Sullivan County PA Biographies
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FRANCIS W. GALLAGHER
FRANCIS W. GALLAGHER. A commodious, modernly-conducted hotel is an absolute essential to the welfare of any enterprising community. Regardless of whatever element of progress in other lines may be possessed, if a village is devoid of ample hotel accommodations for the traveling public in charge of liberal-minded and public-spirited landlords, no community can with reason hope to attain its essential and proper degree of success. In the above class of gentlemen we believe we are justified in according a prominent place to Mr. Gallagher, proprietor of the well-known Gallagher Hotel, which is prominently located in the town of Laporte. This highly-esteemed resident of Laporte is of the sturdy Irish race and was born in Galvery, County Fermanagh, Ireland, June 3, 1862, and is a son of Dennis Gallagher. Dennis Gallagher was also born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and when a lad of ten years he sailed for the United States, where he hoped to find good fortune, and that he succeeded may be attributed to his own perseverance and untiring energy. Mr. Gallagher went to Jacksonville, Fla., where he entered the employment of a Mr. Jackson, a large fruit-grower of that city. He was very industrious and by the exercise of economy succeeded in acquiring a small fortune. He then returned to his native land and soon after was wedded to Ann Johnson. They concluded to remain in Ireland and our subject's father purchased a small tract of land and carried on agricultural pursuits; he lived to the age of fifty-nine years. His wife who is yet living is the mother of the following children, most of whom came to the United States during their early years: James, who resides in his native land; Mary Ann, deceased; Sally, also deceased; John, a resident of Potter County, Pa.; William, who resides in the state of Texas; Hugh, who lives in Boston, Mass.; Francis W., our subject; Catherine and Dennis, also in Boston; Patrick, a prominent resident of Laporte; and Thomas, who lives in Scotland.
Our subject attended the district schools and while a lad served an apprenticeship to the glass-making trade. In 1879 he came to the United States, found employment in a tanyard, and followed tanning until 1893; he worked at that vocation in the following places: Stoneham, Brookton, Sterling Run, Muncy Valley, Hillsgrove, and Laporte, Pa. In 1893 he purchased the King property, which was then a large frame building used for store purposes and rebuilt it into a restaurant and hotel, where he immediately won the respect and confidence of the people. After the burning of the Laporte Hotel in 1898 our subject purchased the ground and barns, and has erected a handsome three-story hotel, 50 by 52 feet; on two sides of the building is a large veranda; when all improvements have been completed the hotel will have both hot and cold water and all other modern improvements, including steam heat. Mr. Gallagher, in his new hostelry, is able to accommodate the traveling public and also the many families seeking a mountainous resort; the hotel commands a beautiful view of the surrounding mountain scenery. Mr. Gallagher is a most popular landlord, and has succeeded in building up a trade that is excelled by few others in his section of the county. Our subject is also popular in both social and business circles and takes a great interest in municipal matters, being an ideal public-spirited citizen. He firmly upholds the principles of the Democratic party, has served two terms as burgess, and two terms as chairman of the Democratic county committee. Mr. Gallagher was wedded to Tresa Breaker, a daughter of Charles Breaker of Laporte, and they are the parents of four children: Mary Ann; Emma; William, who passed from this life in 1898, aged four years, and who was one of the favorite children of the borough, his death being deeply mourned by all; and Francis. Religiously Mr. Gallaghe and family are prominent members of the Church of Rome.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 234 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
JOHN E. GALLAGHER
JOHN E. GALLAGHER, a young and enterprising business man of Muncy Valley, Sullivan County, holds the responsible position of bookkeeper of the Union Tanning Company, the duties of which he has performed faithfully and in a manner such as to gain the hearty approval of his employers. He was born at Dushore, Sullivan County, January 15, 1865, and is a son of James and Mary (Brown) Gallagher. His paternal grandfather was Michael Gallagher, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and immigrated to America, locating on a farm which he purchased at Dushore, Pa. This he cleared and resided upon until his death, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife was Sarah Dougherty, who died at the age of eighty years. Their union was blessed by eight children: Michael; James; Anthony; Sarah; Mary; Catherine; Bridget; and Ellen. James Gallagher, father of our subject, was also born in County Mayo, Ireland, and immigrated to this country with his father. He succeeded to the ownership of the family estate at Dushore and there has since followed farming. He is one of the substantial citizens of the community and is held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He was united in marriage with Mary Brown, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (O'Donald) Brown, by whom he had seven children: Martin; Michael P.; John E.; James J., and William, deceased; Thomas H.; and Mary E.
