mrs. Nicholas Johnson, of Chenango; Afton; Angerona,
now Mrs. E.A. Wagner; J.N.; A.B.; Adeline, now Mrs. Charles Armstrong,
of Coudersport; Miranda and Amanda (twins), the former of whom, now
deceased, was the wife of Henry Shafer, the latter now Mrs. Cornelius
Searles; and David J. J.N. Crowell began his business life in 1845.
He purchased a tract of wild land in Ulysses township and cleared
a farm, upon which he lived until 1884, when he removed to his present
residence at Lewisville. He married, in 1848, Julia, daughter of Abram
Wagner, and they have four children: Charles R., Mary A. (Mrs. Fayette
Lewis), F.A., and Ellen (Mrs. Philander H. Miller). Mr. Crowell enlisted
during the Rebellion in Company G, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers.
He was wounded at the battle of White Oak Swamps, captured and confined
in Richmond prison and at Belle Isle five weeks, when he was exchanged,
and served until the expiration of his term, returning to his home
in March, 1865, having served three years. Mr. Crowell is a Republican,
and has held various official positions in his township. M. S. CRUM, farmer, P.O. Newfield, son of Clark and
Eda Crum, was born in Ulysses township, Potter Co., Penn., in 1838.
His parents came to Potter county March 2, 1831, and located on the
place now owned by James Nixon, in Ulysses township. This was the
fifth family to settle in Ulysses township, and Mr. Crum gained the
reputation of being one of the most successful hunters in the county.
He killed over 1,500 deer, and many panthers, catching two of the
latter alive. He also killed twenty-one black bear, five large gray
wolves, and wild cats and foxes almost without number. He paid for
a farm of 350 acres from the proceeds of the game he sold. His children
were Mrs. Deborah Jackson, Mrs. Abigail Johnson, James L. and M.S.
The father died February 22, 1887, aged ninety years, and the mother
in August, 1864. M.S. Crum was reared in his native township, and
has always devoted his attention to agriculture. He lived on the old
homestead until 1870, when he bought the farm he now owns. He was
married January 1, 1862, to Hannah M., daughter of Willis Young. They
have two children: Sarah (now Mrs. George Williams) and Addie. In
politics Mr. Crum is a Democrat, and has held various township offices. HENRY HATCH DENT (deceased) was a native of Charles
county, Md., born February 11, 1815, a son of Dr. William Hatch Dent
(who died when his son was two years of age) and Katherine (Brawner)
Dent, a daughter of Henry Brawner. The parents of Dr. William Hatch
Dent were Rev. Hatch Dent (who fought during the Revolutionary war,
and afterward became a clergy man of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
and first principal of the Maryland State School, at Charlotte Hall,
St. Mary' s county, Md.) and Judith (Posten) Dent, all natives of
lower Maryland, of Charles and St. Mary's counties. Henry Hatch Dent,
the subject proper of this commemorative record, received a thorough
education, and graduated from Yale College in 1836 or 1837, after
which he studied law in Washington, D.C., under Francis S. Keys, author
of "The Star Spangled Banner." As a young man, he practiced
law in the office of Felix Grundy, at that time attorney-general of
the United States; then practiced in Washington until the death of
his wife in 1849, during which time he was offered the judgeship of
the criminal court there, which he declined. In E. U. EATON, M.D., Lewisville, son of Charles Eaton,
was born in Andover, Allegany Co., N.Y., in 1844, and was there reared
and educated. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Crandall, of
that place, attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1865-66-67,
and subsequently at Buffalo Medical College, from which he graduated
in 1884. He first began the practice of medicine at Lewisville in
1867, and now has a very large practice, being one of the most successful
physicians in the county. He married, in October, 1868, Marcella R.
Crandall, of Independence, N.Y., and they have two children, Nellie
and Carrie. Dr. Eaton is a member of Lewisville Lodge, No. 556, F.
& A.M. and of Ulysses Chapter, No. 269, R.A.M. In politics he
supports the principles of the Republican party. ANDREW J. EVANS, editor and proprietor of the Ulysses
Sentinel, was born at West Union, Steuben Co., Penn., N.Y., October
30, 1857. His father was a mechanic, a stone mason, and moved about
a great deal wherever he could find most employment at his trade.
