Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 2390

USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 102
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 102
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 102
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 102

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).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the luxuries of life. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and religiously is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has served as deacon for the past thirty years. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he has gained the friendship and esteem of all who know him.

MARTIN J. VAN HORN is a well-known merchant and prominent business man of Herrick Centre, Susquehanna county, who has prospered in his undertakings and become a leader in business circles. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort, char- acteristics that our subject possesses in an eminent clegree.

Mr. Van Horn was born in Sussex county, N. J., April 25, 1831, a son of George and Rhoda ( Martin) Van Horn, also natives of that State. The latter was born in Hackettstown, where their marriage was celebrated, and in New Jersey they continued to make their home until 1847, when they removed to Thompson, Susquehanna Co., Penn., where the mother died in 1849, at the age of fifty- one years. In 1879 the father went to Libertyville, Ill., where he departed this life in 1883, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a farmer by occu- pation, and was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In the family were eight children, namely : Phœbe A., who died young ; Martin J., our subject : Lydia A., deceased wife of Abraham Kimber ; John, deceased ; Simon, who died of fever while a soldier of the Civil war ; Hampton, a farm- er, of Lanesboro, Penn. : Mahala, widow of Nelson King, and a resident of Thompson ; and Catherine, Mrs. Hale, of Illinois. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Simon Van Horn, was a native of Holland, and assisted the Colonies in achieving their independence as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He owned sixty acres of land where is now Wall street, New York City, which he leased for ninety- nine years before going to the war, and on his re- turn from the conflict he settled in the upper part of New Jersey, in what was then very low land.

Martin J. Van Horn made his home with his parents until he was married, at Thompson, in 1851, to Miss Harriet Cleveland, by whom he had two children: George R., an artist of Scranton, Penn .; and Emma M., wife of Israel Bliss, a railroad en- gineer of Waverly, N. Y. Mr. Van Horn was again married, at Scranton, in 1879, his second union be- ing with Miss Sarah A. Baker, a native of Mt. Pleas- ant, Wayne Co., Penn., and a daughter of Erastus and Harriet ( Mumford) Baker, the former a native of Orange county, N. Y., the latter of Mt. Pleas- ant, Penn. By trade the father was a wool-carder and cloth-dresser, and he operated a factory on Lackawaxen creek, near Pleasant Mount, where he died in May, 1872, at the age of sixty-two years. The mother died in Honesdale, Penn., in 1888, at the age of seventy-two, and both were buried in the Mumford burying-ground, in Mt. Pleasant town-

ship, Wayne county. Their children were Harriet E., who died in infancy ; Capt. Charles E., a resi- dlent of Honesdale ; Sarah A., wife of our subject ; Henry M., a resident of Carbondale, Penn. ; Le Roy F., an Episcopal clergyman of Harrisburg, Penn .; Clarence I., a tinsmith of Herrick township, Sus- quehanna county ; Jane M., wife of Norman Shaf- fer, manager for a gas company at Welland, On- tario, Canada; and Frederick M., who is with an oil company in Ohio.

After his first marriage Mr. Van Horn engaged in wagon-making in Brooklyn township, Susque- hanna county, for three years, and later engaged in business for himself along the same line at Herrick Centre, Montrose and New Milford, Penn .; Port Jervis and Binghamton, N. Y .; and Nashville, Tenn. In 1863 he enlisted at Owego, N. Y., in the 137th N. Y. V. I., under Capt. Redfield, and went with his command to Atlanta, Ga. Being taken ill he was sent to Foundry Hospital, Louisville, Ky., where he remained two weeks, and was then sent home. It was his desire to attend the grand re- view at Washington, D. C., but sickness prevented him, and for several years after the close of the war he was in poor health, as the effect of his ser- vices in the army. Since 1864 he has made his home in Herrick Centre, where he carried on wag- on-making until 1879, and has since been success- fully engaged in mercantile business. He owns two good farms, which came into his possession in 1897, and also has money out at interest. In busi- ness affairs he is painstaking, energetic and reliable, and commands the confidence and respect of all with whom he has any dealings. He is a stanch support- er of the Democratic party, and has served as judge of election.

JAMES M. BENSLEY, commissioner of Pike county, is a veteran of the Civil war, and as a citizen he enjoys an enviable popularity, as is seen by his frequent election to important offices, al- though he is a stanch Republican residing in a Democratic stronghold.

