Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 105

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 105
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 105
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 105
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 105

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The Doctor was the only child of this worthy couple, and their early death left him entirely alone in the world. Notwithstanding the discouragements of poverty he determined to acquire an education, and bravely made his way through an extended course, graduating from the Literary Institution at Albany. N. Y., with the degrees of A. M. and C. E. He began his medical studies with Dr. Briggs, of Albany, and later attended the Medical Department of the University of Vermont, where he was graduated in 1860. For one year he prac- ticed Allopathy at Albany, and in 1861 he was com- missioned assistant surgeon in the United States army by Gov. Morgan, of New York, after two years receiving promotion to surgeon, with the rank of major, serving until 1865. He was in the Ist Division, Ist Brigade, McDowell Corps, and was with the 35th N. Y. V. I. at Falls Church, Va. Under Gen. Pope he saw service at Rappahannock Station, Second Battle of Bull Run, South Moun- tain, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. He then served in different hospitals for a time, and in 1865

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joined Grant's army, and was in Richmond when President Lincoln made his memorable visit there. Soon after the close of the war he returned to Albany and resumed his practice, but in 1867 he entered the Eclectic Medical College, New York City, for a course of study. In 1869 he entered Hahnemann College, Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1870, and he has since been actively engaged in the practice of Homeopathy. He first located in Carbondale, but in 1880 settled in Susquehanna, where he has met with gratifying recognition.

In 1867 Dr. Simmons married Miss Mary Wil- kins, of Vermont, a highly accomplished lady. They are popular in social life, and he belongs to various fraternal orders. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ALONZO F. LACEY, general merchant and postmaster at West Auburn, Susquehanna county, is one of the best-known men in his part of the county, and belongs to a family which has for many years been identified with the history and best interests of Susquehanna and Wyoming coun- ties. He comes of old Connecticut stock, and his great-great-grandfather, Ebenezer Lacey, came from that State to Pennsylvania in an early day, settling with his family in Braintrim township, Luzerne county, which subsequently became a part of Wyo- ming county, where he passed the remainder of his life.

Isaac Lacey, son of Ebenezer Lacey, was born in Connecticut, came to Pennsylvania with the fam- ily, and settled on the present site of Laceyville, Wyoming county, which is now a village of 500 people, with two Churches, two hotels, eight stores, etc. He learned the weaver's trade in early life, and followed same in Connecticut, but after set- tling in Wyoming county he took up farming, and though he started with little prospect of making more than a living he became one of the well-to-do men of his section, carrying on agriculture on an extensive scale for years. He gave each of his chil- dren a farm comprising 100 acres or more. The family was as follows: Ebenezer. Daniel, Isaac, David, John, Henry, Gedida ( Mrs. William Camp), Polly (Mrs. Isaac Camp), and Lydia (Mrs. Paul Overfield ), all now deceased.

David Lacey was born in Braintrim in 1797, and remained at home up to the age of sixteen years, when he was bound out to learn the shoemaker's trade. He did not follow it long, however, for he took up farming and lumbering in early manhood, and later engaged in carpentering and operated saw- mills in Wyoming county, becoming a prosperous business man. He married Miss Ruth Lake. also of Braintrim township, Wyoming county, who was the daughter of Davis and Anna (Sturtevant) Lake, farming people, early settlers of Wyoming county, coming from Connecticut. She was one of a family of nine children, all now deceased, namely : Electa (Mrs. Miles Coburn), Laura ( Mrs.

Nathaniel Avrillis ), Amanda (Mrs. James Coburn), David, Samuel, William, Henry, Isaac and Ruth. David and Ruth Lacey came to Susquehanna coun- ty in 1856, making a permanent home in Auburn township, where he died in 1863, at the age of sixty-six years, she in 1865, at the same age ; they were buried in West Auburn. In religious connec- tion they were members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Lacey held the office of deacon. Of their children, Edwin J. will be mentioned more fully be- low. Hiram, a carpenter by trade, is now living re- tired in Binghamton, N. Y .; he was first married to Orelia Rugg, and later to Matilda Fish. Ann, deceased, was the wife of D. H. Rugg. Miles C. died in Kansas in 1897 ; he married for his first wife Ellen Peet, and for his second Bettie Morley. James died in infancy. James (2) is a mechanic, and makes his home in Binghamton; his first wife was Nancy Butler, his second Kate Benjamin. Truman I., an architect, also resides in Binghamton ; he was first married to Julia Gaylord, and afterward to Carrie Birch. John R., deceased, was a resident of Laceyville ; he married Ann Peet. Dora married Walter Simpson, now a retired farmer of Great Bend, Penn. ; he was a soldier during the Civil war.