John E. Gallagher attended the public schools of Dushore, after which he took a course at the Mansfield Normal School, and finally at Rochester University, from which he graduated in 1889. Previous to that time he taught for seven years in the public schools. After leaving college he moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where he was employed as a bookkeeper for two years. He then returned to his home at Dushore, where he accepted the position of clerk to county commissioner in 1894, and continued as such for three years. In 1898 he accepted his present position with the Trust or Union Tanning Company, and is located at their Muncy Valley office. He has had years of experience in that line of work, and his record since assuming the duties of bookkeeper stamps him as a man well qualified to bear its responsibilities. He is of a genial disposition, is a pleasant companion and is very popular with his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Gallagher was joined in matrimonial bonds with Catherine Kennedy, a daughter of Jeremiah Kennedy of Laporte, Sullivan County, whose biographical record appears elsewhere in this volume, and they became the parents of the following children: James F.; Thomas E.; Margaret; and Agnes. Politically our subject has always supported the Democratic party and has held numerous local offices. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 318 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
DR. BLAKE E. GAMBLE
DR. BLAKE E. GAMBLE, a young and successful practitioner of medicine of Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., is associated with Dr. F. M. Gross, a well-known physician of that community, and they have a large and lucrative practice, which extends throughout Elkland, Fox and Forks townships. He is a son of Dr. Emanuel and Annie (Blake) Gamble, and was born in Bradford County, Pa. November 3, 1869. Dr. Emanuel Gamble, the father of our subject, was born at Jersey Shore, Pa., and when young studied medicine and was graduated from the Eclectic-College of Medicine at Cincinnati, Ohio. He then moved to Bradford County, Pa., where he engaged in the practice of his profession with much success for a period of twenty years, after which he returned to Cincinnati. Finally he entered upon practice in Waverly, N. Y., and continued until his demise, at the age of fifty-three years. He married Annie Blake of Franklin, Bradford County, Pa., and they became the parents of three children. Mrs. Gamble passed away at the age of twenty-five years. Dr. Blake E. Gamble obtained his intellectual training in the public schools, after which he studied medicine with his uncle, Dr. Thomas Gamble of East Troy, entering upon his study with a vim and determination which was not to be denied. He then entered the Eclectic College of Medicine of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated in 1891, having thoroughly mastered his profession, and he immediately thereafter located at Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., principally to regain his health, which had become quite feeble, owing to overstudy. He practiced to some extent for the following two years, and then returned to Cincinnati to take a special course in biochemistry and electro-physics. In 1894 he again moved to Forksville, where he soon established a good practice, and in 1897 he formed a partnership with Dr. Gross, with whom he has since been associated. They have a large village and country practice, which extends throughout the township. Our subject is a man of excellent character, is popular and stands high in the confidence of his fellow-citizens. Dr. Gamble was joined in Hymen's bonds with Blanche Collins, a daughter of A. A. Collins of Forksville, and was called upon to mourn her death in 1897, at the age of twenty years. Socially Dr. Gamble is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Troy, Pa., and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America of Forksville.(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 644 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
HON. JOSEPH GANSEL
HON. JOSEPH GANSEL, who is now living in practical retirement on his farm just beyond the corporate limits of the borough of Muncy Valley, has long been a prominent figure in the business and political circles in that section and at one time served as associate judge of Sullivan County. He was born in Mifflin township, Columbia County, Pa., January 4, 1818, and is a son of Gideon and Catherine (Fisher) Gansel. Adam Gansel, our subject's grandfather, was born in Germany, where he learned the trade of a weaver. He came to America a single man and followed his trade in connection with farming until his death at the age of eighty-seven years. He married Phoebe Bubamoyer, who lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-two years, and they had the following offspring: John; Gideon; Daniel; Jacob; Susanna; Mary (Polly); Lydia; and Betsey. Mr. Gansel for many years was a resident of Roaring Creek township, Columbia County, Pa., where he lived at the time of his death. Gideon Gansel, the father of our subject, was born in Roaring Creek township and at an early age learned the trade of a shoemaker which he followed for a time, and then engaged in the mercantile business at Catawissa Forge. During the later years of his life he followed the occupation of a farmer. His union with Catherine Fisher resulted in the following issue: Phoebe; John; Joseph; Odadiah; Samuel; Peter; Jacob; David; Sarah; and Rebecca. Mr. Gansel died in 1843 at the age of sixty-four years, and his wife passed away at an age two years younger.
