USA > Pennsylvania > Book of biographies; This volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of the Seventeenth congressional district, Pennsylvania > Part 60
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J OHN HENRY ROTHROCK, M. D. We have the pleasure to present to our readers the biography of one of Sones- town's foremost physicians, whose excellent reputation for professional honor and skill has been acquired through a general practice of about fifty years. Dr. Rothrock possesses that peculiar insight into the hidden causes of various forms of disease which will ever be the greatest recommendation of a successful phy- sician. A case once definitely diagnosed loses much of the dread that surrounds it, and the mistakes that are occasionally made by even the best of practitioners result from incorrect diagnoses. Dr. Rothrock was born at Shrews- bury, Pa., seventy-eight years ago, and is a- son of Jacob and Sarah (Yost) Rothrock.
Jacob Rothrock was born at York, Pa., and early in life learned the trade of a saddle and harness-maker, and followed that occupation at Williamsport, Pa., the rest of his active career. He died at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. Rothrock was united in marriage to Sarah Yost, who died at the age of seventy-eight years, and this union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Elizabeth, de- ceased; Emeline; Susan; John H., the sub- ject of this narrative; Abraham; Joseph; James; George; Sarah; Jacob; Mary; and two who died in infancy.
Dr. John Henry Rothrock completed his elementary education in the public schools of Williamsport and, preferring the profession of medicine to any other vocation, he directed his studies in that direction in the office of Dr. Samuel Pollock. Later he graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and, returning to Williamsport after his grad- uation, he practiced with his preceptor one year. His next field of usefulness was at Block House settlement, near Liberty, Tioga County, Pa .; then he practiced at Mifflin- burg, Union County, Pa .; next at Hughes- ville, where he remained for twenty-five years. Dr. Rothrock was not long in that community before his skill as a physician became known. He rapidly grew in the confidence of the peo- ple and soon possessed an enviable reputation. In 1878 Dr. Rothrock, on account of failing health, removed to the mountainous regions of Sonestown, where his health has since been greatly improved and he has built up a large and lucrative practice in the vicinity. He purchased the estate of the Lorah Brothers, which consists of eighty acres of good land, and carries on farming to a large extent. For the last nine years the Doctor has given up driving through the country to make his calls, but his valuable advice is still sought by many
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BENJAMIN LEWIS.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
and will be as long as he is able to give it. He has spent much time and money in fixing up his farm, and is rewarded by having one of the most beautiful homes in the township.
Dr. Rothrock was joined in matrimonial bonds with Margaret Robb, a daughter of James Robb of Muncy township, Lycoming County, Pa., and she passed from this life at child-birth. Politically our subject always has been loyal to the Democratic party, and has served in many township offices; religiously he is liberal in his views, while fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order. Dr. Roth- rock is a well-read and unusually intelligent citizen, and stands high in the esteem of his fellow-men, who respect him as one who has filled all the requirements of a true citizen.
ENJAMIN LEWIS, deceased, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, was a prominent farmer of Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, Pa., and resided on a fine farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres on the Loyalsock Creek, three miles from the village of Hillsgrove. He was a son of George and Sarah Lewis, and was born in Wetherby, England, September 22, 18.42.
Mr. Lewis was the youngest son in a fam- ily of fourteen children and was reared and educated in England. At the age of twenty- two years he came to America, obtaining em- ployment as a farmhand on the farm of Jona- than Lewis of Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, Pa. It was while serving in that capacity that he met Anna Lewis, a daughter of his em- ployer, whom he subsequently married. They located on her father's farm, which is still in possession of Mrs. Lewis, and there he fol-
lowed farming during the remainder of his life, becoming one of the most progressive and substantial citizens of the community. There he built a new house, a modern home in every particular, and also greatly improved the land. In private life he was greatly es- teemed by his fellow citizens and had a large circle of friends. He was called to his final rest October 21, 1891.
His union with Anna Lewis resulted in the birth of seven children, as follows: Albert Leslie, a stonemason of Towanda, Bradford County, who married Minnie Jennings by whom he has one son, Robert; Emma Lilian; Maud Antoinette; Sarah Eveline, whose union with James Grady of Binghamton, N. Y., has been blessed with two children, Anna May and Amy Helena,-Mr. and Mrs. Grady reside in Jamison City, Columbia County, Pa .; Hattie May; Daisy Elizabeth, who died at the age of three months; and a son who also died in infancy. Politically Mr. Lewis was a stanch Republican. In religious attach- ments he was a member of the Methodist Church.