Edwin Jackson Lacey, best known as " 'Squire Lacey," was born May 4, 1819, in Braintrim town- ship, Wyoming Co., Penn., where he was reared to manhood, living with his parents on the home farm up to the age of nineteen years, and during his boyhood attending the public schools of the vicinity. After leaving home he lived in Lacey- ville for six years, putting up a house and carrying on a general wagon works and repair shop. In 1844 he came to West Auburn, where he followed farming for two years, also erecting a building for a wagon manufacturing and repairing business, and in addition he engaged in cabinet making, manufac- turing furniture and chairs. His wagon factory is still in operation, being conducted by one of his sons and a grandson. Mr. Lacey has been one of the most active business men in this section of the county, where he is widely and favorably known, and he has acquired a handsome competence by his own efforts, for he has been an incessant worker. At present he has an apiary at West Auburn, which he has managed with the same success which has attended all his enterprises. He also fills the office of justice of the peace, which he has held continu- ously for thirty-five years, an evidence of the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, and it is safe to say that no man in the county is more deeply respected for his many sterling traits of character than 'Squire Lacey. He is liberal in re- ligious matters. Politically he is a stanch Repub- lican, originally a Whig, casting his first Presiden- tial vote for W. H. Harrison.

On December 1I, 1839, Edwin J. Lacey was united in marriage, at Middletown, Susquehanna county, with Miss Sarah M. Brand, daughter of Rev. William Brand, a minister of the Baptist Church, who came from England, his native coun-

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try, in 1830, settling at Montrose, Penn. To this union were born two children: Mary J., who mar- ried William Peet, a farmer and dairyman of Brad- ford county, Penn., and Alonzo F., the subject proper of these lines. Mrs. Lacey passed away in June, 1842, at the early age of twenty-three years, and was laid to rest at Laceyville. On April 2, 1844, Mr. Lacey was married, at Laceyville, to Miss Ruth Ann Sage, by whom he had four children, viz .: Leroy B., who is an undertaker at West Auburn ; A. Bradley, a merchant of West Auburn; Gertrude L., who first married E. Tenny Cogs- well, and is now the wife of Henry J. Brand, a school teacher, of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Hattie, who died at the age of nineteen. The mother of these was born in Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y., and died January 27, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine years ; her remains rest in the cemetery at West Auburn. Her parents were Connecticut people. 'Squire Lacey's home is at West Auburn.

Alonzo F. Lacey was born April 17, 1842, at Laceyville, Wyoming Co., Penn., received a 'good common-school education, and remained at home until he reached his majority, working with his fa- ther in the furniture and wagon business. For the next four years he carried on a similar establishment at West Auburn in partnership with his uncle, Miles Lacey, and then for one year he was engaged in a shingle mill. He also spent one year in the photograph business, but since February, 1872, he has given the greater part of his time and attention to his general mercantile business, which has now reached comfortable proportions. Mr. Lacey has made a success of his establishment by courteous attention to the wants of his customers, keeping abreast of the demands of his patrons, and by hon- esty and uprightness in all his transactions, great or small. He has been tendered office on more than one occasion, but he has preferred to devote him- self to his private affairs, though he takes the inter- est in the public welfare and advancement which every loyal and progressive citizen must feel. He received his first appointment to the office of post- master in 1874, holding the position until Cleveland's administration, and subsequently receiving reap- pointment. It is hardly necessary to say that he is a stanch Republican in political faith, and he takes a deep interest in the affairs of the party. Mr. Lacey is highly esteemed in the community of which he has so long been a resident, and is regarded as one of her most valuable citizens.

Alonzo F. Lacey was married, at Herrickville, Bradford Co., Penn., in September; 1863, to Miss Philena A. Bolles, who was born February 22, 1842, in Jessuo township, Susquehanna county, daughter of Abel and Anna ( Stevens ) Bolles, and their union has been blessed with two children, of whom Anda, born November 26, 1865, died at the age of three years. Elmer, born January 31, 1870, is a carpenter by trade, and is at present in partnership with his father; he married Miss Mary Titman, daughter of Hon. D. C. Titman, of Montrose, Penn.,

and they have four children-Arthur T., Margaret and Mildred, twins, and a daughter born January 2, 1900.

