Sullivan County PA Biographies
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THOMAS S. LAIRD, a blacksmith of considerable prominence at Nordmont, Laporte township, Sullivan County, Pa., is purely of Scotch descent, as his name indicates. He is the second child and eldest son of William and Sarah (McNeil) Laird, and was born at Washingtonville, Montour County, Pa., January 21, 1831. Col.
William Laird was the first of the Laird family to come to America. He was born in Scotland and came to this country at the age of seven years in company with some friends. He grew to manhood in the midst of the most exciting times in our country's history, at a time when young men for love of country left fathers, mothers, and sweethearts, and husbands left wives and families, that they might battle for the cause of freedom. It is almost needless to say that he responded to the call to arms. He served as a private under the illustrious Washington in 1755, and during the Revolutionary War he served as captain of Washington's body-guard, which fact is to-day the boast of his descendants. He wedded Rosanna Gaston, a Scotch emigrant, and settled in Northumberland County, Pa., where he bought a farm and became a tiller of the soil, an occupation he followed until cut off by death at the extreme age of ninety-seven years. His companion also lived to a very old age. Realizing that our country, depleted by the ravages of war, would need in the future many brave men and women to support the cause for which they fought, Col. Laird brought into the world sixteen children, eight boys and eight girls. It is not absolutely known how many of the girls reached maturity, as women sometimes change their names early in life, and their identity is easily lost. But the following boys grew to manhood: Thomas; John; James; William; Samuel; and Matthew.
Thomas, the eldest of these, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Derry township, then a part of Northumberland County, Pa., and died at the age of sixty-five years, having been a farmer all his life. He participated in the War of 1812 and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He was united in marriage with Annie McBride, a Scotch emigrant, who, upon dying, left him with seven children, namely: Martha; Rosanna; Sarah; Esther; Eliza; William; and Thomas. Mr. Laird formed a second matrimonial alliance with Hester McReynolds, and they had two children: Anne, and Russell. William Laird, the father of our subject, was born in Derry township, Columbia County, Pa. Early in life he learned the trade of a blacksmith, working at his chosen calling for a canal company, being thus employed when his life was cut short by a misfortune which deprived his wife and children of a loving husband and father. He was accidentally drowned at Carrasawaga Falls, Dauphin County, Pa., while yet in the prime and vigor of manhood, having only attained the age of thirty-five. He was married to Sarah McNeil, who survived him, having borne him four children, viz.: Mary, who died in infancy; Thomas S., our subject; Ann; and Samuel. Our subject is particularly fortunate in one respect, there are many interesting facts and adventures by which he can remember his forefathers, and this is not alone true of his father's family, for there are many thrilling experiences told of his maternal ancestors, one of which deserves a place in this sketch.
Sarah (McNeil) Laird was the daughter of Samuel McNeil of Columbia County, who was of Scotch descent. Her mother's maiden name was Annie Davis, who was taken prisoner by the Indians during the Revolutionary War at Chillisquaque Creek, seven of her sisters and brothers being killed at the same time. She was kept in captivity for five years, when Ezra, her brother, who was in the Colonial Army at the time of her capture, went to Canada, where she was held, and succeeded in securing her release. After her husband's demise our subject's mother formed a second marital union with Benjamin J. McWilliams, no issue resulting from their marriage.
Thomas S. Laird learned the blacksmith's trade by serving an apprenticeship under Joseph Green of Hughesville for a period of two years. He then started in business for himself at Sonestown, Sullivan County, Pa., where he remained one year; then he moved successively to Smithsville, Taylorville, Hughesville, and finally settled at Nordmont in 1876, where he is considered an expert in his business. He was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Glidewell of Davidson township, Sullivan County, and their home was blessed by the presence of nine children, as follows: Jerome; William; Coralynn; Caroline; Amanda; McClellan, now deceased; Eleanora; Russell; and Estella. It gives great pleasure to speak of a good man and to note what he has done, and we feel sure there are few men who more fully enjoy the confidence and good will of their fellow-men than does Mr. Laird. As to the question of religion and where people shall worship, he expresses broad and liberal views. In politics he upholds the principles of the People's party; has been on the election board twenty-one years as judge, inspector or clerk; and was auditor of Davidson township for eighteen years.(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 589 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
ROBERT D. LANCASTER
ROBERT D. LANCASTER, a highly esteemed resident of Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., was for many years a prosperous merchant there, but since 1894 he has been living in practical retirement. He is a son of Richard and Fanny (McIlwain) Lancaster, and was born in South Sterling, Wayne County, Pa., December 13, 1825. His grandfather was William Lancaster, a native of England, who immigrated to this country and located in Philadelphia, where he remained until 1821. In that year he moved to South Sterling, Wayne County, Pa., and there followed his trade as a carpenter until his death at the age of seventy-six years. He was joined in marriage bonds to Margaret Dunlevy, who also came of a well-known English family, and they reared three children: Richard, the father of our subject; Americus; and Clara.
