Foster Township Biographical Sketches

Page Two of Three

JAMES P. EATON, oil producer, Sawyer City, was born in Enterprise, Warren Co., Penn., March 4, 1849, a son of Corrydon P. and Caroline (Phelps) Eaton, natives of Chautauqua county, N.Y. His grandfather, Ebenezer Eaton, who was a native of Madison county, N.Y., took up government land on the present site of Laona, in Chautauqua county, erected one of the first dwellings in the village of Pomfret, and in 1815 erected a cloth-dressing factory, which he operated for many years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Corrydon, the father of our subject, was also a cloth-dresser by trade, and was one of the pioneer oil men of Venango county, drilling the third oil well in Oil Creek and the first well at Pleasantville. He was the originator of the steel line "jars," and was the first to use casing to case out the water in drilling wet holes. He was an ardent Republican. He died in Warren county, Penn., December 14, 1884. His widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton reared five children, three of whom are living: Orlando P., at Corry; James P., in Sawyer City, and Callie (wife of Barker Chadwick), at Corry. James P. Eaton was taken to Chautauqua county, N.Y., when three years of age, and at the age of eighteen years he began in the oil business at Pleasantville, whence he went to Titusville, where he remained five years. In 1876 he came to McKean county, and has since been engaged in producing oil. In 1870 he married Miss Ada, daughter of Thomas Padden, of Chautauqua county, N.Y., and they have two children: Hattie B. and Harry James. Mr. Eaton is a member of Forest Lodge, No. 166, F. & A.M., of Chautauqua county, N.Y.; Sawyer City Lodge, No. 215, A.O.U.W., and Eureka Assembly, Knights of Labor, No. 9873

DR. R. A. EGBERT, Foster Brook, was born in Mercer county, Penn., February 4, 1849. His parents, Edwin and Milky (Grace) Egbert, were natives of that county, and farmers by occupation. Our subject received a common-school education, and at the age of twenty-two years began the study of medicine with Dr. T.W. Egbert, of Oil City, Penn. He graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, in June, 1875, and began the practice of his profession at Oil City. In 1878 he came to McKean county, where he has since had an extensive practice. April 14, 1880, he married Miss Evaline, daughter of the late H.F. Howe. He is a member of the McKean County Medical Society, and has held the office of secretary and treasurer of the same. He is a member of the United Workmen of Red Rock, the Knights of the Maccabees, of Derrick City, and of the Knights of Pythias, of Foster Brook. He is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the school board

E. D. FOSTER, farmer, P.O. Kendall Creek, is a son of Leonard S. and Betsey H. (Hinds) Foster, and was born on his present farm December 3, 1835. He received an ordinary education at the township schools, and has principally been engaged in lumbering and oil producing, now having oil interests in Washington county, Penn. In 1861 he married Miss Helen, daughter of James McMurray, of Derrick City, Penn., and they have five children: Ola, wife of V.H. Ellsworth; Nettie, wife of A.C. Marsh, of Washington, Penn.; Frank Foster, tool dresser, who married Miss May Ferguson, and has two children (Fred and Clarence); Jessie and Effie, at home. Mr. Foster is a member of the Republican party, and has filled various township offices.

HARRY FOX, farmer and oil producer, Bradford, was born in England, April 15, 1849, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Pool) Fox. Our subject immigrated to America in 1872, first locating in Allegany county, N.Y., and eight months later came to McKean county, where he engaged with the lumbering firm of Clark & Babcock, and remained two and one-half years. He then went to Ellsworth county, Kas., where he was in the hotel business, thence moved to and resided in Michigan and Illinois for two years. In 1876 he returned to McKean county, and in 1877 began to operate for oil. He now has nineteen wells, and a farm of thirty-five acres under cultivation. In July, 1877, he married Miss Jane A., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Tate, of Foster township, McKean county, and they have six children: Thomas, Francis, Estella, Alice, Howard and Agnes. Mr. Fox is a member of the Royal Templars of Temperance; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

C. W. GILLESPIE, merchant, a member of the firm of Gillespie & Baker, Summit City, was born in Armstrong county, Penn., November 7, 1858. His parents, J.B. and Elizabeth (Hartman) Gillespie, were natives of that county. In 1865 they moved to Oil City, where our subject received his education. He has worked in the oil fields since starting life for himself, and in 1881 located in Summit City, McKean county. In 1887 he engaged in his present general mercantile business, and the same year he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha, daughter of Daniel Walker, of Erie county, Penn. Mr. Gillespie is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. Mrs. Gillespie was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died October 2, 1889. Mr. Gillespie's mother died in Armstrong county in 1864, and his father died in Oil City in 1879.

