Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 13

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 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 13
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 13

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Mr. and Mrs. Bush have been active workers in and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church for many years, giving liberally of their time and means to the promotion of all Church work and worthy charitable projects, and in 1853, when the house of worship was built, he gave the wood-work as his contribution toward the edifice. Mr. Bush's political sympathies have always been with the Democratic party, in whose welfare he takes a deep interest, and he has shown himself to be a public-spirited reliable citizen in everything for the general good of the community, supporting all measures for improvement or advancement which he thinks practicable.

JOHN SHELDON TIFFANY, one of the leading and representative citizens of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, was born there April 22, 1822, and belongs to one of Wayne county's most prominent and honored families whose identifica- tion with her history dates from an early period in the development of the county. His grandfather, Capt. John Tiffany, a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary war, came to this region from Massachusetts as early as 1791, and took up his residence in Mt. Pleasant township. He had pre- viously married Ruth Clapp, a representative of a prominent English family, and they became the parents of six children, as follows : Chandler ; John ;

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Fanny Peckhorn; Gardener; Leonard and Ruth Hall.

Of these, John Tiffany, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Attleboro, Mass., and accom- panied his parents on their removal to Wayne coun- ty, where he grew to manhood. He married Miss Sally Bigelow, who was born in Connecticut, a daughter of James and Mary (Graham) Bigelow, also natives of Connecticut and early settlers of Wayne county. To John and Sally Tiffany were born six children who reached years of maturity, viz,: Mary, wife of William Pickering, of Gibson, Susquehanna Co., Penn .; Hiram, who died in Gib- son in April, 1878; Sallie, wife of A. Wright, of Bromwell, W. Va .; Minerva, a resident of Pleas- ant Mount; John Sheldon; and Oliver, deceased. The mother, who was a woman of great activity and devoted to her family, died at the age of sixty- three years, and the father departed this life at the age of seventy. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church, in which he served as deacon for many years. He was always a great hunter, and was very successful in securing wild ganie.

In a primitive old log school house John S. Tiffany secured his education, and upon the home farm was early taught habits of industry and hon- esty, which have done much toward shaping his career since attaining to man's estate. He has cleared and placed under excellent cultivation 137 acres of wooded land, and in 1867 purchased the David L. Kennedy farm of 166 acres, which he soon converted into a valuable tract, making many improvements that have added greatly to its attrac- tive appearance.

On February 17, 1847, Mr. Tiffany was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Harriet Whitney, who was born November 9, 1828, a daughter of Thad- deus and Thersa (Washburn) Whitney, now de- ceased, both having died at the age of seventy-two years. They held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were widely and favorably known. In political sentiment Mr. Whitney was a Whig. Their children, ten in number, were as follows : Julia Ann, Jane Maria, Joseph Edgar, Francis Marion, Harriet Adelaide, Henrietta Mal- vine. Freeman, Harland Stewart, Eliza Ophenline and Richmond. To Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Tiffany have been born nine children: Francis Rupert, who married Emma J. Peck, and resides in Mt. Pleasant township; John Winfield, who married Bertha Alexander; Judson Emmour, who married Jennie Fulkerson, and was principal of the Pleas- ant Mount Academy for two years ; Thaddeus Em- ory, who married Louise H. Noble, and lives in Mt. Pleasant; Hiram Burton, who married Emma Gillett, and makes his home in Gibson; Charles Henry, who married Ollie Kimble, and is now en- gaged in merchandising in Seattle, Wash .; Minnie E., a resident of Binghamton, N. Y .; Frederick Anson, who married Viola Howell, and with his wife and two children, Mildred Adelaide and Ber-

nice Etta, resides on the home farm; and Orlena Adelaide, wife of Herbert A. Kishbaugh, of Her- rick Center, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Tiffany is a worthy and consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church, being a trustee and deacon in the Maple Grove Baptist Church, and by precept and example has done much good in di- recting people in the way that leads to happiness and prosperity in this life and insures a reward in the world to come. He liberally supports all edu- cational and religious enterprises, and it is safe to say that no man in Mt. Pleasant township is more honored by his fellow citizens than J. S. Tiffany.

JAMES D. BURNS, deceased, was for many years a resident of Prompton, Wayne county, and by his excellent qualities of character he won in a high degree the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens. His life, which extended beyond the allotted limit of man's years, was free from ambitious strivings for public notice, yet in its quiet usefulness it made an impression upon the community which will remain as an inspiration for right doing among all who knew him.

