Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 124

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 124
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 124
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 124
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 124

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

his wife were members of the Episcopal Church. Their children were Carrie C., wife of I. H. Well- ing, who is engaged in the coal business in Trenton, N. J .; Edward R. W., our subject ; Fanny T., wife of S. T. Hayes, of Scranton, Penn .; Warner, a travel- ing salesman of Philadelphia ; and Raynsford W., a broker and mill agent of Buffalo, N. Y. Our sub- ject's paternal grandparents were Daniel and Jo- hanna (Stark) Searle, and nis maternal grand- parents were Davis Dimock and Salome (Rayns- ford) Warner.

Edward R. W. Searle was seven years of age when the family left the farm to move to Mont- rose, and in 1867 he went with them to Scranton, where he attended school and learned the printer's trade, following same for five years. Returning to Montrose at the end of that time, he entered St. Mary's College, at Montreal, Canada, where he re- mained until 1877, and he then entered the law office of Hon. D. W. Searle, of Montrose, where he studied for two years. He began the practice of law in that city on his admission to the Bar, at the August term, 1879, but in 1887 removed to Great Bend, and in 1894 came to Susquehanna, where he has already succeeded in building up an excellent practice.

In Newton, N. J., Mr. Searle was married, No- vember 24, 1879, to Miss Margaret Bedell, and to them have been born three children : Constance ( who died in infancy), Joanna S., and Clara M. Mrs. Searle was born in Beemerville, Sussex Co., N. J., November 22, 1859, a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Dennis) Bedell, also natives of that coun- ty, the former born in 1834, the latter in 1839. In early life the father followed farming, but he is now living retired in his native county. His chil- dren were Margaret, wife of our subject; J. Lynn, a farmer of Sussex county, N. J .; and Crane, de- ceased. Mrs. Searle's paternal grandparents were Henry J. and Mary Ann Bedell, and her maternal grandparents were Capt. Peter and Elizabeth Dennis, all residents of Sussex county, N. J. Capt. Dennis commanded a company in the State Militia.

Mr. Searle is a member of the Episcopal Church, and an ardent supporter of the Republican party. Socially he is quite popular, and he is a prominent thirty-second-degree Freemason, with which order he has been connected since attaining his majority, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, of high social qualities, and has a most extensive circle of friends and acquaintances throughout his native county.

ROBERT H. HALL, a well-known pension attorney and prominent business man of Susque- hanna, is a native of Susquehanna county, born in the town of Thompson, in January, 1842, and belongs to one of its honored pioneer families. His grand- father, Asa Hall, was one of the first settlers of Jackson township, and a part of his old home there

525

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is still standing. His children were Abigail, who married a Mr. Seeley, a merchant tailor of Lanes- boro, Susquehanna county ; Elmyra, wife of Calvin Morse, of Jackson; Sallie, wife of Julius Wash- burn, of Gibson ; Asa, who died when a young man ; Urban, a resident of Jackson; and Cyrus, father of our subject.

Cyrus Hall was born in Vermont, was educated in the district schools, and in his younger years en- gaged in teaching. He married Matilda Gelatt, a daughter of George Gelatt, who was one of the first settlers of Gibson, Penn., and granddaughter of Robert Gelatt, a Revolutionary soldier. They be- gan their domestic life upon a tract of wild land, and in course of his life Cyrus Hall cleared and improved two or three farms. He was also quite extensively engaged in the real-estate business. He was a well-educated man, possessed of more than ordinary ability, and in politics was first a Whig and later a Republican, joining the latter party on its organization. For twenty-five years he most creditably and acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace. In religious faith he was a Baptist, and he and his wife worshiped at that Church for many years. He died in 1874, and she passed away in 1897. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, namely: (1) Sarah, born in Thompson, was educated in the district schools, and also studied music, which she taught for some time. She married E. L. N. Tobey, of Steuben county, N. Y., where they made their home until 1865, and then removed to Mason county, Mich., where she was accidentally killed by a run- away team in 1898. She was a lady of good Chris- tian character, loved by all who knew her. She left four children, Cyrus, Andrew, William and Matilda, all of whom are married and have families of their own. (2) Marion, born in Thompson, married Abram Clauson, of Susquehanna, and they now re- side in Mason county, Mich. Their children are Fred, Will and Hattie. (3) Frank, born in Thomp- son, enlisted in July, 1862, in Company F, 14Ist P. V. I., and served through the Civil war, taking part in all the battles in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged. He married Hattie Burr, of Thompson, where he died in March, 1884, leaving a wife and two sons, Howard and Leon, now resi- dents of Amsterdam, N. Y. (4) Robert H., our subject, is next in the order of birth. (5) Nancy, born in Thompson, is the wife of Frank Barnes, postmaster of Thompson. (6) Jane, born in Jack- son, first married Charles Washburn, of Jackson, by whom she had one son, Egbert, and for her second husband she married Thomas Payne, of Susque- hanna, by whom she has two children, Ligand and Clair. (7) Dora, born in Jackson, is the wife of Coneby Carlow, of Port Jervis, N. Y., and they have five children, Frank, Alice, Harry, Azuba and Irving.