Shortly after the birth of the subject of these lines, his parents
removed to Tompkins county, N.Y. While there the Civil war broke out,
and his father enlisted in the army, leaving the mother to take care
of six children, of which Andrew J. was next to the youngest. This
she did as faithfully and devotedly as any of the thousands of other
mothers who were doing the same self-sacrificing work at that period,
so critical to the safety of the Union. After the war closed, the
family moved back to Steuben county, and from there to Whitesville,
N.Y., where the mother died when Andrew was twelve years old. A year
later the father married again, and part of the family of eight children
was quickly scattered, three children only being left at home. Soon
after this the family moved to the backwoods of Potter county, Penn.,
where school privileges were very limited. Andrew was now old enough
to appreciate the benefit of an education, and by dint of much study
at home, with the aid of one term at select school, he was enabled
to get a teacher' s certificate. At eighteen he began to teach school,
and, with intervals of attending school, followed the profession for
twelve years. From the time he began to teach, he was practically
independent of his father, and received no pecuniary assistance from
him. He saved his earnings, and attended the Mansfield State Normal
School, where he graduated in 1884. After this he was principal of
the Lewisville graded school for three years, and in the spring of
1887 became a candidate for the office of county superintendent. His
liberal views on the subject of religion, however, defeated him. On
the first of January, 1888, Mr. Evans bought a half-interest in the
Ulysses Sentinel, and the following September purchased his partner'
s interest in the same, and at present he is sole owner and proprietor.
September 5, 1889, he was married to Miss Anna Evans, of Spring Mills,
N.Y. Mr. Evans' parents were S.A. Evans and Nancy (Somers), both native
Americans and traceable back to English stock. Mrs. Evans' parents
were G.F. Evans and Lucinda (Murdock), also native Americans. DANIEL FULLER, P. O. Ulysses, son of Thomas and Sally
(Jincks) Fuller, was born in Wyoming county, N.Y., in 1831. In 1839
his parents removed to Ulysses township, Potter Co., Penn., near Gold,
where they purchased a farm, and here his father lived and died, after
which Mrs. Fuller made her home with Daniel, until her decease. Their
children were Nathan, now a resident of Michigan; Mrs. Huldah Gallup,
of McKean county; Hannah, now Mrs. Norman Rodgers, of Nebraska, and
Daniel. Daniel Fuller made his home with his parents until twelve
years of age, after which he engaged in various occupations, and learned
the carpenter and goldsmith trades. October 16, 1861, in answer to
his country's call for men, he enlisted in Company G, Fifty-third
Pennsylvania Volunteers, and September 17, 1862, was wounded at the
battle of Antietam. The Irish brigade were in advance and had made
several charges to drive the rebels from an adjacent corn field, and
the Fifty-third was held in reserve with orders to lie down. He, with
other men lying close to the ground in the second line of battle,
heard a cheer in front, and, having curiosity to know its occasion,
raised himself on his hands when a shell hit both arms, necessitating
their amputation, the first operation being performed on the field,
and the next on the 5th of October. He was of course discharged and
returned to his former home, and was made a pensioner, receiving the
highest amount then paid, $8 per month. Wholly incapacitated from
performing any kind of manual labor, the future to him held not much
of promise. However, on the presentation of his case to some of his
personal friends, and receiving assurances of their willingness to
loan their services to secure an increase of pension, he was induced
to visit the city of Washington, to present his case in person. His
friends and neighbors learning that a little financial assistance
would not be unacceptable, gave an oyster supper, which netted $163,
and this money, so kindly given, enabled him to make the contemplated
trip, and when he appeared before the committee on pensions, and before
the House, he secured in July, 1864, the first increase of pension
given to those who lost both hands or both eyes, $25 per month, and
to those who lost both legs $20. During his trip he was of course
accompanied by a friend, and received continually assurances of sympathy
