Crawford County, Pennsylvania


History & Biography
1885
Part V:  Biographical Sketches

ATHENS TOWNSHIP

pages 776-77
      FRANKLIN ADAMS, farmer, P. O. Riceville, was born July 28, 1832, in Susquehanna County, Penn., son of Asa and Sibyl Adams, who came to this county about 1836, locating in Athens Township in 1837.  The former died February 16, 1862, aged seventy-seven years; the latter died May 29, 1858.  Here our subject grew up, enduring the hardships that fell to the lot of a pioneer's son.  He married, January 2, 1854, Ruth A. Parker, born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., February 23, 1832, daughter of Thomas and Mary Parker.  When eighteen years old she came to this county with her parents, from Chautauqua County, N. Y.  Our subject and wife settled in this township after their marriage, chiefly devoting themselves to farming.  They have acquired a comfortable home, having purchased, in 1874, the old Clement's farm, where they now live.  They have one son—Thomas Eugene—who married Viola Hall.  They reside near Grand Valley, Warren Co., Penn., and have a family of four children:  Jasper C., George M., Mattie B. and William F.  Mrs. Franklin Adams is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Our subject is an A. F. & A. M., and a member of the K. of H.  He is a stanch Republican; a man of much influence in the community.
pages 778-79
      ISAAC W. CUMMINGS, farmer, P. O. Lincolnville, a native of Massachusetts, was born June 28, 1811.  His parents, Dr. Nathan and Phebe (Maxwell) Cummings, started to come to this county in 1812, but owing to the war remained in New York State until 1815, when the came to and settled in Cambridgeboro, Penn.  Dr. Cummings was the first physician in Cambridge Township, for many years bravely enduring alone all the hardships of a pioneer practitioner, and ended a useful life highly respected by all who knew him.  He was the parent of twelve children.  Our subject, the ninth in the family, was married August 23, 1833, to Louisa Swift, of Woodcock Township, this county.  By this union were the following children:  Linus Serrel, in Michigan; Mrs. Bede J. Skelton (deceased); Isaac D. (deceased); William D. (deceased); Dean, in Richmond Township, this county; Mrs. Eunice A. Faulkenberg; Mrs. Mary S. Nodine (deceased); Curtis C., in Woodcock Township, this county; Isaac W.; Mrs. Phebe L. Hume; and Mrs. Susan S. Pinney.  Mr. and Mrs. Cummings, after spending several years each in Richmond, Woodcock, Venango and Bloomfield Townships, finally settled in 1880 on their present farm in Athens Township.  Mr. Cummings has followed lumbering quite extensively.  About 1853 he was engaged in mercantile business for two years in Richmond Township in partnership with James Leffingwell; was also in same business about 1858-59 in Venango Township along with Erastus O. Beach.  Previously he operated a saw-mill for two years in Sparta Township.  He is a Democrat politically; was twice elected Justice of the Peace, and has filled various other township offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people.
page 782
      JOHN A. HIMEBAUGH, merchant, Centreville, was born June 11, 1829, in Saegertown, this county; son of the pioneer, Jacob Himebaugh.  He was married May 10, 1859, to Barbara Jane Campbell, born in Venango Township, this county, July 22, 1832, daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Siverling) Campbell, the former of whom, also a native of Venango Township, was a son of Thomas Campbell, Sr., who came from Westmoreland County, Penn., and settled in that township in very early times.  Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had two children—John H. and Barbara Jane.  Mr. Campbell died in 1835, his widow February 24, 1882.  After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Himebaugh lived in Venango Township until 1869, when they came to this township.  They are now residing on the third farm they have owned here (on which they settled March, 1867,) comprising 200 acres of well-improved land.  They have reared an intelligent family of six children:  Thomas C., who studied law in the office of Curtis & Norton, in Erie, Penn., and was admitted to the bar at that place in 1880; William C., who graduated from Bellevue College with degree of M. D.; Jacob C., proprietor of lumber mill at Centreville, married to Mary Moran; Jennie; Anna; and Fred.  For several years Mr. Himebaugh has been engaged in merchandising in Coleville and Aiken, in McKean County, Penn., and is now established in business at Clarendon, Warren Co., Penn., leaving the family to carry on the farm.  He is a member of the K. of H.  Mrs. Himebaugh is an adherent of the Congregational Church.
page 783
      HENRY L. MINIUM, druggist, Little Cooley, was born in Cambridge Township, this county, February 28, 1851; son of Jacob and Susan (Saeger) Minium, the former of whom died recently; the latter still lives in Venango Borough, this county.  Our subject was reared on his father's farm, acquiring his education at the district schools.  When eighteen years old he engaged with the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Company (now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio), and while in their employ, by an unfortunate accident, he lost his left arm.  He then obtained the position of agent and telegrapher for same road, at their office, Mill Village, Erie Co., Penn., and there he remained till the spring of 1883, when he resigned to accept the office of Appraiser of Merchandise, Erie County.  May 28, 1883, he purchased the only drug store in Little Cooley and is doing a prosperous business.  He was married September 22, 1875, to Amanda F. Sherrod, of Mill Village.  Mr. Minium is an enterprising young man of good business ability, respected by all.