Foster Township Biographical Sketches

Page One of Three

PHILO ACKLEY, farmer and oil producer, Kendall Creek, was born in Cayuga county, N.Y., in 1821, a son of Ahiel and Clarissa (Olmstead) Ackley, natives of Connecticut, and farmers by occupation. At the age of six years Philo was sent to Prattsburg, Steuben Co., N.Y., to live with his uncle and aunt. He remained there three years and attended the district schools. In October, 1830, he came to McKean county, Penn., with his uncle, James DeGolier. They drove cattle and hogs from Steuben county, and located on what is now known as the Jewett farm, in Bradford township. Philo remained with them for nearly five years after coming to this county, and then hired to his cousin, with whom he worked from March till August, for which he received $2.50. With this amount of money he started on foot for Cortland county, N.Y., and arrived there in due course of time. He remained there about eight years, and added to his education by attending the winter schools. In 1844 he started on his return to McKean county, walking from Elmira to Bradford, where he obtained his living by day's work for some time. In 1846 he erected a blacksmith shop, and conducted a general blacksmithing business until 1879, having his shop in Kendall Creek for three years during that time.

At the breaking out of the oil excitement, he leased 400 acres of land in Toad Hollow at $1 per acre for ten years. This lease ran out without being operated on. He afterward leased other land and succeeded in getting several good wells. In 1882 he purchased the Hollenbeck farm of 182 acres, at Sawyer City, on which he has produced a number of good wells.

In 1846 Mr. Ackley was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa, daughter of Alvin Owens, of Smethport, Penn., and six children have been born to their union, two of whom are living: Charles L., of Bradford, married to Miss Alice, daughter of William R. Fisher, and has two children, Clara and Maud; and Luella R., married to Charles Bailey, who died leaving one child, Lulu, and she afterward married Bradley H. Barr, and is now living with her parents. Mr. Ackley has always been an active supporter of the Democratic party. In 1869 he was elected justice of the peace in Bradford, and served ten years. He also filled that office in Kendall Creek ten years, and the office of burgess also ten years. In 1874 he was elected supervisor of Bradford township, serving four terms, and for eleven years was constable of Bradford.

H. H. ARGUE, oil producer, Derrick City, was born near Ottawa, province of Ontario, July 22, 1843, a son of John W. and Esther (Wilson) Argue. His father was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and his mother in Canada. Her father, Hugh Wilson, served twenty-one years in the English army. John W. Argue moved to Canada when six years of age with his parents, and later followed farming as an occupation. He died in that country. His widow now resides in Derrick City. Their family consisted of nine children, six of whom are living: H.H., our subject; R.W., or Derrick City; A.G. and Thomas, of Gillmor; Esther Jane, wife of George W. Bettis, of Buffalo; and Sarah. H.H. Argue was reared in Canada, and there remained until 1863, when he came to the United States and first located at Portland. He started in life single-handed, and worked at various kinds of labor. In 1865 he went to Titusville, Penn., where he took contracts as a well driller, and has since followed the oil business. He and his brother, R.W., now operate under the firm name of the Watson Oil Company. They also have a large quantity of gas, and supply Derrick City and Gillmor with gas for fuel and light. In 1871 Mr. Argue married Miss Ellen C., daughter of Daniel and Bridget (McCoully) McNeal, of Canada, and they have three children: Lizzie, Edwin Harry and Albert J. Mr. Argue is active in politics, and is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in Titusville. He and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

R. W. ARGUE, oil producer, Derrick City, was born in Ottawa, Canada, March 1, 1845. He received a common-school education, and came to the United States in 1865, where he began life in Titusville, Penn., as a day laborer. He then associated himself with this brother, H.H., as contractor, and they have since been in business together. March 16, 1880, he married Miss Eva, daughter of Norman Allport, of Shamburg, Penn. They have three children: Edith, May and Ethel. Mr. Argue is an active worker of the Republican party. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 334, of Bradford, F. & A.M., Bradford Chapter, No. 260, R.A.M., and of Trinity Commandery, No. 58, abbr title="Knights Templar">K.T.

