Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 1

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Gc 974.8 C73 pt.4 B 1865599

REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 4530

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015

https://archive.org/details/commemorativebio04unse

490

COMMEMORATIVE

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ----

.. OF ..

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Pt. 4 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. II. BEERS & CO., CHICAGO. 1900.

1000099

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was a soldier of the war of IS12, and died at Wells Hollow, Bradford Co., Penn., aged ninety-four years; and Eldad, the father of our subject.

Eldad Brewster in his youth learned the trade of Weaver. In 1800, when he attained his major- ity, he left home with little means, in company with Capt. Bartlet Hurds, Isaac Post, Robert Day, Dan- iel Brewster, his brother, Daniel Foster, his uncle, and others, for northeastern Pennsylvania. In Bridgewater he purchased, two miles southeast of the present borough of Montrose, fifty acres of land, agreeing to pay $3 per acre. His brother Daniel bought fifty acres adjoining. Money was scarce, and after he had partially cleared his farm Eldad Brewster during the winter season worked at weav- ing at Wyalusing and other settlements, until he earned enough money to pay for his land; later he added to his first purchase until he owned 122 acres. He was a man of genial and kindly disposition, with good business qualities and pure motives. When a boy he had only three months' schooling, but he nevertheless acquired sound judgment and quick perception in business matters. In 1814 he mar- ried Hannah Tyler, who was born in Windham county, Vt., in 1797, daughter of Deacon Moses Tyler, who settled in Bridgewater in 1808. To Eldad and Hannah Brewster were born the follow- ing children: Tyler, our subject; Lucena, born in 1816, widow of Samuel Sherer, of Montrose : Hor- ace, born October 15, 1818, a resident of the old homestead in Bridgewater ; Daniel, a carpenter, born in 1820, who died at Montrose in 1895; Warren, born in 1822, who died at Meshoppen in 1873 ; An- drew Jackson, born in 1875, a blacksmith at Mont- rose ; Sarah, born in 1827, wife of Salmon Hemp- stead, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Moses C., a carpen- ter, born in 1829. who died in 1859; Ann Maria, born in 1831, wife of Ansel Stearns, a farmer of Harford township. Eldad Brewster died in 1832, and his widow survived until 1881.

Our subject remained on the home farm for many years. He married, in Harford township, January 6, 1841, Lydia Maria Lyon, who was born in that township November 25. 1818, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Read) Lyon. Samuel Lyon was born in Rovalston, Mass., December 29, 1782, son of David Lyon. a shoemaker of Sutton, Mass., who was a musician in the British army in 1758. Samuel Lyon married, May 24, 1814. at Royalston, Mass .. Elizabeth Read, who was born May 2, 1791, and in 1818 he migrated to Susquehanna county, settling in Harford township. The family of Sam- uel and Elizabeth Lyon was as follows: Isaac Read. born December 4. 1815. who died November 19, 1883; Lydia MI., widow of our subject: and Elizabeth, born January 3. 1825, who married ( first) Salmon Simpkin, and after his death wedded S. E. Rust. The mother died January 12, 1825, and for his second wife Sammel Lyon married, December 16, 1825, Mahitable Barrett, by whom there were no children.

The marriage of Tyler and Lydia M. Brewster was blessed with the following children: Samuel T., born August 16, 1845, enlisted in Company I, 2nd Mass. Cavalry, and' died of typhoid fever in the field hospital at Harper's Ferry, October 8, 1864; David Payson, born June 5, 1849, married Eva Sweet, and died in Lugonia, San Bernardino, Co., Cal., July 24, 1887 ; Hannah E., born March 4, 1852, is the wife of Delzine Marean, a telegraph operator of Washington, D. C .; and Charles S., born April 15, 1857, died February 16, 1865.

In 1849 our subject moved from Bridgewater to Harford township, and took care of his wife's parents. There he remained actively engaged in farming until his death, which occurred February 24, 1885. In Bridgewater he was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. In Harford township he uni- ted with the Congregational Church, with which he was prominently connected through the remaining years of his life. In politics he was a Republican. He was a successful farmer, having inherited the sterling qualities which carried his father through the path that led to a prosperous pioneer home. His widow now lives alone on the old homestead. She was a woman of many accomplishments and most estimable traits, and to her must be given due measure of credit for the influential and highly re- spected family name which she bears.

