Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 127

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 127
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 127
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 127
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 127

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B. T. Carlton was born in Greene township, Pike county, March 13, 1864, but was only five years old when brought to Springville township, Sus- quehanna county. He had the advantages of a com- mon and graded school education, but at the age of fifteen years was forced to begin the battle of life for himself and remained away from home about fourteen years, working as a laborer for several years in a brick yard. He was employed in the lumber woods for two years and also engaged in farming. Success has at length crowned his well- directed efforts, and he is now the manager of a fine farm of ninety-nine acres of well-improved

land in Springville township, on which he has success- fully engaged in general farming for the past nine years. He is a thorough and skillful agriculturist and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved. He is interested in sugar making, fruit raising, bee culture and dairying, and has upon the place nine cows, and twenty-three sheep besides some young stock. Politically he has al- ways been a supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and socially has affiliated with Maple Lodge No. 992, I. O. O. F., of Springville, since August, 1887, and the Encampment No. 50, at Lynn, since 1898.

JOHN A. STORER, of Harmony township, Susquehanna county, holds a leading place among the successful dairymen and agriculturists of that locality. For more than twenty years he has resid- ed upon his homestead near Lanesboro, and his at- tractive dwelling-house, recently remodeled, his new barns, and other substantial improvements, show his progressive management.

Mr. Storer was born April II, 1847, in Har- mony township, and is of English descent in both pa- ternal and maternal lines. George Storer, our sub- ject's grandfather, resided in Derbyshire, England, where he was a prominent business man, being su- perintendent of stone and lime quarries. He and his wife Julia had a family of eleven children, five of whom came to America. Of these: (I) Abram married Martha Welch and settled in Bradford county, Penn., where he died leaving one son, Ferd- inand, now a resident of South Warren. (2) Moses was married in England to Mary A. Harts- horn, and on coming to this country made his home at Stevens Point. He is now living in Harmony township, Susquehanna county, with a daughter, Mrs. Bailey. (3) Sarah was married in England to John Jackson, who became a farmer in Harmony township, Susquehanna county ; he died leaving no family, and she survived him but a few years. (4) Harriet was married in this country to Robert Mur- phy, and settled at Susquehanna, where he died. She has five sons-Daniel, Frederick, Robert, George and Charles, all residents of Broome coun- ty, N. Y., and Susquehanna county.

Jacob Storer, our subject's father, was born in 1820 in Derbyshire, England, and was married there to Miss Mary Alton, a native of the same county, born in 1813. He came to America in 1841, locating for a short time at Lanesboro, and soon afterward he purchased a tract of wild land in Har- mony township, which he cleared and improved for a homestead. He first built a log house and barn, but as time passed he erected substantial frame buildings, and his last years were spent in well- earned comfort. Politically he was a Democrat, and at times he held important local offices. He and his wife were consistent members of the M. E. Church, being highly esteemed among their associ- ates for their excellent qualities of character. The wife died May 14, 1879, and Mr. Storer survived

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her many years, dying November 16, 1893. They had eight children, two of whom died in childhood. Of the others : (1) Hannah, born January 6, 1839, died December 2, 1855. (2) Jennie, born May 28, 1843, in Harmony, married Joseph Shrimp- ton, of Binghamton, and has three children-Emma (wife of Herbert Harring, of Binghamton), Will- iam and Matie. (3) Clarice, born February 9, 1845, died June 24, 1874, married Jacob Kishpaugh, and had three children-Fred, Ella and Anna. (4) John A. is next in order of birth. (5) Fred- erick A., born May 14, 1850, resides at the old home- stead. He married Miss Cora Way, of Broome county, N. Y., and has two sons-William and Ralph, both at home. (6) George M., born March 30, 1852, resides in Bradford, McKean Co., Penn .; he married Miss Della Steamback, of Jackson, and they have had two children-Stephen and Edna.

