Eldred Township & Borough of Eldred Biographical Sketches

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BYRON ALFORD, oil producer and manufacturer of explosives, Eldred, was born in Ridgeville township, Lorain Co., Ohio, March 25, 1842, a son of Milo C. and Emily (Lathrop) Alford. When he was three years of age his parents settled in Crawford county, Penn., where they lived for six years; then removed to Allegany county, N. ,Y., where he was reared and received a common-school education. He started in life for himself when sixteen years of age as a stationary engineer, which he followed seven years. He then followed the business of a sawyer for one year, and afterward, in 1865, started as a jabber in manufacturing lumber by the thousand feet, at which he continued three years. In the fall of 1866 he located at State Line Mills, McKean Co., Penn., and was postmaster while there. From the spring of 1867 to the fall of 1869 he operated the State Line Lumber-Mill for Calvin T. Chamberlin, of Cuba. N. Y., with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his employer. In the fall of 1869 he bought a lumber-mill in Eldred township, and began the manufacture of lumber on his own account. The following year he erected another mill within forty rods of the first. In 1871 he formed a partnership with E. F. Johnson, of Oramel, N. Y., which included the above business, and which existed until the fall of 1874. In the fall of 1877 he embarked in the oil business as a producer in the Bradford field, with which he has since been connected; has been interested in twenty producing wells in the Bradford field, and is now sole owner of seven producing wells. Late in the fall of 1879 he began the construction of a large saw-mill at Barnum, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., on a contract with West on Bros., of Weston's Mills, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and subsequently entered into partnership with A. R. Curtiss, under the firm name of Alford & Curtiss, and conducted an extensive lumber and mercantile business for about three years. In 1883 he engaged in the manufacture of explosives used for all kinds of blasting purposes, with J. W. Dean, under the firm name of Alford & Dean, which partnership existed until July, 1888, when Mr. Alford purchased his partner's interest, and is still conducting a successful business in that line. Mr. Alford is a prominent and representative citizen of Eldred. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge, chapter, council and commandery, and of the A. A. 0., Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Ismailia Temple, Buffalo, N. Y. Politically he is a Republican. He has been married twice. First, in 1 863. to Nancy M., daughter of Peter and Annis (Wilson) McIntosh, of near Oramel, N. Y. She died in Apra, 1882, and in June, 1884, he married Mary E. Irish, daughter of George Irish, of the town of Genesee, N. Y. Her father was a surveyor and an early settler on Dodge's creek, AIlegany county, N. Y.

MATTHEW. C. ARNOT, lumberman, P. O. Eldred, was born in South- port, Chemung Co., N. Y., June 19, 1841, and is a son of James H. and Jane (Longwell) Arnot. He was reared and educated in his native county, and on attaining his majority he engaged in lumbering as foreman and superintendent of lumber-mills and lumber contracts. He located in Eldred in 1876, where he has been employed as superintendent and foreman of Benton's Mills, which were operated under the direction of the late E, C. Wolcott after 1886. Mr. Arnot married, December 25, 1865, Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Serena (Stark) Lehman, of Roulette township, Potter Co., Penn., and has four children: George, Jennie, La Moyne and Sadie. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the K. O. T. M., and in politics is a Democrat.

LEWIS BALFOUR, physician, Eldred, was born in Colinton, near Edinburgh, Scotland, July 1, 1850, a son of John and Josephine M. (Smith) Balfour. John Balfour was in the Hon, East India Company's service, and for twenty-five years was in constant and active service, from which he retired in 1863, with rank of inspector-general. He served all through the Burmese war of 1851-53, and the Indian mutiny in 1857. rendering valuable assistance at the siege of Delhi; was also at Lucknowand Cawnpore, where he served in the capacity of surgeon. Lewis Balfour was reared in Edinburgh, and educated in the academy and high school of that city. He entered the medical class of 1866-67, in the University of Edinburgh, and was there graduated. He was appointed surgeon on the ship" Ravenscraig," which sailed from Dundee (Scotland) on a nine months' cruise in the Arctic regions. In 1871 he immigrated to America and settled in Emporium, Penn., where he practiced his profession nearly three years, and in 1874 he came to Eldred, where he has since been in the active practice. Dr. Balfour was married in October, 1879, to Elizabeth Josephine, daughter of John Hunt. of Angelica, .N. Y. Mr. Hunt was killed in battle during the war of the Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Balfour have been blessed with two bright and promising children: John and Josephine M. The Doctor is a member of the Episcopal Church, of the F. & A. M. and of the I. O. O. F. Politically he it; a Democrat.