Mr. Burns came of good Scotch ancestry. His ' grandfather, William Burns, came from Scotland at an early day to make his home in America. George Burns, the father of our subject, was born at Little Scotia, near Albany, N. Y., and during the greater portion of his life was engaged in lumber- ing, in which he gained a handsome fortune, al- though he subsequently met with reverses. At one time he owned several farms, and his last days were spent in agricultural pursuits in Cherry Ridge town- ship, Wayne county, his death occurring there in 1879, when he was eighty-six years of age. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and where- ever he resided was regarded as a public-spirited citizen, being frequently elected to local offices. In 1818 he married Miss Jane Drake, daughter of Zephina and Rebecca (Shontz) Drake, and they passed their Golden Wedding day before any death occurred in their family. Mrs. Burns was born in 1797, and died November 12, 1883. Their children were: Alfred, a retired farmer who resided at Hol- listerville. Wayne county, where he died in 1899; Amzi and James, twins, both now deceased ; William, deceased ; Ira, a railroad machinist, in Kingston, Penn. ; Rebecca J., wife of David B. Perry, of Prompton, whose history appears elsewhere; Sarah D., widow of A. R. Peck, a farmer near Aldenville, Wayne county (he died in August, 1898) ; Elsa A., widow of Amilisa Walter, of New York City ; Mary E., who married E. B. Hollister, pension agent and justice of the peace at Hollisterville: Harriet E., wife of R. P. Abby, a merchant of Grand Junction, Colo. : and George W., a railroad engineer, resid- ing at Bridgeport, Connecticut.

James D. Burns was born August 26, 1821, in Sullivan county, N. Y., and when a boy he assisted his father in the lumber business, working in the woods as well as in the sawmill. Later he se-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cured employment at Luzerne, Penn., with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, remaining until 186, when he removed to Prompton to take a posi- tion with the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Company. At first he was employed as a carpenter, but afterward he attended to the work of hooking trains to the cable. In 1887, while thus employed, he was run over by some cars and se- verely injured, having two ribs broken and sustain- ing serious bruises. On his recovery he took a posi- tion as watchman for the same company, holding this until his retirement. in 1894. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith he was a Baptist, being for years a leading member of the Church at Prompton. On March 15, 1895, he passed to the unseen life, leaving a widow and one daughter, Ella M. They occupied the beautiful home which his loving care provided until Mrs. Burns' death on New Year's day, 1898. Rev. William H. Smith, of Honesdale, Wayne county, a former pastor and much loved friend of James Burns, conducted both funeral services.

Mrs. Burns was born May 7, 1825, in Clinton township, Wayne county, the daughter of Jabez Welch, and granddaughter of David and Sallie (Norton ) Welch. The Welch family, which is of English extraction, has long been identified with Litchfield, Conn., where the grandparents spent the greater portion of their lives. Jabez Welch was born at Litchfield, and came to Pennsylvania in early manhood, locating in Clinton township, Wayne county, where he followed carpentering and farming for many years, and also operated a sawmill for a time. He was a man of influence in his locality, being chosen at times to township offices on the Re- publican ticket, and he served as a soldier during the war of. 1812, taking the place of a man by whom he had been employed. His estimable wife, whose maiden name was Tamsen Stanton, was a native of Preston, Conn., but they met and were married in Wayne county, both having come here in pioneer days. Mr. Welch died April 15, 1871, at the age of seventy-seven, and his wife survived him about ten years, passing away February 12, 1881, at the age of eighty-four. The remains of both were interred in Clinton township, Wayne county. Of their chil- dren, the eldest, Sabra S., born March 7, 1821, is the widow of Gilbert Burdick; she resided at Glen Hazel, Penn., until the death of Mrs. Burns, since which time she has made her home in Waymart, with her sister Maria. Sarah K., Mrs. Burns, is mentioned below. Miss Maria, born July 14. 1828, resided in Prompton with Mrs. Burns, and is now living at Waymart. Stanton A., born October 16, 1833, was a successful physician at Asbury, N. J., where he died April 2, 1890: he married Miss Jose- phine Harrison, who survives him, residing in Washington, D. C.