and respect, in substantial form. Before the war he became acquainted
with Mrs. Sophia F. Scott, and they were married after his return
in 1863. They have one son, Charles A., now a farmer of Allegheny
township. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fuller
is a member of O.A. Lewis Post, G.A.R. He is a Republican in politics,
and has held several township offices. W. J. GROVER, merchant and farmer, P.O. Newfield. A.M. Grover, the father of this gentleman, is a native of Johnsburg, Warren Co., N.Y., born in 1814. In 1842 he married Sabra Dunkley, and in 1853 they moved to Potter county, Penn., locating on the farm now owned by Alva Carpenter, and two years later they purchased a portion of the farm now in, possession of their son, W.J.; then, in 1885, they bought the T.A. Galutia farm, still owned by them, though they reside at Newfield. They are the parents of the following named children: Phebe L., Myron S. (deceased), W.J., Roxie M., Nettie A. and John J., the last two having been born in Potter county. Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Grover having been among the early settlers of Potter county, and their means being then limited, they naturally had an active share in the hardships experienced in the pioneer lives of the settlers in the forests of Potter county. W.J. Grover, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Johnsburg, Warren county, N.Y., May 10, 1847, and came with his parents to Potter county in 1853. At the time of the battle of Gettysburg, and during the excitement when there was an urgent call for militia troops, young Grover, against the will of his parents, enlisted in the militia, but through their influence at the time he did not proceed to the front. In February, 1864, he again enlisted, this time at Coudersport, in the Forty-sixth Regiment P.V.I., under Lieut. Rees, but was prohibited from going with his regiment by his parents. However, on March 31, same year, by the assistance of his fellow-comrades, he succeeded in enlisting in Company H, Fifty-third Regiment P.V.I., in which he served his country till the close of the war, being discharged June 30, 1865. After the war he returned to the pursuits of peace, and settled down
to a farming and commercial life. Mr. Grover has been three times
married: First in 1875, to Eugenie L., daughter of Alva Carpenter,
and she dying February 22, 1879, he married, in 1880, Mrs. Sarah A.
Presho, daughter of Seth Conable; this wife died October 30, 1882,
leaving one child, Willie M., and in 1883 our subject married Miss
Nellie M., daughter of William and Irena Knapp, by which union there
is also one child, Sarah Eugenie. Mr. Grover is a member of O.A. Lewis
Post, No. 279, G.A.R.; in politics he is a Republican, has served
his township as supervisor and overseer of the poor six years, and
has held various township offices. He owns a farm of 400 acres, and
is the founder of and the only merchant in Newfield, the manufacturing
concerns of which place he was mainly instrumental in establishing. ALBERT L. HERVEY, farmer, P.O. Ulysses, son of Joseph
and Rhoda (Baker) Hervey, was born in Triangle, Broome Co., N.Y.,
in 1830. His father was a native of Berkshire, Mass., and his mother
of Lebanon, N.H. Each with their parents removed to Broome county,
where they were married in 1824. They located at Triangle, where they
remained until their removal to Bingham township, Potter Co. Penn.,
in 1847, where the father died in 1876. The mother survives, and makes
her home with her children. They had a family of four sons: Jerome
(of Bingham township, on the old homestead), Albert L., A.B. (of Canton,
N.Y., and now president of the Universalist Theological College, and
J.E. (of Westfield, Penn.). In August, 1862, Albert L. Hervey entered
as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania
Volunteers. He was wounded at Gettysburg, losing the thumb and forefinger
of his left hand, but remained in the field. In April, 1864, he was
made second lieutenant, and was mustered out of the service in June,
1805. He then returned to his old home in Bingham township, and in
1874 purchased the farm he now owns in Ulysses township, erected fine
farm buildings, and is now recognized as one of the able and successful
agriculturists of the county. He has also been largely engaged in
raising stock, and has one of the best dairy farms of the county.
He is a member of Lewisville Lodge, No. 550, F. & A.M., Ulysses
Chapter, No. 269, R.A.M., and of O.A. Lewis Post, No. 279, G.A.R.
