USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
Mr. Ratti is closely connected with all pub- lic movements and takes an active part in all measures which tend to ameliorate or to im- prove the condition of mankind.
HOMAS W. BEAHEN, a popular and genial landlord of Laporte, Sullivan County, Pa., is the owner and proprietor of the hotel well known in the county as "The Maine." The hotel is handsomely situated, affording its patrons a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and it is regarded as one of the best summer hotels in the Alle- gheny Mountains in its section of the coun- ty. Our subject is one of the most prominent and enterprising business men of the town. and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citi- zens. He was born in Troy, N. Y., May I. 1850, and is a son of John and Ann (Roe) Beahen.
John Beahen is descended from the sturdy Irish race and was born three miles from the city of Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. Be- ing unsuited with the position he had attained in his native country, he decided to immigrate to the United States to seek a fortune and better home; he accordingly sailed for this country at an early age and upon his arrival he went to work in a tannery in Troy, N. Y. Later he engaged in the same occupation at Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Beahen labored dili- gently for a number of years and by the exer- cise of economy succeeded in accumulating enough money to purchase a farm, and after his marriage he bought a farm near the village of Montrose, Pa., and there carried on agri- cultural pursuits until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. He was joined in mar- riage to Ann Roe, a daughter of James Roe; she was born in County Westmeath, Ireland.
246
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
.
To this happy union a family of two children was born: Mary, who resides on the home- stead, and Thomas W., the subject of this personal history. The mother of our subject entered the final rest at the age of sixty-nine years.
Thomas W. Beahen remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, attending the district school and assisting his father about the farm. He chose the vocation of a carpenter as a means of obtaining a live- lihood and pursued that trade for twenty-five years. In 1880 he became a resident of La- porte, where he was employed by the Laporte Tanning Company as a carpenter and woods- man. Later he rented the Commercial Hotel at Laporte, succeeding Mr. Mckibbens. One year later he took charge of the Laporte Ho- tel, succeeded in establishing an excellent rep- utation as a host, and soon built up a large patronage. Our subject conducted the La- porte Hotel until March 25, 1898, when it was burned to the ground, our subject meeting with a heavy loss. Upon the advice of his friends Mr. Beahen decided to continue the hotel business and purchasing the Lambert property he erected his present hotel, "The Maine;" he also built a large barn, 36 by 50 feet. "The Maine" is a handsome structure, contains seventeen rooms which are elegantly furnished, and has a large dining hall capable of seating many people; it is situated on a high elevation commanding a view of the sur- rounding mountains; the water is pure and the mountain air which is very healthy and invigorating makes "The Maine" a typi- cal summer resort. The proprietor of this popular resort commands the respect and good-will of the entire community, and takes an active interest in any measure which tends to benefit his fellow-citizens.
Mr. Beahen was united in the bonds of
matrimony to Ella Readding, a daughter of Hugh Readding of Rush township, Susque- hanna County, Pa., and this union has been blessed by three children, as follows: Annie; John, who has been engaged in teaching dur- ing the past three years; and Catherine. Re- ligiously Mr. Beahen and family are active members of the Roman Catholic Church. Po- litically our subject is a solid Democrat, has held the office of school director five years, and has been a representative in the town council five years.
HARLES H. DORR, the popular editor and proprietor of the Berwick Independent, should feel proud of his success in the field of journalism. When the Independent passed into his management it was a four-page sheet and made its ap- pearance weekly, but under his capable guid- ance it has increased wonderfully in circula- tion and has been increased to an eight-page sheet. It has passed safely over the troubled waters and now has a smooth sea in which to sail. Mr. Dorr has a thorough understand- ing of the newspaper business and knows how to conduct a journal successfully. The read- ing matter of the Independent is selected with the greatest care, its editorials are good, and its local news is crisp, fresh and entertain- ing. The growth and success of this journal reflects great credit upon the ability of its editor and manager.
Charles H. Dorr is a son of Jesse A. Dorr, a lumberman and native of Wyoming County, Pa., and was born in Williamsport, Pa. He was educated in the public schools of Balti- more, Md., and the seminary at Williamsport, after which he entered journalism, his first position being that of manager of the Morn- ing Record of Haltzdale. He was next em-
... ...
