Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 126

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 126
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 126
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 126
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 126

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WILLIAM J. BAKER, son of the late Judge Isaac P. Baker, who through the greater part of the decade between 1890 and 1900 has been the efficient and popular prothonotary and assistant pro- thonotary of Susquehanna county, is a native of the county, born September 4, 1853, in Dimock town- ship, where he was reared amid rural scenes, work- ing on his father's farm and attending the neigh- boring schools. He also, for a period, attended school in Wayne county, and completed his studies in the Montrose Academy. After leaving school he successfully engaged in farming in Susquehanna county until 1891, when he was elected county pro- thonotary, taking his seat in January, 1892. So acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1894, and since the expiration of his second term he has been assistant to his successor, his duties being most capably and satisfactorily performed. An evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Baker is held as a citizen, and the appreciation of his serv- ices as a county official, is shown in the following extract taken from one of the Montrose papers, which appeared therein at the close of his first term of office :

When the late County Convention assembled the cus- tom was recognized, and the present prothon tary, William J. Baker, was re-elected without a dissenting voice. Mr. Baker has served one term in that office with greatest credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. That he is an eminently fit man for the place is universally ad- mitted. Until elected prothonotary three years ago he was a successful farmer in Dimock. It is characteristic of the farming element in Susquehanna county that they are not only intelligent but, literally, educated men, fitted for whatever station in life they may be called to fill. The office of pro- thonotary has never been more ably or satisfactorily filled than during the three years' incumbency of Mr. Baker, and the people have therefore decided to retain him for another term. This is good policy as well as good politics.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Baker has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and has taken an active and influential part in local pol- itics. Fraternally he is a Mason, and in religious connection he is Presbyterian. In 1877 he was mar- ried to Miss Ida M. Hollister, who was born March 15. 1856, daughter of F. H. and Hannah ( Bies- ecker) Hollister, and they have one child, Clare. Mrs. Baker received a good academic education, and is especially proficient in music, having grad- tiated from the musical department of the State Normal School at Mansfield, Penn., class of '74. Mr. Baker owns a fine farm in Dimock township besides his comfortable home in the city. He also has landed interests in North Dakota and Nebraska.

BENJAMIN MAXEY. With the mining in- dustries of Susquehanna county are connected many men of sterling character, keen intellect, indomit- able will, who win their success. It is by their efficiency that the great underground resources are developed. Among the number the name of Ben- jamin Maxey is conspicuous. The mining predi- lections of our subject are inherited, for his father, grandfather, and ancestors, for remote generations, mined before him. The name Maxey is of German origin, and generations ago in the misty past was carried from Germany into Wales by one of our subject's forefathers.

The paternal grandfather, William Maxey, was born in Wales in 1783, and in 1832 migrated to America, with two sons, John and David, settling in Carbon county, Penn .; the other three surviving children followed three years later. Having mined in the old country, he became a pioneer miner at Carbondale, helping to open the first mine there, and continued to follow that vocation until old age approached. He died at Carbondale December 17, 1859. He was a member of the Welsh Independent Church, and in politics was a Whig. He married Jane Jones, a native of Wales, born in 1781, who died in 1865. Of their eleven children, four died in infancy ; Daniel and William died in South Wales; John died in Carbondale; David died in Hazleton; George was the father of our subject; Edwin and Mary came to America in 1835, three years after the father and elder brothers.

George Maxey, the father of our subject, was born in South Wales, October 15, 1821. He had no opportunities for an education, entering the mines near his home at the age of eight years, and he con- tinued mining in Pennsylvania, near Beaver Mead- ows. On February 14, 1841, in Carbon county, Penn., he married Mary Daniels, who was born June 14, 1822, and seven children have been born to them, as follows: Edwin, born November 9, 1842, died in 1844; William, born March 9, 1844, was educated at Harford and Wyoming Seminary, elected from Susquehanna county to the State Leg- islature, serving two years, and is now a merchant, living at South Gibson; Jane, born in 1846, died in infancy; Benjamin is the subject of this sketch; Mary J., born August 4, 1854, married John Pritch- ard, and died at South Gibson in 1887; George E., born May 9, 1857, is a resident of Forest City; John was born January 10, 1860. George Maxey developed extensive abilities as miner, and "bossed" for years. Later in life he became a con- tractor for sinking slopes and tunnels, and he re- tired from active life about 1883. His early polit- ical support was given to the Whigs, his first Pres- idential vote being cast for Henry Clay, and later he has been a Republican.