A. T. BARDEN. dealer in general merchandise, Eldred borough. was born in Broome county, N. Y., April 16, 1826, a son of Dr. Ebenezer and Deborah (Dean) Barden, and is of old Puritan stock. Ebenezer Barden was a botanical physician, and is said to have been the first physician to locate in Eldred township, where he settled January 16, 1837, practicing his profession there until his death, which occurred September 25. 1885, being then in his eighty-sixth year. His family consisted of eight children, viz.: Alexander, Ruth (Mrs. Reuben Dennis), Abram T., Jason A., Abigail (Mrs. Charles Wolcott), Soloman, Amanda (Mrs. Asher Hinds) and Andrew J. A. T. Barden was eleven years old when his parents located in Eldred township, and here he received a limited education in the common schools, after which he was, for a number of years, engaged in the lumber business. In 1853 he embarked in general merchandise business, which he successfully conducted until February, 1883, when his eldest son, Ernest A., was admitted as a partner, since which time the business has been carried on under the firm name of A. T. Barden & Son. Mr. Barden was united in marriage, September 3, 1859, with Miss Mary E. daughter of Milo and Rosetta (Wright) Baldwin, of Allegany county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Barden have been blessed with three children: Emest A., Fred E. and Herbert E. Mr. Barden is the oldest established merchant now doing business in Eldred. He was postmaster at Allegany Bridge (now Eldred) from 1872 to 1882; served as associate judge of McKean county one term; was elected justice of the peace two terms, resigning during his second term to assume the duties ofassociate judge, and has also held many ofthe minor offices of his township. Mr. Barden is a prominent and worthy citizen. In politics he is a stanch Republican.  

THOMAS BARKAS, farmer, P, O. Eldred, was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, March 18, 1827, a son of Gabriel and Mary (Lawson) Barkas. He was reared in the Parish of St. John, Northumberland, and in June, 1847, Married Jane, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Loan, of Haltwhistle. England, by whom he had eleven children, four of whom are living: William, Hannah (Mrs. David Wood), Thomas and Jane (Mrs. Frank Elliott), Mr. Barkas, with his family, came to America in 1853, locating in Erie county, N. Y., and remained in the vicinity of Buffalo four years, working at anything be could get to do. In February, 1857, he settled in Eldred, this county, and purchased 100 acres of land (to which he has since added twenty-five acres by purchases), eighty acres of which he has cleared and improved himself, and where he has since resided. He was in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1864, in Company K, Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, and was honorably discharged from the service in June. 1865. Mr. Barkas may be considered one of the pioneer farmers of Eldred, as well as a respected citizen. Politically he is a Republican.

CHARLES BELL. farmer, post-office Eldred, is a native ofUlster county. N. Y., and a son of Peter and Maria (Kimball) Bell. He was reared in his native county, and came to McKean county, Penn., in 1867. settling in Eldred township, where he is the owner of a farm of110 acres, seventy. five of which he has cleared and improved from the wilderness to. which he located. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mariam, daughter of Uriah N. and Arminda (Barringer) Avery, of Ulster county. N. Y., by whom he had six children: Orvell B., AMna (Mrs. Eugene Prosser), Arminda (Mrs. Leslie Humphrey), Annis B., Frank and Charles. Mrs. Mariam Beli died January 7, 1882, and May 10, 1884, Mr. Bell married Mrs. Annie (Kewley) Bradshaw. Mr. Bell is a prominent farmer of Eldred township. He is a member of the Knights ofthe Maccabees; in politics he is a Democrat.

REY. T. S. BENNETT, farmer and oil producer, Eldred, was born near Knoxville, Tioga Co., Penn., March 28, 1826, a son of Joseph and Lucinda (Bonney) Bennett. He was reared near Whitesville, N. Y.. until sixteen years of age, and received a common school education. In 1842 he located in Bradford, Penn., and after attaining his majority embarked in the lumber business, which he continued fifteen years. He then followed farming; afterward, in 1876, sold his farm for oil purposes, it being the first farm in Bradford sold on that account. The same year he located in Eldred. and purchased a farm he still owns, and where oil was found in considerable quantities in 1887, on which are now three producing wells, and two more derricks in operation. In 1868 Mr. Bennett united with the United Brethren Church, and in 1871 was ordained a minister, since when he has preached in McKean and adjoining counties up to the present time. He has been twice married. His first wife was Huldah, daughter of Nathaniel. and Dolly (Ingalls) Edson, of Bradford, by whom he had five children: Walter A., Eveline V. (Mrs. S. Turner). Wellman G., Dolly (Mrs. McClellan Olmsted) and Lowell. His second wife was Mrs. Mary F. (Allen) Hudson, of Wales, Erie Co., N. Y. Mr. Bennett is. to quite an extent, interested in real estate in Eldred and vicinity, and has erected a large number of dwellings. Politically he was formerly a Republican, but is now a stanch advocate of. Prohibition.

