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SAMPSON, Willis G. - McGraw p. o., Triumph twp (pages Ixxxii-Ixxxiii, Brief Personals *)
Willis G. Sampson was born in Auburn, O., in 1843. He was a son of S. H. and Mary B. Sampson. He was a graduate of Geauga Seminary, O., where Garfield was educated. He enlisted in Company D, Eighty-eighth Ohio, and served in the late war. He settled in Pennsylvania, in the city of Titusville, in 1865, and in 1866 he went to Pithole, where he was engaged in the production of oil, and also engaged in the same business in several different localities. He was married in 1872 to Elizabeth Patterson, of Rochester, N. Y. He settled in Triumph, operating in his own interest, and has held the general superintendency of Edwin E. Clapp's large oil interest of Triumph from 1876, a lot of 417 acres, having put down sixty-one wells, and is now pumping forty-seven wells with three boilers and eight hands, and producing eighteen hundred barrels per month.
SANFORD, Joel G. & SANFORD, Samuel W.B. - Eldred twp (pages 676-678 *)
The ancestors of J. G. Sanford are traceable several
centuries in the past. The Sanford and Hoyt families, both his ancestors,
were among the very earliest settlers of New England. One of the
great-grandfathers of the subject of this sketch, named Ward, was a sea captain
in the War of the Revolution. During that struggle he was taken prisoner
and confined in one of the British prison-ships. He jumped overboard
with a companion and attempted to swim ashore, but was drowned, though
his companion escaped and lived to tell the story. John Sanford, grandfather
of J. G. Sanford, was born in Connecticut in 1772, came to Warren county
with his son in 1838, and died at Rome, Crawford county, Pa., in 1856. His
son, Samuel Ward Benedict Sanford, was born in Reading, Fairfield county,
Conn., on the 22d of August, 1796, and the record of his birth is still engrossed
on the town books. He removed to Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1819,
and four years later went to Batavia, Genesee county, in that State. Just previous
to his removal to Batavia, he married Esther Hill, daughter of John
Green, who was a soldier of the Revolution, was with Washington at Valley
Forge, and after living for a time in Vermont, died in Onondaga county, N.
Y., not far from 1840. Samuel and Esther Sanford had four children, three
of whom are now living. These three, besides the subject of this sketch, are
Nancy Irene, wife of Calvin Nichols, of Spring Creek; and Orsamus Orland,
living in Eldred township. The one that died was Washington Sobrieski, his
death occurring on the 6th of June, 1862, when he had reached the age of
thirty-one years.
Samuel W. B. Sanford came to Eldred township from Batavia in the spring
of 1838 with horse and wagon, reaching that township on the 6th of May.
He immediately built a house on the site now covered by his present dwelling,
and began to clear his farm of seventy-six acres. During the summer he engaged
in farming, and to some extent in lumbering, and in the following winter
taught school in Garland, in Pittsfield township. From then to the present
he has continued his farming. He is now an old man, but bears the respect
and esteem of all who know him. He has for more than fifty years been a
consistent member of the Methodist Church. He was a member of the old
Whig party until its dissolution, when he united himself with the Republican
party. He has been at all times a prominent man in town affairs, having held
all the offices which it is within the power of his townsmen to bestow. He
has been a justice of the peace three terms, school director seventeen years,
and has also been prominent in county elections. It was chiefly through his
efforts that the township was formed and the post-office established here. His wife, who was born on the 25th of March, 1801, in Grafton, N. Y., is still living.
Joel Green Sanford was born in Batavia, Genesee county, N. Y., on the 3d
day of September, 1824. He accompanied his parents to this county, and received
the education that could be given to all the children in a new country.
He kept his home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, working
on his father's farm. On the 10th of July, 1850, he married Nancy Ann,
daughter of Samuel Moore, of Pittsfield township, and she lives to crown his
latter days with comfort, as she did his earlier days with joy. At the time of
their marriage Mr. Sanford removed to a piece of land containing eighty acres,
embraced partly within the farm which he still owns and occupies. This farm
now contains only seventy-five acres, Mr. Sanford believing in thorough cultivation
of a small farm rather than in loose management of a cumbersome tract.
He owns another piece of land, however, of thirty-four acres. He built a
house on the site of the one that he now occupies, which gave place to the
present one in 1870. He has made his agricultural labors as general as the
soil and climate will admit, refusing to confine himself to any specialty. He also
engaged quite largely in lumbering until about 1880, when he allowed the sawmill,
which he had operated for years, to run down. Previous to the oil period
he used occasionally to run down the river, though his suspension of these
trips did not result from any interest he had in oil, as he has kept free from the
entanglements and exciting fevers that disturb the oil operator's peace of mind.
He is a natural mechanic, moreover, and though he was never apprenticed to
the carpenter's or blacksmith's trade, or, indeed, any but the farmer's, he has
done admirable work in all these branches of business and more. He built a
number of the finest dwellings and barns in this part of the town. Besides
this, he has a wagon or wheelwright's shop in which, at leisure moments, he
manufactures some of the best wagonsin the world. In fact, he seems at home
in any branch of the mechanic arts.
Mr. Sanford is a Republican of the uncompromising type, believing that the
nature of Democratic institutions like the United States demands the perpetual
though peaceful collision of two opposite parties, the one conservative and
the other radical. He favors the Republican principles because he thinks that
party to be the one of moral force and ideas. He is well adapted for the administration
of public affairs and is a natural leader. He has held all the
offices within the gift of his township, and was, indeed, school director for
thirteen consecutive years. He has been postmaster at Sanford post-office for
five years. He is not a member of any church, but favors the establishment
and rejoices over the success of churches, and contributes to their support without
regard to creed.
J. G. Sanford and wife have had five children, four of whom are living—Samuel Myron was born on the 12th of September, 1851, and resides in Eldred township; Ida lanthe, born November 2, 1854, died July 6, 1878; Mary
Jane, born February 14, 1858, now lives at the home of her parents; Washington
Aaron, born January 19, 1862, now at home; and Etta Irene, born October 23, 1866.
SAVKO, Mark - Columbus township
On the 1920 U. S. Federal census for Columbus township:
Mark Savko, head, 54, a farmer who could neither read nor write, but could speak English, immigrated to the US in 1901
Wife Mary, 43, could read and write, but speak no English, immigrated in 1897 at age 20. Both born in Austria-Hungaria (mother tongue Slovak)
Children: Mark Savko, Jr., 11; George, 9; Nichlos, 7; and Mike, 2 and 2/12. All born in Pennsylvania.
Also living with them are two step-children: John Aneufer, 18, and Andrew Aneufer, 15. Both born in Pennsylvania.
Living just two farms away is another younger Savko (perhaps a son?):
Frank Savko, head, 31, a farmer who could neither read nor write, but could speak English, immigrated to the US in 1909
Anna Savko, wife, 24, immigrated to the US in 1913, could read and write and also speak English. Both born in Austria-Hungaria (mother tongue Slovak).
John Savko, son, 4 and 8/12, born Pennsylvania
Mary Savko, daughter, 2 and 8/12, born Pennsylvania
On the 1930 U. S. Federal census for Columbus township, the family was listed as living on Carrier Road:
Mark Savko, 55, born Czechoslovakia, dairy farmer
Mary Savko, his wife, 53, born Czechoslovakia
George, son, 20, born Pennsylvania
Nicholas, son, 17, born Pennsylvania
Mike, son, 12, born Pennsylvania
Helen, daughter, 10, born Pennsylvania
1940 U. S. Federal census for village of Columbus, Columbus township:
George Savko, head, 29, married, highest grade completed-8th grade, born PA, occupation trucking, income $1,200
Veronica M. Savko, wife, 28, married, highest grade completed-high school 4th year, born NY, in 1935 lived in Corry, Erie Co.; clerk in office, income $1,000
Bruno J. Toczek, brother-in-law, 27, single, highest grade completed-8th grade, born NY, in 1935 lived in Corry, Erie Co.; laborer in factory, income $875
John P. Toczek, brother-in-law, 20, single, highest grade completed-high school, 3rd year, born MI, in 1935 lived in Corry, Erie Co.; office manager, income $900
William C. Toczek, brother-in-law, 16, single, highest grade completed-6th grade, born PA, in 1935 lived in Corry, Erie Co., attending school (under Supplementary Questions: parents born Poland)
1940 U. S. Federal census for Columbus township:
Nicholos Savko, head, 26, single, highest grade completed-8th grade, farmer, owns home (value $2,000)
Helen Savko, sister, 19, single, highest grade completed-high school, 3rd year
Michel Savko, brother, 21, single, highest grade completed-high school 4th year, farm helper
[Warren County coordinator's note: Mary Savko died in 1937 and Mark in 1939; both are buried in Saint Mary's Orthodox Cemetery in Columbus. Son George Savko, born 1910, died in 1992; wife Veronica, born 1912, died in 2000; both buried in Saint Mary's Orthodox Cemetery. Son Nicholas Savko, born December 18, 1912, is also buried in Saint Mary's Orthodox Cemetery. He died August 4, 1995.]
SCHIRK, Jacob - Conewango twp (pages 432 - 433 **)
(I) Jacob Schirk, the founder of this family, was born in Alsace, and died in Warren county, Pennsylvania, at the age of ninety. He served for twenty-one years in the French army. In 1834 he came to the United States of America. Settling at Conewango, Warren county, Pennsylvania, on a farm, he there followed the occupation of agriculture. He married Margaret Kiselbright. Children: 1. Jacob, of whom further. 2. Emeline, married Louis Bowers, now deceased; she is living in Warren county. 3. Michael, born December 27, 1823, married (first) Mary Conrad, (second) Mary T. Kopp.
(II) Jacob (2), son of Jacob (1) and Margaret (Kiselbright) Schirk, was born in Alsace, December 4, 1816, died at Warren, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1856. His early years were spent in Alsace. He came to the United States with his parents. By occupation he was a farmer and in politics a Democrat. He married Catharine, daughter of Michael and Catharine (Hardwick) Schuler, who was born in Strassburg, France (now Germany), March 21, 1815, died at Warren, June 24, 1897. Her parents came to America in 1836, and settled at Warren in 1839. Children of Michael and Catharine (Hardwick) Schuler: Catharine, married Jacob Schirk; Mathias, born September 22, 1818, deceased, married, in 1841, Nancy McBradney; Philip, deceased; Mary, married George Huser. Children of Jacob (2) and Catharine (Schuler) Schirk: 1. Catharine, died in infancy. 2. Jacob, died August 30, 1862; he enlisted June 22, 1861, in Company H, Thirty-Ninth Regiment (Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves), and was in the battle of Drainesville, December 20, 1861, Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862, Gaines Mills, the next day, Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, Malvern Hill, July 31, and the battle of Bull Run, beginning August 28; in this battle he was killed August 30. 3. Margaret, deceased; married Louis Werle; children: Hattie, deceased; Charles, Lorena, Bertha, Henry, George, Eda. 4. Philip, of whom further. 5. Mathias, born August 24, 1846; married, July 3, 1873, Anne Baker; children: Edward, Clara. 6. Catharine, born June 30,. 1848; married, May 28, 1866, Laurence Lesser; he is deceased, but she is living at Erie,. Pennsylvania; children: Rose, Edward, Alice, Caroline, Harry, Estella, Vinnie, Cora. 7. Mary, born November 14, 1850; married, November 16, 1871, William Yagle; children: Hattie, Caroline. 8. Caroline, married (first) C. A. Cheney, (second) Fenton Haywood; they reside at Russell, Pennsylvania; no children.
