Montour County PA Archives Biographies.....BATTLE, 1887: CHAPTER 14 - Part 2: Danville Township
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  MONTOUR COUNTY, PA BIOGRAPHIES
  
  Chapter XIV -Part II
  DANVILLE TOWNSHIP
  From "The History of Columbia and Mountour Counties"
  Battle, 1887
  
   
  CHRISTIAN LAUBACH, merchant, Danville, was born in Sugarloaf Township, Columbia
  Co., Penn., February 22, 1816; a son of Christian (a farmer) and Mary (FRUTCHY)
  LAUBACH, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, former of whom died in
  Columbia County in 1825. Our subject, the youngest of eleven children, was only
  nine years of age when his parents died, and he then went to live with his
  brother. He acquired his education at the old log schoolhouse of his township,
  and when seventeen years of age resolved to enter mercantile business. He
  obtained a position as clerk in a general store in Orangeville, Columbia Co.,
  Penn., and in 1845 went into business in Danville, having removed thither in
  1837, he having been engaged as clerk during the intervening period. During
  that time he had saved enough, together with $410 received from his father's
  estate, to enable him to open a mercantile establishment, and since then he has
  done a successful trade. He has increased his business from time to time and now
  also operates in separate stores, groceries and dry goods. By prudent management
  he has acquired a handsome fortune, and is now one of the oldest merchants in
  the place. He married, in 1842, Hannah, daughter of Jacob HEFLER and of German
  descent. Six children were born to their union: Martha B., wife of S. T. LEES;
  Emma A., wife of Lewis E. WOODS; Mary Ellen., widow of William Root; Sally;
  George, a salesman in the store, and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. LAUBACH are
  members of the Methodist Church, of which he has been trustee and steward. He
  is treasurer of the Danville Mutual Insurance Company, a member of the board of
  trustees of the First National Bank, and also served three years as president of
  the First National Bank of Danville. In politics he is a Republican. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 162)
  
  VICTOR A. LOTIER, editor and proprietor of the Daily and Weekly Record,
  Danville, was born in the city of New York, December 15, 1843, a son of
  Benjamin and Anna (RONK) LOTIER; former, who died at the age of sixty-nine
  years, was a native of this country and of French origin; latter a native of
  Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and of Dutch origin. Our subject received his early
  education in Philadelphia, where he remained until fourteen years old. He then
  came to Danville and worked in the rolling-mill until 1858 when he went to
  Rhode Island, and in 1862 enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment Rhode Island
  Cavalry. He was elected commissary sargent, subsequently promoted to orderly
  sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1865 at New Orleans. He then went
  west, where he remained about a year, and, returning to Danville, again worked
  in the rolling-mills until 1871. At that time he purchased an interest in the
  Danville Marble Works, was a stockholder in the Record Publishing Company, and
  subsequently purchased the paper (the Danville Record), which he has since
  published. This paper is a daily and weekly, and, like its editor, independent
  in politics. In 1869 Mr. LOTIER married Fannie HUGHES, who has borne him two
  children: Homer H. and Walter M. Mrs. LOTIER and her son, Walter M., are
  members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a daughter of Peter HUGHES,
  who was at one time associate judge of Montour County, and who established the
  Danville Marble Works and conducted the marble and stone cutting business in
  this place for many years. He died in October, 1872. (History of Columbia and
  Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 162)
  
  CAPT. GEORGE LOVETT, Danville, was born in Ireland July 28, 1838, to William
  and Jane (JOHNSON) LOVETT, natives of Ireland where the father died. Their
  family consisted of eight children, and in 1852 the widow and four children
  immigrated to America, settling in Danville, our subject at that time being
  fourteen years old. He was educated in his native country and in America. He
  first worked in the rolling-mills at Danville, where he remained several years
  and served for a time as assistant superintendent. In 1862 he enlisted in
  Company A, One Hundred Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was made
  quartermaster sergeant, and took part in the engagements at South Mountain,
  Antietam and Fredericksburg. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties
  Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 162)
  
  COL. JAMES McCORMICK, retired, Danville, owner and controller of the 'bus line,
  was born in Montour County, Penn., June 26, 1818, a son of William A. and
  Margaret (SHAW) McCORMICK. His father was born in Ireland of Scotch parents;
  his mother was a native of Dauphin County, Penn., and of Scotch-Irish origin,
  and both were Presbyterians. The father came to Pennsylvania when a mere lad,
  entered a store as clerk and very naturally took up the business of
  merchandising. He moved to Columbia County at an early day and settled at
  Washingtonville. He and his wife were the parents of three sons and one
  daughter: William A., a physician now in Virginia; second and third were twins;
  our subject and David M., who died in Harrisburg, Penn., in 1873, a successful
  business man, being worth about $100,000. Our subject was reared in Montour
  County, Penn., receiving his education in the common schools of the county. In
  early life he clerked in various stores at Milton and Danville and after a few
  years drifted into business himself. He opened a general store at
  Washingtonville, where, in company with his brother, he did a successful
  business. Later they sold out and bought a store at Limestoneville, this
  county, and engaged in business for four years, when they again sold out and
  moved to Schuylkill County. There they followed mining and shipping anthracite
  coal, which business they also sold. Our subject then came to Danville and
  embarked in mercantile business, also running the state lines from Danville
  until the railroad was built. Since then he has conducted a 'bus line and has
  retired from all other business. He married in 1848, Agnes M., daughter of John
  FRANCISCUS, and of German and French origin. They have three children: William
  J., a manufacturer in Philadelphia; Maggie and Katie. Mrs. McCORMICK and
  daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. Col. McCORMICK is a Democrat
  and has served two terms in the Legislature, appointed by the State. At the
  last senatorial conference (1886), for the Twenty-fourth District, he was the
  nominee from the county convention of this county. (History of Columbia and
  Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 163)
  
  T. F. McGINNES, general superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Works,
  Danville, was born in the city of Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn., March 2,
  1842, a son of E. W. and Eliza (PATTON) McGINNES, natives of Pennsylvania and
  of Scotch origin. In early life the father was engaged in manufacturing, but
  later in the coal trade in which he dealt largely. Our subject is the fourth of
  eight children, and grew to manhood in his native city, where he attended the
  graded schools and also clerked for his father. With the latter he then engaged
  in the same business, which they conducted successfully for a time, when our
  subject abandoned the business to accept a clerkship in one of the large
  manufacturing establishments of the place. There he remained ten years, when he
  was appointed superintendent of an iron manufactory in Schuylkill County, where
  he served until 1880. He then came to Danville and was employed in the Montour
  Iron and Steel Works as inspector of iron rails until 1882, when he was
  appointed superintendent. In 1885 he was made treasurer and in 1886 general
  superintendent of the works. This extensive company often employ as many as
  2,700 men; so that the position of general superintendent is one of great
  responsibility. Mr. McGINNES was married in 1863, to Kate BERRYMAN, a lady of
  English origin, daughter of Dr. Cecil BERRYMAN, a prominent physician of
  Pottsville, Penn. She is the mother of one child, Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. McGINNES
  are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he takes a deep interest; has
  served as member of the vestry, and is now superintendent of the Mission
  Sunday-school in Danville. Politically he is a Republican, but has never held
  office. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887,
  Danville, pg. 163)
  
  THOMAS M. McMAHAN, photographer, Danville, was born in Montour County March 19,
  1829, a son of James and Margaret (MURRY) McMAHAN, natives of Pennsylvania and
  of Scotch-Irish origin, the former a farmer. Thomas M. is the fourth in a
  family of five children, was reared on the farm in Liberty Township, educated
  in the common schools, and for several years followed agricultural pursuits. In
  1853 he began to learn the art of photography, which has since occupied his
  attention. He worked at different places until 1865, when he settled in
  Danville, and since 1871 has been associated in the business with Mr. IRELAND,
  under the firm name of McMAHAN & IRELAND, and the success of the business is
  largely due to his exertions. In 1854 he married Caroline REED, of Scotch-Irish
  origin, and two children have blessed the union: Clarence and Lillian E. Mr. and
  Mrs. McMAHAN are members of the Presbyterian Church, and politically he is a
  Democrat. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887,
  Danville, pg. 163)
  
  WILLIAM H. MAGILL, retired physician and surgeon, of Danville, is the oldest
  physician in this part of the State. He was born in Montgomery County, Penn.,
  March 24, 1795, son of William and Mary (DUNLAP) MAGILL. Their ancestors were
  among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. William MAGILL, Sr., father of our
  subject, was a tanner, and became a land owner and farmer; he was a Quaker, as
  was his wife, and his ancestors were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. William and
  Mary MAGILL had six children; William H., our subject, was the third child. At
  the age of twelve years he entered the Doylestown Academy, in Bucks County,
  Penn., from there he went to Baltimore, Md., and read medicine with James
  SMITH, M. D., four years, and graduated from the Medical University of
  Baltimore, in 1817. He then attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College of
  Philadelphia until the spring of 1818, when he began the practice of medicine
  in Danville, opening an office in the same house where he now resides. This
  house is of brick, erected by his mother in 1814, the family having moved here
  in the spring of that year. When Dr. MAGILL began the practice of medicine
  Danville was a small place, and houses in this vicinity were few and far
  between. Dr. MAGILL was a man of more than ordinary ability and skill, and
  possessed wonderful powers of endurance. He rode on horseback over a large
  scope of country, day and night, enduring hardships, and surmounting
  difficulties that the doctors of this day know nothing of. He married, May 1,
  1828, Miss Mary, daughter of Gen. Daniel MONTGOMERY. This union has been
  blessed with eight children, viz.; Daniel, Elizabeth, William H., Hannah L.,
  Robert D., Christiana M., Mary D. and James D., six of whom lived to be grown.
  Mrs. MAGILL died in 1882; she was an earnest Christian and a member of the
  Presbyterian Church; Dr. MAGILL is also a member of this church. He was the
  first burgess of Danville; in politics he was a Whig, but since the
  organization of the Republican party he has been one of its strong supporters.
  His name will be revered not only for his professional skill and honor, but for
  his deeds of charity and Christian example. (History of Columbia and Montour
  Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 164)
  
  WILSON METTLER, retired farmer, Danville, was born in Rush Township,
  Northumberland Co., Penn., May 10, 1813, a son of Philip and Susanna (CARTER)
  METTLER. His parents were natives of New Jersey, of English and German origin
  respectively. The father was a farmer, and died in Northumberland County in
  1856. His family consisted of nine children, of whom Wilson was the fifth. He
  was reared on the farm and educated at the schools of Rush Township. From his
  youth until 1868 he had been engaged in agricultural pursuits, but at the last
  named date retired, and has since resided in Danville, but still owns the farm,
  which is well improved. He married, in 1834, Miss Ann, daughter of John
  GEARHART, of New Jersey and of German origin. This union has been blessed with
  four children: Sarah E., wife of E. G. HUFFMAN; Susan, wife of Hugh VASTINE;
  Spencer C. (deceased) and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. METTLER are members of the
  Presbyterian Church, in which he has been elder. Politically he is a Democrat
  and has served in the capacity of school director of Rush Township. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 164)
  