FREDERICK J. RICHARD.
249
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
ployed in the same capacity for the Courier at Osceola, where he remained until 1889, when he removed to Berwick and accepted the management of the Berwick Independent for the proprietor, R. S. Bowman. Three years later our subject purchased the plant and has since been its proprietor and editor.
Mr. Dorr was united in marriage to Annie Reedy, a daughter of Peter Reedy of Berwick, and they have been blessed with three child- ren, namely: Marian and Margaret, deceased; and Herbert. Mr. Dorr is a prominent Ma- son, being a member of the Knapp Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.
REDERICK J. RICHARD. Among the principal industries of the remark- ably industrious town of Bloomsburg is the Bloomsburg Manufacturing Company, of which the gentleman whose name heads these lines is president. He is well qualified to di- rect the affairs of that well-known concern, as he has had twenty-three years' experience and is a man of the highest mechanical skill. He has been connected with numerous similar enterprises, and has done more to promote the mechanical industry in Bloomsburg than any one individual during the equivalent number of years. He was born in Scranton, Pa., De- cember 19, 1857, and is a son of Jacob F. and Josephine (Robert) Richard.
Jacob F. Richard, the father of our subject, a mechanic of renowned skill, was a native of France where he learned the trade of a me- chanic. He came to the United States and followed his trade in Scranton, Pa., New York City, and Waterbury, Conn., and was very prosperous. He died in Waterbury and his worthy wife has since resided in New York City. As a result of his marriage with Jo-
sephine Robert, four sons and one daughter were born, namely : Frederick J., in whom the interest of this sketch centers; Henry J .; George J .; Jacob J .; and Elizabeth, who was united in marriage to E. Hosbach of Wood Haven.
. Frederick J. Richard was reared in New York City and received his education in the public schools. He inherited his father's me- chanical ability and love for mechanics, and early in life begged his father to allow him to choose the trade of machinist as his life occu- pation. His father would not consent until he had tried other lines of work, and met with disappointment, when he was finally allowed to enter the employ of Bliss & Williams of Brooklyn. He served an apprenticeship of five years during which time he became thor- oughly acquainted with the trade and was thoroughly qualified to undertake the duties of the next position offered him. He was ap- pointed foreman of the Manhattan Brass Company and, as his work proved very satis- factory, he was soon after appointed super- intendent. He later took charge of the Brass Tube Works of Holmes, Booth & Haven of Waterbury, Conn., which is known far and wide as the Brass City, and held that position for three years. For the following two years he was superintendent for Randolph & Clauss, manufacturers of seamless brass and copper tubing. In 1891 he removed to the thriving town of Bloomsburg and, in association with J. L. Richardson, built the Brass & Copper Company's plant, manufacturers of seamless brass and copper tubing. The factory is a two-story brick structure, 175 by 75 feet, and is fitted throughout with machinery of the company's own manufacture. Our subject was made the manager and superintendent and under his careful guidance the venture was eminently successful. In 1892 the
250
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
Bloomsburg Brass & Copper Company was formed and he was made superintendent. In 1893 he built the plant of the Shickshinny Tube Company, of which he is a director and stockholder. He was also a director and stockholder in the Bloomsburg Elevator Com- pany, builders and makers of machinery. In partnership with J. L. Richardson, he built the Bloomsburg Manufacturing Company's plant in 1893; the building was 60 by 40 feet, and the boiler-room was 30 by 30 feet, both being made of brick. The company manu- factures a large variety of articles, cuspidors, oil-cans, currycombs, etc. In 1894 a stock company was formed with the following of- ficers: F. J. Richard, president; George J. Richard, vice-president; and L. E. Waller, di- rector. As the growth of the business had been so rapid it was found necessary to en- large the building. Another story was added to it, the length increased to II0 feet and an L. 50 by 25 feet, added. Machinery was put in for the manufacture of carpet looms for the Bloomsburg Carpet Manufactory, and al- so six cutting and stamping machines. Mr. Richard is the most experienced and skilled mechanic in this section of the state, and de- signed and made most of the machinery now in use in the factory. An average of fifty competent workmen is regularly employed, and their output is the finest on the market and finds a ready sale in the larger cities. Our subject's sterling qualities are a source of admiration and respect among his fellow-citi- zens who regard him as a man of great worth and influence in the community.
