Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 2390

USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 1

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GENEALCCY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 4548

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SCHOOL AND PUBLIC LIBRARY HONESDALE, PA,

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015

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COMMEMORATIVE

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

.. OF ..

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

INCLUDING THE COUNTIES OF

SUSQUEHANNA, WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE,

CONTAINING

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. AND MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

ILLUSTRATED.

J. H. BEERS & CO., CHICAGO. 1900.

FROM THE PRESS OF WILSON, HUMPHREYS & CO.,

FOURTH ST., LOGANSPORT, IND.

PREFACE.

HE importance of placing in book form biographical history of representative citizens -both for its immediate worth and for its value to coming generations-is admitted by all thinking people; and within the past decade there has been a growing inter- est in this commendable means of perpetuating biography and family genealogy.

That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this nature needs no assertion at our hands; for one of our greatest Americans has said that the history of any country resolves itself into the biographies of its stout, earnest and representative citizens. This medium, then, serves more than a single purpose; while it perpetuates biography and family genealogy, it records history, much of which would be preserved in no other way.

In presenting the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to its patrons, the pub- lishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the encouragement and support their enter- prise has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the many unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. In nearly every instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from those immediately interested, and then submitted in type-written form for correction and revision.

The volume, which is one of generous amplitude, is placed in the hands of the public with the belief that it will be found a valuable addition to the library, as well as an invaluable contribution to the historical literature of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

THE PUBLISHERS.

1151676

$17.50

SURNAME FILE

Eng by A.H. Ritchie.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

C COLLUM - BREWSTER. M Almost from the very dawn of the Nineteenth Century these names, through the several generations of the families for a hundred years, have been those of substan- tial men and women of Sus- quehanna county. Among them, and of whom it is the purpose of this article to especially treat, are the Hon, Joseph Brewster McCollum, Justice of the Su- preme Court of Pennsylvania, and Alexander H. McCollum, one of the foremost lawyers in this sec- tion of the State, with residence at Montrose.

The McCollums of New York State, whence came the Susquehanna county (Penn.) family, were of Scotch origin. Alexander McCollum, the great- grandfather of J. B. and A. H. McCollum, of Mont- rose, emigrated from Scotland during the eighteenth century and settled near Albany, N. Y., where he remained, a farmer, through life. Two of his sons, Hugh and Alexander, the latter of whom was the grandfather of the McCollum brothers, migrated from near Albany, N. Y., to Susquehanna county, Penn., about 1810, and settled in East Bridgewater. Alexander McCollum was born in 1780, married Mary Trumbull, and settled with his family on what is now known as the Gardner farm, East Bridgewater. He died at Lanesboro, Susquehanna county, in 1871, aged ninety-one years. His wife died October 10, 1862, aged eighty-three years. To Alexander and Mary McCollum were born the following children: John married Emma Bailey ; Hugh is referred to farther on; George married Lucy Baldwin, and died in Illinois ; Alexander mar- ried Martha Kennard, and died at New Milford; Peter married Harriet Brewster; Nancy married Silas Baldwin; and Mary married Darius Crouch, and died at St. Louis, Missouri.

Hugh McCollum, son of Alexander McCollum, and the father of Justice J. B. and A. H. McCollum, was born near Albany, N. Y., August 9, 1805, and when five years old migrated with his father to Susquehanna county. The family settled in the 1

wilderness, on a small clearing which had been made, and a log cabin had been erected in which the family lived for three years. Alexander McCol- lum, the father of this family, then removed to an- other farm, which was partially cleared, and here Hugh was reared. He married Polly Ann Brew- ster, January 4, 1832. He was a farmer for many years, and became a prosperous and substantial citi- zen. Later in life he removed to Montrose, where he lived retired until his death, on August 17, 1891, at the age of eighty-six years. His widow still sur- vives, living at Montrose. She is now, at the age of eighty-six years, remarkably active, both physic- ally and mentally. Two children were born to Hugh and Polly Ann McCollum, Joseph Brewster and Alexander H.