  JAMES N. MILLER, liveryman, Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn.,
  September 6, 1824, a son of Philip (a farmer) and Frances (READY) MILLER,
  natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, former of whom died in Columbia
  County, where he has resided many years and reared a family of seven children.
  Our subject was reared on the farm, attended the schools of his native place
  and early in life learned the tanner's trade, which he followed eight years. He
  then established himself in a general store at Jerseytown, was moderately
  successful and continued that business eleven years, having previously been
  engaged in the hotel business at Lewisburg and Jerseytown. In 1876 he was
  nominated and elected sheriff of Montour County on the Democratic ticket. He
  then moved to Danville where he has since resided, and, at the close of his
  term as sheriff, embarked in the livery business. Mr. MILLER is a Democrat and
  always takes an active interest in everything pertaining to that party in
  Montour County. He has been twice married; first to Susannah, daughter of John
  RISHEL. She was of German origin and died in 1852, the mother of one child,
  John, who is now married and a farmer. In 1855 our subject married Isabella,
  daughter of Samuel HILTERT, also of German descent, and a member of the
  Presbyterian Church. This union was blessed with one child, Sue F., who, since
  her mother's death, in 1873, has kept house for her father. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 164)
  
  HENRY MOYER, dealer in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, was born in
  Germany, February 1, 1827, a son of Harmon and Barbara (LEVI) MOYER, natives of
  Germany. The father was a drover and dealt extensively in stock in his native
  country, where he spent his life. Henry is the ninth of twelve children, and
  was reared in Baden, where he received his education. In early life he learned
  the trade of a butcher, which he followed as a business until coming to America
  in 1852. He settled in Danville, Penn., and spent two years and a half in
  peddling and making himself familiar with the laws and customs of his adopted
  country. By close application he was able to start a general store in Danville
  in 1854, but in 1855 sold out and opened a butcher shop, and did a successful
  business for nine years. In 1864 he established his present business, at which
  he has been very successful. He married, in 1853, Sophia MYER, a native of
  Germany and who bore him three children: Fannie, Sarah and Harry, and died in
  1860. Mr. MOYER then married Sarah GROSS, a native of Germany, who bore him
  seven children: Miles, Barbara, Rebecca, Bessie, Maurice, Lewis and Julius. Mr.
  and Mrs. MOYER are of the Jewish faith. (History of Columbia and Montour
  Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 164)
  
  JACOB W. MOYER, of the firm of CRUIKSHANK, MOYER & Co., Danville, was born in
  Montour County, October 13, 1838, a son of Daniel and Susan (CORTNER) MOYER,
  natives of Northumberland (now Montour) County, and whose ancestors were among
  the early German settlers of Pennsylvania. He is the eldest in a family of
  eight children and grew to manhood in his native county, coming to Danville
  with his parents, in 1844. Here he attended the common schools and in early
  life learned the machinist trade, at which he worked for a time, subsequently
  embarking in his present business. The firm do an extensive trade in their
  foundry and machine shops, Mr. MOYER doing the drafting, also the buying and
  selling. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-second
  Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served nine months. In 1864 he enlisted in
  the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served on
  detached duty, being detailed to work on the calcium light, which was erected on
  the breastworks so as to throw the light on the enemy's camp, at least, one-half
  mile distant, and, being a skillful mechanic, Mr. MOYER was of great use in
  putting up the lights, and was thus employed until the war closed. He
  participated in several engagements, among them Antietam, Chancellorsville and
  Fredericksburg. He is a member of the council of Danville, and has been school
  director. In 1864 he married Clara, daughter of John DOTY, a native of
  Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. MOYER are the parents of six children: Cora, Maggie,
  Virgie, Horace, Ella and Walter. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church.
  Mr. MOYER is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and in politics is
  Democratic. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle,
  1887, Danville, pg. 165)
  
  HON. PHILIP C. NEWBAKER, physician and surgeon, Danville, is a great-grandson
  of Martin NEWBAKER, who emigrated from Germany before the Revolution and
  settled at Powell's Creek, on the Susquehanna River, eighteen miles above
  Harrisburg. Martin NEWBAKER served as a soldier in the war for independence,
  and some of his descendants still reside near the old homestead where Dr.
  NEWBAKER was born, and from where his father and family removed to
  Northumberland County. He is a son of John B. and Caroline Elizabeth (MAIZE)
  NEWBAKER, who were natives of Dauphin County, Penn., of mixed German and
  English descent, and are still living. The former, John B. NEWBAKER, is a
  physician, and is practicing his profession at Trevorton, Northumberland Co.,
  Penn. His family consisted of five children. Philip C., our subject, is the
  eldest; he was born August 13, 1843, near Halifax, Dauphin Co., Penn. He
  received a good academic education at the West Branch High School and the
  literary department of the Missionary Institute, Selin's Grove, Penn. He taught
  school a few years, and on the breaking out of the late civil war, enlisted as a
  private in Company F, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served the full term
  of three months. He was at the battle of Hoke's Run or Falling Waters, in
  northern Virginia, one of the first engagements of the war. In August, 1862, he
  again enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, at Philadelphia,
  for three years, which regiment was assigned to duty under Gen. Rosecrans in
  Tennessee, where from hardships and exposure in service, he contracted diseases
  which confined him to the hospital for several months. After partial recovery he
  was transferred to the Invalid or Veteran Reserve Corps and continued in it to
  the close of the war. He was honorably discharged from service July 5, 1865.
  From this it will be seen that he served in the army the greater part of the
  war. He then began the study of medicine with his father, and entered Jefferson
  Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in the spring of 1869, and
  subsequently settled at Washingtonville, Montour County, where by skill in his
  profession, and integrity as a citizen, he gained a deserved popularity. On
  September 24, 1867, he married Miss Amelia A. KOONS, of Weissport, Carbon Co.,
  Penn. Dr. NEWBAKER and wife have five children: Winifred M., Charles A., Bertha
  A., Edward J. and Francis W. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and in 1878
  was nominated and subsequently elected to represent Montour County in the State
  Legislature, and was re-elected in 1880. He is a member of the State and county
  medical societies, and of the American Medical Association and is secretary of
  the Board of United States Examining Surgeons at Danville. He is also a member
  of Goodrich Post, No. 22, G. A. R., of Danville. In the spring of 1886 Dr.
  NEWBAKER purchased the property in which he now resides, at No. 24, Mahoning
  Street, Danville and has already acquired considerable practice. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 165)
  
  JOHN C. PATTERSON, retired farmer, Danville, was born in Columbia County,
  Penn., in September, 1836, a son of John and Anna (MATHER) PATTERSON, natives
  of Columbia County, and whose ancestors were among the early Scotch-Irish
  settlers of that section. John C. is the youngest of a family of five children,
  four of whom grew to maturity. He was reared on the farm, educated at the
  district school, and followed farming until coming to Danville in 1866.
  September 3, 1864, he enlisted in the Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania
  Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. January 1, 1866, he
  married Miss Mary E., daughter of Caleb APPLEMAN, and their union has been
  blessed with two children, Ella and Mary V. Mrs. PATTERSON and children are
  members of the Presbyterian Church. She is engaged in the millinery business,
  at which she is very successful. Mr. PATTERSON is a member of the Masonic
  fraternity. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle,
  1887, Danville, pg. 165)
  
  EMANUEL PETERS, wholesale dealer in ice and oysters, Danville, was born in
  Union County, Penn., March 3, 1826, a son of Michael and Martha (MILLER)
  PETERS, natives of Pennsylvania, of German origin, the former a tailor by
  trade. Emanuel was their only child, and was educated at the subscription
  schools of Union County. He came to Danville when seventeen years old, and has
  since made it his home, and in 1854 embarked in his present business, at which
  he has been successful. In 1854 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Gideon
  MELLON, and of English origin. Their children are Arthur M., who is with his
  father; Anna Mary, wife of S. W. FISHER; Clara M.; F. G.; Lucy M.; Saddie M.
  and Elmer E. Nearly all the family are members of the Methodist Church. Mr.
  PETERS was a member of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania
  Volunteer Infantry during the civil war, having enlisted in 1862. He is
  independent in politics; a member of the I. O. O. F. and the I. O. of R. M.
  (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville,
  pg. 166)
  
  J. R. PHILIPS, United States gauger, Danville, was born in Columbia County,
  Penn., August 24, 1828, a son of George W. and Rhoda Ann (REESE) PHILIPS,
  natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Welsh origin. The father was a
  chainmaker by trade, but made farming the occupation of his life, and now
  resides on a farm in Sullivan County, Penn., whither he removed in 1843. Our
  subject is the eldest in a family of eight sons and four daughters, all of whom
  grew to maturity, and was reared on the farm in Hemlock Township, Columbia
  County, receiving a common-school education. In early life he worked in the
  iron-ore mines, and in 1849 came to Danville and learned the puddler's trade in
  the iron works, serving a three years' apprenticeship, and when just completing
  his trade was appointed foreman in the Montour Iron & Rolling-mill Works, which
  position he occupied for twenty years. He served as justice of the peace for a
  like period and resigned in 1886. Since 1883 Mr. PHILIPS has been tax
  collector, and also United States gauger and market master of Danville. He is
  secretary of the school board and a member of the I. O. O. F., both of the
  encampment and subordinate lodge. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1850 he
  married Mary, daughter of David ALLEGAR, of German origin, and their children
  are George W., deceased; Amelia; Joseph W., a druggist, of Danville; Matilda,
  Margaret and Kate. Mrs. PHILIPS is a member of the Presbyterian Church of
  Danville. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887,
  Danville, pg. 166)
  
  ISAAC RANCK was for more than half a century identified with the growth and
  development of Columbia and Montour Counties. He was much above the average of
  all that goes to make up a noble manhood, habits which bring no reproach and a
  character which shone brightly in the every day duties and vocations of life.
  His birth occurred May 19, 1811, in White Deer, Union Co., Penn. His parents,
  Isaac and Rebecca RANCK, were from Lancaster County, Penn., and were among the
  first settlers of Union County. He was the seventh in a family of thirteen
  children--ten sons and three daughters--all but one of whom arrived to the age
  of maturity. Seven survive the subject of this sketch in the full vigor of
  life. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to Messrs. CARR & Co.,
  carriage builders of Milton, Penn., and, after serving four years, he moved, in
  the early spring of 1832, to the village of Danville, Columbia county, and
  established himself in business as a smith and carriage manufacturer, at the
  corner of Mill and Mahoning Streets, opposite the present opera house. He also
  engaged in the lumber and boating business but soon abandoned all but his
  shops. About 1834 he married Miss Catharine HELLER, and three children blessed
  their union: Norman Leslie, Ellis Hughes, Mary Elizabeth, all living. In 1842
  he became widower, and in 1844 he married Elizabeth HELLER, who bore him four
  children: Anna Rebecca, David Hays, Catharine Frances and Henry Clay (the last
  two dying in infancy). David H. is the publisher of the Millstone and Corn
  Miller, Indianapolis, Ind., a representative monthly publication devoted to
  milling and mechanical interests. In 1872 death again entered his home and took
  away his wife. For eleven years he made his home with his son and daughter in
  Danville. On the 8th of March, 1883, Mr. RANCK passed away, dying in the faith
  of Christianity. All his life he adorned our common humanity with a character
  pure as light, with a reputation untarnished by worldly associations, by daily
  walk and conversation worthy of emulation, a legacy to his children more
  lasting than money. Mr. RANCK witnessed the growth of Danville from a small
  village of less than a thousand population to a city of 10,000 inhabitants. He
  was chief burgess of the city in 1860, and afterward served as councilman. He
  was also elected and served many years as justice of the peace. Columbia and
  Montour Counties can feel an honest pride in having had for more than fifty
  years a citizen who embodied so much that was good and noble. In personal
  appearance Mr. RANCK was commanding, above average height and of rotundity of
  build, weighing over 200 pounds. Honesty, justice and truth were woven into the
  woof of his being. Strictly temperate in all his habits, he lived to be three
  score and twelve years and passed to his reward. He was interred March 11,
  1883, in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Northumberland County, Penn. His family,
  consisting of five children, all of whom except David H., were born in Danville
  and vicinity, have all maintained the high integrity and honor of the name.
  Norman was born August 2, 1835; Ellis H., born August 10, 1837; Mary E., born
  June 21, 1841; Anna R., born February 23, 1844, and David H., born February 5,
  1847. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887,
  Danville, pg. 166)
  