The boyhood and youth of Robert H. Hall were passed in the towns of Thompson and Jackson, and his education was acquired in the district schools.

He aided his father in the work of the farm until he felt that his country needed his services in her efforts to suppress the rebellion, when he enlisted, October 3, 1801, in Company G, 89th N. Y. V. I., at Windsor, and was sworn into the United States service at Elmira, N. Y. The regiment was as- signed to the 9th Army Corps, under command of Gen. Burnside, and after twenty-six days spent on transports reached Cape Hatteras. From there they went to Roanoke Island ; were in the battle of Cam- den, N. C., in April, 1862; South Mountain, Sep- tember 14; Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, and succeeded in driving the Rebels out of Frederick City, Md., September 15, 1862. On the 17th of September they captured two batteries, but were forced to retreat with a heavy loss. History shows that the 89th N. Y. crossed the river at Fredericks- burg and captured 160 prisoners. There Mr. Hall was wounded, but he remained with his regiment and engaged next day in battle, continuing with the command until after Gen. Burnside's "stick in the mud" campaign. Under Gen. Gilmore the regi- ment was then sent to Charleston, where they re- mained six months. They took part in the battle of Fort Gregg, and drove the enemy from Morris Island. From Charleston they went to Suffolk, Va., where they remained until the battle of the fort on the Nanam river, in April, 1863, where they captured six pieces of artillery and 200 men. With the 114th N. Y. V. I. and the 13th Ind. V. I., they led the advance charge across the river, and raised the siege of Suffolk, May 3, 1863, and for their bravery in that engagement were granted a ninety-days furlough, which they failed to get, how- ever, on account of Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. In July they were ordered to the Peninsula under Gen. Speers, and entered Rich- mond at Hanover Station. After taking the outer works they marched to Fortress Monroe, the whole length of the peninsula, and camped at Norfolk. They joined Gen. Grant's army at Cold Harbor, in June, 1864, and after the engagement at that place were transported to the James river. They led the advance on Petersburg, and in the skirmish line commenced fighting June 15, 1864, being under fire until the 18th. Mr. Hall was detailed as sergeant, and had command of Company C for a time. While leading the charge he was seriously wounded in the right hip, and lay on the field of battle for three days. He was then taken to Hampton hospital, near Fortress Monroe, remaining there until July, when he was sent to Fort Schuyler, N. Y. He was finally discharged, October 19, 1864, at Rochester, N. Y., and returned to his home in Susquehanna county.

In 1868 Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss Helen Van Nostramı, of Susquehanna, a daughter of James and Diantha Van Nostram, representatives of old and prominent people of Dutchess county, N. Y. Mrs. Hall was born in Otsego county, that State, in April, 1846, and was educated at the schools of New York, and is now successfully conducting the leading

526

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

millinery establishment in Susquehanna. After his marriage our subject purchased property in that city, where he has since made his home. To him and his estimable wife have been born three chil- dren: William Ray, born in 1872, graduated from the schools of Susquehanna, from a commercial col- lege at Binghamton, N. Y., and from a school of pharmacy in New York City; he is now engaged in the drug business on Monroe avenue, Rochester, N. Y., and is one of the leading young business men of that city. Cora, born in 1874, also graduated from the Susquehanna schools, and is now the wife of William T. Evans, chief clerk in the office of the Erie Railroad Co. at Susquehanna. Frank, born in 1880, attended the home schools, and is now clerk- ing for Brush & Son, in Susquehanna.

Mr. Hall is a leading and worthy citizen of Susquehanna, and one of its most prominent busi- ness men. He is a supporter of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and was the first chief of police elected in Susquehanna, in which capacity he most creditably served for nine years. He is a prominent member of Moody Post No. 53, G. A. R., of which he has been commander, and also belongs to the Union Veteran Union, of Binghamton, N. Y. Religiously his wife is an earnest member of the Baptist Church.

