Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 53

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 53

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).

Captain Beardsley is a ready writer commanding a flowing and poetic style ; free-hearted and generous to a fault, he has hosts of friends throughout the county ; patriotic and public-spirited, he gives freely of his time and energies to the public, even to the neglect of his own private affairs; an ardent Republi- can he serves his party with the same zeal that

264 i

THE GRAND ARMY.

prompts all of his public acts, having served as chair- man of the Republican County Committee for eight years. He has one child, a son of eleven years, and he enjoys his pleasant home which is located on North Main Street, Montrose.

Bissell Post, No. 466 .- Bissell Post, of Rush, was instituted under charter dated November 26,. 1884, by Comrade J. H. Munger, assisted by a detail from "Southworth " and "Four Brothers " Posts. The following charter members were mustered: L. L. Very, P. D. Roe, A. W. Hickok, M. T. Very, Can- field Stone, M. B. Perrigo, E. P. Howe, Samuel Smith, H. W. Terry, David H. Tarbox, Samuel McKuby, Wm. S. Gibbs. The officers were then elected and installed, as follows: P. C., L. L. Very ; S. V. C., Samuel Smith ; J. V. C., O. W. Baxter . A., E. P. Howe; Q. M., Peter D. Roe; C., M. B. Per- rigo ; S., C. H. Warner ; O. D., Wm. S. Gibbs; O. G., Asa Hickok ; S. M., M. T. Very ; Q. M. S., H. W. Terry.

The total number borne on rolls is thirty-five, and the present membership is thirty-three. The post meets at Odd Fellows' Hall, at Rush.

SERGEANT ALANSON W. BISSELL, in whose honor this post was named, was a member of Company "H," One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was born May 21, 1839, in Forest Lake township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. His parents, William and Parthema H. Bissell, moved to Jessup township in 1840. His father was a practicing physician for many years. Alanson was brought up on the farm, attending the district school, and afterwards the "Normal School " at Montrose. In the winter of 1861-62 he taught the district school adjoining his own neighborhood. Although surrounded by parents in the decline of life and two loving sisters, when his country called he left them all behind and enlisted August 17, 1862, for three years, in Captain J. C. Morris' company, then forming at Friendsville, this county.

The company became attached to the One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment, which near the close of the year arrived at Washington, where it spent the winter, and joined the Army of the Potomac in Feb- ruary, 1863, and was attached to the First Corps. At this time the rebels opened their batteries on the Union lines at Fredericksburg. While the shot and shell were flying and bursting around, young Bissell could be heard singing that old war song, "The Bat- tle Cry of Freedom." The corps moved from Freder- icksburg early in the morning of May 2d, for a forced march to Chancellorsville. The day proved to be ex- ceedingly hot, the men were heavily laden, and before noon many began to fall out, overcome by the hcat. Young Bissell, from sun-stroke, was among the num- ber, and was finally sent to Windmill Point Hospital, where he died of typhoid fever on the 1st day of June, 1863. His remains were brought home by Dr. C. C. Halsey, of Montrose, and interred in the cemetery at

Birchardville, Susquehanna County, June 12, 1863. Such is a brief account of the life of this noble young patriot, the memory of which Post 466, G. A. R., has sought to honor with his name.

Owen Phillips Post, No. 486 .- Owen Phillips Post, of Clifford, was instituted under charter dated July 24, 1885. It was mustered with twenty-one charter members, and on the night of its organization the following were elected its first officers, and duly installed : P. C., A. Harris; S. V. C., D. B. Mott ; J. V. C., Henry J. White; Adjutant, C. M. Hunter; Q. M., George Simpson ; C., G. R. San- ders; S., Dr. J. C. Harding ; O. D., T. W. Hunter ; O. G., Uriah Ridgeway. The names of the other charter members are J. H. Hunter, N. C. Hal- stead, Wm. Barker, George M. Dopp, R. W. Barney, D. S. Miller, B. B. Mapes, J. C. Decker, S. A. Hal- stead, Milo Carpenter, M. V. Kennedy, M. Arnold. The post meets in Grangers' Hall at Clifford Corners, and the total number borne on its roll is thirty-one. Its Past P. C.'s are A. Harris and D. B. Mott. A par- tial list of its present officers is given : P. C., Silas Halstead; S. V. C., H. J. White; Adjutant, George Simpson; Q. M., D. B. Mott; O. D., J. C. Decker. The post was named in honor of Sergeant Owen Phil- lips, a brief account of whose service and death is here given : He was the son of Nelson and Sally Ann Phil- lips, of Clifford. The booming of the rebel guns, firing on Sumter, soon re-echoed throughout the land in the President's proclamation calling for volunteers, and young Phillips responded to the call, and served his time with the three months' troops. In August, 1862, he again enlisted as a private in Company B., One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Pennsylva- nia Volunteers. At the battle of Gettysburg the reg- iment was most fiercely engaged and suffered severely in killed and wounded. In a desperate charge of the enemy, the regiment was forced to retire, and the color-bearer, Sergeant Crippin, was killed. (See mili- tary chapter, One Hundred and Forty-third Regi- ment.) It was Private Phillips who rescued the flag and bore it safely from the field. For this brave and heroic act he was promoted to color-ser- geant. But in the battle of the Wilderness he, too, became the target for rebel bullets, being mortally wounded-" And one more was numbered with the Union dead."

