Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 109

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 109

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Dece daug N. sife Car lion Vo bl re-

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December, 1843, he married Esther M. (1823-52), daughter of Lewis and Charry Lounsbury, of Tioga, N. Y. They had children,-Charry P., 1845, the wife of Orrin T. Smith, now residing in Susquehanna ; Curtis F., 1847, who enlisted in the War of the Rebel- lion, in Company D, Fifty-sixth Regiment Penna. Vols., was with the Army of the Potomac in most of its bloody battles, was wounded at Gettysburg, afterwards re-enlisted as a veteran, and became an " old " soldier, although but eighteen years of age when the war closed. He married, in 1868, Lizzie Richards, and is now a locomotive engineer, residing at Susquehanna ;

Mr. Grimes married for his second wife Maria S. Buck, born at Red Rock, in Great Bend township, in 1821. She was the daughter of John B. and Susan (Chamberlin) Buck, the latter born in 1801 and died in 1879. John B. Buck was born in 1795, now resid- ing with his daughter, Mrs. Grimes, and can yet re- call many stirring incidents in the early settlement of this section of the county. He was the son of Icha- bod Buck (1757-1849), the son of Daniel Buck (1730- 1814), the son of Enoch Buck (1642-1771). Enoch Buck was a native of Connecticut, and died there.

Daniel Buck was a Presbyterian clergyman, and

J. K. Grimes

Moses L., 1849, married Alida Soper, and is in the jewelry business at Rapid City, Dakota. After his marriage, in 1843, he continued with his father until his death, in 1845, and in settling up his estate re- mained there two or three years longer. In May, 1848, he moved with his family to Harmony (now Oak- land), and settled on a farm purchased the fall before of Henry Ketcham. This was a part of the Drinker tract, lying along the Susquehanna River, mostly un- improved, and having upon it no buildings, except a log barn and an old house, shown in an engraving now in his possession.

came from Connecticut to Great Bend, where"he bought a farm and engaged in agriculture in connec- tion with his ministerial duties. Ichabod Buck came from Connecticut to the Mohawk Valley, from there to Windsor, and finally settled at Great Bend about 1795. He was a soldier in the Revolution, as was his father before him, who also served in the War of 1812. The grandfather of Mrs. Grimes, Moses Chamberlin, was a Revolutionary soldier. They had children,-Susan E., 1855, the wife of Homer Hall, residing at Susquehanna, Pa .; Ellen R., 1860, the wife of Walter Wood, residing at Susquehanna, Pa. ;

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Elbert J., 1863, married Alice A. Wheeler, 1884, and now residing in one of the dwellings on the old homestead. In politics Mr. Grimes was originally a Whig, and has been a Republican since the party or- ganized. He has not sought office, but has served his township many terms as school director and also as assessor, supervisor, town clerk and school treas- urer. Himself and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church of Susquehanna. On the farm pur- chased in 1848 Mr. Grimes still resides, but what was then a wilderness has been made to " blossom as the rose," and two fine dwellings-one occupied by him- self and the other by his son Elbert-seem to attest the fact that industry, frugality and business tact shall not go unrewarded.

SCHOOLS .- The first public school-house in what is ' now Oakland was located on the south side of the river, on the " old road," and on the hill not far from Canavan's Glen. It was called the Prospect School- house. It was erected in 1830. Miss Lusena Hup- man was the first person employed to teach. Jesse Hale and Robert McKune were the directors that engaged her. In 1836 another house was built near the "poor farm." There are now in the township six schools, namely, Beebe, Oak Hill, McKune, Grimes, Brushville and Lamb. With the exception of one year, for ten years past the directors have provided six months' free school each year. The school-houses are kept in good repair, in comfortable condition and painted. The directors at the present time are T. J. Reilly, president ; P. G. Smith, secre- tary ; and Joseph Stevens, H. E. Matthews, George M. Doolittle, Frank Quick.

MRS. LUSENA HUPMAN BARTON, the first person employed to teach in the public schools in what is now Oakland, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1812. She came with her parents to Windsor, N. Y., when she was four years of age. In 1830 she was engaged to teach the school in the new school-house that is mentioned in the preceding paragraph. A short time after the term closed she was married to Ephraim Barton. In 1847 they removed to Oakland. Here and at Hickory Grove, in Great Bend, they lived until Mr. Barton's death, in 1883. Mrs. Barton now resides with her daughter, Mrs. B. F. McKune, although on the opposite side of the river, yet not far from the place where she conducted the first district school in this township nearly sixty years ago. The following is a copy of the school bill that was made out at the expiration of her term :

" Lusena Hupman's bill for teaching school in the new school-house in the township of Harmony in the summer of 1830, Jesse Hale and Joel Salsbury trustees, --

" Jesse Hale sent 238 days ៛3.54-paid.