Richard Lancaster was born in England and was nine years of age when he came to America with his parents. At an early age he and his brother Americus learned the jeweler's trade and did job work for Mr. Duboys, a well-known jeweler of Philadelphia. In 1833 Richard turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and became one of the most prominent citizens in Wayne County. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and was well thought of by his fellowmen. In 1840 he was elected sheriff of Wayne County and subsequently was chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature. He was also justice of the peace for many years and held many minor offices. He was united in marriage with Fanny McIlwain and the following children were born unto them: Richard; William; George; John; Franklin; Hugh A.; Robert D., the gentleman whose name heads these lines; Christopher C.; Margaret; and Jane. Mr. Lancaster passed away at the age of sixty-eight years and his wife at the age of sixty-five years.
Robert D. Lancaster attended the public schools and the Wayne Institute, receiving a good intellectual training, and then taught school for one year. He next went to Bethany, Wayne County, and accepted a clerkship with E. W. Hamlin, Esq., with whom he remained for four years. He then purchased the store of his employer and successfully conducted it for four years, when he removed to Salt Rapids, Minn., as a land surveyor for the government, remaining there about three years. Upon returning East he engaged in the mercantile business in connection with his brother, William, at New Albany, Pa., and also in the lumber business at Cape Mills, from 1862 to 1867. In 1867 he moved to Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., and purchased the store opposite what is now the Forksville House, and conducted it for two years alone. At the expiration of that time he took in G. A. McIlwain and they conducted the store for three years. His partner then retired and the store was conducted until 1875 by our subject. At that time he disposed of his store and went to Bethany, Wayne County, for one year. Upon returning to Forksville at the expiration of that time, he again took charge of his old store and engaged in general merchandising until he retired from business in 1894. He has since assisted his son, Brenton S., who conducts a drug store in Forksville, and is also engaged in business in Towanda, Bradford County. He resides in a handsome home in Forksville and is surrounded by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Lancaster was united in marriage with Serenda Mathers, who died in 1890 at the age of thirty-eight years, and they reared the following children: Hammond D.; Brenton S.: and Gertrude A. Our subject is a Democrat and has served as school director, county auditor and justice of the peace. In religious attachments he is an attendant of the Episcopal Church, but his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 358 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
BENJAMIN LEWIS
BENJAMIN LEWIS, deceased, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was a prominent farmer of Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, Pa., and resided on a fine farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres on the Loyalsock Creek, three miles from the village of Hillsgrove. He was a son of George and Sarah Lewis, and was born in Wetherby, England, September 22, 1842. Mr. Lewis was the youngest son in a family of fourteen children and was reared and educated in England. At the age of twenty-two years he came to America, obtaining employment as a farmhand on the farm of Jonathan Lewis of Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, Pa.
It was while serving in that capacity that he met Anna Lewis, a daughter of his employer, whom he subsequently married. They located on her fathers farm, which is still In possession of Mrs. Lewis, and there he followed farming during the remainder of his life, becoming one of the most progressive and substantial citizens of the community. There he built a new house, a modern home in every particular, and also greatly improved the land. In private life he was greatly esteemed by his fellow citizens and had a large circle of friends. He was called to his final rest October 21, 1891. His union with Anna Lewis resulted in the birth of seven children, as follows: Albert Leslie, a stonemason of Towanda, Bradford County, who married Minnie Jennings by whom he has one son; Robert; Emma Lilian; Maud Antoinette; Sarah Eveline, whose union with James Grady of Binghamton, N. Y., has been blessed with two children, Anna May and Amy Helena, Mr. and Mrs. Grady reside in Jamison City, Columbia County, Pa.; Hattie May; Daisy Elizabeth, who died at the age of three months; and a son who also died in infancy.