Frank Hall Post, No. 505 .- Frank Hall Post, of Thomson, was instituted some time in the latter part of 1885, or early in 1886. We are unable to give any particulars as to its organization or its past or present officers. Its present Post Commander is C. T. Belcher. The post was named in honor of one of Susquehanna County's brave and true soldiers. We regret that we have not full data of his home-life, together with more than the " official " record of his long and honorable service. Urbane Frank Hall- only known to his comrades as "Frank "-cnlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-first Regi-

17 b

264 j

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ment, and was mustered into service August 25, 1862. He was promoted to corporal, and during all the hardships and perils in which his company and regiment participated, during its nearly three years of service, he was ever present where duty called. Social in his habits, genial in his manner, he won the love of his comrades and the confidence of his superior officers. Spared through the perils of the battle-field and dangers of the camp, he was one of the faithful and honored few who were mustered out with the company May 28, 1865. Returning to his home, he sought the pursuits of private life, but after enjoying for a number of years the privileges and benefits of the government he helped to save, death came and robbed the community of an honored citizen and his fellow-soldiers of a loved comrade. Peace to his ashes.

Mathew McPherson Post, No. 509 .- Mathew McPher- son Post, of Uniondale, was instituted under a charter dated February 5, 1886, and the following officers were elected at its first meeting and duly installed by Comrade Clark, assisted by Comrade B. C. Stod- dard, of Susquehanna: P. C., William Anderson ; S. V. C., F. K. James; J. V. C., Urbane Barrager ; Adjt., J. F. Bass; Q. M., Charles Tucker ; C., T. B. Dimmick; O. D., Shepherd Carpenter; O. G., J. G. Brando. The remaining charter members were A. J. Hartson, Emmett Gibson, Jerome Curtis, Andrew G. Gregg, Alfred W. Larrabee. The total number borne on the roll is twenty-five. Its present officers are: P. C., William Anderson; S. V. C., Charles Tucker; J. V: C., C. H. Coleman ; Adjt., Alfred W. Larrabee; Q. M., T. B. Dimmick; O. D., Emmett Gibson; O. G., A. J. Hartson; S., Jerome Curtis; C., Elijah Carpenter. The post was named in honor of First Sergeant Mathew McPherson, who was a member of Company B, Seventeenth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, a brief sketch of whom follows.

MATHEW MCPHERSON, after whom Post 509, G. A. R., is named, was the son of William McPherson, of Scotch descent, was born and bred in the township of Gibson, this county. Being the oldest of the family, Mathew, from childhood, had the main care of the farm, as his father worked for the Delaware and Hud- son Canal Co., at Honesdale. Thus inured to toil in summers, and attending the district school in winter, he grew to a sturdy manhood, and was among the first of the "Northern Mud-Sills" to don the blue and take the part of a private soldier. He had stood by the old flag all through the campaign of the "Army of the Potomac " to fall in the flush of early manhood and victory in the last bloody skirmish of the war at Five Forks. Thus has the post honored the "Rank and File" by adopting the name of one of its noblest representatives.

Myron French Post, No. 512 .- Myron French Post, of Jackson, was instituted March 26, 1886, by Com- rade Clark Evans, assisted by Colonel George Os- borne and comrades from "Moody" Post. It was

organized by the selection of the following officers, who were duly installed: C. C. Bookstaver, P. C .; O. G. Larrabee, S. V. C .; James E. Curtis, J. V. C .; Charles Estabrook, O. D .; P. K. Benson, Q .- M .; W. W. Larrabee, O. G .; E.A. Leonard, Adjt .; Rev. H. G. Blair, Chap .; H. M. Benson, Q .- M. Sergt .; Elon Dix, Sergt .- Maj. The remaining charter mem- bers were Sidney Estabrook, Austin Benson, F. D. Brown, Delos Washburn, D. L. Bryant, George Brink, Fred. Slocum, M.Washburn, Alonzo Barrett, Thomas Ball, Thomas Payne, Whitmore Easterbrook.