The Brewster family of Susquehanna county, from whom descended on their mother's side Justice Joseph Brewster and Alexander H. McCollum, were descendants of Elder Brewster, one of the Pilgrim fathers, who came to America in the "Mayflower" in 1620. The forerunner of the family in Susque- hanna county, Penn., was Nathan Brewster (2), the grandfather of Joseph Brewster and Alexander H. McCollum. He was born in Massachusetts in 1781. He married, at Canterbury, Conn., Novem- ber 12, 1804, Polly Raynsford, also a representative of an old New England family. She was the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Waldo) Raynsford '(married August 8, 1777), and granddaughter of Joseph and Johanna (Gibson) Raynsford, the for- mer born June 29, 1725, died December 23, 1792, and the latter born February 23, 1718, died Decem- ber 6, 1806. Joseph and Anna (Waldo) Raynsford migrated from Canterbury, Conn., to Susquehanna county, in 1804, and settled in Bridgewater town- ship, where they died in 1820 and 1819, aged sev- enty-eight and sixty years, respectively, leaving two children : Joshua, who married Hannah Lathrop; and Polly, wife of Nathan Brewster (2). Nathan and Polly (Raynsford) Brewster came to Susque- hanna county in 1807, and settled in Bridgewater township, one mile from the site of Montrose. Here Nathan Brewster died March 7, 1847, aged sixty- six years. His wife died March 12, 1850, aged

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sixty-eight years. Their family of six children was as follows: Nathan W., born December 1, 1806, married Alice Roberts; Joseph died at the age of seventeen years; Zachariah, born December 7, 1810, married Adeline B. Bronson; Polly A. became the mother of Joseph Brewster and Alexander H. Mc- Collum; Eliza H. died at the age of two years ; and Harriet married Peter McCollum.

Nathan Brewster, father of Nathan Brewster (2), in about 1808 came from his home in West Hampton, Mass., and settled in Bridgewater town- ship. He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and from the effects of a wound received in that struggle was a cripple for life. He married Betsey Slack in Massachusetts, and to them were born children as follows: Lucina, who married Peter Morris; Betsey, who became the wife of Simeon Tyler; Sally, who died unmarried, aged sixty-six years; Polly, who married Bela Jones ; Nathan; and Jonah. The last named, who settled in Bridgewater, became a man of considerable prominence in public affairs. He was the first clerk to the County Commissioners in 1813; served as a Representative in the State Legislature from 1816 to 1820; and as State Senator in 1822.

HON. JOSEPH BREWSTER MCCOLLUM. If there 'are any of her sons whom Susquehanna county de- lights especially to honor, the Justice of the Su- ¡preme Court of Pennsylvania whose name appears above must be included, not so much, perhaps, be- cause of his elevation to the Supreme Judiciary as because of his sterling and brilliant worth, and be- cause of the many invaluable services which he has as a citizen rendered his native county. Justice Mc- Collum practiced law at Montrose for nearly twenty years. His careful, conscientious devotion to his clients, his forceful and eloquent presentation of causes to court and jury, his mastery of the law, rapidly built for him a wide and lucrative practice. It was a fitting preparation for the judgeship of the Susquehanna Courts with which he was then hon- ored. This judicial experience in turn was the stepping-stone to something higher. For ten years he administered justice in the local courts, and in 1889 was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Justice McCollum was born September 28, 1832, on his father's farm in Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and until seventeen years of age led the ordinary life of a country lad, alternating between the performance of farm labor and attendance at the district school. While yet on the farm it was his privilege to sit in the district school under the instruction of his afterward col- league on the Supreme Bench of the State, the late Justice Henry W. Williams, who, too, was a son of Susquehanna county. From the age of seven- teen, for nearly three years, young McCollum was in attendance at Harford Academy, an institution in Susquehanna county then of high rank, in charge of the Richardsons, and from which went forth young men who achieved for themselves distinc-