Mrs. Burns spent her early life in Clinton town- ship. Wayne county, and on November 15. 1854. she was married there to our subject, the Rev. Henry Curtis, a Baptist minister, officiating. The family

has always been popular in social circles. Ella M. Burns engaged in teaching music, enjoying an en- viable reputation as a musician. She was married, October 19, 1898, to William H. Lutey, Rev. Will- iam H. Swift, the clergyman above mentioned, offi- ciating, and they reside in Jermyn, Lackawanna Co., Penn. Mrs. Lutey is a member of the Presby- terian Church at Prompton.

JOSEPH B. EDWARDS, a venerable and highly-esteemed resident of Hamilton, Wayne county, can look back upon a life filled with honora- ble and useful effort. As a citizen he has always been found upon the side of right, and in the prime of manhood he did gallant service in the Union army, helping in the mighty struggle which made this country forever indivisible and forever free.

The Edwards family is of old English stock, and Robert Edwards, the grandfather of our sub- ject, came from the old country in early manhood. and was married after his arrival. James Edwards. father of our subject, was born in Delaware county, Penn., and was married in Philadelphia, October 24, 1822, to Miss Catherine Vaughn, a native of that city, and a daughter of Thomas Vaughn. a well-known citizen. In 1831 James Edwards re- moved with his family to this section, locating in Greene township, Pike county, where he remained until 1873. He then removed to Salem township. Wayne county, giving up the agricultural work which had previously occupied his attention, and he and his wife spent their last days in the home of our subject. The mother died February 24. 1877, at the age of eighty years, and her husband survived her just ten years, passing away Febru- ary 24, 1887, aged eighty-nine years, eleven months, twenty-seven days. The remains of both were taken to their old home in Pike county for interment. Our subject was the eldest in a family of five children, the others being: John, born December 13, 1825. who married Miss Maria Adams, and settled at Greenridge, Penn., where he is engaged in busi- ness as a shoemaker ; Jacob, born January 28, 1829, who married Miss Hulda Masters, and located at Scranton, Penn., where he died some years ago: Mary, born October 8, 1834, who is the widow of John Brown, and resides in Kansas ; and Elizabeth. born March 24. 1840, who died in infancy.

Joseph B. Edwards was born October 1, 1823, in Philadelphia, and was only eight years old when he accompanied his parents to their new home in Pike county. He was reared to farm work, and at the age of eighteen went to Philadelphia to learn the shoemaker's trade, but he soon grew homesick for the wholesome country scenes and activities amid which his earlier boyhood had been spent. After an absence of six months he returned home. where he completed his apprenticeship by six months of work in the shop of a Mr. Smith. He then engaged in business on his own account, and continued without interruption for twenty years, at the same time giving much attention to general

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farming. In 1855 he removed to Salem township, Wayne county, where he rented a farm for a few years, but later he purchased the farm of 100 acres in the same township which he still owns. Since 1889 he has resided in the village of Hamilton, where he has a pleasant home. His industry and thrift have met with due reward, and he has gained a comfortable competence, being one of the sub- stantial citizens of the township. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but he has never aspired to office. Socially he and his family are prominent, and for many years he has been a leading member of the G. A. R. post at Hamilton. His military service began in February, 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany A. 112th Penn. Heavy Artillery, under Capt. Seholt. He lost a midde finger in the battle of Cold Harbor, but, although he was excused from duty for a few weeks, he declined to go to hospital while the wound was healing. For some time he was with the forces in front of Petersburg, nar- rowly escaped injury in the mine explosion, and he had his shoulder dislocated in an engagement near the Weldon railroad, but in spite of these mis- haps he arrived home in safety, being discharged at Philadelphia in 1865.

On May 6, 1844, Mr. Edwards was married in Pike county to Miss Mary J. Robinson, and the following children have blessed the union: (1) Elizabeth A. married Wheaton Denny, a farmer in Wisconsin. (2) Esther married Dr. Edward French, a dentist of Eau Claire, Wis. (3) James W. is married and resides in San Francisco, Cal., where he conducts a dental store and has a large and lucrative practice as a dentist. (4) Frances married Matthias Reilly, an attorney at Susque -. hanna. (5) David W. resides at Gravity, Wayne county, where he conducts a barber shop and jew- elry store. (6) Roxanna married Ward Shoe- maker, a well-to-do resident of Tacoma. Wash., who was formerly engaged in the shoe business. (7) Joseph married and settled in Michigan, where he is engaged in lumbering. (8) Harry W. died at the age of four years. (9) Miss Catherine, an accomplished young lady, who has traveled ex- tensively, resides with her parents, and is popular in the best social circles of the locality. (10) Thomas R., married, is now a resident of Califor- nia, being connected with his brother's dental store.