J. N. SARTELL, one of the prominent farm- ers of Ararat township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., evidences by the manner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the voca- tion which he has chosen as a life work, and he is meeting with most gratifying success. Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its cultivation, in a manner which reflects great credit upon the owner.

Mr. Sartell was born in Thompson township, March 24, 1838, a son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Ball ) Sartell. The father was born in New Hampshire. October 22, 1810, and when a child was adopted by Frederick and Rachel Bingham. When a young man he came to Pennsylvania, and in Thompson township, Susquehanna county, married Miss Margaret Ball, a native of Gibson township, that county, where her father located at an early day in the history of this region, clearing and im- proving a farm in that township. The father of our subject opened up a farm in Thompson township. but in 1850 removed to Ararat township, where from a wild and unimproved tract of land he devel- oped another farm. He was a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and was one of the most higlily esteemed men of his community. He died De- cember 10. 1884. but his wife is still living and con- tinues to make her home in Ararat township. Our subject is the oldest of their children, the others being as follows: Mary, who died August 1, 1842, in Thompson township: Clara, wife of Rev. James E. Payne, a Free Methodist minister ; Evaline; wife

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Eli Avery, of Ararat township; Rosctta, wife of Charles Stone, of the same township; Silas N., who is married and resides on the old homestead; Wesley, a Methodist minister, who was educated at Kingston, N. Y., and died in Ararat township, Feb- ruary 6, 1875 ; Urbane, who died July 17, 1854; and Irving, who died April 21, 1865.

During his boyhood and youth J. N. Sartell pursued his studies in the public schools of Susque- hannah county, and from the age of twelve years has made his home in Ararat township. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Construction Corps and was stationed at Nashville, Tenn., most of the time. On receiving his discharge he returned to Ararat, where he has since followed farming with marked success. His first purchase consisted of a partially improved farm of ninety-threc acres, to which he added thirty-five acres of the West farm, but has sold some, and now has about ninety-three acres of valuable land placed under a high state of cultiva- tion and well improved.

On January 1, 1867, in Ararat township, Mr. Sartell married Miss Elizabeth Bloxham, a native of that township, who died January 8, 1887. He was again married, February 22, 1888, his second union being with Miss Mary A. Potter, a native of Thompson, Susquehanna county, and a daughter of Francis and Lucinda (Gardner) Potter. Her fa- ther died February 22, 1877, but her mother is still living in Thompson. Our subject and his wife have two children : George, born May 15, 1889; and Eva, born October 12, 1891. Mr. Sartell is an active and prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, and has served as trustee of the same. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs, is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has filled the office of poormaster in Ararat town- ship.

CHARLES F. WHITNEY, a leading dairy- man and farmer of Thompson township, Susque- hanna county, whose home is near the Jackson township line, was born on his present farm, in January, 1858, and is a son of Merrick T. and Fos- tina L. (Wheaton) Whitney, both born in Susque- hanna county, in 1818, the former in Gibson town- ship, the latter in Jackson township. The mater- nal grandparents of our subject were Moscs B. and Mary (Aldrich ) Wheaton, representatives of an old and prominent pioneer family of Jackson township. His great-grandparents, Moses and Sarah ( Ballou) Wheaton, were born in New Hampshire, of English and French ancestry, respectively, and the latter was a relative of President James A. Garfield. In February, 1815, Moses B. Wheaton came from Richmond, N. H., and located in Jackson Corners, near the present home of his son, Dr. W. W. Whea- ton, the county at that time being almost a wilder- ness. There he reared a family of twelve children.

The paternal grandparents were Torrey and Elizabeth (Lamb) Whitney, the latter a daughter

