Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 121

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 121
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 121
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 121
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 121

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Newton R. Jones was reared upon the home farm and acquired his literary education in the grad- ed schools of his native town. At the age of twen- ty, he commenced learning the harnessmaker's trade in Syracuse, N. Y., where he continued to work at that occupation for four years. The following year he was employed as clerk in a mercantile establish- ment in Mehoopany, Penn., to which place he re- moved with the intention of embarking in business on his own account, but changed his mind, and in 1877 came to Rush township, Susquehanna county, where he rented a farm. After operating it for four years, he bought his present farm of 318 acres on Fowler Hill, in the same township, where he made his home for eighteen years, and where he met with most excellent success in his business un- dertakings. In the spring of 1899 he bought the old Sherwood farm of 336 acres, well equipped with good buildings, thus making 654 acres, 550 of which are improved, making the largest in the township. He deals largely in Shropshire sheep and Holstein cattle.

At Owego, N. Y., Mr. Jones was married, April 13, 1876, to Miss Mattie V. Smith, who was born in Jersey City, N. J., December 25, 1853, and they have become the parents of one daughter, Lillie B. They are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Rush, in which Mr. Jones has served as steward for the past twenty years. Politically he is identified with the Republi- can party, and fraternally affiliates with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Rush, and the Grange of West Auburn. His fellow citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve in official positions, and he has most creditably filled the offices of school director six years, assessor one year, and township auditor for the past five years. He is a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

member of the county committee, and has been a delegate to the conventions. He bears a high char- acter for sterling integrity, and merits and receives the respect of all who know him.

JOHN K. TINKER, a prominent representa- tive of the agricultural interests of Clifford town- ship, Susquehanna county, was born there June 2, 1839, on his father's old homestead, a son of John and Agnes ( Stevenson) Tinker.

John Tinker, the father, was born in Falkirk, Scotland, May II, 1799, and in 1817 came to Am- erica with his parents, William and May (Ander- son) Tinker, also natives of Falkirk. They spent the first winter in New York City, then moved to Little Britain, Orange Co., N. Y., and two years later came to Susquehanna county, Penn., locating on the farm in Clifford township where our subject's brother Robert now resides. There the grandfather died June 29, 1835, aged seventy-six years, the grandmother May 27, 1852, at the same age, and their remains were interred in the Tinker cemetery, upon their farm. They were members of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church. They had four chil- dren : William, born February 20, 1797, married Louise Catlin, and engaged in farming in Green- field township, Lackawanna Co., Penn., where he died October 16, 1881 ; John, father of our subject, was next in the order of birth ; James, born Septem- ber 2, 1801, married Polly M. Dunn, and was a wealthy, prominent and charitable farmer, residing on the old homestead, where he died June 3, 1884; and Fleming died in Scotland at an early age.

During his youth the father of our subject worked in his father's stocking factory, but after coming to Susquehanna county he followed agri- cultural pursuits chiefly. He was one of the large land owners in Susquehanna county, and became a noted speculator, stock farmer and money lender. In the spring of 1830 he removed to the farm in Clifford township where his daughters now reside. Return- ing to Scotland, he was married, in Silverwood, Ayr- shire, March 18, 1829, to Miss Agnes Stevenson, a native of that place, and a daughter of Thomas and Agnes (Templeton) Stevenson. Six children blessed this union : William, now a retired farmer of Clifford township, was born February 20, 1830, and mar- ried Rebecca Carr; Agnes, born January 24, 1832, died January 17, 1864, unmarried; May, born August 1, 1835; lives on the old homestead; John K., our subject, is next in the order of birth ; Robert, born September 19, 1842, wedded Mary A. Tralles, and operates his grandfather's farm ; and Janet S. S., born October 14, 1846, lives with her sister on their father's farm. The father died September 29, 1891, the mother October 31, 1873, aged sixty-three years, and both were laid to rest in the Tinker ceme- tery. They were consistent members of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church, and were highly re- spected by all who knew them.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were

