Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 119

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 119
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 119
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 119
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 119

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REV. WARREN ROBERTS NEFF, the hon- ored pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Milford, Pike county, is a man whose labors in the cause of Christ have been singularly blessed. The Church of which he now has charge is largely at- tended, and the spiritual interest thus shown is ac- companied by a gratifying interest in the material growth and development of the Society.

Mr. Neff probably derives some of the religious ardor which has characterized his life from his old Huguenot ancestry. He belongs to the same stock as the famous Felix Neff. His paternal grandfather, Godfried Neff, a native of Alsace, was a graduate of a German University, and, in compli- ance with the German law, tock up the trade of a shoemaker, but subsequently became a farmer by occupation. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Hoffman, made their home at Mo- hawk Hill, Lewis Co., New York.

John C. Neff, our subject's father, was engaged in business for some time as an undertaker and cabinet maker at Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y., but in April, 1866, he removed to Passaic, N. J., where he was engaged in business as a contractor and builder until his death, September 4, 1870. He was married, August 21, 1862, to Miss Christiana R.

Kirchner, daughter of Frederick and Marther Kirchner, natives of Baden, Germany, the former of whom was a cabinet maker by trade and had served as a soldier in the German army. Our subject was the younger of two children; the other, Mary Josephine, is now the wife of Gordon Dunn, a resi- dent of Passaic, New Jersey.

Rev. Mr. Neff was born November 1, 1865, at Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y., and was not quite five years old when his father died. The latter left no will, and the property was lost through litigation, leaving the widowed mother, who was a cripple, to bring up the children as best she could. The sad experiences of his early life developed in our sub- ject a precocious manliness, and as a boy he endeav- ored to assist in the maintenance of the little fam- ily. As soon as the burial was over a summons was issued against the widow by the landlord for a year's rent in advance, because the family, on account of the funeral, had been detained in the house a few days beyond the term of the lease. Lawyer Ward, of Paterson, N. J., defended the widow, and the lad was his mother's constant escort. The lawyer was so pleased with him that he promised to make a lawyer of him, and when the lad had passed his fifteenth birthday Mr. Ward summoned him to his office and tried to induce him to study law. The boy declined, however, and on telling his pastor of his decision was urged to study for the ministry. This was also declined, and then began a long bat- tle against conviction of duty, and each new pas- tor, by a strange coincidence, urged the same duty. He was converted under the preaching of Rev. (now Dr.) J. W. Marshall, and when a trifle over fourteen years of age (in January, 1880) joined the Church. In October, 1880, when not yet fifteen, he found a position as errand boy for the firm of Worten & Aldrich, cloth finishers in New York City. On January 1, 1882, he changed to the posi- tion of errand boy for the firm of Reid & Barry, Passaic, N. J., known as the Dundee Dye & Print Works. In three weeks he was promoted to the post of office boy, with increased salary. A few months later he was promoted to a clerkship, and a little later he passed one of the clerks to a position as bookkeeper, each promotion being accompanied by an increase in salary. He had occupied all but the highest position in the concern when he left to prepare for the ministry, in 1889.

Soon after our subject united with the Church Rev. (now Dr.) C. S. Ryman licensed him to exhort, and in 1891 Rev. (now Dr.) J. B. Brady licensed him as a local preacher. In April, 1895, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop John F. Hurst, and in April, 1899, was ordained an elder by Bishop Charles H. Fowler. In the fall of 1889 he entered Centenary Collegiate Institute, at Hackettstown, N. J., and completed in two years nearly the whole of the four-years' course, in 1891 graduating with high honors in the Greek Scientific course. The next fall he entered Wesleyan University, at Middle- town, Conn., as a classical student, with only fifteen

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dollars as a capital to work upon, but was soon of- fered a position in a students' laundry. He was kept busy in the mechanical department until it be- came known that he was an experienced bookkeeper, when more congenial work was found for him. After six months of laundry experience he was in- vited to preach in a mission chapel at Long Hill, Conn., where he continued his ministrations until his graduation from college. The Sophomore year in college found him elected to the office of steward of an eating club, this aiding him very materially in paying his expenses. In the Junior year he was elected to the position of editor-in-chief of the "Olla Podrida," the Junior publication of the college. In the Senior year he was honored with the chairman- ship of the committee on class-day arrangements. In June, 1895, he graduated with the degree of B. A. Just before graduating he was admitted to the Newark Annual Conference and stationed at Milford, where he is now completing a full pastorate of five years. At the Christmas festivities of 1899 the "Congregation and Friends of the Church" pre- sented him with a beautiful gold watch as a testi- monial of their love and respect.