In politics he is a Republican. In 1871 he was elected treasurer of
the county, serving one term of two years, and has been honored officially
in various ways in his township. He was married in 1855 to Sarah E.,
daughter of Jason Spender, of Triangle, N.Y., and to them have been
born two children: William W. (now a merchant of Havana, N.Y.) and
Mark S. (now a book-keeper in W. K. Jones' Bank of Coudersport). WILLIAM T. LANE. The family of Lanes, from which the
subject of this sketch is sprung, can be traced back in direct line
to one John Lane, who came to America from Derbyshire, England, more
than two hundred years ago, and settled at Killingsworth, Middlesex
Co., Conn. Azel Lane, the seventh in the genealogical line, and the
father of William T. Lane, was born in Killingsworth, Conn., September
2, 1793, and removed to Jacksonville, Tompkins Co., N.Y., about 1818,
and there married Mrs. Asenath (Thompson) Smith, widow of Capt. Enos
Smith, who died in the war of 1812; they were the parents of one child,
Willett B. Smith, who was born in Jacksonville in 1808, and died in
the Honeoye Valley in 1889. To the union of Azel and Asenath (Thompson)
Smith Lane were born three children: Norman B., William Thompson,
and a daughter who died in childhood. The father of these children
had limited school advantages, but he made up in energy what he lacked
in early education; he was a life-long student, and in his later years
made the study of languages a specialty, and was enabled to speak
several tongues, the knowledge of which he acquired by his own unaided
efforts. He was a millwright by trade and a practical mechanic. He
was also a man whose morals were stainless, and whose life was above
reproach, and who, dying, left to his two sons the legacy of a name
untarnished. He departed this life May 14, 1876, his wife having met
her death several years before, the result of an accident. HOMER K. LANE, druggist, Lewisville, was born in the
town of Sharon, Potter Co., Penn., June 7, 1847, a son of William
T. and Sarah J. (Mead) Lane. He was given the advantages of a good
common-school education, finishing at an academy in Richburg, Allegany
Co., N.Y. He was employed by his father, in Sharon, in the lumbering
business until August, 1867, when both went to Blue Rock, Elk Co.,
Penn., where they were engaged in the same business until 1874, when
the father returned to Sharon, where he still resides. Homer K., however,
went to Brockwayville, Jefferson county, where he was engaged in general
merchandising with Wellman Bros., until the fall of 1875, when he
went to Union City, Erie county, where he purchased a drug store from
R.W. Hazelton, and remained there until the fall of 1878, when he
sold out to R.W. Wilkins, and in the spring of 1879 he came to Lewisville
and bought a small stock of drugs from C.E. Hooley, and also a stock
from Chappel Bros., renting the store from the latter firm. About
1885, his trade having been a thriving one, he erected the store building
which he now occupies at Lewisville, and in which he keeps a large
and well selected stock of drugs and medicines, fine perfumes, toilet
articles, fancy goods, school and miscellaneous books, wall-paper
and ceiling decorations, and is doing a very successful trade. September
27, 1869, Mr. Lane married Miss Hettie E. Huhn, of Brockwayville,
Jefferson county, who bore him one son, August 3, 1870. November 21,
1872, Mrs. Lane died of consumption, and ten weeks later the son was
carried away by lung trouble complicated with other disorders. December
22, 1875, Mr. Lane chose a second bride, Miss Carrie J. Eaton, of
Andover, N.Y., and this union was blessed, March 13, 1880, by the
birth of a daughter, Edith E. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are members of the
Baptist Church. Mr. Lane is a member of Lodge, No. 556, F. & A.M.,
and Ulysses Chapter, No. 269, R.A.M. SETH LEWIS, attorney at law, Lewisville, a son of William
and Ruth A. (Bierce) Lewis, was born at Upper Lisle, Broome Co., N.Y.,
January 27, 1829. His parents came to Potter county, Penn., February
14, 1839, and located in what is now Lewisville. William Lewis made
farming his business, which he continued until his death, September
26, 1866, his widow surviving until February 18, 1869. They reared
a family of nine children: Crayton, Angeline, Louisa, Anna, Perry,
Martha, Thomas, Seth and Burton. Seth Lewis came to Potter county
with his parents, remaining with them until 1850. The following six
years he devoted to agriculture, and also attended Alfred University.