Our subject was joined in hymeneal bonds to Catherine Cook, a daughter of Andrew Cook of Wood Haven, and they became the happy parents of the following children: Wil- liam, deceased; Catherine; Julia: Lizzie, Lil- lia and Fred J., deceased; and Jennie. Mr.
Richard was deprived of his beloved wife's companionship by death in 1897, aged thirty- seven years. In November, 1898, he joined in marriage with Hannah S. Christ of Blooms- burg, Pa., daughter of George T. and Mar- garet Christ of Bloomsburg. He has been a member of the town council several terms and his great popularity is shown by the fact that at a recent election he received the larg- est vote ever cast for a candidate for council- man. Socially our subject is a member of Harmony Lodge. No. 42, F. & A. M., of Waterbury, Conn. He resides in a fine resi- dence on Normal Hill and is also the owner of a large tenement house on Light Street road, and one on Fourth street.
As a representative and prominent citizen of Bloomsburg we show on a previous page a recent portrait of Mr. Richard.
J OSEPH S. NEWMAN, an enterpris- ing and progressive citizen of Nord- mont, Sullivan County, Pa., is general station agent on the W. & N. B. R. R. and express agent at that point, where he has faithfully served the company's interests since 1890. He is a son of George Newman, and was born in Prince, Williams County, Va .. March 7, 1866. He is of English descent and is a great-grandson of Thomas Newman, who was one of the early settlers of Lycoming County, Pa., where he was known far and wide as a man of integrity and honesty in his every business transaction. He now lies bur- ied in the Newman cemetery of that county. He was the progenitor of one son, Joseph. who became the owner of the old homestead in Lycoming County. He disposed of that property and settled at Tivoli, in the same county, where he followed lumbering and
251
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
farming. He closed his eyes in final s'eep at the age of seventy-four years.
George Newman, the father of our subject, was born near Hughesville, Lycoming Coun- ty, but moved to Tivoli with his father, where he resides at the present time. He is a man of great industry and, as a dealer in lumber and a farmer, success has attended his every effort, and he is now one of the substantial men of that section.
Joseph S. Newman, the subject of this bio- graphical record, obtained his mentai training in the public schools and in the high schools of Williamsport and Tivoli. In 1884 he was offered the position of station agent at that town, which he accepted and retained for one and one-half years, serving in Sonestown for a time subsequent to 1886. He was the first and is the only member of the Newman family whose lot has been cast within the bounds of the Seventeenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. From Sonestown he went to Muncy Valley, where he remained until 1890, when he accepted his present position at Nordmont, Sullivan County. He has a thor- ough understanding of the many responsible duties of his position and has discharged them to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the road, thereby gaining the approval of his em- ployers. For some years he was financially associated in the mercantile business in Nord- mont. under the firm name of Botsford & Newman, with M. W. Botsford, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book.
Mr. Newman was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Mary S. Sinclair. a daughter of William and Martha J. Sinclair of Laporte township, and their happy union is blessed by two children :. Hazel Martha and Lester S. Politically our subject is a stanch Republican. whilst in religious attachments he is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. So-
cially he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and of the Odd Fellows. He is a man of admirable character and habits and' has won many friends since his residence in Nordmont.
R EV. WILLIAM I. STEANS, pastor of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church of Danville, Pa., is an earnest and conscientious laborer in the vineyard of the Master and is held in high estimation by his parishioners.