( I l l ) Philip, son of Jacob (2) and Catharine (Schuler) Schirk, was born at Warren, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1845. His early years were spent in Warren county. On February 13, 1864, at the age of nineteen he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Third Brigade, Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps; he was mustered out, July 19, 1865. During his service he was in the battle of Resaca, May 5, 1864; Dallas, May 25, 1864; and thence until June 1 in uninterrupted fighting. June 13 came the battle of Big Shanty; there was heavy skirmishing the following day, and on the 15th came the battle of Pine Knob, and on the 17th Coup's Farm; Mr. Schirk was in all these engagements. On the 21st he had part in the engagement at Grier's Plantation, and on the 27th the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. July 3, he was in advanced skirmishing, which drove the enemy beyond Maloney's Church; on the 20th, he was wounded in action at Peach Tree Creek. July 27, he was in the capture of Confederate pickets, and the same day went into the support of a siege battery, remaining to August 25. On September 22, he was in the reconnoisance under Colonel Walker into the city of Atlanta, Georgia, which surrendered to Colonel Walker personally. When Savannah surrendered, December 21, Mr. Schirk's brigade was the first to enter the city. In the march, in 1865, from Savannah to Gouldsboro, North Carolina, Mr. Schirk was detailed from his regiment to the foraging department, and he had many narrow escapes before reaching Gouldsboro, where he rejoined his regiment. Then he was with the regiment until the surrender of General Johnston near Raleigh, North Carolina. At this time the One Hundred and Ninth and One Hundred and Eleventh Regiments, having served side by side since 1862, were, at the request of the commanding officers, seconded by the men, combined as the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment. The command then went to Raleigh, and thence to Washington, where it participated in the grand review. Shortly after this it was mustered out of service. Mr. Schirk then came to Warren, and engaged in harness manufacturing. In 1879 he moved to Ridgway, Elk county, Pennsylvania, and there continued in the same trade until 1906. He is a member of the Maccabees, and has for years been commander of Albert W. Perrin Post, No. 370, Grand Army of the Republic. In 1892 he was elected mayor of Ridgway. He has been school director, justice of the peace for five years, and is now (1912) water rent collector. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He married, November 15, 1870, Amelia, born at Warren, February 11, 1849, daughter of George and Marie Salome (Fritz) Reig, Her parents were both of Alsatian birth; they married in 1830, and came to the United States in 1847, settling at Warren; there Mr. Reig was a farmer, and there both died. Children of George and Marie Salome (Fritz) Reig: 1. Jacob J., married, in Warren, Pennsylvania, in 1851, Elizabeth Secrist, deceased; he now lives in Pleasant township, Warren county, Pennsylvania; children: Albert, Isabelle, Andrew, Frederick, Lena, Loraine, Edward, Ella. 2. George, deceased; married, January 4, 1864, Margaret Snaveley; children: Eugene G., Mary, Alice N. 3. Hattie, deceased; married, in 1878, Mathias Yale; child, Lena, deceased. 4. Salome, married, November 11, 1869, G. W. Hertzell; children: Alfred, Frederick. 5. Amelia, married Philip Schirk. Children of Philip and Amelia (Reig) Schirk: 1. Hattie L., married, January 6, 1894, John Harrison Ellinger; he is superintendent of the Elk Tanning Company's machine shop at Ridgway; children: Howard B., Richard G., Robert P., George C, deceased. 2. Alice A., married, November 4, 1902, H. M. Keim; he is an insurance man at Ridgway. 3. Leona C, married, October 8, 1908, J. F. Sisley; he is assistant president of the Elk Tanning Company, and now mayor of Ridgway. 4. Kate M., married, December 31, 1908, C. L. Park; he is manager of the C. L. Park Plumbing Company, Ridgway.
SCOFIELD, Glenni W. - Warren Borough (pages 616-621 *)
(Extract from " Barnes's Historical and Biographical Sketches of Congress.")
Glenni W. Scofield, son of Darius and Sallie (Glenny) Scofield, was born at Dewittville, Chautauqua county, N. Y., March 11, 1817. In early life he had such educational advantages as are usually furnished in the common schools. When about fourteen years of age he quit school to learn printing, and worked at this trade, off and on, for about three years. At seventeen he went back to his books and entered upon a course of classical study. In September, 1836, he entered Hamilton College, New York, as a freshman, and graduated from this institution with fair rank of scholarship in 1840. Many years thereafter the college conferred upon him the title of LL.D. The two years immediately following his graduation he spent in teaching; the first in Fauquier county, Va., and the second as principal of the academy in McKean county, Pa. While teaching he studied law, and in December, 1842, was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Warren, Pa.
November 20, 1845, he was married to Laura M. Tanner, daughter of Archibald Tanner, of Warren. They have three children—two daughters, Ellie G. and Mary M., and one son, Archibald T.—all of whom now reside with their parents.
Except when interrupted by his several terms of public service, his whole time has been devoted to his profession.
In 1846 he was appointed district attorney by Governor Shunk, which place he held for about two years. In 1849 he was elected to the Legislature of his State, and re-elected in 1850. While a member of this body he was esteemed one of its most effective debaters, and was chairman of the judiciary committee. His speech in favor of an elective judiciary was quite widely circulated at the time, and attracted considerable attention throughout the State. Although during his term of service in the Legislature he acted with the Democratic party, as he had uniformly done before, and as he did for some years after, he was always an anti-slavery man. During his college life he was a member of an abolition society, formed by a number of young men in the institution, and never relinquished his early convictions in hostility to slavery. In accordance with these convictions and while still acting with the Democratic party, he advocated the Wilmot proviso, opposed the fugitive slave law and the repeal of the Missouri compromise, and took the anti-slavery side of all kindred questions.
When a Republican party was formed in 1856 he immediately severed his old party connections and in a public address united his political fortunes with the new party of freedom and progress. In the autumn of that year he was nominated by the Republicans for the State Senate, and in a district, before largely Democratic, was elected by a majority of twelve hundred. He occupied this position three years, and ably sustained the reputation which he had gained as a debater in the lower branch of the Legislature. While in the Senate he introduced and advocated bills to exempt the homestead from sale for debt, and to abrogate the laws excluding witnesses from testifying on account of religious belief. Neither of these bills passed, but Mr. Scofield's speeches in their favor, which were reported and printed, prove that they should have passed. His bills were voted down, but his arguments were not answered. He was more successful in his efforts in connection with other western members to procure State aid for the construction of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad.
For a short time in 1861, by the appointment of Governor Curtin, he was president judge of the district composed of the counties of Mercer, Venango, Clarion, and Jefferson.
In 1862 he was elected a member of the Thirty-eighth Congress and re-elected to the Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty-second, and Forty-third Congresses; the last time by the State at large. During this twelve years' term in Congress he served on committees on elections, appropriations, Indian affairs, and for six years as chairman of the committee of naval affairs. March 31, 1878, he was appointed by President Hayes register of the United States treasury, which office he held until May 20, 1881, and then resigned to accept a judgeship on the United States Court of Claims, to which he had been commissioned by President Garfield.
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| Glenni William Scofield |
As a debater in Congress, Mr. Scofield has been much admired for his analytical, terse, and logical style. Without striving to be amusing, he not unfrequently enlivens his argument by pungent satire and humorous illustrations; but the general character of his efforts is that of clear statement and close reasoning. He seems to aim only at conviction. The following extract from a speech delivered in reply to Hon. James Brooks, of New York, in January, 1865, in the House of Representatives, is a fair specimen of his style of address and power of discussion:
"It has been often said of late that history repeats itself. Of course it cannot be literally true; but the gentleman reiterates it, and then proceeds to search for the prototype of the terrible drama now being enacted on this continent, and affects to find it in the Revolution of 1776. Having settled this point to his own satisfaction, he proceeds to assign to the living actors their historic parts. The rebels take the position of the colonial revolutionists, the Government of the United States re-enacts the part of George III and his ministers, while for himself and the Opposition debaters of this House he selects the honorable role of Chatham, Fox, Burke, and other champions of colonial rights in the British Parliament. Let us examine this. It is true that the colonists rebelled against the Government of Great Britain, and the slaveholders rebelled against the Government of the United States; but here the likeness ends. Between the circumstances that might provoke or justify rebellion in the two cases there is no resemblance. The Government from which the colonies separated was three thousand miles beyond the seas. They could not even communicate with it in those days in less than two or three months. In that Government they had no representation, and their wants and wishes no authoritative voice. Nor was it the form of government most acceptable to the colonists. They preferred a republic. The rapidly increasing population and the geographical extent and position of the colonies demanded nationality. Sooner or later it must come. The tea tax and other trifling grievances only hurried on an event that was sure to occur from the influences of geography and population alone. How is it in these respects with the present rebellion? The Government against which the slaveholders rebelled was not a foreign one; it was as much theirs as ours. They were fully represented in it. There was scarcely a law, indeed I think there was not a single law upon the statute-book, to which they had not given their assent. It was the Government they helped to make, and it was made as they wanted it. They had ever had their share of control and patronage in it, and more than their share, for they boasted with much truth that cotton was king. Nor is there any geographical reasons in their favor. It is conceded, even by the rebels themselves, that a division of the territory lying compactly between the Lakes, and the Gulf, the Atlantic and the Mississippi, into two nations would be a great misfortune to both. If it were the Pacific States demanding separation, bad as that would be, there would be some sense in it; but for this territory you cannot even find a dividing line. When you attempt to run one, the rivers and mountains cross your purpose. Both the land and the water oppose division. There is no disunion outside the wicked hearts of these disloyal men. I can see no resemblance, then, between our patriot fathers, who toiled through a seven years' war to establish this beneficent Government, and the traitors who drenched the land in blood in an attempt — I trust in God a vain one — to destroy it.
"Again, sir, in what respect do the apologists of the present rebellion in this House resemble the advocates of our great Revolution in the British Parliament? Conceding they are their equals in statesmanship, learning, eloquence, and wit, I submit that they fall far below them in the merit of their respective causes. Chatham defended the cause of the colonists as set forth in the Declaration of Independence that 'all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' — the honorable gentlemen from New York pleads for slavery, the auction block, the coffle, the lash. With slavery he cures all national troubles. He begs for harmony among ourselves. How shall we be united? 'Restore slavery,' says he. He is opposed to war. How then shall rebels in arms be subdued? 'Revive the traffic in blood.' He is opposed to taxes. How then shall our exhausted Treasury be replenished? 'Raise more children for the market.' Slavery, more slavery, still more slavery, is the only prescription of the Opposition doctors. If we are to look for the representatives of these great men on this side of the Atlantic I would not select them from among those who, born and raised in the free States, with all their moral and educational advantages, had not yet quite virtue enough when the struggle came to be patriots, nor quite courage enough to be rebels, but I would rather select them from such men as Johnson, of Tenessee, or Davis, of Maryland, who, born and educated amid the influences of slavery, still stood up for the Union cause, at first almost alone. But, sir, the representatives of these men are to be found now as they were then on the other side of the Atlantic, the leaders of the liberal party in the British Parliament.
"There is another party that figures largely in the history of the revolutionary struggle that the gentleman entirely omitted to name. He gave them no place in his cast of parts. The omission may be attributed to either modesty or forgetfulness. Prior to the Revolution the members of this party had filled all the places of honor and profit in the colonies, and when the war came they heartily espoused the cause of the king, though they did not generally join his armies. Their principal business was to magnify disaster, depreciate success, denounce the currency, complain of the taxes, and denounce and dodge arbitrary arrests. To the patriot cause they were ever prophets of evil. Failure was their word. The past was a failure, the future would be. In the beginning of the war this party was in the majority in some of the colonies, and constituted a large minority in all, but as the war progressed their numbers constantly diminished. Many of the leaders were from time to time sent beyond the 'lines' and their estates confiscated. Most of these settled in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, right handy to the place where the gentleman informs us he was born. The members of this party were called tories, and if this war is but a repetition of the war of the Revolution, as the gentleman intimates, who are their present representatives?