Mr. Bensley was born September 13, 1836, in Lehman township, where his family has been prom- inent since pioneer times. Israel Bensley, his great- grandfather, is thought to have been a Scotchman by birth. During the Revolutionary war he served as a solider in the British army, and was captured by the American forces at the battle of Trenton. He came to Pennsylvania in an early day, in com- pany with a Scotchman named Stewart, who was taken prisoner with him, and they settled near Bushkill, but as that place is so near the line be- tween Monroe and Pike counties it is not definitely known in which county he first made his home. He was a tax-payer in Pike county, however, in the years 1804 and 1814, and records show that he settled in Lehman township before the birth of our subject's father, in 1810. Several of Stewart's great-grandchildren reside in the neighborhood at the present time.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Adam Bensley, our subject's grandfather, was born in Smithfield township, Monroe county, and after growing to manhood moved to Lehman town- ship, Pike county, with his father, settling near Bushkill on a farm now owned by Peter F. Wag- ner. He married Anna Impson, of Pike county, and both died in Delaware township, he in 1857, she two or three years later; their remains were interred in Delaware cemetery. This worthy couple had twelve children, namely: Israel, de- ceased, who never married; Jacob, who was our subject's father ; Sarah, who married Jacob Gagger ; Catherine, Mrs. Adam Van Gorden ; Daniel, a resi- dent of Delaware township, Pike county, who has never married ; Elizabeth, who married Aaron Bergstreser ; Hannah, who married Joseph C. Lat- timore : Mary A., who married John Bergstreser ; Elsa, who married Benjamin F. Fralick ; Jane, Mrs. Adam Davis : Susan, Mrs. Burris Ward ; and John, who married Mary Davis. Of this large family only two are now living : John, of Winnebago coun- ty, Ill. ; and Daniel, of Pike county, Pennsylvania.

Jacob Bensley, our subject's father, was born September 30, 1810, in Pike county, and followed farming as an occupation. He was prominent in local politics, and held various offices, including that of county commissioner. His death occurred in 1886, when he was in his seventy-seventh year. and his wife, Sally Ann ( Clifford), also a native of Pike county, died in 1875, aged fifty-five years. Their children were: Oliver, Elizabeth, J. Madison, Charles, Ryma and Jane (twins), Maria, Solo- mon, Joseph, Albert, John S., William, Robert P., Martha, Franklin, and Jacob. Of these. James M .. Charles, Joseph and Solomon enlisted in the service of their country during the Civil war, Charles and Solomon losing their lives in the struggle.

Our subject remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade with Mason Arnst. After a year and a half he entered the shop of George La- bar, with whom he completed his apprenticeship. and he followed the trade independently for nine- teen years, in connection with farming and lumber- ing. He commenced rafting on the Delaware river when a mere lad of sixteen, and was engaged thus some ten years. For many years he operated saw- mills in Pike county, but at present he devotes his time mainly to general farming at his homestead, where he settled in 1869. He has always taken keen interest in public affairs, and has been elected to many township offices. In 1881 he was chosen county commissioner ; in 1884 he was re-elected for three years : and in 1896 he was again elected, for the term which he is now serving. He was nomina- ted and ran another time for this office, but was de- feated. He was a school director for nine years, and twice resigned because of his election to other offices. For ten years he served as justice of the peace, being elected in 1882 and 1887, and in all the positions which he has held he has discharged his duties ably and faithfully. His war record is an

honorable one. He enlisted in September, 1864, in Pike county, becoming a private in Company M, 18th Penn. Cavalry, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade, George A. Custer, commanding. Subsequent to the battle of Five Forks ( in which he did not take part, being dismounted at the time) he became ill, and was sent to the hospital at Cumberland Valley, where he was discharged in June, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of the I. O. O. F., and socially he and his family are held in high es- teem.

On November 18, 1855, Mr. Bensley was mar- ried in Bushkill, Lehman township, Pike county, to Miss Mary J. Gariss, and the following children have blessed their union : Rhyma J., born November 28. 1856, married Wesley Staples, a farmer near Stroudsburg, and died April 17, 1896; Miss Mary E., born July 6, 1858, who resides at home, has taught school successfully for six years ; Miss Anna E., born May 20, 1860, resides at Boonton, N. J .; Charles A., born September II, 1862, married Eliza- beth Gannon, and resides at Egypt Mills, where he follows the carpenter's trade; Laura R., born Mav 8, 1864, taught for six years, and is now the wife of George Weinmaker, of Bangor, Penn., who is now foreman for a siate company there ; Flora L., born April 23. 1866, married Peter DeWitt, a ma- chinist in the employ of the Erie Railroad Co., at Matamoras, Penn. : Estella A., born February 27, 1868, died October 22, 1881 : Harry F., born March 7. 1870, is at home ; Hannah B., born April 22, 1872, married Frank Walter, a carpenter at Egypt Mills ; George S., born February 20, 1874, is unmarried, and resides in Lehman township, Pike county, be- ing employed as an engineer at Forest Park ; Allen E., born February 28, 1876, is employed in a slate quarry at Bangor, Penn. ; Elmer A., born March 7, 1879, and Miss Kate D., born January 23, 1881, are at home.