The present officers are the same as those first elected, with the following exceptions: J. V. C., Alonzo Barrett; C., H. M. Benson ; Q .- M. S., Thomas Tallman.

Its meeting-place is Roberts Hall, which the post has nicely fitted up and placed therein some fine scenery. Its present membership is thirty-five. The post was named in honor of a valiant soldier, whose portrait, with a sketch of his life, follows :

SERGEANT MYRON FRENCH .- His great-grand- parents were Nathaniel (1721-1801) and Elizabeth (1722-77) French. His grandparents were Joel and Polly French, the former born 1768, died 1872, was a native of Vermont and the youngest of eleven chil- dren. His brother William, born in 1753, was killed by Tories at Westminster Court-House, Vermont, March 13, 1775. It had long been handed down by tradition that this was the first blood spilled in the Revolutionary War, and research instituted in con- nection with the centennial anniversary of the battles of Concord and Lexington established it as a histori- cal fact. Nathaniel, son of Joel French, was born at Dummerston, Vermont, March 5, 1812, and was the youngest of five brothers. At the age of fifteen his father died, and a year later his mother, and thus he was left at an early age to care for himself. When he was twenty years of age he came, in company with Charles French, to Jackson and purchased a farm in what was long known as the " Vermont settlement." Here he vigorously set to work to make a clearing for his future home, and after toiling here for several months, he sought employment in the lumber-woods near Great Bend, where he remained until the close of the year 1833. He then procured a team from his employer, Wright Chamberlin, Esq., and returned to Vermont. Here, on the 6th day of January following, he married Betsey Chase (1814-62), a native of Dum- merston, Vermont, daughter of James A. Chase and granddaughter of James Chase, who landed at Boston from a whaling voyage at the breaking out of the war for independence, and immediately enlisted in the Continental army, where he served to the close of the war, after which he settled in Vermont. After their marriage the young couple started for their wilderness home, then a home only in name ; but with untiring industry and unflagging perseverance, with hearts buoyed up with faith in a kind Providence, they endured hardships, overcame obstacles until that

264 k

THE GRAND ARMY.

forest-home was transformed from one of privations and discomforts to one where peace and plenty dwelt as the reward of honest toil. Their children were Martin N., 1835, married, in 1855, Diana Thornton, of Java, New York, is a farmer, residing at Wethersfield, New York; Edwin A., 1837, was a sergeant in Company B, Seventeenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, and during Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley was in charge of the ambulance train, married Ann Whitney, of Thomson, now re- siding at New Milford; Newell A., 1838, married Jennie Cady, of New York, now residing at Kalkaska,

Houghton, residing at Binghamton, New York ; Chloe C. 1848, married, 1868, H. Fowler, residing in New York City; Almeron N., 1850, married, 1871, Alice Barrett, of Jackson, farmer, and residing on the old homestead.

Myron French was born in Jackson, March 15, 1841. His early boyhood was spent at home, where he attended the district school, but when old enough to assist on the farm he only attended during the winter term. But with a taste for study and a desire for knowledge, he so improved his time that he excelled in his studies many whose educational advantages

Olognon French.

Michigan ; Merritt C. was a member of Battery F, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, marricd A. Wor- den, of Jackson, now residing in Nebraska; Myron (1841-63) ; Sylvester L., 1842, enlisted in 1861 in Sixteenth New York Independent Battery as private, was promoted to first sergeant, and served three years and eight months (see military chapter for history of battery), married, in 1866, Mary L. Washburn, of Jackson, has been in the employ of the Erie Rail- road Company for the last thirteen ycars, has been foreman of the carpenter shop, resides at Susque- hanna; Sabrie M., 1847, married, 1868, N. A.

were far superior to his own. When eighteen years old he worked for his board and attended select school. Studious in his habits, yet he was fond of athletic sports, and out of school was a leader among his companions. Trained in the moral atmosphere of a Christian home, he early made a public profession of religion and joined the Free-Will Baptist Church in Jackson. When the War of Rebellion broke out, it found young French working on a farm for Deacon Norris, of Jackson. It would scem but natural that the first impulse of a descendant from Revolutionary sires would be to resent the insult to the old flag; but