Benjamin Maxey was born in Carbon county, Penn., September 10, 1849, and attended the public schools at Olyphant. At the age of eight years he went into a breaker, four months later was tending door in the mines, and then became mule driver,

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laborer and miner successively, taking his pick at the age of eighteen. After mining for several years he entered the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., engaging as fireman at their mine at Olyphant, and was promoted from that position to engineer, for six years running the engine engaged in hoisting coal from the mine. Subsequently he took a similar position with the Hillside Coal & Iron Co., working at Old Forge until the mine was aban- doned, and in 1876 came to Forest City, engaging in mining for a short time. His experience as a machinist, however, soon won him recognition. He began putting in machines, installing the first hoist- ing engine ever operated at Forest City, and by efficiency and genuine merit rose step by step to his present responsible station, beginning to "boss" in the mines in December, 1884, and continuing as foreman ever since. He now holds that position in Mine No. 2, belonging to the Hillside Coal & Iron Co., and has 450 men in charge.

Mr. Maxey was married, May 9, 1874, to Miss Margaret Evans, and two sons have blessed the union : Benjamin F., Jr., and George D. Benja- min F. Maxey, Jr., was born February 24, 1875. He studied pharmacy at the New York City College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated, being president of the Senior class, and holds a diploma from his Alma Mater and the New York City Board, as well as from the State Board of Pennsyl- vania. While in New York he was on the staff of the Pharmaceutical Era of that city. For some time he was engaged in Philp's Pharmacy, in Scran- ton, Penn., and he is now dispensing clerk with McGara & Thomas, of the same place. George D. Maxey was born February 14, 1878, graduated from the Mansfield State Normal School, and then attended the Marty College of Oratory, Washing- ton. D. C., graduating in April, 1877. He is a re- markably brilliant young man. During the Pres- idential campaign of 1896, though only a boy of nineteen years, his voice was heard on the rostrum throughout New York and Pennsylvania, and he was eulogized by the local press as the boy orator of Pennsylvania ; he is now studying at Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Benjamin Maxey has been active and prominent in the local politics of Forest City ever since his lo- cation there. He is an ardent Republican, and was nominated by his party for member of the first city council of Forest City, the nomination being en- dorsed by the Democrats ; he was elected, and served as president of the board. For three terms he has served as city burgess: he was elected township school director ; and has frequently been elected delegate by his party. Mr. Maxey is a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity, and an attend- ant of the Methodist Church. Besides his home in Forest City he has a fine block representing several thousand dollars.

Mrs. Maxey was born December 9, 1849, in Carbon county, Penn., daughter of Lewis and Ann (Jones ) Evans, who were natives of Wales, born

ir. 1821 and 1827, respectively. Her father came to America at the age of twenty-one, locating for a time in Carbon county, Penn., where he followed mining, and thence removing to Gibson township, Susquehanna county, where he has since engaged in farming. Mrs. Evans came to this country at the age of four years. Margaret, Mrs. Maxey, is the eldest in their family of seven children, of whom, Mary Jane died young. Ann E. ( who died Novem- ber 19, 1898 ) was first married to T. G. Reynolds, by whom she had one daughter, Lena, and after his death became the wife of John L. Westgate. Mary Ann married Arthur Gillett, of Binghamton, N. Y. William died in infancy. David is living at his home in Gibson. Cora is the wife of George Kist- hart, of Corning, N. Y. The mother of this family passed away April 23, 1897. She was an earnest member of the Congregational Church, to which Mr. Evans also belongs. He was originally a Whig in political sentiment, and now casts his ballot with the Republican party.

MICHAEL L. SHERIDAN (deceased) was for many years prominently identified with the ag- ricultural and business interests of Palmyra town- ship and Hawley, Wayne county, giving the greater part of his attention to merchandising and farming. On starting out in life for himself he was employed as a boatman, from which business he retired in 1872, locating along the Delaware & Hudson canal, where he conducted a large grocery store and where his family continue to reside. He came into pos- session of the old homestead, a farm in Palmyra township, upon which place was a good stone quarry which he profitably operated. It was while hauling a load of stone over the Pike county bridge, below the eddy, that he was killed, September 19, 1894, the bridge giving way.