Mrs. Bensley was born February 20, 1839, in Lehman township, Pike county, and is a member of a well-known family. Her paternal grandfather, Samuel Gariss, a native of Bethlehem, Penn., was a prosperous miller, in Flatbrookville, Sussex Co., N. J. He married Miss Mary Smith, of New Jersey, daughter of Philip Smith, a native of that State. Philip S. Gariss, father of Mrs. Bensley, was born in New Jersey, and for many years was engaged in business as a miller, carpenter and cooper, but his last years were spent in farming. He died at Newton, N. J., in October, 1894, and his widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Arnst, is now living in Sussex county, N. J .; she was born in 1808. in Lehman township, Pike Co., Penn. Mrs. Bensley was the eldest of a large family of children. the others being George, who died while serving in the army during the Civil war : Rhyma C., who married Isaac Yetter, a farmer in Sussex county, N. J. : Samuel, a railroad section boss, who mar- ried Hester Grover, and resides in Sussex county, N. T .: Mason J., a farmer in Sussex county, who married Mary E. Welter ; Peter, who married Han-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nah Hunt, and resides on a farm in Sussex coun- ty ; Lydia, wife of George Strunk, a mail carrier in Monroe county, this State ; Anna, who died in child- hood; Frederick, a farmer in Sussex county, N. J., who married Emma Hill; Harvey, a resident of the same county, who married Emma Cummings ; Franklin, deceased; and Arminda, who died in childhood.

William Arnst, Mrs. Bensley's maternal grand- father, was born in Germany, and came to America in early life, making his home in Monroe county, Penn. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He married Catherine Ace, of Smithfield township, Monroe county, and they had five children, viz .: Elizabeth (Mrs. Gariss), Mason D., Lydia, George and Barbara, all living but Barbara.

JAMES KASSON, a prominent citizen of Springville township, Susquehanna county, now re- tired from active business cares, is one of the men who make old age seem the better portion of life. Youth has its charms, but an honorable and honored old age, to which the lengthening years have added . dignity and sweetness, has a brighter radiance, as if some ray from the life beyond already rested upon it.

Mr. Kasson was born in Springville township, July 2, 1817, and is of Irish descent. The family was founded in the United States by his great- great-grandparents, Adam and Jane (Hall) Kas- son, in whose family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters. The great-grandfather, James Kasson, was born in November, 1714. The grand- father, James Kasson, Jr., was born in Bethlehem, Conn., June 19, 1748, and wasa wheelwright by trade. In his native State he married Reliance Hatch, of Kent, Conn., who died in July, 1840, and his death occurred January 27, 1803. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious faith a Presbyterian.

Myron Kasson, our subject's father, was born in Bethlehem, Conn., January 22, 1772, and when a young man came to Springville township, Susque- hanna Co., Penn., where he purchased 600 acres of land under the Connecticut title and paid for same, but lost it. He afterward bought different tracts, aggregating 212 acres of wild land, and located thereon when there were no neighbors within miles of him. Here, in the midst of the forest, he devel- oped a fine farm, clearing nearly 200 acres with the assistance of his sons, and engaging in general farm- ing throughout life. On August 26, 1804, he married Miss Betsy Hyde, of Norwich, Conn., who died in 1859, and he passed away in January, 1860. Both were members of the Episcopal Church, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. For many years the father was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and on its organization became identi- fied with the Republican party. At one time he ran for representative in opposition to his brother- in-law, Jabez Hyde, and was beaten by only four

votes. He was called upon to fill many local positions of honor and trust, and his official duties were always most capably and satisfactorily performed. The chil- dren of Myron and Betsy ( Hyde) Kasson were as follows : Clarinda, born May 6, 1806, married C. H. Avery, and died in Boone county, Ill. ; Phœbe, born October 6, 1807, died January 7, 1830; Lucy, born July 27, 1809, married J. B. Beardsley, of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, and is now de- ceased ; George T., born June 21, 1811, is a resident of Woodstock, Ill .; Martha, born April 14, 1813, married Rev. Thomas Wilcox, and died in Illinois; Lydia, born August 13, 1815, married Lyman Blakeslee, of Lynn, Penn., and is now deceased ; James, our subject, is next in the order of birth ; Jabez H., born February 17, 1820, was the founder of Kasson, Minn., where his death occurred.