"Again exclaims the gentleman, 'You cannot subjugate eight millions [sic] people.' I know not which most to condemn in this expression (I speak it of course without personal application), its insinuation of falsehood or its confession of cowardice. The United States does not propose to subjugate any portion of its people, but only to exact obedience to law from all. It is this misrepresentation of the purpose of the Government that still keeps alive the dying flames of the rebellion. I can go further with perfect truth, and say it was this misrepresentation that lighted those flames at first The slaveholders were told that it was the purpose of this Administration to destroy their personal and political rights; next they were reminded that they were proud, brave, chivalric men, and then tauntingly asked if they were going to submit. They were thus fairly coaxed and goaded into rebellion. Except for this misrepresentation the Union people would have been in a large majority in all the slave States, and despite it they are in a majority in more than half of them to-day if they could be heard. But they are gagged, bound hand and foot by a despotism so cruel and so mean, so thorough and so efficient, that even the gentleman from New York has no fault to find with it. The country is too much engaged now with the immediate actors in the drama to look behind the screens for the authors and prompters of the play. But when these actors have disappeared from the stage, gone down to graves never to be honored, or wandering among strangers never to be loved; in the peaceful future, when inquisition shall be made for the contrivers, instigators, aiders, and abettors of this great crime, the two classes so often coupled in denunciation in this Hall, the abolitionists of the North and the fire-eaters of the South, will be scarcely noticed, but the quiet historian will 'point his slow, unmoving finger' at those northern leaders who for fifteen years have deceived the South and betrayed the North. They will stand alone. The large minority that now gathers around them, moved thereto more in hopes to escape the severe hardships of the war than from any love of them or their position, will have melted away from their support like dissolving ice beneath their feet, and well will it be for their posterity if they can manage then, like Byron's wrecks, to sink into the
"Depths with bubbling groan,
Without a grave, unknelled, uncoffined, and unknown."
Subjugate the South! No, sir; it is the purpose as it is the duty of the Government to liberate the South, to drive out the usurpers, and to restore to "
| Glenni Scofield |
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| Portrait from History Of Warren County Pennsylvania |
SEABURY, Dr. William Walter - Sugar Grove, Sugar Grove twp (page Ixxxiv, Brief Personals *)
Dr. W. W. Seabury, physician and surgeon, was born in Sugar Grove in 1852. He was a graduate of Wooster University of Cleveland, O., in 1875, and in the same year settled in the practice of his profession in Sugar Grove borough. His professional services are highly appreciated. June 10, 1885, he married Ida Davis, of Erie county. Dr. Seabury was a son of Newell and Julia (Foster) Seabury. She was born in Pennsylvania, and he in Monroe county, N. Y., in 1826, and settled with his parents in Busti, Chautauqua county in 1830.
[Warren County coordinator's note: on the 1880 U.S. census, Sugar Grove township, 29 year old W. W. Seabury, physician, already has a wife Jennie (age 26, born in Ohio)! Within five years he has married his second wife Ida L. Davis, by whom he had a daughter Jean Seabury, born about 1887. Jean first married a man by the last name of Alward, whom she divorced in 1928. She married her second husband, Russell B. Abbott, on March 10, 1930. He was 44, she was 43 and worked as a "beauty operator." On her marriage license application (#253672, filed in Cuyoga county, Ohio), she listed her parents as William Seabury and Ida L. Davis; and place of birth as Sugar Grove, Pa. Jean (Seabury) Abbott died in 1952 and was buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Andover, Ohio. Her husband was buried beside her in 1954.
William Walter Seabury was born August 17, 1852, and died July 23, 1918 in Sugar Grove, according to the Directory of Deceased American Physicians. On the 1865 N. Y. state census, William W. Seabury was 13. Parents are Samuel N. Seabury (38 and a farmer) and Julia Seabury, 35. One brother, Foster J. Seabury, 12. Later in life he practiced medicine in Du Bois, Clearfield county, Pa., according to city directories from 1902-1917. A snippet from the Clearfield Progress newspaper, dated May 8, 1914:
"COUNTY PHYSICIANS
Society Will Meet at Mahaffey on Wednesday, May 13.
The Clearfield County Medical society will hold its monthly meeting at Mahaffey on Wednesday, May 13
The subjects to be discussed and the physicians who will talk thereon are as follows [all but Dr. Seabury have been omitted for brevity]:
Typhoid Fever, Dr. W. W. Seabury"
In March of 1920, Ida L. Seabury conveyed a lot in Du Bois to Orville Landis, et al, for $3,000. It appears she then moved to Erie, Pa.]
SEAVER, Dr. R. Nelson - Columbus twp (pages Ixxxiv-Ixxxv, Brief Personals *)
Dr. R. N. Seaver, a physician and surgeon, was born at Charlotte, Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1847. He received his education at Ellington and Randolph Academies and Allegheny College. He read medicine with Dr. T. B. Lashells, of Meadville, and was graduated from the medical department of Wooster University, at Cleveland, O., in 1874, after which he located in Columbus, where he has since resided, and now enjoys a large practice as a physician and surgeon. He was married in May, 1881, to Nellie Bracken, of Columbus. He has been burgess of the borough, and also held other offices. The doctor was one of the five originators of the Equitable Aid Union, which was organized March 22, 1879, and of which he was made chief medical examiner, and afterwards supreme president. The organization now consists of twenty thousand members, Dr. Seaver filling the responsible positions of supreme president and supreme medical examiner. Dr. R. N. Seaver was a son of Randolph and Matilda (Fox) Seaver. Randolph was born in 1806, on his present homestead farm, where he has always resided. His wife, Matilda, died in 1881, leaving a family of seven children, five of whom are now living—Julia, Caroline, Corydon, Minnie, and Dr. R. N. Seaver. Randolph was a son of Robert Wellington Seaver, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
[Warren County coordinator's note: Dr. R. N. Seaver and wife Nellie were buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery, in Corry, Erie County, PA.]
SECHRIEST, John Christian - Conewango twp (pages 688-689 *)
John Christian Sechriest was born in Sundhausen, near Strasbourg, in Alsace, France, on the 1st day of June, 1831. His ancestors several centuries ago emigrated to Sundhausen from Switzerland, and from time immemorial have engaged in agricultural employments. His grandfather, Henry Sechriest, had a family of seven children, Jacob, John Philip, George, Christian, John, Henry, and one daughter. Three of the sons came to America, John Philip, the father of the subject of this sketch, and Henry in 1833, and George two years later. John Philip was born in 1791, and left the old country for America on the 2d of September, 1833. He arrived at Warren on the 2d of December following, and immediately began farming in Conewango, which he continued until his death on the 2d of July, 1861. A number of years before coming to this country he married Mary S., daughter of Daniel Strubler, a native of a town in France. She bore him seven children, and died on the 20th of February, 1881, aged eighty-nine years and nine months. Four of their children died and were buried in Europe; three came to America and are now living, Philip, Saloma, wife of J. C. Weiler, of Warren, and the subject of this notice.
Mr. Sechriest was about two years of age when he was brought to Warren by his parents, and here he received such education as the common schools and his somewhat restricted personal advantages would allow. Matthias Gutzler, whose wife was a sister of Mr. Sechriest's mother, came to Warren with John Philip Sechriest, and resided with him for about a year; then the two went their several ways. But Mr. and Mrs. Gutzler were so lonesome in their new home without children that they besought John Philip Sechriest for the loan of his son John C., whom they desired for his company. Negotiations culminated in the adoption by them of "little Johnny," although he retained his family name. From that time on until Mr. Gutzler's death, June 8th, 1852, Mr. Sechriest remained a member of their household and family. He then assumed the management of the farm and property in Conewango township. In the latter part of April, 1873, he removed to the place in Warren borough which he now owns and occupies, and a few days after his removal, or on the 2d day of May, 1873, his foster mother died at an advanced age.
| John Christian Sechriest |
 |
| Portrait from History Of Warren County Pennsylvania |
But Mr. Sechriest had long previously formed other attachments, which, though adding to his earthly enjoyment, did not diminish his regard for his adopted parents. On the 27th of February, 1853, he married Susan A. Shafer, daughter of Joseph Shafer, of Franklin, Venango county, Pa., and his wife is still living. They have had five children, two of whom, sons, died in infancy, while two daughters and one son are living. Cinderella, the eldest, was born on the 8th of May, 1854; Sarah S. was born on the 24th of November, 1863; and Simon S. S. Sechriest was born February 8th, 1868.
Mr. Sechriest's parents were Democrats in their political sentiments, and the subject of this sketch entertained similar opinions until he voted first. His first vote was cast for Fremont, the presidential nominee, and from that time until recently he has voted the Republican ticket. He now desires the ascendency of the Prohibition party. He has more than thirty years been an active member of the Evangelical Church.
[Warren County coordinator's note: John Christian Sechriest and his wife were buried in Westview Cemetery in Starbrick. Note however the 10 year discrepancy in John's birth year: his biography cites his birth year as 1831 while his tombstone is inscribed with 1821. His death certificate lists his birth as June 1, 1831 and death as May 31, 1913.
The Friday, November 4, 1898 edition of The Evening Democrat carried the following real estate transfer: "John C. Sechrist [sic] to A. Mintzer, Conewango, $450." As found on the 1900 U.S. census for Conewango township, John, 69, a widower, was living with his son Sidney, 32, daughter-in-law Lorena, 31, and grandson Webster, 6. (Sidney and Lorena had been married 9 years and had lost a child.)
Of their children: daughter Cinderella Sechriest married T. N. Dunham; both were buried in Oakland Cemetery in Warren. According to the 1900 U.S. census, Cinderella and Thaddeus had been married for 9 years and had two children, both deceased. Sarah S. Sechriest married Charles S. Fairchild. A widow, she died at home in Warren on January 24, 1943, at age 79 years, 2 months, one day. On her death certificate is her birth date: November 25, 1863. She and her husband were buried in Oakland Cemetery. One Sidney S. Sechriest is buried in Westview Cemetery with his wife Lorena M. Sechriest. According to his death certificate, Sidney S. Sechriest died April 28, 1947, at his home at 1206 Penn. Ave. West, Warren. His parents are listed as John S. Sechriest and Susan Shaeffer. At the time of his death he was a widower, age 79 years, 2 months, 20 days.]
SEIGRIST, Philip - Conewango twp (page Ixxxv, Brief Personals *)
Philip Seigrist is a farmer, and was born in Alsace, France, on November 18, 1826. He was a son of John P. and Salome (Strubler) Seigrist, who settled in Warren in 1833, and in 1834 removed to Conewango and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Philip, which they cleared and improved themselves. They had three children who came to this country—Philip, John C, and Catherine S. (now Mrs. J. C. Weiler). Mrs. Seigrist was a member of the Evangelist Church of Warren for twenty-six years, and was also one of the original members. He died on July 2, 1860, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. At the death of his father, Philip came into possession of the homestead, where he has resided since 1834. He has been married twice; his first wife was Sophia Shomass. His second wife was Saloma Felleman, who was a daughter of John and Dorothea (Gosser) Felleman, who settled in Conewango in 1841. They have had two children born to them—Elmer and Dora. Mr. Seigrist and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
SEMEN, Walter - Corydon twp (page Ixxxv, Brief Personals *)
Among the pioneer families of Warren county was that of Walter Semen. They came from Susquehanna county probably about 1812, and settled on the west side of the Allegheny River, in Elk township. There were two sets of children, Mr. Semen having been twice married—Phebe, Anna, and George, were children of his first marriage, and Susanna, Polly, Rebecca, Laura, John, Sally Ann, Phebe, Charles, Lorinda, Dimmock, and Melinda, were born of his second marriage. The family subsequently came to that part of Corydon known as Sugar Run, where many of their descendants still reside. William Wooster, another pioneer, married Rebecca Semen, and by him had six children— Mary, John, Elizabeth, Grace, Eliza, and Julia. William Wooster came to this county nearly sixty years ago. His age is now seventy-two years, and his wife, Rebecca, is sixty-two.