Denison Root sent 309 days. 4.50

Alva Hale sent 14812 days ... 2.20

Joel Salsbury sent 9512 days. 1 40

Wm. Chamberlin sent 7412 days .. 1.10

Daniel Cook sent 44 days. 61

Joseph Smith sent 10 days. . 15

Sarah Brush went 1 day. .01

Rachel Reynolds went 29 days (county scholar) .43

Total, 946 days ... .$14.00

Total amount for teaching school 16 weeks at 7 shillings per week. $14.00."

CALVIN BRUSH .- Jonas Brush and his wife, Tamar Ruggles, came from Litchfield County, Conn., to Wilkes-Barre during the latter part of last century, soon after their marriage, and in the year 1800 re- moved to Windsor, N. Y. About 1810 they settled in Great Bend township, about half a mile south of the borough, on the farm first located by Henry Lord, in 1797, and subsequently owned by Asahel Avery, where he built a house and in which the Daytons also resided afterwards. Some ten years later they removed to East Bridgewater, on the Milford and Owego turn- pike, where they died on the farm adjoining the Robert Kent place. The wife died in 1837. They had children,-Jonas, Jr. (1786-1863) ; Medad resided in Bridgewater for a time and went to Ohio, where he died ; Pamelia was the wife of Selah Trowbridge, of Great Bend, where she died ; Anna, wife of Franklin Avery, of New Milford; Sally was the wife of Judge Grover Buell, of Windsor, N. Y .; Tamar first married A. Youngs, and after his death a Mr. Butler and Lewis Brush (1800-67). The eldest, Jonas, Jr., born in Connecticut, while yeta young man, about 1812, came from Windsor and took upone hundred and six acres of land on Locust Hill, in Great Bend township, being the first settler in all that region. On this place he spent the remainder of his life and reared his fam- ily. He was fond of hunting, and often, with the aid of his rifle, brought to his feet the wild game that, in those early days, inhabited the forests. He was a reading man, and well informed on the current topics of the day, a man of correct habits and an esteemed citizen. His wife, Electa (1794-1878), a daughter of Israel Bennett, of Randolph, Broome County, N. Y., and a Methodist of much Christian excellence, whom he married in 1823, bore him the following children : Tamar A. (1824-48); Calvin, born August 25, 1825; Panielia J., 1827, has been married three times, and is a widow, residing in Binghamton ; Ellen A., 1829, the wife of Eben Hawkins, of Windsor ; Agnes D. (1831-81) was the wife of Otis Hubbard, of Windsor ; Martin R. (1833-52); and Addison G. Brush, born 1837, resides on the homestead.

The eldest son, Calvin Brush, has spent most of his life a farmer in the northwestern part of Oakland township, about one mile from the old homestead. He obtained a good mathematical education by self- study at home, receiving very little book education under the instruction of a teacher. His early incli- nations led him to be a farmer, and his parental training gave him practical ideas of life's work. In 1846, upon attaining his majority, he bought one hundred acres of land upon which were some improve- ments, and ten years later built his present residence. He has since added one hundred and fifty acres to his original purchase, besides acquiring other parcels of

Calvin Brush.

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real estate. His business has been general farming and dairying, through which means he has become one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. Perse- vering industry, and the general good management of his business have enabled him to gain a fair compe- tence through labor and tilling the soil, although he had no pecuniary assistance at the outstart. He is a member of the Keystone Agricultural Society and has served for many years on its executive committee. He has been officially identified with his township as assessor for three terms, school director for many years and poor commissioner. He was elected on the

Bend township, near the old Brush homestead. For his second wife he married, in 1862, Ann H. Mackey (1842-65), a daughter of David Mackey, of New Milford, by whom he has an only child, Anna Laura Bush, born in 1865. For his third wife he married, in 1866, Eunice A. Kent, the widow of Isaac N. Pal- mer (1824-65), son of Esek H. Palmer, who came to Brooklyn from Connecticut in the spring of 1811. She was born April 19, 1830, in Bridgewater, and is the daughter of Robert Kent (1801-78), who settled with his parents, Justice and Anna (Stuart) Kent, in Brooklyn in 1811, from Windsor, N. Y. Her mother,