FRANCIS N. BURNHAM (deceased) was born in Eldred township, McKean. Co., Penn., November 14,1838, a son of Josiah C. and Phebe (Moses) Burnham. He was reared in his native township, and cleared and improved the farm now occupied by his widow, where he died July 26, 1881. He was in the Civil war, enlisting in Company H, Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers; was promoted to second lieutenant August 22, 1862, and to first lieutenant; November 25, 1862; he was in command of his company seventeen months, owing to his captain having been made prisoner, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service, December 28, 1864. Mr. Burnham married, December 2, 1868. Eunice A., daughter of Samuel S. and Lucetta (Taylor) Moses, of Cuba, N. Y, and by her had three children: Cecil, Reuben and George. Mr. Burnham was a prominent and representative citizen of Eldred. In politics he was a Republican, and was elected associate judge of McKean county in 1877, holding the office nearly five years, up to the time of his death. He was a member of the G. A. R.

DWIGHT H. BURNHAM, farmer, P. O. PortvilIe, N. Y., was born in Eldred township, McKean Co., Penn., January 19, 1841, a son of Josiah Clark and Phebe (Moses) Burnham. early settlers of Eldred township. who cleared and improved the farm now occupied by Dwight H., as well as the one adjoining. Their children were Henry C., Francis N., Dwight H. and Helen M. (Mrs. Emory Skiver). D. H. Burnham was reared in Eldred township, where he has always resided, now owning and occupying the old homestead. He married. October 10, 1867. Cordelia, daughter of Joseph and Sallie A. (Hulbert) Magee, of Olean, N. Y, by whom he has two children: Fannie and Frank. Mr. Burnham is a Master Mason. He has held the offices of supervisor and collector of the township, and was superintendent of the county poor-farm for three years. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM G. BUTLER, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Eldred, was born in Broome county, N. Y.. June 4, 1836, and is a son of Elijah and Patty (Foote) Butler, natives of Massachusetts. His mother married, for her second husband, Caleb Canfield, and settled in Eldred in 1840, on the farm now owned by William Wilmarth. 'William G. ButIer was reared and educated in the township of Eldred, and after attaining his majority, located in Warren county, Penn., where he resided twelve years, engaged in lumbering. In 1865 he returned to Eldred township, and settled on the farm he now occupies, which he cleared and improved, and where he has since resided; up to 1883 he followed the carpenter's trade. In 1870 he married Eliza, daughter of Lyman Harris, of Eldred township, and they have one son, Childrick. During the Civil war Mr. Butler was eighteen months in the employ of the United States government as a carpenter, at Nashville, Tenn. He is a well-known and respected citizen. In politics he is a Republican.

JAMES CAMPBELL, farmer, P. O. Indian Creek, was born in Eldred township, McKean Co., Penn., in May, 1820, a son of Jotham and Cynthia (Hooker) Campbell, pioneers of that township. The subject of these lines has always lived in what is now Eldred township, locating in 1859 on the farm he now owns and occupies, and most of which he cleared and improved. He married Olive Hooker, daughter of Rudolphus Hooker, of Jamestown, N. Y., and they have three children: Mortimer W., Monsier B. and Laura (Mrs. C. B Rounds). Mr. CampbelI is a representative farmer and citizen of Eldred township. In politics he is a Democrat.

OZRO S. CARPENTER, farmer, P. O. Eldred, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., town of Coventry, September 8, 1825, a son of Timothy and Bethenia (Trumbull) Carpenter, who settled in Eldred township, McKean Co., Penn., in 1830, locating on the land now owned by Ozro S., which they cleared and improved, and here resided until their death. The father died June 28, 1865, and the mother January 17, 1882. Their children were Odin (deceased), Louisa (deceased), Almira (Mrs. Almon Rice), Oscar (deceased), Thompson T. (deceased), Abiah Lovira T. (deceased), Almon (deceased), Ozro S., Cynthia L. (Mrs. Benjamin Lamphier), Oliver T. S., Mary (Mrs. Dr. W. L. Chrisman) and Daniel. O. S. Carpenter was reared in Eldred township from five years of age, has always been a farmer, and has followed lumbering to some extent. June 6, 1852, he married Celestina R., daughter or Luther and Elizabeth (Broas) Davis, of Lafayette township, this county, and they have four children: Emma M. (Mrs. T. C. Wainman), Frank. Grant and Tinia E. Mr. Carpenter is one of the few old residents left in Eldred township. Politically he is a Republican.