passed in much the usual manner of farmer lads, and he remained with his parents until his marriage. On December 5, 1872, in Wooster, Ohio, Mr. Tinker wedded Miss Margaret Bruce, and to them were born five children, namely: Jean graduated from the preparatory department of Wooster University, and has taught school, but is now at home; John S. attended the same institution for six years, graduat- ing; Agnes M. (who was also a student at the Wooster University for two years) and W. A. Bruce are now attending the Westminster College, being in their second year; and Margaret R. is at home. Mrs. Tinker was born in Stirlingshire, Scot- land, July 18, 1840, and died January 1I, 1896, her remains being interred at Uniondale, Penn. Her parents, William and Jean (Russell) Bruce, were also natives of Scotland, and on their emigration to America located in Wooster, Ohio, where the father, who was an agriculturist, died at a ripe old age. His children were Christina A., wife of Daniel Byall, of Garnett, Kans .; Margaret, deceased wife of our subject; Martha, an invalid, who lives with her sister in Garnett, Kans .; William A., a farmer of Wooster, Ohio; and James H., of the same place.

After his marriage Mr. Tinker located upon a farm of IOI acres in Clifford township, given him by his father, and later moved to his present farm, in the same township. He now operates both with good success, being one of the most extensive and prosperous agriculturists of his community. He takes an active and commendable interest in edu- cational affairs, and gives his support to every enterprise which he believes calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his township or county. At the polls he endeavors to support the best man for the office, usually voting the Republican or the Prohibition ticket, and, though he has never cared for official honors, he has served as auditor and as school director for two years, to fill a vacancy. He is an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. Upright and honorable in all things, he commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he comes in contact, in either business or social life.

GEORGE H. HARVEY, a representative farmer and dairyman of Jessup township, Susque- hanna Co., Penn., was born in Staffordshire, Eng- land, January 30, 1839, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Wootton) Harvey, natives of the same county.

George Harvey, the father of our subject, was born at Staffordshire, England, April 16, 1816, the son of George and Mary A. (Simms) Harvey and the grandson of John Harvey and Emanuel Simms, both farmers of England. George Harvey, the grandfather of our subject, was a sawyer and died in England in 1820, aged forty-four years. To George and Mary A. (Simms) Harvey were born seven children, namely : Mary deceased; Anna, who married a Mr. Harvey and remained in England;

MRS. MARGARET B. TINKER

JOHN K. TINKER

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William, who died in Susquehanna county ; Thomas, who was killed accidentally in England by falling from a wagon; George, father of our subject ; Elizabeth, who married William Harvey, and died in England; and John, who died in 1898 at Stafford- shire, England. Mary A. (Simms), widow of George Harvey, married for her second husband Samuel Ruston, by whom she had one son, Edward Ruston, a shoemaker of Stone, England. She died September 26, 1869, aged eighty-one years. George Harvey, father of our subject, married May 14, 1834, at Tulford Church, Staffordshire, England, Elizabeth Wootton, who was born in Stafford- shire, February 29, 1816, daughter of James and Mary ( Mason ) Wootton, farming people of England. To George and Elizabeth ( Wootton) Harvey were born nine children, namely: Mary Ann, deceased wife of Norton Allen ; George H., our subject ; Eliza, who married Edward Jenner, of Jessup township; William R., who married Ella Pickett and is now deceased ; John, the first child of the family born in America, married Julia Verbryck and resides with his father; James married Louisa Wood and resides in Auburn township; Wesley married Ella William and lives in Vestal Center, N. Y .; Emma, who died in infancy ; Albert, who died aged twenty- three years.

In July, 1847, George Harvey, the father of our subject, migrated with his family to America and settled in Forest Lake township, Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania. For two years he was engaged in construction work on the New York & Erie Road, then for two years worked on the North Branch Canal. He then engaged in farming in Choconut township, where he remained until, in 1856, he pur- chased a farm in Rush township, where he still re- sides. He is a Silver Democrat in politics and for many years has been an active member of the M. E. Church. He has filled various offices, including those of supervisor, assessor and county jury com- missioner, each three years. His worthy wife died February 16, 1895, and is buried in Bolles cemetery.

Until he attained his majority, George H. Harvey remained with his parents, and then pur- chased twenty-five acres of his present farm in Jessup township, to which he has added from time to time until he now has 200 acres of rich and valu- able land. His attention, however, has not always been confined to agricultural pursuits, as he was engaged in the produce business in Scranton, Penn., from 1879 until 1888, and prior to that traveled as a book agent through several States, but in 1888 he returned home and has since engaged in general farming and dairying with marked success. For the past ten years he has been interested in the last business, keeping on hand for that purpose twenty-four cows, and he ranks among the leading dairymen of the county. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he has most acceptably filled the offices of auditor and inspector of elections.