MARTIN V. SMITH (deceased) was for a number of years a trusted and faithful employe of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, and for a quarter of a century he made his home on the farm in Paradise township, Monroe county, where his widow still resides. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born near Milford, Pike county, in July, 1840, and was the only child of Jacob and Cath- erine (Vangorden) Smith, both representatives of honored pioneer families of Pike county, where their deaths occurred. The father was one of the early school teachers of that county. By trade he was a carpenter, and during the summer seasons he engaged in contracting and building.

In the county of his nativity Martin V. Smith grew to manhood, and being a close student in early life he obtained a good education in the higher schools of the county. He was one of the first to offer his services to the government during the Civil war, enlisting, in Pike county, in Company B, 56th P. V. I., at the first call for volunteers, and on the expiration of that term he re-enlisted, remaining in the service until hostilities ceased, and participating in many important engagements.

In December, 1865, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Leah White, who was born in July, 1847, and was educated in the schools of Mat- amoras, Pike county. Her parents, David and Mary (Cortwright) White, had two other children : Peter White married Sarah A. Reder, of Pike county, and they now reside in Pocono township, Monroe coun- ty; Lorena White is the wife of James B. Arm- strong, who owns and operates a large farm near Milford, Pike county, and they have five children,

Henrietta, Ida, Sadie, Viola and Carrie. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born two children : (I) Amy, born in Scranton, Penn., in 1869, was edu- cated in the Parkside schools, and married William Derrick, of Pocono township, Monroe county. They now reside in Newark, N. J., where he is en- gaged in business as a millwright. They have two sons, Arthur Elwood and William Martin. (2) Jesse M., born in Scranton, in March, 1873, received a public-school education, and now has charge of the home farm for his mother. He married Ella Cos- lar, of Monroe county, and they have one daughter, Laura

After his marriage Mr. Smith located in Scran- ton, where he made his home for eight years, and then purchased a farm in Paradise township, Mon- roe county, one mile from Henryville. He made many improvements upon the place in the way of buildings, and continued the management of the same up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1895. For over thirty years he held the position of conductor with the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western railroad, and he had the entire confidence and respect of his employers, as well as the esteem and friendship of a large circle of ac- quaintances. From the organization of the Repub- lican party he was one of its stanch supporters, and always took an active and commendable interest in public affairs. Socially he was an honored mem- ber of the Grand Army Post at Stroudsburg, the Order of American Mechanics, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Mutual Aid of Railroad- ers. He was a man of indomitable courage and bravery at all times and under all circumstances, and on the field of battle was always found in the front ranks. Mrs. Smith and her children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed by the entire community.

PROF. GEORGE SAWYER, the well-known county superintendent of schools of Pike county, was born at Mill Rift, Westfall township, that coun- ty, October 15, 1864, a son of John N. and Martha A. (Crane) Sawyer, who spent almost their entire lives at that place.

The father of our subject was born at Carpen- ter's Point, Orange Co., N. Y., April 6, 1817, and was only a year old when taken by his parents, James and Catherine ( Nearpass) Sawyer, to Mill Rift, Pike Co., Penn. Here he has since made his home, his time being devoted to farming and milling dur- ing his active business life, but he is now living re- tired. The name of Mill Rift was given to the lo- cality on account of the mill owned by the father at a large rift at that place. He is a man of promi- nence, and has been honored with a number of local offices. At Handsome Eddy, Pike county, he was married, April 16, 1846, to Miss Martha A. Crane, who was born in Shohola township, Pike county, August 27, 1829, a daughter of Calvin and Jemima (Quick ) Crane. and died January 2, 1899. Twelve children blessed this union, namely : Calvin, a farmer

527

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Mill Rift, who married Josephine Hallock; Julia and Harriet, both deceased ; Gertrude, wife of Henry Sterns, a carpenter of Matamoras, Penn .; William, a carpenter of Mill Rift, who married Mary Winter- mute ; Mary, deceased; Frank, a horse trainer of Beaver Dam, Wis .; Samuel, who married Kate En- nis, and died in September, 1896; Carrie, wife of W. J. Joy, a school teacher of Chichester, N. Y. ; George, our subject; Henry, a blacksmith of Middletown, N. Y., who married Ora Ferris; and Emma, who is with her father. More extended mention is made of the family elsewhere.