John A. Storer received a district-school educa- tion and remained with his parents until he attained his majority. In 1869 he married, for his first wife, Miss Samyra Foote, of Windsor, N. Y., daughter of Andrew Foote, and a member of a well known pioneer family of that section. Soon after his marriage Mr. Storer located at Stevens Point, where his wife died a year later, leaving one son-Oscar, born February 13, 1870, still at home. In 1874 Mr. Storer married Miss Martha Watson, and in the following year he purchased the old Austin homestead in Harmony township, where he has since resided. By his second marriage he has three children: Nellie M., born March 15, 1877, is a graduate of Mansfield Normal School and a successful teacher in the schools of Lanes- boro; Susie A., born May 19, 1881, graduated in 1899 from the Mansfield Normal School; and Leon J., born July 20, 1883, is a student in Laurel Hill Academy. The family is prominent socially, and Mrs. Storer is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while our subject is identified with the Methodist Church, in which he has frequently held office. In politics he is a Democrat, and at times he has served as school director, poormaster and supervisor.

Mrs. Martha (Watson) Storer was born in Franklin township, Susquehanna county, where her parents, Andrew and Susan Watson, were early settlers. Her father, who was born in 1809, at Tarrytown, N. Y., cleared a fine homestead in Franklin township in early manhood, and he and his wife passed their remaining years there, he dying in February, 1889, and his wife passing away Jan- uary 19, 1894. They had one son, Richard, who died in childhood, and four daughters, viz .: Eliza, now Mrs. Clark D. Bryant, of Franklin township; Emma S., widow of Edward S. Foot, of Harmony township ; Martha, wife of our subject ; and Marilla, wife of A. D. Fish, of Franklin township. An- drew Watson was a Republican in political senti- ment, and was one of the two men in Franklin town- ship that first voted against slavery.

PATRICK T. IRVING. Railway companies are jealously careful of the ability and faithfulness of their employes, and the men who rise from the ranks to positions of wide responsibility are with rare exceptions individuals who possess superior claims to promotion. "Pat" Irving, as he is tamil- iarly known at Oakland borough, Susquehanna county, his home, has for many years been boiler inspector in the Susquehanna shops of the New York & Erie Railroad Co. That he deserves the promotions that have come to him is universally recognized, and few, if any, men in Oakland are better liked than he.

Our subject was born at Piermont, N. Y., in 1855, a son of Thomas and Johanna ( Foley ) Irving, who were natives of County Cork, Ireland, born in 1835 and 1837, respectively. They came when young to New York, where they married, and Thomas Irving became a brakeman on the Eastern New York Division of the Erie road. He later moved to Susquehanna, and worked on the Delaware Division for some years. He then entered the shops and learned the trade of boiler maker, which he followed until his retirement from active life. He purchased real estate in the town of Susque- hanna, where he and his wife still reside in happy old age. To Thomas and Johanna Irving were born twelve children, of whom our subject is the eldest. (2) Dennis, born in Susquehanna in 1857, died in boyhood. (3) John, born at Susquehanna June 27, 1863, died in Brooklyn when a boy. (4) Mary died in girlhood. (5) William J. died in boyhood. (6) Nicholas became a fireman on the Erie railroad, and died when a young man. (7) Cornelius, born in Susquehanna May 18, 1865, had the advantage of the parochial schools. When young he learned the trade of boiler maker, took up railroading, and ran on the Jefferson branch for a number of years. He died in early manhood, leav- ing many friends among his young companions. (8) Ellen died in childhood. (9) Nora, born Novem- ber 17, 1875, in Susquehanna, was a graduate of the Laurel Hill Academy, class of '92, and then held several responsible positions with different firms in her town. Although she died in young woman- hood, her short life was filled to overflowing with love and charity for all. Her's was truly a Chris- tian life. Her one desire was to serve her Divine Master, and how well she served Him was known by all. The sweetness of her disposition, and mod- est, unassuming manner, were the sunshine of her home, and gained friends for her everywhere. Her pleasant smile and cheery greeting will long be re- membered and sadly missed by those who knew her in life. (10) Edward died in childhood. (II) Thomas was born in Susquehanna September 19, 1871, was educated in the parochial schools, and when young entered the Erie store as clerk, remain- ing four years. He then entered the shops as a machinist apprentice, finishing his trade in 1895, and has since been employed in the shops, remain-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing with his father and mother at the old home in Susquehanna. He is a young man admired for his many good qualities. (12) Agnes, born July 24, 1873, was educated in the parochial schools, is at home, and is one of the admired young ladies of her town.

Patrick T. Irving, our subject, grew up in Sus- quehanna, attending the home schools. In Decem- ber, 1868, he entered the New York & Erie railroad shops, as apprentice to the boiler trade, which he completed at the age of nineteen years. He then received full wages as a journeyman workman until 1888, when he was promoted to the position of in- spector, which he still holds with the company.

