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Early post offices were in the business or residence of the post master. Mansfield's Post Office was located on the west side of North Main Street at one time and earlier in the west side of South Main street. This 1957 photo of the old Post Office on South Main street was taken when the building was new. It was built in 1955-56 and replaced by the newer post office built in 1980 further south on the same street. This building was renovated and is the location of the Northwest Savings Bank. This photo is from Mansfield's Centennial celebration. Chester Bailey stands between horses right of center and the man by the mail box may be postmaster Francis Kelly. I will need to confirm that.

This post office on South Main street was built in 1980 and serves the Mansfield area to the present day. Photo by Joyce M. Tice 2007 is included in the Mansfield Sesquicentennial book authored by Joyce M. Tice and Steve Orner.

Wellsboro Gazette, 30 May 1974, p.1
Francis Kelly makes list of Mansfield Postmasters to 1974

Francis Kelly, retired postmaster of Mansfield and also a former Councilman, has compiled a list of all the postmasters Mansfield has had. This is an accurate list because it comes from the files of the Post Office Department. Our thanks to Mr. Kelly.

Last three columns added by Joyce M. Tice from the Sullivan-Rutland Genealogy Project which includes Richmond and Mansfield as well.

Following is the list of postmasters and the dates of their appointments.
 

ALMON ALLEN was born in Massachusetts, and died at Mansfield in 1871, aged 73 years. He was a son of Lieutenant Jacob Allen. He married Polly Bates, by whom he had seven children, viz. Prof. Fordyce Almon, Darwin D., Philena, Charles, Almon, Loren Fenton, and George R. He came to Mansfield in 1822, from Cummington, Mass., and went to live with his father. In 1824 he with his brother-in-law, Solon Richards, erected a woolen factory near the northwest corner of Smythe Park, which he sold to John and Peter Drake. The factory was a bold enterprise for those days. It was burned and rebuilt by the Drakes, and this last building, having been removed a few years since, is now occupied by Edward Doane & Co., as a sash and blind factory. Mr. Allen left Mansfield for Ohio, returned to Massachusetts, and afterward lived in Chautauqua county, N.Y., but came here to end his days, as already stated. He was a man of considerable physical and intellectual vigor, and was at one time a captain of militia. [1883 History]

Barret Clark - 1820, 1830 census - living in Jackson Township; cannot find anything else.

Mansfield Advertiser 26 Jun 1878: Died Asa Mann at home of daughter Mary Ann Hoffman. The village was named for him in 1843.

Mansfield Advertiser 10th May 1876: Died Benjamin M. Bailey in Elmira May 13th 59 yrs 4 mos 26 days of apoplexy.

Wellsboro Agitator, 1 July 1891
Prospect Cemetery
BEACH - Lyman Beach, an old and respected citizen of Mansfield, died at the home of his daughter, in Elmira, NY, last Friday morning. He had been visiting in Elmira for several weeks and was taken sick with a disease of the stomach. Mr. Beach was seventy-seven years of age, and he had resided in this county for many years. The remains were brought back to Mansfield for interment.

Isaac Ruckman - appointed postmaster Aug. 15, 1855 and served for two months [wa19320224]. Mr. Ruskman was editor of the first newspaper published in Mansfield, The Balance, afterwards known as the Express.
The Balance, a newspaper published in Mansfield in 1856, by I. M. Ruckman. The type and fixtures were afterwards removed to Kansas, and during ruffian agitation were thrown into the Missouri River. [source Seven Counties Outline, Tri-Counties]

Mathew Covel - the only listing is 1850 census for Elmira, Chemung County, Mathew b. abt 1819 NY; Woodlawn Cemetery, d. 1858 age 38yr.

Oliver H. Phelps - Prospect Cemetery d. Sep. 10, 1863, 77y4m11d [source -TriCounties]; April 10, 1856 and served until March 20, 1861, was a prominent hotel keep, erecting one after he came to Mansfield in 1843 [source wa19320224]

Charles V. Elliott - SRGP82641; Prospect Cemetery, 1824-1904;
1900 census -Charles V. Elliott b. Mar. 1824 PA; Julia A. [wife] b. Oct 1842 PA, married 35yr
Wellsboro Agitator, 26 October 1904
Grandson of Levi Elliott [source wa19320224]
ELLIOTT - Dr. Charles V. Elliott, ages 80, died suddenly at his home in Mansfield on Saturday afternoo. He had been a resident of Mansfield over 50 years, having practiced his profession as a physician there for many years. He was also engaged in the drug business for some time. He. ably represented Tioga county in the Legislature from 1877 to 1890. His second wife, one son, Mr. Arthur H. Elliott, of New York City, formerly of this borough, where he was engaged in the drug business; one daughter, Mrs. C.W. Brown of Washington, D.C., formerly of Elmira, and one brother, Simon B. Elliott of Reynoldsville, Jefferson county, survive him. Dr. Elliott was one of Tioga county's most prominent and gifted citizens. He had a bright, cheerful, lovable disposition, and had the respect and regard of all who knew him. His friends were as numerous as his acquaintances and his cheery greetings will be keenly missed by his townspeople. His active life was marked by countless deeds of charity, helpfulness and usefulness. He was a gentleman in manner and tastes, and one of his chief charms was his cordial attention and interest in the young people. The writer remembers with pleasure how he was attracted to Dr. Elliott and became his admirer and warm friend through that quality of his character. Funeral services were held at his late home yesterday afternoon.