Jonathan Lewis, the father of our subject's widow, was born at Sickling Hall, Wetherby, Eng., and came to the United States in his early manhood. After a few years' residence in this country he went back to England, and. upon returning to this country subsequently. settled near Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, Pa .. where he passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits and where many of his descendants are now located. Jonathan Lewis was united in marriage to Elizabeth Fawcett. Mrs. Lewis the widow of our sub- ject, still lives on the farm formerly owned by Mr. Lewis, and is surrounded by many friends who love her for her many estimable traits of character.
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R. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, deceased, was for more than forty years a prominent practitioner of the medical profession in Northumberland, Northumber- land County, Pa., where the Priestley family has been established since 1794, the year in which the eminent philosopher, Rev. Joseph Priestley, settled there. The latter was the most learned gentleman of the state of Penn- sylvania in his day and in the short space of two years gave to the public more facts con- cerning pneumatic chemistry than all of the scientists who preceded him, and by his won- derful discovery of oxygen gas attained a world-wide reputation.
Rev. Joseph Priestley was born at Field- head, near Leeds, Yorkshire, England, March 13, 1733, and in his early days gave evidence of being a great student; at the age of sixteen years he had an extended knowledge of the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. He entered the ministry as assistant to the Rev. Mr. Meadows of Needham Market, Suffolk, and during his three years in that capacity he wrote and published his first book, entitled "The Doctrine of the Atonement." For the subsequent three years he devoted his efforts to literary works on religious subjects, and "Observations on the Character and Reason- ings of the Apostle Paul" resulted from his pen. In that period he also compiled and published an English grammar. He gave the subject of political economy much attention and after his meeting with Benjamin Franklin his scientific researches relative to electricity began. He wrote many works thereafter, the most prominent being "An Essay on Govern- ment," "A familiar Introduction to the Study of Electricity," and "A Chart of History,". Having removed to Leeds, his residence chanced to be in close proximity to a brew- ery, and his observations of fixed air caused
by fermentation led him to make experiments whose culmination was the solution of many problems which had been a perplexity to the scientific world. He wrote a number of pa- pers in which he elucidated his theories as to how nature purified the air for the support of animal life, how air vitiated by animal res- piration was a pabulum to vegetable life, and one of these papers read before the Royal Society in 1772 obtained the honor of the Copley Medal. He threw enlightenment upon his discovery of nitric air; showed the use of a burning lens in pneumatic experiments; re- lated the discoveries and properties of marine acid air; and he added much to the little theretofore known of air generated by animal putrefaction and vegetable fermentation, and determined many facts relating to the diminu- tion and deterioration of air by the combus- tion of charcoal and the calcination of met- als. It was not until June or July of 1774, however, that his greatest discovery was made, that of dephlogisticated air, which he announced publicly for the first time at the table of M. Lavosier in Paris in October of that year, and at about the same time re- peated his experiments before the scientific chemists of Paris. In 1780 he removed to Birmingham, Eng., where he had charge of a dissenting congregation. In 1789 he ex- pressed his disapproval of the "Test Act," and by favoring the French Revolution he pro- voked an attack from Burke in Parliament and aroused the hostility of the populace, his residence being burned by a mob July 14, 1791. During the next three years he made his home at London and Hackney, but find- ing that he was still in disfavor with the pub- lic he decided to leave England, and on the 7th of April, 1794, he immigrated to America. In his "Memoirs," he relates how Northum-
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berland chanced to become his home. Many other English emigrants came to this country with him, and it was their intention to estab- lish a settlement for all friends of liberty at the head of the Susquehanna River in Penn- sylvania. He located there, but the scheme which they had concocted fell through. Hav- ing located there and being pleased with the country Dr. Priestley decided to remain and in 1795 began the erection of a large house on the estate which he purchased to the east of the borough, which is still in a good state of preservation and is owned by Robert Scott, Esq. He laid out a beautiful lawn and set out many shade trees, but the beauty of the property has been greatly marred by the con- struction of a canal and the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad. In this grand old house the Doctor had a large library and a laboratory, and every other convenience for the pursuit of his studies, there being on the roof an observatory which has disap- peared in recent years. He became the own- er of many thousands of acres in what is now Sullivan County, which he sold to his fellow countrymen very cheap as an inducement for them to locate in that section. After com- ing to this country he did not participate in civil affairs, but was very active in promoting the educational interests, being one of the founders of Northumberland Academy. He was a Unitarian in his religious convictions and established the oldest church of that de- nomination in Pennsylvania, at Northumber- land. The last years of his life were spent in the quiet and happiness of retired life, and he passed away February 6, 1804, and was buried in the Northumberland Cemetery.