264 l

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

with an intelligent understanding of the course of events, he felt that a crisis had come that demanded something more than sentiment, and upon due con- sideration he decided that the path of duty led him to the defence of his country. Accordingly, on the 6th day of July, 1861, he enlisted in Battery "F." First Regiment Pennsylvania Light Artillery, for three years, and, in company with other Jackson boys, proceeded to Harrisburg. (See history of Battery "F") In his new avocation as a citizen soldier he soon dis- played those qualities of head and heart that gained him the confidence of his superior officers and the esteein of his comrades. He was quick to comprehend the duties of his new calling, and was soon promoted from the ranks. At the battle of Cedar Mountain he commanded one gun of the battery, also at Rappa- hannock Bridge, Second Bull Run, Chantilly and Antietam, and this was before he received a " warrant"

as sergeant. At the second Bull Run the enemy charged upon the battery in overwhelming numbers, capturing it with the exception of Sergeant French's gun, which he gallantly snatched from their grasp. At Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and in every im- portant movement of the Army of the Potomac, he was at the post of duty with his battery.

At Gettysburg, on the afternoon of the 2d of July, the battery was posted on Cemetery Hill and became the centre of attack of that famous charge of the Louisiana "Tigers." Here, during that desperate hand-to-hand conflict, and while in the act of re- loading his gun that was belching out iron hail full in the face of the maddened foe, he fell, pierced by a rifle ball. Thus on the altar of his country he gave his life, and the soil of his native State was watered that day with the life-blood of no purer or devoted patriot than Myron French. A comrade writes of him, after the battle : " Sergeant French was the soul of honor, and had he lived, would have had a page in the history of this war. His memory will ever live in the hearts of his friends in this battery, and may those he has left behind, only follow in his foot- steps and they will be as well remembered on earth, and be as sure of grace in heaven." His remains were brought from Gettysburg and laid by the side of his mother in the quiet cemetery at Jackson, and the brightest blossoms of spring-time each year find rest- ing-place upon his grave.

After the organization of a post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Jackson, it was named the Myron French Post, and the published announce- ment of a camp-fire by the post chanced to catch the eye of Captain L. E. C. Moore, of Philadelphia (he was a corporal in Battery F, afterwards captain Bat- tery G), who wrote a letter to the Post, of which the following is an extract: "In the above charge My- ron French, my sergeant, was killed. I forward you with this letter the spurs he wore that day, and which are just as they were taken from his feet with the soil of Gettysburg still clinging to them. I was not

aware that a post of the Grand Army of the Republic had been named after him, or I would have sent them before. I have always prized them highly for their owner's sake, whom I esteemed and respected, and only surrender them where I hope they will be prized by many instead of one."

COLORED VOLUNTEERS .- While there were several colored soldiers from the county who enlisted in va- rious organizations, there were twenty-five who enlisted from the borough of Montrose. Eleven of this num- ber enlisted in Company C, Fifty-fourth Massachu- setts Colored Regiment, and six were in Company C, Sixth United States Colored Troops, while the others were in other organizations. In the following list they are placed in the order above indicated :

Hamilton, Youngs.1

Nelson, David.

Baker, George.

Nelson, Josiah.3

Ennis, Stephen.

Parker, Henry.

Green, Peter.

Youngs, Isaac.

Johnson, William.

Allen, Charles.

Johnson, Henry.

Gains, Lawson L.

Johnson, Samuel.

Harris, John.

Nailor, Benjamin.

Hopkins, Isaac.

Nelson, Daniel.

Smith, James.

Price, George.

Thompson, John.

Smith, Charles.

Thompson, James.

Briscow, Jolın.

Wilson, Josiah.

Gilmore, Willianı.2

THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT .- The history of the Soldiers' Monument should be written in three chap- ters, the first commencing with its inception and ending with the "laying of the corner-stone," July 4, 1876 ; the second the erection of the monument, its unveiling and dedication July 4, 1877; the third, the efforts of the Monument Association to cancel the debt of six hundred and seventy-five dollars, which was due and unpaid when the monument was dedi- cated, and the final consummation of their hopes, aided by the citizens of the county, which culminated in the grand celebration of July 3, 1880. In the year 1866 the project of erecting a monument to the citi- zen soldiers of Susquehanna County, who fell in de- fence of the "old flag" in the War of the Rebellion, was inaugurated. The funds to accomplish this laud- able and patriotic purpose were to be raised by volun- tary contribution, and had the projectors of the enter- prise, at that time, called upon the citizens of the county to contribute to this object what their patriot- ism prompted or their means warranted, its inception and completion would have been separated only by months instead of years. But the terrible struggle was just over and the loyal hearts of the country beat with love toward its brave defenders-ready to do lionor to the survivors and anxious to evince grati- tude and sorrow for the dead. Predicating the suc- cess of the enterprise upon the idea that all would desire to contribute their mite, the projectors limited the subscription to one dollar. For two or three

