Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 130

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 130
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 130
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 130
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 130

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After the death of his mother our subject was bound out to Isaac Myers, of Lake Ariel. He had attended school previous to that time, but the knowledge he has since gained has been acquired mainly by his own unaided efforts. At the age of thirteen years, while on his way to Hawley to dis- pose of some berries, he slipped from the train at the foot of No. 14, light tract of the Pennsylvania Gravity Coal Co., and was run over, his left leg being broken at two different places above the ankle. He was taken to the home of a neighbor, who cared for him for eight months, until he re- covered, and in the meantime his step-father had married again and moved to Moscow, where our subject joined him. A month later he entered the service of R. E. Wardell, working for his board and clothes for two years. Then, at the age of sixteen years, he secured a position with David Dale, a lumberman of Daleville, Penn., driving oxen in the lumber woods for a few months, and the next summer worked on a farm in Lackawanna county, tending hops. The following fall he en- tered the clothes-pin factory of Staples & Brown, where he operated a lathe for one year, then had charge of the gang-saw for a year, and at the end of that time was promoted to engineer of the fac- tory, which position he held several months, or

until the mill was closed by the sheriff. For three months he held a similar position in S. Kistler & Bros.' clothes-pin factory in Monroe county, Pem., when the old mill was re-opened returning to it as engineer, and he remained there until February, 1883, when he went to Scranton, Penn., and was made fireman on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. A year later he moved to Bing- hamton, N. Y., and was fireman on a fast passen- ger train between that place and Washington, N. J., until January, 1888, when he was transferred to Scranton and made engineer of a coal and freight train. On August 24, 1894, when the present branch of the road was completed, he removed to Montrose, and has since had charge of a train run- ning between that place and Alford. He was en- gineer on the first train which passed over this branch on its completion.

At Moscow, Penn., May 28, 1881, Mr. Spence married Miss Delia Hay, who was born at Houser Mill, Monroe Co., Penn., in 1863, a daughter of Hiram and Maria (Bounser) Hay, also natives of that county. Her father now conducts a hotel in Ef- fort, Monroe county. To Mr. and Mrs. Spence have come three children: Earl R., born in Bing- hamton, N. Y., September 10, 1887, who died in Scranton, Penn., July 27, 1888; Ernest R., born November 27, 1889; and Fenella R., born Janu- ary 23, 1896.

Mr. Spence was a charter member of the Broth- erhood of Locomotive Firemen at Binghamton, N. Y., and later transferred his membership to Acme Lodge No. 228, of Scranton, where he served as chairman of the grievance committee. He was a delegate to the second biennial convention, held at San Francisco, Cal., September 8, 1890; he is now a member of Division No. 305, Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers, at Hallstead, Penn., and of Warren Lodge No. 240, F. & A. M., of Montrose. He is an active and prominent member of the Meth- · odist Episcopal Church of that city ; was president of the Epworth League four terms; and is now a director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Montrose. He affiliates with the Republican par- ty, and was appointed a member of the town coun- cil, to fill an unexpired term ending in February, 1898. He was then elected to that office, and is now chairman of the committee on Sidewalks and Streets. Mr. Spence is a self-educated as well as a self-made man, and was taught to write on shavings in the clothes-pin factory where he was employed, being aided by the foreman of the factory, an old school teacher, who secured the position for him and ever took considerable interest in his welfare. Mr. Spence is now an elegant penman, and is a well informed man, keeping thoroughly abreast of the times, and commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

R. G. FRINK, the present well-known burgess of New Milford, was born in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, in 1856, a son of Tracy and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Harriet (Griffis) Frink. His paternal grandfather, Benijah Frink, was a native of Connecticut, and when a young man came to Susquehanna county, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life, taking up land and en- gaging in agricultural pursuits. Here he married Nancy Hancock, who was born in Susquehanna county, near Wyalusing, and to them were born four sons: Orin, who died in Scranton, Penn., about 1877 ; Isaac, who died in Potter county, Penn .; Tracy, father of our subject; and William, a resi- dent of Scranton.