Joseph Gansel, the subject of this record, first attended the German schools and subsequently the English schools, following farming during the summer months until he was twenty-one years of age. After his marriage at the age of twenty-two years, he learned the trade of a shoemaker, but relinquished it to accept the postmastership of Beaver Valley. He was later elected constable and served in that capacity until he engaged in the manufacture of shoes at Foundryville, Pa., also clerking in a store while residing there. He was elected assessor of Briarcreek township, Columbia County, and served as justice of the peace for a period of five years. In 1851 he moved to Dushore, Sullivan County, where he engaged in the general merchandise business during the following nine years, or until he was elected sheriff of the county in 1860, when he located at Laporte. He served as sheriff for three years and three months, after which he bought a tract of land in Laporte township which he cleared and supplied with new buildings. There he successfully followed farming for several years, but disposed of the farm to Mr. Phillip, its present owner, when he was elected associate judge. He filled that office in a highly satisfactory manner for one term and three months, when he moved to Muncy Valley and accepted a position as superintendent of the bark peeling business in connection with D. T. Stevens & Son's tannery. Four years later he built the Pennington Hotel, a temperance house, and conducted it with excellent judgment until 1894, establishing a good reputation as a landlord. He also owned and conducted a stage line from Muncy Valley to Eagle's Mere, using four and five teams daily during the summer season to convey passengers. He also hauled provisions and building materials, employing on an average from ten to fourteen teams. Before the establishment of a railroad system between these points the thoroughfare was extensively used and at all times presented a lively appearance. He disposed of his hotel in 1894 and purchased a house and three lots comprising six acres adjoining the borough. He erected his present modern home on one of the vacant lots and now lives practically retired. He is well known throughout the county and has many friends who esteem him highly.
Mr. Gansel married Polly Michael, a daughter of Adam Michael of Beaver township, Columbia County, and they had two children: Catherine, who died at the age of twelve years; and Mary, whose union with Mathias Trough has been blessed with three children, Charles, Joseph, and Harvey. Mrs. Gansel died three and one-half years after her marriage, and Mr. Gansel formed a second marital union with Mary Anman, a daughter of John Anman, of Catawissa township, and they are the parents of nine children: Sarah Matilda, the wife of John Sperry, by whom she has four children, Charles, William, Roy, and Lizzie; Clementine D., the wife of Murray Henry of Philadelphia; James, a mason by trade, who married Emma Culley; John, a mason of Laporte, whose wife was Annie Keller; Charles D., who was a teacher, died at the age of twenty-two years; Carrie, the wife of Walter Pardo, who has four children, Lee, Clarence, Lottie, and Opal; William, a resident of Laporte, who married Effie Swicher; George L., a master of mathematics who lives at home; and Jessie, the wife of Samuel Eddy of Sonestown. Politically Mr. Gansel has always been an active supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a good speaker; he has served as delegate to the constitutional convention and has held many minor offices. Religiously our subject has always been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has served as trustee, steward, superintendent of the Sunday School and as a class-leader. Socially he is a charter member of the Bushore and Laporte lodges of the Odd Fellows and is past master. In 1894 he was asked to serve in a very difficult capacity for the Trust Company tanneries, to estimate the amount of bark on 11,000 acres of timberland, having as assistants in this undertaking a surveyor and another. It took from October 2d to December 25th, and they covered from eight to sixteen miles per day, besides the amount of riding which they did. Mr. Gansel completed the work to the satisfaction of the company.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 534 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
ANTHONY GLOCKLER