  FREDERICK REAM, teacher in and superintendent of the public schools of Montour
  County, Danville, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 20, 1851, a son of
  John and Anna (WESTLEY) REAM, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin, and
  whose ancestors were among the early residents of Pennsylvania. The father by
  trade is a coach-maker; also for a time followed farming, and now resides in
  Washingtonville, Montour County. Frederick is the fifth in a family of five
  sons and three daughters, and was reared in Montour County, where his parents
  have resided since 1860. He received his early education in the public schools
  of Montour County, and was also a student at the Bloomsburg Normal School and
  at academies at other places. At the age of fifteen he commenced teaching,
  which he followed for sixteen years, pursuing through this period a well
  directed course of self-education. During 1870-73 he was engaged in mercantile
  business at Washingtonville, and since 1873 has followed teaching. He taught in
  Schuylkill County and at Freesburg Academy for two years, and in the Danville
  High School three years, and was elected county superintendent of public
  schools in 1884. Since then he has been engaged in that capacity. He is a Past
  Grand of the I. O. O. F., and trustee of the I. O. O. F. cemetery at Danville.
  Mr. REAM married in 1873, Mary C., daughter of William SEIDEL and of German
  origin. Their children are Bertha A., Vinnie Olive and Carrie S. Mr. and Mrs.
  REAM are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. REAM is politically a Democrat.
  (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville,
  pg. 167)
  
  S. Y. RICHARDS, photographer and owner and proprietor of the Danville art
  gallery, was born three and a half miles south of Danville, August 31, 1836; a
  son of John and Rebecca (CLARK) RICHARDS, who were among the early German
  settlers of Pennsylvania. His grandfather kept a hotel in Danville in the early
  pioneer days; his father followed farming all his life and died in Lycoming
  County on the farm where he had resided since our subject was four years old.
  He had been twice married, and by his first marriage had seven children, of
  whom our subject is the youngest; he grew up on the farm, also helped in the
  saw-mill and was an expert at running a circular saw. When he reached his
  majority he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for ten
  years; later studied the art of photography, in 1866, in Danville; but being
  desirous of obtaining the best knowledge of that business he went to New York,
  where he remained under the instruction of Prof. Hugh O'NIEL, and obtained a
  thorough knowledge of the business. He then resided in Carbondale, Penn., for
  seven years, moving thence to Pittston, where he remained for seven years, and
  from 1884 to 1886 resided in Towanda. He then came to Danville and opened a
  large and well furnished art gallery, and is well worthy of the patronage he
  has received. June 7, 1861, he married Matilda A., daughter of David KINE, a
  native of Berks County, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. RICHARDS are the parents of the
  following named children: Ella, wife of Charles C. COLBURN; Hallie, deceased;
  Lizzie, wife of Walter SMITH, and Mamie. The parents are members of the
  Methodist Church. While a resident of Towanda, Mr. RICHARDS was a member of the
  board of stewards of the church. He is now a member of Saint Paul's Methodist
  Episcopal Church of Danville. Politically he is a Republican. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 167)
  
  M. S. RIDGWAY, superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Works and Rolling
  Mills, Danville, was born at Milford Village, Pike Co., Penn., March 12, 1820,
  a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (LUDLOW) RIDGWAY. The former was born on Long
  Island, N. Y., and was of English origin; the latter was born in New Jersey,
  and was of French descent; they were the parents of seven children. The father
  was an influential man, and at the time of his death, in 1820, was high sheriff
  of Pike County, N. Y.; he was a brave and successful officer. A prisoner in his
  charge, who was convicted of murder in 1814, escaped from jail and fled to
  Canada. Mr. RIDGWAY followed, and with the assistance of some Indians succeeded
  in locating the murderer, but while negotiating with parties to get the criminal
  across the line to the United States, was himself arrested by the English
  authorities as a spy. He was a Quaker, and having an uncle in Canada, he
  succeeded in obtaining his liberty and returned home through the wilderness to
  Pike County, and his prisoner with him. Mr. RIDGWAY was a Mason, a man of more
  than ordinary intelligence and will power. He was a son of Jacob RIDGWAY, also
  a Quaker. M. S. RIDGWAY, our subject, is the youngest of the family, and was
  born the year of his father's death. He attended the common schools until the
  age of eleven years, when he chose a guardian. At sixteen he began to learn the
  trade of a blacksmith, and served a regular apprenticeship; then worked as a
  journeyman four years, and in 1844 came to Danville to superintend the
  blacksmithing in the erection of the Montour Iron and Steel Works. These works
  were completed in 1845, and shortly afterward Mr. RIDGWAY was appointed manager
  of the works, and has since remained in charge for a period of forty-three
  years. He has remained with the works through its adversity and prosperity, and
  although the business has changed hands six times, Mr. RIDGWAY has always been
  retained as the right man in the right place. He assisted in making the first
  "T" rail made in the United States. It was made by Murdock Levitt & Co., in
  Danville, Penn. This firm was succeeded by the Montour Iron Company. Mr.
  RIDGWAY married in 1840, in Norristown, N. J., Miss Rachel WHITEHEAD. Her
  parents were English, but of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. RIDGWAY have five
  children: Edwin O., married, and employed in the rolling-mills of Pueblo, Col.;
  Stephen, employed as shipping-clerk for a large manufactory in Ohio; Warren;
  Laura E. and Grant. In politics Mr. RIDGWAY is a Republican; he is a Knight
  Templar and has been a member of the Masonic order since 1846. Mrs. RIDGWAY is
  a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. (History of Columbia and Montour
  Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 167)
  
  DANIEL J. ROTE, retired cattle drover, Danville, was born in Northampton
  County, Penn., October 16, 1812, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (LARCH) ROTE,
  natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer all his life, and his
  ancestors were among the early German settlers of Pennsylvania. David J. is one
  of a family of twelve children, eight of whom grew to maturity, and was reared
  in Northampton County, where he was also educated in the early German schools.
  His English education has been acquired by his own efforts. He chose farming as
  his occupation, but prior to that had been engaged in the blacksmithing trade.
  Later he engaged in the cattle droving business, which has mainly occupied his
  attention, and at which he has been very successful. He has been twice married;
  by his first wife, Rebecca WEAVER, he had seven children. She died in 1845, and
  had been married in 1836. Twelve years after the death of his first wife he
  married Lucy A. CROSBY, who bore him one child, and died February 25, 1881. Mr.
  ROTE has retired from active business, and now resides in Danville. He is a
  member of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been a deacon, and takes an
  active interest in that denomination. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity
  and of the I. O. O. F.; politically he is a Republican. (History of Columbia
  and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 168)
  
  WELLINGTON ROTE, cattle dealer, Danville, was born in Northumberland County,
  Penn., a son of Daniel J. and Anna Rebecca (WEAVER) ROTE. He is the fourth
  child in order of birth, and was reared on the farm, attended the common
  schools, and also Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport. He first clerked in the
  general store of Lewis ROTE, at Mausdale, where he remained two years. In 1870
  he embarked in general mercantile business at Mausdale, and also dealt in coal;
  he then sold out and taught school eight or ten terms, in which vocation he was
  successful. Since 1876 he has been engaged in the stock business. Politically
  he is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Masonic fraternity.
  (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville,
  pg. 168)
  
  DAVID RUCKEL, agent for the P. R. R. & W. S. Express Company, Danville, was
  born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1841, a son of Joseph and
  Margaret (WHETMORE) RUCKEL, natives of Columbia County, this State, and of
  German descent. The father followed agricultural pursuits all his life. David
  is the youngest in a family of four sons and three daughters, and was reared on
  the farm, receiving his education in the common schools, never attending more
  than six months in his life, and is therefore self-educated. He remained with
  his parents on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he went to
  Berwick, Columbia County, and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1862 he
  enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer
  Infantry, and served nine months, the term for which he enlisted. He next
  enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth, Second Artillery, was promoted
  sergeant, and June 30, 1864, was taken prisoner in front of Petersburg. He was
  removed to Danville, Va., where he was kept a prisoner of war for eight months
  and nineteen days. He was then exchanged and, after the war, returned to the
  farm, where he remained until 1867, when he moved to Danville and worked in the
  rolling-mill until 1873. He was next employed with the raiload [sic] and express
  companies, and in 1882 was appointed to his present position. In 1867 he married
  Miss Lucinda NUSS, of German descent. Two children were born to them: Charles
  E., who is in the office with his father, and Ella L., deceased. Mrs. RUCKEL is
  a member of the German Reformed Church, and her son of the Episcopal. Mr. RUCKEL
  is a member of the Masonic fraternity, politically a Republican. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 168)
  
  JAMES SCARLET, of the firm of SCARLET & ANGLE, attorneys, Danville, was born in
  Elizabeth, N. J., December 31, 1848, a son of George and Mary SCARLET. The
  former was of English origin, and for many years a sea captain; the latter was
  of Scotch-Irish descent. James is the eldest of a family of three sons and grew
  to manhood in Danville, attending the schools of that place, where he also
  learned the blacksmith's trade. He subsequently entered Princeton College and
  graduated in the regular classical course in 1874. He studied law in Danville
  in the office of Thomas GALBRITH, Esq., was admitted to practice in the courts
  of Montour County in 1877, and in 1875 was admitted to the supreme court, and
  also the United States courts. He was elected to the office of district
  attorney for Montour County in 1882, and after serving his term was nominated
  by the Republican party for the Legislature in 1885, but was defeated with
  James G. BLAINE. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania,
  Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 168)
  