6. W. Thank

Republican ticket a justice of the peace of Oakland, but never qualified for the office. Mr. Brush has been one of the main supporters of the Methodist Church on Locust Hill, zealous in religious work in the vicin- ity, an efficient superintendent of the Sunday-school in connection with the church for twenty years, and upon the erection of the present church edifice he contributed nearly one-half towards its construction. He married for his first wife, in 1848, Emeline Beebe (1824-60), a daughter of Lyman Beebe, of Windsor, and sister of Bradley and Charles Beebe, farmers on the Susquehanna in Oakland, who died leaving one surviving child, Milton, born in 1857, resides in Great

Prudence Bailey (1804,63), was the daughter of Cap- tain Amos Bailey and Prudence Gere, his wife, who settled in Brooklyn in 1801, where Obadiah Bailey, their son, now resides.

CHARLES W. LAMB .- Jairus Lamb (1791-1872), the father of Charles W., accompanied by David and Jonathan Bryant and Uriah Thayer, came from Ver- mont in the spring of 1812, and were the first settlers of Jackson. They returned to Vermont that winter, but early in 1813 came back to Jackson (then Har- mony), prepared to make it their permanent home. Before his return Mr. Lamb married in Vermont, Amy Bryant, and they commenced housekeeping at

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Captain Potter's, in Gibson, until he could erect a house for himself in Jackson. This he completed early in 1814, which was the first framed house in the township. Mrs. Lamb died in 1815, leaving one son, Russel B. (1815-68). She was a sister of David Bry- ant and the first woman buried in the township. Major Joel Lamb, father of Jairus, came to Jackson in 1815, and took up a large tract of land. He was a man of large stature, commanding appearance and great physical strength.

Jairus Lamb returned again to Vermont in 1816, and there married Elizabeth Hall (1789-1884), a sister of Martin and Asa Hall. They had children, -Amy, 1816, who had for her first husband A. J. Chamber- lin, and after his decease married Almon Clinton- she is now a widow; Lucy, 1818, married John Champlin, and is now residing in the State of New York; Elizabeth (1820-22) ; Nancy, 1822, married Wm. Champlin, and is now residing in Mckean Co., Pa .; Joel H., 1824, a farmer of Jackson; Lucy (1826-86) was the wife of S. H. Estabrook, a farmer of Oakland; Charles W., 1828; George W. (1831-79); and Wesson T., 1833, a farmer of Oakland. Charles W. was born in Jackson, but at the age of six his father removed to New York State, where he remained two years. Upon his return to Jackson, Charles W. went to live with his brother-in-law, A. J. Chamber- lin, of Gibson, who was a farmer, but a few years thereafter added hotel-keeping to his other business. Here he remained, working on the farm and assisting about the hotel, until he was twenty years of age. His early educational advantages were most meagre, and six months would probably compass the school- days of his life-time. But in the absence of book knowledge, he learned in that early and rugged school of toil and privation that self-reliance and in- dependence that has made him successful in the bat- tle of life ; and he has the promise that his declining years will be surrounded with comforts that were de- nied him in early life. In 1851 he went to New Milford, and purchased a farm near Page's Pond. In 1853 he married Jane E., 1831, daughter of Nel- son, 1806, and Mary (1806-65) French, who were na- tives of Vermont and came to Jackson in 1831. Nel- son French bought a farm, erected a house, and now (1887), at the age of eighty-one, is residing on the old homestead.

They had other children,-Eliza, 1832, married Charles McKune; Cordelia M., 1835, married Wesson T. Lamb; Elizabeth P. (1838-53) ; George H., 1841, a farmer in Jackson on the old Lamb homestead; Ed- gar N., 1844, a farmer in Harmony ; and Julia L., 1847, married Elias R. Barrett. Mr. Lamb remained on the farm in New Milford, working it and making im- provements until 1865, when he came to Oakland and purchased a farm about two miles from the borough of Susquehanna. Three years later he pur- chased the farm where he now resides, which is just outside the borough limits. These two farms he still

owns, and he has made many and valuable improve- ments upon them since they came into his possession. For a number of years he carried on an extensive business in lumber and wood, but in recent years has devoted his time principally to farming. In 1873 his dwelling-house took fire and was totally consumed, but during the same year he erected in its place his present elegant and commodious homestead. Mr. Lamb, in politics, is a Republican, and has served his township as supervisor and constable and collector. Mr. Lamb is not a church member, but his wife be- longs to the Methodist Church. He is identified with the Grangers, being a member of " Highland " Grange.