Joseph Priestley, a son of Rev. Joseph Priestley and the grandfather of our subject, was born in England in 1768, and after his marriage came to this country with his
father. He too became interested in land speculations in Sullivan County, and the vast wilds which he and his father possessed have long since been converted into beautiful homes and farm land. His first union was formed in England, April 15, 1792, with Eliza- beth Ryland, and they were the parents of five children, namely: Joseph Raynor; Eliza- beth Raynor, born August 28, 1798, who was the wife of Joseph Parker; Lindsay, born July 21, 1801; Marian, born July 26, 1803, who married Rev. William Bower; and Sarah, born April 28, 1807, who married Robert Wain- wright. After the death of his wife Mr. Priestley returned to England, where he formed a second matrimonial alliance with Lucinda Barton, and, as she was opposed to coming to America to live, he spent the re- mainder of his life there, dying September 3, 1833.
Joseph Raynor Priestley, the father of our subject, was born in England March 23, 1793, and upon reaching maturity succeeded to his father's property. Although a man of means he was largely engaged in farming through- out his life. On April 22, 1817, he was unit- ed in marriage to Frances Dundas and they had eight children: Jane B., born January 15, 1818; Joseph, the subject of this personal history; Elizabeth, born August 3, 1821; Marks John, born January 17, 1823; Lindsay, born February 9, 1827; Marianne, born Sep- tember 22, 1831; Jane D., born May 4, 1833: and Sarah A., born May 10. 1836. Mr. Priestley died on November 10, 1863. and his wife survived him until December 18. 1878. He was one of the founders of the First Na- tional Bank of Northumberland and for many years served as its cashier.
Dr. Joseph Priestley was born in Point township. Northumberland County, Pa., Sep- tember 22, 1819, and attended the private
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school taught by the Rev. David Kirkpat- rick of Milton. He then read medicine with Dr. James Dougal of Milton, and was gradu- ated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in March, 1844. He took up the practice of his profession at Northumberland and rose rapidly to a place in the foremost ranks of the physicians of that section. During the forty years of his practice he had a very large patronage and was at all times held in the highest esteem. He was an extensive owner of real estate, possessing several farms. He purchased the grand old brick building known at the time as the Burr Hotel, and remodeled it into a fine home and office, in which his daughters now live. This property is at the corner of Market and Front streets and faces Market Square park. He practiced at Northumber- land until his demise, March 10, 1883. He was a member of the national, state and coun- ty medical associations, and served as presi- dent of the county association. He was an unswerving supporter of the Republican par- ty.
On March 4, 1847, Dr. Priestley was joined in marriage with Hannah H. Taggart, who was born September 10, 1825, and died Sep- tember 28, 1894. This union was blessed by the following children: Hannah T., who mar- ried Hasket Derby Catlin of Gouverneur, N. Y., by whom she had two children, Joseph, and Lucy H., deceased; Joseph Raynor, who died in childhood; Frances D., the wife of William Forsyth of St. Paul, Minn .; and An- nie S., and Jean B., who reside on the old homestead in Northumberland.
RS. ELIZABETH M. FRICK, who is a respected resident of the bor- ough of Danville, is a daughter of William Colt, one of the earliest business
men of that town, and the relict of Dr. Clar- ence Henry Frick.
Dr. Clarence H. Frick was born in Dan- ville, Montour County, in 1828, and was a son of George A. Frick and a grandson of John Frick. His great-great-grandfather was Con- rad Frick, who was born in Heidelberg, Ger- many, and in 1732 departed for America, be- ing the first of that name to locate in this country.
