Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 111

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 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 111
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 111

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Zenas Rounds remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he was married in Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn., November 2, 1850, to Miss Harriet N. Carpenter, who was born in Clifford township, October 13, 1833. By this. union the following children were born: Clara E., wife of Ira Reeder, a farmer of Herrick township, Susquehanna county ; Ella, wife of William I. Wells, a carpenter of Carbondale; William M., a. railroad man of Carbondale, who married Nellie Carpenter ; Elmer E., who married Emma Wader- man, and lives in Forest City ; Abby, wife of Her- bert Stoddard, railroad and express agent at Car- bondale; Harvey M., who (first) married Bertha Rankin, and (second) Janie Frederica; Minnie I., widow of Judson Tingley, of Carbondale; Bertha, wife of Elmer Sherman, of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Frank L., who married Mabel Bennett, and lives with our subject.

After his marriage Mr. Rounds operated his father-in-law's farm for three years, and then pur- chased the farm of eighty acres on which he has since made his home. As an agriculturist he met with well-deserved success, and is now able to lay aside all business cares and enjoy the fruits of his

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former toil. During the dark days of the Rebel- lion he entered the Union army, enlisting, October 16, 1862, in Company B, 177th P. V. I., under Capt. B. F. Gardner and Col. George B. Wiestling, and remained in the service nine months. He took part in no battles, and was never wounded. His polit- ical support is always given to the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and for six years he most efficiently filled the office of school director. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is one of the honored and highly-esteemed citizens of the community where he has so long made his home. He is a member of McPherson Post No. 509, G. A. R., at Uniondale.

CARPENTER FAMILY. With the famous "Nine Partners" settlement in Harford township, one of the chief historic events of Susquehanna county, the Carpenter family was most intimately connected.

Of the nine young residents of Attleboro, Mass., who, during the fall and winter evenings of 1789, agreed to seek western homes, four bore the name of Carpenter-Searle, John, Daniel and Jo- siah-and all four were at the time unmarried. Leaving Attleboro in April, 1790, the party pro- ceeded to Albany, N. Y., in quest of a suitable lo- cation. Information of various localities was sought as the little party proceeded westward. They were strongly inclined to settle in Cherry Valley, N. Y., but were invited to first pass down the Susquehanna river by boat. Leaving the river at Great Bend, where they found a few settlers, they proceeded southward, and finally purchased, for £1,198, a tract four miles long and one mile wide in what is now Harford township, Susque- hanna county. It was in the midst of a vast wil- derness, with no near human habitation. Here the partners built cabins and labored during the sum- mer, returning to Massachusetts in the fall, only to again seek the wilderness the following spring.

John Carpenter, Sr., one of the original nine settlers, was born in 1766, and died in 1838. He was one of the eleven children of Daniel and Eliza- beth (Tyler) Carpenter, of Massachusetts, who were born in 1744 and 1748, and died in 1803 and 1821, respectively. He married, in 1793. Polly Ty- ler ( 1772-18II), who bore him six children, as fol- lows: John, born in 1793, was lost on Lake Erie; Asahel, born in 1796, died in 1842; Polly T., born in 1798, married Austin Jones, of Harford, and was a woman of superior intellect and zealous mission- ary spirit; Jesse, born in 1801, died in California ; Betsey, born in 1803, married Sterry Tanner, of Harford, and died in 1886; and Nancy married Milbourn Oakley. For his second wife, John Car- penter, Sr., in 1813 married Lydia Pattee, who died without issue. C. C. Carpenter, one of the grand- sons of John Carpenter, became governor of Iowa. Daniel and Josiah Carpenter, the other two original members of the nine partners, both died in Massa- chusetts.

- ------ - ---

Nancy Carpenter, a sister of John Carpenter,

Sr., was born in 1786, and married Spencer Blan- din, a soldier of the war of 1812, who settled in Bethany, Penn., in 1816.

Obadiah Carpenter came to Harford township in 1795, and bought 320 acres of the original "Nine Partners" purchase. He was one of the first dea- cons of the Harford Congregational Church, hav- ing been elected in 1803, and holding the office until his death in 1810. With him came two sons, Oba- diah and Elias, who settled on the purchase of 320 acres. Elias married Polly Hawley, and always lived on the original homestead. He served as as- sessor, and was one of the first school teachers and law directors under the new law. His children were: Elias N. and Ira ( who died in 1877, aged seventy-seven ).

