Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 107

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 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 107
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 107

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of his place of business. In 1835 he erected a two- story frame building on the opposite side of the street from his residence, in which he carried on business until his retirement. He was a man of good judgment and business ability, and was suc- cessful in his undertakings. Correct in his habits, a friend of all measures looking to the advancement of the morals and education of the community, he had the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens. He contributed of his means to charitable and re- ligious institutions. His wife was a consistent member of the Baptist Church of Montrose, and was a woman of many virtues, rearing her chil- dren to be God-fearing men and women. William Turrell died in 1853, and his widow survived him twenty years, dying in 1873. Their children were: (I) Urania Turrell, born in 1808, married Embley Shafer (now deceased), of Montrose, and their children were Mary E., who married Clinton Lewis, of Bradford county; Amelia, who married Hon. F. B. Chase (now deceased). former repre- sentative from Susquehanna county in the State Legislature, once Speaker of the House, and for many years publisher of the Montrose Democrat ; Arline M., who married William J. Crane, of Potts- ville, Penn., and William T. Shafer, a journalist of Evanston, Wyoming. (2) Hon. William J. Tur- rell is referred to farther on. (3) Sarah M. Tur- rell, born in 1818, died (unmarried) in 1853. (4) Henry F. Turrell is referred to farther on.

The late William J. Turrell, of Montrose, son of William Turrell, was born March 23, 1814, in Litchfield county, Conn., and came with his parents to Montrose in the spring of 1816. Until of age he was engaged in the business of harness-making with his father. He possessed excellent mental en- dowments, and was a young man of good habits. At twenty-one he began the study of law in the office and under the direction of A. L. Post, was admitted to the Bar, and entered into a partnership with his preceptor, which was continued until Mr. Post gave up the law for the ministry, when the junior member of the firm assumed control of the business. He pursued his profession quietly and unostentatiously, attaining, however, success and a competence. In 1861 Mr. Turrell was elected with- out opposition to represent the Fourteenth Dis- trict, then comprising Wayne, Bradford, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties, in the State Senate. Mr. Turrell took an active part in the counsels of the Commonwealth, and through those trying years of its history he acquitted himself nobly and well. His kindnesses to soldiers and their families were many. In 1864-the last year of his senatorial term -he was chosen Speaker of the Senate, then a most important as well as an honorable position. Mr. Turrell was a member of the convention to amend the Constitution which met December 27, 1873. He served through the long session of one hundred and eight days, taking a very active part, having ad- dressed the convention on very important questions about one hundred and fifty times. When called

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upon to preside as the Master in Chancery his work ranked with the best, and gave general acceptance. Mr. Turrell was president of the Legal Association of Susquehanna County from its organization ; also president of the First National Bank from its or- ganization until his death. While engaged in studying law, there being a revival in progress, young Turrell became interested, and talked freely with Mr. and Mrs. Post of his thoughts and feel- ings, but like many others he found it difficult to reach a final decision. One day he entered the liv- ing room back of the office with a new light in his face and said, "My case is decided." He explained that while sitting at his desk, his mind still unset- tled, he wrote this sentence: "I have decided to take my stand on the Lord's side." No sooner was the decision recorded than his doubts and fears were removed and light entered his soul. He uni- ted with the Baptist Church, and remained until his death an earnest, faithful member, and in the Church his death was deeply felt. Mr. Turrell was an excellent counselor, a man of dignified manners, but possessing a warm, true heart. His intimate friendships were few, but those who knew him in- timately, and had learned his friendly worth, highly prized his friendship. His death occurred August 31, 1881. He left a large place vacant in his home, in his business relations, in his Church, and in the hearts of his friends. The following is an extract from the remarks of William MI. Post, made at the meeting of the Montrose Bar held on September 5 following the death of Mr. Turrell :

William J. Turrell was no ordinary man. The archi- tect of his own fortune and success in life, he carved out and achieved for himself a career of which many of us might well be proud. Few men of our county have been so widely known, none more honored and respected by all of the peo- ple of our county. His magnificent physique, his stately, almost majestic, form and noble manhood, attracted atten- tion and commanded admiration wherever he appeared. His manners were characterized by dignity without arrogance, were elegant and courtly without being insincere. His friends and acquaintances ever found him an affable, genial, good-hearted companion. He appreciated wit and humor; but while he had a hearty laugh for the mirthful, his soul was full of tenderness, and he had ever a tear of pity for misfortune and misery.