SYLVESTER HALE ESTABROOK .- The descendants of. Sylvester and Demmis Easterbrook have in some instances changed the original spelling of the name, and of this number is Sylvester H., who was born in Brattleboro', Vt., October 8, 1822. His early boyhood was spent in Vermont, and there, in the dis- trict school, which he attended when opportunity offered, he acquired the rudimentary education obtainable by the youth of that day. At the age of sixteen his father removed to Jackson, and here, in the almost uninhabited wilderness, young Estabrook found a field for industry, that would have appalled less stouter hearts than those that beat in the bosoms of all our early pioneers. The log-house home was first erected, and there they attacked the forest that surrounded them, and it gradually melted away before their vigorous strokes. Here for twelve years he remained battling with the forests and assisting his father in clearing up the farm and getting a living for the large family. Being handy in the use of tools, he became a self-constituted carpenter, and while the Erie Railroad was in process of construc- tion he worked on it as a bridge-builder. Until he was twenty-eight years old his time and his wages were given his father in improving and paying for the farm. In 1850 he married Lucy, daughter of Jairus (1791-1872) and Elizabeth Hall (1789-1884) Lamb. Her parents were of the first settlers of Jackson, in which town she was born September 2, 1826, and died at the homestead in Oakland, 1886. The year of his marriage he again penetrated the wilderness and purchased a farm in Harmony (now Oakland), and with the same undaunted spirit that pervaded him twelve years before, he began life anew -this time for himself-and with new and added responsibilities. He made an opening in the forest large enough to give him elbow-room to build a little house, the lumber and material for which he brought from Brush's mill-an undertaking of considerable difficulty, when it is remembered there was no road leading to his prospective home. In 1851 he took his wife to their new home-new in every sense-and commenced his life-work in earnest. For several years he was obliged to carry on his back the food and necessary supplies for his family. But industry

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and perseverance conquered ; the forest gave way to the farm, the little old house was abandoned for the pleasant and commodious new one, The creations of his own handiwork and indications on every hand bespeak the prosperous and successful farmer. Besides constructing his own buildings, he has erected several for his neighbors. Their children are Emma D., 1851, wife of Edwin Kenworthy, residing at Car- bondale, Pa .; John A. 1854, married and residing at Carbondale; Sarah E., 1856, wife of George A. Johnson, residing at Minerva, N. Y .; Lucy E., 1859 ;

after Chancellorsville and went to hospital ; returned to duty, but again sent to hospital, from which he was discharged in May, 1865. He is a member of Moody Post, No. 53, G. A. R. In 1886 he attended the Twentieth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic at San Francisco, and during an extended tour of three and a half months he visited many points of interest along the Pacific coast, viewed the wonders of the Yosemite, bathed in Salt Lake, and gathered many relics and curiosities that now adorn his home.

& AEstabrook

Almon S. (1868-74) ; and Richard H., 1869. Lucy and Richard reside with their father at the home- stead. Originally a Whig in politics, Mr. Estabrook was a vice-president of the first meeting held at Sus- quehanna to organize the Republican party, and since that time has been active in support of its principles and laboring for its success ; was member of County Committee for several years. He has served his town as school director, as constable and collector, and for twelve years was its assessor. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, the patriotism that inspired his Revolutionary ancestors was aroused, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry; was injured soon

THE HARMONY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY .- Al- though this society bears the above title, yet its grounds are located and its fairs are held in Oakland. The grounds are on the north side of the river, and about one mile west of Oakland borough. They are on lands owned by E. G. Taylor, and leased for a term of years. The ground embraces about fifteen acres of land that is inclosed by a high board fence. Within the inclosure there is a good one-half mile racing course. The society was organized in 1879. Since that time fairs have been held annually. The present officers are Wm. H. Larrabee, president ; P. H. Smith, secretary ; F. B. Thayer, treasurer; and Bradley Beebe, John Lane, E. R. Barrett, Everett

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Van Aiken, Charles Whitney and Charles Lamb, directors.

OAKLAND BOROUGH is on the opposite side of the river from Susquehanna, and connected with it by the Susquehanna and Oakland bridge. There is but little business transacted in the village, as the place is chiefly occupied by railroad employees and their families. Hence, there are but three stores and two mills, on that side of the river, where such industries are carried on. Yet the mills have been very con- venient appendages to the various business interests of Susquehanna, as they could not have been erected on the other side of the river, from the fact that the railroad occupies that side.

In 1864 there were but four houses within the present limits of the borough. Now the borouglı comprises over two hundred families, and nearly one thousand people. In it there are two churches and a mission chapel, and a good graded school building.