Obadiah Carpenter married Mercy Tyler, daughter of Jabez Tyler, an early settler of Har- ford. Among his children were: Achsah, Am- herst and Penuel. Achsah, born in 1798, married Tingley Tiffany, who died in 1868. Amherst Car- penter was a man of considerable prominence, filled nearly every office of trust in the township, was county commissioner in 1853, colonel of militia, and brigade inspector ; he was general superintendent at the annual fairs of the Agricultural Society, and for twenty-three years was sexton of the Congre- gational Church. Penuel Carpenter was a cattle buyer and merchant at Harford village.

Ezra Carpenter, brother of John Carpenter, Sr., came to the "Nine Partners" settlement in 1795, from Attleboro, Mass. He married Mary Follett, daughter of Kendall (born in 1778) and Hannah (Gray) (1775-1843) Follett, who migrated with their family from Rhode Island to Clifford town- ship, Susquehanna county. He was a farmer in Clifford township through life. In religious faith he was a member of the Baptist Church.

Zenas Carpenter, son of Ezra and Mary (Fol- lett) Carpenter, was born in 1805. He was mar- ried in Herrick township to Abigail F. Dimock, daughter of Capt. Edward and Esther (Tilden) Dimock, the former a Revolutionary soldier who, in September, 1807, came to Herrick township, from Mansfield, Conn .; he followed stone masonry, shoemaking, and also operated a tannery. He died in September, 1836, aged eighty-eight years. Zenas Carpenter died in Clifford township July 26, 1850, aged forty-five years. His wife survived until May 29, 1881, dying at Olyphant, Penn., aged sev- enty-four years ; both were laid to rest in the Union- dale cemetery. Their children were: Alford (de- ceased), who married Halona Dimock, daughter of Edward Dimock: Harriet N., wife of Zenas Rounds, of Clifford township, Susquehanna coun- ty ; Osmer, a farmer of Uniondale: Triphena, who first married Hardin Carpenter, and for her second husband Gilbert Burns, of Herrick township; Adelia, wife of Alric Berry, of Carbondale ; Alonzo, a farmer of Herrick township; Freeman, a farmer of Clifford township; Hubert, who died aged six- teen : and Helen, wife of S. O. Churchall.

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EDMUND OLVER. Like many of Wayne county's best and most useful citizens, this gentle- man is of English birth, born in Cornwall, October 15, 1820, and is a son of John and Sarah ( Aunger ) Olver, also natives of Cornwall.

William Olver, the paternal grandfather, never left England, nor did the maternal grandfather, Edward Aunger; both were born in Cornwall. In 1831 the parents of our subject, with their eleven children, crossed the ocean, landing in the United States in June of that year, and at once proceeded to their future home in Wayne county, Penn., where three more children were added to the family, mak- ing fourteen in all, namely : Thomas and John, who are now deceased; William, a resident of Carbon- dale, Penn .; Richard, deceased ; Edmund, the sub- ject of this review; Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Trevelton, of Berlin township; George, a resident of Beach Lake; Frances, who died in Wayne county; James, of Berlin township; Amos and Moses, both deceased; Daniel, living near Beach Lake; and Joseph, of Berlin township. On coming to the county the father purchased a tract of wild timber land, which, with the aid of his son, he converted into an excellent farm-the place on which his son Joseph now resides. For six years he made his home in Bethany, and then returned to the farm, where he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a Republican in political sentiment, and in religious connection was worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. She died at the age of eighty-eight years. They were widely and favorably known throughout the county, and had hosts of warm friends.

Edmund Olver was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the voyage across the Atlantic consuming seven weeks. In the schools of his native land he began his education, which was completed by a short attendance at the public schools of Wayne county. For some years during early life he was employed in a glass factory, but since then has given his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of a fine farm of 170 acres in Berlin township, which is improved with a good orchard, a comfortable residence, and sub- stantial outbuildings, all standing as monuments to his thrift and industry.

In 1845 Mr. Olver was married to Miss Eliza Stevens, also a native of Cornwall, England, and a daughter of John and Mary Stevens, who died in New York City. Eleven children blessed this union, three of whom were daughters who died in infancy ; Amos, a resident of Salem, Wayne coun- ty : Eliza Ann, wife of James Rice, of Atco, same county ; Emma Louisa, wife of J. G. Williams, of Scranton, Penn .; Aunger, living near the old home ; Frank and Mathew, also of Scranton ; Ella H., at home ; and John N., of Avoca, Penn. Mr. Olver has been called upon to mourn the death of his estimable wife, who passed from this life to the

world beyond on January 19, 1897, beloved and respected by all who knew her. She was a true Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and a most faithful wife and mother, whose "children shall rise up and call her blessed." Mr. Olver is also a faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as trustee for years, taking an active part in all Church and benevolent work. As a Republican, he takes an active interest in political affairs, and for some time has served in the office of township inspector. He was also a member of the school board for many years, and three of his sons have also been members of the same board, Amos serving as its president. The family is one of prominence in the community, its members occupying honorable and useful posi- tions in life.