As a business man he was prudent, sagacious and successful, strictly upright and just, never grasping for that to which he had no right-never over-reaching or oppressing the poor.

When he entered upon the practice of his profession, nearly half a century ago, the Bench and Bar of Susquehanna county were graced by men whose lives and characters have added lustre to the annals of jurisprudence, not only of this county, but of our State. He entered the lists and was the compeer of such men of our county as B. T. Case, the first Judge Jessup, Davis Dimock, Franklin Lusk, Joseph T. Richards, the two Frasers, R. B. Little. B. S. Bentley, Judge Streeter, Albert Chamberlain, L. F. Fitch, and others, all of whom even within my own remembrance have been called (with one exception) to their final rest. In competition with such men he maintained a proud position-was a peer among his equals.

Called upon at different times to fill important public positions, he always discharged his duties with great ability and fidelity, giving entire satisfaction to the constituency he represented, and winning honor and distinction for himself. His vigorous intellect, his legal learning and experience, his

forcible logic and persuasive eloquence as an advocate, his sagacity, prudence and sound judgment as a counselor, his amiability and courtesy to his associates, the probity of his life and his high sense of personal and professional honor, made him one of the leading lights and a most conspicuous ornament of the Bar of this county.

On March 20, 1854, Mr. Turrell was married to Miss Huldah Van Valkenburgh, of New York City, who was born July 2, 1816, at Lexington, N. Y., and died March 26, 1892.

HENRY F. TURRELL, son of William Turrell, and brother of the late Hon. William J. Turrell, of Montrose, is one of the substantial men and pioneer citizens of Montrose, where he was born March 12, 1822, in the old Turrell homestead in which he lived sixty-five years, and in which borough he has since passed his nearly fourscore years. In his boyhood Mr. Turrell attended the Montrose Acad- emy, and at the age of fifteen years began learning the saddlery and harness business with his father, serving a period of six years. On reaching his ma- jority, in 1843, he succeeded to the business of his father by purchase, and for a quarter of a century conducted the same, retiring from active business in 1868, since which time he has occupied himself in looking after his property and personal interests. Through his industry, good and careful manage- ment, and economical habits, Mr. Turrell has pros- pered and been successful. He is a very quiet, un- assuming and kindly gentleman, and an esteemed and greatly respected citizen. He is identified with the Baptist Church of Montrose, and every good cause has ever found in him a warm supporter. He has never been active in politics. In his earlier and more active business life Mr. Turrell was three times elected by his fellow-citizens to the office of chief burgess of Montrose, performing the duties of the office in an efficient and satisfactory manner. A man of strict integrity, he has ever held the con- fidence of the community.

On July 25, 1860, Mr. Turrell was married to Elsie H. Hardenbergh, of Sullivan county, N. Y., and the union was blessed with one child-Will- iam H., born December 13, 1864. Mrs. Elsie H. (Hardenbergh) Turrell was born in 1831, at Falls- burg. N. Y., daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Hill) Hardenbergh, of Sullivan county, N. Y., who were born in 1805 and 1807, and died in 1885 and 1853, respectively. Mrs. Turrell is descended in direct line from Johanna Hardenbergh, the progenitor of the family on the Hudson river, in the State of New York, through Girard Hardenbergh, at one time a member of the New York State Legislature. The other children of Thomas and Jane ( Hill) Harden- bergh were: Catherine, James, Thomas L., Maria L., Hannah, Josephine, Isaiah, Jane S., and Eliza- beth (who married Aaron E. Wright, of New York). The mother of these was a daughter of James Hill, who came from the Hudson to Flatbush, N. Y., being one of the pioneer settlers of that place.