Tracy Frink was born in Auburn township, in 1809, was there reared on a farm, and acquired his education in the public schools. In Jessup township he married Harriet Griffis, a native of the latter township and a daughter of Robert and Lydia Griffis, who were among the pioneers of Jessup township. Mr. Frink, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, continued to live in Auburn township until 1866, when he removed to New Milford township, making his home there until called to his final rest, January 28, 1887. He was a stanch Republican in politics, and was called upon to fill several town- ship offices of honor and trust. His wife died Janu- ary 18, 1887. In their family were three children, of whom our subject is the youngest, the others be- ing Mrs. Lucy Frink, of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county ; and Edith, wife of R. M. Bushnell, of Auburn township.

R. G. Frink spent the first ten years of his life in Auburn township, and in 1866 accompanied the family on their removal to New Milford township, where he grew to manhood and was educated. With the exception of two years, devoted to the harness business in Herrick township, he was engaged in farming in New Milford township until 1893, when he removed to the village of New Milford.

In Uniondale, Herrick township, Mr. Frink was married. in 1880, to Miss Ella Louise Darrow. She was born in Clifford township, and her parents, Orlando and Guyelma (Barringer) Darrow, were also natives of Susquehanna county, the former born in Bridgewater township, the latter in Great Bend township. To our subject and his wife has been born one child, Florence.

Mr. Frink is one of the prominent and influen- tial leaders of the Republican party in his commu- nity, and does all in his power to promote its in- terests. In February, 1897, he was elected burgess of New Milford, to succeed F. G. Inderlied, and was sworn into office during the following March. All that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorsement. Socially he is a member of Cana- wacto Lodge No. 207, I. O. O. F.

AUGUSTUS DARROW is a prominent and influential citizen of Bridgewater township, Sus- quehanna county, residing on the farm where he was born December 16, 1840, a son of Daniel Dar- row, who was born in the same township, in 1805. The grandfather, John Darrow, was a native of

Connecticut, and was of English descent. He aided the Colonies in their successful struggle for inde- pendence during the war of the Revolution, and was present at the Wyoming massacre. He was one of the first settlers of Susquehanna county, and in common with other pioneers endured all the hard- ships and trials incident to life on the frontier. He married Miss Martha Herrick, and to them were born fourteen children, some of whom died young, the others being William, Mrs. Electa Griffin, Mrs. Polly Dowd, Mrs. Phoebe Green, Amos, Royal, Herrick, Daniel, John and Dennison.

Amidst pioneer scenes Daniel Darrow, our sub- ject's father, grew to manhood on the home farm, and during his early life he assisted in the arduous task of clearing the wild land and transforming it into productive fields. He married Miss Angeline Beebe, who proved to him a good wife and help- meet. She is a native of Susquehanna county, and a daughter of Joseph Beebe. Five children blessed this union: Ellen (Mrs. Backus), Coleman T., Oscar B., Augustus, and Horace (deceased). The father died at Montrose, Susquehanna county, at the age of eighty-seven years, honored and respect- ed by all who knew him; the mother is still living, at the age of eighty-two.

Augustus Darrow was reared to habits of in- dustry and honesty upon the old homestead, where he is now living, and was provided with good school privileges. He is a progressive farmer, and has met with excellent success in the management of his place, which comprises 164 acres, under good culti- vation and well improved. Politically he is a sup- porter of the Democratic party, and his aid is never withheld from any object which he believes calculat- ed to prove of public benefit. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and socially he is quite pop- ular with a host of friends and acquaintances.

On November 8, 1870, Mr. Darrow was united in marriage with Miss Martha Cole, a native of Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county, and a daughter of Ebenezer Cole, one of the early settlers of that township, who was born in Connecticut, and died February 12, 1854, at the age of seventy-eight years. By his first wife, Nancy Sullard, Mr. Cole had the folowing children: Nelson, Nancy, Ruby, Olive, Sallie, Lydia, Erastis, Lurisis and Joseph. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Rosekranz and to them were born six children: Elanson (a soldier of the Civil war), Eliza, Mary, John, Martha, and Phœbe. The mother of these, who was an 'earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died March 17, 1894, at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Darrow have an interesting family of three children, namely : Leroy H. (also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows), Lizzie W. and Bruce Cleveland.