M. A. HAGGERTY, hardware merchant, Kendall Creek, was born in Sussex county, N.J., September 14, 1844, a son of Alfred and Susan (Harden) Haggerty, both natives of that county. The father died in 1854; the mother is still living. They reared four children, three of whom are living: M.A., Samuel H. (in Sussex county, N.J.), and George A. (in Clinton county, Penn.). M.A. Haggerty was reared in Sussex county, N.J., and received a common-school education. At the age of twenty-two he began work for the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad as brakeman, worked up to be engineer, and ran an engine for eight years. In 1878 he came to McKean county, where he first engaged in the livery business at Kendall Creek, and for a number of years he has conducted a general hardware store. In 1875 he married Miss Hannah M. daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Carnie) Westcott, of Schoharie county, N.Y.

W. N. HANNA, owner of Hanna's Lumber Yard, Kendall Creek, was born in Geneseo, Livingston Co., N.Y., June 4, 1838, a son of George W. and Nancy (Wynn) Hanna. George W. moved from Cortland county to Livingston county, N.Y., before marriage, and still resides there, a widower. W.N. Hanna was reared in Livingston county, and received a good education. He graduated from the University of Syracuse and also Geneseo College. After leaving school he engaged in teaching at Fillmore Academy, Missouri, and also taught in the public schools of Texas, being principal of the schools at Corpus Christi, and other places in Texas; he also taught at Mayfield, Ky., and Dresden, Tenn. In 1878 he came to McKean county, Penn., and located at Tarport, where he has since been engaged in handling hemlock and pine lumber, and manufacturing wheels, reels, etc., for oil wells. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Clarissa, daughter of Joseph F. Clark, one of the early settlers of Bradford, and they have two children: Genevieve and Jamius. Mr. Hanna is identified with the Republican party, and has been a member of the borough council. He is a member of Lodge No. 133, A.O.U.W., of Tarport, and a member of the Episcopal Church.

R. HANNAHS, dealer in junk, rags, etc., Kendall Creek, was born in Pike county, Penn., March 7, 1844, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Moore) Hannahs. He was given a common-school education, followed farming for some years, and learned the trade of tinsmith and copper-wire worker. In 1883 he came to McKean county, and established his present business at Kendall Creek, keeping constantly on the road three wagons or carts. In 1871 he married Miss Christina, daughter of M. Taylor, of Elmira, N.Y., and they have seven children: Della, Libbie, Hattie, Fannie, William, Isaac and Harry. Mr. Hannahs is liberal in politics, but usually supports the Republican party.

PHILIP HOOKER, farmer, P.O. Tuna Creek, was born in Allegany county, N.Y., February 22, 1827. His father, Philand Hooker, a native of Vermont, was brought to Allegany county, N.Y., when a child, and eventually married Margaret Wilson, a native of Ireland. They were farmers by occupation, and always lived in Allegany county. Philand Hooker was a Democrat, and filled various township offices; he and his wife were members of the Episcopal Church; he died in 1864, his widow in 1883. They reared seven children, five of whom are still living: James, in Allegany county, N.Y.; Harriet, widow of James Wells, in Dunkirk, N.Y.; Calvin T., in Dakota; Philip, and Jane Ann, wife of Willard Lyon, in Dunkirk, N.Y. Philip Hooker came to McKean county in 1863, and purchased his present farm. In 1852 he married Miss Deblah S. Lyon, daughter of Allen Lyon, of Allegany county, N.Y. She died September 21, 1867, leaving four children: Fred John, who married Miss Eva Whitaker, of Carlton, N.Y., and has three children (Ellen May, Benjamin C. and an infant); Willard H., of Rochester, N.Y. (married to Miss Harriet Lyon, of Dunkirk, N.Y.); Charles C., of Foster township (married to Miss Effie Case, and has one child, Harrold G.), and George W. of Rochester, N.Y. (married to Miss Fannie Loudin, of Canada). Mr. Hooker was again married, this time in 1868, to Miss Sarah Ann Hazzard, a native of New York State, who died in October, 1886. His present wife was Mrs. Jennie Brown, daughter of John Eastman, of Warren county, Penn. Mr. Hooker is a member of the Democratic party, and has filled various township offices.