EDWARD S. CARPENTER, justice of the peace, Larrabee, was born in Eldred township July 8, 1846, a son of Oscar and Mary E. (Lamphier) Carpenter. His paternal grandfather was Timothy Carpenter, formerly of Chenango county, N. Y., who settled in Eldred township, about 1829, and was a farmer by occupation; he reared the following named children: Odin, Louisa, Almira (Mrs. Almon Rice), Oscar, Abiah (Mrs. Joseph Rork), Ozro, Almon, Thompson T., Cynthia (Mrs. Benjamm Lamphier), Lovira, Seymore T.. Mary C. (Mrs. Dr. W. L. Chrisman) and Daniel F. His maternal grandfather was William Lamphier, who settled in Eldred township in 1835, son of Benjamin Lamphier, who settled there in 1837. Oscar Carpenter was a carpenter by trade, and also carried on a small farm, and was justice of the peace of Eldred twenty-nine years. He had five children: Edward S., Calista B., William 0., Zenas H. and Jessie E.   Edward S. Carpenter was reared and educated in Eldred township, where he has always resided. He married, March 17, 1872, Adeline V., daughter of Benjamin and Lucinda (Giles) Scott. and they have four children: Ida M. (married to Edwin A. Hibbard, August 24,1889), Edith L., Grace A. and Charles O. Mr. Carpenter has held several of the minor offices of the township. and has been justice of the peace since 1886. Politically he is a Republican.

W. L. CHRISMAN, M. D.. Eldred, was born in Warwick township, Chester Co., Penn., December 9. 1834, a son of John and Sarah (Evans) Chrisman. He was reared in his native county, and educated at the Tremont Academy, Chester county, and at the Morgantown Academy, Berks county, Penn., and in 1854 began the study of medicine with Drs. Robert and Benjamin Bunn, of Churchtown, Lancaster Co., Penn.  He entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in the fall of 1855, and was graduated in the spring of 1857. He then began the practice of his profession. in Virginia, and in 1860 located in Eldred, this county. where he was in active practice until 1876. He then embarked in the oil business as an owner of oil lands and royalty, and in 1884 as a producer. in which he is still largely interested. He is also engaged in farming, and is a breeder of Jersey and Shorthorn stock. registered in the A. J. C. C. and Canadian stock herd books. He built the first silo in McKean county, and is denominated one of the leading and most progressive farmers in the county. Dr. Chrisman married, in 1863, Mary, daughter of Timothy and Bethenia (Trumbull) Carpenter, of Eldred township, and they have one daughter, Mary E. Dr. Chrisman has been identified with the Eldred Bank since its organization, and is now its vice-president. He was a surgeon in the United States service at Washington, D. C., during the war of the Rebellion. Politically he is a stanch advocate of prohibition.

CHARLES M. COLEMAN, proprietor of the European Hotel, Eldred, was born in Penn Yan, N. Y., November 18, 1833. He was reared and educated in his native town, and after reaching maturity started in life as a farmer, an occupation he followed for two years. He then, in 1854, located at Driftwood, Cameron Co., Penn., and there carried on the lumbering, mercantile and hotel business for several years; he also held the office of justice of the peace seven years. In 1877 he located at Gillmor, Penn., and erected the first hotel in that place. This he conducted four months, then removed to Eldred, where he has been engaged, more or less, in the hotel business, and has conducted his present house since April, 1883. His hotel is well and favorably known for its cuisine, and "to stop there once is to stop again." Mr. Coleman is a member of the I. O. O. F., Columbia League and the K. O. T. M.; politically he is a Democrat.

CHARLES COLLINS, oil producer, Eldred, is a native of Caribou, Me., where he was reared and educated. In 1868 he removed to Wisconsin, and worked in the lumber woods of that State in the winter of 1868-69. In the latter year he came to Pennsylvania, loca6ng at Chambersbutg, where he worked at drilling wells; soon afterward he removed to the Armstrong field, where he acted in the same capacity, and later he was connected with the Butler and Clarion fields as a producer and contractor. In 1878 he located in the Bradford field, and has been a resident of Eldred since 1884. He is at present interested in seventy producing wells in Warren and Butler counties, this State, and in Lima, Ohio. Mr. Collins has been a director in the Eldred bank since 1885. He is a Knight Templar; politically, a Republican.