WOOSTER B. CHURCHILL, an energetic and progressive agriculturist of Herrick township, Susquehanna county, was born October II, 1849,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in Greenfield township, Luzerne (now Lackawanna ) county, a son of Abraham and Margaret ( Clark- son ) Churchill, residents of Lenoxville, Susque- hanna county. The father was born in Herrick township, January 16, 1821, a son of William and Basheba ( Williams ) Churchill, early settlers of that township, where they continued to make their home until death. The latter was a native of Rhode Isl- and and a descendant of Roger Williams. Our subject's mother was born in England, February 2, 1825, and in 1833 was brought to America by her parents, James C. and Isabella ( Bigland ) Clark- son, who located first in Greenfield township, Lu- zerne Co., Penn., but later removed to Lenox town- ship, Susquehanna county, where they died. Abra- ham Churchill is a farmer and fruit grower by occu- pation, is a Prohibitionist in politics, and has most efficiently served as constable, auditor, school di- rector, and collector in his township. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their children, Carvasso is manager for a medicine company in Philadelphia ; Abraham W. died young; Wooster B. is our sub- ject ; Isabella is the wife of D. K. Lee, a merchant and carpenter of Carbondale, Penn .; Abraham W. is a farmer of Briscoe, Texas; and Melvina E. died at the age of eight years.

On leaving home, at the age of twenty-one years, Wooster B. Churchill worked as a farm hand for two and a half years, and then worked for his father one year. On January 29, 1873, in Clifford township, Susquehanna county, he married Miss Hulda Bennett, who was born in Lenoxville, same county, February 23, 1852, a daughter of Benjamin Bennett. To this union four children were born, namely: William F .; George R., who died young ; Grace, a school teacher, residing at home; and Frederick L., at home. After his marriage Mr. Churchill operated three different farms in Lenox township, Susquehanna county, which he rented, and also lived for a time in Clifford township, in the spring of 1892 purchasing his present farm in Herrick township from G. E. Burdick, and he has since devoted his time and attention to its further improvement and cultivation. It comprises 108 acres of valuable land, and the well-tilled fields plainly indicate his careful supervision and good business ability. The farm is pleasantly located on Elk Mountain, and is one of the highest, in point of elevation, in the State. Politically Mr. Churchill is a supporter of the Prohibition party, and while a resident of Lenox township he filled the offices of school director and auditor. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now serv- ing as steward of same.

ELIJAH L. ADAMS, justice of the peace and retired agriculturist of Auburn township, Susque- hanna county, has been prominent in the affairs of his locality, both as a prosperous business man and an able public official, and his repeated election to positions of trust is sufficient evidence of the esteem

in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He is a native of the township, born August 4, 1824, on the farm where he still makes his home, son of Chester and Susan (Sherwood) Adams, who came hither from Litchfield, Connecticut.

Chester Adams was born in 1779, and came to Pennsylvania in 1802, taking up land in what was then a wilderness. He made a clearing for a log cabin, and other preparations for settling on the farm in Auburn township, though he did not make a permanent home thereon until 1805, meanwhile living in Tunkhannock, where he worked at the car- penter's trade. He was one of the three first free- holders in Auburn township, was active in local public affairs, was the second postmaster at Auburn Four Corners, and also held various township of- fices, serving as school director, supervisor and col- lector with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was first a Jacksonian Democrat, but afterward a Republican in sentiment. Chester Adams passed away in 1861, at the age of eighty- two years, his wife, who survived until 1867, dying at the same age. Their remains rest in the Frink burying-ground. Mr. Adams was a Universalist in religious connection, but his wife was not a member of Church. They were the parents of the follow- ing named children: Cyrus, deceased ; Chester, de- ceased; Mahala, Mrs. William Cunningham, who died in 1898; Betsey, Mrs. William Way, deceased ; Thomas, deceased; Julia, Mrs. Isaac Bissewell, de- ceased ; Lydia, Mrs. David Roberts, deceased ; Elijah L .; and Susan, wife of John Millgrove, a retired farmer of Jackson county, Iowa.