SHAW, Frank P. - Tidioute p. o., Deerfield twp (page Ixxxv, Brief Personals *)
Frank P. Shaw is the freight and ticket agent of the B., N. Y., and P. Railroad, and also agent of the American Express Company. He commenced as assistant in 1880, and in May, 1884, he was promoted to general agent of the office. He was educated in the Tidioute Graded School. In 1880 he married Eva A. Coltman; they have had two children—Marian L. and Archie C.. Mr. Shaw commenced his business life in 1877 as a clerk. He is a son of Hugh S. and Maria (Akin) Shaw. She was born in Venango county.
SHIPPEE, Cyrus E. - Columbus twp (page Ixxxv, Brief Personals *)
Cyrus E. Shippee was born in Columbus in 1847. He was a son of Peter and Annis (Humphrey) Shippee. Annis was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1809, and her husband, Peter, was born in Massachusetts, in 1799. They were married at Attica, N. Y., in 1826, and settled in Columbus in 1829. They had a family of five children born to them—William, born in 1830; Elijah H., born in 1826; Charles R., born in 1839; and Cyrus E., born in 1847. Elijah H. enlisted on August 28, 1864, Company G, Forty-ninth N. Y. Regiment, and was shot at the battle of Spottsylvania Court-House, on May 12, 1864. Peter Shippee, the father, died on December 16, 1875. Cyrus E. Shippee married Elva Humphreys, who was born in 1850, and married on August 17, 1873. They have had a family of two sons born to them, and also one daughter— Ernest E., Paul G., and Lena F.. Elva (Humphreys) Shippee was a daughter of Reuben and Rebecca Humphreys.
SHORTT, The Hon. William Hamilton (pages 690-692 *)
William Hamilton Shortt was born in Lockerbie, Scotland, on the 23d of June, 1822, being the ninth of the eleven children of Robert and Agnes (Sanders) Shortt, five of whom were sons. Mr. Shortt traces his maternal ancestry back to the Hamiltons of the time of Charles the Pretender, in the seventeenth century. Robert Shortt, his father, was a stone-mason, and carried on his trade in the old country until 1833, when he emigrated with his family to Warren, in this country. Two years afterward he removed to Youngsville, where he continued his calling until the time of his death in 1857, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years, owning the farm now the county farm. Robert's wife died in Wisconsin, at the home of her youngest son, in 1878, aged nearly ninety-four years.
The subject of this sketch received the greater portion of his scholastic training in the place of his birth; when he was eleven years of age he accompanied his father to Warren, and afterward to Youngsville, where he passed between two and three months more in attendance upon the common schools.
He was then apprenticed to a tailor in Warren, and in 1841, opened a shop in Youngsville, expecting soon to go to Buffalo to reside. This he did not do, however, but remained in his chosen vocation in Youngsville until 1856, when he entered into partnership with J. B. Phillips, and engaged in the general mercantile business. A year later this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Shortt continued sole proprietor of the trade until 1872. His earlier manhood had been passed under the banner of the Democratic party, and he had been elected, during the administration of Franklin Pierce, to the position of county auditor, by Democratic votes. His last Democratic vote was cast for Buchanan, since which time he has been consistently Republican in sentiment and deed. In 1872 he was chosen to the State Legislature, in which he served two terms to the great satisfaction of his constituents, and was probably prevented from being then elected to the State Senate only by his appointment by President Grant to the consularship at Cardiff, Wales, and adjacent ports, such as Swansea, Newport, Milford Haven, etc., his commission being dated in May, 1873. He remained at Cardiff until 1876, in January of which year he resigned his office, on account of the continued indisposition of members of his family, and in July he returned to his home in Youngsville. Whether he performed the duties of his responsible trust acceptably to the citizens of Cardiff, or not, may be collected from a most gratifying testimonial of regard, and a request for his re-appointment, signed by the mayor and a number of distinguished officers and citizens of that port, presented to him when he was about to take his departure from them.
After a few months of retirement from active business, in April, 1877, Mr. Shortt became largely interested in the Sugar Grove Savings Bank, and was made its president—a position which he continues to fill with his accustomed skill and fidelity. His son, Charles M., who also served a term in the State Legislature five or six years ago, has been cashier of the same institution since 1878.
Excepting the absence already mentioned, and several interims during the last war, when he was commissioned to look after the sick soldiers from this district, Mr. Shortt has resided in his present dwelling house since 1842. Besides the office of county auditor, already mentioned, he has been kept almost continually in office ever since his first entrance into public life, serving ten years as justice of the peace.
In conformity with the traditions of his ancestors and his native land, he has ever retained an affection and a penchant for the Presbyterian Church, though his mind has kept up with the ever-widening march of a liberal charity for the beliefs of others. In default of a Presbyterian Church in Youngsville, he has united with the Methodist Church for many years, and has contributed to its support.
On the 17th of July, 1844, he married Emaline, daughter of William and Mary Davis, of Youngsville, and his wife is still living, though an invalid. They have eight children, five of whom are still living. The following are their names and the dates of their births:
Mary A., born June 23, 1845, now living in Greenville, Pa.; Agnes, born October 7, 1847, died March 20, 1851; Charles M., born March 10, 1850, now living in Sugar Grove; James W., born May 1, 1853, died in January, 1886; Emma Irene, born September 19, 1855, now living in Nashville, Tenn.; Ida May, born December 15, 1857, now living with her parents; Nettie, born June 20, 1862, died in August, 1864; and Mattie, born August 6, 1864, and now living at the home of her parents.
SHUTT, Adam - Warren p. o., Conewango twp (pages Ixxxv-Ixxxvi, Brief Personals *)
Adam Shutt was born in Conewango on May 7, 1825. He was a son of Adam and Mary (Stein) Shutt. His paternal grandfather was William Shutt, a pioneer lumberman of Brokenstraw township. He was formerly a farmer in Philadelphia, but sold his farm there and invested his means in the lumber business in Warren. He died while on a business trip to Louisville, Ky. Adam Shutt, sr., was a pioneer and early settler in the township of Brokenstraw. He lived for a time in Conewango, and cleared the farm now owned and occupied by J. M. Jackson, but later in life returned to Brokenstraw, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred at the age of forty-seven years. He had a family of nine children who grew to maturity—John, Elizabeth, Susan, Frederick, William, Adam, Jacob, Mary, and James. Adam Shutt, jr., has resided in Conewango far the past twenty-seven years, and resided on the farm which his son now occupies for twenty-three years, and on the one he now occupies for the last four years. He was married in 1853 to Sarah E. Watts. They have a family of three children — Kirk G., Orris J., and Etta M.. Sarah E. Shutt was a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Barrett) Watts, of Jamestown, N. Y.
SHUTT, John - (page Ixxxvi, Brief Personals *)
John Shutt, deceased, was born in Brokenstraw May 19, 1816. He was a son of Adam and Mary (Stein) Shutt. He settled on the farm which is now occupied by his widow, in November, 1849, a part of which he cleared and improved, and where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred on January 19, 1874. He was married on August 17, 1843, to Elizabeth Watts, a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Barrett) Watts, natives of England, who settled in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1853. They have had nine children born to them—Mary, Mrs. W. R. Teasdell, of Cincinnati; Wallace, Susan, Mrs. A. Noble; Florence, Mrs. Slyvester Love; John, Rose, James, Leonard, and Roscoe.
SHUTT, William G. - Pittsfield twp (page Ixxxvi, Brief Personals *)
William G. Shutt was born in Brokenstraw in 1823. He was a son of Adam and Mary (Stein) Shutt, who settled in Brokenstraw in 1815. Adam was born in Philadelphia, and was married there. He purchased a farm in Warren county, and died there in 1835. They had a family of nine children born to them, three of whom are now living—William G., Jacob D., and Adam. William G. was married in 1847 to Cordelia Ford. They have had a family of four children born to them—Alice, West, Eddie W., and Charles D.. Alice was married in 1870 to A. R. Park, of Cincinnati, and died in 1879, leaving three children—Vivian, Ambrose, and Alice. Mr. Shutt has held several of the town and district offices, and was an early lumberman. He is now engaged in farming. Cordelia, his wife, was a daughter of Obadiah and Betsey (Hair) Ford. They had a family of eight children born to them, six of whom are now living— John C, Darius M., Margaret, Laura, Cordelia, Mansela, and William Vincent.
SIGGINS, William Findley - Youngsville p. o., Brokenstraw twp (page Ixxxvi, Brief Personals *)
Squire William Findley Siggins was born in Youngsville in 1822. He married, September 4, 1850, Edith D. Nelson, born in Busti, Chautauqua county, N. Y. The have a family of three sons—Clarence, Ernest, and Frank Morris. Clarence is a graduate of the Randolph Institute; Ernest is a physician and surgeon — a graduate of Cincinnati Medical College in 1877; and F. Morris is a prescription and drug clerk. Mrs. Edith was a daughter of Normandus and Prudence (Bushnel) Nelson. They were born and married in Herkimer county, N. Y., and settled in Busti, N. Y., in January, 1823, where they died. 'Squire W. F. Siggins has held all of the town offices— school director twelve years, burgess two terms, justice of the peace two years, and other minor offices. He was a teacher for twenty years in early life, and taught the first graded school in Youngsville; he was postmaster under James K. Polk. He was engaged in the lumber business, but retired from active business in 1873. His wife, Edith, was also an early teacher. 'Squire William F. was a son of Hon. William and Polly (Wilson) Siggins. They were born in Ireland—he of Scotch and English parentage in 1789, and came to Center county in 1793, when his parents died. Hon. William and Polly married in 1812. He settled in Brokenstraw township in 1807, and after his marriage resided at Pithole until 1815, when he returned to Youngsville, where they died— he July 15, 1875. They had thirteen children, five of whom are now living. The youngest son, David R. P., enlisted in the 111 th Pennsylvania Regiment, and was shot at Atlanta, the ball passing through a pocket bible in his pocket into his heart, producing instant death; the bible is now in the possession of 'Squire Siggins, and shows the blood stains from the wound. Judge William Siggins was a leading and influential man —justice of the peace many years, and side judge in 1842. He died in 1875.
SMEDLEY, Elijah - Sheffield twp (pages Ixxxvi-Ixxxvii, Brief Personals *)
Elijah Smedley was born in Otsego county, N. Y., on November 9, 1808, and while a young man went to Chautauqua county, N. Y., where he lived for some time, and where he was married to Catherine Pickard, by whom he has had a family of five children, all of whom were born in Chautauqua county, N. Y. They are Lydia M., and Polly, who died in infancy; Adam P., James, who died while in the army; and an infant who died unnamed. The family came to Sheffield in October, 1845, and settled near the old "Lacey Mill" in the southern part of the town. Catherine Smedley died in June 19, 1850, and in June, 1852, Mr. Smedley married Phebe Snapp. Elijah died on August 5, 1883, aged seventy-four years. He was a Republican from the formation of the party, and his son, Adam P., has followed the paternal example. Adam P. was married in November, 1859, to Sarah Fenton, a daughter of Orrin Fenton. They have had a family of three children—Millard L., Orrin F., and Catherine E.
SMITH, Albert J. - Columbus twp (page Ixxxvii, Brief Personals *)
Albert J. Smith was born in Columbus in 1849. He was married in 1884 to Lelie Walton, a daughter of Charles and Mary Walton. Albert J. Smith embarked in the mercantile business at Columbus February 1, 1884, and did business under the firm name of Yates & Smith, who are large dealers in all staple goods, groceries, dry goods, and farmer's supplies. Mr. Smith was a son of David O. and Emily (Walton) Smith. They had a family of six children born to them, four daughters and two sons, Albert J., and Robert. David O. Smith was a son of Elijah and Achsa Smith, who were natives of Chenango county, N. Y., and settled in this county about 1826.