JONAS ARTLEY, proprietor of the American House, Kendall Creek, was born in Liberty, Tioga Co., Penn., June 20, 1830. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Long) Artley, were natives of that county and farmers by occupation. Our subject was reared on the homestead, and remained there until 1859, when he married Miss Sarah E. Shaffer. They then moved to Lycoming county, Penn., where they kept a hotel at Linden for six years, and also another hotel near there for two years. In 1877 Mr. Artley came to Kendall Creek, where he has since been proprietor of the American House, and has also engaged in oil producing. He is the father of three children: Philip (in partnership with his father), Carrie and John. Mr. Artley is a member of Labelle Valley Lodge, No. 232, F. & A.M., of the E.A.U., of Kendall Creek, and of the Columbia League. He and family attend the Presbyterian Church.

F. E. BAKER, of the firm of Gillespie & Baker, Summit City, was born in Erie, Penn., January 7, 1856. His father, B.F. Baker, was born in Warren county, N.Y., and his mother, Sarah A. (Hurst) Baker, was born in Erie county, Penn. His father was a ship carpenter by occupation. The family are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Five of their children are still living: Thomas C., of Foxburg, Penn.; Estella, wife of W.O. Smith, of Oil City; F.E.; William A., of Washington, Penn., and Wallace B., of Pittsburgh, Penn. The subject of these lines was educated at Erie, Penn., and in 1875 went to Foxburg, where he engaged in refining oil. In 1880 he came to McKean county, and for three years acted as commercial traveler, handling petroleum, oil well supplies, etc. April 28, 1887, he engaged in his present business. In 1879 he married Miss Naomi, daughter of John Gillespie, and they have three children: Charles Floyd, Frank Howard and Sarah Hazel. Mr. Baker is a supporter of the Republican party. He belongs to Lodge No. 211, E.A.U., of Summit City, Assembly No. 6561, K. of L., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

F. X. BIDAUX, butcher, Kendall Creek, was born in France, October 10, 1846, a son of P.X. and Mary (Chappin) Bidaux. His mother died in France, and the father and his family came to America in 1867, locating at Titusville, Penn., where the father is now engaged in the milk business. Our subject worked in a foundry for two years, and then engaged in the butcher business, which he conducted there for eleven years. In 1880 he came to McKean county, and has since conducted a meat market at Kendall Creek. He has also carried on a market in Bradford for several years. He was the first man to introduce Chicago beef into McKean county. In 1870 he married Miss Felicie Gigogne, a native of France, who came to America when five years of age, and they have six children: Mary, Louise, Rosa, Sylvin, Goldie and Genevieve. Mr. Bidaux is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is a member of the borough council. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and he and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Bidaux owns several valuable city lots, and a fine farm at Saegerstown, Penn.

JAMES BISETT (deceased) was born in Dublin, Ireland, his parents, who were farm tenants, dying in that country. In 1850 he emigrated to America, and married in the same year Miss Mary, daughter of William Clark, also a native of Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Bisett was a stone mason be trade, and worked in New York a few months, then went to Massachusetts, where he remained five years. From there he moved to Ellicottsville, Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., and engaged in farming. In 1857 he first came to McKean county, and in 1862 located on the present Bisett farm in Foster township. Mr. Bisett started in life single handed, and by his own efforts became a successful man. He was identified with the Democratic party, and was one of the representative and highly respected men of the township. He was a devout Catholic, and one of the original builders of the church of that denomination at Bradford. He died August 1, 1880. His widow, who still resides on the homestead farm, is a devout Christian, and a very hospitable lady. Fourteen of their children grew to maturity, twelve of whom are still living: Mary (wife of Joseph Henigan, of Olean, N.Y.), Jennie (wife of George Ferris, of Farmers Valley), Richard L., Edward W., Christopher C., Thomas J., Charles F., Annie Belle, John J., Rose J., James Henry and Walter W. The Bisett Brothers are among the representative oil producers of Foster township.