On November 6, 1859, in Rush township, Mr. 33

Harvey was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ellis, by whom he has one son, Wellington E., at home. Mrs. Harvey was born in the village of Ovid, N. Y., May 26, 1828, and is a daughter of Josiah and Hannah ( Mead) Ellis, the former a native of Put- nam county, N. Y., the latter of Ridgefield, Conn. Her parents first came to Susquehanna county, in 1817, but after spending one year in Rush township, they returned to New York State, and did not locate permanently here until 1830, at which time they settled in Jessup township, removing to Rush town- ship two years later. The father died in 1858, aged sixty-eight years, the mother in 1888, aged ninety- three, and both were buried in Snyders cemetery, Rush township. He was a farmer by occupation and, being one of the leading citizens of his com- munity, he was called upon to fill township offices. In the family were only two children: Henry B., who married Sarah Lathrope and is engaged in farming and lumbering at Vestal Center, N. Y. ; and Elizabeth, wife of our subject. Mrs. Harvey's pa- ternal grandparents, Foster and Elizabeth (Town- send) Ellis, spent their entire lives in Putnam coun- ty, N. Y., where the former died at the age of seventy-four years, the latter at the age of fifty. The maternal grandparents, John S. and Hannah (Sherwood) Mead, were natives of Putnam county, N. Y., and Connecticut, respectively.

CHESTER J. HAIGHT, a leading and repre- sentative citizen of Rush township, Susquehanna county, who is successfully enaged in general farm- ing and bee culture, was born in Warren Center, Warren township, Bradford county, March 17, 1844. His parents, David and Sally (Jones ) Haight, were natives of Dutchess county, N. Y., and were married in Owego, that State, where they continued to make their home until coming to Warren Center, Warren township, Bradford Co., Penn., in 1840. Later they removed to Friendsville, Susquehanna county. The father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, and one of the highly respected citizens of his community, died in June, 1884, aged eighty-four years, and the mother passed away in January, 1888, aged eighty-eight years, the remains of both being interred in Birchardville cemetery. Their children were Mary A., wife of W. W. Bullard, a farmer of Hallstead, Penn .; Emeline, who married G. B. Strange, and both are now deceased; Chester J., our subject ; and Maria, wife of Dr. A. J. Ainey, of Brooklyn, Pennsylvania.

Reared upon the home farm, Chester J. Haight assisted in its operation until after attaining man's estate and remained with his parents until his mar- riage. In Forest Lake township, Susquehanna coun- ty, December 23, 1869, he wedded Miss Fidelia Giffin, a native of the county, born in Choconut town- ship, in February, 1845, and a daughter of Isaac and Juda ( Moore) Giffin, natives of New Hamp- shire and Binghamton, N. H., resepectively. In 1813, when a lad of twelve years, the father came to Sus- quehanna county with his parents, Robert and Eliza-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

beth (Sherrar) Giffin, who located in Choconut township. They were also born in New Hampshire and were farming people. Mrs. Haight's maternal grandparents were Bealy and Lucy Moore, agri- culturists, who settled in Susquehanna county, in 1813, and both died there. Isaac Giffin, Mrs. Haight's father, continued his residence in Choconut township until 1846, when he removed to Forest Lake township, and successfully followed agricult- ural pursuits. He served as justice of the peace and supervisor, and filled other township offices in a most creditable and acceptable manner. He died in March, 1883, at the age of eighty-two years, his wife in December, 1893, at the age of eighty-three, and both were laid to rest in Birchardville cemetery. Their children were Bealy, a resident of Rushville, who first married Julia Ball, and second Susie Sprout; Lucy and Susan, both residents of Bing- hamton, N. Y. ; Martha, deceased wife of Nathaniel Congdon; Lucina, wife of John Howard, of Iowa; Robert, a farmer of Forest Lake township, Susque- hanna county ; Fidelia, wife of our subject; and Mary and Ella, both residents of Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Haight have a family of three children, namely: Ella is now the wife of Frank La Rue, a farmer of Auburn township, Susquehanna county. Guy W. enlisted during the Spanish- American war, in June, 1898, in Company G, 13th P. V. I., under Capt. Robert McCausland, contract- ed typhoid fever while in camp at Middletown, Penn., and was in the hospital for some time. Glenn is at home.