ADEN R. BOLLES, for many years a pros- perous general farmer of Auburn township, Sus- quehanna county, was born September 15, 1829, in Jessup township, same county, son of Abel and Anna ( Stevens ) Bolles, and died July 31, 1899 ; he was buried at East Herrick, Pennsylvania.

Abel Bolles was born December 14, 1796, in Gales Ferry, New London Co., Conn., son of Rob- inson and Hannah (Stoddard) Bolles, of New London, who came to Pennsylvania in 1810, set- tling in Jessup township, Susquehanna county. On September 4, 1827, he married Miss Anna Stevens, who was born March 2, 1801, in Stevensville, Brad- ford Co., Penn., daughter of Aden and Annis (Warner) Stevens, farming people, who came from their Connecticut home in 1800 and settled at Ste- vensville, where they passed the remainder of their lives. In 1847 Abel Bolles removed from Susque- hanna county to New York State, and thence to Bradford county, Penn., making his home at Her- rickville, where he died August 10, 1873. His wife survived until February 8, 1891, passing away at Vineland, N. J. Their remains rest in the cemetery at East Herrick. Both were members of the Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Bolles was a lifelong farm- er, and he was highly respected wherever known. While living in Susquehanna county he served one term as justice of the peace, and he subsequently held that office for three terms in Bradford county, giving universal satisfaction. Of his children, Annis R. married Major Edward C. Wells, of New- ark, N. J., and died in 1875, in Bradford county, leaving a family; Aden R. engaged in farming in Auburn township; Hannah Maria is the wife of Major E. C. Wells, of Newark, N. J .; Elmer L. is a farmer and fruit grower of Vineland, N. J .; Philena is the wife of Alonzo F. Lacey, of West Auburn.

EMERY SWINGLE, one of the leading agri- culturists and substantial citizens of Lake township, Wayne county, comes of a pioneer family of this sec- tion whose descendants are numerous, and have through a number of generations made the best of citizens, and left to their posterity the record of exemplary lives, worthy of imitation.

The progenitor of the Swingle family in Am- erica, Hans Ulrich Zwingle, is said to have been di- rect descendant of Zwingli, the great Swiss reformer. He came from Switzerland to New York in 1747, and finally settled in Orange county, N. Y., where several of his children were born. In 1783 he lo- cated in what afterward became South Canaan township, Wayne Co., Penn., and here bought 400 acres of land in the midst of an unbroken wilder- ness, where he at once built a log house, and began the work of a pioneer. The family came to Pennsyl- vania along with the Shafers and Curtises, and the

----

Čo mery Swinge

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three families cut many miles of road. Mr. Zwingle married Mary Shafer, and of their ten children, John, the fourth in order of birth, was the grand- father of our subject. He married (first) Catherine Moore, who bore him children as follows: Eliza- beth, John, Eve, and Conrad. Of these, Conrad Swingle became the father of the gentleman whose name opens this review. He was born in 1791, on a farm in South Canaan township, Wayne county, and on growing to manhood married Sarah Cobb, who was born in 1791. They were plain farming people, sensible, good Christians, who reared their children to occupy creditable positions in the re- spective communities in which their lots were cast. They were members of the M. P. Church, and ex- erted much influence for good. He died March 8, 1863, and she on February 7, 1845. Their children were : Justus, born February 20, 1813, married and lives in the West (he is a farmer) ; Mary, born October 15, 1815, died May 15, 1836; Ephraim, born October 29, 1817, died August 29, 1850, unmar- ried (he was a school teacher) ; Joseph, born August 1, 1819, is married, and lives in the West (he is a farmer) ; Andrew H., born April 16, 1821, died September 5, 1849, unmarried; Oliver, born January 1, 1823, married Minerva Shaffer and both are deceased; William, born November 25, 1826, married Polly Morgan; and Emery was born August 9, 1833.

Emery Swingle was born on his father's farm, and there remained, assisting in the work of the place, and going to school until eighteen years of age. At that age he began employment with the Pennsylvania Coal Co., running coal trains, being so occupied for five years, when he was made con- ductor on their railroad. He worked for this com- pany until his enlistment, on February 25, 1864, in Company B, 6th New York Heavy Artillery, commanded by Capt. E. T. Morris, in the United States service during the Civil war. He took part with his company in the battles of the Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, Alsopp's Farm, North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Mechanicsville Road, Petersburg, and was at the evacuation of Petersburg. During his service in the army he was sick and in the hospital on Long Island for two months. He bore an honor- able part in the defense of his country, and has left a military record in which his children and chil- dren's children may take just pride. He was dis- charged August 24, 1865, and his return home re- sumed his position with the railroad company. His service for this company covered a period of thirty- five years, except for the time he served in the army, more than a third of a century-a fact which means not a little, for few men there are whose nature and disposition are such as to retain a con- nection with one man or company for so long a time. We herewith give a copy of the recommenda- tion Mr. Swingle holds from the company, which speaks for itself :

DUNMORE, PA., Oct. 5th, '89.