V. H. COOK, oil producer, Eldred, was horn in Eldred township, McKean Co.. Penn., October 29, 1855, a son of John J., Jr., and Martha J. (Bowen) Cook. His paternal grandfather was John J. Cook, a native of Luzerne county, Penn., and among the pioneer lumbermen of Eldred township, who took up a large tract of land, remaining there until his death. His maternal grandfather was Valentine Bowen, formerly of Oswego county, N. Y., and also a pioneer of Eldred, having removed here about the year 1833. John J. Cook, Jr., has resided in Eldred nearly all his life, and since attaining manhood has followed lumbering as a business. His children were Lucy A., V. Herbert, Lilly M. M., Ella M. (Mrs. C. F. McVagh) and Nellie F. V. H. and Ella M. are the only ones living. V. H. Cook was reared and educated in Eldred and began life as a lumberman, and since 1881 has been engaged in business as an oil producer. In October, 1887, he married Ida L., daughter of William and Ella D. (Mowatt) Petrie, and they have one child, Edna M. Mr. Cook has held the office of school director, and is at present auditor and town clerk of Eldred. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; in politics he is a Republican.

H. J. CORELL, photographer, Eldred, is a native of Athens township, Crawford Co., Penn. He was born in 1847, was reared in his native town and began the study of photography in Sherman, N. Y., and later studied in Jamestown, where he finished his trade. He embarked in business for himself in 1871 at Ripley, N. Y., located at Eldred in 1880, and opened a photograph gallery and art studio, where he has since done a large and successful business. He is a first class artist and has the reputation of doing as fine work as can be obtained anywhere in his line.

BENJAMIN F. CORY, merchant and lumberman, Eldred, was born in Keating township, McKean Co., Penn., and is a son of Azro B. and Hannah M. (Rees) Cory. His maternal grandparents were among the pioneers of Potter county, Penn. His father was a native of Vermont, and an early settler of Keating township, where he taught school and for a number of years edited a paper at Smethport. He reared a family of four children: Asa R., Lytta E. (Mrs. Lyman Clinton), Benjamin F. and Mary A. (Mrs. Frank Caldwell). Benjamin F. Cory was reared in Potter county, and began life as a farmer. In 1870 he located in Coryville, this county, where he farmed one year, then for three years taught school, after which he again engaged in farming, and in 1878 located at Eldred. He has been more or less engaged in lumbering since 1881, has had a store at Eldred since 1882, and is now conducting a mill and store at Frisbee station. He married, March 26, 1872, Ada L., daughter or Augustus and Judith (Otto) Day, of Keating township, and they have had five children: Dudley A. (deceased), Celia M., Lillie M., Elizabeth D. and Myra A. Mr. and Mrs. Cory are members of the United Brethren Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics he is a Republican.

P. R. COTTER, attorney at law, Eldred, is a native of County Cork, Ireland, where he was reared and educated. In 1855 he came to America, locating in Troy, N. Y., afterward in Philadelphia. Penn. Mr. Cotter, enlisted in October. 1862, in the Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, serving until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. In 1871 he located in Tioga county, Penn., where he began the study of law under James B. Leach. He was admitted to the bar in 1874, and the same year settled in McKean county, Penn. In 1875 Mr. Cotter was elected district attorney of McKean county.

JOHN S. COTTON, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Eldred, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 17, 1838, a son of Simeon and Mary (Snyder) Cotton. His paternal grandfather was Samuel Cotton, a native of England, by occupation formerly a sea captain, and later a farmer of Tompkins county, N. Y. The maternal grandfather of John S. was William Snyder, of German descent, and a pioneer farmer of Tompkins county, N. Y. Both grandfathers were in the war of 1812, William Snyder being a captain. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. He was a participant in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting December 30, 1863, in Company M, Fiftieth New York Engineers, and was honorably discharged from the service, May 13, 1865. In the fall of 1866 he settled in Eldred township, this county, where he has since resided, and been engaged in farming and working to some extent at his trade. At present he has a contract for erecting a school edifice, at a cost of $10,000, which he will have completed in a few days. In April, 1867, he married Mary, daughter of Daniel J. and AImina (Potter) Keyes, of Eldred, and they have two children: Minnie and Mary. .Mr. Cotton has held the office of assessor and councilman of Eldred. He is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