Elijah L. Adams has passed his entire life in the place of his birth. Being the youngest son, he remained on the home farm. In 1851 he began ag- ricultural pursuits on his own account, purchasing, from G. W. Bushnell, thirty-three acres of land at Auburn Four Corners, the same year building thereon a hotel which he carried on successfully for a period of eleven years. For the next eleven years he turned his attention to merchandising, and he afterward devoted himself exclusively to farm- ing, though he has lived retired since 1898. Mr. Adams prospered in all his business undertakings, by dint of perseverance and good management, and he has been progressive as well as enterprising, keeping abreast of the times in his chosen vocation and matters of general interest. As above stated, he has been frequently honored with election to of- fices of responsibility, and he has served creditably as postmaster (for fifteen years), supervisor, poor director, auditor, member of the school committee, and justice of the peace, being first chosen to the last-named incumbency in 1881, since when he has acted continuously with the exception of one term. He was one of the poor commissioners who established the Auburn and Rush township poor- house, located in Rush township. In 1863 he enlist- ed in the 36th P. V. I. as emergency man, and helped to clear the battlefield and guard prisoners

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i. L. Adams

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

at Gettysburg. Mr. Adams' record in both public and private life is above reproach, and he is re- garded as one of the substantial, worthy citizens of the town in which he resides, meriting the respect which has ever been accorded him, and the success which has attended him in a business way. His political support has been given to the Republican party. In religious faith he is a Universalist, as was his father before him. He is a member of the G. A. R.

On December 24, 1851,'Squire Adams was mar- ried, at Auburn Four Corners, to Miss Phœbe Ann Bushnell, and to this union have been born children as follows: Arthur E., a salesman, of Baltimore, Md., who married Miss Sarah James, of Rush town- ship, and has six children ; Jessie B., who is married to Prof. B. E. James, of Montrose, Penn., and has two children; and John Q., living with his parents, who married Charlotte F. Fargo, and has one child. Mrs. Adams was born May 6, 1833, in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, daughter of Capt. David and Thirza (Hitchcock) Bushnell, who were natives of Saybrook, Conn., and Greene county, N. Y., respectively. Capt. Bushnell was captain of sea craft during his earlier years, and after settling in Susquehanna county followed farming. He died April 5, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife in September, 1890, at the age of ninety-five; their remains rest in Bunnell's cemetery. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of deacon for many years. Of their children, John M. is a retired farmer of Auburn township; Rowena, Mrs. Floyd Kellogg, died at the age of twenty-three; David L. died at Auburn; George W. is a retired leather merchant of Scranton, Penn .; Lemuel H. is a re- tired farmer of Springville township; Perry C. is a merchant at Auburn Four Corners ; Phœbe A. is the wife of our subject; Harriet became the wife of Henry Ross, a farmer of Auburn township; Julia G. married Abel Arnold, a farmer of Brad- ford county, Penn. Mrs. Adams' paternal grand- parents were Ezra and Patience (Lord) Bushnell, of Connecticut, where he died, and she subsequently came to Susquehanna county to pass the remainder of her days with her son. Her maternal grand- father, Lemuel Hitchcock, a Revolutionary soldier, was originally a resident of Connecticut, removing thence to Greene county, New York.

DAVID S. MICHAEL, an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Clifford township, Susquehanna county, who is engaged in general farming and also acts as pension agent, was born in the same town- ship, about two miles from his present home, Feb- ruary 6, 1841, a son of John M. and Margaret (Reece) Michael, who were born, reared and mar- ried in Wales. His paternal grandfather, Morgan Michael, was a farmer in that country, and there spent his entire life. The maternal grandfather, Reece Reece, was also a lifelong resident of Wales,

where, as superintendent, he had charge of a gen- tleman's estate.

In 1832 the parents of our subject emigrated to America, and first located in Carbondale, Penn., two years later coming to Clifford township, Susque- hanna county, and making their home in the Welsh settlement, on the farm where our subject now re- sides. In 1853 they removed to Pittston, Penn., where the father served as superintendent of a large farm for the Pennsylvania Coal Co. At Carbondale he had worked in the coal mines. He died at Pitts- ton, in August, 1856, at the age of forty-nine years, and was buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at that place. His wife survived him many years, dy- ing on the home farm in Clifford township, August 16, 1882, at the age of seventy-five, and her remains were interred in the Manzer cemetery, in South Gib- son. Both were earnest and faithful members of the Welsh Congregational Church, and the father was a teacher in the Sunday-school for many years. In their family were children as follows: Mar- garet, wife of William Owen, a farmer of Gibson township; Ann, deceased wife of Jeremiah Davis; Morgan, who was killed in the coal mines in 1851 ; Mary, deceased wife of Alamander Felton; Ellen, deceased wife of Judson Chamberlin ; David S., our subject; William, a farmer of Clifford township; and Joseph, deceased.