On November 5, 1878, Mr. Irving married Johanna McCarthy, of Susquehanna, daughter of John and Catherine McCarthy, old and prominent residents of that city. Mrs. Irving was born in Sus- quehanna December 20, 1858, and was educated in the home schools. After his marriage our subject purchased real estate in Oakland, where he erected one of the fine homes of that borough, having every modern improvement and convenience. To him- self and wife have been born five children, namely : Katie, born July 16, 1879, who was educated in the Laurel Hill Academy, graduating in the class of 96, and is a young lady of culture, well advanced in musical studies; Thomas, born February 2, 1883, a student in the high school of his town; John, born April 17, 1886; William, born July 17, 1888; and Robert, born February 3, 1892.

Politically Mr. Irving has always been identi- fied with the Democratic party. He has served as town councilman and as inspector of the election board. In religious connection he and his family are members of the Catholic Church, to which his parents also belong.

Patrick T. Irving is deserving of special men- tion in this work as a young man of more than ordi- nary abilitv. Commencing his work in the shops early in life, he made his way upward year by year, until he now fills an important position. He start- ed life a poor boy, but his constant application and many good qualities brought him favorably to the consideration of the company. He holds the es- teem and confidence of his employers, and is asso- ciated in their business as a first-class mechanic. His home is a model of neatness, comfort and lux- ury, and his family are esteemed and respected by all who know them.

RICHARD T. GILLESPIE. Among the rep- resentative leading farmers and stock raisers of Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, who thoroughly understand their business, and pursue their chosen vocation in a methodical and work- manlike manner, is the subject of this biography. He was born in that township, June 4, 1838, and comes of a good old Scottish family.

John and Jane (McMichael ) Gillespie, the parents of our subject, were born, reared and edu-

cated in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, where their mar- riage was celebrated. In 1828 they crossed the broad Atlantic and took up their residence in Great Bend township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., the father for some years working for Judge Thompson, an uncle of Mrs. Gillespie, who gave to the young couple 200 acres of land in Great Bend township, near the New York State line. To the improve- ment and cultivation of this place Mr. Gillespie de- voted his time and attention until his death, in 1876. Acre after acre of the land he cleared and placed under cultivation, and erected thereon good and sub- stantial buildings. His wife died in 1854. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, with which she united in her younger days, was greatly respected and loved by her friends and neighbors, and by her death her pastor lost a firm friend. Mr. Gillespie, although not a member, at- tended the same Church as his wife, and aided in its support. As one of the early settlers of the town he was looked up to and honored in his life, and sincerely mourned at his death. This worthy couple had the following children: (I) James M., born in Scotland, in 1827, was educated in the schools of Great Bend and Harford, Penn. Dur- ing the Civil war he was a member of a govern- ment construction corps, and remained in the serv- ice until peace was restored. He is now one of the wealthiest citizens of Neligh, Antelope Co., Neb., owning one square mile of land, under cultiva- tion, in that county, and resides on the home farm with his daughter Josephine, who is unmarried, and makes a lovely home for her father. (2) Will- iam, born in Great Bend township, in 1829, wedded Mary A. Leslie, of Harford, Susquehanna county, where they reside, as he owns two good farms there. He was a soldier in the Civil war, and took part in a number of battles. His children are Leslie, Mag- gie, Jennie, Clara, Thomas, James, Nellie, Jessie, Francis, Elizabeth and Anna. (3) Thomas, born in 1832, learned the wagon maker's trade with Grant Trowbridge, of Great Bend, and now resides at Kirkwood, N. Y. He owns one-half of the old Gillespie farm, and a fine and convenient house on Main street, Great Bend. He married Elizabeth Terboss, of Great Bend, who died in 1891, leaving two children, William and Nina. William was in the employ of the D. L. & W. Railroad Co. and was head man in their office at Binghamton for a num- ber of years. On account of failing health he re- moved to Texas, and was in the railroad service there, but as his health continued to decline he underwent an operation for spinal trouble at one of the Philadelphia hospitals. It was not a suc- cess, however, and he died soon afterward, at Kirk- wood, N. Y. Nina is the wife of Frank Atwood, of Great Bend, who was principal of the Hacketts- town schools for a number of years, and is now superintendent of that county. They have one son, William. (4) Joseph, born in 1835, is employed in one of the leading clothing stores of Bingham-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ton, N. Y., and owns one of the fine residences of that city. He married Frances Styles, of Gibson, Penn., but has no children. (5) Richard T. is next in the family. (6) John, the youngest son, received a district school education, and when a young man entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, advancing to the position of engineer and later conductor. He mar- ried Stella Turboss, of Great Bend, and in 1878 they removed to Antelope county, Neb., where he purchased land adjoining that of his brother, near Clearwater, and now owns a large amount of real estate there. His children are Lizzie, John, Birdie, James, Nina, Pearl, Ritchie, Frank, Charles and Harlan ; the four older ones are married, and live in central Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie, hav- ing no daughters, adopted the daughter of Mr. Gil- lespie's brother William, Isabella, who married Fletcher Simons, of Wilkes Barre, and still resides there.

