COLUMBIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

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Biographies 5


Isaac K. DILDINE, farmer, P.O. Welliversville, the youngest son of Andrew and Ruth (BOGART) DILDINE, was born in this county June 3, 1826, and when six years of age came with his father to this township. He located on the farm now owned by Reece McHENRY, a part of which tract is now owned by our subject. Isaac remained at home until twenty years of age and farmed for his father. He first married, December 6, 1853, Angeline B. HUGHES, who was born June 26, 1829, in this county, a daughter of Charles and Mary (RHODES) HUGHES. After marriage he located on the farm he now owns. Mrs. DILDINE died March 20, 1863, the mother of three children: George H., Charles H., Anna E., and of these Charles H. is the only one now living. The other children died of diphtheria:George March 31, and Anna E. April 1, 1863; and were buried in one grave. December 6, 1868, Mr. DILDINE married Mrs. Angeline DRAKE, a native of this county and a daughter of Peter KNORR. To this union one child, Cora B., was born, September 12, 1871, and died of diphtheria December 18, 1881. By her former husband, Col. Levi DRAKE, Mrs. DILDINE had three children: Winfield Scott, McKindra L. and Laura M., in Ford county, Kas., the wife of Frank P. VANDERSLICE. Col. DRAKE was a soldier in Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, being in command of the regiment at the time of his death. He also served with distinction in the Mexican war. McKindra L. was killed August 9, 1877, in the Rocky Mountains, at the battle of Big Hole by the Nez Perces Indians. He was an orderly and a brave soldier. Winfield S. served during the civil war and returned home unscathed, and is a practicing physician in Erville, Muskingum Co., Ohio. Mr. DILDINE is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. DILDINE of the Presbyterian Church, at Orangeville. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 523-524)


James B. HARMAN, justice of the peace, Orangeville, was born in Orange Township, October 17, 1833, a son of George and Mary (KNORR) HARMAN. His father was a native of Northampton County, Penn., a son of Henry HARMAN, of German stock. James B. learned the cabinet-makerâs trade, of which he was master at the age of twenty. He then bought out Alfred HOWELL, with whom he had learned the business, and has since conducted the same. He married Harriet, daughter of Judge COVANHOVEN. Mr. and Mrs. HARMAN are the parents of four children: Lawrence C. and William W. in Leavenworth, Kas., and George H. and Della. Mr. HARMAN was elected justice of the peace in 1862, and has since occupied that position, and has also held nearly all the other township offices. He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, and a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 460, also of the R. A. and Commandery. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 524)


George W. HESS, farmer, P.O. Orangeville, was born July 16, 1845, on the farm where he now resides, and which he owns. His father, Jeremiah HESS , was born in Salem, Luzerne County, and married Maria POE. George W. was reared to agricultural pursuits and took charge of the farm in the spring of 1869. He married October 15, 1868, Sarah SMITH, a native of Luzerne County, born in 1845, a daughter of Samuel SMITH. Mr. and Mrs. HESS have five children: Maria C., Clarence M., Samuel S., Ernest E. and Joseph M. They are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. HESS is a Democrat in politics. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 524)


George Leonard JOLLY, M. D., Orangeville, was born in Kingston District, Luzerne County, Penn., September 16, 1855. At the age of twelve he began his self-sustaining career. He received the advantages of the common schools and afterward attended the high school, and later took a full academic course in Beaumont, Wyoming County. He then came to Orangeville where he studied Latin and Greek under the instruction of Rev. CANFIELD, and finally nearly completed his course in Lafayette College and soon expects his degree÷A. M. He then returned to this place and taught in the academy for nearly five years, during which time he began reading medicine with Dr. O. A. MEGARGELL, and afterward graduated with honors at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., in the spring of 1883, also receiving a duplicate from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. He began to practice at Wapwallopen with Dr. SHUMAN, who shortly after went to Florida to recruit his health, leaving his practice to Dr. Jolly, who remained three years, coming in February, 1886, to Orangeville, where he purchased the residence and practice of Dr. C. W. AMMERMAN. Dr. Jolly is in every respect a self-made man, for which he deserves credit. He has now a large practice which is increasing rapidly. March 10, 1885, he married Miss Sadie J., a native of Luzerne County and a daughter of Thomas B. CASE. The Doctor and Mrs. JOLLY are Christian people. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 524)