ROYAL M. CARTER, who passed away January 8, 1875, was a lifelong farmer of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, and was in his day one of the highly-respected residents of this sec- tion. Mr. Carter was born January II, 1835, in South Auburn, son of Daniel and Barbara ( Bens- coter ) Carter, and was one of a family of six chil- dren, the others being: Ada (Mrs. Russel), Nabby ( Mrs. Harned, deceased), Griswold, Mul- ford (deceased), and Sally (Mrs. Jagger, de- ceased ).

On July 27, 1856, our subject was married, at the home of the bride, to Miss Christina Low, and their union was blessed with children as fol- lows: Anderson E., who died at the age of two years, two months; Libbie, wife of Henry Love, a retired farmer living at Mehoopany, Penn .; An- drew, who carries on farming in Auburn township, and with whom Mrs. Carter now makes her home; Daniel, a farmer of Auburn township, who mar- ried Minnie Brotzman; William M., a hardware merchant of Meshoppen, Penn., who married Mary Seely ; and Kern, who was a hardware merchant at Meshoppen, where he died at the age of twenty- eight years, and was buried at the brick chapel (he married Libby Cole). Stephen Harned came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Carter when eleven years old, and remained until he reached the age of twenty-one. He married Hannah Taylor, and is engaged in farming. Mr. Carter's remains rest in the cemetery at Retta, Auburn township. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and politically he sympathized with the Republican party. He set- tled on the farm now owned by his son Andrew in April, 1865, and there passed the remainder of his days, devoting himself to general farming, in which he became quite prosperous.

Mrs. Christina (Low) Carter was born De- cember 15, 1833, in Hunterdon county, N. J., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Robbins) Low, and granddaughter of Cornelius and Christina Low. Her parents come from New Jersey to Susquehanna county in 1836, settling in Auburn township, where they made a permanent home on Jersey Hill, the

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father engaging in farming all his days. The place was new on their arrival here, and Mr. Low was obliged to make a clearing for even the small dwelling which he erected. He died March 13, 1875, aged sixty-three years, the mother in Octo- ber, 1839, when forty years of age, and they are buried in Jersey Hill cemetery. They were mem- bers of the M. E. Church. Of their five children, Lucy A., deceased, was the wife of Benjamin Pier- son ; Isaac is a farmer in Rush township; Christina married Royal M. Carter ; Jane died young ; Kern is a resident of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

Andrew Carter was born September 6, 1862, in Auburn township, where he grew to manhood, receiving a good education at the local public schools. He was reared to farming, living with his parents until his marriage, when he purchased a farm in Auburn, and he made his home thereon until in 1891, when he purchased the farm which he now occupies. It is a handsome property, com- prising 154 acres of fertile land, devoted to general crops, and cultivated in the most careful and mod- ern manner. Everything about the place bespeaks the most watchful attention on the part of the owner, who has been well repaid for the labor and care he has bestowed upon his land, which yields him a substantial income. Though yet a young man, he occupies a foremost position among the intelligent and progressive agriculturists of the township, where he is well and favorably known. He gives his time and attention almost exclusively to his farming interests, taking little active part in public affairs, though he has served as poor director of the township since 1898. Fraternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F. lodge at Auburn Center. In November, 1881, Andrew Carter and Miss Luna A. Taylor were united in marriage, the ceremony taking place at Skinner's Eddy, and they have had three children-Virgie, Vida O. and Jay A.

WILLIAM THOMPSON GILLESPIE is a prominent resident of Harford, and his interests in Susquehanna county, both social and commercial, are extensive. He is a "Blue Lodge Mason," and a leading Democrat. For three terms he was chosen school director by the suffrages of his fellow-citi- zens, and he has been twice elected poormaster. He was born in the township of Great Bend, July II, 1829.

