PABios

Assorted
PA BIOGRAPHIES

From other Histories of Columbia County

These biographies are from various townships in
Columbia County, Pennsylvania. I do NOT have the books from which they came.

SKETCHES ON:

 
 
 

Mark E. RITTENHOUSE

George FARVER

Daniel WELLIVER

Adam WELLIVER

Charles WELLIVER

 
 
 
 

MARK E. RITTENHOUSE, a farmer and truck grower of Briarcreek township, Columbia county, was born in that township June 8, 1856, son of Enoch and Catherine (KITCHEN) RITTENHOUSE.
The first of the Rittenhouse family in America came to this country in 1732 and it is an old and honored family of Pennsylvania. A number of its members have become distinguished in various lines of endeavor, prominent amoung whom may be mentioned David RITTENHOUSE, the great American astronomer, who was a second cousin of the grandmother of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE. He was born near Philadelphia, Pa., April 8, 1732, and died April 26 1796. He worked on his father's farm up to the age of nineteen years, when he became a clockmaker thus drifting into the making of mathmatical instruments. It is said that when he had his first sight of the heavens through a telescope he fainted. In 1770 he completed, from an improved model devised by himself, an orrery, a planetary machine to illustrate and explain the motions of the heavenly bodies. He was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1768 and in 1769 made an observation of the transit of Venus. He was treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1789, was professor of astronomy in the University of Pennsylvania from 1779 to 1782, was professor of astronomy in the University of Pennsylvania from 1779 to 1782, director of the United States Mint at Philadelphia from 1792 to 1795, was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1796, and was president of the American Philosophical Society from 1790 until his death.
William RITTENHOUSE, the great-grandfather of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE, emigrated to America with his brother Nicholas and sister Elizabeth, and settled in Columbia county. Nicholas settled in Germantown, Pa., while Elizabeth passed away soon after coming to this country.
Henry RITTENHOUSE, son of William RITTENHOUSE, and grandfather of Mark E. RITTENHOUSE, was born in Briarcreek township, Columbia Co., Pa., Sept. 7, 1792, and died April 2, 1878: he was buried at Berwick, Pa. He was educated in the public schools of his home locality, recieving such advantages as could be obtained during the short winter terms, and in the meantime assisting his father with the work of the homestead. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he engaged on his own account on attaining manhood, and became the owner of 240 acres of land, which comprised nearly all of what is now Briarcreek settlement, the old homestead farm being now occupied by Milton Crooks. He married Rachel HUTTON, daughter of James and Hannah (Lee) HUTTON, the latter the daughter of Anthony and Mary LEE. Anthony LEE was born near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, and came to Pennsylvania in his twenty-second year, soon after becoming a member of the Society of Friends. He died in Oley township, Berks Co., Pa., Dec. 12, 1763, in his eighty-fifth year. Mary, his wife, died Feb. 8, 1764, in her seventy-first year. The children of Anthony and Mary LEE were as follows: Thomas, born May 31, 1715, died March 15, 1791, married in 1736 Eleanor, daughter of Thomas and Jane (HUGHES) Ellis; Sarah, born Aug. 29, 1717, died Dec. 22, 1754, married Henry WILLETS; John, born Nov. 21, 1719, died Aug. 10, 1803, married Jane HUGHES and (second) Ann EDWARDS; Samuel, born April 7, 1722, died March 10, 1802, married Margaret HUGHES; Mary, born Sept. 13, 1724, died April 15, 1793, married John WILEY and (second) Owen HUGHES; Hannah, born Jan. 19, 1727, died Aug. 25, 1818, married James HUTTON; Esther was born June 26, 1730; Mordecai, born Oct. 16, 1733, died Sept. 18, 1812, married Deborah STARR and (second) Mary REED.
The children born to Henry and Rachel (HUTTON) RITTENHOUSE were as follows: Ann and Enoch, deceased; Mary, who married John RITTENHOUSE, of Canada, both deceased; Sarah, who married William HEDDINGS, both deceased; William, who married Eliza VARNER, both deceased; Nehemiah, who married