Prof. Sawyer attended the local schools and aid- ed in the work of the home farm until fifteen years of age. Being an ambitious youth, desirous of a better education, he and Horatio Hazelton, a boy of seventeen years, became interested in the stone quarry business, and in this way he earned enough money during the summer months to pay his expenses while in school through the winter season, at Mat- amoras, Pike county. At the age of eighteen he be- gan teaching at Mill Rift, and was thus employed for two terms. At the age of twenty he entered the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, Ohio, but com- pleted his education at Oshkosh, Wis., where an uncle lived. In 1887 he was chosen principal of the Matamoras schools, and most satisfactorily filled that position until 1892, when he was appoint- ed county superintendent, to fill an unexpired term as county superintendent of Pike county. In May, 1893, he was elected to that office, and in 1896 and 1899 honored with re-election. His labors in behalf of the schools have been most effective, raising their standard until they now rank among the best in the State.

On August 10, 1887, at Port Jervis, N. Y., Prof. Sawyer was united in marriage with Miss Ella Earl, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Calvin Hare, a Baptist minister, and they have one daughter, Rena, born December 11, 1890. Mrs. Sawyer was born in Delaware township, Pike county, and is a daughter of Edward H. and Jennie (Van Horn) Earl, natives of Montague, N. J., and Pike county, Penn., respectively. At the age of seven her father came with his parents to Pike county, where he was engaged in farming, and later in the stone quarry business until 1890, when he accepted a position as watchman with the Erie Railroad Co. He was born in 1845, and his wife in 1852, and they now make their home in Westfall township, Pike county. Mrs. Sawyer is one of a family of five children, the others being Charles, Albert, Jennie and Maud, all at home. Mrs. Sawyer's paternal grandfather, Moses Earl, came from New Jersey to Pike county in 1852.

Socially Prof. Sawyer is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Milford, Penn., and politically he is identified with the Democratic party. His prom- inent characteristics were manifest when he pro- vided for his own education, determination, self- reliance and undaunted perseverance showing that the student would make a capable man of affairs. He is popular, and is the center of a large circle of

friends and acquaintances, who honor and esteem him for his many virtues and his genuine worth. Of large brain and kindly heart, he is interesting and instructing in conversation, courteous and genial in deportment, and affable and agreeable at all times.

CLARK ERNEST VOSS, general merchant and postmaster at Auburn Four Corners, Susque- hanna county, is a valuable citizen of this section, holding a prominent place among the thrifty and progressive business men. He is a native of the county, born October 5, 1859, in Dimock township, three miles from his present home, and is a son of David and Mary E. (Titman) Voss.

David Voss was born December 29, 1835, in Warren county, N. J., the only child of Jacob and Mahala (McKnight) Voss, who passed their entire lives in that locality, engaged in farming. He was reared in the vicinity of his birthplace, where he was married, in August, 1858, to Mary Elizabeth Titman, who was born in Warren county January 27, 1841, daughter of Philip and Jane ( Mann) Titman. In 1859 they came to Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn., a few years later removing to Muscatine, Iowa, where Mr. Voss followed farming for one year, and at the end of that time returned to his old home in Warren county, N. J. In a few months, however, he took up his home at South Auburn, Susquehanna county, residing there for six years, and in 1866 he settled on the farm in Auburn township where he passed the remainder of his days, dying July 19, 1894. His remains are interred in the Jersey Hill cemetery. He left three children: Clark E., whose name introduces this sketch; Roxana, wife of Calvin Dean, a farmer of Shannon Hill, Penn., and Jennie A., who lives at home. On March 14, 1865, Mr. Voss enlisted, at Rock Island, Ill., in Company K, 58th Ill. V. I., and served until the expiration of his term, receiv- ing an honorable discharge March 13, 1866, at Montgomery, Ala. He was never wounded in action, but while guarding prisoners he slipped from a wall and injured his knee.