On September 26, 1895, Mr. Neff was married, in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Passaic, N. J., to Miss Harriet Alverson Clarke, a young lady who had been his friend and confidant from child- hood, and whose qualities of character admirably fitted her for the arduous and important duties of a minister's wife.

CAPT. HENRY P. KELLAM needs no spe- cial introduction to the readers of this volume. He was one of Wayne county's most distinguished soldiers during the Civil war, and has since been prominently identified with the commercial and in- dustrial interests of the community, taking an act- ive part in its upbuilding and progress. He is one of the leading merchants of Little Equinunk, and has been the popular postmaster at that place since 1890.

The Captain was born in Little Equinunk, Wayne county, December 15, 1835, a son of Jacob and Hannah ( Pierce) Kellam. The father was born in Milford, Pike Co., Penn., in 1795, and was one of a large family of children, all born in Milford, who, however, became residents of Wayne county, where they reared their families. Their names and dates of birth are as follows : Peter, 1785 ; John, 1787 ; Phebe, 1790; George, 1792; Jacob, 1795; Sarah, 1797; William, 1799; and Jephthah, 1803.

In 1818 Jacob Kellam married Hannah Pierce, and by canoe they moved to Little Equinunk, where he purchased several thousand acres of land, and erected two sawmills on the Delaware river, at the mouth of Little Equinunk creek. He made many improvements at that place, building houses and barns, and clearing over 300 acres of land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. He was the principal business man of his section, and one of the most generous and enterprising citizens of |

Wayne county. He was instrumental in the build- ing of the old State road, leading from Philadelphia to Hale's Eddy, N. Y., on the Delaware river. Al- though he had no advantages of education, he ac- quired through his extensive business an excellent knowledge of men and affairs, as well as of business methods, and, possessing a wonderful memory, he was able to transact a large amount of business without the use of books. It has been said of him that, without a note or figure on books, he could settle correctly any business done during the year. His generosity and liberality were well known and appreciated throughout this entire section of the State, especially among men with whom he had dealings, and among the poor whom he had aided. He continued in active business until his death, in 1868. His wife died in 1876. Both were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were held in high esteem by all who knew them. In their family were fourteen children, eleven of whom reached maturity: (I) William T., born in Wayne county, in 1819, near the old homestead, re- ceived a good common-school education, and lo- cated at Long Eddy, N. Y., where he followed lum- bering and farming, being one of the successful business men of that region. In 1850 he married Jane Huntingdon, of Sullivan county, N. Y., and he died in 1889, his wife passing away some time previously, leaving no children. (2) Jephthah, born on the old homestead in 1820, married Alvira Par- sons, of Franklin, Delaware Co., N. Y., and re- mained on the old home farm for some years, while following lumbering. Later he purchased a large tract of land at Long Eddy, N. Y., and on selling out, some years afterward, he returned to Wayne county, where he purchased and improved a large farm. However, his last days were passed in Long Eddy, where he died, in 1879, having survived his wife some years. Their children were Timothy, Milton and Jacob, all residents of Binghamton, N. Y .; Hannah, wife of Austin Sherwood, of Equi- nunk, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of Gale Young, of New London, Conn .; Mary, wife of Nathan Bil- lings, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Marshie, wife of Cyrus Peek, of Long Eddy, N. Y .; Emily, wife of Ed Corken, of Connecticut ; Katie, who is married, and lives in Connecticut ; and Hattie, who is single, and lives in Binghamton, N. Y. (3) Betsy J., born in Wayne county, in 1822, is unmarried, and is a resident of Long Eddy, N. Y. (4) Barrilla, born at or near Little Equinunk, in 1825, is unmarried, and is one of the prominent and refined ladies of that place. (5) Peter, born in 1828, at or near Little Equinunk, was educated in the public schools, and is now located in Manchester township, where he has been engaged in farming and lumbering for a num- ber of years. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 143rd N. Y. V. I., was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea, and was left a cripple, be- ing wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain. He is unmarried. (6) Lodusky, born on the old homestead, in 1831, married Thomas J.