During his boyhood and youth James Kasson obtained a good practical education, in the common schools near his home and the school of Manning- ton. Subsequently he successfully engaged in teach- ing, in Luzerne, Bradford and Susquehanna coun- ties, for nine winters. He took charge of the old homestead in Springville township prior to his father's death, after which it came into his posses- sion, and he now has 230 acres under excellent cul- tivation, and well improved. Throughout his active business life he engaged in farming, stock dealing, and speculating in real estate, but is now living re- tired, his farm being operated by others, on shares.

In Terrytown, Bradford Co., Penn., Mr. Kas- son married Miss Jane Terry, who was born Sep- tember 24, 1824, a daughter of William and Nancy (Sherman) Terry, the former a native of Forty Fort, Luzerne Co., Penn., the latter of Palmyra, N. Y. The father died in 1860, aged seventy-seven years, the mother in 1880, aged ninety years. Their children were Abigail, wife of Dr. G. F. Horton, a candidate for Congress on the Liberty party ticket ; Jonathan, deceased; Nelson, who died in Terry- town; Uriah, a prominent citizen of Terrytown, who served for one term in the State Legislature; Lydia, deceased wife of R. Brownhall, of Brad- ford county ; Susan, a resident of Wyalusing, Penn., and widow of John F. Chamberlain, a member of the Legislature ; Emily, deceased wife of B. Le Porte, who was a member of the State Legislature and a Republican candidate for Congress; Zilpha, widow of John Gale, a farmer of Towanda, Penn .; Jane, wife of our subject; William, who married Jose- phine Miller, and is engaged in farming in Brad- ford county; Nancy, wife of James Stoneman, of Towanda; Mary, wife of A. P. Stephens, of Great Bend, Penn., who was also a member of the Legis- lature ; and the youngest, who died in infancy.

Two children came to our subject and wife. Myron, born July 24, 1848, was married August 29, 1883, to Alice L. Dale, of Lackawanna county, Penn., and is now living in Scranton, where he is serving as alderman from the Ninth Ward; he has also filled the office of prothonotary of Susquehanna

James Hasson

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county. Ellen, born January 8, 1850, died February II, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Kasson are both prominent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Auburn Four Corners, in which he has filled all the offices, and in the best social circles of the community they occupy an enviable position. Politically he is a pronounced Republican, and has held many township offices.

FRANCIS O. POTTER (deceased), a prom- inent farmer of Thompson township, Susquehanna county, was a native of that county, born in Gibson township, in June, 1825, and was a son of John and Polly ( Washburn) Potter.

The father of our subject was a native of Rhode Island, and a pioneer of Gibson township, Susque- hanna county, whither he had removed with his father, Joseph Potter, at an early day. To Jolin and Polly ( Washburn) Potter were born ten children, six sons and four daughters, namely : Joseph, a resi- dent of Scranton, Penn .; Parley, of Thompson ; William, of Harmony ; Stephen, of Gibson ; Joshua, who remained on the old home in Gibson; Elsie, who died in childhood; Electa, wife of Jabez Gard- ner, of Gibson; Elsie, wife of Joseph Loveland, whose home was at Moscow, near Scranton, Penn., where both died; Elmina, who was the wife of Ad- dison Harding, of Herrick township, Susquehanna county ; and Francis O., our subject.

Francis O. Potter was reared in Gibson, and received a district-school education. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Gardner, of that township, a daughter of Jabez and Deborah Gardner, natives of Connecticut, the former born in 1800, the latter in 1804. Her paternal grand- father was Jabez Gardner, Sr., whose ancestors came from England on the "Mayflower," in 1620; he settled in Connecticut, where he spent his entire life. Mrs. Potter was born in 1829, and was a child of four years when brought by her parents to Sus- quehanna county, Penn. They located in Gibson, where they spent their remaining days, the father being engaged in hotel-keeping and merchandising. In their family were seven children, of whom Mrs. Potter is second in the order of birth, the others being as follows: (I) Enos, born in Connecticut, in 1827, married Ascenith Harvey, of Susquehanna, and settled in Herrick township, where he died, leaving two children, Jabez and Sabra. (3) Mary A., deceased, was the wife of Silas Howell, of Gib- son. (4) Elsie is the wife of John Buck, of Clifford township. (5) Jane is the widow of Orville Tiffany, of Brooklyn, Susquehanna county, and has five chil- dren. (6) Sarah was the wife of Tracy Van Auken, of Scranton, and had four children. (7) Edwin P., when a student in the Montrose schools, enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war, was taken ill after three months service, and died in a hos- pital. His remains were brought home and in- terred in Brooklyn township. Susquehanna county.

