J. L. SEYFANG, of the firm of Bovaird & Seyfang, manufacturers, Bradford, was born in Germany May 3, 1844, a son of George and Mary B. (Heim) Seyfang. His father died in Germany in 1849, and in 1850 his mother came to America with her three children, J. L. being the eldest, and settled in Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Seyfang was reared in Buffalo, where for a time he attended the graded schools, but in his youth learned the machinist's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of four years. He then worked at his trade in Buffalo two years, and in 1868 moved to Petroleum Centre, where he was employed at the oil wells five months, and then returned to Buffalo, and worked at his trade a year. Early in 1869 he came to Shamburg, Venango county; in 1875 he removed to Titusville, Crawford county, and in 1879 established his present business on a small scale. His trade has constantly increased from the start, and is now the largest manufacturing establishment in the city, giving employment to 200 men. In 1875 he admitted David Bovaird as a partner, who has charge of the outside work, Mr. Seyfang being manager and general superintendent of the factory. They manufacture steam-engines, boilers, drilling tools, and all kinds of special machinery. Mr. Seyfang was married in July, 1869, to Miss C. T. Montgomery, a native of Franklin, Venango Co., Penn., a descendant of the old Dutch colonists. They have six children: Kittie A., M. M., John E., Charles F., Clarence L. and Herbert C. Mr. and Mrs. Seyfang are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican, and was president of the common council of Bradford.
Information Sources
- History of the Counties of McKean, Elk, and Forest, Pennsylvania, 1890 page 392