David S. Michael was reared upon the home farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. At the opening of the Civil war he served as deputy in the recruiting office for three months, and on November 13, 1861, enlisted at Scranton, Penn., in Company G, 77th P. V. I., under Captain Alex- ander Phillips. After being mustered in at Pitts- burg, he went to the front, and participated in the battles of Shiloh and Perryville, Ky. During the latter engagement he was wounded in the hip by a piece of shell and sent to the hospital in Louisville, Ky. Being unfit for active service in the field, he was made orderly sergeant at the barracks, then at the corner of Seventh and Main streets, Louisville, in the fall of 1862, and held different offices there for some time. While acting as chief clerk, in 1863, he was attacked by a deserter, who plunged a dag- ger into him three times, as he was calling the roll, having 1,000 men in line at the time. His would-be assassin was finally overpowered, but it required four men to do it. Our subject was left in a dan- gerous condition, and was not expected to live for some time. He was finally discharged, at Pitts- burg, Penn., December 7, 1864, and returned to his home, a cripple. The following year he took con- tracts for delivering coal at Pittston, and was then superintendent of the rolling stock for the same length of time, after which, in 1869, he located upon his present farm in Clifford township. Since then he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits with the exception of five years, from 1872 to 1877, when he again had charge of the rolling stock at Pittston and superintended the carpenter work for the coal company.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

On March 9, 1865, in Gibson township, Susque- hanna county, Mr. Michael was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Pickering, and to them have been born the following children: Mary E., wife of C. W. Lewis, a blacksmith and wagonmaker of South Gibson : Jennie B., wife of Lyman Bell, a farmer of Clifford township: David A., who mar- ried E. Maud Manzer, and is engaged in farming ; Benjamin F., a school teacher, residing at home; William W., who married Grace Brundage, and is engaged in farming in Gibson township; Charles W., who wedded Mary E. Maxey, and follows school teaching in South Gibson; Howard G. and Harry B., both at home. Mrs. Michael was born in Gibson township, October 20, 1842, a daughter of William and Mary (Tiffany) Pickering, natives of Gibson township, Susquehanna county, and Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, respectively. Her parents both died in the former place, the father in September, 1883, aged sixty-four years, the mother in February, 1889, aged seventy-five years, and were buried in Manzer cemetery, that township. They were active members of the Baptist Church, and in politics the father was a Republican. He often acted as deputy for sheriffs, and filled the offices of con- stable and collector of his township for many years. By occupation he was a farmer. Mrs. Michael is the eldest in a family of three children, the others being Auldin S., who died in Herrick township, Sus- quehanna county, in 1898; and William F., a farmer of that township. Her paternal grandparents, Pre- served and Nancy ( Whitney ) Pickering, came to Susquehanna county from Rhode Island, and settled in Gibson township, where they spent their remain- ing days. The grandfather was a farmer, carpenter and joiner. The maternal grandparents, John and Sarah (Bigelow) Tiffany, natives of Connecticut, were early settlers of Wayne county, Penn., where both died.

Socially Mr. Michael is an honored member of the Grand Army Post of South Gibson, serving as post commander or adjutant since the date of its organization in 1885, and for the past fifteen years he has most acceptably filled the position of pension agent. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and is a recognized leader in local politics. He has served as school director six years ; township treasurer and road master for one year each ; held a position, by appointment, in the House of Representatives at Harrisburg, during 1889-90 ; and in 1890 was appointed census enumer- ator for Clifford township and the borough of Dun- daff. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and justly merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.

GEORGE W. NOBLE is a leading citizen of Springville township, Susquehanna county, with whose agricultural interests he has been identified throughout his active business life. The family was originally from Vermont, in which State Enoch

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 130

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