Mr. Sheridan was born February 22, 1842, in Williamsburg, Penn., and when about five years old was brought to Wayne county by his parents, Hugh and Catherine (Lynch) Sheridan, natives of County Meath, Ireland, who in 1841 crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Williamsburg. From there they removed to Honesdale, and in 1862 came to Hawley, where the mother died in 1867, aged forty-five years, the father in 1887, aged sev- enty. He was a farmer and boatman by occupation, was a Democrat in politics, and served as constable in Hawley for many years. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Catholic Church. Their children were Sylvester, a farmer of Patipac township, Pike Co., Penn. ; Michael L., the sub- ject of this sketch: Bridget, wife of Bryan Mat- hews, a farmer of Palmyra township, Wayne coun- ty: Sarah, wife of Michael Gillern, of California ; Mary, who wedded William McKeon, both being now deceased ; Catherine, wife of Thomas Gaughon, a boatman of Hawley ; and Ellen, wife of Thomas McAndrew, a stone mason of Dunmore, Penn. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Sylvester Sheridan. always lived in Ireland.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

On April 22, 1867, by Father McCullum, Mr. Sheridan was married, at Hawley, to Miss Bridget Lennon, who was born in Honesdale, January 27, 1849. Her parents, William and Mary (Carroll) Lennon, were natives of Counties West Meath and Meath, Ireland, respectively, but became acquainted and were married in Honesdale, Penn. The father was employed in Wayne county on the coal docks of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. He died in February, 1891, at the age of seventy years, his wife in 1888, at the age of fifty-four years. Both were consis- tent members of the Catholic Church, and he was a Democrat in politics. Of their children, Bridget is the widow of our subject; Jane, Mary, Anna, Ed- ward and John all died in childhood ; and Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Anna, and Patrick and John (twins), all live at the old home in Honesdale. Mrs. Sheri- dan's paternal grandparents, John and Bridget ( Branigan) Lennon, spent their entire lives in Ire- land, but the maternal grandparents, Patrick and Mary Carroll, came to America at an early day, and died in Honesdale.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan were born the fol- lowing children: Catherine died at the age of six- teen years; Elizabeth is the wife of M. B. Barrett, of Hawley ; Michael J. lives with his mother, and in partnership with Patrick Sullivan operates the stone quarry ; Mary died at the age of fifteen years ; Jennie is at home ; William died at the age of three months; Edward is at home; John died at the age of eight years; and Ann died in infancy. Mrs. Sheridan still resides in her home along the Dela- ware & Hudson canal left her by her husband, and has the respect and esteem of the entire neighbor- hood. She is a devout member of the Catholic Church, to which Mr. Sheridan also belonged. He was also a member of the Catholic Benevolent As- sociation, and used his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party. His record as a business man and citizen was an honorable one, and his memory will long be cherished by the many who had the pleasure of his friendship.

STANLEY R. FLETCHER, a well-known agriculturist of New Milford township, Susque- hanna county, has an excellent reputation as a man- ager which is fully justified by the appearance of his farm, upon which he has erected new buildings and made other improvements. He was born De- cember 5, 1852, at Thompson, Susquehanna coun- ty, and is of New England stock in the paternal line. William Fletcher, his grandfather, came from Vermont at an early day with his wife, and settled upon a farm in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, where his remaining years were spent. Chauncey Fletcher, our subject's father, was born in 1819 in Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn., and in 1848 removed to Thompson, Penn., where he en- gaged in mercantile business. Later he went to Jackson, continuing in the same line of business, but in 1866 he located upon a farm in New Mil- ford township and devoted his attention to agri-

culture. In politics he was a Republican, and for many years he was postmaster at Jackson. His death occurred at his farm July 17, 1895, from in- juries received in a runaway, and his remains were interred in New Milford cemetery. He married first Miss Elizabeth Fulkerson, who was born in 1821 at Mt. Pleasant, and died there July 5, 1853, her remains being buried in the local cemetery. Her father, John Fulkerson, a native of New Jer- sey, settled at Mt. Pleasant when seventeen years old, and became a successful agriculturist. He and his wife, Phoebe King, a native of Orange county, N. Y., died at Mt. Pleasant some years ago. Chaun- cey and Elizabeth Fletcher had two sons : Henry W., deceased, and Stanley R. The father married a sec- ond wife, Mrs. Julia ( Watson) Bryant, by whom he had three children: Nettie, deceased ; Benjamin B., who settled in Michigan ; and James, who was killed in Mckean county, Penn., in March, 1892, by a falling tree.