Richard T. Gillespie, our subject, was reared upon the home farm, began his literary education in the local schools, and at the age of seventeen became a student in the Wyoming Seminary. When his school days were over he assisted his father in the operation of the farm for several years. In April, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Venica Simons, of Great Bend, whose parents were from New Jersey. She died in 1870, leaving one child. Bertha M., who was born in April, 1869, and was educated in the graded schools of Great Bend, where she graduated in the class of '85. Later she completed a course in stenography and book- keeping at the Binghamton Business College, grad- uating in 1894, and she now holds a position as bookkeeper with the Grand Union Tea Co., in Bing- hamton, N. Y. She is a lady of culture and re- finement, and a great comfort to her father in the home.

In January, 1878, Mr. Gillespie married Miss Flora A. Johnston, who was born April 6, 1843, in Hallstead, Penn., where she was educated in the higher schools. For some time she was one of the successful teachers in the district schools of Sus- quehanna county, and also taught in the graded schools of Montrose. She is a lady of marked in- telligence, and presides with gracious dignity over their beautiful home, so pleasantly located on the Susquehanna river. Her parents were J. B. and Phoebe Johnston, prominent citizens of Hallstead. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have two sons, namely : John, born in March, 1880, and James, born in Sep- tember, 1885, both students in the graded schools of Great Bend.

After his first marriage Mr. Gillespie had charge of the home farm until 1873, when he pur- chased the Oliver Trowbridge farm and hotel prop- erty, adjoining the village of Great Bend, where he now resides. Upon this place he has erected new buildings and remodeled others, and now has a fine two-story residence, supplied with all mod-

ern conveniences. He has also built a number of houses to rent upon this property. In connection with general farming he is quite extensively en- gaged in stock raising and dairying, and for the latter purpose has a fine herd of milch cows, ship- ping the milk to the New York markets. Although he is a pronounced Republican in politics, he has al- ways declined official honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. Re- ligiously he and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church, and they occupy an enviable position in the best social circles of the community.

HON. GEORGE REED RESSEGUIĘ. This enterprising farmer and fruit grower of Harford township, Susquehanna county, was for three years a soldier in the Civil war, participating in some of the most stubbornly-contested engagements of the conflict, and was twice wounded. He made a most excellent military record.

Mr. Resseguie was born in South Gibson, Sus- quehanna county, February 1, 1839, son of Fitch and Mary ( Tewksbury) Resseguie, and grandson of Samuel Resseguie, who was the first permanent settler in South Gibson. Samuel Resseguie was a son of William Resseguie, of Fishkill, N. Y. In May, 1813, he brought his family to the wilder- ness, paying a Mr. Taylor $40 for a quit-claim deed for 400 acres. He erected a log cabin, having bark shingles held down by poles, and moved with his family into this rude dwelling. His quit-claim deed proving worthless, he bought 120 acres of land at $2 per acre, which he occupied until he passed away, in 1858, at the age of eighty-two years. He had married, at Norwalk, Conn., Freelove Disbrow, a native of Connecticut, and their children were: Fitch, Lewis, Aaron, William, Harrison, Nelson, Betsey, Cynthia and Sally.