  THOMAS A. SCHOTT, coal merchant, Danville, was born in Rockland Township, Berks
  Co., Penn., October 7, 1836, a son of Anthony and Harriet (ROARBACK) SCHOTT,
  natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. In early life his father was a
  charcoal burner, later a furnace blower, which occupation he followed until his
  death in 1871. His family consisted of five children, four of whom grew to
  maturity. Thomas A. is the second child; he received his education in the
  common schools, and later learned the cigarmakers' trade, which he followed
  five years. Later he learned the painter and carpenter trades, the latter of
  which he followed eleven years. He then engaged in teaming, also sold sewing
  machines, and then traveled and sold reapers for three years. In 1879 he
  embarked in the coal business on a limited scale, which enterprise has proved a
  success. He now owns an acre of land on which he has a coal yard, and has built
  a railroad which runs into the yard, where the coal is dumped from the coal
  cars. He also owns his neat and substantial residence, and his financial
  success is due largely to his own exertions. Mr. SCHOTT was married, November
  29, 1862, to Elizabeth HARTMAN, a native of Germany, and to this union one
  child was born, Joseph A. Mrs. SCHOTT died in 1869, and in 1872 our subject
  married Mollie HARTMAN, a sister of his first wife. Their children are George
  W., Mary E., Anthony W., Grace E., Harry A. and Thomas A. Mr. and Mrs. SCHOTT
  are members of the German Catholic Church. Politically he is a Republican.
  (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville,
  pg. 169)
  
  S. S. SCHULTZ, M. D., a native of Berks County, Penn., was born July 5, 1831,
  youngest son and child of Jeremiah and Mary SHULTZ [sic], both of whom were
  natives of Berks County. The paternal ancestor who first came to this county
  was Christopher SCHULTZ, the great-grandfather of our subject, who landed in
  the New World, September 22, 1734, then sixteen years old and a fugitive from
  religious persecution in Silesia. Young as he was, he was a fine scholar and
  became subsequently an able theologian, leader and organizer of men. Certainly,
  in all history there cannot be found an instance more completely verifying the
  phrase "born to command." He was the organizer and leader of the religious body
  to which he belonged, and that came to this country. He made the collection for
  the hymn-book used by the fugitives in the desert and the wilds. The
  theological works of this divine and temporal leader are yet, in much of their
  entirety, incorporated in the church formulas of his denomination to-day. On
  the maternal side the first immigrant to come to this country was George
  SCHULTZ, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who came to America in
  1734, in the twenty-fourth year of his age. The parents of our subject were
  Jeremiah and Mary SCHULTZ. The father was born June 7, 1979, and died February
  4, 1874. The mother was born September 5, 1798, and died February 2, 1873.
  Their children, all living, are Henry, born June 16, 1821; Edward, born June
  20, 1824; John, born September 6, 1828, and our subject. Dr. SCHULTZ was reared
  and educated in his native county until he was fourteen years old, when he
  attended school at Washington Hall, Montgomery County. From there he went to
  school at the academy in Allentown, Penn., which has since become Muehlenburg
  College, where he remained one year; then a short time at Freeland Seminary,
  Montgomery County, and then entered Princeton College, New Jersey, where he
  graduated in 1852. After graduating he taught school for a short time, and then
  commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Daniel D. DETWILER, of Montgomery
  County. After a careful preparation he entered the University of Pennsylvania,
  where he graduated in 1856. Immediately after leaving the university he opened
  an office for the practice of medicine in Allentown, where he met with
  flattering success. But soon an opportunity offered for him to pursue the
  natural bent of his mind, and he accepted a position in the State lunatic
  hospital at Harrisburg, as assistant physician. He remained here until 1861. He
  then made the tour of Europe, where he spent one year studying the hospitals and
  public institutions of Germany, England and France. In the meantime war was
  raging in his native land, and he hastened his return and entered the army as
  acting assistant surgeon, and as assistant surgeon and surgeon of Pennsylvania
  Volunteers, and assistant surgeon and surgeon of United States Volunteers;
  remained in service to the close of the war. He served with the Seventy-fifth
  and Twenty-third Pennsylvania Regiments, and as executive officer and surgeon
  in charge, successively, in general hospitals at Harrisburg, Penn., Covington,
  Ky., Madison, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio. Here he resigned as superintendent of
  hospitals at the close of the war in 1865. He then returned to Harrisburg, and
  was in active practice from 1865 to 1868 when he was appointed by the
  commissioners of the hospital to come to Danville and take control of the
  construction and the superintendency of the Danville Hospital, and from the
  commencement of the work on the building to the present time he has been its
  efficient and able superintendent, to the great advantage of the State in its
  vast expenditures here, and to the blessing of the poor unfortunates who have
  been dwellers in this benevolent home. The real professional career of Dr.
  SCHULTZ commenced with his connection with his present office, and the history
  of the institution and the history of the Doctor, in his car of the insane, are
  practically one and the same, and the reader is referred to an account of the
  Danville Asy H. B. D. SECHLER, retired painter, Danville, was born on River
  Street, Danville, January 26, 1808, a son of Rudolph and Susanna (DOUTY)
  SECHLER, natives of Pennsylvania. His parental and maternal ancestors were
  among the early German settlers of the State. His father was a blacksmith in
  early and middle life, later was register and recorder of Columbia County,
  serving several years. In 1821 he was appointed justice of the peace and served
  until 1845, when he retired, and died in 1857, at the age of eighty-five years.
  He reared a family of six children, all of whom became good citizens and four
  of whom still survive. Our subject is the eldest of the survivors, was reared
  in Danville and educated at the subscription schools. He learned the
  cabinet-maker's trade and followed it for many years, but since 1840 he has
  been engaged in house and ornamental sign painting. In 1830 he married Miss
  Jane JAMISON of Mifflin County, Penn., who died in 1831. In 1835, he was
  married to Sarah, daughter of John GEARHART, and six children blessed their
  union, two of whom are living: Harriet, wife of Jonathan WATERS, and Emma, wife
  of John YORGY. Mr. and Mrs. SECHLER are members of the Presbyterian Church, in
  which he has been an elder, and also teacher and superintendent of the
  Sabbath-school. He takes an interest in all that pertains to the good of the
  community. Politically he is a Republican, formerly a Whig, was appointed
  justice of the peace in 1845, and served five years. (History of Columbia and
  Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 170)
  
  ABRAHAM SECHLER, musician, Danville, was born in that place April 13, 1814, a
  son of Jacob and Barbara (REICE) SECHLER, the latter a native of Switzerland,
  born in 1790. The SECHLER family came to Pennsylvania about 1775, four brothers
  settling on the site of Danville, about the close of the Revolution. They were
  farmers and took up about 500 acres of land, then a wilderness, a part of which
  is now the Thomas BEAVER farm, near the State asylum at Danville. Jacob SECHLER
  was the first male child born in Danville in 1790. the family were usually
  farmers. Abraham is the eldest son in a family of nine children, and is a
  natural musician. He organized the first band in Danville and as soon as his
  brothers became old enough they joined the band, and for several years six of
  them played in it. Abraham received but a limited education in the subscription
  schools of Danville, but has been a student all his life, and can now read and
  write English, French and German with ease. His first occupation was farming,
  which engaged his attention until he was nineteen years of age. He then
  operated a stationary engine for over forty years, and by economy and judicious
  investments has made money. During the war he invested his money in Government
  bonds, and now has a fine property where he resides and devotes his time to
  music, which he fully enjoys. In 1835 he married Lavinia, daughter of Asa
  PANCOST, and of English descent. Of their five children three are now living:
  Mary Alice, wife of Henry SCHICK; Sarah Jane, wife of John KENVIN, and W. W.,
  in Philadelphia. Mrs. SECHLER died in 1864, and in 1869 our subject married
  Harriet, daughter of John WURTMAN, and of English descent. Their only child is
  Martha, wife of Charles ROBSON. Mrs. SECHLER is a member of the Lutheran
  Church, and Mr. SECHLER of the Episcopal. He is a Democrat in politics, and has
  served as tax collector. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania,
  Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 170)
  
  F. R. SECHLER, liveryman, Danville, was born in Mahoning Township, Montour
  County, March 22, 1826, a son of Jacob and Barbara Ann (REISE) SECHLER. His
  father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather, John SECHLER, a
  soldier in the Revolution and one of the early settlers of Danville; both were
  farmers. F. R. is the seventh in a family of nine children, and was reared to
  agricultural pursuits, which he has followed most of his life, but now resides
  in Danville engaged in the livery business. He married, in 1850, Abigail,
  daughter of Herbert BEST, a prominent farmer of English origin, and one of the
  early settlers of Danville, where he died in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. SECHLER have
  two children now living: C. R. and Barbara Ann. Mr. SECHLER is a member of the
  K. of P., politically an Independent, with Democratic proclivities. (History of
  Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 170)
  
  JACOB SHELHART, retired, ex-sheriff of Montour County, Penn., was born in that
  county, August 14, 1825, a son of Jacob and Christine (EVERETT) SHELHART,
  natives of Lehigh County, Penn., both of German origin. His paternal and
  maternal ancestors were among the early German settlers of the State. His
  father was an early settler of Danville, lived to be eighty years old, and
  spent over seventy years of his life in this part of Pennsylvania. He grew to
  manhood in Cooper Township, now, Montour County, and in early life made farming
  his business, but later devoted his time to the manufacture of wooden plows,
  which he carried on for a time, also manufacturing wagons and wheelbarrows,
  when the canal was being made through Danville. Jacob is the sixth of eleven
  children, and his schooling was limited to about two months in the rude
  schoolhouse. He followed farming as a business until 1865, with success, and
  though not a believer in luck, does believe in pluck. Politically he is a
  Democrat, and in 1865 was elected sheriff of three years; then spent some time
  traveling over the United States and Canada. He has been twice married; first
  to Maria, daughter of Joseph FOUST, and of English and German origin. Mr.
  SHELHART has two children now living: Mary, wife of J. ANDREW, and Hattie. Mr.
  SHELHART is a member of the Lutheran Church; has been a member of the school
  board and overseer of the poor. He is at present making valuable improvements
  in Danville. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle,
  1887, Danville, pg. 170)
  
  DAVID SHELHART, merchant tailor, Danville, was born in Franklin Township,
  Columbia Co., Penn., May 9, 1833, a son of Jacob and Christianna (EVERT)
  SHELHART, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. His father was a
  farmer. David is the youngest of eleven children, and was reared on the farm
  until he was seventeen years old, receiving his education in the schools of
  Columbia County. He first clerked in the store of Christian LAUBACH, of
  Danville, where he remained six years, from 1850 to 1856. He then embarked in
  his present business, merchant tailor and dealer in gents' furnishing goods,
  and employs the best skilled workmen and cutter. In 1857 he married Malinda A.,
  a daughter of Richard DEMOTT. She is of German origin, and has borne her husband
  four children: Emma, wife of Warren McHENRY; Kate D., wife of Harry RHODES;
  Frank and Charles Richard. The family are all members of the Presbyterian
  Church, in which Mr. SHELHART has been treasurer and superintendent of the
  Sabbath-school for fourteen consecutive years. He is a prominent member of the
  I. O. O. F., and has been connected with the lodge twenty-one years, and has
  passed all the chairs. Politically he is a Republican. (History of Columbia and
  Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 171)
  