SMITH, Chauncey - Youngsville, Brokenstraw twp (page Ixxxvii, Brief Personals *)
Chauncey Smith was born in Wethersfield, Conn., in 1809, and was married in 1834, to Mercy C. Mellen, of Dunkirk, N. Y. They had a family of five children —Sarah M., Alice S., Jennie S., Nellie W., and Mercy I. Chauncey Smith was the son of William Smith, who was a farmer at Wethersfield, Conn. In 1823 he came by stage to Dunkirk, N. Y., and went to work for his uncle, Walter J. Smith, and after a while became a partner. The firm later became Van Buren & Smith, Walter Smith retiring, and in 1839 Mr. Smith came to Silver Creek, N. Y., where he became engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Oliver Lee & Co., and in 1841 he went to Jamestown, N. Y., there to act as teller in the bank. In 1844 he settled in Youngsville, where he became engaged in the general mercantile business from which he retired in 1860, when he also retired from active business life, and died on December 10, 1886.
SMITH, David O., Columbus twp (page Ixxxvii, Brief Personals *)
David O. Smith is a retired farmer, and was born in Chenango county, N. Y., in 1815. He was married in 1840 to Sally Spencer, a daughter of Israel Spencer, of Columbus; she died in 1846, leaving one son — Oscar W., who enlisted from Chautauqua county, N. Y., and died at Camp Fenton. David O. Smith then married his second wife, Emily Walton, in December, 1848. They have had a family of seven children —Eda, Sarah, Lillian, Arta, Albert J., and Robert. One daughter—Winnie, died in December, 1883, aged nineteen years. Mr. Smith settled in Warren in 1826, with his parents, Elijah and Achsah Smith, of Chenango county, N. Y.
SMITH, Jones - Columbus twp (page Ixxxvii, Brief Personals *)
Jones Smith was born in Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., in 1823, and was a son of Elijah and Achsah (Jones) Smith, natives of Massachusetts, who settled in Chenango county, N. Y., and then with a family of four children came to Columbus, Warren county, in 1825, one of the pioneers of said county, where they died. Elijah was born in 1793, and was an extensive land holder, lumber dealer, shipper, and farmer, and died in 1873. His wife, Achsah, was born in 1792, and died in 1869. They had a family of five children, three of whom are now living —David O., Jones, and Mrs. Lucy Yates. Elijah was a justice of the peace and commissioner, and one of the leading men of his town and county. He retired from active business life in 1845. Jones Smith was married in 1850, to Amy Curtis, a daughter of Captain David Curtis. She died in 1860, leaving four children —Jennie, Fremont, Lena and Lincoln. Mr. Smith then married for his second wife Sarah Jane Knowlton, in 1861. She died in 1864, leaving one son, Glennie E.. Mr. Smith has held all the town offices, justice for twenty years, assessor, surveyor of county, and a farmer. He married for his third wife Julia A. Ely, of Rushford, Allegany county, N. Y., June 30, 1886.
SMITH, Rev. Perry E., Corry p. o., Pittsfield (pages Ixxxvii-Ixxxviii, Brief Personals *)
[Warren County coordinator's note: this is a strange entry, location-wise! Corry is in Erie county and no where near Pittsfield township in Warren County. Nevertheless, I will add it to the Pittsfield township page.]
Rev. Perry E. Smith was born in Warren in 1851. He was a son of Nathan B. and Margaretta (Colver) Smith. She was a native of Warren county, and her husband, Nathan was born in Vermont. Rev. Perry E. Smith was married in 1883 to Jennie E. Dykstra, of Erie county, N. Y. They have had two children born to them. Jennie was a daughter of Squire John G. and Catherine (Stelsman) Dykstra, who were natives of Holland, and settled in Erie county, N. Y., in the town of Lancaster, in 1849.
SMITH, Walter J., Warren p. o., Conewango twp (page Ixxxviii, Brief Personals *)
Walter J. Smith was born in Warren on February 12, 1833. He was a son of William and Polly (Mead) Smith. His father was a saddler by trade, and came to Warren about 1825, and worked at his trade for a time, after which he engaged in farming and lumbering. He is now living in Conewango. His children were Walter J., Wilson, Viola, Harriet, Joseph, Ellen, Dascom, Dwight, and Jane. Three died in childhood. Walter J. was brought up in Warren and Conewango, and for many years was actively engaged in the lumber business. He settled on the farm on which he now resides in 1863. His wife was Irene Geer, a daughter of Benjamin and Narcissa (Stebbins) Geer, of Conewango. Walter J. Smith has had a family of five sons born to him — Charlie W., Benjamin O., Clyde C.. Orrin L. died, aged nine years, and R. D. died in infancy.
SMUTZ, Casper J. - Russellburg p. o., Pine Grove twp (page Ixxxviii, Brief Personals *)
Casper J. Smutz was born in Alsace, a province of France, in the year 1831. The family, consisting of his parents, brothers and sisters, immigrated to America and settled at Warren in 1852. The father, Jacob Smutz, died in 1871. Casper made many ventures in the oil business during the early days, when this industry was in its youth, and at times was doing well, but as frequently was unsuccessful until at last he quit the business and bought a farm of R. K. Russell of about eighty acres in Pine Grove. As a farmer Mr. Smutz has been very successful, having one one of the best appointed farms in the town. Casper J. Smutz married Caroline Weiss, of Warren, in 1862, and has two daughters, viz.—Leonora and Ida Belle. Mr. Smutz is a respected farmer of Warren county, a firm Democrat, and numbers among his acquaintances the first men of the county.
SMUTZ, John J. - Sugar Grove, Sugar Grove twp (page Ixxxviii, Brief Personals *)
John J. Smutz is a harness manufacturer and dealer in all classes of harnesses, robes, whips, blankets, fly-nets and dusters in Sugar Grove. He was born in Conewango in 1856, and spent eleven years at his trade as an apprentice and journeyman, and in 1883 he commenced the manufacture of goods in Sugar Grove, where his townsmen are invited to inspect his well made and easy-fitting goods. He was married July 6, 1879, to Sarah J. Austin, of Corry. Sarah was a daughter of John and Anna (Saddler) Austin. John Austin died in 1872, leaving a family of five children—James, Sarah, John, jr., Anna, Carrie, and Mary. J. J. Smutz was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Hertzel) Smutz. They were born in Elsas, France, and settled in Warren county, where they were married in 1853. They have had a family of six children born to them— Mary, John J., Salome, David, Albert, and Carrie.
SNAPP, Melchi - Tiona p. o., Sheffield twp (page Ixxxviii, Brief Personals *)
Melchi Snapp was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., on November 8, 1803. He settled in Warren county about 1830, just north of the present village of Sheffield. At the time of his death he was seventy-nine years of age. He was a thorough and successful farmer and lumberman, and by hard work acquired a good property. He died in October, 1882. He married Fanny Smith, and the children bom to the union were, Phebe, who married Elijah Smedley, William married Mary O. Fairfield, a daughter of Walter Fairfield, and by whom he had five children — Gholson L., Frank H., Walter M., Otis F., Ethel Irma, [Warren County coordinator's note: although the punctuation is incorrect and misleading, the children that follow are Melchi's.] Ida, married Samuel Smedley, Enos, Warren, Charles, deceased, John, Melchi, jr., deceased, Laura Janet, married Smith Burroughs, and Fauntley M.
SOMERS, George H. - Youngsville p. 0., Brokenstraw twp (page Ixxxviii, Brief Personals *)
George H. Somers, a general blacksmith and making horseshoeing a specialty, also engaged in the manufacture and repair of wagons, carriages and sleighs, dealer in farm tools, mowers and reapers, was born in Conewango in 1853, and was married in 1875 to Alice Babcock. They had two children— Lettie and Clara. George H. Somers has held many of the village offices. He has been school director and commissioner. He commenced his trade in 1872, and in 1878 purchased his present shop and factory. He was a son of Wendle and Margaret (Schuler) Somers, who were natives of Germany, who setded in Warren county, wliere Wendle died in 1857 at the age of forty-two years, leaving a widow and a family of seven children — Mary, Salome, Elizabeth, Peter, George H., John, and Lena.
SOMERS, Peter W. - Warren p. o., Conewango twp (pages Ixxxviii-lxxxix, Brief Personals *)
Peter W. Somers, was born in Conewango on November 8, 1851. He was a son of Wendell and Margaret (Schuler) Somers. His paternal grandfather was Peter Somers, a native of Germany, who settled in Conewango about 1832 or 1836. He reared a family of five children — Charlotte, Peter, Frank, Wendell, and George; of these Wendell cleared the farm now occupied by Peter W., where he resided for many years. He had a family of seven children — Mary, Saloma, Elizabeth, Peter W., George, John, and Lena. Peter W. Somers was married in November, 1872, to Alwilda Babcock, a daughter of Almon and Mahala (Blexley) Babcock, of Conewango. They have had three children born to them — Harry, Belle, and Jenny. Peter W.'s maternal grandfather, John Schuler, was a native of Alsace, France, and an early settler in Conewango. He is now living aged ninety years.
SPECKMAN, George - North Warren p. o., Conewango twp (page lxxxix, Brief Personals *)
George Speckman is a farmer, and was born in Baden, Germany, on April 8, 1836. He was a son of Peter and Monika (Hare) Speckman, and came to America with his parents in 1851, and with them purchased the farm on which he now resides in Conewango in 1856, most of which he has cleared and improved himself. His farm comprises eighty-five acres, of which about sixty acres has been improved. He was married on February 2, 1876, to Anna M. Earnhardt, daughter of Albert and Catherine (Arnt) Earnhardt, of Glade township, and by whom he has had a family of five children — Mary M., Anna K., Clara G., John J., and Alexander W.. Mr. Speckman is one of the representative German farmers of Conewango.
SPENCER, Chauncey - Columbus twp (page lxxxix, Brief Personals *)
Chauncey Spencer was born in Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., in 1818. He was a son of Israel and Sally (Webster) Spencer, who were born and married in Connecticut, and settled in Columbus, Pa., in 1826, coming there from Columbus, N. Y. Sally died in 1839, aged fifty-nine years, leaving a family of eleven children, five of whom are now living— Israel, jr., Oliver, Chauncey, Erastus, and Mary, none of whom have lived out of Warren county. Israel, sr., died in 1865, aged eighty-five. Chauncey Spencer was married in 1842 to Emily Monroe, of Freehold. She died in 1880, leaving one daughter— Ella, who married E. A. Allen, ex-sheriff of Warren county, and have had two sons born to them — Eddie and Elton Allen. Chauncey was married the second time in 1882 to Fidelia Boardman, of Needham, Wis. Mr. Spencer has been burgess of Columbus, school director, town commissioner and farmer. He was engaged in farming in Freehold from 1842 to 1880, after which he retired from active business life and settled in Columbus borough.
SPENCER, James (deceased) - Columbus twp (page lxxxix, Brief Personals *)
James Spencer was born in Columbus, Chenango county, N. Y., in 1824. He was married on May 6, 1855, to Eleanor Sample, who was born in 1837. They had a family of two sons born to them — Leon and Elmer. James Spencer died on April 26, 1886. He was a general farmer, and was a son of Israel and Sally (Webster) Spencer, who were born and married in Connecticut, and settled in Columbus, Pa., in 1826. Eleanor (Sample) Spencer was a daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah (Wynn) Sample. Nathaniel was born in Clarion county in 1804, and his wife, Hannah, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 1815. They were married in 1835, and had a family of four children born to them, two of whom are now living — Eleanor and Thomas W.. Sally married Charles Rickerson, and died, leaving three children. George died in 1881, leaving two sons. Nathaniel Sample was a son of John and Eleanor Sample, who settled in Columbus about 1804 or 1805. Four of their children are now living—William, David, Martha, and Hannah.