He then taught school two years, and in 1860 was elected county superintendent
of schools, serving one term. In 1863 he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-seventh
Pennsylvania Militia, and September 23 was mustered into Company A,
Eighth United States Colored Troops, as second lieutenant. He was
wounded in the left thigh at the battle of Olustee, Fla., February
20, 1864, and October 13, 1864, was wounded in the left hand near
Richmond, Va. November 28, 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant,
and February 8, 1865, was made captain of Company C. He was present
at the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, and, on May
31, 1865, left Fortress Monroe for Texas, reaching Ringgold barracks
July 31, when he returned to Brownsville, and was mustered out November
10, but was retained and paid until December 13, 1865. After his return
home he studied law with Judge A.G. Olmsted, and was admitted to the
bar in 1867. He first practiced at Union, West Va., but returned to
Ulysses, where he is still engaged in the practice of his chosen profession.
He was also editor of the Ulysses Sentinel from September, 1882, to
January, 1888. He was married, January 30, 1851, to Sarah E., daughter
of Adna A. and Rodentha Gridley. Their children were Charles H. (deceased),
Mary Eloise (Mrs. George A. Farnsworth), Jessie Florence (who graduated
from the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, N.Y., June 20, 1889,)
and Sarah Rodentha (deceased). Mr. Lewis is a charter member of Lewisville
Lodge, No. 556, F. & A.M., and has been its secretary since its
organization. He is also a member of Ulysses Chapter, No. 269, R.A.M.,
and of O.A. Lewis Post, No. 279, G.A.R. He is an active worker in
the ranks of the Republican party, and a radical tariff man. He was
elected district attorney in 1869, and served four years. He was either
a teacher, school director or superintendent from the age of twenty
years to the beginning of the war, and subsequently, until the past
twelve years, was school director. CRAYTON LEWIS, the oldest son of William and Ruth A.
Lewis, was born at Upper Lisle, Broome Co., N.Y., February 11, 1813.
He was married March 3, 1835, to Caroline Hinman, and very soon after
moved to Potter county, Penn. He settled on a piece of wild land now
within the limits of the borough of Lewisville, and in a few years
made it one of the finest farms in the vicinity. He had but a limited
education, but he was an industrious reader, had a very retentive
memory, and he soon became one of the most intelligent men of the
locality. He was very benevolent, with tender sympathies and a keen
sense of justice, and he early became an Abolitionist, but when the
Republican party was formed, he joined it and remained through life
a member. He early espoused the cause of temperance, and as early
as 1843 he circulated a pledge and procured numerous signatures, starting
a movement which resulted in the organization of Ulysses Division
of the Sons of Temperance, in 1849, and of Lewisville Lodge of Good
Templars, a few years later, of both of which organizations he was
an active and honored member. To his labors, more than to the labors
of any other man, is due the strong temperance sentiment which prevails
in the northeastern part of Potter, and which has made Lewisville
borough the stronghold of prohibition, this election district having
given at the election June 18, 1889, 125 votes for the amendment and
only seven votes against it. In August, 1857, Mr. Lewis was thrown
from a buggy and received an injury in his head, from which he never
fully recovered, and January 13, 1870, he was killed by falling in
his barn. He reared five children, all of whom are living: Emily,
now Mrs. T.E. Gridley, of Bingham, Penn.; John, living on the old
homestead with his mother; Martin, a farmer of Ulysses, Penn.; Fayette,
a surveyor and lumberman at Genesee Forks, Penn., and Carlos A., a
merchant of Lewisville. C. A. LEWIS, merchant, Lewisville, son of Crayton and
Caroline (Hinman) Lewis, was born in Ulysses township, Potter Co.,
Penn., in 1850. His parents came from Broome county, N.Y., and were
among the pioneers of Ulysses township, being the third family to
settle there, locating on the farm now owned by his mother. Their
nearest mill at that time was at Jersey Shore, a distance of sixty-five
miles, and Crayton Lewis on one of his trips thither camped out with
a yoke of oxen. Having broken his ox yoke when beyond the reach of
any assistance, and having no tools except an ax, with this he cut
a beech stick of the proper length, and, as there had to be openings
made for the bows, he split it and bound it with withes, and went
on his way. At one time his family and the neighbors were short of
provisions, but he had a small patch of ground sown to buckwheat,
which he worked during the day, chopping in the woods by moonlight.
