Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 135

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 135
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 135
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 135
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 135

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HARRY PETERS is one of the proprietors of the "Peters House," a first-class hotel in all its ap- pointments, pleasantly situated at Bushkill, Pike county, only a half mile from the Delaware river, two miles from Bushkill Falls, where the water falls ninety feet into a beautiful glen, and about the same distance from Pond Run Falls.

The business was commenced here in 1861 by the father of our subject, who erected a hotel con- taining about ten sleeping rooms ; but it has been en- larged and improved from time to time until it is now a handsome structure containing seventy-five rooms, supplied with water and all the accessories of a model hotel. It is only twelve miles from Stroudsburg, Penn., on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, also the New York & Susque- hanna railroad, and thirty miles from Port Jervis, N. Y., and is now most successfully conducted by our subject, his brother Edward and their mother. They also have an excellent farm of 100 acres under cultivation, from which they supply their table with fresh vegetables which are much better than the markets afford.

Harry Peters was born at his present home April 12, 1859, a son of Charles R. and Elizabeth (Coolbaugh) Peters, the former of whom was also born and reared at the old home. The mother was born in Monroe county, May 26, 1819. In addition to his hotel business the father also followed agri- cultural pursuits, and at the polls he always support- ed the men and measures of the Democratic party. Upright and honorable in all things, he gained the confidence and good will of all who knew him. He died December 2, 1867, at the age of forty-five, and was buried in Bushkill cemetery. The mother makes her home with her sons. In the family were five children: Edwin, who is engaged in the hotel business with our subject; Elizabeth and John, de- ceased ; Harry, of this review, and Van C., who mar- ried Eva Knighton, and is engaged in the tannery business in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

The first of the Peters family to come to Amer- ica was the great-great-grandmother of our subject, who sailed from Holland, her native land, with her three sons, Peter, John and Henry, and located in Philadelphia where they were sold to pay their pas- sage. Peter Peters became the father of five children, namely : John, George, Henry, Betsy and Polly. Of these, Henry Peters, our subject's grand- father, was married in Middle Smithfield township,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Monroe county, to Sarah Gonzales, then eighteen years of age, and shortly afterward they removed to Bushkill, the present home of the family, where he served as postmaster many years, and was engaged in lumbering and farming. He died March 27. 1857, at the age of seventy-two years, his wife in 1890, at the extreme age of ninety-six, and both were buried in Bushkill cemetery. Both were mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, and the grandfather was a Democrat in politics. Their chil- diren were: Elizabeth, who died in March, 1857, aged fifty-five years; Elsa, deceased wife of Hon. Henry H. La Bar, associate judge; Charles R., father of our subject; Delinda P., deceased wife of Hon. Henry S. Mott : Maria L., who died August 2, 1899; Catherine, widow of Frank Eilenberg, and a resident of Bushkill; Samuel G., who is repre- sented elsewhere, and William N., a retired mer- chant of Easton, Penn., who married Lena Mackey.

Harry Peters grew to manhood at his parents home, and in January, 1881, at Bushkill, married Miss Adelaide Quick, a native of that place, and a daughter of Webb and Sarah E. ( Heller ) Quick. Three children bless this union : Charles E., Wal- ter Gi. and Adelaide L.

DAVID C. TRACH, M. D. The study of biography yields in point of interest and profit to no other study, for it is here that we learn how success has been achieved, the plans that have been followed, the methods that have been pursued. In the life record of Dr. Trach are contained many valuable les- sons, showing what may be accomplished by young men in this free country, though they have no capital with which to start out on life's journey. Through his own efforts he has risen to a position of prom- inence among his professional brethren, and now enjoys a large and lucrative practice in Kresgeville, Monroe county, and surrounding country.

