| The
material in this summary was organized and contributed by Carol
Hoose Brotzman, who lives in Bradford County, PA. The information was collected from material
in the Streby History of Sullivan County (1903), Ingham's History of Sullivan County (1899),
clippings from old issues of The Sullivan Review, and the Reeser family history composed by Evelyn
Potter Keeney. Please send any new information on family members to
Carol. She will consult with her sources and include revisions or new data in the Reeser
database. Carol can be reached for inquiries concerning your line via e-mail at
Carol Brotzman. The Sullivan County Genealogical
Web Page is grateful to Carol and Evelyn for
this historical information.
Descendants of Reverend William Reeser
John Reeser was born in Berks county, PA., in 1790. In 1821, he came to Cherry township, locating on the
Loyalsock at Ellis’s, later known as the Seaman ("Sayman") place. He was a miller by trade and, in 1823,
erected a gristmill on the Loyalsock creek about a half-mile from Dushore on the farm subsequently owned by Percival
Wentzel. Thereafter, he settled on a farm later owned by Lewis and Wellington Graifley. The maiden name of his
wife was Madeline Betts. He died Dec. 9, 1860, at the age of 70 years, and his wife on January 8, 1869, at the age of
75 years. To them were born:
Daniel, now deceased, lived on the McMahon farm, later at Loyalsockville, Lycoming county
William, became a minister of the Evangelical church; the subject of this historical sketch
Charles, died when small
Jeremiah, lived at Wilkes-Barre
Amos, lived at Dushore
John, lived in Lycoming county
Benjamin
Reuben, lived at Troy, Bradford county
A.L., a merchant, of Lewisburg, Union county
Elizabeth, married Joseph Huffmaster, who was killed in the Civil War; later married Elias Smith; and then, later, Barney Kast
Susan, married Valentine Morter of Bernice
William Reeser entered the ministry of the Evangelical church, and was engaged in that capacity
nine years, when he settled on his father’s farm. Later he moved to Colley and lived, at the age of 86 years,
with his daughter, Mrs. Winfield Potter of Lopez. He married Sarah G. Martin, who was born in Columbia county
in 1819, and to them were born:
Rebecca, married Chester Potter of Cameron county
Hannah, married Alfred Hunsinger of Colley
Lewis, of Maryland
Loretta, married Medes of Maryland
Emanuel, died in 1862
Amanda, died in 1853
Annie, married Winfield Potter of Lopez
M.W., of Colley
Sara Jane, died in 1862
Amos Reeser was born at the Ellis farm in 1822. On reaching his majority, he conducted a hotel at
the Long Pond or Lake Ganoga, later the Ellis hotel on the Loyalsock where he was born..
From this place, he moved to Dushore where he conducted a hotel until 1886. In 1846, he married Rebecca
Dieffenbach, a daughter of Jacob Dieffenbach. Of this union, seven children were born:
Angeline, married Hiram Nichols of Sciota Vale
Lyman, died when eighteen months old
Valina, married George Honnetter of Dushore
Emeline, married William Scureman
Mary, married Barney Weiss, lived at Waverly, NY
Bernice, married William McHenry of Dushore
John D., of Dushore
The children of Rev. William Reeser and Sarah Martin were:
2 i. Honorable Mandas J. Reeser.
3 ii. Annie Elizabeth Reeser, born 1855 in Maryland; died January 13, 1938 in Peckville, PA; buried Colley Cemetery.
She married William Scott Potter in 1874; he was born in October 1844; died 1916, and is buried in Colley Cemetery.
The Sullivan Review
January 19, 1938
Mrs. Annie Reeser Potter, daughter of the late Rev. William and Sarah Martin Reeser, pioneer residents of
Sullivan County, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T.G. Dikeman, at Peckville, Pa. Thursday
morning January 13th, 1938
Mrs. Potter was born January 23, 1850, and was a woman of sterling character and indomitable courage,
ever active in any welfare work, which would benefit church or community.
While a resident of Peckville, she attended the Baptist church. She was active in the W.C.T. U., a member of
the Ladies Aid Society of the Stewart Methodist church of Old Forge, and a charter member of Colley Grange.
During her lifetime occurred many major conflicts and tragedies; the Civil War, Spanish American War, the
assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. While she and her brother, the late Hon. M.W. Reeser, lived with
the family in Harford county, Maryland, they as children were greatly impressed by the screams of the slaves
as they were punished, also by the sounds of the heavy artillery while the Civil War was in progress.
In 1874 she was married to Winfield Scott Potter and the union was blessed with the following children:
Linta and Edna, who died at an early age; Vesta of Peckville, with whom she lived; Milton of Williamsport; the
late Ellery E. of Hollenback and Burton of Old Forge. Also, twenty grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren,
who are richer because of her life, who lived her life according to God’s Word.
A season of prayer was held in Peckville followed by services in the Evangelical church at Colley on Saturday, at 2:30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Whitney, pastor of the Baptist church of Peckville. By request of the deceased, a mixed quartette from Peckville, sang, "God Will Take Care of You," and "Good Night and Good Morning."
The Colley Grange were in charge of the service at the grave.
The pallbearers were grandsons, Harold Potter, Ernest Dikeman, Miles Potter, Carl Potter, Burton Potter and
Kenneth Dikeman. Flower bearers were members of the W.C.T. U. at the home in Peckville and at Colley.
Granddaughters bore the floral tributes.
The funeral was largely attended by relatives, neighbors and friends
Notes for William Scott Potter:
The Hunsinger Geneology refers to him as Winfield Potter, being born in 1844. Evelyn Potter Keeney states
his name was William Scott Potter, being born 1855.
Both state he died 1916 and is buried in the Colley Cemetery.
Copyright © 2002 Robert
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permission is required from Robert E. Sweeney and individual Contributors before
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