The church of which our subject is now pastor dates back to 1778 or 1779, when Gen. William Montgomery raised enough money by subscription to have a minister journey to and preach in the old log-house which stood where the Grove Church now stands. In 1786 a congregation was organized and two ser- mons were preached every Sunday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. There was neither stove nor fireplace in the old log church, and, as there was a pit in the center of the church. a charcoal fire was built to heat it; the noon-hour was spent in lunching and late in the afternoon the second sermon was preached. The ground upon which this log church stood consisted of three and seven- tenthis acres and was purchased September 8. 1775, at a cost of £5. In 1826 the church was torn down and a brick building erected. The following ministers had charge of this church from 1826 to 1850: Rev. Hugh Morrison. Rev. John Bryson, Rev. Asa Dunham, Rev. John B. Patterson. Rev. David M. Holliday. and Rev. John W. Yeomans. all of whom were local preachers. In 1850 the congregation of this church numbered 325. and. being so large, its members decided to abandon the old church and erect a new one. Accordingly. in
252
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
1853, the old church was sold and the present one erected, and it was dedicated November ' 16, 1854, and sermons were preached by Rev. William Plumer, Rev. Sinonton, and Rev. Da- vid M. Holliday. A few of the members, who resided near the old site, organized a new con- gregation which is still in existence and is called the Grove Presbyterian Church. The Mahoning Presbyterian Church is located on Ferry street and is a handsome structure. The society has the largest congregation of any church in Danville. Since 1865 the following ministers have successively been pastor of this church: Rev. Dr. Yeomans; Rev. William E. I. Ijames; Rev. Alexander B. Jackson; Rev. Thomas R. Beeber; Rev. R. L. Stewart; and the present pastor, W. I. Steans. The ruling elders are : Josiah Reed, James Oglesby, H. M. Hinckley, R. B. Voris, David Shelhart, Sam- uel Bailey H. B. Schultz and H. H. Furman.
Our subject was born March 20, 1854, and is a son of William Steans and a grandson of John Steans, who came from Leicestershire, Eng., to this country while a young man; he located in Buffalo Valley, Northampton County, Pa., and was one of the prominent farmers of his day. He died at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was Agnes Bo- vard and they were the parents of six chil- dren, namely : William, the father of our sub- ject; Catherine; Jane; Hannah; Nancy; and Sarah.
William Steans followed the vocation of an agriculturist all his life on the old homestead. He married Caroline Irwin, a daughter of Wil- liam Irwin, a native of North Ireland. Four children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Steans, namely: John C., a practicing physi- cian of Mifflinburg, Pa .; William I., our sub- ject; Jennie R .; and Ralph, also a physician.
Rev. William I. Steans acquired a good ed- ucation in the Columbia Seminary, was then
graduated from Lafayette College in 1879, and later entered the Theological Seminary of Princeton, and was graduated with the class of 1882. He immediately began his service for God and humanity in his first field of labor, the Washburn Street Presbyterian Church at Scranton, Pa. On June 1, 1891, he took charge of his present pastorate, in which he has been very successful, and his zealous ef- forts for the good and betterment of the com- munity have been crowned with the best of re- sults. His labors are well planned and he is able to get through with a large amount of work because of the several years of expe- rience he has had in the religious field. Broad in his views, sincere and outspoken in his atti- tude on living questions that concern the lives and welfare of the people, and zealous and earnest in all that he sets his hand and his heart to, Rev. Mr. Steans is a man whose in- fluence is felt on all sides, one who will leave a lasting impression on the community in which he so zealously labors. Our subject, some time ago, was united in marriage to Jen- nie Wells, a daughter of C. H. Wells of Scran- ton, Pa.
ENRY S. BETTS, a successful and ar- tistic photographer of Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pa., was born July 2, 1862, in Merthyr Tydvil, South Wales. He is a son of Alfred and Zilpah (Carr) Betts.
Our subject was educated in England. He followed in the footsteps of his father, with whom he learned the father's trade, photog- raphy. He also pursued his chosen vocation in several London photographic houses, after which he engaged in business in his native country.
Coming to the United States in October,
ISAIAH BOWER.
255
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
1887, Mr. Betts engaged in his business in Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, where he prospered and remained until April, 1898, when he removed to Shamokin, his pres- ent home. Our subject, being of artistic tem- perament and having had valuable experience abroad, holds high rank as a photographer and is well known because of the excellence of his photographic work of all classes.
Mr. Betts was happily married to Margaret Chambers of England. Their happiness has been crowned by the issue of four lovable chil- dren, Frank, Zilpah, Arthur and Ada.