The Doctor was born May 9, 1867, at Gilberts, Chestnut Hill township. Monroe county, where his father, Elias Trach, who is represented elsewhere, still resides. Reared upon the home farm, our sub- ject obtained his primary education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and at the age of seven- teen entered the Fairview Academy, at Brodheads- ville, where he pursued his studies at intervals for three years, in the meantime teaching school at Middle Creek and Gilberts, Monroe county, to earn the money to defray the expenses of his own educa- tion. He also clerked in a mercantile store at Weissport for one year, and learned the blacksmith's trade of his father. It was his father's desire that he should remain at home, but he had determined to adopt the medical profession as his life work, and for one and one-half years studied under the direc- tion of Dr. E. A. Gearhart, at Kresgeville. He then attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., where he was graduated in 1891, and since that time he has been successfully engaged in active practice at Kresgeville. He not only paid for his own education, which cost about

$1,800, but purchased his present comfortable home at the same price, and now has money out at interest. He has that true love for his work, without which there can be no success, and has always been a pro- gressive physician, constantly improving on his own and others' methods and gaining further encourage- ment and inspiration from the performance of each day's duties. The Doctor has served as school di- rector and gives support to the Democratic party. Religiously he is a member of the Reformed Church, and socially he affiliates with the Patriotic Order Sons of America and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

At Kresgeville, May 27, 1891, Dr. Trach mar- ried Miss Edna E. Kunkle, a native of that place, and to them have been born three children: Miriam F., who died at the age of two years and three months : Ruth C. ; and Thomas Latimer K.

William Kunkle, Mrs. Trach's father, was born on the old family homestead in Polk township, Mon- roe county, August 8, 1841, a son of John and Sallie ( Kresge) Kunkle. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and on leaving the parental roof, in 1861, located upon his present farm in Polk township. He has met with success in his life work and is now quite well-to-do. He is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. In Polk township he was married, Febru- ary 28, 1859, to Eleanor Keller, who was born in Northampton county, Penn., February 13, 1838, a daughter of Peter and Lucy A. Keller, also natives of that county, whence they came to Polk township, Monroe county, in 1848. Her father, who was a miller by trade, died here in 1888, aged seventy- three years, the mother in 1898, aged eighty-three, and both were buried in the Trachsville cemetery. They were members of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches, respectively. Their children were La- vine, a blacksmith of Polk township; Eleanor, mother of Mrs. Trach ; Maria, wife of George Detot, of Kansas City, Mo. : Edwin, a farmer of Polk town- ship, Monroe county; Susannah, wife of Henry Roth, of Slatington, Penn. ; Jane, wife of Samuel Wolfe, of Kresgeville; and Henry, Lewis and Oliver, all deceased. Children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle as follows: Emeline, deceased ; Cath- erine, wife of Jacob Sebring, a farmer of Carbon county, Penn .; Elmira, deceased ; James, a farmer of Minnesota ; Alvin, who married Clara Christman, and resides in Coplay, Penn .; Sarah, deceased wife of Alvin Santee ; Lillian, wife of John Fletcher, who conducts a bakery in Sayre, Penn .; William, at home ; Edna E., wife of our subject ; Frances, de- ceased ; Sulie, a resident of Nazareth, Penn. ; Jennie, deceased ; and Cora and Clinton, both at home.

J. WALTER HURST, one of the most thor- ough and systematic general farmers of Westfall township, Pike county, was born in Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn., November 17, 1848, a son of Benjamin L. and Frances ( Wagner) Hurst.

The father was born in England May 8, 1819,

DC Track My.D.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

whence in 1824 he was brought to America by his parents, John and Mary (Lees) Hurst, who settled in Luzerne county, Penn., where they spent their remaining years, the former following mining. Benjamin L. was the eldest of their three children, the others being: Sarah B., a resident of Hazelton, Penn .; and Mary J., wife of William James of the same place. The father of our subject was reared in the coal regions of Luzerne county, and from the age of eighteen up to the time of his death, which occurred at Brooklyn, N. Y., May 26, 1890, he was employed as a railroad engineer, being the oldest in America when called from this life. The mother was born August 17, 1817, on a part of the present farm of our subject, and died February 14, 1886. Her parents were Frederick and Catherine (Ken- ard) Wagner, natives of Holland, who on coming to this country located at Plains, Luzerne Co., Penn., where her father engaged in farming. Their chil- dren were: Peter; Paul; William; James; Ziba ; Frances; Mary, wife of James Stark; Margaret A., wife of William Gardner; Elizabeth, wife of Will- iam Appel ; and Louise, wife of C. Stark, a brother of James. Our subject is the third in order of birth in a family of four children, the others being as fol- lows: James, who married Juliette Piatt, and was drowned December 2, 1868; and William and Mary J., who are living together on a part of the old home farm.