To whom it may concern: This is to certify that the bearer Emery Swingle has been conductor of coal train for nearly 34 years except about 2 years he had leave of absence to serve our country in the late Civil war which was done as faithful as he served us upon our R. R. We can take pleasure in recommending him as an honorable, faithful, industrious man.

[SIGNED] JOHN R. SMITH, Genl. Supt. Penna. Coal Co.

After the Gravity railroad was abandoned Mr. Swingle devoted all of his attention to farming, he having owned for many years a fine farm of 200 acres. Through his industrious habits, business tact and good management he has accumulated a competence. He is a member of the M. P. Church, and politically believes in the principles of the Pro- hibition party.

Our subject has been twice married, the first time, July 4, 1855, at Carbondale, Penn., to Maria House, and to their union came children as follows : Byron S., born May 2, 1856, died in August, of the same year ; Merritt W., born August 9, 1858, mar- ried Ruah Kizer ; Watson C., born January 30, 1860, married Charlotte Smith ; Finley E., born September 23, 1861, married Anna Kizer ; Leander, born July 10, 1864, married to Lucy Harriett, is a farmer of Lake township; Lizzie M., born March 29, 1868, married W. E. Eager, a funeral director and em- balmer (also a wheelwright) in South Canaan town- ship; Emmet L., born August 8, 1869, died Feb- ruary 5, 1871; Friend A., born February 24, 1872, married Blanche Kizer, of Kizers; and Oliver B., born December 10, 1876, died March 18, 1877. Of these, Merritt W., Watson C., and Finley E. are railroad men of Dunmore, Penn. The mother of this family was born March 23, 1836, in Luzerne county, Penn., a daughter of William H. House, of Paterson, N. J. She died December 12, 1878, and was buried in the cemetery at Canaan, where also the remains of the children rest. On Septem- ber 28, 1879, our subject was united to Mrs. Electa A. (Freeman) Jenkins, and they have two children, Edith M., born October 11, 1882; and Alta M., born February II, 1886.

Mrs. Electa A. (Freeman-Jenkins) Swingle is a native of Wayne county, Penn., born at Waymart, June 24, 1845, a daughter of Elijah A. and Polly (Lyon) Freeman, the father born October 20, 1807, in Connecticut, and the mother born December 19, 1806, in Susquehanna county, Penn. They were .married in the latter county, and to their union were born children as follows: Mary S. died when one year old; Electa A. is Mrs. Emery Swingle ; Mary S. died at the age of fifteen years; and Ida died when eleven years old. The father of this family had been previously married, his first wife being Susanna Kramer, who bore him two children, namely: Charles W., now a jeweler in Chicago; and Lucius, who died when young. Elijah A. Free- man died September 1, 1891, in his eighty-fourth year, and his wife Polly died February 2, 1878,

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aged seventy-one years; both are buried in the old cemetery at Canaan. Mr. Freeman was a black- smith and machinist by trade, and did work in those lines; he also manufactured razors, on which he had obtained a United States patent for improve- ment of same.

David and Hulda (Atwood) Freeman, the grandparents of Mrs. Emery Swingle, were born in the State of Connecticut. In 1817 they settled in Canaan township, Wayne county, where his death occurred when he was aged sixty-five years. Some time after his death his widow moved to Carbon- dale, where she passed away at the age of eighty- four years. Their family comprised the follow- ing children: David married Christian Enslin, and both are deceased; Elizabeth (deceased ) married T. E. Grear ; Truman married, and both he and his wife are now dead; Harriet is the widow of John Watt; Electa married John Farnham, and both she and her husband are deceased ; Elijah A. is referred to above; and Sarah married (first) M. Hoadley and (second) Col. Marcy.