George A. Frick, our subject's father by marriage, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and early in life studied for the legal profes- sion. He later moved to Danville, where he was one of the first lawyers to enter upon a practice, and he continued longer than any of his contemporaries, or until 1851. He did much toward advancing the welfare of that borough and was instrumental in the estab- lishment of the iron works. He, with a num- ber of other men, purchased land which was rich with iron ore and offered firms great in- ducements to locate there and manufacture iron. He erected the first brick house in Dan- ville, the one in which James Scarlett now re- sides. He died at the age of eighty-five years and six months. He was united in marriage to Eleanor Hurly, and they became the par- ents of the following children: Arthur W .; Clarence H., M. D .; Augustus G .; Martha H .; Alexander J .; and others who died in their infancy. In religious attachments they were Lutherans.
Dr. Clarence Henry Frick was reared and educated in Danville, where he lived until the outbreak of the Mexican War, when he gave vent to his patriotism by enlisting in the Co- lumbia Guards. He participated in the first engagement of the war, the storming of Vera Cruz, under Capt. Wilson as a lieutenant, and upon the latter's death, April 10, 1847, suc- ceeded to the captaincy. He continued as cap-
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
tain of the company throughout the war and took a prominent part in the battle of Cerro Gordo, the storming of Chapultepec Heights, and the defense of San Angelos. Dr. Frick fought with bravery and daring throughout the entire war and was completely broken down in health when he returned home. July 28, 1849, and, like many another, never fully recovered from the effects of the unfavorable Mexican climate. Dr. Clarence 11. Frick left a large practice to enlist in the War with Mex- ico. and resumed it after his return from the war. but on account of failing health gave it up in 1857. His death occurred in 1861, at the age of forty-three years. His death was a sad blow to his loving wife and a large mim- ber of friends in whose midst he had always lived. As a result of his union with Elizabeth McClurg Colt they reared the following chil- dren: William Colt, a resident of New York City, who is general sales agent of the Howe & Polk Manufacturing Company of Danville, and for several years has been largely en- gaged in the iron business, married Mary Clark, and they have one daughter. Elizabeth Donaldson; George Augustus, a resident of Philadelphia; Clarence Henry, Jr., who is teller of the Danville National Bank, and mar- ried Lizzie Holloway, by whom he had three children, Ruth H., Clarence H., and Sallie Cornelia. In religious belief Dr. Frick was an Episcopalian.
William Colt, the father of our subject, was born in Erie, Pa., but at an early age moved to Danville, Montour County, where he was one of the prominent business men. In 1828 he became one of the original stockholders of the river bridge which was built in that year, and was one of the managers of it for many years. He was also a large contractor in the building of the North Branch Canal. He later engaged in the mercantile business under the
firm name Colt & Donaldson in the building in which the Danville National Bank is now located. He was successfully engaged in that line until he became a coal operator in Schuyl- kill County. He built and resided in the large brick house in which Mrs. Frick now resides. Mr. Colt passed to his eternal rest May 14, 1855. at the age of sixty-five years, and his worthy wife survived him many years, dying in 1880, aged seventy-eight years. Their chil- dren were: John Donaldson: Elizabeth MI., the subject of this personal history; and Su- san M., a maiden lady residing with her sister.
Mrs. Frick is a woman with many lovable traits of character and has a large circle of friends in Danville, numbering them almost by her acquaintances.
J AMES STROUP, deceased, was one of the prominent and influential agricul- turists and citizens of Davidson town- ship, Sullivan County, Pa. He was very in- dustrious and successful in his business af- fairs and resided on the estate which is now owned and cultivated under the supervision of his wife. He was a son of Eli and Rebecca (Newman) Stroup, and was born in Davidson township in 1842.
Eli Stroup, the father of our subject, was born in Lycoming County, Pa., but after his marriage moved to Shrewsbury township. Sul- livan County, where he followed his trade as a carpenter. He was a skilled workman and built many of the old mills now standing in that locality. His father put him out to work at an early age and he followed his trade until his demise. Mrs. Stroup now resides in Da- vidson township and is enjoying life at the ad- vanced age of seventy-eight years. Her maiden name was Rebecca Newman, and her marriage with Mr. Stroup resulted in the birth
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of eight children: Mary Elizabeth; Amanda (Mrs. Cox), a resident of Elmira, N. Y .; Amelia, the wife of Daniel O'Brien of Sayre, Pa .; Anna, who was the wife of James Gould, and both are now deceased; John, a carpen- ter of Chicago; Alfred, deceased; and Mon- roe, who resides with his mother.