In 1864 J. Walter Hurst came with his mother to his present farm, which she had purchased a few years previously, and upon which her son James lo- cated when it was almost an unbroken wilderness. Prior to this time our subject had worked in a stone quarry for one year, but since then has devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying results. In connection with his brother and sister he owns 400 acres of valuable land, mostly covered with timber. He is an exten- sive reader, and is well posted on the leading ques- tions and topics of the day, and is a supporter of the Democratic party.

At Dingman's Ferry, Pike county, September 20, 1882, Mr. Hurst wedded Miss Mary A. Holden, a daughter of John and Ellen Holden. She was a native of Lancashire, England, and died August 13, 1896, at the age of thirty-six years, being laid to rest in the cemetery of Ellenville, Ulster Co., N. Y. The children born of this union were: Harry L., deceased ; and Frank B., Walter B., Frances M. and Daniel, all at home.

S. R. HAZELTON finds an appropriate place in the history of those men of business and enter- prise in Pike county, whose force of character, whose sterling integrity, whose fortitude amid dis- couragements, whose good sense in the management of complicated affairs and marked success in estab- lishing large industries and bringing to completion great schemes of trade and profit that contributed in an eminent degree to the development of the vast resources of this section of the State. His

career has not been helped by accident or luck, or wealth or family or powerful friends. He is, in- deed, a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortune.

Richard Hazelton, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and when a young man came to America, afterward en- gaging in farming in Wayne county, Penn. There he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Thorp, a native of Philadelphia. Their son, Phin- eas Hazelton, father of our subject, was born in Sterling township (now Dreher), Wayne county, March 10, 1841, and died February 2, 1889. He was married in Salem township, that county, to Miss Mary Hopps, a daughter of Samuel and Mar- tha (Dilworth) Hopps. Her maternal grandpar- ents were Anthony and Martha ( Hanna) Dilworth. Her father, Samuel Hopps, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, of Scotch-English ancestry, and came to the New World in 1850, taking up his resi- dence in Greene township, Pike Co., Penn., where he engaged in farming and also worked at his trade, that of a gunsmith. He died in January, 1881, his wife in August, 1874. Our subject is the eldest child in his father's family, the others being as fol- lows : George W., born July 20, 1867, married Cora Ebber, and lives in Wilkes Barre, Penn. ; F. G., born July 29, 1869, married Margaret Gilpin, and lives in Greene township, Pike county ; . Sarah M., born March 26, 1871, is living in Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn. ; P. T., born May 10, 1873, is employed in western Pennsylvania ; E. E., born March 7, 1875, makes his home with our subject, and assists in the lumbering business ; Lizzie A., born June 13, 1877, is the wife of Joseph Sanders, of Greene township, Pike county ; and Augusta L., born July 2, 1880, lives with our subject.

S. R. Hazelton was born in Sterling township, Wayne county, October 26, 1865, and when a mere boy found employment in the lumber woods. At the age of twenty-two years he purchased a half- interest in a mill and timber tract in Dreher town- ship, Wayne county, commonly known as the Owl Hoot property, and this establishment he continued to operate for some years. On the death of his parents the care of his younger brothers and sisters fell upon him, and through his efforts the family were kept together until old enough to provide for themselves. Selling the Owl Hoot property in 1892, he embarked in the mercantile business at Green- town, Greene township, Pike county, but since 1894 he has rented his store. In the latter year he pur- chased a half-interest in a lumber plant, consisting of 2,700 acres of timber land, on which he erected, at his own expense, a sawmill which the firm has since operated, being engaged in sawing lumber and in the manufacture of umbrella handles, dowels, etc. The plant is built in a pleasant valley of Palmyra township, Pike county, and is surrounded by a dense forest ; in fact there is sufficient timber on the leased lands to keep the mill busy for the next eight years. The mill turns out one million feet of sound lumber

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yearly, besides thousands of umbrella handles, etc., and in the past three years this establishment has sold $25,000 worth of dowels. During the winter season thirty-five men are employed, besides almost as many teams, and during the contract season these numbers are nearly doubled. Besides this business Mr. Hazelton is also interested in the Gouldsboro Ice Company at Gouldsboro, Wayne county, and has met with marked success in all his undertakings. lle erected an elegant home in 1896, and in time hopes to convert his place into a resort for tourists as this locality abounds in rabbits, pheasants, foxes, etc., besides larger game, and the many streams and ponds are well stocked with fish.