of Major Joel Lamb, of Revolutionary fame. The year 1815 also witnessed the arrival of Mr. Torrey Whitney in Susquehanna county. He came from Marlboro, Vt., and took up his residence in Harford, but in 1836 removed to Jackson township, where he erected a sawmill and engaged in the manufac- ture of lumber for some years. He also cleared and improved a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. He and his wife werc active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically hic was a con- servative Democrat. He was a prominent Mason, and was buried with the honors of the order. His death occurred in 1872, and his wife passed away in 1865. In their family were four sons, namely : .( I) Allis, born in Harford, in 1816. married and located in Honesdale, Penn., where two of his sons are still living. (2) Merrick T. was the next in order of birth. (3) J. Barnard, born in 1823. mar -. ried Lucy A. Babcock, of Jackson, and settled on a farm in Thompson township, where he and his wife died some ten years ago. Their children were Leander ; Emeretta, deceased wife of Henry Truax, of Thompson ; Alonzo, a resident of Ararat town- ship : Emma and Eva, twins. (4) Russell Velosco, born in Jackson, in 1832, married Melissa Wheaton, a sister of our subject's mother, and resides on the old Whitney homestead, being the only one of the family now living. He has three children: Ella A., wife of E. J. Mathews, of Susquehanna ; Will- iam M., now on the old homestead, who married Ida Hamlin, of Montrose, and has one daughter- Ethel : and Edwin S., of Scranton, Penn., who mar- ried Emma Larabee, of Jackson and has one son- Monroe.

Merrick T. Whitney was reared on his father's farm in Jackson township, and received the benefits of a district school education .. During his younger days he dealt in farm produce, which he hauled by wagon to Philadelphia, or over the Newburgh pike to Newburgh, N. Y., and then shipping the same by boat on the Hudson to New York City. On the return trip he would bring back a load of dry goods, boots and shoes. In 1842 he married Miss Fostina L. Wheaton, who at the early age of fourteen taught her first school in Jackson township, and was a suc- cessful teacher for a number of years. She was a lady of culture and refinement and scholarly in her tastes. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Whit- ney located where our subject now lives, and from the forest the fatlier developed a large farm, which he converted into one of the best cared for homes of Thompson township. There he died in March, 1886, and his wife passed away in February, 1899. They were very prominent and active members of the Free Baptist Church, with which they united in early life, Mrs. Whitney being connected with the same for sixty-one years. The father was an officer in the Church for many years and foremost in all Church work. He also took a very active part in local politics, and hield all offices in his township

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with the exception of constable. He was elected county commissioner in 1878, re-elected in 1881, and served in all six years to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. During the Civil war he enlist- ed, in 1862, a company of forty-six men for the 17th P. V. I., and was elected first lieutenant, but on account of failing health was obliged to resign. He then devoted his time to caring for the wives and families of those in the service, and his support was always given the Union cause. His brothers, Bar- nard and Velosco, were in the army, and he also had one son, a son-in-law and ten nephews in the service.

To Merrick and Fostina Whitney were born five children, as follows: (1) Lovell M., born in 1844, died in 1846. (2) Newell D., born in 1847, grew to manhood on the home farm and attended the local schools. In March, 1864, when a boy of seventeen years, he enlisted in Battery A, Ist Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. For three or four months he was con- fined to the hospital by illness, and on his return home was still in poor health. In the. fall of 1866 he entered Hillsdale College, Michigan, where he was a student for two years, and then took up the study of law at Binghamton, N. Y. He was ad- mitted to the Bar before the Supreme Court of that State, and became one of the leading lawyers of Binghamton, being retained as counsel on the noted Ruloff murder trial in that city. He was a lieuten- ant in Battery A, 6th Division National Guards of New York and held the rank of colonel on Gov. Huffman's staff. His health failed from overwork during the Greeley campaign in 1872, and he died in 1874. His funeral was one of the largest known in Susquehanna county, being attended by his com- rades and many friends. He was a young man of fine abilities and would have undoubtedly made his mark in the world. (3) Orville C., born in 1849, was graduated from Hillsdale College in 1875, and for some years was in the employ of the Union Cen- tral Insurance Company of New York. During the winter he also taught school in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties, Penn., for some time, and is now one of the largest shippers of produce in New York State, his home being in Binghamton. In 1875 he married Miss Mate S. Savory, of Jackson, a daughter of Jasper Savory, a well-to-do citizen of that township. They have three children: Lu- cile, now the wife of Edwin Dean, of New York City ; Nellie, a stenographer in Binghamton. N. Y .; and Fred N. (4) Anna M., born in October, 1851, married Edwin A. French, of Jackson, who served for four years as a soldier of the Civil war. They resided in Susquehanna, Penn., but she died in 1875 at the old home, leaving no children.