tion in public life, among them Galusha A. Grow, former speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States; Henry W. Williams, late Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Charles R. Buckalew, former United States Senator; and Cy- rus C. Carpenter, former Governor of Iowa. Subse- quently, having decided to adopt the profession of the law, young McCollum pursued a course at the State and National Law School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he was graduated with the de- gree of LL. B. This course he supplemented with a term of service in the office of Ralph B. Little, of Montrose, one of the ablest and most success- ful lawyers in northern Pennsylvania. He was ad- mitted to the Bar at the August term of court, in 1855. The young lawyer accepted a position at a regular salary in the office of William B. Plate, an old practitioner at Geneva, Ill., where he re- mained one year. He then returned to Montrose, in 1856, and in August, of that year, he purchased with A. J. Gerritson the Montrose Democrat. Mr. McCollum assisted in the publication of that paper until January 1, 1858, when he sold his interest to his partner and resumed the practice of law. At this time he formed a law partnership with Nahum Newton, which lasted about two years. He then continued practice with his brother-in-law, Hon. Daniel W. Searle, now President Judge of Susque- hanna county, as partner, until the latter's enlist- ment in the army, in August, 1862. Continuing practice alone until November, 1867, our subject joined his professional labors with those of Albert Chamberlain, the partnership lasting until Mr. Chamberlain removed to Scranton, January 1, 1871, to become internal revenue collector. Mr. Mc- Collum then associated in practice with his brother, Alexander H. McCollum, until his election as Presi- dent Judge for Susquehanna county, in 1878. This ended his career as a lawyer, and inaugurated his brilliant services on the Bench.

On his resuming practice, in 1858, the Mont- rose Bar was then at its best, and numbered among its members such distinguished citizens as the elder Judge William Jessup. Hon. W. J. Turrell, Hon. Benjamin S. Bentley, William M. Post, and R. B. Little; but the future judge forged steadily ahead, until at the time of his election to the Bench he stood in the front rank, and was in the enjoy- ment of a large and lucrative business and a client- age that ramified throughout the entire county. As a practitioner he was exceedingly painstaking and conscientious, and while aggressive he was always fair. As an advocate he was extremely popular and influential with juries, being always candid and logical and, on occasion, eloquent. He gave careful and conscientious attention to all matters placed in his hands. His cases were always thoroughly pre- pared for trial. One of the traits of his character, which gained for him the confidence of the people of his county, was his untiring devotion to the in- terests confided to his keeping. A litigant who once became his client ever afterward turned to his

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

office when counsel was needed. To his clientage he was not merely a wise legal counselor and for- midable advocate, but a friend as well, ever solicit- ous for their personal welfare. As a jury advocate Justice McCollum was eminently successful. While not given to word painting or ornate oratory, he was ever forceful, logical, candid and convincing. He never appealed to the base passions of men, nor stooped to subterfuge to wheedle jurors, but on occasion, when the emergency required, and oppos- ing counsel invited it, he was capable of the most biting sarcasm and withering invective. When thoroughly aroused the Scotch blood in his veins asserted itself, and the usually quiet-mannered and soft-spoken jurist would pounce upon his antagon- ists with a pugnaciousness which boded ill to the cause he riddled with his vehement forensic shafts.

In politics, Justice McCollum has always been .a firm and enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, and was, before his elevation to the Bench, a favorite stump speaker with the people of the county. In his political speeches he was argu- mentative, not vituperative, but he was never mealy-mouthed in denouncing what he considered wrong in the position of his adversaries. As a member of the minority party in his county he shouldered the burdens usually borne by young men, served as chairman of the county committee, ran for district attorney and representative, and took the defeats which were inevitable to such con- tests. In 1870 he was the Democratic candidate of the old Luzerne-Susquehanna District for Con- gress, but although running handsomely ahead of his ticket he shared the fate of his party, which met defeat. But year by year he was growing stronger in his profession, and becoming more firmly en- trenched in the confidence of his county folk, and at length, in 1878, an opportunity was offered his friends to testify substantially to their high regard for him, both personally and professionally. In that year there was a chaotic condition of affairs, politically, in the county, and party discipline was badly shattered, so that voters felt forced to give more expression to their personal preferences than is usually the case. Being nominated by the Demo- crats for President Judge, the Greenback party, then a potent factor in the county, also nominated him, without asking from him any expression of views favorable to their peculiar financial theory. Mr. McCollum in no way gave his adhesion to the Greenback platform, but was on the contrary un- derstood to strenuously oppose it. The return of that year showed that the combined Democratic and Greenback vote in the county just about equalled the Republican, giving him a majority of over 1,200 over Judge Jessup, a concededly able jur- ist, who was filling, by appointment of the Govern- or, the vacancy caused by the death of Judge F. B. Streeter. This was a remarkable demonstration of his personal popularity, for the Republican candi- date for sheriff at the same election was success-

ful by about 800 majority, and all the other Re- publican candidates were also elected, with the ex- ception of representative, in which case the fusion candidate was elected by less than 100 majority.