RICHARD L. BISETT, oil producer, Dallas City, a son of James and Mary (Clark) Bisett, was born in Cattaraugus county, N.Y., July 29, 1855. He received a common-school education, and for several years followed lumbering and farming. In 1885 he and his brother formed a partnership in producing oil, under the firm name of R.L. & C.C. Bisett. In 1882 he married Miss Mary, daughter of James McHale, of McKean county, and they have one child, John H. Mr. Bisett is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Catholic Church.

A. W. BOYD, oil producer, Sawyer City, is a son of John Boyd, a native of Mercer county, Ohio, who came to McKean county when a young man, and followed farming and lumbering; he married Miss Annie Hutchinson, a native of McKean county, or Irish parentage. Mr. Boyd was a Democrat and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in 1867, his wife in 1861. They reared nine children, five of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Swarthart, in Michigan; Martha, wife of Roswell Hale, in Tarport, Penn.; Jane, wife of Jesse Pumphrey, in Kansas; A.W., and William, a farmer, in Foster township, McKean county. A.W. Boyd was born in Foster township, McKean Co., Penn., June 20, 1846, and attended the township schools, also Rochester Commercial College. For ten years he engaged in lumbering, and since 1877 he has been producing oil, controlling from fifty to sixty wells. In 1866 he married Miss Amelia, daughter of J.S. Seaward, of Kendall Creek, and has five children: Clinton G., Annie M., Leonard C., Frank G. and Clement C. Mr. Boyd is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 334, F. & A.M., Bradford Chapter, No. 160, R.A.M., and Trinity Commandery, No. 58, abbr title="Knights Templar">K.T.

JONES BUCHANAN, farmer, P.O. Kendall Creek, a son of Andrew L. Buchanan, was born in Warren county, Penn., March 28, 1811. He received a limited education and came to McKean county when seventeen years of age. He has principally been engaged in lumbering, and has made many trips to Pittsburgh down the Allegheny river. In 1841 he was united in marriage with Miss Sophronia A. Foster, daughter of L.S. Foster, of Bradford township, and nine children were born to their union, five of whom are living: Mary Elizabeth, wife of John H. Corll of New York in Tarport; Rebecca and Ella, at home; Thomas Jefferson in Tarport, married to Miss Mary Morse, of Jamestown, N.Y., and has one child, Harry; Russell, in Washington county, Penn., married to Miss Annie Brooks, of Philadelphia, and has four children, Grace, Estella, Lulu and an infant. Mr. Buchanan voted for Jackson in 1832, but since 1852 he has been a Republican, and has filled various township offices.

A. W. BUCHANAN, farmer, P.O. Kendall Creek, was born in what is now Warren county, Penn., September 25, 1819. His father, Andrew L. Buchanan, who was a native of Mifflin county, Penn., was born August 16, 1775, married February 26, 1801, Miss Rebecca Jones, also a native of Mifflin county, Penn. He was a blacksmith by trade, and moved into McKean county, Penn., in 1829, locating on the farm now owned by our subject in Foster township. They were among the early and representative families of the township. Mr. Buchanan was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and filled various township offices. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but furnished a substitute. He died February 28, 1841, and his widow in 1861. Their children were Susan, who was born December 25, 1801, but is now deceased; Lucinda, born April 3, 1803, died October 24, 1833; Daniel, born August 9, 1805, also deceased; Robert, born September 9, 1807, and now dead; Isaiah, born April 18, 1809, died August 15, 1834; Jones, born March 28, 1811; Andrew and Rebecca (twins), born December 30, 1812; Polly Ann, born September 26, 1814, and A.W. A.W. Buchanan came to McKean county with his parents. He was given but limited educational advantages and early engaged in lumbering, and acted as pilot on the Allegheny river for many years. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in farming. The first flowing oil well in the county was found upon his farm. In 1847 he married Miss Adeline, daughter of L.S. Foster, of Bradford township, and twelve children were born to them, six of whom are living: Irene, wife of John Whipple, in Omaha, Neb.; Jeanette, wife of T.W. Hunt, in Hyde county, Dak.; Florence, widow of George May; Della, wife of Eugene Holcomb, in Omaha, Neb.; Minnie and Elwin, at home. Mr. Buchanan was a member of the Democratic party from 1840 to 1856, but since then has been a supporter of the Republican party. He has filled about all of the township offices, and is prominent in school work.