SPOON, Joshua - Columbus twp (pages lxxxix-xc, Brief Personals *)
Joshua Spoon was born in Oswego county, N. Y., in 1834. He was married in 1855 to Ann Eliza Aldrich, of Livingston county, N. Y. They have had a family of five children born to them, three of whom are now living — Maude, James, and Leon. Maude married E. P. Carrier. Joshua was collector of the town in 1885 and '86, and has also held many of the other minor offices. Joshua Spoon was a son of Peter and Sally (Hall) Spoon. He was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1794, and his wife, Sally, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., in 1802. They both died in 1884. They had a family of five sons born to them—Simon, Nathan, Joshua, William, and James. James enlisted from Oswego county, N. Y.; was taken prisoner and died in Andersonville prison in 1864. Joshua settled in Warren county in 1852. Ann Eliza was a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Wynn) Aldrich. Sarah died in 1881, leaving two daughters. They settled here in 1840.
SPOON, Simon P. - Columbus p. o., Columbus twp (page xc, Brief Personals *)
Simon P. Spoon was born in Oswego county in 1826. He married Marion Hall in September, 1856. They have a family of four children—Evered A., Ernest L., George A., and Kate M.. Evered A. married Minnie Knowlton in 1884, and have one child—Ethel May. George H. married Jennie Inick in 1883, and have one child. Ernest married Edna Arters. Simon P. settled in Columbus in 1848, and engaged in farming. He was a son of Peter and Sally Hall Spoon; he was from Herkimer county, N. Y., and was born in 1794 and died in 1884; she was from Chenango county, N. Y., and was born in 1802 and died in 1884. They had five sons, four of whom are now living—Simon P., Nathan, Joshua, and William. James enlisted from Oswego county, N. Y.; was taken prisoner, and died in Andersonville prison in 1864. Mrs. Marion Spoon was a daughter of James Hall, who settled in Columbus in 1833. He was born in Connecticut in 1804, and was a son of Nathan and Abigail Hall, who settled in Madison county, N. Y., and died in Oswego county, N. Y.
STANFORD, Worthy - Busti, N. Y., p. o., Farmington twp (page xc, Brief Personals *)
Worthy Stanford is a farmer and was born in Farmington October 4, 1845. He was a son of Horatio and Sarah E. (Mackress) Stanford, who were from Canastota, N. Y., and settled in what is now Farmington in 1832, on the farm now occupied by Worthy, which they cleared and improved and upon which they lived and died. They had a family of three children who grew to maturity—Achsa (now Mrs. Daniel McMillan), Hannah E. (now Mrs. Edwin Babcock), and Worthy. Worthy Stanford was reared on the homestead farm where he has always resided. He was married April 26, 1873, to Matilda Johnson, a daughter of Magnus and Margaret (Johnson), who were natives of Sweden. They have had one child born to them, Pearl E.
STARRETT, William P. - North Warren p. o., Conewango twp (page xc, Brief Personals *)
William P. Starrett was born in Vinal Haven, Me., on May 29, 1837, and was a son of Cyrus and Phebe (Philbrook) Starrett, who came to Warren county in 1839. His father was born in Wrentham, N. H., on February 21, 1802, and was married on March 10, 1833, to Phebe Philbrook, a daughter of Jonathan and Phebe (Lassell) Philbrook, of Searsmont. Jonathan Philbrook died in 1814, after participating in the battle of Plattsburgh, N. Y. Cyrus and Phebe settled in Warren county in 1839, settling on the farm which is now owned by John Amann, in 1850, a part of which they cleared and improved themselves. They moved to the farm which is now owned and occupied by William Starrett in 1875, where Cyrus died on December 31, 1878, aged seventy-seven years. Their children were Calvin B., John H., William P., Stephen B., Ferdinand and Ida. William P. Starrett was married in 1872 to Levancia Barber, a daughter of William and Asenoth (Post) Barber, of Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y.
STEPHENS, Warner E. - Tidioute p. o., Glade (page xc, Brief Personals *) [Warren County coordinator's note: Listed on the 1880 census in Triumph twp; note that Glade twp is not close to Tidioute so this must be in error.]
Warner E. Stephens is a general blacksmith and lumber wagon manufacturer, also manufactures fine hand made carriages, sleighs, etc.; was born in Crawford county in 1844, and settled in Tidioute in 1870 as journeyman smith, and in 1871 he commenced the general smithing business, and continued the same in all of its various branches. He was married July 6, 1865, to Samantha Coon, who was born at Montara, N. Y. She died in Michigan in 1875, leaving one child—Norma. He married his second wife Alis Dougherty, of Tidioute, March 16, 1876. They have two children born to them—Neva and Raymond G. Warner E. was a son of Joshua and Julia A. Fowler Stephens. Joshua Stephens died in Alexandria, Ga., while in the Union service in 1865. They had a family of six children—Lucy, Lucien, Elias W., Warner E., Joshua and Mary. The mother, Julia, was born in Crawford county, Pa., and now resides with her daughter, Mary E. Flanegan, in Cuba, N. Y.
STILSON, Amos C. - Sugar Grove twp (pages xc-xci, Brief Personals *)
Amos C. Stilson, carpenter and contract builder, was born in Jamestown, N. Y., in 1837. He was a son of Benoni and Hannah Brown Stilson. Benoni was born in Connecticut in 1798, and settled in Sugar Grove in about 1820; his wife was born in New Hampshire; they were married and died in Jamestown, N. Y. Amos C. Stilson settled in Sugar Grove borough in 1871, as a carpenter and builder, and many of the best buildings therein show his artistic work. He formed a partnership with W. A. Bush, and purchased the steam planing, sawing and carpenter supply factory in 1885, where they have machinery to do fine house building work. Mr. Stilson married Adelia Robertson, of Crawford county, in 1860. She was born on October 15, 1839. She was a daughter of George and Rhoda Luce Robertson. The former was born in 1801, and died in 1869; the latter was born in 1807 and died in 1870; they were married October 16, 1825, and had four children—Mary E., Martha L., John R. and Adelia.
STILSON, jr., David - Sugar Grove twp (page xci, Brief Personals *)
David Stilson, jr. was born on Stilson Hill, Sugar Grove, in 1827, and is a son of David and Mary Burrough Stilson. David Stilson came from New Haven, Conn., and settled in Sugar Grove in 1814. He had a family of five sons and four daughters, two sons and two daughters now living—Harry H., David, Betsey, and Polly Hazeltine. David, sr., died June 6, 1852, and his wife died February 25, 1840. David, jr., married Margaret Page September 9, 1852; she was born in Pittsfield in 1834. They have a family of four children—Thomas Perry, Alice A., Frank A., and Mertie. Alice A. married Charles Middleton. Thomas died in 1881, aged twenty eight years. David Stilson, sr., had three brothers who settled with him—Elias, Stephen, David, and Benoni.
STONE, Charles W. - City of Warren (pages 613-616 *)
Charles W. Stone was born in Groton, Middlesex county, Mass., on the 29th day of June, 1843, and was the eldest of the three sons of Warren F. and Mary (Williams) Stone. His mother was of Welsh extraction, and her ancestors had settled in this country during the early years of its history. His father, who was of English descent, and whose ancestors were related to General Nathaniel Green, of Revolutionary fame and were pre-Revolutionary inhabitants of Massachusetts, was a carpenter by trade, and though of feeble health, was distinguished by a strong, clear, and active mind. The year prior to his death, in his forty-second year, he was a member of the Legislature of Massachusetts. He had a keen appreciation of culture, and to his tendency to intellectual occupation, and his early words of inspiring encouragement, is due much of the success that has waited on his son, the subject of this sketch. The boyhood and youth of C. W. Stone were passed on a farm with his grandfather, with the exception of one year, during which he worked at the trade of his father. At an age when most boys have no thought for the morrow, he conceived an ambition for a liberal education, and determined to obtain it, notwithstanding the somewhat straitened circumstances of the family, and his own delicate health. He prepared for a collegiate course at Lawrence Academy, and in 1860 was sufficiently advanced to enter the sophomore class at Williams College. In order to supplement his limited means, he taught in a private family, sawed wood, and did other "chores" during college terms, and, free from debt, was graduated in 1863 in the section of first ten in a class of fifty. Soon after his graduation he became principal of the Union school at Warren, Pa., and in March, 1865, relinquished that position to accept that of superintendent of common schools of Warren county. In the fall of the same year he was chosen principal of the academy at Erie, but this situation he resigned in November, 1865, and went to Mississippi in company with F. M. Abbott and Colonel A. P. Shattuck, both of whom afterward became prominent cotton planters in that State. At the close of December, 1866, he returned to the north, and having been admitted to practice law in the courts of Warren county, on the first day of January, 1867, entered into partnership with his present partner, Judge Rasselas Brown. This partnership has now continued longer without interruption than any other law partnership in Warren county. In 1868 he was elected school director and served nine years; the last three as president of the board. He was also for three years a member of the borough council.
So soon were Mr. Stone's abilities known and appreciated, that as early as the fall of 1869 he was elected to the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, from the district composed of Warren and Venango counties. Unlike too many men in public life, he did not look upon the position as an honor merely, a sinecure, but a trust which demanded the best of his talents and endeavors. He was a prominent figure in his first session in the Legislature. .A movement, led by Senator Lowry, of Erie, in the Upper House, and Representative Ames, of Titusville, in the Lower House, was initiated for the formation of a new county to comprise Eldred, Southwest and half of Spring Creek townships in this county and portions of Venango and Crawford counties. Mr. Stone and J. D. Mcjunkin, from the Venango district, opposed the measure, and Mr. Stone made a powerful speech against it, which materially aided to produce its defeat. The effort was complimented throughout the State in the press, even the opposition bearing witness to its force and effect. The struggle was a very severe, laborious, and exhaustive one to Mr. Stone, but it was the occasion of his re-nomination and re-election in the fall of 1870, without an opposing nominee, the Democratic party paying him the high compliment of not putting an opposing candidate in the field. The honor was well deserved, for the division of Warren county would have deprived it of some of the richest portions of its territory, and would have injured Warren by making Titusville the county seat of a new and rival county. Although at the beginning it seemed destined to be regarded as a local question, it engendered such a fight as to assume the proportions of a State question. The odds against which Mr. Stone and his confrere contended may be partly appreciated when it is stated that the victorious party were led by two young men in their first term against political veterans.
An important feature of his labors in the session of 1871 was the part he took in a measure to protect the harbor of Erie. In consequence of a communication from the United States secretary of war to Governor Geary, relative to depredations said to have been committed upon the Peninsula protecting and forming the harbor at Erie, and thus endangering the harbor, a committee of five was appointed to investigate, and Mr. Stone was made chairman. The committee made two elaborate reports, which undoubtedly operated to save the harbor from destruction, and restore the Marine Hospital (now the Soldier's Home) property to the State.
At the expiration of the second term in the House of Representatives Mr. Stone returned with renewed energy to the practice of law, from which he had been drawn by the press of public duties. But he was not long permitted to enjoy his retirement. In 1876 he was chosen to a seat in the State Senate, and took his place in the beginning of 1877. In that body he served as chairman of the general judiciary committee, and while taking a leading part in all its deliberations was recognized as the special champion of the interests of the oil-producing sections of the State, and, as in the Lower House, was esteemed very clear, able, and impressive in debate. Perhaps his ablest effort was his speech in support of the free pipe bill, in the winter of 1878. The bill was then defeated, but has since been passed and is now in force. In 1878 he was brought forward as the best candidate for the position of lieutenant-governor of the State. The opposition in the convention was but nominal, the vote standing 182 against 59, and in the subsequent election he was chosen by a majority of 23,250 votes. He served with distinguished ability from January, 1879, to January, 1883, the entire term. The importance of this office, which is of recent institution in Pennsylvania, is at once apparent from the following section of Article IV, of the new constitution of the State :
"Sect. 13. In case of the death, conviction, or impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation, or other disability of the governor, the powers, duties, and emoluments of the office, for the remainder of the term, or until the disability be removed, shall devolve upon the lieutenant-governor." It also provides that he shall be ex-officio president of the Senate and member of the board of pardons. It fell to him to preside over the joint assembly during the protracted contest for election of United States Senator, which resulted in the selection of John I. Mitchell, and though he was called upon to make more rulings than were ever before or since made in a similar assembly, not one of his rulings, either in the Senate or joint assembly, was ever reversed or even appealed from, a statement which cannot be made concerning any other lieutenant-governor in the history of the State. During that contest Mr. Stone had the general support of the press of northern and northwestern Pennsylvania for the senatorship, but he declined to enter the field.