  JOHN W. SHERIFF, bookkeeper, Danville, was born in Erie County, Penn.,
  September 12, 1822, a son of William and Margaret (COLT) SHERIFF, natives of
  Ireland, but who came to this county in childhood. Our subject is the youngest
  of six children; was reared in Waterford, Erie County, where he received his
  education at the common schools and at the academy. In 1842 he came to Danville
  where he has since remained. On first coming here he clerked in a general store
  for fourteen years, and later ran a stage line from Danville to Pottsville,
  Northumberland to Wilkesbarre, and Danville to Williamsport and Blossburg,
  taking in all the villages on the route, carrying passengers and the United
  States mail. He had a partner in the business, and for several years they ran a
  packet boat on the canal until 1857, when the railroad was built. In 1860 he
  embarked in mercantile business which he continued with success until 1873,
  when he sold out and has since been employed as bookkeeper in the coal office
  of R. H. WOOLLEY, sole agent for Conyngham & Co., of Danville. In 1849 Mr.
  SHERIFF married Miss Martha WATERS, of German origin, and five children were
  born to the union: Margaret, wife of A. G. MARR; William; Mary (deceased);
  Matilda, wife of H. J. RUPERT, and Anna. Mr. SHERIFF is a Democrat and has
  served as member of the town council of Danville. (History of Columbia and
  Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 171)
  
  GIDEON M. SHOOP, lumberman, P. O. Danville, was born in Northumberland county,
  Penn., June 23, 1821, a son of George and Elizabeth (COCKLEY) SHOOT, natives
  respectively of Cumberland and Dauphin Counties, Penn. Our subject is the
  youngest of a family of seven children, and attended the common schools of his
  native county until he was thirteen years old. He then went to Franklin County
  and learned the art of manufacturing French buhr mill stones, at which he
  worked for two years. He then went to Cumberland County, where he carried on
  the same business. He continued to carry on his trade until he came to
  Danville, in 1841, as collecting agent for several stage lines, and also
  embarked in the lumber business, dealing in and manufacturing lumber quite
  extensively, and owning several saw-mills. In 1846 he rented the "Brady Hotel,"
  repaired and improved it; added another story; changed the name to that of
  "Montour House," and conducted it for eighteen months. (The house is still the
  leading hotel in Danville.) Mr. SHOOP's main business, however, is the lumber
  trade. He purchases large tracts of land in the south and elsewhere, from which
  he cuts the timber and manufactures it into lumber. His residence, among the
  most beautiful and attractive in Montour County, was erected at a cost of about
  $24,000; he also owns four farms in Montour County, the half of one in Virginia,
  consisting of 367 acres, and half of one in Northumberland County of 180 acres.
  Mr. SHOOP married December 2, 1846, Amelia D., daughter of William GEARHART.
  She is of English and German origin and the mother of four children, all
  deceased except one, William G., who is now engaged with his father in the
  lumber business. Mr. SHOOP is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; is
  president of the board of trustees, a steward and a teacher in the
  Sabbath-school. In 1880 he was elected a lay delegate to the Central
  Pennsylvania Conference, and elected by that body a lay delegate to the general
  conference, which met in Cincinnati, Ohio, in May, 1880. Politically he is a
  Republican; is at present a member of the board of trustees of the Danville
  Insane Asylum; one of the directors of the Nail & Manufacturing Company; a
  director of the Bridge Company, and a director in the Danville National Bank,
  having served in that capacity longer than any other director, with a single
  exception. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle,
  1887, Danville, pg. 171)
  
  B. F. SHULTZ, M. D., Danville, was born in Columbia County, Penn., March 19,
  1828, a son of Peter and Sarah (BOBBINS) SHULTZ, former of New Jersey, of
  German origin, and latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch origin. They
  resided in Pennsylvania for many years, where they kept hotel, but in later
  life retired to the seclusion of farm life. They reared a family of nine
  children--eight sons and one daughter--and all maintained the honor of the
  family name. Our subject, the seventh in the family, obtained his early
  education in his native county, and subsequently attended the university at
  Philadelphia for a time. He afterward took up the study of medicine in
  Danville, in the office of Dr. STRAWBRIDGE (the latter one of the leading
  surgeons in this part of the State), and also studied with Dr. PANCOST, of
  Philadelphia. He then entered Jefferson Medical College at the latter city,
  where he graduated with the degree of M. D. Subsequently he commenced the
  practice of his profession at Danville, where he has since bee actively
  engaged, and has secured for himself a well acknowledged prominence in his
  profession. Dr. SHULTZ has been twice married; first, in 1857, to Elizabeth,
  daughter of John MOWRER, and of German origin; she died in 1861, the mother of
  two children: Clarence (deceased) and Dora. Dr. SHULTZ's second marriage took
  place in 1870, with Mary, daughter of John HECKARD, and also of German origin;
  she has borne her husband four children: William C., Florence, Debora and
  Arminta. Politically the Doctor is a Republican. After the battle of Gettysburg
  he went to that place and volunteered his services as medical attendant. Mrs.
  SHULTZ was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her death occurred December 19,
  1886, in the forty-seventh year of her age. (History of Columbia and Montour
  Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 171)
  
  ROBERT S. SIMINGTON, M. D., of Danville, was born and reared on a backwoods
  farm in Lycoming County, Penn., when deer and wolves were numerous. He attended
  the usual log-cabin school common to a new country, to which he walked two
  miles. The school, however, had excellent teachers, and young SIMINGTON began
  the study of mathematics and Latin before entering the academy. He assisted his
  father in opening up farms, making brick and lumbering, rafting logs down the
  river to Marietta, Harrisburg and Columbia, his father being an active business
  man and owning large tracts of land. Our subject continued his education at the
  academy at Milton, at McEwensville Academy, and at Lewisburg University, then
  studied medicine with Dr. James DOUGAL at Milton, Penn., and graduated at the
  University of Pennsylvania in 1854. He at once began the practice of medicine
  in Danville. In the spring of 1861 he went into the army as surgeon of the
  Fourteenth P.V.I., and later was with the Ninety-third P.V.S.; he was
  principally with the Army of the Potomac; was wounded at Malvern Hill, and
  resigned in Aug., 1862, returned home and has since been actively engaged in
  the practice of his profession. In 1873 he was elected associate judge for five
  years; was re-elected in 1878 and in 1883, and is still serving; was at one time
  elected burgess of Danville. December 28, 1854, Dr. SIMINGTON was married to
  Miss Regina Jane, a daughter of Hugh and Rebecca (LEMON) McWILLIAMS, who were
  born near Mooresburg, Liberty Township, Montour County. Hugh McWILLIAMS was a
  large land owner and a prominent citizen; served as treasurer of Columbia (now
  Montour) County, and was also postmaster. He was the eldest son of Robert and
  Jane (CURRY) McWILLIAMS of the vicinity of Mooresburg, Penn. She was the first
  white child born (1773) in the forks of the Susquehanna. She and her husband
  had three sons and two daughters: Hugh, Robert, John, Mary and Jane. Robert
  McWILLIAMS, their father, was a son of Lieut. Hugh McWILLIAMS and Rebecca
  (DUNWOODY) McWILLIAMS, who were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and emigrated from
  County Armagh, Ireland, settling in Northumberland County, Penn., four miles
  below Danville. He was a lieutenant in the French and Indian war, and was
  killed by Indians in December, 1775. He and wife had one son, Robert, born in
  July, 1775, in Northumberland County; he married Jane CURRY, and they settled
  in Liberty Township. His father, Hugh McWILLIAMS, was a son of Robert and Jane
  (ORR) McWILLIAMS, natives of Scotland, who emigrated to the North of Ireland,
  then to Montour County. They had three sons and one daughter: Hugh, who married
  Rebecca DUNWOODY; John, died a bachelor; Robert, married Ellen JOHNSON, and
  JANE, married Robert CURRY, who was killed by the Indians June 9, 1780, near
  Danville. Robert was in the war of the Revolution, and was killed at Valley
  Forge, December 25, 1777. Dr. and Mrs. SIMINGTON are members of the Mahoning
  Presbyterian Church, and have had three daughters: Gertrude, deceased wife of
  Calvin K. LEINBACH; Miss Harriet Elizabeth, and Annie Jean. Dr. SIMINGTON is
  the eldest son of Benjamin and Ann (IRLAND) SIMINGTON; the former was born in
  Liberty Township, Montour Co., Penn., in 1805, a son of Robert SIMINGTON, a
  native of Scotland, who immigrated to America in 1776, immediately joined the
  "Jersey Blues" and served with them through the war of the Revolution. He
  married Elizabeth JACOBY, of Northampton County, and came at once to Montour
  County, took up land, and died here at the ripe old age of eighty-four years.
  His children are John, Peter, Robert, Benjamin, James, Mary, Elizabeth,
  Margaret and Sarah, all born near Mooresburg, Penn. Dr. SIMINGTON's mother was
  a daughter of John IRLAND, who was born near Milton in 1773; his father, David
  IRLAND, came from Scotland in 1772, settling near Milton. David IRLAND's
  children were Robert, David, John, William, Elizabeth and Anna. David IRLAND
  died in 1827, aged ninety years; his sons, Robert, David and John, settled on
  farms adjoining the old homestead, and died of old age. William removed to New
  ADOLF STEINBRENNER, insurance agent, Danville, was born in Germany, January 2,
  1834, a son of Michael STEINBRENNER, who was a school-teacher in Germany, where
  he spent his life. Adolf is the fourth in a family of six children, and was
  reared in Germany, where he received his education, graduating from the
  university at Heidelberg, in 1856. He obtained a position as bookkeeper and
  followed that vocation until coming to America in 1866. Arriving in this
  country he settled at Wilkesbarre, Penn., where he was employed as a bookkeeper
  for two years and a half, and subsequently came to Danville, where he embarked
  in the insurance business, which he still follows, representing the following
  companies: Liverpool, London and Globe, Commercial Union of London, Phoenix of
  London and many others, and is well fitted for the business. Politically he is
  a Republican, was a notary public from 1882 to 1885, and is now clerk of the
  town council. He is a member of the Episcopal Church in which he is organist,
  and a member of the various Masonic fraternities, the I. O. O. F. and the K. of
  P. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887,
  Danville, pg. 173)
  