Minerva DIETRICH, both deceased; Uzila, who married John MAUSTELLOR, both deceased; Hannah, who married Wesley FREAS, both decease and to this union have been born three children; Laura Samantha, who married William YOHE and lives in West Berwick, has two children, George, and Boyd Alem; Emma Catherine lives at home; Isadora, who married William FISCHER, of West Berwick, has one child, Mark R. Mr. RITTENHOUSE has recently disposed of a part of his land, and is now engaged in farming and trucking a tract of eleven acres. He is industrious, enterprising and modern in his methods, and has won material success and position. He is a Republican, but not a politician, although always ready to give his support to good men and measures. His fraternal connection is with the Order of the Owls, and his religious association with the First Methodist Church of Berwick. During his long residence in Briarcreek township he has formed a wide acquaintance, in which he numbers many warm personal friends.
Mrs. Sarah RITTENHOUSE was born at Reading, Pa., March 3, 1858, was educated in the schools of Berwick, Pa., and remained at home until the time of her first marriage, in 1879, to Dr. T. H. CHRISTIAN. One child was born to this union, Harry O. CHRISTIAN, who married Ella SPONNENBERG and lives in Briarcreek township.
Henry HOCKMAN, the grandfather of Mrs. RITTENHOUSE, died in Northumberland, Northumberland Co., Pa., about 1840, and was buried there. He was married to Mrs. Catherine (MULL) DEIHL, the widow of Jacob DIEHL. She came from Shoemakersville, Pa., and four children were born to this union: John, deceased; Mary, deceased; Henry M.; and a child who died in infancy. Mrs. HOCKMAN was laid to rest in the Aulenbach cemetery, at Reading, Pennsylvania.
Henry M. HOCKMAN, son of Henry HOCKMAN, and father of Mrs. RITTENHOUSE, was born in Pottsville, Pa., April 8, 1838, and is now a resident of Centre township, Columbia county. As a lad he accompanied his parents to Northumberland county, and after his father's death went with his mother to Reading, where he attended school. Subsequently he learned the trade of cigarmaker and later went to Philadelphia, wher he devoted himself assiduously to learning the machinist's trade, at which he worked for some time in the shipyard of James HOUSE. He remainded in Philadelphia some three or four years, and then went to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he opened a tobacco store and manufactured cigars, in 1862 moving to Berwick, where he continued in the same line of business until 1873. Subsequently he embarked in the bakery business, which he continued ot follow until his retirement in 1912. His first marriage was to Emma MILLER, who was born April 13, 1840; daughter of Daniel and Catherine (KIRLING) MILLER, and two children were born to this union; Sarah, Mrs. Rittenhouse; and Laura, who became the wife of M. G. SMITH, of Berwick. Mrs. RITTENHOUSE died in 1886, at the age of forty-six years, and Mr. HOCKMAN was married (second) to Mrs. Susanna (LEE) ENT, widow of Robert ENT, and daughter of Charles LEE. Mr. HOCKMAN is a Republican in his political views, and has been honored by his fellow citizens with election to various public offices, including those of councilman of Berwick, in which he served one year, and constable, in whih he acted for a number of terms. With his family he attends the Methodist Church at Berwick, of which he is a consistent member; he has been a class leader and a teacher in the Sunday school. He is widely known and highly esteemed all over this section of Columbia county, now residing at Light Street, in Scott township.
Mr. RITTENHOUSE has in his possession a number of cakes that were baked twenty-three years ago, when his father, Enoch RITTENHOUSE, celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. These cakes were baked in pans that had been used when the parents were married, fifty years before, and these same pans are still in service in Mr. RITTENHOUSE's home. (Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, J.H. Beers & Co. 1915, pg. 1171-1173)