One day when they had not a mouthful of food in the house, except
milk to drink, and were eagerly awaiting the ripening of the buckwheat
and potatoes, as his wife stood at the door watching him at work,
an idea, all at once, occurred to her. Selecting some buckwheat from
the unripe crop, she picked a lot of it, dried it by the fireplace
pounded and sifted it, and having fully prepared it, blew the horn,
as usual, for dinner. On her husband's coming to the house, he was
rejoiced and surprised to find a meal prepared from his own crop.
This old pioneer unfortunately met with an accident, which resulted
fatally; his widow still lives on the old homestead. Their children
were Emily (Mrs. Thomas Gridley), John, Martin, Fayette and C.A. The
last named was reared in his native township, and during his youth
was variously employed, but in 1873, locating at Lewisville, he here
embarked in general mercantile business. He was married April 23,
1874, to Kate Cushing, and they have two children: Irving C. and Archie
C. Mr. Lewis is a member of Lewisville Lodge, No. 556, F. & A.M.
In politics he is a Republican, and has served as school director,
auditor, and in minor offices of trust. CORNELIUS H. LOUCKS, P.O. Ulysses, son of Cornelius
and Naomi Loucks, was born in Cortland county, N.Y., in 1831. His
parents came to Hector Township, Potter Co., Penn., and located on
the farm now owned by Clarence Stiles, where the father was a lumberman
and farmer, and where they both died. Their children were Mary J.
(Mrs. Russel Potter, of Skaneateles, N.Y.), Cornelius H., Mehitabel
(deceased), Betsy (deceased), Steven L. (who enlisted and died in
the army, aged twenty-six years) and William J. Cornelius H. Loucks
remained with his parents until 1853, when he married Arty C. Calkins,
and located on the farm adjoining the old homestead, where they remained
several years. In 1864 he enlisted in Company G, Fifty-third Pennsylvania
Volunteers, and on Friday, March 31, 1865, in battle in front of Petersburg,
Va., he received a wound in the left shoulder joint which necessitated
the amputation of his arm. He was discharged June 12, 1865, and returned
to his old home, subsequently removing to Lewisville, where he now
lives. His wife died, leaving four children: Frank (since deceased),
Darius, James and John, and March 26, 1883, he married Mrs. Louisa
V. Stout, daughter of James J. Stewart. Mrs. Loucks is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Loucks is a member of O.A. Lewis
Post, No. 279, G.A.R; in politics he is a Republican, has been supervisor
of Hector township, and has held various offices in his township. GEORGE MERRILL, contractor and builder, Lewisville,
son of Erastus and Elizabeth (Ayer) Merrill, was born in Ulysses Township,
Potter Co., Penn., in 1838. His parents were natives of Vermont, and
each, with parents removed to Broome county, N.Y., where they married,
and in February, 1838, located in Ulysses township, Potter county,
where the father of our subject was a farmer until his decease in
1884. The mother still has her residence on the old homestead with
her daughter, Mrs. Caleb Gridley. Their children were Warren (who
died when nineteen years of age), Obediah, Harriet (deceased), George
Lyman, Esther (Mrs. Gridley) and Henry (deceased). George was married
in 1864 to Amelia Kidney, of Wyoming county, after which he located
in Lewisville, where he is a contractor and builder. Their children
were Henry (who died when eleven years of age), Herbert and Maud.
Mrs. Merrill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics
Mr. Merrill affiliates with the Prohibition party, having formerly
been identified with the Republican party. He has held various township
offices. O. A. NELSON, merchant, Lewisville, son of Henry and
Speedy (Clark) Nelson, was born in 1845, near Colesburg, on the place
now owned by F.A. Nelson, in Allegheny township, Potter Co., Penn.
He made his home with his parents until 1864, when he traveled for
several years, and engaged in various occupations. In 1875 he married
Ellen M., daughter of A.F. and Juliette (Grove) Raymond, and located
at Gold, on her father's farm, where they remained a year. He then
worked at his trade (carpenter and joiner), and was also in the stock
business, until his removal to Ceres, where he embarked in the mercantile
business. Later he moved to Lymansville, where he was engaged in selling
wagons, buggies and harness, afterward locating for a time in Austin.