As may be inferred from his name, our sub- ject is of Scottish descent, and he feels a pardonable and wholly natural pride in his lineage. His pa- ternal grandfather was John Gillespie, his mother's father James McMichael, both of Scotland, as were their wives. John Gillespie married Jeannette Hume, and was one of the comparatively early set- tlers in Susquehanna county, making his home in Great Bend township. Both he and his wife are dead, and their remains rest in a churchyard in the home of their adoption. Their children, all of whom are now deceased, were William, Thomas, James (a sea captain who was lost with his vessel), John

(father of William Thompson), Joseph, Jane (mar- ried to Robert Bell), Jeannette (who became the wife of George Lock), and Margaret ( who died in childhood ).

James McMichael married Mary Thompson, and they also emigrated from the "land o' cakes," to Susquehanna county, beginning a new life in Great Bend township. They are buried at Riverside, N. Y., not far from the State line. To them were born: Agnes L., who married James Broadfoot; Mary L., wife of James Carlisle ; and Jane C., moth- er of William Thompson Gillespie.

John and Jane C. (McMichael) Gillespie, our subject's parents, were Presbyterians. Their mar- riage was blessed with seven children, of whom William T. was second in the order of birth. The others were: James Mc M., a retired farmer of Antelope county, Neb. ; Thomas L., a wagon maker of Kirkwood, N. Y., who married Miss A. Eliza- beth Terboss; Joseph, of Binghamton, N. Y., who married Mary F. Stiles ; Richard, a farmer of Great Bend, whose first wife was Venicy Simons, his sec- ond Flora A. Johnson ; and John B., also a farmer in Antelope county, Neb., who married Estelle Ter- boss.

William T. Gillespie married Mary Ann Leslie, who was born in Harford township, February 15, 1837, a daughter of John and Mary A. ( Birnie) Leslie. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have been born twelve children : William L., Jane C., Margaret I., Thomas G., Clara V., Helen M., Jessie A., Frances J., Mary E., Anna C., James R., and John. Of these, Clara V. and John have died. William L. married Emma Burlingame, and is a miller at Bing- hamton, N. Y. Jane C. married William Hunt, a farmer of Great Bend, who was at one time a rail- road fireman. Margaret I. married Clark L. Tif- fany, of Binghamton. Thomas G. married Nellie Alworth, and is a prosperous farmer in Harford township. The other daughters are unmarried and live at home.

Until he reached the age of fourteen years William T. Gillespie lived at home and attended school. During the next six years he worked as clerk for his uncle, Thomas Gillespie, who conduct- ed a store at Carbondale, Penn. Then came the discovery of the precious yellow metal in California, and his soul was fired with a longing for adventure and dreams of wealth. He went to New York and took passage on a steamer bound for California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, to prospect and mine for gold. Ten years he spent on the Pacific slope, and then he set his face once more toward Sus- quehanna county. He married, as has been told, and for two years lived on his father's farm, when he purchased his own valuable property. There he has since resided, with the exception of a brief period of ten months, during which time he served as a soldier in the Union army. He was drafted into the service in 1863, and mustered into Com- pany E, 177th P. V. I., at Harrisburg, and was mustered out in 1864. He took part in no engage-

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ments, his duties being chiefly confined to acting as guard and throwing up breastworks.

Mr. Gillespie has passed the "three score years and ten" allotted by the Psalmist as the average span of human life, yet his mental faculties are keen, and his physical strength but little impaired in view of his years. Life's sunset is settling upon him, but its glowing hues are not yet fading.

EDWARD B. BEARDSLEE, Justice of the Peace and merchant at Little Meadows, Susque- hanna county, is not only one of the most prominent citizens of the borough in which he resides, but represents one of the oldest and best-known pio- neer families in Susquehanna county.

Mr. Beardslee was born in Apolacon town- ship, January 15, 1836, son of Silas and Julia A. ( Barton) Beardslee. Silas Beardslee was born in Middletown Center, Susquehanna county, April 25, 1810, son of Silas and Catherine (Treadwell) Beardslee, natives of Connecticut, who were among the early pioneer settlers. Silas Beardslee, Sr., was the son of John Beardslee, a Revolutionary soldier present at the burning of Danbury, Conn., by the British. He was born in 1726. Silas Beardslee, Sr., a clothier by trade, came to Rush township, Susquehanna county, at a very early day, and later moved further up the North Branch of Wyalusing creek, where he purchased wild land, making a home for his wife and family. He was killed by falling from a load of hay, in July, 1820, leaving his wife, Catherine, with three sons and six daughters, namely: (1) Eunice, born in 1790, married Jos- eph Beebe. (2) William, born November 22, 1792, married Abigail Whitaker, and died in May, 1852, leaving four children, William L., Asher M., Mary A. and Maria M. (3) Mehitabel, born in 1795, married Miner Fairchild. (4) Johanna, born April 12, 1797, married Amasa Moulton. (5) Sarah, born in February, 1800, married Austin How- ell. (6) Loraine, born in March, 1802, married Philip Peet, of Bradford county. (7) Catherine, born August 12, 1804, married Clark Whitaker, and is the only survivor of the family, now living with J. R. Hay, of Auburn township, Susque- hanna county. (8) Silas, father of our subject, was born in April, 1810. (9) John, born in June, 1812, married Adeline Darling, and settled on a farm in Warren township, Bradford county, where he reared two children-R. L., now on the home farm; and Sarah E., wife of S. A. Pitcher, of Lit- tle Meadows. These children, settling in different parts of the county, became well-to-do citizens, identified with its best interests. After the death of Silas Beardslee, Sr., in 1820, his widow moved to Apolacon township, where she purchased a farm. There her younger children were reared, receiving the advantages of a district-school education, the terms of school being three or four months in winter.