  REV. A. B. STILL, Danville, was born October 15, 1823, near Chester Springs,
  Chester Co., Penn., to Charles and Catharine (SHELDRICH) STILL, natives of
  Pennsylvania and of hardy German ancestry, and both lived to obtain over
  four-score years. Rev. A. B. is the eleventh of twelve children (all of whom
  grew to maturity), and was reared on the farm, the pursuits of which his father
  followed. At the age of sixteen he was converted and united with the Vincent
  Baptist Church, of which his parents, brothers and sisters were members. At the
  age of seventeen he began to learn the miller's trade, having spent the previous
  years working on the farm in summer and attending the public schools in the
  winter seasons. After spending six years at the milling business he became
  fully convinced that it was his duty to become a preacher, and in October,
  1846, left home to prepare himself for his life work. He entered the academic
  department of the Madison University of New York State, and there completed his
  academic studies; thence, in the fall of 1848, he went to the university at
  Lewisburg, Penn., entered the collegiate department, and graduated in 1852 with
  the second honors of his class. Soon after he took charge of the Logan Valley
  Baptist Church, in Blair County, Penn., where he had an opportunity to study
  theology, having the use of the library of the Rev. A. K. BELL. August 15,
  1854, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of John DEEN, Sr., of Danville, and
  shortly after accepted a call to the Huntingdon Baptist Church, and entered
  upon his labors in the autumn. There his duties were arduous, preaching three
  times on Sunday, and also through the week, and spent the greater part of the
  winter in laboring in protracted meetings in his own field, and assisting at
  meetings in neighboring churches. His labors were greatly blessed, and large
  numbers were converted and added to the church. He remained pastor for over
  four years, during which time he was instrumental in organizing the Spruce
  Creek Baptist Church. In the fall of 1858, at the earnest desire of the Centre
  Baptist Association, he entered upon the work of missionary, and spent over a
  year in earnest and self-denying labor with the feeble destitute churches and
  in destitute places. The calls for his labors were numerous and pressing, and
  were abundantly blessed in the salvation of many souls. He next accepted a call
  to the First Baptist Church at Danville, and entered upon his duties as pastor
  April 1, 1860. Here he remained for two years, amid the excitement of the civil
  war. He then became pastor of the Lawrenceville Baptist Church, in Chester
  County, in April, 1862, where he had a field of labor which taxed all his
  energies, and, at that time, though he never entered the army, took a deep
  interest in supporting the Government. Having spent two years there he accepted
  a call to the Pitt's Grove Baptist Church, Salem County, N. J., in the spring of
  1864, where he reaped abundant harvests in the building up of the church and the
  salvation of sinners. In the spring of 1867 he returned to Danville that he
  might give some attention to his wife's estate, and spent the greater part of
  the following seven years in preaching for the destitute churches in the
  Northumberland association. During that time he was instrumental in
  reorganizing the Sunbury Baptist Church, and also of organizing the First
  Baptist Church of Shamokin Town. In the spring of 1874 he accepted a call, and
  became pastor of the Marlton Baptist Church, New Jersey, where he remained
  about four years, and in April, 1878, entered on his labors as pastor of the
  Bethlehem Baptist Church, Hunterdon County, N. J., where he continued for eight
  years. During that period he gave much time to Sunday-school and prohibition
  work. In the fall of 1885 he was chosen moderator of the Central New Jersey
  Baptist Association, at Baptist Town, and in the spring of 1886 closed his
  labors with the Bethlehem Church and returned to Danville. Here he now resides
  and intends to spend his time in missionary work in the country around. He had
  two sons. JAMES D. STRAWBRIDGE, A. M., M. D., ex-member of Congress, Danville,
  a native of Montour County, Penn., born on the homestead farm of his father in
  Liberty Township, April 7, 1824, is the son of James and Mary Dale STRAWBRIDGE,
  the former born in Chester County and the latter in Union County. James
  STRAWBRIDGE came with his parents when a child to Montour County just before
  the close of the Revolutionary War, and settled in what was then called
  Mahoning Township, Northumberland County, now Liberty Township, Montour County,
  where he married. A farmer and by trade a tanner, he owned and carried on for
  many years the first tannery between Harrisburg and the lakes. This tannery was
  built by his father, Col. Thomas STRAWBRIDGE, who was also born in Chester
  County, Penn., where he was reared. He was an ardent supporter of the struggle
  by the colonies for independence; was commissioned a captain by the committee
  of safety in May, 1776, and in September, 1776, was a member of the first
  constitutional convention; later became lieutenant-colonel, and subsequently
  colonel, and was detailed to procure and superintend the manufacture of arms
  during the latter years of the war. Shortly before its close he moved to
  Northumberland County. In 1784 and 1785 he was judge of the courts, and was
  also a member of the first Legislature of Pennsylvania. He was married in
  Philadelphia to Margaret MONTGOMERY, a sister of Gen. William MONTGOMERY, of
  Danville. Col. Thomas STRAWBRIDGE and wife were among the original members and
  aided in organizing the old Chillisquaque Presbyterian Church. He died about
  1814; his widow survived him a number of years, and died at the ripe old age of
  ninety-nine years and ten months, having never suffered a day's sickness from
  the time of her marriage to that of her death.
  Col. Thomas STRAWBRIDGE had four children who lived to mature age: Christianna,
  who married Gen. Daniel MONTGOMERY; Mary, married to Gen. GRIFFIN; Alexander,
  who never married, and James (father of the subject of our sketch), who married
  Mary DALE, and had seven children, five of whom lived to maturity: Margaret M.,
  married to James McCREIGHT, of Union County; Ann D., married first to Samuel
  SHANNON, of Northumberland, and afterward to William C. LAWSON, of Milton,
  Penn.; Thomas, who married Mrs. Elizabeth DALE, nee Miss BOSSLER, and now
  resides at Lewisburg, Penn.; James D., the subject of this sketch, who married,
  in 1851, Emily F. (daughter of the late William AGNEW, of Philadelphia), and she
  dying in 1853, he married, in 1872, Ellen V., daughter of Stuben BUTLER, of
  Wilkesbarre, Penn., and granddaughter of Col. Zebulon BUTLER, of the
  Continental army, who commanded the Wyoming settlers and troops at the massacre
  of Wyoming; and Samuel D., colonel of the Second Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery
  during the war of the Rebellion, and who now resides in Philadelphia.
  Dr. STRAWBRIDGE received his preparatory education at the Danville Academy;
  entered Princeton College in 1841, and graduated in 1844. He commenced the
  study of medicine in Danville, with Dr. William H. MAGILL; afterward studied
  with Dr. Wm. PEPPER, of Philadelphia, and entered the medical department of the
  University of Pennsylvania in the fall of the same year, graduating in the
  spring of 1847, when he at once commenced the practice of medicine in Danville,
  continuing in the same until 1860. In 1861 he entered the army as brigade
  surgeon, being first assigned to duty with the division of Gen. Joseph J.
  Reynolds, at Cheat Mountain in western Virginia. After the resignation of Gen.
  Reynolds, he was for a short time at Wheeling with Gen. Rosecrans, and was
  there transferred by Gen. McClellan to the West. At St. Louis he was ordered by
  Gen. Halleck to join the army of the southwest as medical director on the staff
  of Gen. Curtis, and reached Cassville just after the battle of Pea Ridge. Here
  he concentrated all the sick and wounded, transporting them as rapidly as they
  became able to be moved to St. Louis. After completing the removal of over
  2,500 sick and wounded a distance of over 300 miles, he reported to Gen.
  Halleck's adjutant-general in St. Louis, and was then ordered to join a portion
  of the army of the southwest then on the way to Corinth. Reaching the camp of
  the Army of the Mississippi at noon of the day on which the rebels evacuated
  Corinth, he reported first to Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, and was a few days later
  transferred to the staff of Gen. Rosecrans. In consequence of continued ill
  health, he tendered his resignation, which both Rosecrans and Halleck declined
  to approve; but to retain his services in the army an arrangement was made with
  Dr. Chas. McDougal, medical director on Gen. Halleck's staff, by which he was
  assigned to the organization of general hospitals at Jackson, Tenn. Under
  certain exceptional provisions, Dr. STRAWBRIDGE consented not to press his
  resignation, and August 1, 1862, entered upon his duties at Jackson, Tenn.,
  under instructions to have nothing further to do with the district commander,
  Gen. John A. McClernand, than to report his orders and make requisitions on him
  for supplies, which arrangement soon after culminated in the removal of the
  latter from his command of the district. Notwithstanding the many difficulties
  in the way of the hospitals at Jackson, the Doctor took care of nearly all the
  sick and wounded from the battles of Hatche, Bolivar, Iuka and Corinth. When
  the army began its movement toward Vicksburg, Dr. STRAWBRIDGE was instructed to
  procure trains and remove the patients to Columbus as fast as the hospital boats
  could transport them north, and while on this duty he was directed to look after
  the construction of the hospital boat "Nashville," then being rebuilt at
  Columbus for a receiving hospital, and was afterward assigned to the completion
  of the "Nashville," with directions to push the work as rapidly as possible and
  take the vessel down to Vicksburg. On the 1st of March he reached Young's
  Point, and on the 3d patients were received on board. By the 6th he had
  received and taken care of 1,900 sick men. A large convalescent hospital was
  established at Milliken's Bend, to which a considerable portion of these men
  were transferred, and the "Nashville" moved up to that point. Here, the
  "Nashville," which had been designed only for a receiving hospital, became,
  against the protest of Dr. STRAWBRIDGE, a permanent general hospital and for
  three months contained an average of about 1,000 patients, most of them the
  most sick of the army. The assistant surgeon-general, Dr. R. C. Wood, on the
  hospital steamer, "City of Memphis," on his return from an inspection in the
  field, where he had gathered some 200 of all classes of patients, ordered 250
  sick to be transferred from the "Nashville" to the "City of Memphis," and that
  none were to be sent who were likely to die on the passage. Dr. STRAWBRIDGE
  remonstrated against this, and urged the removal of the very sick. Eighteen
  deat "Respectfully disapproved, as Surgeon STRAWBRIDGE's services cannot be
  spared from this army.
  
        "MAD: MILLS, MEDICAL DIRECTOR.
  