Charles F. Whitney is the youngest of the fam- ily. Upon the home farm he grew to manhood, and for two years he also attended college at Hills- dale, Mich. He taught school for two winters, but since then has devoted his entire attention to agri- cultural pursuits upon the old homestead, making

a specialty of the breeding of fine cattle and sheep. He was one of the first to handle Jersey stock in this section. He cared for his mother during her declining years and still continues to operate the old home farm.

In 1880 Mr. Whitney was united in marriage with Miss Rena A. Fletcher, who was born in Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn., in 1860, and princi- pally educated in the higher schools of Hornellsville, New York. Her parents were Charles C. and Ma- tilda (Squires) Fletcher, prominent citizens of Jackson township, Susquehanna county, who died in Thompson township. In their family were five children, the others being as follows: Ellen, born in Wayne county, married Julius Tyler, of Ararat, Penn .; Charlotte E. married Delevan Becker, of Binghamton, N. Y., who died in January. 1893; Olive married Harry Humphreys, of New York City; and William married Mary Tyler, of Har- ford, Penn., and is living in Carbondale. He was at one time a medical practitioner of Susquehanna, but now makes a specialty of optics. He is a promi- nent man and an active worker in the Presbyterian Church of his city. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have five children, all born at their present home: Mabel M., in January, 1882; Lena G., in 1885; Merrick C., in May, 1889; Marguerite, in May, 1891 ; and Mildred K., in January, 1897. The parents are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which our subject has served as secre- tary and a member of the official board for some years, is now superintendent of the Sunday-school and has been chorister since 1876, and is now pres- ident of the Sunday-School Association of Susque- hanna county. He is a member of the Thompson Grange and an ardent supporter of the Prohibition party, serving as chairman or secretary of the coun- ty organization for some time. He has filled the office of school director, auditor, clerk, inspector, and is now creditably serving as justice of the peace, having received a large vote from both of the old parties. For many years he was a member of the order of Good Templars, and held commis- sions under different Grand Chief Templars, as Dis- trict Deputy of Susquehanna county.

CHARLES T. THORPE. No educator. per- haps, has been more prominently connected with the schools of Susquehanna county than the subject of this sketch. For twenty-six years he has been act- ively engaged in teaching within its borders, and is now the principal of the graded schools of Forest City.

Prof. Thorpe's ancestry is English, but it was engrafted upon American soil generations ago. His paternal grandfather. Titus Thorpe, was born in Connecticut. March 10, 1776, and was raised on the farm, but during his youth he learned the black- smith's trade, and later in life worked at both farm- ing and blacksmithing. Quite early in life he mar- ried Phoebe Marvin, born in Connecticut, Septem-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ber 17, 1779. After living in Wallingford, Conn., a number of years, they removed to Sheffield, Berk- shire Co., Mass., where a farm was purchased, upon which he built a shop. Here they lived and reared their family, comprising two. sons and five daughters, namely: Almeda, Oreb Andrus, Eliza, Mary, Marvin, Caroline, and Phoebe. A part of the time during the war of. 1812 Titus Thorpe served in the American army. He died in 1825, but liis widow lived many years thereafter, to see all of their children come to vigorous inanhood and wom- anhood, and to caress and care for many fond grand- children.

Oreb A. Thorpe, the father of our subject, was born in Wallingford, Conn., January 25, 1802, and died at Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., May 29, 1875. The war of 1812 inspired him with more than ordi- nary boyish patriotism, and a few years thereafter he formed a military company which became a part of the Massachusetts militia. He was captain of this company but a short time, however, before he was made colonel of the regiment. Col. Thorpe's regiment at those annual "general training" occa- sions always attracted special attention because of the excellent discipline his men displayed, and be- cause of the striking appearance of their colonel, who was a little more than six feet tall, weighed about two hundred and twenty-five pounds, and sat a horse as erect as a statue. He was a man of attractive nature. well informed, a genial companion among men, and at his death it was not known that he had an enemy. He chose farming for his chief pursuit. On May 30, 1832; he married Lydia M. Loomis. Her father, Col. Moses Loomis, was born in Egremont, Berkshire Co., Mass., January 16, 1779, and died at Troy, N. Y., in 1872. He was a man of excellent educational attainments, a civil en- gineer and land surveyor, and to land surveying he gave most of his attention. He was colonel. of a regiment of Massachusetts militia, and prominent in the Masonic Fraternity. During the early part of the nineteenth century he spent much time in south- ern Pennsylvania and in Maryland, in running out land boundaries, and in plotting much of the then wild domain of those States.