The borough was incorporated in 1884. George H. Leal was the first burgess. He was succeeded by J. H. Findon in 1886, who was re-elected in 1887. The first Councilmen were T. J. Cockayne, Stanley Squires, S. Pierce, Wm. Johnston, E. Ogden and C. Brown. The present Town Council is composed of R. H. Ship- ley, president ; and Charles Brown, C. C. Moore, J. H. Damon, W. F. Findon and Stanley Squires ; . W. P. Munson, Esq., is the justice of the peace; Charles Blackburn is secretary.

THE HOLDRIDGE MILLS were erected in 1865, for the manufacturing of sash, blinds and doors, and for planing and matching lumber. About 1880 appara- tus for grinding grain was put into a part of the mill, and at the present time quite an extensive business in grinding is done. The proprietor, Harvey Hol- dridge, was born in Albany County, N. Y. He came to Lanesboro' in 1846. A few years afterwards he put up a planing-mill in Susquehanna, which he con- ducted about seven years. In 1866 he built the house where he now resides, and removing into it with his family, he became one of the first residents of Oak- land, and the first business man. Before the borough was incorporated, and since its incorporation, Mr. Holdridge has nearly all of the time held some one or more of the different township and borough offices. He has done a great deal of building, on contracts, both in Susquehanna and Oakland.

In 1866 W. W. Hotchkiss built a saw-mill, about one hundred rods down the river from the Holdridge mills. Soon after a partnership was formed between him and Geo. M. Doolittle, when machinery for a grist-mill was put into the mill, and since that time a large business has been conducted at this place ; al- though Mr. Hotchkiss remained but for a short time, and Mr. Doolittle continued the business until about two years ago, when he sold out to J. K. Putnam.

SCHOOLS .- An independent district was decreed by the court at the January term in 1867, and Charles Beebe and T. T. Munson were appointed to hold an

election on the second Tuesday of February follow- ing, for the purpose of choosing a board of directors, T. T. Munson, J. B. Kittle, Harvey Holdridge, Charles Beebe, Henry Shepherd and G. H. Leal were elected. At the organization of the board, Mr. Kittle was chosen president, and Mr. Holdridge secretary. Miss Carrie Wellman was the first teacher employed. Two years after two teachers were employed, namely : Carrie Wellman and Maggie Raymond. In 1879 Belle Councilman was principal; in 1880 Robert Hall, for a short time, when he was succeeded by J. F. W. Hawes for four years. In 1884 a good and spacious building was erected in place of the one that. had been used up to this time. It is two stories high, with a basement. There are two school-rooms and a hall on the first floor, and a large school-room and a recitation-room on the second floor. The building is nicely furnished, and in every respect it is a credit to the place, and shows that the citizens of Oakland are deeply interested in their schools. M. W. Cargill was appointed the first principal in the new building. He was succeeded by G. P. Ross in January, 1886. Mr. Ross has since conducted the school, and has been re-appointed for 1887. He is well qualified for the position and very successful in his work. He has two teachers associated with him, namely: Anna Lofgren and Grace Meeker. The schools number about two hundred pupils. The directors at present. are Frank Weinman, president; C. F. Meeker, sec- retary; and G. H. Leal, J. L. Councilman, H. Kins- ley and L. Finckenior.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of Oakland, previous to 1880, existed in the form of a class that constituted at first a part of the Harmony charge, and afterwards it was included in the Susquehanna Church. In 1874, under the direction of Rev. A. J. Van Cleft, then pastor at Susquehanna, a church was built in which services were held, usually Sunday afternoons. In 1880 thirty-four members took letters from the Susquehanna Society and organized a sep- arate church. Rev. W. C. Norris was appointed the first pastor. In 1881 he was succeeded by Rev. W. B. Kinney; in 1882, Rev. Chas. Alexander; in 1883, Rev. G. C. Jacobs; in 1884-85, Rev. G. W. Leach ; in 1886, Rev. T. M. Furey.

The first trustees were S. P. Moore, J. L. Council- man, Joel D. Brown, Wm. Frank, Gilbert Hawkins, George Badgley, Wm. Eastwood. The stewards were Gilbert Hawkins, Noah Badgley and Silas Wilson. J. D. Brown was the class-leader. The present officers are C. Hilborn, N. W. Badgley, S. Wilson, Wm. McCannon, J. C. Councilman, Abram Jordan, trustees; Wm. McCannon, H. Meeker, S. Wilson, F. H. Decker, J. D. Brown, C. Hilborn and N. W. Badgley, stewards. A union Sunday-school was or- ganized a number of years before the church was in- stituted. The value of the church property is esti- mated at eight hundred and fifty dollars. The

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 109

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318