WILLIAM H. TURRELL, son of Henry F. Tur- rell, was reared, educated, and has always lived at Montrose. He began his business career as an

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errand and paper boy for the late Frank H. Stevens, a book dealer and stationer of Montrose, later be- came a clerk in the store of that gentleman, and so continued for some half dozen or more years, when, on the death of his employer, in 1886, young Tur- rell became for a time manager in charge and then the owner of the business. Since then he has con- ducted a first-class book store and news stand, where can be found everything in that line, the latest and best books, stationery, etc. He is a young man of good education, correct habits, is genial and accommodating, and deservedly popular. On Jan- uary 14, 1897, Mr. Turrell was married to Miss Alice Roberts, of West Pittston, Penn. Mrs. Tur- rell's paternal ancestors came to Pennsylvania from Connecticut before the Revolution, settling at Slo- cum Hollow, now Scranton ; the site of the present "Court House" was a part of their farm. Her fa- ther, S. Tracy Roberts, and six of his brothers served through the Civil war. On her mother's side she is a descendant of Walter Lathrop, who came from Connecticut in 1803, her grandmother, Jane Lathrop, who married William McKune, hav- ing been the eldest daughter of Daniel Lathrop.

REV. EDWARD AUGUSTUS WARRI- NER, rector of St. Paul's (Episcopal ) Church, Montrose, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and an author of pronounced ability, was born at Agawam, Hamp- den Co., Mass., February 19, 1829, son of Capt. Ruel and Anna (Chaffee) Warriner, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively. Both died in Agawam, the father June 19, 1854, aged sixty-seven years, the mother January 29, 1882, aged eighty-eight; and their remains were interred in the cemetery at that place. The father was a farmer .by occupation ; was a public-spirited and progressive citizen, a stanch supporter of the Abo- lition party, and was captain of a militia company. He held membership in the Congregational Church, while his wife' was a Swedenborgian in religious belief. Their children were Adaline A., deceased wife of B. N. Cooley ; Samuel D., a retired farmer of New London, Conn., who died January 23. 1900, aged eighty-two years: Laura, who died at the age of three years; Ruel, who died at the age of two years : Anna A., deceased wife of Monroe Bates ; Lura, who died unmarried in 1896; Edward A., our subject ; and Martha M., a resident of Spring- field, Mass., and widow of Rev. Jacob C. Dutcher, a Dutch Reformed minister and noted author, who was United States consul to Port Hope, Canada. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Maj. Gad and Eunice (Worthington) Warriner, lifelong resi- dents of Agawam, Mass. Both were soldiers of the Revolutionary war, the former being a prominent and wealthy farmer, who had a large estate.

Our subject prepared for college in a classical school in Springfield, Mass., boarding at home and crossing the river daily to school. In 1850 he en- tered Yale University, but subsequently lost one year on account of ill health. He graduated from

the Union University, in 1855, and the following year was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Mass., where he engaged in practice for three years. On account of tailing health he then went South and taught in the Academy at Washington, Ga., where, during a period of enforced seclusion on account of the Civil war, he studied the Bible systematically and determined to enter the ministry. He afterward studied theology under Dr. Mombert, of Lancaster, Penn., while serving as principal of Yates Insti- tute ; he taught in all twelve years. With the ex- ception of two years, when in charge of Christ "Old Swede's" Church, near Philadelphia., Penn., he has been rector of St. Paul's Church, Montrose, since 1866, having been called while still in dea- con's orders.

On July 5, 1865, at Lancaster, Penn., Mr. War- riner married Miss Louisa Voorhis, a native of that place, and a daughter of Peter and Charlotte Eliza- beth ( Weitzel ) Voorhis, natives of New York City and Lancaster, Penn., respectively. Mrs. Warriner died in Bridgewater, Penn., in 1874, at the age of thirty-nine years. By this union were born three children: (1) Samuel D., a graduate of Amherst College and Lehigh University, married Stella M. Farnham, of Wilkes Barre, Penn., and is now su- perintendent of the Calumet & Hecla copper mine of Michigan, his home being in Calumet, that State. (2) Edward V. is in the employ of a firm of whole- sale merchants and manufacturers of Springfield, Mass. (3) Reuel C., who graduated from the Springfield high school and the Lehigh University School of Mines with the degrees of B. S. and E. M., is now an engineer for the Rand Gold Mining Co., of Johannesburg, South Africa.

On June 30, 1881, Mr. Warriner was again married, in Montrose, his second union being with Miss Esther Bolles, a native of Jessup township, Susquehanna county, where her parents, Nelson and Cordelia (Sherman) Bolles, made their home throughout life. The father died in 1877. the mother in 1892, and both were buried in Jessup township. By this marriage, Mr. Warriner has five children : Louisa V., Jesse B., Philip B., Paul S. and Anna C., all at home.