WILLIAM M. HOWARD, merchant, Derrick City, was born in Cattaraugus county, N.Y., July 16, 1858, a son of Alexander and Laura (Bacon) Howard, natives of that county, but both dead. Mr. Howard received a common-school education, and in 1877 came to McKean county, where he worked as a laborer. He then entered a store as clerk, and in 1882 established his present general store. September 26, 1882, he married Miss Edith Vincent, daughter of Hiram and Wealthy Vincent, of Cattaraugus county, N.Y. Mrs. Howard is a member of the Republican party, and is one of the representative merchants of Derrick City.

MILES S. HOWE, oil producer, P.O. Foster Brook, was born in Franklin, Venango Co., Penn., October 4, 1850. He received the benefit of an academic education, and has been principally engaged in the oil business. He married, January 29, 1889, Miss Bertha A. Washburn, of New York City. He is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No. 116, F & A.M., of Franklin, Penn., the Sons of Temperance, the Knights of Labor, and of the A.O.U.W., and also the Producer's Association. Mr. Howe is an enthusiastic worker in the Temperance cause, and a supporter of the Prohibition party. His father, Henry F. Howe, who was a native of Perry county, Penn., married Miss Sophia L. Shaw, of Titusville, Penn. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first derrick erected on Oil creek. He afterward became an extensive producer on Oil creek and at Pit Hole. In 1865 he sold his interests and moved to Yates county, N.Y., where he carried on an extensive farm until 1874. He then moved to Elmira, where he remained until 1882. He furnished two substitutes for the war of the Rebellion. He was a supporter of the Republican and Prohibition parties, and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, filling various important offices. He died in 1883; his widow now resides in Florida. Ten children were born to them, eight of whom are living: Lizzie (wife of H.C. Conner), Eva (wife of Dr. R.A. Egbert), T.E., W.C., E.E., J.W., Minnie and Miles S.

CAPTAIN CYRUS E. KNIGHT, druggist, Derrick City, was born in Waterford, Oxford Co., Me., Nov. 22, 1833, and is a son of John and Mary (Bangs) Knight. John Knight was born in Oxford county, Me., and followed farming throughout his life. In 1845 he moved into Aroostook county, in the northeastern part of the State, then a dense wilderness, and settled in what is now the town of Presque Isle, where he died. His widow, now aged eighty-six years, still resides on the old farm at Presque Isle. Their family consisted of seven children, five of whom are living, viz.: Cyrus E. (our subject), Betsy J. (wife of Jacob Bridges, residing at Presque Isle), Rachel (wife of Almon Bridges, residing at Presque Isle), Mary F. (widow of H.A. Haines, residing at Fort Fairfield, Me.) and Elmira (widow of J.W. Moore, residing in Warren, Penn.). Cyrus E. Knight was reared in Aroostook county, Me., attending the district school in winter, and working on his father's farm during the summer, till he was twenty-one years of age, after which he attended Houlton (Me.) Academy, two years, teaching school during the winter. In 1859 he entered the law office of H.R. Downes, and there remained until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Fifteenth Regiment (Me.) Volunteer Infantry, in which he served during the war, being mustered out July 3, 1866. In April, 1862, his regiment went to Ship Island with the Butler expedition, and it was also at the taking of New Orleans. Mr. Knight was with the regiment in every engagement in which it participated; was promoted from private to lieutenant, and from that rank to captain. He commanded his company in the battles of Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Cane Crossing and on "The Plains Mansura," in the Red River campaign, and was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. After Lee's surrender he was ordered to South Carolina, where he remained until July, 1866, the time of his muster out of the service. During his nearly five years' service Capt. Knight was never absent from his company a day unless by the orders of his commanding officer, nor was he sick, during the entire time, sufficient to cause him to be absent. After leaving the army Capt. Knight returned to Fort Fairfield, Aroostook county, Me., and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for two years. In the summer of 1869 he moved to Titusville, Penn., and here followed the oil business nine years. In 1879 he came to Derrick City, and embarked in his present drug business, in which he has been successful. In 1873 Capt. Knight married Miss L.J. Walker, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Walker, of Exeter, Penobscot Co., Me., and they have two children: Ida Pearl and Allie Eugenia. Capt. Knight is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the A.O.U.W., K. of P. and of the G.A.R., in all of which he is an earnest worker. In politics he is active, and identified with the Democrat party.