In November, 1887, he moved to Lewisville, where he is engaged in
the clothing and gents furnishing goods business, the firm name being
Nelson & Presho. In politics Mr. Nelson is a Democrat. MRS. KATE STEARNS PARKER, P.O. Ulysses, daughter of
Anson S. and Betsy (Blackman) Burt (now deceased), was born in Cortland
county, N.Y., in 1829. Her maternal grandfather, James Blackman, was
a native of Pittsfield, Mass., where he married Elizabeth Andrews,
and came to Potter county, Penn., in 1834, locating in Ulysses township,
where they lived the rest of their lives. Their children were Betsy,
Sally, Anson, Dennis and Laura (the late Mrs. Edmund Alvord). Anson
S. Burt was a native of Pittsfield, Mass., where he married, and in
the spring of 1832 located in Ulysses township, Potter county, about
a mile east of the village, where he bought a hundred-acre farm, which
at that time was wild land, he being obliged to cut his own roads.
His children were Laura (deceased), Sally (Mrs. William Canfield,
of Willett, Cortland Co., N.Y.), James T., William F., Betsy (the
late Mrs. Charles Monroe), T.W., and Kate S., who married Thomas Parker
in 1846, a prosperous farmer of Ulysses township. Mr. Parker died
July 26, 1883. W. B. PERKINS, farmer, P.O. Newfield, son of William
M. and Marissa M. (Dean) Perkins, was born August 28, 1861, in Ulysses
township, Potter Co., Penn., on the farm he now owns. His father was
a native of Andover, Allegany Co., N.Y., and his mother of Potter
county, Penn. After their marriage they located at Independence, Allegany
Co., N.Y., but sold and removed in the spring of 1850 to the farm
now owned by W.B.; in the spring of 1886 his father removed to Sweden
township. Mrs. Perkins died in the spring of 1862, leaving three children:
Luther L., Manson B. and W.B. Mr. Perkins afterward married Fannie
Gloss, their children being Arthur and Rosa. W.B. made his home with
his parents until 1877, when he went to Deerfield, Tioga county. Determined
to secure an education, he worked for $13 per month, and when his
father learned of his laudable efforts in that direction, he cheerfully
loaned him $800, which enabled him to complete his education at the
State Normal School at Lock Haven, and from which he graduated in
1883. While at the State Normal School he joined the Baptist Church,
and, becoming interested in Sabbath-school work, was made its superintendent,
and at the county convention, or picnic, each superintendent was supposed
and expected to deliver a speech; his was so elaborate, and so far
beyond what had been expected, that he soon received urgent invitations
to attend their theological seminary, at Lewisburg, Union Co., Penn.,
and after repeated solicitation accepted, remaining a year, when a
change in his religious views induced him to sever his association
with that institution. After leaving school he located on the old
homestead, and engaged in business as a farmer and dairyman. He continued
the dairy until the close of the summer of 1888, when he sold his
cows and invested the proceeds in horses. Mr. Perkins married Mary
A. Bigony, and they have a family of four children: Guy S., Marissa
D., Sally B. and Samuel B. Mr. Perkins is a member of Lewisville Lodge,
No. 556, F. & A.M., and Ulysses Chapter, No. 269, R.A.M. He is
a Democrat in politics, and has held various official positions in
the township. A. F. RAYMOND, merchant and farmer, P.O. Gold, was
born in Tompkins county, N.Y., November 3, 1825. In 1836 his parents
moved to Potter county, Penn., and settled in Allegheny township,
where his father bought a tract of wild land. He remained at home
until after his marriage, and then bought a part of the old homestead,
where he has since lived. He has a good home, and attends to the cultivation
of his farm, at the same time carrying on a general merchandise business
in Gold. He was married in 1850 to Miss Juliet Grover of Bingham township
and they have five children: Frank A., of Gold; Ellen, wife of Oscar
Nelson, of Ulysses; Fred H., of Ceres; Kate L., wife of Wilton Elliott,
and Matilda. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond are members of the Baptist Church.