Stanley R. Fletcher was only seven months old when his mother died, and he was cared for by his maternal grandparents. After their death he re- mained with an uncle, John J. Fulkerson, and at the age of twenty-one he engaged in lumbering. For some time he operated sawmills at different places, and after his marriage he engaged in butchering. Later he took charge of the Pleasant Mount Hotel at Mt. Pleasant, continuing two years, and he has since been engaged in farming, having spent five years in Preston township, Wayne county, before removing to his present homestead in January, 1892. He is an active worker in the Masonic Or- der, having attained the third degree, and politically he is a stanch Democrat. While at Mt. Pleasant he served as constable and inspector of elections, and since removing to New Milford township he has held the office of commissioner of the poor.

On October 25, 1883, Mr. Fletcher was mar- ried, at New Milford, to Miss Margaret A. Corwin, a native of Great Bend, born April 2, 1854. Her ancestors came to America in Colonial times, and her great-great-grandparents, David and Deborah (Wells) Corwin, settled in Orange county, N. Y., during the Revolutionary war. David Corwin was born in 1705 and died before 1782, while his wife was born in 1717 and died in November, 1798.

Eli Corwin, Mrs. Fletcher's great-grandfather, was born April 1, 1757, and died in Orange county, N. Y., March 16, 1833. His wife, Dorothy Hor- ton, was born April 3, 1756, and died January 5, 1840. Silas Corwin, the grandfather of Mrs. Fletch- er, was born in Orange county, July 21, 1786, and came to Susquehanna county at an early day. He died in Bridgewater township April 10, 1865. His wife, Sarah Little, who was born September 4, 1806, died June 20, 1886, and both were buried at Mont- rose. They had the following children: Rosetta, Isaac, George L., Alfred, Parmena, William T. (father of George T. Corwin, of New Milford town- ship). George L. Corwin, father of Mrs. Fletcher, was born in Orange county, February 5, 1811, and is

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now residing with our subject. He was married in his native county, in 1853, to his third wife, Miss Mary A. Tompkins, mother of Mrs. Fletcher. That year he went to Great Bend and engaged in mercan- tile business, and then he removed to Scranton and became interested in the retail milk business. In 1865 he returned to the present farm and his wife died there November 1, 1898, aged sixty-eight years. her remains being buried in the New Milford ceme- tery. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, while his estimable wife was a devout Baptist. Mrs. Fletcher was the only child of the third marriage. By the first wife, Harriet Roe, Mr. Corwin had three children: Moses; Sally, who married M. B. Luckey, a railway conductor residing in Paterson, N. J., and J. Mills, a harness maker at Carthage, N. Y. By his second wife, Eunice Peck, he had one daughter, Harriet E., who married Benjamin Chad- wick and died in 1890.

JOHN E. O'BRIEN, a well known under- taker and furniture dealer of Montrose, Penn., started out in life for himself with nothing but his own indomitable energy, and his accumulation of this world's goods is attributable to his persever- ance, untiring industry and good business ability. His word in business transactions is considered as good as his bond, and he is justly recognized as one of the energetic and representative citizens of Montrose.

Mr. O'Brien was born in New York City, April II, 1851, and is a son of Maurice and Mary ( Burke) O'Brien, who were born, reared and married in Dub- lin, Ireland, and on their emigration to the United States, in 1847, located in New York City, where the father was engaged in the upholstering business for thirty-four years. He died March 9, 1895, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother died in 1855. at the age of thirty-five years. To them were born four children: James, who died in infancy ; Joseph L., who is engaged in the real estate busi- ness in New York City ; John E., our subject ; and Mary, who died at the age of two years. The fa- ther married a second time, by which union he had three children. His third wife was Ellen Murray, and to them were born three children: Ellen, who died at the age of thirteen years; William R., a salesman of New York City: and Mary, who died when four years of age. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Patrick and Margaret O'Brien, natives of Ireland, where the former died, but the latter came to New York at the age of eighty years, and there died in 1879.

The first six years of his life our subject spent in his native city, and he then came to Susquehanna county, Penn., to make his home with his grand- uncle, James O'Brien, of Bridgewater township, with whom he remained until nineteen years of age. Returning to New York City, he worked for his father during the following three years, and then again made his home with his aunt in Bridgewa- ter township until his marriage.