LOUIS LEOPOLD, oil producer, Derrick City, was born in Germany, January 15, 1845, and immigrated to America with his parents in 1847. He was reared in Erie county, Penn., and received an ordinary education. He has been associated with his brother Ernest in Venango and Clarion counties, and also in producing oil in McKean county. In 1874 he married Miss Caroline Belses, of Venango county, Penn., and they have three children: George L., Farah S. and Annie G. In 1865 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of Gillmor Post No. 539, G.A.R.

ERNEST LEOPOLD, oil producer, Derrick City, was born in Erie county, Penn., October 17, 1851. His parents, Jacob and Barbara Leopold, who were natives of Germany, followed farming in Erie county, Penn., where they died. They reared nine children, eight of whom are living: Frederick, in Erie county, Penn.; Louis and H.J., in Derrick City; August, in Custer City, McKean county; Ernest; John and Jacob, in Erie, Penn., and Caroline, wife of John Sheffer, also in Erie county. Ernest Leopold was reared in Erie county, receiving a common-school education, and followed farming until 1869, when he went to Venango county and engaged in drilling wells; he remained there four years, and then went to Clarion county, where he stayed three years. In 1878 he came to McKean county, and has since been engaged in oil producing. In 1873 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Stover, of Venango county. She died in 1888, leaving one child, Bertha A. Mr. Leopold then married Miss Eliza, daughter of Daniel Koon, of Pine Valley, N.Y. He is a supporter of the Republican party, and is a member of the K.O.T.M.

G. W. LeROY, merchant, Gillmor, P.O. Derrick City, was born in Jefferson county, N.Y., December 24, 1839, a son of P.S. and Abigail (Carpenter) LeRoy, natives of that county. The father, an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in Oswego county, the mother in Syracuse, N.Y. G.W. LeRoy received a common-school education, and moved to Syracuse when fifteen years of age. For about five years he was engaged in the grocery business at that place, and also in the manufacture of salt. In 1878 he came to McKean county, and for four years was employed by the United Pipe Line Company. In 1882 he established his present business at Gillmor. In 1868 he married Miss Dora M., daughter of Henry Warner, of Syracuse, N.Y., and they have seven children: Libbie, Fred, Kate, Hattie, Ella, Charles and Harris. Mr. LeRoy is a supporter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Knights of Pythias at Gillmor. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. L. McCULLOUGH, merchant, Derrick City, was born in Canada, February 6, 1859. He was reared in Titusville, Penn., and attended the high school of that place. He early entered the mercantile business as clerk, and in 1879 came to McKean county, where he clerked at Red Rock and Knapp's creek. In 1886 he established his present business, conducting also a branch store at Red Rock. October 7, 1883, he married Miss Marian, daughter of John Winans of Crawford county, Penn., and they have three children: Gertrude, William Luther and Rose. Mr. McCullough is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. His parents, James and Catherine (Slavem) McCullough, were natives of Philadelphia, Penn. His father was a manufacturer of cotton and woolen goods, but is now retired from business and lives at Red Rock, McKean Co., Penn.