After his marriage Mr. Potter purchased a tract of seventy-five acres of land in Thompson 28

township, to which he added from time to time un- til he had 500 acres, in one body. He cleared and improved a large farm, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, and erected thereon good build- ings. There he died in February, 1877, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat in politics.

Upon the old homestead his wife and family still reside, in a fine modern residence erected by them since his death. The children are as follows : (I) Parley died at the age of seven years. (2) De- borah, born in July, 1850, was educated in the dis- trict and select schools of the county, and was a successful teacher for a number of years. She is now the wife of Frederick Sheldon, a farmer of Jackson township, and they have eight children, Horace, Ansel, Frank, Fronia, Levi, John, Robert and Julia. (3) John died in childhood. (4) Mary, born in April, 1854, followed teaching until she was married, in 1888, to J. N. Sortell, a farmer of Ararat township, Susquehanna county. They have two children, George and Eva. (5) Joshua, born in June, 1856, on the old homestead in Thompson township, married Cenora Stone, of Ararat, and they live on a part of the home farm. Their children are Tracy, Arthur, Charles, Edwin, Ralph and Noel. (6) Amos, born in May, 1858, married Julia Bax- ter Pelton, of Thompson, and they also reside on a part of the old homestead, which has been divided among three sons. They have one daughter, Mary. (7) Sarah, born in November, 1860, obtained a good education in the home schools. She married Austin Wright, of Nicholson, Penn., a farmer. (8) Parley, born in January, 1863, married Lula Birch- ard, of Iowa, and is now farm manager for a coal company in Putnam county, Mo. They have two children, Alice and Edwin. (9) Electa, born in Feb- ruary, 1865, attended the district schools and later the Mansfield State Normal, from which she was graduated in 1890. She has been one of the suc- cessful educators of Susquehanna county for a period of fourteen years, and has been principal of the graded schools of Brandt for three years of that time. She is a cultured lady, and one of the most prominent teachers of her town. (10) Frankie, born in April, 1867, was also a teacher in her younger years. She married Ernest Bloxham, of Ararat, and they now make their home in Forest City, where he is engaged in business as a contractor and build- er. The children are Raymond and Ivan. (II ) Orville, born in 1869, graduated from Wood's Busi- ness College of Scranton, in 1889, and is now clerk- ing for George Frazier, in Susquehanna. (12) Ed- win, born in June, 1872, obtained a good practical education in the district and select schools of Thomp- son, and has taught school in the county. He now owns the old homestead, and looks after his moth- er's interests. He is a young man of good moral qualities, and is very highly spoken of in the com- munity where his entire life has been passed. Re- ligiously the family are members of the Methodist

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Episcopal Church, to the support of which they give liberally, and they are people of prominence socially, being well-educated, cultured and refined.

THOMAS J. HAM was born in Honesdale, Wayne county, February 20, 1837, the third child of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Bellamy) Ham, who came to this country from Cornwall, England, in 1832. His father was a prominent merchant and manufacturer of the village, but the tastes of our subject turned distinctly to books. His early edu- cation was received in the district schools, taught by Benjamin W. Dennis and William G. Arnold. He afterward attended Honesdale Academy, and when B. B. Smith relinquished its management, and opened a book store at Honesdale, our subject ac- cepted a position with him, and for three years pur- stied his studies with that thorough educator, at the same time discharging his duties as a clerk. . When fifteen years of age he taught a district school at Beach Pond. He then re-entered the academy for a year, acting as assistant in the Honesdale post office during his hours out of school. In 1853 he entered Wyoming Seminary, and while in that in- stitution defrayed a considerable proportion of his expenses by filling the position of private secre- tary to the principal, Rev. Dr. Reuben Nelson, and by teaching the writing classes. He was graduated in 1855, taking second honors, and, therewith, the authorship of the class-day colloquy.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 2390

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 2390