ANTHONY GLOCKLER. In the little country village, Lake Run, the gentleman whose name appears on the above line is successfully engaged in conducting a grocery store and is also the proprietor of a farm in that vicinity. He was born in Plufendirf, Baden, Germany, May 8, 1826, and is a son of Martin and Rosalia (Glockler) Glockler, both of whom were native and life-long residents of Germany. Anthony Glockler was brought up in his native country and was apprenticed to the cabinet-making trade, which he pursued many years. Convinced that the United States afforded more opportunities for a young man just starting out in life, in 1854 he left his native country and shortly after his arrival in New York City he learned of other German families residing in Sullivan County, Pa., and consequently he joined them. Having but little capital he purchased fifty acres of land north of his present home; there he cleared the land and erected a house and, in addition to carrying on farming, he also made chairs and other household furniture for the settlers. Our subject, who had been quite successful up to that time, with many other settlers found that his title to his purchase was worthless, which meant the loss of a home and considerable money. By perseverance and courage he bought his present homestead of fifty acres of George Schill. He has erected a house and substantial barns and outbuildings and made many other improvements, putting the land under a fine state of cultivation. He has erected a small store, carries a good stock of groceries and also keeps the postoffice for the village.
Mr. Glockler is a shrewd, substantial business man and is greatly respected by his many friends for his sterling worth. He has reared and educated a large family of children, all of whom are highly esteemed and classed among the prominent citizens of the different communities in which they reside. Mr. Glockler was wedded in Germany to Margaret Banmunk, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Retig) Banmunk. Her parents reared the following children: Margaret, Barbara, Adam, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Louisa. Mrs. Glockler was born in Reisenbach, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, August 3, 1834, and is the mother of the following family of children: Josephine, born in New York City, August 10, 1856, who is the wife of Frederick Kriepper, and they are the parents of three children,-Annie, Carrie, and Mary; Rose, born March 9, 1858, was wedded in 1878 to Austin Brown and four children were born to them, Carrie, deceased, Maggie, Julia, and Myra; Elizabeth, born May 8, 1860, wedded to E. J. Porter andtheir home has been blessed by four children,-Rosalia, Georgia, Orphelia, and Roy; David, born June 21, 1861, was united in marriage in 1889 to Mattie Whiteleg, by whom he reared three children,-Albert, Charles, and Roy; Caroline, born August 18, 1862, was united in marriage in 1882 to Charles Heinze, and three children were born to this union,-Anthony, Lillie, and Nora; Anthony, born May 26. 1864, and in 1884 wedded Annie Hugo, who bore him two children,-Mamie and Julia; Philip, born March 13, 1866, was wedded in 1898 to Carrie Hess; Charles, born March 24, 1868, wedded Rose Bowers in January, 1896, and died March 31, 1896; Adam was born February 19, 1870; Ada, born June 27, 1872; Christina, born March 15, 1875, and died May 18, 1876; and Annie, born July 13, 1877, the wife of Glen Warner, and they are the parents of two children,- Ruby P. and Ira. Religiously our subject is a Lutheran. In politics he is independent.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 328 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
WHEELER GREEN
WHEELER GREEN, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Sullivan County, is now living in retirement, having acquired a handsome competency in farming and the lumbering business, which have been life-long occupations. He was born near his present homestead in Hillsgrove township, September 12, 1814, and his parents were Richard and Mary (Plotts) Green. Richard Green, father of our subject, came from New Jersey State to what is now known as Sullivan County, via Bloomsburg, Muncy Valley, thence over the mountains to the vicinity of our subject's present home. He bought a tract of 50 acres and began its cultivation. In those pioneer days a man could make a comfortable living with very little capital, as the woods were filled with all kinds of game, while the streams abounded with fine fish. Many times our subject's father killed deer and other game from his cabin door. His original farm is now owned by Edward McBride, and his later purchase, which consists of 330 acres, is owned by our subject. Richard built ~a saw-mill and cut lumber, which he rafted down to the Susquehanna River, thence to the markets, and he had many thrilling experiences in floating lumber down the river, also with the wild beasts in the woods. Mr. Green possessed a strong constitution, was a hard and industrious worker, and possessed hosts of friends. He passed from this life at the age of eighty-four years, ten months and twenty days. He was an unwavering Democrat in his political views, whilst religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His children were John, Wheeler, Joseph, Alfred, Isaac, Robert, William, Sarah, Annie, Rachael, Harriet, and Mary, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood except Robert, who died in infancy.