WILLARD CUMMINGS, farmer and lumberman, p, O. Eldred, was born in New York, November 3, 1838, a son of Allen and Lydia (Farrington) Cummings, who settled in Eldred township, McKean Co., Penn., in 1840. His father, who was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, cleared several farms in Eldred township, where he died. His children who grew to maturity were: Almira (Mrs. William Pendleton). George, Willard, Chester and Albion. Willard Cummings was reared in Eldred township, where he has resided since infancy; and after attaining his majority followed farming and lumbering as an occupation. He has cleared two farms in Eldred township, one of which he now occupies. He was in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting August 18, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Fiftieth P. V. I.; was captured at Gettysburg, and was confined in Libby and Belle Isle prisons thirty-three days; was honorably discharged from the service June 25, 1865. He married, in 1874, Mrs. Mary J. (Payne) Wright, daughter of Isaac Payne, of Eldred. Mr. Cummings is a member of the G. A. R.; politically he is a Republican.

GEORGE T. DENNIS, proprietor of botanical laboratory, and manufacturer of botanical remedies, Eldred, Penn., was born in Masonville, Delaware Co., N. Y., September 22, 1819, a Aon of Nathan and Tirzah (Knapp) Dennis, who settled in this township (then Ceres) in 1822. George T. Dennis was reared and educated in Eldred, and at eighteen years of age taught school, during the succeeding winter term, and followed that business summer and winter more or- less after he had finished his education at Smethport Academy in 1840, under the tuition of Martin V. Adkins. March 13, 1844, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Matthew M. and Prudence (Maxon) Crandall, of Ceres, N. Y. She was born at Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., May 12, 1821, and became the mother of seven. children: Mason G., Matthew N., Clark W., .William B., Joseph B., Rosa P. (Mrs. H. J. Doolittle) and Matie (Mrs. ,Villiam Boone). After his marriage Mr. Dennis settled, cleared and improved a farm in the wilderness of Eldred township which he still owns. He was in the Rebellion, enlisting in the war of 1864, in Company A, Eighty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, participated in the battle of Wise Forks, N. C., and was honorably discharged at Elmira, N. Y., in JuIy, 1865. In his twentieth year Mr. Dennis united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1846 he went to Iowa, where he resided three years; taught school and received a license to preach, and is now an ordained,. licensed, local preacher, residing at Eldred, where he has lived since 1886. Mr. Dennis began the manufacture of his botanical remedies in a small way in 1874, and since 1879 he has given his sole attention to the business, and as his remedies have the rare merit of being all they claim to be, he bas succeeded in building up a lucrative business that is increasing daily. August 16, 1889,. Mrs. Mary A. Dennis passed from earth, and January 1, 18~0, Mr. Dennis married Mrs. H. Eliza Barrett, of Eldred, at the home of the bride on Edson street, the ceremony being performed by Rev. T. J. Bissell, presiding elder of Olean District, General Conference, N. Y. For a number of years Mr. Dennis was connected with the reportorial staff of the Bradford daily Era, as well as being correspondent for several leading papers of this county and section. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics is a temperance Republican.