On June 8, 1894, at Lopez, Sullivan Co., Penn., Mr. Hazelton married Miss Esther E. Crump, a

In his political affiliations Mr. Hazelton is a stanch Republican, and he has capably filled some minor offices, while he is now serving on the school board and as postmaster at Crosses, to which posi- tion he was appointed November 16, 1897. Socially he has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1892, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America since 1895 ; religiously he and his wife are leading members of and active workers in the Methodist Protestant Church at East Sterling, Wayne county.

WALTER VETTERLEIN, an enterprising agriculturist of Palmyra township, Pike county, is the owner of a fine farm, and his management of the estate is marked by the scientific knowledge and skill which characterize the modern farmer.

Our subject comes of a good old German family, his grandfather being August Vetterlein, a native of Saxony, where he was married and always re- mained employed in the manufacture of porcelain ware. The father, Henry Vetterlein, was born in Saxony, in 1831, and on his emigration to this coun- try, in 1856, located in New York City, where he was employed for three years as an assistant in beautifying Central Park. He then purchased a farm on Long Island, but after engaging in agri- cultural pursuits for a short time he sold out and embarked in the flour and feed business in New

York City. In 1876 he removed to Palmyra town- ship, Pike Co., Penn., where he bought a farm, and with his son spent his remaining days. In New York City he married Miss Henrietta Miller, also a native of Saxony, Germany, who died in 1857. His death occurred in Palmyra township, in Decem- ber, 1888.

Walter Vetterlein was born in New York City, May 11, 1856, and there he grew to manhood. He was a valuable assistant in all his father's undertak- ings, and when the latter died he took charge of the farm in Palmyra township, where he is now success- fully engaged in both general farming and dairying. This place consists of two hundred acres, about one- third of which is tillable and under excellent culti- vation. In connection with the operation of his farm Mr. Vetterlein also acts as agent for farming implements and fertilizers.

In Palmyra township Mr. Vetterlein was mar- ried by Rev. B. Krusi, a German Presbyterian min- ister, to Miss Wilhelmina Buehler. Her parents, Christopher and Catherine (Gardner) Buehler, were born, reared and married in Wurtemberg, Germany, and the children that grace their union are: Fred- ericka, wife of Lewis Singer, a farmer of Palmyra township ; Frederick, who is married and is employed in a steel mill in Chicago, Ill. ; Wilhelmina, who was born April 5, 1871, and is now the wife of our sub- ject : Katie, the wife of Peter Falter, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and William, who is employed as a machinist in that city. The children born to our subject and his wife are: Henry, Frederica, Louise, Alma and Hildegard.

In the exercise of his elective franchise Mr. Vetterlein supports the Democracy, and on his party ticket he has been elected to the offices of school di- rector, township clerk, assessor, collector and treas- urer, also a member of the election board, all of which incumbencies he has most creditably and sat- isfactorily filled. Religiously he holds membership in the German Presbyterian Church, and socially belongs to the Masonic fraternity and a branch order of the American Mechanics.