Vine R. Pratt - Whitneyville Cemetery, 1848-1928 [source TriCounties]
Vine R. Pratt was manager of the Soldiers Orphan School under Professor Allen for many years [source wa19320224]
Wellsboro Agitator, 23 March 1932
DARLING - Mrs. Alice Darling Pratt, died March 14 [1932], at her home in Reynoldsville, PA. The remains were brought to Charleston; interment in the East Charleston [Whitneyville] cemetery Thursday. Mrs. Pratt was the widow of Vine R. Pratt, formerly of Tioga county. She is survived by a daughter, Maude E. Pratt, of Reynoldsville. She was aged 81 years. Dana Wetherbee of Wellsboro, is a nephew of the deceased.

Obituary: Mansfield Advertiser 1899 Dec 13th: Col. Nathaniel Elliott died Mansfield last Friday -obit lists wives, children, parents, etc. (See Pat Raymond page 25 for text). Nathaniel was County Commissioner in 1880. He was known as Col. N. A. Elliott.

ELLIOTT - Judson A. Elliott, 81, a leader in Mansfield civic affairs died last Friday evening. Superintendent of the Mansfield Water Company from 1890 to 1932 he was also a former insurance representative and many years ago conducted a general store with his father, Oliver Elliott. From 1890 to 1894 and again from 1898 to 1902 he served Mansfield as postmaster. He was a Mansfield Normal trustee from 1881 to 1910, serving all but the first year as secretary. During the same time he was a trustee and secretary of the Normal board of stockholders. He was also secretary of the Smythe Park Association for many years and one of the organizers of the Mansfield Library. He was also a trustee of the Baptist Church, although not a member, and affiliated with Friendship Lodge, F&AM. In 1887 he married Miss Mary Ella Hillier, of Mansfield who died in December 1935. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Beatrice Stevens and a grandson, the latter of Reno, Nevada. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. David J. Griffiths at the Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, with burial in Prospect Cemetery. - Wellsboro Gazette, 26 March 1936

Elmer G CORNWELL
Elmer G. Cornwell, 86, of Mansfield, died Sunday, April 11, 1965. Funeral was held at Shaw and Robena Funeral Home on Tuesday, the Rev. Sires of the Mansfield Baptist Church, officiating, with burial in Prospect Cemetery. Survived by son, Kenneth of Falls Church, Va.; daughter, Miss Christine of Mansfield and Philadelphia, Mrs. Blair (Olive) Lambert of Ulysses; five grandchildren; six great grandchildren. He was a retired Postmaster of the Mansfield Post Office for 35 years.
Graduated from Mansfield State Normal School in 1902

KELLY – The funeral was held Monday, Jan. 13, for Francis J. Kelly, 81, of 195 South Main St., Mansfield, a former postmaster in the borough for 32 years, who died Saturday, Jan. 11, 1986, at home. Born at Lambs Creek, Apr. 26, 1904, he was a son of William H. and Margaret Kerwan Kelly. Mr. Kelly was a member of Hold Child Roman Catholic Church. He was a graduate of Mansfield High School and the former Mansfield State University. Mr. Kelly was a former borough councilman. He also was an officer of the Mansfield Businessmen’s Assn. And a member of the Mansfield Public Library Board and the National Assn. Of Retired Postmasters. Mr. Kelly was a former professional baseball player and a longtime manager of Mansfield’s town team and Mansfield Babe Ruth Baseball teams. He was a charter member of Mansfield University’s Sports Hall of Fame Board. Surviving are his wife, the former Lucile Palmer; three step-sons, Richard Kaley of Camilus, NY, John Kaley of Houston, Texas, and Robert Kaley of Milwaukee, Wis.; a sister, Regina Mudge of Mansfield; and 5 nieces and 4 nephews. The funeral was at Holy Child Roman Catholic Church, Mansfield. Burial was in St. Andrews Cemetery, Blossburg. The Rev. John J. Tamalis, his pastor, officiated. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Holy Child Roman Catholic Church, Mansfield. Arrangements by the Kuhl-Wilston Funeral Home, Mansfield.

Oakwood Cemetery, Mansfield
FARRER - John K. Farrer, 69, of Mansfield RR#3 died Sunday, June 5, 1994, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro. Born Dec. 1, 1924, in Blossburg, he was the son of Philip and Constance Kohler Farrer. He was a retired postmaster. He served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II, and during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Mansfield; member and past master of Friendship Lodge #247 F&AM; member of the Coudersport Consistory; charter member of the Mansfield Hose Company. He was a trustee and board member of the Wheel Inn and a member and former treasurer of Corey Creek Golf Club. He was an avid fan of Penn State football. Surviving are his wife of 51 years, the former Marieta Goodwin; three sons, Gerald of Mansfield, John of Horseheads, NY, and James of Elmira Heights, NY; one daughter, Linda Doud of Mansfield; one brother, Thomas of Mansfield; one sister, Mary Lou Townsend of Mansfield; one brother-in-law, Chester Goodwin of Tioga; nine grandchildren. Friends may call at the Wilston Funeral Home, 18 N. Main St., Mansfield, on Wednesday, June 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. Friendship Lodge #247 F&AM will conduct services at 8:45 p.m. Services will be held there Thursday, June 9, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Thomas D. Thomas officiating. Burial with military rites will be held at Oakwood Cemetery, Mansfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church of Mansfield, the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one’s choice. - Wellsboro Gazette, June 8, 1994

Northwest Savings Bank occupies the modified old post office building on South Main Street. The video store is in the former telephone building.

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Published On Tri-Counties Site On 13 October 2008 By Joyce M. Tice Email Joyce M. Tice