JOHN T. CALHOUN, druggist, Kendall Creek, is a son of John Calhoun, who was born in County Sligo, Ireland, June 21, 1839; there learned the shoemaker's trade, emigrated to America in 1857, and for several years worked at his trade in New York City, Jersey City, Scranton, Port Jervis and Middletown. In 1867 he followed the oil excitement to Petroleum Centre, and in 1875 located at Eldred, McKean county, coming to Kendall Creek in 1876, where he first engaged in baling hay. He is now conducting a shoe shop. In 1865 he married Miss Mary Kenney, who was born in Ireland and brought to America when one year of age. They have six children: John T., Mary M., Margaret, Charles P., Anna E. and George D. John Calhoun has held several public offices, having been three times elected overseer of the poor, three times constable, and five times collector of taxes; he is also secretary of the Democratic County Committee, and is a member of the A.O.U.W., K. of L., and of the Catholic Church. John T. Calhoun was born August 13, 1866, in Forestville, Chautauqua Co., N.Y., and received a common-school education. In 1882 he entered a drug store at Bradford, as clerk, and afterward went to Olean, N.Y., where he remained for one year. In 1886 he assumed the management of the drug business of McCarty & Calhoun, which our subject conducted until 1888, when he established his present business, under the firm name of John Calhoun & Son. He is a member of the Columbia League, of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

W. B. CORWIN, farmer, postoffice Sawyer City, is a son of P.P. Corwin, and a grandson of Edward Corwin, a native of Connecticut and a Revolutionary soldier. He was one of the early settlers of McKean county, taking up Government land. P.P. Corwin, who was a native of Madison county, married Miss California Gallup, a native of McKean county, and settled on a farm in Foster township, McKean county, now known as Corwin Centre. Mr. Corwin was a member of the Whig and Republican parties and of the Baptist Church. He died in 1857; his widow still resides on the homestead. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom are living: Huldah, wife of Bishop Coston, in Missouri; Malvina, wife of Thomas Farnsworth; Jestina, wife of James Farnsworth, of Sheffield, Warren Co., Penn.; Lucina, wife of Salmon Keesler, of Corwin; W.B.; Edwin A.; Andrew P. and Nancy, wife of Harry T. Abby, of Port Allegany, McKean county. W.B. Corwin was born in Norwich township, McKean Co., Penn., February 10, 1840, and moved to Foster township when four years of age, where he has followed farming. In 1868 he married Miss Louisa, daughter of Peter H. Storms, of Foster township, and they have three children: Cynthia, wife of Sydney Smith, of Butler; Wallace and Elsie. Mr. Corwin is a member of the Democratic party, and has filled various township offices. He and family are members of the Baptist Church.

A.P. CORWIN, farmer, P.O. Sawyer City, son of P.P. and California (Gallup) Corwin, was born in Foster township, McKean Co., Penn., February 7, 1848. He received a common-school education, and since starting in life for himself has followed farming. In 1881 he married Miss Gelia, daughter of Albert Burdick, of Cattaraugus county, N.Y., and by this union they have four children: Rubie M., Gordis P., Mira B. and Raymond Earl. Mr. Corwin is a supporter of the Democratic party and has served as assessor of his township.

JOHN DENMAN, oil producer, P.O. Kendall Creek, was born in Somersetshire, England, July 26, 1848. His parents were John and Harriet (Sharpe) Denman. In 1868 Mr. Denman emigrated to America and went direct to Pit Hole, Venango county, where he soon began to produce oil, in which he has since been engaged in Ohio and Pennsylvania, having sixty wells in Ohio and about thirty in McKean county. In 1867 he married Miss Elizabeth Eason, a native of England, and they have eight children: Heber (studying for a mining engineer at Lehigh), John, Arthur, Edgar, Maud, Clyde, Allen and Jessie. Mr. Denman is a member of the Knights of Maccabees. His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church.