It is a custom for the Senate, at the close of each term of its presiding officer, to extend him a vote of thanks. This vote may have meaning and it may not, but there can be no mistaking the sentiment that impelled the Senate, at the close of Mr. Stone's term, in 1883, by the co-operation of every member of both parties, to present to him a gold watch of superior workmanship, bearing the following inscription :
"Presented to the Hon. Charles Warren Stone, lieutenant-governor of Pennsylvania, January 16, 1883, by the members of the State Senate for the sessions of 1879, 1881, and 1883, as a testimonial of their high regard and great esteem for him as a public officer, and for the impartial and faithful performance of his duties as president of the Senate." To the heavy gold chain, which was presented with the watch, is attached, as a charm, a miniature gavel with diamond settings. The presentation address was made by Senator John Stewart, since the independant candidate for governor, to which Mr. Stone feelingly replied.
In 1883 Mr. Stone was one of the three commissioners that located the United States public buildings at Erie. In 1884 he received the unanimous support of the delegates from Warren county for the congressional nomination for this district, though he made no canvass in the other counties. In 1886 he was strongly urged from Warren and Erie counties to go into the fight, but declined, in January, 1887, however, he was appointed by Governor Beaver as secretary of the Commonwealth, a position which he fills at this writing.
Notwithstanding his activity in political affairs, Mr. Stone has borne his share of the labor and received his share of the honor in business and social life. His standing as a lawyer is attested by the fact that he is president of the Bar Association of Warren county. In recent years he has engaged to a considerable extent in lumbering and oil operations in the Clarendon field and elsewhere. Although in rather more than comfortable circumstances, he has not accumulated so much property as he is commonly accredited with, having made it a rule, as well as possessing the inclination, to spend all that is necessary for his own enjoyment, or that of others, as he "goes along." He is a member of the State Historical Society, and since its origin has been prominently identified with the Warren Library Association. His ability as an orator is recognized throughout the State, and he is in demand, not only during political campaigns, but on Independence Day celebrations, and like occasions.
On the 30th of January, 1868, Mr. Stone married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Moorhead, of Erie, Pa. They have six children—Grace Mary, Annie Isabel, Ralph Warren, Elizabeth Moorhead, John Lyon, and Clara Rebecca. He has two brothers, both residing in the city of Bradford, Pa. One, R. B. Stone, is a prominent lawyer; the other, George F. Stone, is city superintendent of schools.
STORUM, Samuel - Warren p. o.. Glade twp (page xci, Brief Personals *)
Samuel Storum, son of Samuel and Maru Storum, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., in the year 1827. The family came to Pine Grove about 1830, for the purpose of clearing lands. Samuel, the son, returned to Carlton, Cattaraugus county, N. Y.,some years later, and in 1860 came to Glade. He married Laura Woodward, who bore him three children, Marshall S. J., Mary and Myra M., who died at the age of four years. Mr. Storum has a good farm property on the Gotham road, so called, on which are fine buildings, erected through the energy and thrift of their proprietor. In the affairs of the town Mr. Storum has never taken an active part, but in religious life he is a strong advocate of Spiritualism.
STRAND, C.O. - Sugar Grove p. o., Freehold twp (page xci, Brief Personals *)
Charles O. Strand was born in Sweden, in 1846, and was married in 1870 to Louisa Donaldson. To them have been born four children—Charles, Oscar, Emil, and Ernest.
STRONG, John O. - Tidioute, Deerfield twp (page xci, Brief Personals *)
John O. Strong was born in Herkimer county, N. Y. His parents were Henry and Mary Cristman Strong, who settled in Sardinia, Erie county, N. Y., in 1838. Henry died in 1881, aged seventy-nine years; and his wife died in 1881. They had a family of eleven children, nine of whom now survive. John O. Strong settled in Tidioute and engaged in the oil business as producer in 1861, and in 1866, with his brother, Charles B., engaged in the livery business, which they still continue. In 1873 they embarked in the general hardware trade, dealing extensively in farm tools and machinery. In 1869 John O. married Mary Nugent, of Mercer county; they have had two daughters —Daisy L., and Minnie E.. Charles B. Strong married Sarah Whitney, of Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, N. Y.
STRUTHERS, Thomas - Warren, Glade twp (pages 599-605 *)
The subject of this sketch was born in Trumbull (now Mahoning) county, O., on the 6th day of June, 1803, His father, John Struthers, came of a Scotch family, and, imbued with the spirit of adventurous enterprise characteristic of that hardy race, removed with his father's family from the State of Maryland to Washington county, Pa., in 1776. By reason of his skill as a practical land surveyor he rendered invaluable assistance to the settlers then crowding into that region; and by reason of his military prowess he rose to the command of a company of mounted rangers, who were commended for their courage and skill in protecting the government from the fierce onslaughts of the desperate and savage allies of the British during the Revolutionary War. He married a Miss Foster, of Irish extraction, and with a family of four children removed to Trumbull county, O., in 1798, where he settled on lands that he had previously selected during his excursions as an Indian hunter. He was thus one of the first settlers in the Connecticut Western Reserve, which from that time became rapidly peopled with immigrants from New England and Pennsylvania. Here he cleared and cultivated a large farm, built mills, and in company with Robert Montgomery, erected a small blast furnace, the product of which was cast into pots, kettles,caldrons, and such other articles as were demanded by the household necessities of the settlers. He afterward unfortunately met with disastrous business reverses.
On this farm, some eighty-four years ago, Thomas Struthers was born and disciplined in the then undeveloped mysteries of agriculture. He obtained his early education in the common schools of the time; during intervals of farm work, prepared for and entered Jefferson College at the age of seventeen years, worked his own way through, and after graduation entered the law office of A. W. Foster, of Greensborough, Westmoreland county, Pa. In December, 1828, one year and eleven months after his admission to the bar, he opened an office in Warren, Pa., which has ever since been his home, and, as we shall see, the object of his pride and bounty. He was partly induced to settle here by offers of agencies by owners of large tracts of disposable wild lands in northwestern Pennsylvania, but chiefly by his belief that the best thing for a young man to do was to cast his lot among the pioneers of a new and promising country, and keep step with the march of improvements. There were only about five hundred voters in Warren county at that time. His success in the practice of his profession was active from the first, though he found his commissions from the sale of land more profitable. His unwavering fidelity to his clients, his diligent efforts in their behalf, and the signal ability with which he discharged the duties imposed upon him, soon established for him a most gratifying reputation. He was from the beginning so successful in disposing of lands and turning the tide of immigration in this direction, that he was encouraged to purchase large tracts on time, and pay for them by the proceeds of resales, at a moderate advance. The greatest difficulty with which he had to contend in this work was the utter want of railroad or other facilities by which to reach these lands. "Here" it has been well said, " was a broad expanse of almost unbroken forest lands, partly in the State of New York and partly in the State of Pennsylvania; probably one hundred and fifty miles north and south by two hundred and fifty or three hundred miles east and west; not penetrated even by good wagon roads; and in some directions one hundred and fifty miles without any roads, and this, too, in the direct line between New York city and the West, and Philadelphia and Lake Erie. The State of Pennsylvania had left it intact by her line of canals and railroads on the south, whilst the Erie Canal passed around to the north." His attention was thus directed to the incipient movements on foot for the construction of railroads through one part or another of this wilderness. Whilst he preferred a road from Philadelphia, by the route now occupied by the Philadelphia and Erie (originally the Sunbury and Erie) railway, and a branch by the Catawissa and Lehigh Valley to New York, he found the projectors of the New York and Erie road first in the field, and hastened to give them all the encouragement he could, attended many of their primary meetings held along the proposed line, aided them in getting the necessary right of way through Pennsylvania, and in other ways evinced his interest in the scheme.
In 1836 efforts were first made to establish a line between Philadelphia and the great lakes, and Mr. Struthers, as a delegate from Warren county, attended the first convention held at Williamsport. Here was developed the scheme for the Sunbury and Erie road, and Mr. Struthers, with others, appointed to lay the subject before the Legislature and induce, if possible, that body to adopt the appropriate measures. A bill was accordingly introduced early in the session of 1836-37, but the members of the Legislature, from their ignorance of the character of the northwestern part of Pennsylvania and of the trade of the lakes, looked upon the scheme as altogether absurd and chimerical. The committee thought it best, therefore, not to urge precipitate action on the measure, but gradually to educate and interest the southern and eastern members in the geography and unbounded resources of that region, and the importance of the lake trade, and thus win their approval. By virtue of his zeal and of his more intimate knowledge of the country, Mr. Struthers was requested by the Philadelphia gentlemen who had been chosen to act with him, to pilot the measure through to its enactment. After months of untiring work he succeeded in obtaining the passage of the bill, though he did not dare bring it to a vote until April, 1837.
In the subsequent organization of the company Mr. Struthers was chosen one of the directors, the others being of Philadelphia and east of the mountains, while the accomplished financier, Nicholas Biddle, was made president. After elaborate surveys made in 1838-39, the location of the line and the beginning of the work of grading in 1840, operations were suspended by the recurrence of the financial panic of 1837, the consequent failure of the United States Bank and its associates, and the long train of failures that followed in the wake of these disasters. In 1847 the Philadelphians abandoned the scheme and transferred their efforts to the Pennsylvania road. This project was not dead, however, and Mr. Struthers, with sublime faith and perseverance, despite a host of discouraging circumstances, obtained a revival of the company and its works in 1851. Philadelphia returned to her allegiance and subscriptions came in from all along the line. To prevent the subscriptions from the west from being conveyed to the east, Mr. Struthers placed himself at the head of a company associated at Warren, while a similar company was formed at Erie. These parties took contracts covering eighty-six miles of the western division, receiving the municipal bonds of their several localities and stock of the company for their principal pay, taking only a very small percentage in money. They also rendered aid to the eastern division. The financial operations of the Warren party were managed altogether by Mr. Struthers, to whose energy it is largely due that, while the prosecution of the work on the remainder of the line was suspended nearly two years for lack of means, this party went steadily forward with their labors, trusting to events for that part of their pay which they were to receive in money—a misplaced confidence, as the subject of our notice realized in a loss of more than all the profits of the contract. However, under a new arrangement he took an individual contract for the completion of a portion of the work, and carried it through. The road was finally completed in 1862.
In the mean time, early in the decade of years that ended with 1860, Mr. Struthers became interested with General Wilson in constructing the first railroad in California, from Sacramento to Folsom, or Negro Bar. When he took hold of the enterprise it was unendowed. By his superior tact and financial ability, he procured in Boston the rails and equipment complete for forty miles of road, to be delivered in San Francisco, without money or other securities than the bonds of the company, and his own and Wilson's guarantee. Soon after this he embarked with others in the enterprise of building street railways in the city of Cincinnati, and obtained from the city council a grant for about half the city, after which he sold out his interest. It was about this time, too, that in company with others, under the supposed protection of an act of the Iowa Legislature, procured for the purpose, he undertook the improvement of the Des Moines River for steam navigation. No sooner had they located their dams, and several towns and cities on the donated lands, then their grant was repudiated by the Legislature.