For two years after his marriage, Mr. Haight engaged in blacksmithing with his brother-in-law, Bealy Giffin, and for the following three years was interested in the same business in Forest Lake town- ship. Returning to Rush township, he purchased the blacksmith shop of J. W. Granger, which he conduct- ed for seven years, and at the end of that time came to his present fine location, where he has since suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and the raising of bees, having a large apiary of 180 hives. He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his . community, has been called upon to serve as town- ship treasurer for four terms, and in 1887 was elect- ed justice of the peace for a term of five years. So- cially he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Rush, and politically is identified with the Repub- lican party. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and he is justly deserving the high regard in which he is held.

ASA W. HICKOK, a well-known general blacksmith and wagon maker of Rush, Susquehanna county, is an expert workman, and has met with more than ordinary success in his chosen calling, so that he is now one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of his community. Mr. Hickok is a native of New York, born in Elmira, January 23, 1844, a son of Asa and Mary A. (Glynes) Hickok, both na- tives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was born May 5, 18II, was a carpenter and joiner by trade,

and died in Clayton, Mich., in December, 1887, be- ing laid to rest there. The mother, who was born July 14, 1817, died near Elmira, N. Y., September 8, 1850, and there her remains were interred. To them were born the following children : David M., a resident of Montcalm county, Mich .; Edward, of Port Jervis, N. Y .; Betsy, widow of William Nich- ols, and a resident of Binghamton, N. Y .; Asa W., our subject; and Thomas, a farmer of Michigan. Our subject's paternal grandparents were David and Betsy ( Abbott) Hickok, natives of Connecticut, who came to Susquehanna county, Penn., shortly after their marriage, and located in Rush.

Asa W. Hickok was reared on the home farm until seventeen years of age, and then enlisted in the Union service during the Civil war, going to the front as a member of Company E, Ninth Pennsyl- vania Cavalry, under Capt. John S. Detweller. At the end of three years he re-enlisted and was in act- ive service until hostilities ceased, participating in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Murphysboro, Chickamauga. He was also with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, marching for twenty- two consecutive days. He was never confined in a hospital, but was once taken prisoner by the Rebels in Tennessee. For four long years he was one of the defenders of the old flag and the cause it rep- resented, and was finally mustered out as sergeant at Salisbury, N. C., July 25, 1865. After receiving his discharge, Mr. Hickok returned to his home, where he engaged in farming for two years, and spent the following two years in learning the black- smith's trade with David Angle at Rush. For nine years he was engaged in business for himself as a blacksmith at Auburn Center, Susquehanna county, and on April 3, 1882, opened his present shop in Rush,which he has so successfully conducted, having built up a large and profitable trade by fair dealing and good workmanship. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, and for three years he has most efficiently served as school director in his district. He is one of the prominent and influential citizens of his com- munity and has a host of warm friends.

On February II, 1868, in Rush, Mr. Hickok married Miss Rebecca Kunkle, and to them have been born the following children: William, born January 27, 1869, who died March 2, 1869; Cora E., born April 24, 1870, died October 20, 1880; Mary E., born February 7, 1873, a school teacher residing at home; Guy Clifton, born November 17, 1874, at home, who is county surveyor ; and Asa Lee, born July 24, 1876, who is a member of Company G, 13th P. V. I., and for a time was with his regi- ment at Augusta, Georgia, but is now a student in Baltimore Medical College, Baltimore, Maryland.

Mrs. Hickok was born in Kunkletown, Monroe Co., Penn., February II, 1847, a daughter of John H. and Sarah (Spragle) Kunkle, also natives of Monroe county. They made their home in Kunkle- town until 1851, when they removed to Warren county, N. J., and seven years later became residents

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of Rush township, Susquehanna Co., Penn. The father, who in early life followed milling and later farming, was born January 29, 1811, and died July 19, 1877 ; while the mother was born January 17, 1817, and died July 5, 1888, their remains being in- terred in Rush Center cemetery. Their children were: Jeremiah, deceased; George, deceased, who was a soldier of the Civil war; Edna, deceased ; Jacob S., who died in the army during the Rebellion ; William C., a farmer of Rush township; Catherine, widow of R. S. Luce, of Liberty township, Susque- hanna county ; John W., who also died in the army ; Rebecca, wife of our subject ; Martha, wife of D. L. Bunnell, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Edwin M., who died at the age of eight years; Mary F., wife of Kirby Bunnell, a farmer of Rush township; Ella S., wife of Randolph Wilcox, a huckster of Rush township; and Sarah E., wife of Silas Smith, a farmer of Rush township. Mrs. Hickok's paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca ( Huston) Kunkle, of Mon- roe county ; and her maternal grandparents were Jacob S. and Catherine (Myers) Spragle, also of that county.