  
  "By order of U. S. Grant, major-general commanding."
  As soon as this order could be returned from the war department, Dr.
  STRAWBRIDGE was relieved from charge of the "Nashville," and ordered to report
  in person to U. S. Grant. While making up his accounts for transfer of
  property, etc., to his successor, Dr. STRAWBRIDGE was prostrated with
  congestive chills, and for a time his life was despaired of, but he finally
  rallied, and, as soon as able to travel, reported to Dr. Mills at Gen. Grant's
  headquarters. Still being too feeble for duty, however, he was directed to
  return to the river till convalescent. On July 7, Dr. STRAWBRIDGE was sent for
  by Gen. Grant, and assigned to examination of soldiers in hospitals, etc., for
  the purpose of discharge assignment to the invalid corps under the following
  order and verbal instructions:
  "Surgeon STRAWBRIDGE is hereby directed to visit Young's Point, Millikensbend
  and elsewhere and discharge all such soldiers as in his judgment he may see
  fit."
  The Doctor's health having again thoroughly broken down, Dr. Ormsby, with whom
  he had his quarters in Vicksburg, seeing that if he remained longer in
  Vicksburg, he could not recover, went to Gen. Grant on August 14, and obtained
  an order directing him to go on board the hospital steamer "R. C. Wood," which
  left Vicksburg that night, and report by letter to the war department from his
  home. This was very much against his own wishes; he had been offered the
  medical directorship on the dividing up of the army at Vicksburg, of any part
  he might desire. In October, he was ordered before a military commission in
  Washington, which recommended a longer furlough. In November he was sent before
  a military board at Annapolis, who disapproved his request to be ordered to duty
  and recommended his being sent to hospital for treatment. He then asked to be
  mustered out of the service; this was also disapproved by the board, and light
  duty recommended. He was then assigned to duty in the provost-marshal-general
  department, and sent by Gen. Frey to Philadelphia, and afterward to Harrisburg,
  to superintend the examination of recruits. In May, 1864, finding his health
  nearly restored, he again asked for duty in the field, and on the 18th of May,
  was ordered to report for duty to Gen. B. F. Butler, at Bermuda Hundred.
  Immediately after his arrival he was directed to follow up the Eighteenth Army
  Corps, then on the way up York River, to join the army under Grant, near White
  House. On his arrival at that place the battle of Cold Harbor had just been
  fought, in which the Eighteenth Army Corps bore the principal part and lost
  nearly 5,000 men. The base hospital for the corps was being organized, and,
  finding his services likely to be of more value there than at the front,
  remained there on duty as an operating surgeon for five days, during which time
  he was continuously employed from daylight until dark, performing many of the
  most important operations. On June 8, he reported to Gen. Baldy Smith, and was
  temporarily assigned to the second division under Gen. Martindale. The
  Eighteenth Corps was at that time withdrawing from the trenches, and, in the
  night following, marched back to White House, and were from there transferred
  by boats to the Appomattox River. Immediately after their arrival, the
  Eighteenth Corps commenced its advance on Petersburg. Dr. STRAWBRIDGE was here
  transferred to the medical directorship of the corps, relieving Dr. Suckley,
  who was transferred too the medical inspectorship of the Army of the James.
  Here Dr. STRAWBRIDGE reorganized the medical department and ambulance corps,
  and brought them into a thorough state of efficiency.
  October 27, 1864, while the Eighteenth Corps was making a movement on the
  extreme right of the line in front of Richmond, Dr. STRAWBRIDGE was captured by
  rebel scouts, while on the flanks of the corps looking for a road by which he
  expected to send back his ambulance trains. He was retained a prisoner in Libby
  until paroled January 20, 1865. Returning to report at Annapolis, at the
  termination of his parole furlough, he was subpoenaed by the United States
  District Court, and had to return to Philadelphia, where he was temporarily
  assigned to duty as president of a medical examining board. Dr. John Campbel,
  medical director of the department of Pennsylvania, made application to the war
  department to have his assignment made permanent, but this was refused on the
  ground that application had previously been made by Gen. John Gibbon to have
  Dr. STRAWBRIDGE assigned to his staff, as medical director of the Eighteenth
  Army Corps, and by Gen. E. O. C. Ord, as medical director of the Army of the
  James. Dr. STRAWBRIDGE remained on duty in Philadelphia, on the board until his
  services were no longer required in that capacity; was breveted for meritorious
  services, and, September 4, was mustered out of the service of the United
  States.
  In the fall of 1867 our subject again commenced the practice of medicine in
  Danville. In 1872 he was elected to the XLIII Congress of the United States,
  and on the day following the election he was married to Ellen V. BUTLER. After
  one term of Congress, the Doctor resumed his practice (which is almost
  exclusively confined to surgery) in Danville. The Doctor is a member of the
  State Medical Society, member of the American Medical Association, American
  Academy of Medicine, and of the section on Military Surgery of the
  International Medical Congress. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties
  Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 173)
  
  DAVID F. STROH, carpenter and millwright, was born in Livingston County, N. Y.,
  March 1, 1830, a son of Jonathan (a farmer) and Elizabeth (OBERDORF) STROH,
  natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin, former of whom died in 1838. Our
  subject, the youngest of the family, was reared on the farm in Northumberland
  County, where he attended school. Later he began to learn the millwright's
  trade, a vocation he has followed in connection with carpenter work, which he
  has continued since 1847, meeting with success. He married, in 1850, Miss C. A.
  VORIS, sister of E. C. VORIS, and three children have blessed their union:
  Edwin, Charles and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. STROH are members of the Lutheran
  Church at Danville, of which he is a trustee. Politically he is a Republican,
  and has served as judge of election. He is Past Grand of the I. O. O. F.
  (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville,
  pg. 176)
  
  J. SWEISFORT, D. D. S., Danville, was born in Berks County, Penn., December 19,
  1839, a son of Jonas and Maria (WHITMAN) SWEISFORT, natives also of Pennsylvania
  and of German origin. The father was a hotel-keeper in early life, later a
  lumber dealer, was three times married, rearing four children. Our subject is
  the third child and grew to manhood in his native county where he received his
  education. Early in life he chose dentistry as his profession, but when the war
  broke out he enlisted in the Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry in Company C,
  and served as duty sergeant. He was a faithful soldier, and on his return home
  studied dentistry in the Pennsylvania Dental College at Philadelphia, where he
  graduated in 1866. The same year he came to Danville, where he has since been
  actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a Democrat
  politically, a member of I. O. O. F., both of the subordinate lodge and the
  Encampment; is also a member of the G. A. R., and since 1879 has been a member
  of the National Guards. In that year he was elected first lieutenant of that
  body; in 1880 was elected captain; September 24, 1886, he was elected major and
  is still serving as such. In 1867 he married Hannah, daughter of John EVERETT, a
  native of Pennsylvania and of German origin. They have two children: Lucy E. and
  Gussie May. The Doctor and Mrs. SWEISFORT are members of the Reformed Church, in
  which he has served as elder and deacon, also superintendent of the
  Sunday-school for three years. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties
  Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 176)
  
  WILLIAM TWIST (deceased) was born at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England,
  August 18, 1813, to Laurence (a farmer) and Elizabeth (REDELL) TWIST, natives
  also of England, former of whom died in England; their family consisted of
  seven children, six of whom grew to maturity. Our subject, the eldest son, was
  reared on a farm and attended the common schools of his native place. In 1845
  he immigrated to America to engage in the rolling-mill business, at which he
  had worked in England, being a proficient workman. While still in his native
  country he was prevailed upon to come to Danville, Penn., and on his arrival at
  the latter place immediately commenced work, and helped to make the first "T"
  railroad iron in the United States, a rail that now connects the Atlantic and
  Pacific Oceans. Danville sometimes claims the honor of making the first
  railroad iron in the United States; however, Mr. TWIST made the first "T"
  railroad iron in this country, and has been engaged in the rolling-mill
  business for over half a century. He was superintendent of the old "Rough and
  Ready" Iron Works for seven years; also superintendent for a like period of the
  works which subsequently merged into the North Branch Steel Works, in which he
  was a stockholder, but after the failure of Mr. Peter BALDY, our subject was
  not connected with the firm in any way, save as inspector of railroad iron from
  the railroad companies. Mr. TWIST married in 1849 Susan A. GUNTON (a native of
  England, and a member of the Episcopal Church), by whom he had four children,
  all of whom survive him. Mr. TWIST was a strict Republican politically, and has
  served as a member of the town council; was also a member of the I. O. O. F.,
  and a man of unimpeachable character. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties
  Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 176)
  
  T. O. VAN ALEN is one of the leading business men and manufacturers of
  Danville. He was born in Chatham Centre, Columbia Co., N. Y., August 19, 1819.
  His paternal great-grandfather emigrated from Holland to New York. His son,
  Gilbert VAN ALEN, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., and followed farming;
  married Miss Annis MOORE, of Columbia County, and to them were born two
  children: Reuben and Catharine. Catharine married Mr. John J. VAN VOLKENBURG, a
  farmer and merchant of Columbia County, N. Y. Reuben married Miss Mary, a
  daughter of Timothy and Sallie OAKLEY, and pursued farming and merchandising at
  Chatham Centre. They had three sons and one daughter: Gilbert R., Timothy O.,
  Sallie O. and Lewis O. The daughter died aged thirteen years. Our subject, T.
  O. VAN ALEN, was eight years old when his parents moved to Salisbury Mills,
  Orange Co., N. Y. He attended the common schools until ten years old, when his
  father employed a private teacher. At twelve years of age Mr. VAN ALEN entered
  the academy at Kinderhook, Columbia Co., N. Y., remaining there two years,
  during which time he resided with the family of Dr. Henry VAN DYKE.
  Subsequently he returned to Orange County and attended the school of Nathaniel
  Stark, at Goshen, one year. At fifteen he went to New York City and served an
  apprenticeship in a hardware store until 1839, when he returned home and
  engaged in the manufacture of paper and agricultural implements, and
  merchandising with his father, until 1844, when he came to Danville to
  represent the interests of Murdock, Leavitt & Co. in the Montour Iron Works,
  and act as the resident agent of the company. During this time he built what
  was known as the Company Store and in 1846 engaged in merchandising, associated
  with individual stockholders of the company under the firm name of T. O. VAN
  ALEN & Co. In 1866, in connection with Geo. M. LESLIE and A. H. VORIS, he built
  a nail factory in Northumberland, Northumberland County, and is, with his sons,
  still engaged in the manufacture of iron and nails. Mr. VAN ALEN has always
  taken an active interest in Danville, and ranks among her leading
  manufacturers. It is a fact worthy of mention that he has kept his mills
  running through all depressions. He gives steady employment to about 200 men.
  He was married in 1846 to Miss Ann Catharine, daughter of Cornelius GARRETSON,
  iron master. Mr. and Mrs. VAN ALEN are members of the Presbyterian Church, and
  he was president of the board of trustees for a number of years, and for many
  years a trustee of the Danville State Hospital for the insane, and director of
  First National Bank. They have had eight children, five living, viz.: Cornelius
  G., Gilbert R., A. Oakley, Edmond G. and George L., all active business men
  except George L., a Presbyterian clergyman. Mr. VAN ALEN's father came to
  Danville after retiring from business, and resided with his son. T. O. VAN
  ALEN, until his death, a man of more than ordinary ability and intelligence.
  (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville,
  pg. 177)
  
  HARRY VINCENT, president of the Danville stove manufactory, was born in
  England, December 25, 1844, a son of Job and Lydia (ROBERTS) VINCENT, natives
  of England. The father was a mason by trade; immigrated with his family to
  America in 1852; landed in the city of New York, and soon after settled in
  Montour County, Penn. Our subject is the eldest of seven children, and received
  a limited education in the common schools of his district. At the age of ten
  years he commenced work in the rolling-mills, which he followed as his
  principal business until he was thirty-two years of age. He worked on contract
  for several years, and during that time also found opportunity to study law,
  and took a course at Columbia College, New York, where he graduated in 1878. He
  was admitted to the bar of New York, and the same year to that of Montour
  County, Penn. Subsequently he commenced the practice of his profession at
  Danville in 1879, and entered into partnership with James SCARLET, which
  continued for two years. Mr. VINCENT then conceived the idea of establishing
  the Danville stove manufactory, and on the organization of a stock company, was
  elected its president. This business has proved a success, for which it is
  largely indebted to the energy and determination of Mr. VINCENT. In 1863 he
  married Sarah, daughter of William TAYLOR. She is also a native of England,
  born near the birthplace of her husband; is three months his junior; came to
  America the same year as Mr. VINCENT, and both located at Danville the same
  year, where they met for the first time, and were afterward married. Eight
  children were born to their union, seven of whom now survive: Elizabeth,
  Thaddeus, Henry, Thomas, Victor, Robert and Walter. Mrs. VINCENT is a member of
  the Methodist Church. Mr. VINCENT has served as a member of the council of
  Danville. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-second
  Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in several battles, among
  which were Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He
  was never wounded or taken prisoner, but had many narrow escapes, five balls
  entering his clothing; at the battle of Antietam his coat sleeve was completely
  shot off, but his person was uninjured. (History of Columbia and Montour
  Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 177)
  