JACOB KELLAM

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Barnes, one of the largest and most extensive lumbermen of Hawley, Wayne county, who was killed by a railroad train at one of his mills, in 1872. She died in 1880, leaving three cbil- dren-Jacob, who is engaged in the manufacture of tobacco at Binghamton, N. Y .; Betsy, wife of George Spence, a glass-blower of Honesdale; and Berrella, who makes her home with our subject. (7) David, born in 1833, married Sylvania Brisack. of Delaware county, N. Y. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the 56th N. Y. V. I., under Col. C. H. Van Wyck, was in the service three years, and when hostilities ceased was honorably dis- charged at Beaufort, S. C. He made his home. at Little Equinunk, where he died in 1895, leaving a wife and three children-Grace, now the wife of George C. Abraham, of Paterson, N. J .; Lena, R., wife of Victor Sweesey, of the same place; and C. W., who married a Miss Clark, and is engaged in contracting and building at Islip, Long Island. (8) Henry P., whose name introduces this sketch, is next in the family. (9) Ellen G., born in 1838, is the wife of Jerry Cramer, of Slateford, N. J .. and they have three children- Jerry, Hannah and Sherman. (10) Frances A., born in 1844, is the wife of Jasper H. Lord, of Binghamton, N. Y. (II) Preston, born in 1847, wedded Mary Smith, of De- posit, N. Y., and they reside at Long Eddy, that State, where he is engaged in business. Their chil- dren are Fannie, Mrs. Dresser, who lives near De- posit ; and Fenton and Wallace H., both at home.

During his boyhood and youth Capt. Kellam pursued his studies in the schools of Oxford, Franklin and Binghamton, N. Y., acquiring an excellent education. He then engaged in the lum- ber business, with his father, until September, 1861, when he decided to strike a blow in defense of the Union. He assisted in raising a company in Wayne county, which was assigned to the 56th N. Y. V. I., under Col. C. H. Van Wyck, and he was made lieutenant of same. In November, 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant of sharp-shooters, and later was promoted to the rank of captain. In the Peninsular campign, of that year, he was under Gen. McClellan, at the battles of Williamsburg, White Oak Swamp, Fair Oaks and Bottom's Bridge, and with the army retreated to Harri- son's Landing. In the fall of 1862 they took transports for Newbern, N. C., under Gen. Hun- ter, and in February, 1863, proceeded to Hilton Head, S. C. Capt. Kellam took part in the siege of Yorktown, and was on picket duty at Beaufort, where an engagement was finally brought on. He was also in the skirmish at John's Island, Charles- ton, in the fall of 1864, and while there sent in his resignation, which was accepted October 3, 1864, on account of physical disability.

The Captain then purchased a plantation near Beaufort, S. C., where he engaged in raising cotton for three years, selling his product for $2 per pound, and making a large profit on the investment. In the spring of 1867 he sold his property to Wood &

Winslow, of Boston, and returned to the old home in Wayne county, where he has since successfully engaged in lumbering and merchandising. He also conducted a hotel in Equinunk for some years. It will thus be seen that he has done much to advance the business interests of the community along var- ious lines, and in this way has materially promoted the welfare of his town and county. His name is a synonym for honorable business dealing, he is always mentioned among the valued citizens of the community, and he has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in 1890, during President Harrison's admin- istration, he was appointed postmaster at Little Equinunk, a position he is still filling to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has also held the office of supervisor.

ALONZO PERRY, who owns and operates a fine farm in Jackson township, is a native of Susquehanna county, born in Gibson township, in June, 1821, and is a son of Henry and Betsy (Chan- dler) Perry, the former a native of Massachusetts, the latter of Gibson township. The maternal grand- father, Dr. Robert Chandler, came to Susquehanna county from one of the New England States at an early day. In early life the father lived for some time in Gibson township, but after his marriage, in 1829, he moved to the present home of our subject in Jackson township. In the midst of the forest he built a log cabin, which in later years was replaced by a frame residence. He cleared 100 acres of his land, which is now under excellent cultivation. The productiveness of his farm is shown by the won- derful growth of a white pine tree, which he plant- ed, and which when cut down by our subject a few years ago was sawed into 1,000 feet of good lum- ber, besides thirteen cords of stove wood. His wife, who was a member of the Universalist Church and a good Christian woman, died upon the farm in 1865; he survived her some years, passing away in 1877, at the age of eighty-one. He was an industrious, honest farmer, who became quite well-to-do and commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was a Democrat, but never took an active part in political affairs.