On February 8, 1881, in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, Mr. O'Brien was married to Miss Catherine R. Burns, who was born in Spring- ville, April 18, 1860. Her parents, John and Mary (Conely ) Burns, were natives of Counties Kildare and Tipperary, Ireland, respectively, and were mar- ried in Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y. The fa- ther, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Franklin township, Susquehanna county, in Jan- uary, 1883, at the age of seventy-six years, and a year later the mother came to make her home with our subject and his wife, where she died in Jan- uary, 1898, at the age of seventy-eight years. They were devout members of the Catholic Church and were buried in Silver Lake cemetery. In their fam- ily were three children: Mary, a resident of Mont- rose ; Catherine, wife of our subject; and Maggie, wife of John Quailey, a grocer of Montrose. Seven children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely : Mary E., who died April 4, 1898, at the age of sixteen years; Maurice J., John E., Jr., Jo- seph P. and Margaret T., all at home; Catherine, who died in infancy; and Leonard G., at home. For two years after his marriage Mr. O'Brien rented the farm of his aunt, and then purchased a farm in Bridgewater township, which he success- fully operated until June 27, 1896, when he em- barked in his present business. However, he still owns the farm, which consists of 144 acres of rich and arable land which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is well fitted for his present business, having graduated from the United States College of Embalming, New York City; the Mas- sachusetts School of Embalming, Boston, Mass .; and the Massachusetts School of Embalming, Scran- ton, Penn. Although he has but recently become one of the business men of Montrose, he has al- ready won the public confidence by fair and hon- orable dealing, and has built up an excellent trade as a furniture dealer. He is a prominent member of several civic societies, belonging to the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Knights of Columbus. He is a communicant of the Catholic Church and a Democrat in politics.

B. T. CARLTON, a well-known farmer of Springville township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., be- longs to a family which was founded in this section of the State in pioneer days, and has since been prominently identified with its agricultural and in- dustrial interests. His grandfather, David H. Carl- ton, a native of Maine, was born April 13, 1802, and at an early day came to Northeastern Pennsylvania, locating in Greene township, Pike county, where he engaged in farming and lumbering until his death, which occurred in July, 1867. He first wed- ded Nancy Dickerson, by whom he had the follow- ing children: David Albert, a resident of Greene township, Pike county : John and Thomas D., both . deceased ; Moses R., father of our subject : Miller Jo- seph, deceased ; Emily Jane, deceased wife of Sam-

John E. OBrien

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uel Simons, of Greene township, Pike county ; and Jasper, deceased. The mother of these died and the father was again married. To him and his wife, Henriette, were born Mahlon, Nancy, Ellen, Frank, Eliza, Hiram (deceased), Chester, Silas L., Milo H., Eugene (deceased), and Amanda.

Moses R. Carlton, our subject's father, was born in Greene township, Pike county, March 23, 1832, and in early manhood came to Susquehanna county, where he married Miss A. Cordelia Taylor, who was born September 27, 1831, a daughter of Jo- tham H. and Polly ( Wakefield ) Taylor. Her father was born in Eaton township, Wyoming Co., Penn., February 15, 1803, and died in Springville township, Susquehanna county, November 30, 1877. When a child he came to Susquehanna county, where he continued to make his home throughout life. Here he followed the occupations of farming and shoe- making, and for a time worked at the cooper's trade in New York State. His parents were Aaron and Elizabeth (Hall) Taylor, natives of Connecticut, and Mrs. Carlton's maternal grandparents were Jesse and Polly Wakefield, natives of New Hamp- shire. The mother of our subject is still living and is the oldest in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: Matilda I., born March 26, 1833, is deceased; Edwin L., born February 7, 1835, is a farmer of Kalkaska county, Mich .; Almeda M., born December 19, 1836, married Theodore Dicken- son, of Pike county, Penn., and is now deceased ; J. D., born December 27, 1838, is a farmer of Gib- bon township, Buffalo Co., Neb .; Phœbe K., born November 13, 18-, is the wife of Silas J. Dickenson, of Greene township, Pike county ; and Martha Eliza- beth, born August 2, 1843, is a resident of Spring- ville, Penn. Soon after his marriage the father of our subject returned to Greene township, Pike county, where he followed the carpenter's trade until called from this life, August 21, 1866, at the early age of thirty-four years. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him, and those who knew him best were numbered among his warmest friends. In his political affiliations he was a Demo- crat. Besides his widow, he left two children to mourn his untimely death, the elder being Nettie, who was born April 13, 1862, and is now the wife of W. D. Smith, of Springville township, Susque- hanna county. The younger is the subject of this review.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 126

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