Clark E. Voss was reared on his father's farm, and received the advantages offered by the neigh- boring public schools, acquiring a good practical education. He remained at home up to the age of nineteen years, after which he taught school for two terms, one in the Pickett school and the other at Auburn Center. On March 23, 1880, he became connected with the business which he now carries on as proprietor, clerking for ten years with his uncle, D. C. Titman, who was a member of the firm of Titman & James during the first year of that period, and then, the partnership having been dissolved, conducted the business alone until our subject was admitted to the firm, which continued thus for three years. Mr. Voss has been sole owner since April, 1894. He has taken a keen interest in the public as well as the commercial affairs of his town, served as township auditor, and during Har- rison's administration was first appointed post-

528

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

master, holding the position throughout his term; he was reappointed September 15, 1807. Mr. Voss gives his attention principally to his mercantile business, but he has also been interested in other lines, and has proved himself to be an able and en- terprising merchant, just and honorable in all his transactions, and possessing good judgment in mat- ters financial. His thrift and good management have brought him encouraging success, and he is one of the substantial men of Auburn township in every sense of the word. In political faith he is a Republican. Socially he belongs to Maple Lodge, 1. O. O. F., Springville.

Mr. Voss was married, in November, 1884, in Bridgewater township, to Miss Almeda Lake, and they have one child, Glen L. Our subject is not a member of any denomination, but he attends the M. E. Church, and contributes liberally toward its support. Mrs. Voss was born November 21, 1863, in Rush township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., daughter of Isaac Lake, a native of Warren county, N. J., who was a son of Abraham Lake and great- grandson of Garrison Lake, who passed his life in Warren county. Abraham Lake came to Susque- hanna county, Penn., and settled in Rush town- ship about 1859, carrying on farming there for the remainder of his days. Isaac Lake remained in his native county until 1860, when he came to Sus- quehanna county, locating first in Springville town- ship and later in Rush township, and thence re- moving to South Montrose, where he died June 22, 1882, at the age of forty-eight years, having been killed by being thrown from a buggy. He was a lifelong farmer, and became quite prominent in the neighborhood of his adopted home. He was buried in the cemetery at South Montrose. Mr. Lake was married, in Warren county, to Margaret Raub, whose parents, Michael and Mary (Reed) Raub, and grandparents were all residents of War- ren county. To this union were born four chil- dren : Michael, who is a stock dealer of South Montrose; Erastus, a stock dealer of Springville ; Lodaska, wife of Charles Allen, a farmer of Dimock township; and Almeda, Mrs. Voss. The mother now resides among her children. She was born August 19, 1837.

EDWIN J. MATTHEWS, now serving as president of the town council of Susquehanna, Sus- quehanna county, and one of the most important factors in business circles there, is a man whose sound judgment and good executive ability have won him success in both private and public life. He is engaged in the manufacture of granite and marble monuments, and prosperity has crowned his well-directed efforts.

Mr. Matthews was born in Salisbury Center, Herkimer Co., N. Y., March 13, 1854, a son of Daniel and Sarah J. (Curtis) Matthews, natives of Susquehanna county, Penn., who were married in Oakland township, November 6, 1842. In 1851 they removed to Herkimer county, N. Y., but three years

later returned to their native county and located in New Milford township, making their home there until 1860, when they again took up their residence in Oakland township. Throughout life the father followed the occupation of farming, and, as one of the leading citizens of his community, he was called upon to fill many township offices, including those of school director and supervisor. Politi- cally he was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and relig- iously he and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died February 20, 1878, at the age of fifty-nine years and three months, and she passed away October 10, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years and six months, both be- ing laid to rest in South Windsor, N. Y. Their children were Amasa G., a farmer, living on the old homestead in Oakland township; Warren, who died March 2, 1844, aged three months; Mary J., who died November 25, 1863, at the age of six- teen years; Edwin J., our subject; Ella, wife of Wells Harris, foreman of the car repair shops at Binghamton, N. Y. ; and Myrta, wife of A. L. Bur- ton, a farmer of Oakland township.

Our subject's paternal grandparents were Da- vid and Clarissa ( Blowers) Matthews, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Franklin town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn. He came to Susque- hanna county in 1810, first locating in Franklin township, but after living there two years he re- moved to Bridgewater township, locating on what is now known as the Daniel McCollum farm. In 1826 he removed to New Milford township, and settled two miles east of the borough of New Mil- ford, at what is now Matthews Corners, owned by a Mr. Tingley. Mr. Matthews owned and operated a farm in that township for many years, but spent his last days in New Milford borough, where he died in 1869, aged seventy-three years. His wife died in 1883, aged eighty-three years, and both were buried in New Milford. They held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their fam- ily were the following children: Nellie, wife of John Wood, of Bridgewater township; Daniel, fa- ther of our subject; James, who died in Galesburg, Ill. ; William, who died in Sidney, N. Y. ; and Mary, wife of John Williams, a retired citizen of Bing- hamton, New York.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 124

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