The Lyon branch of Mrs. Swingle's family were Connecticut people. Walter Lyon, her grandfather, from that State, born October 4, 1770, married Mary Bishop, from Rhode Island, born April 19, 1771, and in an early day moved to Susquehanna county, Penn. The following children came to them: Hannah, born May 24, 1792 (married David Lewis) ; Wheeler, born August 27, 1794; Jacob, born July 20, 1796; John B., born November 27, 1798; Electa, born October 6, 1799 (married A. M. Dimock, who died in Harrisburg while a member of the Legislature) ; Ada, born February 9, 1802 (married M. Munford) ; Henry, born in June, 1804 ; Polly ; Angelina, born September 6, 1809 (married (first) Rev. Alanson Reed, and ( second) Nathan- iel Cottrel) ; Walter, born July 9, 1812 (married Anetta Giddings) ; and Amanda (twin of Walter), who died when young.

Referring to Mrs. Electa A. Swingle, her first marriage occurred August 8, 1866, when she was united to Horace Jenkins, son of Samuel Jenkins, and to them came one daughter, Mabel, who was born May 24, 1867, and is now the wife of Charles Hoffman, a fireman on the Erie & Wyoming Val- ley railroad. The father and husband died Septem- ber 9, 1868, when twenty-six years of age.

LEWIS SMITH LEMON, who has been liv- ing retired in Auburn township, Susquehanna coun- ty, for some years, is one of the oldest residents of this section, where he was long prominent as a farmer and quarryman, and ranks among the in- dustrious and prosperous citizens. Mr. Lemon comes of good old New England stock, and his grandfather, James Lemon, who was a native of Scotland, was an officer in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Bogart. He was wounded in the fore- head, by Indians. He died at Wier, Mass., where he conducted a large farm and tavern.

John Lemon, father of Lewis S. Lemon, was born in Massachusetts. He married Roxana Jack- son, a native of Vermont, daughter of Jacob Jack- son, who was born in Germany and came to Amer- ica in an early day, making his home in Vermont. His name is supposed to have been Yacob Shaw. John and Roxana Lemon came to Susquehanna county, Penn., subsequently making their home with their son Lewis in Auburn township, and here passed the remainder of their days, the father dy- ing in 1840, the mother in 1856. They were laid to rest in the Bunnell cemetery. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lemon was a farmer by occupation, and in his earlier manhood also followed masonry and worked at the tailor's trade. Of the children born to this worthy couple, John died in Massachusetts; Demarius, wife of John Shaw, died in Massachusetts; Jason met with an accidental death, a wagon which he was driving going down an embankment on the river; Lewis S. is mentioned more fully below; Emeline, Mrs. Seth Lumbard, died in Indianapolis, Ind .; Mary is the widow of Francis Lemon, who was killed in an engagement before Petersburg.

Lewis Smith Lemon was born February 27, 1815, in Hampshire county, Mass., obtained his education in the common schools, and remained at home up to the age of fifteen years, receiving a thorough training in farm work under his father. For several years after leaving the parental roof he worked among farmers, receiving at first $5.50 per month for his services, and he then commenced to learn brickmaking, at which he continued for three seasons. He was obliged to abandon the trade, however, on account of poor health, and, having purchased a small farm of sixty acres with his savings while in the brickyard, he took up agri- cultural pursuits on his own account. Misfortune overtook him and he lost this place, but not dis- heartened, he set to work again and purchased an- other farm, of fifty-eight acres, and he lived on different places in Auburn township. Though in- dustrious and careful, he met with many reverses and setbacks, but he never gave up, and he pros- pered in spite of hardships, acquiring a com- fortable competence after years of hard work. Mr. Lemon has cleared about 100 acres of land. in Au- burn township, and in addition to his agricultural interests he operated a stone quarry in the township for twenty years, giving this up in 1892 on account of ill health. In connection therewith he engaged to some extent in general mason work. Since 1888 he has resided with his son Edgar A. ; he previously disposed of his property. Mr. Lemon, by his up- right, diligent life and many sterling traits of char- acter, has acquired and retained the highest respect of his neighbors and friends, and he has always been regarded as one of the progressive and valua- ble citizens of the community in which he resides. He has never aspired to public honors, having no time for office holding, but he has nevertheless taken a hearty interest in all township affairs. He was

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originally identified with the Whig party, later sup- porting the Abolitionists, and, in turn, the Repub- licans. He has been a devout member of the M. E. Church for the past sixty years. Mr. Lemon has watched the advancement of Susquehanna county, and especially Auburn township, from the early days of hardship and privation, experienced by the brave pioneers who are willing to undergo every trial to establish their families in comfortable homes, to its present era of prosperity, and with a memory keen and clear he recalls many interesting incidents of those early times. He has killed con- siderable game on his own place, deer, etc., and has even seen a panther on the premises.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 105

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