Our subject is the eldest of a family of six children, the others being as follows: (2) Oliver, born in Gibson, in 1823, married Ann Walker, of the same township, and located near his father's old home in Jackson township. He is still one of the prosperous farmers of that section. With him re- sides his only son, Danford. (3) Lucy A., born in Gibson, married Emory Barrett, of Jackson, who is now deceased, but she resides on the Barrett farm in New Milford. Her children are Friend, a resi- dent of Oregon; Devinca, who is married and lives in Binghamton, N. Y .; Pearl; and Prof. Henry, a resident of New Milford. (4) Emaline, born in Jackson, is the wife of William Rice, of New Mil-

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ford, and has four children, Henry, Bird, Frank and Ida. (5) Orson R., born in Jackson, married Elvira Corse, of Jackson, and located in New Mil- ford, where he was killed by the kick of a horse. (6) C. C., born in Jackson, married first Elizabeth Dutcher, who died leaving one daughter, Myra, now the wife of Fred S. Butterfield, of Jackson, and for his second wife he married Julia Lewis, by whom he has one daughter, Edith, now Mrs. Whit- ney, of Thompson. C. C. Perry is engaged in farm- ing in Thompson township.

Alonzo Perry grew to manhood in Jackson township. His educational privileges were rather limited, he attending school only through the winter months for a few years. In 1843 he married Miss Phebe Williams, of New Milford, a daughter of Gordon and Betsy Williams ,natives of Connecti- cut, and they began their domestic life in New Mil- ford, where he owned property. Three children were born to them, namely: (1) E. O., born in New Milford, in 1844, served in the U. S. navy during the Civil war. He married Malvina But- terfield, of Jackson, a daughter of Thomas Butter- field, a prominent citizen of Jackson township, for- merly of Vermont, and they located on his father's farm, where E. O. is engaged in business as a car- riage and wagon manufacturer. Their children are Cora ; and Will A., who married Grace Bryant, of Jackson, and follows farming in Jackson town- ship. (2) Betsy died in childhood. (3) Jane is the wife of John Benson, of Jackson. The chil- dren were educated in the Jackson schools and are now prominent citizens of that township.

In 1852, during the gold excitement in Califor- nia, Mr. Perry, in company with Benjamin Boyel, went to the Pacific slope. At New York they took passage on the "Grecian," a sailing vessel, which stopped first at Rio Janeiro, Brazil, and from there proceeded to Valparaiso, Chili, and on to San Fran- cisco. From that city they went to Sacramento and to the mines of Alvon. They were engaged in placer mining on what was known as the American river, in the employ of a company, receiving $100 per month with board for six months, when the rainy season stopped all work at the mines. Sub- sequently they drifted to different mines along the coast and followed prospecting at Marysville, where they struck gold in paying quantities. Leaving there in July, 1854, they went to Nevada county, where they were taken sick with fever and ague. Being obliged to give up work, they returned to San Francisco, where they boarded a steamer for the Isthmus of Panama. On mules they crossed the stretch of land to Lake Nicaraugua and by water to Greytown, on the Atlantic, where they took a steamer for New York. After reaching home Mr. Perry conducted a boarding house in Susquehanna for one year, and then purchased a part of his fa- ther's old farm, on which he now resides. He has erected good buildings upon the place and now has one of the best improved and most highly cultivated farms of the community. In connection with farm-

ing he has also engaged in stone work for a num- ber of years. At the polls Mr. Perry usually sup- ports the Democratic party, and he has been elected to the office of road master. He was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows Society, and is a mem- ber of the Universalist Church. Both he and his wife are well known and highly respected, and no couple in the community are more deserving the esteem in which they are held.