A. H. KITCHEN, farmer, P. O. Orangeville. Amos HICKSON KITCHEN was born in Greenwood Township, September 22, 1826, the eldest son of Daniel and Allace (SMITH) KITCHEN. The grandparents were Wheeler and Sarah (HICKSON) KITCHEN, the former a native of New Jersey. Wheeler and his wife had nine children: Daniel, Henry, Samuel, Joseph, Sarah, Mary, Jane, Rachel and Anna. Daniel was twice married; first to Allace SMITH, who bore him four children: Amos H., Sarah A., Daniel and Samuel. When he was quite young Amos H. removed with his father to Fishingcreek Township, where he remained until he was twenty-four years of age. August 7, 1849, he married Sarah McHENRY, who was born in Fishingcreek Township June 14, 1827. After marriage Mr. KITCHEN removed to Greenwood Township and located on a farm, remaining until April 3, 1873. He then removed to his present place, but still owns the homestead in Greenwood Township. He and Mrs. KITCHEN are the parents of five children: Daniel Wheeler, Amos P., Clemuel B., Margaret J. and John V. Daniel W. resides in Bloomsburg, the manager of the Farmersâ Exchange store; Clemuel is engaged in railroading, and Margaret is the wife of Howard KLINE, and resides in Wood County, Ohio. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 524)


Col. Hiram R. KLINE, (deceased) was born in this township December 27, 1815 on the farm now occupied by A. H. KITCHEN, and was a descendant of one of the representative families of Columbia County. His grandfather, Abram KLINE, immigrated to America from Germany prior to the Revolution, located in New Jersey and then moved westward to what is now Orange Township, Columbia Co., Penn., settling here when the county was a wilderness. His children were Harmon, Abram, George, Matthias, Isaac and Elizabeth. Isaac was the father of Hiram R. and married Mary, daughter of Abram WILLETT, and by her had ten children: Charity, Sarah, Abram, Elizabeth, Lavina, Hiram R., Peter, Almira, Arminta and Mary. Hiram R. married October 31, 1842, Rebecca, daughter of John and Mary E. (FEHR) ACHENBACH, who was born December 25, 1817, in Briarcreek Township. At the age of thirteen she moved with her parents to Orange Township. After marriage Mr. KLINE moved to Raven creek and for five years was engaged in milling. He returned to Orange Township and engaged in farming until the spring of May 29, 1881, while on a trip to the farm. He was a staunch Democrat, for years was weighmaster of the North Pennsylvania Canal, and in 1860 represented the county in the Legislature. He was an excellent singer and taught vocal music in his early manhood. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and an esteemed citizen in the community in which he lived. He left a widow and four children: Mary E., wife of Joseph K. MOYER, resides in Centre County, Penn.; Sarah J., is the wife of Rev. A. HOUTZ; Joseph Howard, married Maggie J., only daughter of A. H. KITCHEN; Harriet A., married John F. MENGLE. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 524-525)


James M. LONG, hotel-keeper, Orangeville, was born October 12, 1847, in Huntington Township, Luzerne Co., Penn., a son of Joseph F. and Sallie (SHAY) LONG. The father was born April 7, 1810, in Luzerne County, a son of Abram LONG. The mother was born June 29, 1824, in Seneca County, N. Y., a daughter of Samuel and Sallie (FOWLER) SHAY. The SHAY family came originally from Ireland, and the maternal great-great-grandfather of our subject married a sister of Lord FITZGERALD, of Scotland. Joseph F. and Sallie LONG had four children: Charles, James M., Abram and Harris, the last named being deceased. Charles served through the civil war as an artilleryman and is now a minister of the gospel of the Christian Church, and is stationed at Youngstown, Ohio; Abram resides in Espytown. After his marriage Joseph F. located in Luzerne County and engaged in farming. In 1850 he removed to Greenwood and conducted a foundry there. He died May 25, 1879; his widow yet survives him. James M. was reared to farming and learned the molderâs trade, at which he worked fourteen years. September 8, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Second Division, Fifth Corps, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war. He returned home and worked for three years in the lumber woods of Sullivan County. He then came to Benton and drove stage three years and afterward engaged in farming. In the spring of 1886 he came to Orangeville and took charge of the Hagenbuch Hotel property. In 1865 he married Arminta J., daughter of Daniel J. and Elizabeth (TAYLOR) PHILLIPS. They have two children: Emma and Bert E. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 525)


Cyrus McHENRY, farmer and surveyor, Orangeville, was born September 12, 1821, a son of Edward and Sarah (CUTTER) McHENRY. The former was born November 1, 1789, in Orange County, N. Y., a son of Thomas McHENRY, who was a soldier in the Revolution, and whose ancestors came from Ireland. Our subjectâs mother was born in Northampton county, Penn., in 1791, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (COLE) CUTTER. Thomas McHENRY, THE GRANDFATHER OF Cyrus, came with his wife and family to Columbia County, in 1791, and loacted in Fishingcreek Township. The children of Edward and Sarah McHENRY were Keturah, Samuel, Cyrus, thomas, Mary, all of whom lived to be grown and all reared families, except Keturah. Cyrus was reared to farming and learned surveying from his father, with whom he remained until the latterâs death. He resided on the old homestead until 1886, when he moved to town and has since lived retired. June 9, 1864, he married Mrs. Rebecca HAGENBACH, who was born in Centre Township March 13, 1833, a daughter of Henry and Susanna DeLONG. The former was born in Berks and the latter in this county. Mr. and Mrs. McHENRY have three children: Edward, Sadie and Emma; Edward resides on the homestead; Sadie is a dressmaker in Bloomsburg, and Emma at home. Mr. McHENRY still attends to special calls for surveying. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. McHENRYâs father was a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (YOXSTIMER) SEIBERT. Henry DeLONG and his wife had four children that grew to maturity: Peter, Rebecca, John and Elizabeth. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 525)