Originally Mr. Warriner was a Republican, but he is now independent in politics. He is a member of the Susquehanna County Historical Society, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has won enviable distinction on ac- count of his pulpit ability and literary attainments, and has written several prose and poetical works which show great merit, and which deal largely with speculative and moral philosophy. In 1875 he published a theological novel entitled "Victor La Tourette," advocating broad Church views, and in 1880 he published "Kear," a poem in seven cantos, based on Indian legends. the scene of the poem being laid at Montrose and along the Sus- quehanna. His latest literary production is a vol- ume of prose, published in 1898, entitled "The Gate Called Beautiful," which treats of Christian soci-

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ology. He is described in the "Magazine of Po- etry" as fond of athletic. sports, utterly without pretensions, highly esteemed socially and profes- sionally, yet seemingly indifferent to prominence or promotion. He is broad and liberal in his views, and commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.

THOMAS H. CLARK, deceased. The sub- ject of this biography, one of the honored sons of Pennsylvania, and a most distinguished resident of Pleasant Mount, Wayne county, was pre-emi- nently a self-made man. He began life with a definite purpose in view, worked faithfully, hon- estly, and with a will, for its accomplishment, and became one of the most prosperous business men of the county. As a citizen of the community in which he so long lived and was so active, he was highly respected, enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors, and was regarded as a man of excellent business judgment.

Mr. Clark was born in Carbondale, Penn., in 1833, a son of Christopher and Catharine (Mur- phy ) Clark, natives of Kildare, Ireland, who came to America in early life, and were married in New York. The father first located in Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne Co., Penn., where he purchased a farm, which he operated for some years. Sub- sequently he purchased a tract of wild land two miles north of the village of Pleasant Mount, and to its cultivation and improvement devoted his energies until called to his final rest, in 1876. His wife survived him for many years, dying in July, 1890. To them was born a family of nine chil- dren, of whom Thomas H. was the eldest. The survivors are Edward, a resident of Russell, Iowa ; Mrs. Lucy McNerney, of New York; and Eliza- beth, wife of John McNerney, of New York.

Thomas H. Clark obtained his literary educa- tion in the public schools, and on the home farm grew to manhood. In early life he married Miss Bridget Egan, of Honesdale, a daughter of Edward and Mary Egan, early settlers of Wayne county, and for a few years after his marriage continued to reside on the old homestead. He then engaged in lumbering quite extensively near Herrick Cen- tre, and also at Tanner's Falls, whither he moved his family, remaining there fifteen years while in the employ of Coe F. Young. In 1874 he came to Pleasant Mount, where he purchased a large amount of real estate, including a dwelling house and store- room, and the old Benjamin farm, adjoining the village on the north side of the Newburg turnpike. He also bought his father's old homestead and 100 acres adjoining. For a number of years he success- fully engaged in mercantile trade in the village, but finally rented his store to J. D. Brenan, in order to give his entire time and attention to farming in- terests and to the live stock business, in which he was extensively engaged.

To Thomas H. and Bridget (Egan) Clark were born seven children, as follows: (I) William,

born in Mt. Pleasant, in 1858, died in 1887. (2) Mary, born in 1861, was educated partly in the public schools and partly in the academy at Mt. Pleasant, and later attended St. Celia Convent, at Scranton, Penn. She married John McCuster, of Preston, Wayne county, and they now reside in Scranton. Their children are Lewis, Minnie and Madaline. (3) Catharine, born in 1863, is a grad- uate of the Mt. Pleasant Academy, and is now the wife of Edward F. Riley, who is engaged in the wholesale liquor business in Omaha, Neb. They have three children, Edna M., Florence E. and Clark E. (4) Ella, born in Honesdale, in June, 1865, received a good academic education, and is now the wife of James R. Fleming, of Scranton, Penn., by whom she has had two sons, James and Albert. (5) Terrissa, born at Tanner's Fails, Wayne county, in 1868, obtained her education in the Mt. Pleasant Academy, and is the wife of D. J. Foley, of Susquehanna, Penn. They have one daughter, Helen C. (6) Cecelia, born at Tanner's Falls, in 1870, also attended the Mt. Pleasant Academy, and completed her education in the con- vent at Scranton. (7) CHARLES H., born in Wayne county, in October, 1872, attended the academy at Pleasant Mount for some years, and later became a student in the Lowell Business College, at Bing- hamton, N. Y., where he graduated in 1894. He now has charge of his father's extensive business as general manager, and is actively engaged in buy- ing and selling stock. He is one of the most en- terprising and progressive young business men and reliable citizens of Mt. Pleasant.