Fitch Resseguie, the eldest child, was the fa- ther of our subject. He was born in 1804, and was reared in the backwoods home, developing the sturdy character of a pioneer and the generous hos- pitality which usually abounded in the early settle- ments. He married Mary Tewksbury, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Reed) Tewksbury, natives of Vermont, who migrated in 1814 to Susquehanna county, settling in Brooklyn township. Fitch Res- seguie was a lifelong farmer of the Tunkhannock Valley. He was a charter member of the M. E. Church, and in the early days his house and barn were always open for Church services. His noble wife, whose womanly and Christian graces were refining influences throughout the community, died in 1876, aged sixty-three years. Fitch Resseguie died in 1890, aged eighty-six years. Their chil- dren were as follows: Charles W., now deceased, became editor of the Daily Transcript and Ledger of Susquehanna : he married Angeline M. Wood- ward. Freeman T. was drowned at the age of sixteen years. George R. is our subject. Will- iam E., a merchant of South Gibson, married Helen

Carne Johnem Reesequie George RED RESAEquie

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Denny. Mary D. is the wife of Jesse L. Holmes, an extensive farmer of South Gibson. Manly T., who married Vianna Pickering, died at the age of forty years.

George R. Resseguie, our subject, remained on the home farm until he attained his majority, as- sisting his father and receiving the education which the neighboring schools afforded. For one year he worked on a farm. On August 22, 1862, at New Milford, he enlisted in Company F, 14Ist Regiment P. V. I., Capt. H. F. Beardsley, for three years' service or during the war. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Cul- peper, Centerville, the Wilderness, etc. At Chan- cellorsville, May 3, 1863, he was severely wounded in the right hand with a minie ball, was taken to Harwood hospital, and thence transferred to Mc- Clellan Hospital, Philadelphia, where he remained three months. Rejoining his regiment at Warren- ton, Va., he remained with his company until the final musterout, June 7, 1865, at Falls Church, Va., except a few days lost in consequence of a wound in the right shoulder received in the battle of the Wil- derness. He was promoted from the ranks to the office of sergeant, and on February 14, 1865, be- came first sergeant.

After his discharge from the army our subject returned to his old home. He was married, in Jackson township, October 22, 1866, to Harriet M. Ehrgood, and to them were born four children: Gracie B., who died aged eleven years; Daisy D., who married Norman N. Howard, a bookkeeper of Scranton, Penn .; Mary M., wife of Fred E. Moore, a farmer and milk dealer of Harford; and Leo E., at home. On August 22, 1899, Mr. Resseguie mar- ried, for his second wife, Mrs. Carrie (Johnson) Briggs (widow of William J. Briggs), who was born July 29, 1860, in West Burlington, Bradford Co., Penn., daughter of Henry L. and Mary ( More- house) Johnson. Her father served in the Civil war as a member of the 207th P. V. I. Mrs. Res- seguie is an accomplished musician, both vocal and instrumental, possessing a fine voice which has been thoroughly trained under various teachers of high standing. She pursued her earlier studies under Prof. Marsh, of Elmira, N. Y., where she formerly resided, and later was a pupil of Prof. Courtney, Mrs. Hattie Clapper Morris, and J. Harry Wheeler, in New York City, and of Campanari, in Boston. For several years she sang frequently in the Elmira Churches, subsequently for a time in St. Steven's Church, Washington, D. C., and filled various im- portant engagements, acquiring special reputation for her fine powers of interpretation. She taught music for a number of years, being located for three years at Harford, Susquehanna county, where she had charge of the musical instruction in the State Soldiers' Orphans' School, and in this connection the Elmira Advertiser says: "The success which has attended her efforts is another proof of her abil- ity as an instructor in vocal and instrumental music.

Her abilities as a vocalist are well known to many outside of Pennsylvania, and the management is to be congratulated in securing the services of such an accomplished musician and instructor." Mrs. Resseguie had two children by her first marriage: M. Edna, who died when two years old ; and Henry Jack, who lives with his mother.

Mr. Resseguie purchased and for four years operated the old Resseguie homestead in Gibson township. He then sold it to his brother Charles W. and in 1871 moved to his present farm of 163 acres in Harford township, where in addition to general farming he is largely interested in fruit raising and dairy work ; he has six hundred fruit trees on his fertile farm, and is an extensive grower of small fruits. Our subject is an agriculturist of progres- sive ideas, and by his wide-awake methods has not only brought prosperity to himself, but has been a potent influence for advanced and improved methods throughout the community.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 127

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