GEORGE FARVER, a retired citizen residing at Berwick, was born in Jackson township, Columbia Co., Pa., April 22, 1838, son of Jacob and Rachel (PEGG) FARVER. His paternal grandfather was a pioneer of Columbia county, and followed agriculture pursuits throughout his life.
Jacob FARVER , the father of George FARVER, was born in Jackson township, Columbia Co., Pa., and followed in his father's footsteps, adopting the vocation of farmer. Later in life he moved from Jackson township to Fishingcreek township, and still later to lee county, Ill., where he spent the declining years of his life. He married Rachel PEGG, a native of Columbia county, Pa., who died here.
George FARVER, son of Jacob FARVER, attended the public schools of Jackson township, Columbia county, but most of his education was obtained while in the army. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, 2nd Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, under Capt. William M. McCLURE, in which he was enrolled December 25, 1861, for three years. He was discharged Jan. 1, 1864, at Fort Lincoln, District of Columbia, and the next day re-enlisted, for three years, in the same company, then under Capt. George W. WEBB. He was discharged Jan. 29, 1866, at City Point, Va., after having participated in numerous engagements, including those at Petersburg, Fort Harrison, Wilderness and Cold Harbor. In all his service he never received a scratch. His record was that of a valiant and faithful soldier, who won the admiration of his comrads and the respect of his officers. On his return to the pursuits of peace he again located in Columbia County, and in 1886 came to Berwick. He was for a long period in the employ of the American Car and Foundry Company, but for several years has been living a quiet, retired life, enjoying the fruits of his many years of industrious labor. His present home in Berwick was purchased by him in 1906. Mr. FARVER is a member of the First Methodist Church of Berwick, and supports all movements calculated to advance the cause of education, morality and good citizenship.
On Nov. 20, 1866, Mr. Farver was married to Maria Catherine MILLER, a native of Mount Pleasant township, Columbia Co., Pa., born Nov. 30, 1840 and, six children have been born to this union, namely: (1) Orivs O., born Sept. 19, 1868, a resident of Berwick, married Hariet SHULTZ and has three children, George J., Mary C. and Catherine. (2) Albert A., born Oct. 21, 1870, now a resident of Atchison, Kans., is married and has two children, Martha and Florence. (3) George Gaylord, born Dec. 31, 1872, who makes his home at Berwick, married Cora HARVEY, and their children are Alvin, Lloyd V., Belford and Bradford, twins, and Martha. (4) Eva J., born May 5, 1875, is the wife of Frank H. DILL, of Berwick, and the mother of Lewis and Lulu, twins, Gaylord, Harriet, Myrtle, Charles and Luther. (5) Edward E., born Oct. 22, 1877, is also a resident of Berwick. (6) Cora E., born Aug. 27, 1880, is the wife of W. B. THOMPSON, of Berwick, and has one child, Allen Berthier, born May 21, 1912.
Aaron MILLER, father of Mrs. George FARVER, was born June 30, 1812, and was a pioneer of Cloumbia county, coming hither from New Jersey and settling in Hemlock township. On Feb. 7, 1838, he married Catherine WHITENIGHT, who was born March 10, 1818, and their children were born as follows: Rebecca Elizabeth, Aug. 20, 1839; Maria Catherine, Dec. 31, 1840; Sarah Ann, Sept. 26, 1842; William Oct. 23, 1845; Sophia, July 28, 1850; George W., Oct. 4, 1852; Caroline, April 8, 1854; Mary Ellen, Sept. 4, 1856; Willetts Hervey, April 1, 1858. (Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties PA, J.H. Beers & Co. 1915, pg. 1077-78)

DANIEL WELLIVER settled in what is now Madison township, on Whetstone run, now called Bear run, in the year 1776. He was driven off by the Indians in 1778, and came back in 1780. His purchase was east of Jerseytown, and took in the farms now occupied by Vincent SHULTZ and Silas WELLIVER. Silas lives on the homestead of his grandfather - Valentine WELLIVER lives on the same purchase. All the north end of the township belonged to him. He raised a large and respectable family of four sons and seven daughters. He came from Sussex county, NJ. (History of Columbia County, PA by John G. Freeze, 1883.)