  E. C. VORIS (not in business at present), Danville, was born in what is now
  Liberty Township, Montour (then Columbia) County, January 4, 1826, a son of
  James and Anna (GRAY) VORIS, the latter a native of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish
  origin. James VORIS, a native of Pennsylvania and of Holland descent, was a
  carpenter and contractor, and carried on business in Liberty Township, this
  county, until fifty years of age, when he moved to Danville and retired from
  active labor. Our subject is the eleventh in a family of fourteen children; was
  reared on the farm, and at the age of sixteen commenced to learn the carpenter's
  trade with Mr. Joseph DIEHL, serving a regular apprenticeship, and continued
  with Mr. DIEHL until engaging with the Montour Iron Company. Here he was
  employed in the Montour Iron Works for thirty-seven years, twelve years of
  which time he was superintendent of the machine ships. He superintended the
  erection of the machinery of the Danville Manufactory & Nail Works, of
  Danville, and is one of the stockholders of that company. He has been an active
  business man nearly all his life, but since 1884 has lead a retired life. He
  married in 1855 Julia, daughter of Benjamin TROXELL, of Northumberland County,
  Penn., a farmer and of German origin. Mr. and Mrs. VORIS are the parents of the
  following named children: Charles E., a salesman in New York City; William A., a
  machinist in the employ of the Danville nail-mills; Frank L., a clerk in a store
  at Danville, and James H., attending school. Mr. and Mrs. VORIS are members of
  the Presbyterian Church, of the board of trustees of which he is president. Mr.
  VORIS was chief burgess of Danville in 1861, has served several years as member
  of the school board of Danville, and is overseer of the poor of Mahoning
  Township. He is a Democrat. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties
  Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 177)
  
  W. H. N. WALKER, general merchant, Danville, was born in that place, October
  17, 1854, a son of William C. and Christianna (HILEMAN) WALKER, the latter a
  native of Pennsylvania and of German origin. The father was born in Ireland,
  came to America when eighteen years old, and has since lived at Danville, where
  he now resides at the advanced age of seventy-six years. Our subject is the
  second child and oldest son, and grew to manhood in Danville, where he was also
  educated. For a time he followed farming, which did not prove congenial, and
  then he engaged in work in a brickyard for four years, and subsequently clerked
  for Mr. A. J. AMMERMAN in the same store which he (subject) at present occupies.
  There he remained four years, and in 1883 bought out the business and has since
  managed it. He employs two clerks, runs a delivery wagon, and does a thriving
  business. In 1876 he married Jennie, daughter of William S. TOLAND and the
  children born to the union are Eva I., Frank J., Arthur P. and Harry T. Mrs.
  WALKER is a member of the Lutheran Church at Danville. Politically Mr. WALKER
  is a Democrat; is a member of the school board, a member of the K. of L. and of
  the Masonic fraternity. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania,
  Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 178)
  
  W. R. WELLIVER, merchant, Danville, was born February 3, 1834, in Jerseytown,
  Columbia Co., Penn., to Abraham and Martha (WINDER) WELLIVER, natives of
  Pennsylvania. His grandfather, a farmer, was an early settler of Columbia
  County, where his son (subject's father) was born, and where he followed
  shoemaking in early life, but later farming. Our subject, the eldest of nine
  children, was reared on the farm and attended the district school, and also the
  academy at Millville, Columbia County. He was a diligent student and early began
  to teach, which profession he followed in the winter, and farmed in the summer
  for eight years, mostly in the country, but also several terms in
  Washingtonville. In 1863 he came to Danville and commenced business as a dealer
  in books and stationary, and so continued until 1867. In that year he began his
  present business (general merchandising), in which he has a good patronage, and
  keeps a large supply of goods. Mr. WELLIVER has been twice married; first in
  1858 to Miss Sue, daughter of Peter WAGNER, and of German origin. She died in
  1873, the mother of the following children: Lloyd, married and a merchant in
  Exchange, Penn.; Hal C., also married, and a merchant in Mooresburg, Penn.;
  Stewart, a clerk in his father's store, and Charles, at school. In 1878 Mr.
  WELLIVER married Adelaide CONDON, a native of Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. and Mrs.
  WELLIVER are members of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, but votes the
  Independent ticket. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania,
  Battle, 1887, pg. 178)
  
  S. J. WELLIVER, of the firm of WELLIVER & COLE, wholesale and retail hardware
  dealers, Danville, Penn., and East Main Street, Nanticoke, Penn., was born in
  Montour County, February 3, 1841. His parents, Abraham and Martha (WINDER)
  WELLIVER, were natives of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors were among the early
  settlers of the State. His father, a shoemaker by trade, followed farming all
  his life, and reared a family of nine children, of whom S. J. is the sixth. Our
  subject attended the common schools and also Greenwood Seminary at Millville,
  Penn. His first occupation was teaching school, with his brother, established a
  book and stationery store, and two years later merged their business into a
  general store. They carried on a successful general mercantile trade for
  several years, when Mr. WELLIVER sold his interest to his brother, and
  subsequently took charge of the hardware store of Charles H. WATERS, until the
  latter's death. He then clerked in a hardware store one year when he embarked
  in business on his own account, and a year later formed a partnership with
  James McCORMICK, which continued for five years, when our subject bought out
  Mr. McCORMICK's interest. In 1883 the present firm of WELLIVER & COLE was
  established. Mr. WELLIVER married, in 1866, Elizabeth, daughter of Simeon BEST,
  and of English origin. Mrs. WELLIVER has borne her husband eight children, seven
  of whom survive: Warren W. has charge of the branch store at Nanticoke; Mary
  Martha Carrie, Bertha, Clarence, Lulu, Harry, Jessie J. (deceased), and
  Frances. Mrs. WELLIVER is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr.
  WELLIVER of the Baptist. In 1865 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth
  Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He is a
  member of the I. O. O. F., of Danville. In politics he is a Democrat. (History
  of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, pg. 178)
  
  GEORGE W. WEST, surveyor and civil engineer, Danville, was born in Delaware
  County, N. Y., September 30, 1818, a son of William and Eliza (ROGERS) WEST.
  His mother was a native of the same county, a daughter of Hobert ROGERS, who
  was for many years a sea captain. William WEST was born in Schoharie County, N.
  Y., of English descent, a blacksmith by trade, and was twice married, having two
  children by his first wife. George W. is a child of the first wife and was
  educated in the common schools and seminary of his native county; subsequently
  attended Wyoming Seminary, being one of the first students at that institution,
  and while there studied surveying. His first employment was school-teaching, at
  which he remained six years. In 1845 he came to Montour County (then Columbia),
  and when Columbia County was organized he was appointed county surveyor. Since
  then he has served in that capacity and has been largely engaged in looking up
  original lines. He has been employed as surveyor in fifteen or twenty counties
  of Pennsylvania, and has run a great many lines in the coal regions to settle
  disputes. He served twenty-four years as clerk of the county commissioners,
  since he has been surveyor of Montour County. In 1854 he married Catherine Ann,
  daughter of John KASE, of German origin. To Mr. and Mrs. WEST eight children
  have been born, six of whom are now living: Charles, a resident of Chicago,
  Ill.; Nellie E., wife of Oliver DEIHL; William K., attorney, Danville; Louise;
  George M., assistant city engineer at Chicago Ill., and Isaac DEWITT, a
  school-teacher. Mr. and Mrs. WEST are members of the Presbyterian Church.
  Politically he is a Democrat, and has been city engineer for Danville since
  1851. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887,
  Danville, pg. 179)
  
  W. C. WILLIAMS, proprietor of the White Horse Hotel, Danville, was there born
  July 11, 1856, a son of William and Martha (PHILIPS) WILLIAMS, who were natives
  of England, and who settled in Danville in 1847. Mrs. WILLIAMS' father served in
  the battle of Trafalgar, under the command of Admiral Nelson, and lost a limb in
  that famous engagement; he and his wife were born the same year, lived to be
  ninety-nine years old, and died within a few months of each other. Our
  subject's father was a farmer in early life, but later kept a hotel in
  Danville, and at the time of his death, in 1882, was the oldest hotel-keeper in
  the place. He was attentive to business and succeeded in acquiring a goodly
  share of this world's goods. His widow and two children survive him. Of the
  latter W. C. is the younger and grew to manhood in Danville, where he was
  educated and very naturally drifted into the hotel business, and, since the
  death of his father, has conducted the "White Horse." In 1877 he married Clara,
  daughter of Joseph SHULTZ, who was born in Pennsylvania of German origin. Mr.
  and Mrs. WILLIAMS have one child, William J. Politically Mr. WILLIAMS is a
  Republican. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, Battle,
  1887, Danville, pg. 179)
  
  LEWIS E. WOODS, dealer in boots and shoes, Danville, was born in Northumberland
  County, Penn., August 27, 1844, to J. M. and Mary (EVANS) WOODS, natives of
  Pennsylvania, the latter of Welsh origin. The father, who was of Irish origin,
  was a dealer in boots and shoes, which business appears to have been followed
  by the family for many generations back. He embarked in business in 1857, at
  Danville, where he died November 30, 1878. He and his wife had a family of five
  sons and five daughters, and five children still survive. Our subject was
  educated in the common schools, and at the age of thirteen entered his father'
  store as clerk, where he remained until attaining his majority. He then went
  west and engaged as clerk in a dry goods store, until he succeeded in saving
  about $200, when he returned to Danville and embarked in his present business,
  in which he has been very successful, being a first-class salesman. He has
  occupied the same store since 1869. February 23, 1869, he married Emma,
  daughter of Christian LAUBACH, one of the oldest and most prominent merchants
  of Danville. Their children are Nelson, Mattie, Howard and Clarence. Mr. and
  Mrs. WOODS are members of the Methodist Church, of which he is a trustee, and
  is also a member of the K. of P. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. WOODS
  regards the year 1869 as the eventful one of his life; in February of that year
  he was married; in March he embarked in his present business, and in December
  his first child was born. (History of Columbia and Montour Counties
  Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 179)
  
  S. AUGUSTUS YORKS, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, Danville, was
  born in this place February 10, 1853, a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (WEST)
  YORKS, natives of Pennsylvania and of English origin. The grandfather, also
  named Samuel, was an early settler in this part of Pennsylvania and an officer
  in the war of 1812. Our subject's father was a prominent man, first a Whig and
  later a Republican, and the leading spirit in establishing the First National
  Bank of Danville. When the bank was organized he was elected a director and
  also president, which position he occupied until his death in 1878. Our subject
  is the fourth of five children; was reared in Danville, where he was educated in
  the public schools and the academy, and since he was seventeen years of age has
  been employed in the First National Bank. He is now assistant cashier. In
  December, 1875, he married Cornelia Page HANCOCK, daughter of William HANCOCK
  and of English origin. She has borne her husband two children: Samuel and Mary.
  Mr. YORKS is a member of the Presbyterian Church and secretary of the
  Sabbath-school. He is a Republican, has served six years as a member of the
  town council of Danville and is treasurer of the R. A. in that place. Mrs.
  YORKS is a member of the Episcopal Church. (History of Columbia and Montour
  Counties Pennsylvania, Battle, 1887, Danville, pg. 179)