M. McKAY, merchant, Gillmor, P.O. Derrick City, was born in Monroe county, N.Y., October 31, 1846, a son of Thomas H. and Elizabeth B. (Mead) McKay, natives of Scotland. His father died in Cattaraugus county, N.Y.; his mother now resides at Olean, N.Y. Four of their children are now living: Mart, Thomas H., Louisa B. and E.J. M. McKay, the eldest, was educated at the Olean Academy, and for some years was engaged in mercantile business at Olean. In 1862 he went to Dunkirk, N.Y., where he had charge of a large crockery store for some years. In 1877 he came to McKean county, and has since conducted his present business at Derrick City and Gillmor. His is also interested in oil production. In 1875 he married Miss Adele E. Huntington, of Limestone, N.Y., and they have three children: Lolah E., Harry G. and Homer T. Mr. McKay is a member of the Republican party and of the A.O.U.W.

ROBERT McMURRAY, Sr., oil producer, P.O. Derrick City, was born in Scotland, October 5, 1835. His father, James McMurray, was born in Scotland in 1809, and in 1834 he married Ellen Johnston, who was born in 1811. They immigrated to America in 1851. James McMurray, who was a stone mason by trade, located at Dunkirk, N.Y., but only remained there four months, and then came to McKean county, locating on the Ward farm, which he improved, and lived upon several years; thence he removed to Foster Brook, to the present farm of our subject, where he died December 26, 1878. He was a prominent citizen, identified with the Republican party, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His widow still resides on the homestead. Eleven children were born to their union, nine of whom are living: Robert; John, in Cattaraugus county, N.Y.; Ellen, wife of E.D. Foster, in Foster township, McKean county; Elizabeth, wife of B.F. McClure, in Genesee county, N.Y.; Mary, wife of S.T. Hatfield, in Derrick City; Maggie, wife of S.T. McManus, in Findlay, Ohio; Samuel W. and James C. and Derrick City, and Andrew, in Olean, N.Y. Robert McMurray was educated in Scotland, came to America with his parents, and for several years followed lumbering. In 1876 he leased a half interest in fifty acres of oil property, later purchased the whole interest, and now operates fourteen wells. In 1854 he married Miss Margaret Morrison, a native of Scotland, and they have reared six children: Robert, driller and oil producer, of Derrick City; Andrew, driller, of Bradford; James, producer and driller, of Tarport; Jeanette, at home; Helen, wife of M.W. Kiernan, of Ellicottsville, N.Y.; and Jane, wife of C.S. McKenna, veterinary surgeon, of Mount Morris, N.Y. Mr. McMurray is a Republican, and is now serving as supervisor of Foster township, and is also a member of the school board. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 334, F. & A.M., of Bradford, Olean Chapter, No. 150, R.A.M., St. John's Commandery, No. 24, K.T., of Olean, N.Y., and is commander of the K.O.T.M. of Derrick City.

S. W. McMURRAY, oil producer, Derrick City, son of James and Ellen (Johnston) McMurray, was born at Tarport (now Kendall Creek), McKean Co., Penn., January 21, 1852. He attended the township schools, and Chamberlain Institute, at Randolph, N.Y., and has, since leaving school, been engaged in lumbering and oil producing. In 1884 he married Miss Nora, daughter of Roger McDermont, of Cattaraugus county, N.Y., and they have two children: Roger James and John. Mr. McMurray is a member of Union Lodge No. 334, F. & A.M., of Bradford Chapter, No. 260, R.A.M., and of Trinity Commandery, No. 58, K.T. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.

J. C. McMURRAY, oil producer, Derrick City, son of James and Ellen (Johnston) McMurray, was born in Tarport (now Kendall Creek), McKean Co., Penn., November 26, 1853. He received a common-school education, for a number of years followed farming, lumbering, etc., and since 1877 has been engaged in producing oil. In June, 1884, he married Miss Annie, daughter of William Smith, of Derrick City, and they have one child, Olive Ellen. Mr. McMurray is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, and of the Bradford Presbyterian Church. continued click here