After the completion of the Sunbury and Erie Road, Mr. Struthers procured the passage of a law incorporating the Oil Creek Railroad Company, with powers to build a line from the Sunbury and Erie Railroad in Warren or Erie county to Titusville, and down Oil Creek and Allegheny River to Franklin. In the year 1862 he organized the company, located the road from Corry to Titusville, a distance of twenty-eight miles, and in one hundred and twenty working days the road was completed, without subsidies from any source, and almost without stock. Finding it almost impossible to inspire the people along the route with confidence in the project, he and his associate, Dr. Streator, took nearly all the stock themselves and built and equipped the road upon its own bonds. The project developed into a remarkable success. He remained the president of the road and chief financial agent until 1866, realizing large profits from its earnings, when he sold his interest, and with his entire family passed a year and a half traveling through Europe, Asia, and Egypt. Previous to his departure, however, he made arrangements for the completion of the Cross-Cut Railroad, which he and Dean Richmond had organized for the purpose of connecting the Oil Creek and New York Central Railroads. After his return from the Old World, and as late as 1870, he, in conjunction with John Stambaugh, John Tod and others, completed the Liberty and Vienna Railroad. Again he was remarkably successful; this road was afterward sold to the Atlantic and Great Western, and Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburgh Railroad Companies. Mr. Struthers was also one of the projectors of the Youngstown and Canfield Railroad, connecting the Lawrence Railroad with the Kyle and Foster Coal Mines, in which he owned a large interest. Notwithstanding the multitude of his business undertakings, the care of an extensive law practice, his dealings in land, and his various public enterprises, Mr. Struthers had not forgotten the place of his birth. In 1863 he purchased the farm on which he was born, and four years later, in company with several associates whom he had induced to join him, he erected upon it a large blast furnace and built up the prosperous village of Struthers, on the Lawrence Railroad. In the same year, 1867, he purchased an interest for himself and son in a flourishing machine shop and foundry in Warren, which he extensively enlarged and had incorporated under the name of the "Brown & Struthers Iron Works." In August, 1875, he bought up the entire property of the corporation and founded the firm of Struthers, Wells & Co.
During the period of his management of the Oil Creek Railroad, he established the Corry National Bank, becoming and for years continuing its president.
Mr. Struthers has always been an earnest and active politician of the Whig and Republican persuasion, and a tried friend of the protective tariff system. He represented his district in the State Legislature in the sessions of 1857 and 1858 with distinguished ability, and was a prominent member of the convention of 1872-73 to revise and amend the constitution of the State, serving on important committees. He spent much time and money in aid of the Union cause during the war with the South, filling quotas, etc., and furnished two substitutes, though not subject to service himself.
His course in the Legislature so inspired his fellow-members in that body with confidence in his abilities and integrity, that at the close of his term many of them insisted on his becoming their candidate for State treasurer, to which he was reluctantly constrained to consent. During the canvass for the nomination the following tribute to his worth, one of many published throughout the State, appeared in a paper more than a hundred miles from the district he represented:
"Among the Republican gentlemen named as candidates for the responsible office of State treasurer, the Hon. Thomas Struthers, of Warren county, stands conspicuous. His sterling integrity, business capacity, and the efficient services he has rendered to the political cause upheld by the great Republican party, render him, in our opinion, by far the most suitable and available candidate. The West, we think, is now entitled to the office, more especially when one so capable and trustworthy is presented. During the sessions of 1857 and 1858, Mr. S. represented in the State Legislature, first the counties of Warren, Venango, and Mercer, and afterwards Warren and Crawford. Those who served with him during two sessions can testify to the important character of his services to the State and to his party.
"We agree with the Reading Journal when it says to the members of the present Legislature, let us for once have a State treasurer upon whom we can look without suspicion or distrust; in whose past life and freedom from evil financial associations the people can have some guaranty of future honesty. There are such men before the people. Give us one of them if only for this once. Give us a man of pure and spotless honesty, not one whose name has been dragged in the mire. Give us a man whom we can hold up before the people as a servant worthy of their confidence, as a servant of the kind in whom they will be well pleased."
Neither his business nor private inclinations permitted him to give the canvass the attention necessary to obtain the nomination. He had no political aspirations. To aid in developing the resources of the country by public improvements, was ever his highest ambition and greatest pride.
The work for which he will be longest remembered is the magnificent structure known as the Struthers Library Building, which was built for the borough by Mr. Struthers in the winter of 1883, at an expense of about $90,000 in addition to the site, which was furnished by the citizens. It is described in the history of Warren in this work.
Mr. Struthers's "predominant mental characteristic," says one who has for many years been closely associated with him by the ties of friendship and business connection, " is concentrativeness. He would always become totally absorbed in the project or enterprise in hand, and pursue it with an avidity and pertinacity that admitted of no diversion or interruption. His mental resources in extricating himself from embarrassment, and in combining agencies to accomplish his purpose, have always proven sufficient for all drafts upon them and seem inexhaustible, and his power for attracting both men and capital and enlisting them in his adventures, is wonderful. His temperament is over-sanguine, producing too favorable estimates of future results, and would often have led him into serious difficulties, except for his indomitable will and perseverance. He never surrendered, and consequently was always victorious, or made a draw game of it.
"He has always shown himself emphatically to be what Carlyle said of Cromwell, 'an earnest man.' Whatever his hand has found to do he has done with his might. Bold, apparently to rashness, and hopeful to enthusiasm, whatever he has undertaken he has carried through with an earnestness and energy that surmounted all obstacles. These elements in his composition induced him sometimes to venture too much, perhaps, and take risks which the timid prudence of less resolute men would have avoided. He would buy, on time, far beyond his income from other sources to pay, trusting to sell at an advance before the liability matured. Yet no protests came. He would spread more canvass and run farther out to sea than larger crafts dare venture, yet his frail bark, through calm or storm, always made the voyage bravely, and returned to port safely. His industry has ever been as indefatigable as his will indomitable. Had he not enjoyed perfect health and great powers of endurance, he would often have overtaxed his energies and broken down.
"Although his travels and associations with the business world have been such as to subject him to frequent and strong temptations, his habits have ever been temperate and free from dissipation of any kind. He, indeed, attributes much of the vigor, both physical and intellectual, which he enjoys at his present advanced age, to the fact that several years ago he abjured the use of spirituous liquors altogether. He seldom indulges even in a glass of beer. He says its use defiles the stomach, vitiates the appetite, destroys the sensitive organs, and results in intellectual stupidity, physical grossness and deformity, and total unfitness for business or society. The medicated wines generally in use he considers equally obnoxious and to be avoided.
"But paramount among his virtues it may be affirmed that he is an honest man. In his immense and complicated business transactions, no one was ever found to charge him successfully with a dishonest or dishonorable act. Naturally a little credulous, although usually cautious, he has sometimes been overreached and involved in litigation. But he has lived through more than forty years of trials without a tarnish upon the escutcheon of his manhood, or a stain on his integrity as a citizen. During all that time he has been the recognized leader, and often the originator of measures calculated to benefit the county and borough in which he has lived, and still enjoys the confidence and esteem of the present, as of the past generation."
In December, 1831, Mr. Struthers married Miss Eunice Eddy, of Warren, Pa., and reared two children. His son, Thomas E., died in 1872. His daughter, Ann Eliza, was married to Captain George R. Wetmore, a soldier of the war for the Union, and a prominent manufacturer and influential business man. She died in 1880 leaving one son, who is Mr. Struthers's only lineal descendant.
STUART, Thomas J. - Sugar Grove, Sugar Grove twp (page xci, Brief Personals *)
Thomas J. Stuart was born in Sugar Grove, in 1826, and married Lucina Boyce in 1847. She was born in Youngsville, in 1829. They had a family of six children born to them Mary E., Euphemia, William B., and Samuel G. (twins), Ernest Grant, and Emma Grade. Lucina was a daughter of Samuel G. and Elsie Davis Boyce. Thomas J. was a son of William and Elizabeth (Dalrymple) Stuart. She was born in Colerain, Mass., and William was born in Ireland, February 28, 1794, and his wife in 1792. They had a family of twelve children born to them, five of whom are now living—Margaret, Esther, Ann, Thomas J., and Jane. Elizabeth died August 23, 1873, and William in 1833. He was a son of James and Catherine Stuart, who settled in Sugar Grove, in 1803. They had a family of ten children born to them —John, Thomas, William, Robert, James, Alexander, Rosa, Catherine, Margaret, and Jane.
STUTTS, Jeremiah N. - Sugar Grove p. o., Farmington twp (pages xci-xcii, Brief Personals *)
Jeremiah N. Stutts was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., January 22, 1821. He was a son of Jacob and Roxilana (Newman) Stutts. The former was a native of New Jersey, and his wife of Niagara county, N. Y. They settled in what is now Farmington, in 1830. Their children were Mary A., Catherine, Jeremiah N., William, Nancy, Jane, Luther, and Elvvin. Jeremiah N. Stutts was reared in Farmington from eight years of age, and worked at the blacksmith trade for twenty-five years, and afterwards became a buyer of cattle, hides, etc. He was married in 1843 to Betsey Smith, a daughter of John and Harriet (Cady) Smith, of Sugar Grove. They have had one child—Roxilana, now Mrs. George Osborn. Mr. Stutts has owned the farm which he now owns and occupies, since 1861, although he has only resided on it since 1874. While working at the blacksmith trade he pared the feet and set two twenty-one shoes in four minutes, which is the fastest time on record.
SUTTER, Jacob - Warren p. o.. Glade twp (page xcii, Brief Personals *)
Jacob Sutter was born in Alsace, then a province of the French republic, where his early life was spent. In 1846 he came to Warren, and learned the tailor's trade, at which he worked for twenty-five years. He was married in Paris, France, to Katherine Bulger, who bore him six children—Louis, Caroline, Philip, Frederick, Lorena, and Mena. In 1871 Mr. Sutter and his family came to Glade, where he had a small farm of sixteen acres nicely located on the hillside, overlooking the borough of Warren. When the oil excitement reached Glade these lands at once became very valuable, and are now among the most productive ones in the town. This fortunate circumstance has placed Mr. Sutter in comfortable circumstances. Jacob Sutter was one of the founders of the Lutheran Church in Warren, in which he now takes a great interest. He frequently officiated at funeral obsequies in the absence of the pastor of the church.
SWEETING, sr., Jacob - Warren p. o.. Glade twp (page xcii, Brief Personals *)
Jacob, John, Hannah, Elizabeth, Lucy, William, Samuel, and Mary G. were the children of Jacob Sweeting, sr., who was a native of Derbyshire, England, and came to this country in 1840, and who one year later settled on Quaker Hill, Elk township. Jacob, jr., married Louesa Sharp, who bore him a family of twelve children; John married Lucinda Miller, by whom he had a family of seven children; Hannah, married William Taylor; Elizabeth, married H. B. Lonsbury; Lucy, who was born during the journey from Rochester, N. Y., to Quaker Hill, married William Meyers; Mary G., married William Blair; William is also married and now resides in Glade; Samuel is dead. William and John both served in the late war, and John was injured by the premature discharge of a cannon. The family have nearly all left Elk township, and most of them now reside in Glade. They are farmers and oil producers there, having fortunately taken lands many years ago on the oil belt more recently developed.
SWIFT, Alfred W. - Kinzua p. o., Kinzua twp (page xcii, Brief Personals *)
Alfred W. Swift was born in Allegheny county, N. Y., July 7, 1833. He was the son of B. C. and Mary A. Swift. At the age of twenty years he left home and went to Olean, where he worked at the trade of a joiner. In 1854 he came to Kinzua, intending to stay but a short time, but was induced to remain and work at his trade, and also that of blacksmithing and wagon-making, at all of w'hich he was an adept. Here he became acquainted with and married Mary Ann. the youngest child of Seth Green, by whom he had one child—Ella V., now the wife of George L. Lawrence. About sixteen years ago Mr. Swift purchased the farm on which he now resides. On this farm was put down one of the first wells in this locality, and there are now seven oil producing wells in the locality, and these have netted the owner a snug sum.
* Source: History Of Warren County Pennsylvania with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, edited by J.S. Schenck, assisted by W.S. Rann; Syracuse, N.Y.; D Mason & Co., Publishers; 1887.
** Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Northern Pennsylvania, Volume II, Under the Editorial Supervision of John W. Jordan, LL.D., librarian of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1913.
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