· Lydia M. Loomis, the mother of our subject, was born in Egremont, Mass., May 30, 1809, and died at Otego, N. Y., in 1881. She was given good educational advantages, and began teaching when quite young, following this vocation until her mar- riage. As a school teacher she was remarkably suc- cessful, and as a musician she had few superiors. To Oreb A. and Lydia M. Thorpe were born six children, namely: J. Rutson, Thaddeus O., Willis L., Charles T., Josephine MI., and Oreb F., all liv- ing at the present writing. J. R. Thorpe. Esq., re- sides at Otego, N. Y .; for a long term of years he has been justice of the peace, and an agent for life and fire insurance companies. Thaddeus O. went to Iowa thirty years ago, taught school a number of years, then was employed by a wholesale store in

Des Moines until failing health caused him to relin- quish that work also; he is now living in St. Paul, Minn., with his son. Rev. W. L. Thorpe has been prominent in the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, having been presiding elder of several districts, and having served many of the important charges; he is now pastor of the Church at Plymouth, Penn. Josephine Al. and was married to Carlton B. Lewis early in life, and now resides with her husband at Otego, N. Y. Oreb F. lives upon the old homestead at Otego, N. Y .; he is a thorough farmer, and a leader in the community in which he lives.

Charles T. Thorpe, the subject of this sketch, was born in Sheffield, Berkshire Co., Mass., March 15, 1840. When he was six years old his father, having purchased a large farm at Otego, removed 'his family to that place. Charles was given good educational advantages, and at the age of seventeen years began his work as a teacher. He taught nine years at Otego, in the meantime studying law, with the intention of becoming a lawyer. He was then elected a justice of the peace, and also an associate judge in Otsego county, but at the expiration of the terms of these offices his devotion to school work was stronger than his inclination toward the law, so he again engaged in teaching. In 1871 he was awarded a State certificate by the State superintend- ent of New York. In 1874 he came to New Mil- ford, Susquehanna county. as principal of the New Milford graded school, and after spending one year there went to Susquehanna to take charge of the graded schools of that borough. Here he re- mained twenty years and then went to Forest City.

Prof. Thorpe regards the token of esteem paid him by the Susquehanna County Institute, at Mont- rose, in October, 1898, as the most precious tribute any teacher can receive. On that occasion an ova- tion was given him by a body of about three hun- dred teachers, a gold-headed cane presented him and eulogistic addresses made in commemoration of his.twenty-five years continuous work in the grad- ed schools of the county. He has attended prob- ably more local institutes and teachers' meetings than any other teacher in the county, ever evincing a desire to keep in touch with all of the educational interests of the county, and always showing an am- bition to keep pace with the educational progress of the age.

In 1861 Mr. Thorpe married Marilla Osborn, who died at Susquehanna, Penn., in 1888. His second wife is Jennie L. Bartram, daughter of the late C. T. Bartram, of Susquehanna. Prof. and Mrs. Thorpe are active members of the Episcopal Church, and he for several years past has been a lay-reader. The long duration of his educational career in Susquehanna county is evidence of his high character as a teacher : and as a citizen he is held in the highest estimation.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

W. J. MAXEY. The professional ranks are often recruited from the ranks of those who in early years acquired one of the manual trades. In instances of that kind merit is invariably present. A fitting example is afforded in the career of the subject of this sketch, once molder and justice of the peace, now editor and publisher and sheriff, and withal a most prominent and influential citizen of Susquehanna county.

Mr. Maxey was born July 22, 1863, in Carbon county, Penn., son of David and Ann (Daniels) Maxey, both natives of Wales. David Maxey was a miner by occupation and after his immigration to America lived in Carbondale, Lackawanna coun- ty, then Luzerne county. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and in politics was a Whig and Republican, his first vote being cast for W. H. Harrison and his last for Benjamin Harrison. He died April 8, 1892, aged seventy-four years, and his wife, who was born in 1827, died in 1886. Of their children but three survive: Mary J., wife of Thomas David, of Hazleton : Mrs. Anna E. Nicho- las, of Hazleton, and our subject.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 1

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1058