On the first Monday in January, 1879, at the age of forty-six years, Judge McCollum ascended the Common Pleas Bench, thoroughly equipped for the performance of the arduous and responsible duties of the judicial office. Before he had been upon the Bench a year his freedom from personal prejudice and his personal fairness were conceded by all. That he possessed a profound knowledge of the law no one doubted, but the ease with which he adapted himself to his new position not only de- lighted his friends, but commanded the admira- tion of those who had opposed his election thereto. Through his industry the trial list, which had long been loaded heavily with causes the trial of which had been too long deferred, was reduced until, in- stead of being obliged to wait two years to bring an action to trial, litigation was adjudicated with all requisite celerity. During his ten-years' incumb- ency of the President Judgeship of Susquehanna county Judge McCollum demonstrated the posses- sion of those qualities of mind and heart which make the Bench honored and trusted-affable in manner, dignified without austerity, quick to per- ceive the salient points of a cause, his memory a vast storehouse of legal precedents, his mind equable and logical, and thoroughly grounded in the Law; and these qualities, resting upon a foun- dation of sterling and unswerving integrity, a love of truth, an abhorrence of injustice, a nature in true sympathy with the common people of whom he is one, a catholicity of view which renders it im- possible for him to be factional, and a courage to do what is right and just regardless of fear or favor, constitute the elements which have raised him to an eminence as a judge which is the pride of his county, and which has commanded the admira- tion of lawyers and litigants wherever he has been called to preside over the courts of other dis- tricts by his judicial brethren. As a judge he knew no friends or enemies. Every suitor stood upon an equal footing in his court, his charges were models of impartiality and cogent statements of Law and evidence, and his rulings upon intricate legal questions, arising in the trial of cases, were singularly free from errors. During his incumb- ency of the President Judgeship appeals from his court were so infrequent that Susquehanna county lawyers became strangers in the Supreme Court. In ten years the higher court overruled him but three times. With the young members of the Bar he was especially popular, for to these he was al- ways extending a helping hand, and giving words of encouragement. His chamber at the Court House was the favorite place of rendesvous for all the members of the Bar, with whom the Judge always maintained most cordial relations. In his intercourse with the Bar he possessed that happy faculty of unbending most graciously, so that in his

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

presence there was no oppressing feeling of awe, but rather the existence of the most perfect entente cordiale.

At the State Convention held in May, 1888, at Harrisburg, as the result of earnest work in his behalf, without his consent or solicitation, the nom- ination for Justice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth was accorded Judge McCollum with substantial unanimity. In July following his nomination the Hon. John Turnkey, a Judge of the Supreme Court, died in London, England, whither he had gone seeking medical treatment. Thus was brought about the necessity for the election of two Justices of the Supreme Court at the ensuing elec- tion. By the Constitutional provision, that when in any year two Justices of the Court are to be chosen no voter is permitted to vote for more than one, thereby providing for minority representation, Judge McCollum's election was assured, no matter how many more votes than he Judge James T. Mit- chell, the Republican candidate, might receive. His career on the Bench has fully demonstrated that when Joseph Brewster. McCollum became a mem- ber of the highest court in the State it was indeed good fortune to the public. His written opinions are notable for their terseness of expression and comprehensive grasp of the legal principles at issue. His style of composition is simple, direct, and with an utter absence of ornamental flourish.