CHARLES LOUIS FRANK, one of the most progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Blooming Grove township, Pike county, was born in Saxony, Germany, August 4, 1840, and is a son of Ernst Ferdinand and Caroline Frank. The father was also a native of Saxony, born in 1800, and in that country engaged in the manufacture of flutes and other musical instruments until the emigration of the family to America in 1851. Locating in Bloom- ing Grove township, Pike Co., Penn., he purchased property, and to some extent engaged in farming, though he still continued to make musical instru- ments, New York offering a ready market for the same. He died in that township May 9, 1876; his widow passed away December 10, 1897.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children : Augusta, deceased wife of Jacob Averley, of Paupack township, Wayne Co., Penn .;

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

William, a molder by trade, who is living near Bloomingfield, Sussex Co., N. J. ; Herman, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Fritz, widow of Peter Felter, of Scranton, Penn .; Caroline, wife of Peter Wimtz, of Scranton, a shoemaker by trade; Tillie, widow of John Reed, of Scranton; Rosa, widow of George Lewis, of the same place ; Charles Louis, the subject of this sketch; Bertha, wife of Francis Singer, of Palmyra township, Pike county ; Gust, who married a Miss Blooss, and is living in Blooming Grove township; and Louisa, widow of Conrad Miller, of Blooming Grove township.

Charles Louis Frank was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the New World, and after locating in Blooming Grove township, Pike Co., Penn., he assisted his father in lumbering and clearing the land, preparing it for farm work. Throughout his entire business career he has followed agricultural pursuits, and in 1865 started out in life for himself as a farmer. He is now the owner of a good farm of fifty-six acres, much of which is under cultivation, while his wife has a tract of about the same size. He has no specialty, but is engaged in general farming, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place denotes his careful supervision and unremitting industry, Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and religiously holds membership in the German Lutheran Church.

Mr. Frank has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Margaretta Staphaus, by whom he had nine children, namely: Emily, a resi- dient of Jersey City, N. J. ; Ferdinand, a lumberman, who is married and lives in Wyoming county, Penn. ; Philip, who is also a lumberman of Wyoming county ; Rosy, who died at the age of eighteen years ; Francis, who is living at home and assists in the farm work; Fritz, also at home; Louis, who died in childhood; and Fred and Mary, who both died when young. The mother of these was called to her final rest March 21, 1884, and in 1890 Mr. Frank married Mrs. Caroline (Delling) Ploss, widow of John Ploss. She is also a native of Germany, and came to America when a child.

JOHN STARK, a prominent agriculturist of Dingman township, Pike county, is the owner of a fine farm which his industry and judicious manage- ment have brought to a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Stark was born January 5, 1850, at his present homestead, and is of German ancestry. . John P. Stark, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Germany, November 18, 1782, came to America in 1836, with his wife Mary and their children, and after spending one year in New York removed to this section, locating at the present homestead. He died there March 27, 1875, and his wife, who was born October 18, 1786, died May 25, 1858. They had the following children : Henry, who married Dora Smith; Rachel (Mrs. Keno) ; Mary E. (Mrs. John Watson) ; Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Stickler) ; Angeline (Mrs. Jacob Zimmer),

and John P., Jr., our subject's father, all of whom died in America.

John P. Stark, Jr., our subject's father, was born June 4, 1827, in Germany, and came to Amer- ica in early manhood with his parents. After one year in New York he came, in 1837, to the present farm, where he followed agriculture many years, his death occurring March 14, 1894. He was a Democrat in politics, and was prominent in local affairs, serving in various township offices, while he was also active in religious work as a member of the German Lutheran Church. He was married in Dingman township to Miss Margaret Stark (no relation), who was born January 25, 1824, and died September 16, 1891, the remains of both being interred in Milford cemetery. They had two chil- dren: Mary, now the wife of Charles Bridge, a farmer in Dingman township ; and John.

Mr. Stark, our subject, has always resided at the old homestead, and he is much esteemed as a citizen. Politically he is a Democrat, and at times he has been called to serve in various offices, includ- ing those of township supervisor and inspector of elections. On February 22, 1880, he was married at Woodtown, Pike county, to Miss Hattie E. Wood, a native of Pike county, and daughter of Bradner and Elizabeth (Meadow) Wood, who now reside upon a farm at Woodtown. She died August 16, 1882, and May 7, 1885, Mr. Stark was married at Port Jervis to Miss Ida Barnes. By the first mar- riage he had one son, George W., born August 16, 1882, who is at home, and by the second marriage there were five children : Charles H., born May 25, 1886; Mabel S., January 19, 1888; John P., Decem- ber 12, 1889; Mary C., November 12, 1891, and James E., January 25, 1897.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 135

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