Silas Beardslee, the father of our subject, was a boy of ten or twelve years when he came to

Apolacon township, and he remained on the farm, and also worked out by the month, until grown to manhood. On March 5, 1833, he married Miss Julia A. Barton, who was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., daughter of Lewis and Mercy ( Moe) Bar- ton, who moved from Dutchess county to Little Meadows. Mr. Beardslee remained on the home farm in Apolacon until 1853, when he removed to Little Meadows, buying the Barton farm. There he resided until his death, in 1894. His wife died in 1880, leaving two sons-Edward B., our subject, and Irvin R. Politically Silas Beardslee was a Whig and, later, a Republican. He was elected assessor and school director in Apolacon township, and held other local offices. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a liberal supporter of Church work. After coming to Little Meadows he remodeled the old homestead, erecting barns and making other general improve- ments.

Edward B. Beardslee was educated in the home schools, and at Harford University, and was also a student of the Owego (N. Y.) schools. When a young man he taught winter school, earning money to attend school during the summer. In 1858 he engaged in mercantile business at Little Meadows, and in 1859 he married Miss Ada Louisa Esmond, of Silver Lake township, daughter of Hezekiah and Alma B. (Guerney ) Esmond, of Silver Lake. Mrs. Beardslee was born at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1836, and was well educated. Mr. Beardslee continued in the mercantile business at Little Meadows for many years.

In 1870 Mr. Beardslee was elected to the State Legislature from the counties of Susquehanna and Wyoming, and during his term of service in 1871 in the House held important positions on the vari- ous committees, such as chairman of the Library committee, secretary of the committee on Vice and Immorality, and a member of the committees of Claims and Accounts. In 1871 he was nominated and elected-leading his ticket-for a second term, 1872, which he also filled to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents in both Susquehanna and Wyom- ing counties. During 1872 he was chairman of the committee on Vice and Immorality and of the Li- brary committee, secretary of the Counties and Townships committee, and a member of the com- mittees of both Claims and Ways and Means. As chairman of the committee on Vice and Immor- ality he presented, as originating in committee, the "Local Option Bill," and sustained the same by both voice and vote, finally securing its enactment into law. During his first term as a member of the House he presented a Bill for the repeal of the Fourth Section of a Bill, supplemental to the Mil- ford & Matamoras Railroad, which had been pre- viously passed, in a peculiar manner, and had been signed by the Governor through "inadvertance," not fully understanding its design or effect, which was to take from the State Treasury, for the period of ninety-nine years, the $10,000 annual bonus paid

E.BBeardslee

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by the New York & Erie Railroad Co. to the State for the right of way, such sums "to inure to the benefit of such Milford & Matamoras Railroad." A long and bitter struggle ensued, and the Bill was not finally reached during the session, but the fol- lowing year Mr. Beardslee again presented a Re- pealing Act, and after a protracted struggle had the satisfaction of securing its passage, allowing said "bonus" to again flow into the State Treasury, instead of being absorbed by a twelve-mile narrow- gauge railway, or lining the pockets of its pro- moters. Mr. Beardslee has always taken a warm and active interest in the common schools, and has been, almost constantly, a member of the school board since he arrived at his majority, as well as being a teacher in the earlier days. He was ap- pointed postmaster at Little Meadows during the administration of President Lincoln, and held the office for a number of years during his business life, resigning when elected to the Legislature. He has also been justice of the peace for many years. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Among the fraternal orders he holds membership in Warren Lodge, F. & A. M., at Montrose.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 111

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