Born and reared on a farm, Justice McCollum has always taken a deep interest in all matters con- nected with agriculture, and is the owner of a large, well-stocked farm, just outside the borough limits, to the management of which he gives his personal attention, and is often seen in the fields at work with the farm hands. Indeed, at the very time that the Democratic State Convention was in the act of naming him for Judge of the Supreme Court he was at his farm, supervising the planting of seed and other work incident to the season among farm- ers, and it was not until toil-worn at eventide, upon his return to his home in town, that he was aware of the great honor that had been conferred upon him by the representatives of the State De- mocracy. In private life he is a delightful com- panion, an angler of a great degree of skill, and ·capable of telling as well as enjoying a good anecdote. Justice McCollum usually spends his summers at his old home in Montrose, among the friends of his earlier years, and amid the scenes of his earlier forensic and judiciary success, but from October to June he presides in the Supreme Courts at Philadelphia and at Pittsburg.

Justice McCollum was married, at Montrose, December 9, 1862, to Mary J. Searle, daughter of Daniel Searle, one of the early mail contractors of Pennsylvania and one of the most prominent men of affairs in Susquehanna county. She is a great- granddaughter of Constant Searle, who fell in the battle of Wyoming Massacre in 1778. A full his- tory of the Searle family is presented following the title of "Searle." To Justice McCollum and wife

were born two sons: Searle and Charles W. The latter was killed in a railroad accident, October 31, 1891.

Searle McCollum, the surviving child, is a practicing attorney at Montrose. He was born at Montrose April 30, 1867, and in his youth was sur- rounded with exceptional educational and refining influences. Reared in the atmosphere of intellectual and literary activity, he was stimulated to excel in literary and professional life. Until the age of six- teen he attended the schools of Montrose, and then entered Prof. Swartz' private school in Bethlehem, for one year. He also attended school at Media, Penn., for three years. Returning home, he entered the law office of McCollum & Smith, and was admit- ted to the Bar in August, 1880. He at once opened an office, and has since remained continuously in practice. He is rapidly gaining in professional and popular influence, and may be said to be a young lawyer with flattering prospects. Among the fra- ternal orders he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias. He was married, March 12, 1895, to Miss Pauline Lusk, born March 12, 1870, daughter of William Lusk, an attorney at Montrose. To Searle and Pauline McCollum has been born one child, Mary E.

ALEXANDER H. MCCOLLUM (son of the late Hugh McCollum and brother of Justice Joseph Brewster McCollum). Among the members of the Montrose Bar who have, by their ability and pro- fessional integrity, given high character and repu- tation to the legal profession of Susquehanna coun- ty, must be prominently mentioned A. H. McCollum, whose name stands as a bulwark of fidelity and suc- cess. He is intimately associated with the business life of the county, as counselor and attorney, advis- ing and directing some of its most important affairs. It may be said that Mr. McCollum's career has been purely professional. The guerdon of political pre- ferment has not won him from the borders of his own profession. He is senior member of the well- known firm of McCollum & Smith, one of the most successful in Susquehanna county.

Mr. McCollum was born May 11, 1836, in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna Co., Penn. He was reared on his father's farm, and, like his elder brother, in boyhood occupied his time alter- nating between attendance at the district school and work on the farm. At a banquet given at Montrose, in December, 1888, by the Montrose Bar, in honor of the elevation to the Supreme Bench of fudge McCollum, and the election of Daniel W. Searle as. President Judge of Susquehanna county, Justice Williams, in the course of his remarks, thus re- ferred to the boyhood of the two McCollum brothers :

As I have been sitting here this evening my thoughts have been traveling back through the years that are gone, and they specially dwelt upon a period some forty years ago,. when one winter I was engaged as a teacher in the Kennard district, about three miles from this place. I was in receipt of the munificent salary of $15 per month and " boarded.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

around," as was the custom in those days. I may say now that is not in vogue, and I believe, if put to vote now, upon its claims for restoration, it would be defeated by a tremendous majority. Among other pupils who came to my school were two boys, one a sober, thoughtful youth who was familiarly called " Bruce," and the other, the younger, who was as full of innocent mischief as an egg is popularly supposed to be full of meat, they called "Alec." Between the elder of these boys and myself there sprang up a friendship and intimacy such as the disparity in our positions in life and ages would permit, he being the pupil and I the master, and his age being only sixteen, while I was eighteen.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 1

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 2390

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 2390