Mrs. Edwards, whose sympathy and help have contributed largely to her husband's prosperity, was born February II. 1825, in Greene township, Pike county. Her father, David Robinson, a native of England, came to America when a boy, and resided for a number of years in Philadelphia. In 18.19 he went to California in search of goldl. but was never again heard from. His wife, Sarah (Hughes), who was born in Ireland, died in 1888. Mrs. Edwards was the eldest of a large family, the others being : Elizabeth B., born July 10, 1827, mar- ried a Mr. Bidwell, and is deceased : Ann. born April I. 1828. married Washington Robinson ( no relation ) , and is deceased ; Roxanna, born February 18. 1831,

died in childhood; Hannah B., born December 24, 1833, married a Mr. Quick, and is deceased ; Rachel B., born August 12, 1835, married Hiram Goodrich, a retired resident of South Canaan Corners; she is deceased; Sarah M., born August 30, 1837, mar- ried (first) John Denny, and (second) Philip Steenback, both now deceased, and she resides in Susquehanna county ; John W., born September 7, :839, is a farmer in Pike county ; Susannah, boru August 28, 1842, married John Sheer, of Wimmers, Penn. ; Amelia, born March 31, 1848, married Charles Shaffer, and both died some years ago; their daughter, Laura A., who was born in Octo- ber, 1876, was only ten months old when her par- ents died, and she has ever since been a member of our subject's family, taking the name of Edwards and sharing in the affection of the home circle.

GEORGE K. SLUTTER (deceased) was, dur- ing his lifetime, one of the prosperous citizens of Ham- ilton township, Monroe county, where he is well re- membered by the older residents, among whom he was widely known and universally respected.

Mr. Slutter was born in Hamilton township March 5, 18II, and was a son of George and Mary (Kintz) Slutter, who were early settlers in this sec- tion of Monroe county, where they reared three sons, John, Jacob and George K. Jacob married and re- mained in Monroe county. George was reared in his native township, and after marriage settled in the village of Sciota, where he was engaged at his trade, millwrighting, for a number of years. In 1867 he purchased the Sprague farm, near Sciota, where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural pur- suits, and he made numerous improvements on this place which materially enhanced its value and ap- pearance, and won for it the name of being one of the best kept and most thoroughly cultivated farms in the township. He erected a new dwelling, barn, etc., and by careful management prospered in his farm work, ranking among the successful agricult- urists of his section. He died in 1884, and was sincerely mourned in the community with which he had so long been identified as a leading farmer and esteemed citizen.

George K. Slutter was married April 4. 1837, to Miss Anna Fenner, of Hamilton township, and their union was blessed with eight children, of whom we have the following record: (1) Margaret, born in Hamilton township, is the wife of Philip Runnell, a farmer of Ross, Monroe county, who was justice of the peace in his district for a number of years. They have two children, Alice (Mrs. Henry Rasley, of Bangor, Northampton Co., Penn.,) and Ella ( Mrs. James Straub, of Northampton county ). (2) Josiah, born in 1839, enlisted during the Civil war in Company A, 67th P. V. I., and participated in a number of engagements up to the battle of Win- chester, at which he was taken prisoner. He subsequently re-enlisted and was made captain of a "colored" company, holding that position to the close of his term of service. In 1878 he went to Texas,

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

where he purchased a large amount of land and has since remained, engaged in raising cotton and other Southern products. le is unmarried. (3) Em- line, born in 1842, is the wife of Eugene B. Marsh, a machinist, and has two children, Annie and John. They live in Hamilton. (4) Henry, born in 1845 enlisted at the age of twenty years in Company H, 214th P. V. I., was sworn into the service at Phila- delphia and taken to Steven's Station, thence to Summit Point and on to Winchester, where he was on duty for some time. His next move was to Washington, where the command went into winter quarters, and he received an honorable discharge in March, 1866, having served his country bravely and faithfully. He is now a member of Fenner Post No. 562, G. A. R., of Sciota. After his return home he married Miss Sarah Frankenfield, of Hamilton township, a daughter of Benjamin Frankenfield, and for a time they lived on the old homestead, he follow- ing his trade, that of millwright. In 1876he bought the Peter Williams farm, adjoining the homestead, which he has since cultivated, also engaging at his trade. He and his wife have a family of five children, John WV., Lillie, Annie, William and Ada. (5) Sarah C., born in 1847, married Peter Workheiser, of Hamilton, and died leaving two children, Carrie, and Eugene, who is married and lives at the old home. (6) Frank P., born in 1853, married Miss Mary Tidd, of Monroe county, and they have had five children, Nettie. Emma, George, Mamie and Dan- iel. They make their home with Mrs. Slutter, on the old homestead. (7) Ellen and (8) Mary E. died in childhood.

