Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 15

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 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 15
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 15

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Mr. Armstrong has a pleasant home in Milford which is fitted up with every modern convenience, and lately he introduced the acetylene gas process there, as well as in his store. On November 23, 1870, he was married, at Milford, to Miss Olivia B. Beam, and six children have blessed the union: Lancelot, born May 21, 1874, who died August 5, 1874 ; William H., born July 23, 1877, who died May IO, 1882; Kittie, born October 17, 1879, who died May 15, 1882; Harry T., born December 1, 1882; Bessie, born July 25, 1887; and Ruth, born April 27, 1893. Mrs. Armstrong is a native of Milford, born November 27, 1850, and is descended from a well-known family of New Jersey. Her pater- nal grandfather, Abram Beam, was born in New Jersey, January 1, 1784, and followed agricult- ural pursuits there for many years, his death occur- ring May 2, 1883; his wife, Sophronia Henion, also a native of New Jersey, was born January 2, 1787, and died October 13, 1824. This estimable couple had eleven children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Anthony, November 4, 1807; Catherine, June 1, 1809; Hassel, February 3, 18II ; Louis, March 3, 1813; Abram, May 22, 1815; Harriet, March 3, 1817; Henry, March 8, 1819; Margaret, February 4, 1821 ; Sophronia, April 25, 1823; Joseph, August 24, 1825; Emaline, July 12, 1827.

Henry Beam, Mrs. Armstrong's father, came to Pike county in 1843, and settled at Milford, where he followed the wheelwright's trade. He was a prominent citizen and was influential in local affairs, serving in various offices, including those of tax col- lector and road master, while he was also active in religious work as a member of the Methodist Church. He died July 18, 1890, and his wife, whose maiden name was Eleanora Cortright, died February 3, 1893, the remains of both being laid to rest in the cemetery at Milford. She was born April 12, 1818,

daughter of Cornelius and Hannah Cortright, who resided upon a farm in Pike county. Henry and Eleanora Beam had the following children: Dillie M., born October 5, 1842, married J. O. Christiana, a miller at Milford, Penn .; Arminda, born October 8, 1846, died at the age of two years; Olivia B. is the wife of our subject ; Mary E., born January 27, 1853, married Morfet Van Auken, and died in 1878; and Carrie, born July 9, 1856, married James Buch- anan, and died in 1891. €

HENRY LEARN, sheriff of Monroe county, is a most efficient and capable officer, and his prompt and faithful discharge of the duties of his position meets with the approval of the better classes of the people without regard to party lines.

His family is probably of French origin, the name having formerly been Laner, but our sub- ject's ancestors came to this section at a very early period, and his great-grandfather, Jacob Learn, was a farmer in what is now Hamilton township, Mon- roe county.

Peter Learn, our subject's grandfather, was born in that locality, and for many years he was engaged in agriculture in Pocono township, Monroe county, where he cleared a farm in the forest. At the time of his death, in 1880, he lacked but six months of being ninety years old, and his wife, Margaret Starner, died at the age of seventy-three. She was probably a native of Allentown, Penn., and her youth was spent in that vicinity. This worthy couple had a large family of children, four of whom lived to maturity: Amos died a few months ago; Sallie married David Edinger, and re- sides in Bradford county, Penn .; Jacob is mentioned more fully below ; and Morris resides in Iowa.

Jacob Learn, our subject's father, was born January 22, 1824, in Pocono township, Monroe county, and has always resided in that vicinity. The care of his parents devolved upon him in their de- clining years, and at his father's death he inherited the homestead. He married Miss Mary A. Werk- heiser, and they have four children: Peter, a farmer in Bradford county, Penn .; Catherine, who married Charles Singer, and now resides upon the farm in Pocono township where she was born; Henry, our subject ; and Margaret A., wife of George Butz, a teller in the First National Bank of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Our subject's mother was born April 15, 1824, in Hamilton township, Monroe county, a daughter of Henry Werkheiser, a farmer near Sciota. He and his wife, Catherine (Arnold), had the following children : Mary A., John, Betsy, Hannah, Henry and Abraham.