The mother of these children died in 1879, and in January, 1881, Mr. Clark wedded Miss Mary E. Riley, a daughter of Cornelius and Sarah A. Riley, natives of Ireland, the former born in 1807, the lat- ter in 1817. The father died some years ago; the mother is still living at the advanced age of over eighty years. Mrs. Clark was born in 1844. and is now living on the old homestead in Pleasant Mount with the two youngest children born of her hus- band's first marriage. She has no children of her own.

In 1883 Mr. Clark became connected with the- Concord Cattle Company, a stock company owning a large cattle ranch near Miles City, Mont., and en- gaged in raising cattle on an extensive scale. Our subject visited his possessions in that State a short time before his death. He was one of the most act- ive and influential business men of Wayne county, popular with all classes of people, being a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, who commanded the confidence and esteem of his associates. Though he started out in life a poor young man, he accumu- lated, by industry and careful management, a large property, and at his death was one of the wealthiest men of Wayne county. His large business inter- ests are now most ably managed by his wife and son Charles. He passed away at his home in Mt. Pleasant, in July, 1895, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a Jacksonian Democrat

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in politics, and most acceptably served as poormas- ter of the village for several years. Religiously he and his family were all communicants of the Catho- lic Church at Pleasant Mount.

MARTIN H. VAN HOUSEN, a venerable and highly respected citizen of New Milford town- ship, Susquehanna county, has been engaged for many years in agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of three fine farms adjoining each other. While he keeps an oversight of the work, the act- ive management has been mainly given to his sons, and he and his estimable wife are enjoying in a quiet way the fruits of their labors.

Mr. Van Housen was born December 29, 1816, at Chatham, N. Y., the son of William and Prudence (Ford) Van Housen. William Van Housen and his wife were born and reared at Lexington, Greene county, N. Y., and after their marriage came to Susquehanna county, settling in 1826 in New Mil- ford township, then a wilderness. They made their home on a tract of land adjoining our subject's pres- ent homestead, building a log cabin in a clearing in regular pioneer style, and the father died there in April, 1862, at the age of seventy years. The moth- er, who was a devout member of the Methodist Church, died at our subject's home in January, 1872, aged seventy-five, and their remains are bur- ied in the cemetery at East Bridgewater. Our sub- ject was the eldest of their large family of children. (2) Francisco died in early manhood. (3) Annice E., deceased, married Alvin Aldrick. (4) Antinette, deceased, married Ira Foote. (5) Amanda, widow of Windsor Aldrich, resides in East Bridgewater, Sus- quehanna county. (6) Orville A., deceased, mar- ried Ansil Perkins. (7) William died in early man- hood. (8) Jane married first George Aldrich, and second the late Horace Cheeswell. (9) Prudence, deceased, married Smith Sterling. (10) Salome married Nathaniel Gewett, of Bridgewater town- ship. (II) Lovine married Helen Pickering, and died leaving one child-Nellie.

As the son of a pioneer farmer Mr. Van Housen became familiar with all branches of agricultural work, much that is now accomplished by machinery being then done by hand. At the age of twenty- four he married and settled upon his present home- stead, his first dwelling house being a log cabin which he occupied about twenty years. He then built a frame house, and, while he and his wife still maintain much of the simplicity of the early days, they have added many modern improvements. In politics Mr. Van Housen is a stanch Republican, but he has never aspired to official honors. On March 3, 1840, he was married in Brooklyn town- ship, Susquehanna county, to Miss Mary A. Ald- rich, and six children have blessed the union: (I) Ella A. died in infancy. (2) Henry A. died at the age of two and a half years. (3) William L. was accidentally shot and killed while hunting. (4) Albert L. now conducts one of our subject's farms on shares ; he married (first) Miss Fanny Aldrich,

and (second) Miss Hattie Caswell. By the first marriage he had three children-Jessie A., Edgar M. and Ralph-and by the second four children- Edna M., Rubie M., Helen F. and Lola M. (5) Lewis F. is in charge of one of his father's farms ; he married Miss Ella Richardson and has seven children-Theodore, Velma, Tressie, Angus, Grace, Luceille and Arlyn. (6) Prudence M. died in 1877.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 107

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