Politically Mr. Lewis was a stanch Republican. In religious attachments he was a member of the Methodist Church. Jonathan Lewis, the father of our subject's widow, was born at Sickling Hall, Wetherby, Eng., and came to the United States in his early manhood. After a few years' residence in this country he went back to England, and, upon returning to this country subsequently, settled near Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits and where many of his descendants are now located. Jonathan Lewis was united in marriage to Elizabeth Fawcett. Mrs. Lewis the widow of our subject, still lives on the farm formerly owned by Mr. Lewis, and is surrounded by many friends who love her for her many estimable traits of character.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 595 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
OSCAR LEWIS
OSCAR LEWIS. The gentleman whose name heads this review is a highly esteemed and respected citizen of Sullivan County, Pa,, and stands foremost among the representative agriculturists of Davidson township. He is an ideal farmer, owning one hundred and fifty-three acres of highly improved land located near the village of Nordmont, and has been engaged in the prosecution of that independent calling, farming, all his life. He was born in Sugarloaf township, Columbia County, Pa., March 3, 1838, and is a son of David and Hannah (Robbins) Lewis, and a grandson of Daniel Lewis.
Daniel Lewis was a native of the state of New Jersey and was a blacksmith by trade; early in life he became a resident of Sugarloaf township, Columbia County, locating on Coles Creek; there he followed his chosen occupation in connection with some farming. He was the father of the following children: David, Abraham, Aaron, Anna, John, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah and Elizabeth. David Lewis, the father of our subject, was also born in New Jersey, and during his boyhood days he worked in his father's blacksmith shop, serving an apprenticeship to the trade. He continued at that trade all his life. In 1838 he began the cultivation of the soil; he erected a sawmill, which he also operated. His homestead is now in possession of his son Jasper. He was prominently known in his community as a man of many sterling qualities and he enjoyed the respect of a large circle of friends. He departed from this life in 1890 at the age of seventy-eight years. He was joined in marriage with Hannah Robbins and as a result of the union ten children blessed their home, namely: Catherine; Elizabeth; Mary: Martha; Oscar; Clinton; Francis M.; Jasper: and two who died in infancy. The mother of our subject passed from this earth at the age of sixty-seven years.
Our subject acquired a liberal education in the schools of his native township and left the parental roof at the age of twenty-six, shortly after his marriage, going to White Hall, Montour County, Pa., where he worked at farming. He soon returned to his native township, but remained there but a short time, when he removed to Davidson township, Sullivan County, and rented the John Keeler farm for five years. At the expiration of that time he purchased his present property. Our subject has made many improvements upon the farm since taking possession of it, such as building a new house, new barns and outbuildings, and to-day his farm ranks among the best in the county. Mr. Lewis is enterprising, progressive, and is interested in all measures that tend to promote the welfare of the county; he is an honest, upright citizen and neighbor, and commands the respect and esteem of the entire community of which he has so long been a valuable member.
Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Catherine Haines, a daughter of Clark Haines of Columbia County, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, as follows: Lizzie, wife of A. C. Shaw of Shickshinny, Pa., and they are the parents of one child, Ruth; and Edna, wife of C. Turney, and they have been blessed by two children, Myrtle and Grace. In politics Mr. Lewis is an ardent Democrat and served as supervisor during 1897-98; and as tax collector during 1898.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 258 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
EZRA S. LITTLE
EZRA S. LITTLE, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is a veteran of the Civil War and since its close has been actively engaged in the cultivation of the soil, owning a fine farm in Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, Pa. He was born in Bradford County, Pa., October 28, 1839, and is a son of William P. and Rebecca (Rogers) Little.
Our subject's grandfather was Daniel Little, a native of the state of New Jersey, but at the time of his death he was a resident of Sullivan County; his vocation was that of a farmer. William P. Little, father of our subject, was born in Sullivan County, Pa., but in 1838 he became a resident of Bradford County, Pa., where he carried on farming until 1868; in that year he moved to Iowa, locating in Cherokee County, where farming was his chief occupation. He and his wife died there, the death of our subject's mother occurring in 1878. As a result of his matrimonial alliance with Rebecca Rogers William P. Little reared a family consisting of nine children: A. C, proprietor of the Lewis House at Eagle's Mere, Sullivan County, who during the winter of 1898-99 erected the new hotel at that resort, the largest in this section of the state; Sarah R., deceased; Ezra S., the subject of this sketch; John Lambert; Ellen, deceased; Harriet M., who lives in Iowa; Emma, who was first wedded to a Mr. Richards and upon his death married Eldo Whitehouse and now- resides in Ida County, Iowa; W. Martin, a farmer in Cherokee County, Iowa; and Joseph R., a farmer in Ida County, Iowa.