P SAIAH BOWER, one of the oldest and most prominent merchants of Columbia County, Pa., whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has been a resident of Ber- wick for many years, and it is owing to the efforts of such men as he that the borough, as a business center and manufacturing point, leads all other boroughs of equal size in the state of Pennsylvania. When quite young he engaged in business there and in a short time was at the head of a large industry, which added wealth to the town and aided in its growth, as the success of his undertaking served as an inducement for other enterprises to locate there. Berwick steadily grew in size, and we find that Mr. Bower, from the time of making his home there, has been fore- most in promoting its interests and has erected more residences and business houses than any other man. A gentleman in whom the people have always reposed the greatest confidence, we find in his advanced age a large retinue of acquaintances throughout the county who are pleased to be called his friends. He was born at Evansville, Briarcreek town- ship, Columbia County, March 19, 1829, and
is a son of Michael and Mary (Zahner) Bower.
Our subject's grandfather, George Michael Bower, was born in Germany and came to this country at the age of thirteen years, tak- ing up the occupation of a farmer. He first purchased a farm in the Lehigh Valley, but later settled in Columbia County where he purchased a partially-improved farm in Briar- creek township of a Mr. Disserand, a French- man. At the time, prior to the Nineteenth Century, that section was sparsely settled and there was but a single house where Berwick is now located. Mr. Bower cleared some one hundred and twenty acres, which land is now owned by Mr. John Fester, and there resided the remainder of his life. His wife's maiden name was Hill, and their union resulted in the following offspring: Jacob; Michael; Solomon; Daniel; Phelina; and Catharine.
Michael Bower, the father of our subject. as a youth was extremely precocious and al- though little opportunity in the way of schooling offered, he acquired a good edu- cation as a result of his individual efforts and became a teacher, a position for which he proved well qualified, teaching in his own home and in those of his neighbors. He learned to weave wool and flax, and followed weaving for some time, weaving for many families in his locality. He came into pos- session of a portion of the old home estate on which he erected a log house, and there he followed farming and reared a large family of children. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Mary Zahner, a daughter of George Zahner, who was also an early settler in Briar- creek township, and they had the following children : Sarah, the wife of William Whit- mire; Isaac; Reuben; Samuel C .; Daniel; Hannah, wife of Henry Martz: George, who lives in Briarcreek township; Catharine, the
256
BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.
wife of Charles Whitmire, who lives in Center township; Enos, who died young; and Isaiah, the subject of this personal history. Mrs. Bower died at the age of sixty-eight years, and her husband died six years later, in De- cember, 1862, at the age of eighty-two years, six months, both being buried at Evansville.
Isaiah Bower early in life learned the trades of carpenter and machinist, following the former occupation but one year, when he be- came a machinist at the plant of The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company at Ber- wick. After continuing in that capacity for two and one-half years, he rented the plant and manufactured plows with much success, making the Bull plow, the Walker plow, and the Bower plow, which he patterned himself. The building in which his establishment was located was situated where the casting and pipe factory of the Jackson & Woodin com- pany is now located, but has since been burned to the ground. In 1864, in association with Mr. M. E. Jackson and Mr. H. R. Bower, and under the firm name of I. & H. R. Bower, he established a general merchandise store at the corner of Front and Mulberry streets. In 1870 Mr. Jackson disposed of his interest to the other members of the firm, who con- ducted it with the best results and also bought the Voke & Michael Agriculture Works, which they conducted until 1880. In that year they divided their business, H. R. Bower taking the store and our subject the manu- facturing plant which he operated until 1884. In 1883 he built his present store, with dwell- ing attached, located on the corner of Pine and East Second streets, and since 1884 has given his attention mainly to that business. He has a fine store and enjoys a large patron- age. He is a man of great enterprise and good judgment and the success which he has attained is due solely to his own efforts. He
owns fifty-six acres of the original family homestead on which he has erected substan- tial buildings; a farm of ninety-two acres which he bought from his brother; the Lay- man Morse farm of one hundred and twenty acres; and the Morteller farm. He has greatly improved all the farms and hires men to cul- tivate them, being a wonderfully busy man for his years. He has over twenty tenement houses in Berwick and Nescopeck.
In 1850 Mr. Bower married Hannah Hag- enbach, a daughter of Simeon Hagenbach of Center township. They are faithful members of the United Evangelical Church, in which Mr. Bower has held a number of offices. He has always lived an upright, honest, and tem- perate life, being a strong advocate of tem- perance. He has sympathy for the deserving and is very liberal in his charity. In political belief he was originally a Democrat, but for some years has been a Prohibitionist; he has served in official capacity as burgess of the borough, and has held numerous minor of- fices.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.