1 Corporal Company C, Fifty-fourth Massachusetts.

2 Wounded in front of Petersburg.

3 Wounded at Deep Bottom.

264 m

THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.

months the prospect looked brilliant-then the project lagged-then, seemingly, died out. Several hundred dollars had been raised, but it was apparent to the most enthusiastic advocate of the limited subscrip- tion scheme that the funds necessary to erect a monu- ment could never be secured in that manner. The funds collected were deposited in bank, and there the matter rested until the Centennial year, 1876, when new life was infused into the project, and a deter- mined effort made to secure the necessary funds to erect the monument. A subscription was started, bearing this legend, "No subscription to be paid until work is commenced on monument." Upon circulat- ing the above named subscription, eight hundred and forty-two dollars were subscribed. The amount de- posited with W. H. Cooper, treasurer, (limited sub- scriptions) togetlier with interest on same, amounted, June 1st, 1876, to the sum of $1056.95. The available funds for monument purposes, counting subscriptions all good, was, therefore, on June 1, 1876, $1898.95.

While the Monument Association was fully aware that said sum was inadequate to build such a monu- ment as would be a credit to the patriotism of the county and reflect honor on its fallen heroes, yet they decided to push the monument to completion, trust- ing to the generosity of the citizens of the county to supply the deficiency. That the association never faltered in their purpose the completed monument, in all its symmetrical beauty, stands ready to testify.

But we anticipate : On the 1st of June, 1876, at a meeting of the Monument Association, it was decided to at once commence work on the monument, and that every effort be made to so far advance the work as to be enabled to lay the corner-stone on the com- ing 4th day of July-the Centennial anniversary of the nation's birth. Captain J. R. Lyons was then secretary of the association, and he engaged in the work with the utmost enthusiasm. Being an archi- tect of acknowledged ability, he submitted drafts and plans for the monument that received the unanimous approval of the association, and he was authorized to proceed with its erection and superintend the same. It was also decided that, as a Susquelianna County soldier's monument, it should be one in fact as well as name, and that the material composing it should, if possible, be quarried from her own hills. Upon inspection, it was decided that the quarry near the fair grounds, and within the borough limits, was available, and from that source every stone that entered into that beautiful monument was taken. This does not refer to the statue of a soldier that sur- mounts it-that is of granite.

The grand celebration, by the citizens of the county at Montrose that centennial year will long be remembered, but one of its most interesting features was the " Laying of the Corner-Stone" of the Sol- diers' Monument.

Hon. Wm. J. Turrell, president of the Monument Association, made a brief address having principal

reference to the efforts that had been made to erect the monument, and alluding to the fact that its foun- dations were built from our native granite.

He theu placed beneath the stone the sealed copper box, containing lists of soldiers, copies of General Jessup's oration, Captain Lyons's address, E. L. Blakeslee's, Esq., and Captain Beardsley's poems, or- der of exercises, sketch of Monumental Association, with list of its officers aud members and copies of Republican and Democrat. The announcement that the stone was in position, where it will rest perhaps for centuries, was signalized by the firing of cannon and unfurling of flags. The address by Captain J. R. Lyons was highly appropriate, and a few extracts are here given :

* * * * *

"To these soldiers' orplians, to you this monument will represent the courage and devotion of your fathers ; to you 'twill be a shrine, a Mecca ; to it you will come for inspiration, for help in life's battles. Their cour- age and sacrifice will rest upon you like a benediction, enthusing your hearts with courage for the duties before you, with love for the country they died to preserve, and for the dear old flag under which they fell. You will point with pride to this monument and from it you will take the patent of your nobility. In the days to come to you will be left the legacy they died to transmit to you as 'twas given them by their fathers. To you will be left the duty of protecting this nation, of making its laws, building it up and advancing its interests and the great duty of its proper government, to sce to it that no blemish shall ever tarnish its fame, that the starry banner is kept. pure and stainless, " not a star erased nor a stripe effaced," but that you the rather sliall add to its glory and cover its union with glittering stars, then to you this monu- ment will be an honor for duty done, and for yourselves you will glory therein.

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.

Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 53

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