Our subject remained at home working on his father's farm until the breaking out of the Civil War, when, laying aside all plans for the future, lie tendered his services in behalf of the Union. On August 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 141 st Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., under Col. H. G. Madill and Capt. Swartz. He was in the battle of Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville, where, on May 3, 1863, he was shot in the thigh and was sent to the hospital at Mt. Pleasant, near Washington, D. C., where he remained one month, when he was transferred to Philadelphia, where he was confined until January, 1864, when he returned to his company. At Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, he was again wounded, receiving a shot in one leg just above the knee; after a few months in the Satterlee Hospital at Philadelphia he joined his company near Petersburg, near which place he took part in several skirmishes, and was also at the surrender of Gen. Lee. He received his honorable discharge May 27, 1865, and after a few weeks' visit at his home in Bradford County he came to Sullivan County and settled on his present homestead. The farm consists of 120 acres of land, all of which has been put under a fine state of cultivation by our subject.
Mr. Little was wedded December 16, 1868, to Rachael D. Snell, a daughter of John and Rachael (Calflesh) Snell, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was a farmer and lumberman of Sullivan County. Our subject and wife have adopted one child, James, who is now residing at home. Politically Mr. Little is an avowed Republican, casting his first vote for "Abe" Lincoln; he has held the office of county commissioner for three years; is now serving his third term as justice of the peace; and has filled other township offices. He is a member of J. P. Jones Post, No. 436, G. A. R., of Forksville. He and his wife attend the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Hillsgrove.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 611 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
AUGUSTUS A. LUDY
AUGUSTUS A. LUDY,* who resides on what is well-known as the old Green farm in Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, Pa., is extensively engaged in general farming and lumbering. He is a son of Conrad and Elizabeth (Kauffman) Ludy, and was born in Huntersville, Lycoming County, July 20, 1852. Conrad Ludy, the father of our subject, is a native of Germany, and lived there until 1847, when he immigrated to this country and located in Huntersville, Pa. His first employment was in a saw-mill, and while thus engaged he had the misfortune to lose an arm. Several years later he moved to Montoursville, Pa., and after tending locks for a time returned to his former business, that of lumbering. This he followed until three years ago since which time he has been employed as an engineer in a saw-mill at Proctor, Pa. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Kauffman, a native of Bradford County, Pa., and five children blessed their union: Augustus A., the subject of this biographical record; William Franklin, who met death by drowning at the age of six years; Charles, who died in infancy; George Hudson, a lumberman of Roaring Branch, Pa.; and Peter Adam, also a resident of Roaring Branch. Mrs. Ludy was called to her final rest in 1890.
Augustus A. Ludy was educated in the public schools of his native town after which he embarked in the lumbering business on Loyalsock Creek in Sullivan County, where his present farm is located. He continued at that for many years, or until he located on his farm in 1890. The farm consists of about twenty-six acres of well-improved land, upon which he has since been engaged in general farming, although he still follows lumbering to some extent. He is a man of great industry and has been fairly successful. In private life he is a good neighbor and has many friends.
On January 30, 1879, he was united in marriage with Annetta McBride, who was born in Sullivan County, May 30, 1857, and is a daughter of James and Harriet (Green) McBride. Mr. McBride was a farmer on our subject's farm, but is now deceased. His wife is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Ludy. This union was blessed with the following children: Alta, who died in 1881, aged two years; Ella Amber, who was born in 1882 and lives at home; and Etta Edna, born in 1886.
Politically our subject is a Republican, and has served as tax collector in the county for four years, constable for five years, and has held many of the minor township offices. At the present time he is overseer of the poor and has faithfully served in that capacity for three years. Socially our subject is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America of Hillsgrove. Religiously his wife is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Hillsgrove.
* The information contained in this biography was supplied by the subject of this sketch. A type-set copy of the biography was sent to the subject to be proof-read, but the subject did not edit and return the copy, so this biography may contain typographical errors.
(Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY 1899 Page 774 Transcribed by Tammy Clark)
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