In religious connection Mr. Slutter united with the Reformed Church, of which his widow and chil- dren are also members, and he was an upright, Christian man, well deserving of the respect which was everywhere accorded him. Politically he was a Democrat of the old Jacksonian stripe, and his sons are all stanch members of the party. This memoir would be incomplete without some mention of Mr. Slutter's service during the Civil war, in which, as will be seen, two of his sons also partici- pated. He enlisted in 1861 as captain of Company D. 67th P. V. I., and served gallantly for nine months, when he was obliged to resign on account of ill health.

Mrs. Anna Slutter is the daughter of Henry and Margaret Fenner, the former of whom owned a gristmill and considerable property at Sciota, Ham- ilton township, where he and his wife died, Mr. Fenner passing away first. Their family consisted of eight children, of whom Barnett, the eldest, mar- ried and settled in Northampton county. Henry, now aged eighty-eight years, is a resident of Ham- ilton township. Joseph died young. Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph Felencer, of Cherry Valley. Margaret ( deceased ) was the wife of Abram Ealinger, of Stroudsburg. Sarah is the wife of George Sny- der. of Hamilton township. Katherine married Jer- ome Swartswood, of Hamilton. Anna is the widow of the subject of this sketch.

HON. JOSEPH J. HART, as editor of the Milford Dispatch, won an enviable reputation in the journalistic field, while he is even better known as a political manager. For a number of years he has been regarded as one of the most astute and efficient leaders in the local Democratic organization, and his career in Congress brought him national prominence. At present he is engaged in the insurance business in Milford.

The Hart family originated in England, and our subject's paternal grandfather, Robert Hart, was a graduate of the University at Oxford. In 1792 Robert Hart came to America from Hamburg, Ger- many, and settled upon a farm near Nyack, Rock- land Co., N. Y., and during the war of 1812 he served as Brigade Quartermaster on the staff of Brig .- Gen. Peter S. Van Orden. He married Phœbe Johnson, daughter of Joseph Johnson, a Revolution- ary soldier, who was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. Five children were born of this union: Henry, Joseph, Sarah ( Mrs. Leonard Hazeltine), Isaac, and Phœbe, who died in childhood.

Col. Isaac Hart, our subject's father, was born at Nyack, and became a successful agriculturist there. He was active in political affairs, and al- though he repeatedly declined to hold public office, he took a keen interest in military matters, serving as colonel of the 160th New York State Militia in 1848- 49. He died in 1874, at the age of sixty-six, and his remains were interred in Oak Hill cemetery in ·Nyack. His estimable wife, whose maiden name was Nellie Williamson, was born in 1824 at Nyack, and since 1885 has resided at Shohola Falls, Pike Co., Penn., with her elder son, Garret W., who mar- ried a Miss Ward.

Our subject was born April 18, 1859, at Nyack, the younger of the two sons of Isaac and Nellie Hart. He passed his early boyhood upon the old farm, beginning his education in the local schools, and later he attended Charlier Institute, New York City, where he was graduated in 1876. He imme- ditely took a position as clerk and bookkeeper in a grain warehouse in Brooklyn, N. Y., remaining four years, and on his return to Nyack he purchased the City and Country, a leading newspaper of that sec- tion. From the first he took an active interest in politics, and he had not been in Nyack one year be- fore he was elected village trustee, without opposi- tion. In 1883 he retired from the paper and re- moved to Shohola Falls, Pike Co., Penn., where he engaged in the lumber business.

In 1885 he was united in marriage with Mar- garet A., daughter of Robert Gedney, Esq., of Nyack, N. Y., and granddaughter of the late Capt. Isaac P. Smith, well known as one of the pioneer steamboat owners on the Hudson river. During her husband's service in Congress Mrs. Hart was promi- nent in the social life at the National capital. Two children were born to this marriage: Helen Gedney and Percy Williamson, both attending school at Mil- ford. Subsequently he purchased the "Col. Page farm," near Milford, and became interested in real

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 13

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