ULYSSES GRANT GRUVER is the well- known and popular proprietor of "Hotel Waymart," at Waymart, Wayne county. The hotel was for- merly the old Patterson homestead, a large three- story structure, pleasantly located 2,300 feet above sea level, and is neat and comfortably furnished. It has become quite a favorite with the traveling public and has therefore secured a liberal patronage.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gruver was born August 15, 1865, in Hanover township, Lu- zerne county, a son of Wesley C. and Mary M. (Line) Gruver. His paternal grandfather was. John Gruver, a native of Bucks county, Penn., and a farmer by occupation. He married Margaret Thomas, who died at the age of sixty-seven years, and he died at the age of eighty, the remains of both being interred in the cemetery at Wanamie, Luzerne county. Of their children, John A. (deceased ) was engaged in hotel keeping throughout his active business life ; Lee D., a colonel in the Union army, was killed during the second day of the battle of Gettysburg ; Aaron (deceased) was a miner by oc- cupation ; Martha married Zachariah Kemerrer and lives in Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Elizabeth is the wife of John Sorber, who is with the L. & H. Coal Co., at Wanamie; Frances is the wife of C. V. Line, a farmer of White Pigeon, Mich .; and Wesley C. completes the family.

The father of our subect was born in Newport township, Luzerne county, February 10, 1842, and is now a resident of Wanamie, where for seventeen years he had engaged in the hotel business, but at present is foreman of a crew of men engaged in building a bridge and culvert for the L. & W. B. Coal Co. He at one time conducted the "What Cheer" House, which derived its name from being located on a cross road where the people would always stop to gain information as to their right direction. For three years he also conducted the Columbia Hotel, at Lehman, Luzerne county. He is a stanch Democrat in politics and has been called upon to serve in several township offices. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in Hanover township, Lu- zerne county, in 1847, and at her death was laid to rest in the Wanamie cemetery. Ulysses Grant is the eldest of their children: Butler D. is with our subject : Daisy died at the age of fourteen years ; Gracie is a milliner of Wilkes Barre; and Vernie and Edgar G. are both deceased.

On the home farm Ulysses Grant Gruver spent his boyhood and youth, until seventeen years of

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age, when he went to Nanticoke, Luzerne county, where he worked for. Abram Jacobs, a stove mer- chant, for four months, and then was employed in David Williams' hotel for four years. Going to Wilkes Barre, he clerked in the clothing store of Simon Long for four years and nine months, after which he returned to Nanticoke, purchasing the Nanticoke Hotel, which he conducted for a year and a half. On selling out he came to Waymart and took charge of his present house.

On May 12, 1891, Mr. Gruver was married, in Nanticoke, to Miss Jessie George, Rev. G. G. Meade, a Presbyterian minister, officiating. One son blesses this union : Clarence Leon. Mrs. Gruver was born in Nanticoke January 3, 1871, a daughter of Will- iam and Ann C. (Croop) George, natives of Nanti- coke and Alden, Luzerne county, respectively. Both died in the former place, the father February 14, 1889, aged sixty-six years, the mother six months later. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church and most estimable people. As a Democrat he took quite an active and prominent part in local political affairs, and capably filled a number of minor offices. In early life he was em- ployed as a boatman, later engaged in farming, and for twenty years prior to his death lived retired. His children were Henry (deceased) ; Edward, a merchant of Nanticoke ; Lydia, wife of D. N. Alex- ander, a merchant of Nanticoke, where he served as postmaster for many years; Jennie, wife of Sam- uel Lueder, also a merchant of Nanticoke ; and Jes- sie, wife of our subject. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Gruver ad- heres to the principles of the Democratic party, and while living in Newport township, Luzerne county, he efficiently served as auditor. He has met with a fair degree of success in his undertakings as a busi- ness man, and as a citizen commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

CHARLES H. NORRIS, station agent at Honesdale for the Erie railroad, may justly take pride in the high standing which he has won in that community. His worth is recognized not only by the corporation of which he is a trusted em- ploye, but by the general public, to whom his effi- cient discharge of duty and unfailing courtesy have commended him.

He was born March 7, 1862, at Deckertown, N. J., but his family was identified in earlier times with the Empire State. His father, Charles B. Norris, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1833, was married in Salem, Sussex county, N. J., to Miss Hannah M. Sullivan, a native of Piermont, N. Y., born in 1839. For some years after their marriage they remained at Salem, but later they settled at Deckertown, where the father engaged in agricult- ural work. In 1867 he entered the employ of a rail- road as a brakeman, locating at Port Jervis, N. Y., where he resided until 1883. He has since made his home at Greenville, Orange county, N. Y., where he is engaged in farming. His estimable wife

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 119

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