Wheeler Green was reared and always has lived on his present homestead. His boyhood days were spent in aiding his father in clearing the farm, also in lumbering. When he grew to manhood he took the responsibility of taking much of the lumber down the river to the markets, having made many trips during his youthful days. Our subject now owns 250 acres of land and, though an old man, he is still active and able to do a big day's work. Mr. Green enjoys splendid health and takes great pleasure in driving over the country behind a span of spirited colts. Mr. Green was joined in marriage with Harriet Ball, a daughter of John and Ann Ball; she was born May 29, 1811, and died December 12, 1874. They reared the following children; Sarah A., born January 26, 1843, who is the wife of Dr. W. J. Randall of Forksville, Pa.; Ursaline, born January 27, 1845, wife of Abe Fogle and residing in Colorado; Maria J., born April 20, 1847, wedded to William Starr; John W., born August 3, 1849, who has charge of the homestead and married Martha Bedford: and Isadore, born October 16, 1853, who married Henry Froman, and resides near the home of our subject. Our subject upholds the principles of the Democratic party and is also a strong temperance man. He has served as school director and as superintendent of roads. Religiously he is a prominent member of the Methodist Church, of which he has been a class-leader for over fifty years. We take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of Mr. Green appears on a preceding page.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 627 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
FRANK M. GROSS
FRANK M. GROSS, M. D., a physician of good repute throughout Sullivan County, is a highly esteemed citizen of Forksville. He is a son of Dr. James D. and Ann (Brenizer) Gross, and was born at Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pa., January 4, 1852. James D. Gross, father of our subject, was born near Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, and was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Barnhart) Gross. The family on the paternal side came from Maryland, and his mother was a native of Cumberland County, Pa. The father was a man of high educational attainments and was a graduate of Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa. He chose medicine as his profession and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, after which he commenced practice at Shepherdstown, Pa. He later went to White Pigeon, Mich., and finally located at Flat Rock, O., where he died at the age of forty-three years. He married Ann Brenizer, a daughter of George Brenizer of Cumberland County, and they had but one child, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Gross passed away in her sixty-fifth year.
Frank M. Gross was but a child when his father died, and his mother passed away March 20, 1888. He attended the public schools of Mechanicsburg and later the Cumberland Valley Institute, being possessed of high ambitions and determined to obtain a good education. Noting the success attained by his father as a physician, he decided to study medicine, and entered the office of Dr. Harshbarger, now of New Albany, Pa. He graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1881, and, with a grim determination to succeed, he entered upon his practice at Burnt Cabin, Pa. He subsequently followed his profession in the following places: New Albany, Pa.; Forkston, Wyoming County, Pa.; Loomis, Mich.; Little Meadows, Susquehanna County, Pa.; Powell, Pa.; and in 1897 located at Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., succeeding to the practice of Dr. Ormsby and forming a partnership with Dr. Blake E. Gamble. He has attained a high degree of efficiency in the diagnosing and treatment of cases and his efforts have been attended by the best of results. Dr. Gross was united in marriage with Armetta Simpson, a daughter of Isaac D. Simpson of Waverly, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Maud, who was born at West Auburn, Susquehanna County, Pa., June 12, 1881, and is a student of the Waverly Academy. Dr. Gross is an Odd Fellow. (Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 574 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
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