REUBEN DENNIS, proprietor of the "Central House," Eldred, was born in Eldred, McKean Co., Penn., August 27, 1826, a son of Nathan and Theresa (Knapp) Dennis. His paternal grandfather, James Dennis, was a soldier in the Revolution. He was captured by the Indians, but in three months' time effected his escape, the opportunity of doing so being given him by the Indians holding a pow-wow, and indulging too freely in "fire-water," thus forgetting. all about their prisoner, who, taking with him about a quart of pop-corn, silently stole away in the darkness, and started on his long and tedious journey homeward. During his three months' tramp homeward he had nothing to subsist on but the pop-corn he had taken from the Indians, and such roots and herbs as he could find. He suffered so severely from wounds received at the hands of the English, and from want of food, that he lived but a short time after his arrival home. Jacob Knapp, who was one of the three original settlers of Eldred township, came from Delaware county, N. Y., with a team of horses, which he turned out to browse the following winter, but the snow be- coming too deep, he had to take the straw out of his bed ticks wherewith to feed them and keep them from starving; but his efforts to save his horses were in vain, for both perished. He cleared and improved a farm in Eldred township, on which he lived until his death. He was the father of twenty children, all but one of whom grew to maturity, and of whom Jacob Knapp, Jr., was one of the most renowned Baptist revival preachers of his day. Nathan Dennis was a soldier in the war of 1812, and settled in Eldred township in 1822, where he cleared and improved two farms; was also engaged in the mercantile and hotel businesses, and was postmaster at Allegany Bridge (now Eldred) for thirty years. He came from Delaware county, N. Y., to Eldred, with his family, team and household goods, and the last night of their journey they stopped with a family consisting of husband and two wives in Potter county, Penn., who, having but one bed, gave that up to their guests, while they made themselves as comfortable as they could on the floor. Nathan Dennis was the father of eleven children: George T., Lucinda (Mrs. M. G. Knapp), Susan (Mrs. Daniel Crandall), James N., Reuben, Lewis L. , Jerusha (Mrs. C. C. W right), Jane (Mrs. Daniel Blanchard), Washington, Martha (Mrs. Thaddeus Royce) and Virtue Dennis (deceased at six years). Reuben Dennis was reared on his father's farm, in Eldred township, and began life as a farmer and lumberman.  He has been married three times, his first wife having been Ruth, daughter of Ebenezer and Deborah (Dean) Barden, of Eldred, by whom he had four children, two of whom are living: May (Mrs David A. Parsells) and James F. His second wife was Helen Beardsley, by whom he had one daughter, still living, Helen (Mrs. D. Hastings), and one son, deceased. His present wife, Emma J., is a daughter of Eleazer Belknap, of Havana, N. Y. This last marriage has been blessed with two children: Charles R. and Lulu E. (Mrs. D. T. Horton). Mr. Dennis has been in the hotel business twelve years. In 1879 he erected the "Central Hotel," of which he has since been the successful and popular landlord. He served one term as commissioner of McKean county. Politically he was a Democrat until the election of James Buchanan, when he voted with the Republican party, and continued with same until 1884, since which time he has been a strong advocate of the Prohibition party.

MICHAEL DOYLE, merchant, lumberman and postmaster, Sartwell, was born in County Cork, Ireland, October 28, 1835, a son of Cornelius and Ellen (Callaghan) Doyle, who settled in what is now Annin township, McKean Co., Penn., in 1846, where his father cleared and improved a farm, on which he lived and died. They had seven children: Michael, Ellen (Mrs. James Mahoney), James, Margaret (Mrs. Thomas McMann), Hannah (Mrs. John Rice), Rose A. (Mrs. Robert Magner) and William. The subject of this sketch was reared in McKean county from eleven years of age, began life as a farmer, and cleared and improved the farm in Eldred township he now owns and occupies. He has been engaged in mercantile business at Sartwell twelve years, and fourteen years in lumbering. His wife was Helen, daughter of Dennis and Mary (Dunn) Keefe, of Steuben county, N. Y. They have six children: John, William, Minnie, Augustin, Arthur and Leonard. Mr. Doyle is a prominent and representative citizen of Eldred. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church; has held the office of school director two terms, and has been postmaster at Sartwell fourteen years. Politically he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM DUNBAR, lumberman, Larrabee, was born in Keating township, this county, January 24, 1832, a son of Jonathan D. and Catherine (Potter) Dunbar (formerly of near Utica, Tompkins Co., N. Y.), who settled in Farmers Valley, Keating township, in 1819. .His father, who was one of the pioneer lumbermen of McKean county, followed lumbering nearly all his life. Amos Dunbar. the paternal grandfather of the subject of these lines, a native of New York State, and of Scotch parentage, built at Farmers Valley, along with his son, Jonathan D., the first grist mill erected in McKean county. Amos Dunbar had seven children: Israel, David, Jonathan D., Betsey (Mrs. Joseph Dunbar), Peggy (Mrs. Henry Kingsley), Anna (Mrs. William Cornelius) and Sally (deceased). Of these Jonathan D. carried on the lumber business at Farmers Valley for many years. His children were Sally (Mrs. Hiram Ault), William and Catherine (Mrs. John R. Hall). By his second wife, nee Alfa Hatch, he had one son, Amos. William Dunbar was reared in his native town and educated in the common schools. He began life as a lumberman when fifteen years of age, and was a partner with his father as lumberman and. contractor up to 1857, from which time up to 1880 he was in business alone. He then engaged with J. J. Newman, of Buffalo, as contractor and superintendent of his milling business in McKean county. Mr. Dunbar is one of the oldest lumbermen in the district, having been in the business forty-two years, and has done more than any other to systematize the manufacture of lumber, by his invention of the" Dunbar Automatic Lumber Trimmer," for equalizing lengths of lumber, the first of the kind ever introduced into the Pennsylvania lumber districts. Mr. Dunbar has resided in Larrabee since 1880, and was postmaster three years. 1886-87-88. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F.; in politics he is a Democrat. He was married July 10, 1856, to Olive M., daughter of Elisha and Fanny (Potter) Bishop, of Ceres town- ship, McKean Co., Penn., and they have had two children: Florence (deceased) and George F.