ADAM WELLIVER, John WELLIVER and Christopher WELLIVER, cousins of the above named Daniel, also from Sussex county, NJ, settled in the township about 1780. A large part of Jerseytown is built upon Adam's purchase, which stretched off to the north west. Adam left two sons and two daughters. John's farm lay to the southwest of Jerseytown. There was a family by the name of WHITMOYER living on it at the time of the Wyoming massacre in 1778. When other settlers left they concluded to stay, and in the next spring, at the season of making maple syrup two of the daughters went to the camp and while they were thus absent, the Indians came and killed all the rest of the family and scalped them. It is disputed whether there were three or five thus butchered. They were buried on the old road from Jerseytown to Washingtonville on the left hand side of the road, about half a mile from town, near where Capt William ALLEN now lives. John had a family of four sons and one daughter. Phineas, well remembered in the neighborhood was the youngest. The old farm is now occupied by Samuel JOHNSON. Christopher's land lay south of Jerseytown. A large part of it has been sold off in lots, and are now owned or occupied by William KISNER, John STOUT, Samuel JOHNSON and others. He raised fours sons and three daughters. Russel, who is quite well remembered, was the youngest son. He kept a store in Rohrsburg for a long time and now resides in the west. (History of Columbia County, PA by John G. Freeze, 1883.)

"CHARLES WELLIVER of Bloomsburg, at present serving as one of the board of commisioners of Columbia Co., belongs to a family which has been established for about a century. He was born in Montour Twp., Columbia Co. April 11, 1858, son of Evan Welliver, and is a grandson of Samuel Welliver, who founded the family in this section. Samuel Welliver was born in New Jersey and came to Columbia Co. at an early date. Settling at Mordansville he lived and died there. His widow, whose maiden name was Martha Jones, married for her second husband, Samuel Wolf. By her marriage to Mr. Welliver she had the following children: John; Evan; Eli; Daniel; Mary, Mrs. Kilguss; Rebecca; Ellen, Mrs. John German; Lavina, Mrs. High Alberton [sic, Battle calls him Hiram Albertson.]; Margaret, Mrs. Theodore Smith. Evan Welliver was born Feb. 15, 1825, in the western part of Columbia Co., was a shoemaker and was also engaged in teaming. On April 26, 1849, he married Mary D. Guild, who was born Feb. 28, 1831, in Hemlock township, and died April 22, 1883, surviving her husband, who had passed away March 12, 1876; his death occurred in Montour township, Columbia county. They were burIed at Bloomsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Evan Welliver were the parents of children as follows: William B. G., John E., Mary E. (Mrs. Jonathan Pursel), Charles E., Sarah M. (Mrs. C. P. Curtin), Alice R. (Mrs. William Christian), Katie M., Evan D. and Elmer Wood. Charles E. Welliver attended public school in Montour township, and learned telegraphy at Rupert, Columbia county, following that business for a short time. Then he engaged in the carpentry and building business at Bloomsburg, at which he was engaged for a period of twenty years. In 1911 he was elected to the office of county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, receiving a highly complimentary vote-substantial testimony of his wide acqunaintance and popularity. He now devotes all his time to the duties of his responsible position, which calls for business ability and efficiency of the highest order. Mr. Welliver married on June 25, 1884, Clara E. Rabb, daughter of William and Abigail Rabb, of Bloomsburg, and they have had four children namely: Pauline M., who died in infancy; William E.; Walter E.; and Charlotte B. Mr. Welliver is a member of the Presbyterian church and socially belongs to the P. O. S. of A. at Danville, Pa and to the Untied Americans and Knights of Malta at Bloomsburg." (History of Columbia and Montour Counties - published by J.H. Beers, 1915 vol 1.p.539)

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