James Stroup obtained his intellectual train- ing in the common schools, after which he be- gan working on the farm of James Taylor, who subsequently became his father-in-law. After his marriage in 1867 he remained with Mr. Taylor until December 8, 1872, when he moved to the farm, upon which he died on March 27, 1886. He made many improve- ments upon the property and became one of the most successful farmers in that section. He was a man of high character and good habits and was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
In August, 1867, Mr. Stroup was united in marriage with Catherine H. Taylor, who was born on October 20, 1837, a daughter of James and Delia (Edkin) Taylor. Mr. Taylor was born on January 5, 1808, and his wife on May 22, 1810. He was a farmer in Davidson township nearly all of his life, and was a very prominent man. Both Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are now deceased. Our subject and his wife had five children, namely: Maggie, the wife of George Crawley, a farmer of Davidson township; Jonah, who died at the age of six months and five days; Curtis Delmar, who lives with his family on the home farm with his mother, married Laura Brink, who was born September 3, 1871, and they have three chil- dren,-James L., Harry Donald, and George Dewey; Taylor Mendey, a farmer by occupa- tion, who married Addie Starr, by whom he has one daughter, Catherine Clarissa; and Delia, who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Stroup was a Democrat and held several
township offices. Since his demise his wife has owned and cultivated the old homestead, consisting of 150 acres of land, and has dis- played rare judgment in the manner in which she has managed her affairs. She is a woman of many virtues and has many friends.
RS. ROSALIE HUGO, a descend- ant of one of the pioneer families of Sullivan County and the widow of the late Charles Hugo, is a daughter of Fred- erick and Fredericka (Vitus) Bowers, both of whom were natives of Berlin, Germany, immi- grating to America in 1855.
Mr. Bowers met with many difficulties in trying to immigrate with his family to Amer- ica. As they started in a small boat to board the sailing vessel they were stranded on a sand-bar, and, during a severe storm, the vessel in which they were to sail went down. Nothing daunted, and with the determination to make this country their home, they made another effort to fulfil their desires and set sail in an- other ship for America, landing at Baltimore after a tedious voyage of eight weeks. One small child died while they were at sea.
Mr. Bowers, being a shoemaker by trade and having friends in Germantown, Pa., set- tled there and worked at his trade. Being very desirous of owning a home for himself and family, he readily consented to purchase with his little savings, through some land agents, a small farm in a supposedly German settlement near Elkland, Merritt's Lake, in Elkland township. Taking his small belong- ings, in company with his family, he moved northward, and reached the destination, only to find that he had been swindled by rascals and left destitute in a wild land, far from home and with the winter season fast ap-
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
proaching, Sheltering his family in one small room, the only one to be obtained, Mr. Bow- ers looked about to see how he could better himself. Many of our readers will doubtless recall the murder of Vitencruber and the sub- sequent conviction and execution of the mur- derer, Kamb. The room that these emigrants had they were obliged to share with this mur- derer and his wife. Using the remainder of his almost exhausted funds he bought a small piece of woodland and began to build a little log-cabin near the lake. But the severe win- ter, with its heavy falls of snow and keen frosts setting in, prevented him from finishing this structure, which was located not far from where Mrs. Hugo, the subject of this biog- raphy, now lives. Taking our subject, then a child of ten years, with him through the deep snow, he built a fire in the half-finished cabin. dug up the earth floor, and with his hands filled the cracks between the logs with earth to keep out the snow and cold. Then taking the others of his family to the cabin he began in this inauspicious way his struggle for ex- istence in the New World. He lived on this place the remainder of his days, with the ex- ception of the second winter, which was spent in Forksville, where, by economy, he was able to purchase a cow, and with this and his fam- ily he returned to the log cabin, working at his trade and doing odd jobs for his neighbors or any work which enabled him to keep the wolf from the door. Mr. Bowers died at the age of forty-five, and left six children, as fol- lows: Rosalie, the subject of this sketch; A. Conrad; Veronica; Emma; Louisa; and Francis. His widow married Fred Smith and they have one child, who lives on the old homestead.
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