A. R. FOWLER, farmer, P. O. Eldred, was born in Cortland county, N. y. . July 16, 1828, a son of Jefferson and Maryette (Rice) Fowler. They settled in Eldred township about the year 1837, locating on the land now occupied by A R. Fowler, where, after a few years, the father died, leaving a family of six children: A. R., Clara (now Mrs. George W. Lowe), Mary J. (Mrs. Thomas K. Wilcox), William P. (who died of wounds received at Point of Rocks, in the Rebellion), Harriet E. (Mrs. A. K. Riant) and Angelina A. (deceased.) A. R. Fowler was reared in Eldred from nine years of age, and after the death of his father became the main support of the family. His mother married, for her second husband, C. P. Humphrey, by whom she had four children: Corel P. (who died of disease contracted in the Civil war), Edwin D., Eveline J. (Mrs S WeIland) and Thomas H. Mr. Fowler cleared and improved the farm he now occupies, and for many years was in the employ of Buffalo people as agent and buyer of lumber and timber lands. In April, 1859, he married Sarah A., daughter of Smith and Jerusha (Aldrich) Beers, who settled in Farmers Valley, this county, in 1848, and to this union were born three children: Rosabel J. (deceased), Rice J. and Maud E. (Mrs. Pelton Crosby.) For seven years Mr. Fowler worked in the interest of McKean county by inducing Buffalo capitalists to build the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; politically he is a Democrat.

JOHN M. GEUDER, farmer, P. O. Eldred, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, September 29, 1825, a son of George M. and Margaret (Eberline) Geuder. He was reared in his native land, and came to America in 1847, locating in Mercer county, Penn., where he worked in the coal mines two years. In 1851 he revisited Germany, remaining one year, then returned to America, in 1852, and settled in Eldred township, on the farm he now owns and occupies, comprising 181 acres, about eighty of which he cleared and improved. Mr. Geuder married, in 1840, in the State of Ohio, Mary, daughter of Jacob and Katrina (Wagner) Miller, of Bavaria, Germany. who came to America with J. M. Geuder in 1852, and died in Eldred in 1866 and 1868, respectively. The issue of Mr. Geuder's marriage was twelve children: Elizabeth (Mrs. John Koeblin), Margaret (Mrs. Henry Cordes), Caroline, Maria (deceased), George, John, Mary B. (Mrs. Dan Miller), Jacob M., Catherine (Mrs. Gottleib Heitz), Godfried G., Anna and Michael C. Of the sons, George, John and Jacob M. are married, and they, with their five married sisters, reside in Olean, N. Y., and have among them twenty-four children. During the first ten years of his residence in Eldred township, Mr. Geuder was the only German living there. Mr. Geuder has had all his children educated to read and write both the English and German languages. He is a progressive farmer, and enterprising citizen. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church of Olean, N. Y., and in politics a Democrat. Mr. Geuder was elected road commissioner once, and supervisor twice. Being a musician he has had a melodeon, since the year 1861, in the house. It was the only one in Eldred township for ten years.

A. D. GOULD, editor and proprietor of the Eldred Eagle, was born at . Utica, N. Y., July 15, 1856, a son of C. B. and Mary (Scranton) Gould. His maternal grandfather, Lyman Scranton, was a native of Utica, an architect and builder, and with John Devereaux built the original St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, Cattaraugas Co., N. Y. A. D. Gould was reared in Utica, Homer and Binghamton, N. Y., and Emporium, Penn., and was educated at the academies of Homer and Franklinville, N. Y. In the spring of 1876 he began the study of law with Newton & Green, of Emporium, Penn., at which he continued until the fan of 1877. Prior to that he learned the printer's trade with his father, and on account of the latter being burned out he was compelled to resume the printing business. He started a job-office in Tarport in the spring of 1878. The same year Eldred came into prominence as an oil center, and in the summer of that year he removed to that point, and established the Eldred Eagle, which he has since successfully conducted. He married, September 4, 1883, Emma, daughter of John D. Schwab, of Utica, N. Y., and they have one son, Carl D. Mr. Gould is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a Republican.

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Contributed by Sandy Payne