He is a member of Gold Lodge, No. 658, E.A.U. AMOS RAYMOND, P.O. Gold, son of Daniel and Amanda (Freeland)
Raymond, was born in Tioga county, N.Y., September 24, 1821, and with
his parents came to Potter county, Penn., in March, 1836. They located
in Allegheny township, at that time a wilderness and cleared a farm,
the nearest marked tree being at what is now Ford Nelson's, in Allegheny
township, and there was no wagon road within three miles. They were
compelled to go to Williamsport for corn, which at that time was worth
$3.50 per bushel, in Potter county, and suffered all the other privations
incident to the settlement of a new country. Their children were Lucinda,
Amos, Daniel, Asa, Alvira, Perces, David, Joseph, Mary and Betsy.
Amos made his home with his parents until his marriage, when he located
in Allegheny township, but now resides on the farm he owns in Ulysses
township, which he has carried on for some time. He has also devoted
some time to contracting, was a merchant for several years, and also
for several years was proprietor of a hotel at Raymond's Corners.
He was married, March 31, 1842, to Rhoda Daniels, and they had six
children: Harriet Lovina, Alice Lavina, Asa A., Miriam J. (who died
in 1852), Josephine B. and Sarah J. Mrs. Rhoda Raymond departed this
life November 26, 1876, and Amos Raymond, on March 15, 1878, married
Miriam Daniels. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond are members of the Baptist Church.
In politics he is a Democrat, and has held various official positions
in the township. HENRY T. REYNOLDS, P.O. Ulysses, son of Foster Reynolds,
was born in Hebron township, Potter Co., Penn., in 1834. His father
was a native of Rensselaer county, N.Y., where he married Fannie Potter,
removed to Hebron township in 1831, and engaged in farming. He built
two mills, one water and one steam power. They reared a family of
five children: Steven P., William C., Henry T., Sarah and Celestia.
The parents, with two daughters, are now residing in Jefferson county,
Kansas. Henry T. Reynolds received his education in the Potter county
schools, remaining with his parents until his majority. After his
marriage he located on the farm he now owns in Ulysses township, and
engaged in agriculture. He was married in 1857 to Margaret Weidrick,
and they have four children: Willard E., Nellie E. (now Mrs. Henry
Francis), Nettie F. (now Mrs. Arthur Bice) and Foster. Mr. and Mrs.
Reynolds are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of Lewisville
Lodge, No. 556, F. & A.M., Ulysses Chapter, No. 269, R.A.M. In
politics he is an active Republican. He was elected sheriff in 1868,
serving three years. In 1887 he was elected associate judge, and is
now serving his term of five years. He has always been prominent in
local politics. August 16, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of his
country in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
or Second Regiment of Bucktails; sixteen days later he was promoted
to second lieutenant, and May 1, 1863, was made first lieutenant.
He was wounded three times at the battle of Gettysburg, and was captured;
March 13, 1864, he was discharged on account of disability, and returned
to his home in Ulysses township. He now lives in Lewisville. He is
a charter member of O.A. Lewis Post, No. 279, G.A.R., of which he
is adjutant. E. A. WAGNER, retired, P.O. Ulysses, son of Abram Wagner,
was born in Oneida county, N.Y., in 1826. His parents removed to Steuben
county, N.Y., and thence to Ulysses township, Potter Co., Penn., in
1842, locating on the farm now owned by Frank Wagner. They located
in the woods and cleared a farm, which they made their home until
the father' s death in 1876; the mother died in 1879. Their children
were born in the following order: Mrs. Lorenzo Drake, Andrew J., Frances
M., Edward A., Mrs. J.N. Crowell, Mrs. J.T. Burt, Mrs. J.A. Brown,
Gratton H., James B., Mrs. A.G. Stewart, Mrs. C.T. Halleck and Mrs.
L. Dean, all having homes of their own. E.A. Wagner has from youth
followed agricultural pursuits. His first location was in Ulysses
township, on the farm now owned by Charles Crowell; then at Kibbyville,
in 1851, where he lived until 1871, when he removed to the borough
of Lewisville, where he has since lived, and having secured a competency,
has retired from active life. Politically he is a Republican. He has
been a member of the council two terms; street commissioner, school
director, nine years, and township assessor. His wife, to whom he
was married in 1849, was formerly Miss Angerona Crowell, daughter
of David Crowell. |
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Last Update April 9, 2009