BENJAMIN TASKER GARDNER, super- visor of Harmony township, Susquehanna county, is one of the most highly-respected residents of Brandt, and notwithstanding his seventy years he takes an active interest in all the progressive move- ments of his locality, his advice being often sought by his fellow townsmen.

Mr. Gardner was born April 18, 1829, at Wind- sor, Broome Co., N. Y., and comes of excellent an- cestry. William Gardner, his father, was born in 1797, in Lenox township, Susquehanna county, but settled in early manhood in Broome county, N. Y., where he was killed in 1837. He was an excellent citizen, and an active worker in the Methodist Church, serving several years as elder and class- leader. He married Margaret Andrews, a native of Broome county, born in 1799, who survived him, and they reared a large family to lives of usefulness. Of their children: (I) Sarah married George Cresson, and settled on a farm in Windsor, N. Y., where she died, leaving a family of eight children. (2) Jane became a teacher in the district schools of Broome county. She married Rev. Benjamin Ferris, of Otsego county, N. Y., who died four years after marriage at Beach Pond, Wayne Co., Penn., and she later married William Frith, of England, who now resides in Michigan; they have two children, now residents of Kalamazoo, Mich. (3) Robert died when a young man of nineteen years. (4) Harriet married Stephen Bonker, of Windsor, N. Y., and died leaving six children, who are residents of New York. (5) George M. died in childhood. (6) Benjamin T., our subject, is next in the order of birth .. (7) William settled at Oakland, Susque- hanna county, where he died in 1888. He mar- ried (first) Miss Louisa Woodward, who died soon afterward, leaving no children. His second wife, Catherine (Hoagland), survives him with one

daughter, Margaret, now the wife of George Lown, of Oakland. (8) Elizabeth died when three years old. (9) Margaret married George Roberts, of Susquehanna, where she died leaving one daughter, Margaret, now the wife of A. M. Bronson, of Sus- quehanna.

Our subject's boyhood was spent in Windsor, N. Y., where he secured a district-school educa- tion. As a young man he engaged in lumbering and farming, and in 1853 he married Miss Eunice Root, of Harmony township, Susquehanna county, and settled in the town of Susquehanna. Later he pur- chased a farm at Windsor, N. Y., where he resided four years, and on selling out he removed to River- side, in the same county. After four years there he returned to Susquehanna county, buying a farm in Harmony township, where he remained until 1893, and he has since resided at Brandt, entertain- ing a number of boarders in his pleasant home. Po- litically he is a strong Republican, taking an active interest in party work, and during his residence in Harmony township he has served several terms as supervisor. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, in which he was reared, but his wife and daughters are members of the Presby- terian Church.

Mrs. Gardner, whose industry has been of signal value to her husband, is a descendant of a prominent pioneer family of Harmony township. Her father, Denison Root, married Elizabeth Hale, daughter of Capt. Isaac Hale, and sister of the wife of Joseph Smith, the Mormon "prophet." Four children have brightened our subject's home, and his daugh- ters are much esteemed in social life: (I) Miss Ella was educated in the schools of Lanesboro, and for some time engaged in dressmaking, but gave up the business on account of ill health, and now re- sides at home. (2) Elsworth B., who was born in Broome county, N. Y., received a district-school education, and was for some time a train dispatcher, but he is now an engineer, at Carbondale. He mar- ried Miss Kate Blank, who was born on the Hud- son river, and whose father, Andrew Blank, a native of Germany, is one of the leading citizens of Brandt. Two children have been born of this union-Robert and Hazel, both pupils of the Carbondale high school. (3) Erminie, born and reared in Lanesboro, married Herbert L. Wolf, a native of Germany, and now a resident of Brandt, where he is engaged in the business of wood carving. (4) Agnes V., born at Brandt, is at home.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 121

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