O. A. MEGARGELL, M. D., P.O. Orangeville, was born May 18, 1836, in Wayne County, Penn., a son of Joseph MEGARGELL, who was born near Philadelphia and who married Abigail HEWETT. Our subjectâs paternal grandfather was also named Joseph and was twelve years old when the British occupied Philadelphia. His maternal great-great-grandfather was Capt. Dethic HEWETT, who was killed at the massacre of Wyoming. The MEGARGELLs are of Scotch origin; the HEWETTs of Welsh. John HEWETT, son of Capt. Dethic, was the first sheriff of Luzerne County, Penn. Joseph MEGARGELL, father of our subject, was born June 20, 1803, and died in 1876. His wife was born July 7, 1817. They became the parents of seven children: Orville Albinas (subject), Thomas J., Martha R., Alice L., Mary E. and Joseph H. living, and Dethic, now deceased, who served in the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves, Company A, in the civil war. Thomas J. is a merchant in Scranton, Penn., and Joseph is a merchant at Big Rapids, Mich.; Martha is in the millinery business at the same place, and Alice is the wife of Dr. VANCE, of Rohrsburg, this county. The others are deceased. Orville A. was reared on the farm and came to this place with his uncle, John MEGARGELL, with whom he remained until he was fifteen years of age. He then worked at home and at the age of seventeen began teaching school. He then took up the study of medicine in the spring of 1856 and continued in his studies until graduating in June, 1859, at Castleton, Vt. In July of that year he began practice in Luzerne County where he remained; until May, 1861; then he came to Orangeville, and there he has since remained. November 3, 1859, he married Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Phoebe ACHENBACH. Dr. and Mrs. MEGARGELL have three children: Lillie, Fannie and George Mc. The Doctor is a member of the A. F. & A. M. of the R. A. C., and the Commandery at Bloomsburg. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 525-526)


John NEYHARD, farmer, P.O. Orangeville, was born in September, 1817, in what is now Centre Township. His father, Christian NEYHARD, was born near Allentown, Lehigh Co., Penn., and removed to this county about 1800. He settled in Centre Township and engaged in farming. His wife, Elizabeth SEAGER, bore him eight children: Solomon, Lydia, Mary, Freney, David, Daniel, Hannah and John; all of whom settled in this county except Lydia, who moved west. John was reared on a farm and has been twice married, first to Sally Ann EVANS, a daughter of Benjamin EVANS and a native of this county. Mrs. NEYHARD died in September, 1842, leaving one child, Lavina, wife of O. B. HERRING. His second wife was Esther V. FLECKENSTINE, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret FLECKENSTINE. To this union nine children were born: Francis, who was accidentally killed on the railroad, December 23, 1867; Margaret, Anna E., Mary, Isaiah, Amos, William H., Aggie and Esther C. Mr. NEYHARD on coming to this county purchased eighty-five acres, which was a part of the KLINE tract. He and Mrs. NEYHARD are members of the Reformed Church; politically he is a Democrat. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 526)


Aaron R. PATTERSON, farmer, P.O. Orangeville, a member of one of the representative families of this county, was born April 6, 1833, in Greenwood Township. His grandfather, Archibald PATTERSON, was a native of Scotland, and on immigrating to this country located in what is now Greenwood Township. He was twice married, but his first wife, Effie, from whom is descended this branch of the family, bore him the following children: Archibald, John, Aaron, William George, Effie, Jane and Ann, all of whom reared families and settled in the county, except Jane who moved to Pottsville. William was the father of Aaron R., and was born in Greenwood Township, January 17, 1803. February 9, 1826, he married Charity Ann KLINE, who was born October 9, 1804. William died July 26, 1852, and his widow August 4, 1883. Eight children were born to them, as follows: Abram W., Aaron R., Matthew B., Daniel M., Mary E., Isaac E., Sarah L. and Effie E. Aaron R. removed to this township with his parents during his minority, and for several years carried on milling for his father at Stillwater, Fishingcreek Township. After his fatherâs death he returned to this county, and later, December 31, 1859, married Sarah E. KLINE, who was born in Greenwood Township, January 29, 1831. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. PATTERSON; Anna A., William H., Frank W., Charles E. and Lizzie. Mr. PATTERSON has resided on his present farm since 1857, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is a ready worker in wood and iron. He and Mrs. PATTERSON are members of the Presbyterian Church at Orangeville. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg 526)


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