Sheriff Learn was born April 27, 1849, and was reared upon a farm, his early education being ob- tained in the schools of the town of Tannersville, near by. He has always taken great interest in poli- tics, and at an early age became an active worker in the Democratic party. For a time he served as assessor in his native township, and in 1895 he was

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nominated by his party to the office of sheriff, to which he was duly elected. He entered upon the duties of the position in 1896, and on January 15 of that year he removed to Stroudsburg, where he resided till February 2, 1899, when he moved on the old homestead farm, having taken it in order to keep his aged parents.

In the spring of 1869 Sheriff Learn married Miss Ella Walters, who died in 1884, and on No- vember.26, 1895, he married Mrs. Anna Shook, nee Brown. Of the two children by his first marriage, (1) Herbert W., who resides at the homestead, married Miss Cora Singer, and has two children, Walter, and Mary, a graduate of Wood's Business College at Scranton, Penn., who resides at home and has taught school successfully for several winters. (2) John A., who is not married, and resides with his grandfather, Jacob Learn. By the second mar- riage our subject has one daughter, Hannah. The family is prominent socially, and Mr. Learn is iden- tified with several fraternal organizations, includ- ing the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Tannersville.

FREDERICK NELL (deceased). A brilliant example of a self-made American citizen, and a grand exemplification of the progress that an am- bitious foreigner can make in this country of un- bounded opportunities, is shown in the case of Mr. Nell, who was in his lifetime one of the leading German-American residents of Wayne county. Suc- cess in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering efforts, characteristics that he possessed in an eminent degree. Although he resided on a farm in Palmyra township, he had been for many years successfully engaged in the meat business at Hawley.

Mr. Nell was born in Tebeen, Germany, April 9, 1835, son of Bernhart Nell, a shoemaker by occu- pation, who died in that country in 1866, aged sixty- six years. The mother died during the infancy of our subject, leaving two children, the other being Otto F., who went to San Francisco, Cal. Frederick Nell was early thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood, and in his native land he learned the butcher's trade. Believing that a fortune could be more easily secured in the New World, he sailed for America at the age of fifteen years, and after a long voyage of sixty-five days landed in New York, where for four years he was in the employ of Johnston Bros., contractors in the meat business. Having been advised by his doctor to go to sea for his health, he made two trips to Liverpool, and on his return to the United States located in Rondout, Ul- ster Co., N. Y., where he engaged in the butcher business for a Mr. Weaver for one year, in 1853 coming to Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn., working at his trade six months for Mr. Goodwin. For a few years he located on the canal, and then came to Hawley, where he worked two years at his trade for a Mr. Kaestine. He then opened a meat shop cf his own, in 1862 admitting John Ames to a

partnership in the business, and on selling out was in business with Mr. Freedy for a year and a half. Subsequently he was alone, though at the time of his death he was practically living retired, his sons having almost complete charge of the business. For some time he bought, sold and shipped cattle, and at one time was the most extensive cattle dealer in Wayne county.

In November, 1860, in Hawley, Mr. Nell was united in marriage with Miss Emilie Schmidt, and to them were born the following children: Amelia T., who died in infancy; Joseph F., who married Lillie Frank, and is engaged in business at Hawley ; Frank Henry, who married Helena Rose, and is also in business at Hawley; Charles P., who married Elizabeth Baisden, and is interested with his broth- ers in business ; Frederick J., who is engaged in the butcher business at Hoboken, N. J .; William L., at home; and Rheinhart, who is studying dentistry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Nell was born in Lackawaxen, Pike Co., Penn., July 12, 1842, a daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Craft) Schmidt, natives of Germany who in 1837 came to America, landing in New York after a voyage of forty days. They first located in Pike county, Penn., but in 1845 removed to Ulster county, N. Y., where they spent thirteen years, and then came to Hawley, where their remaining days were passed. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, died in 1881; aged seventy-five years, the mother in 1869, aged seventy-five years and six months. Both were devout members of the Catho- lic Church. Of their children, Antonia is the wife of John Rose, a boatman living in Ellenville, Ulster Co., N. Y .; Joseph is a carpenter and builder living in the same place; John is deceased; and Emilie is the widow of our subject.

Politically Mr. Nell was identified with the Democratic party. For two terms he served as treasurer of Hawley and Palmyra township, when they constituted one township, and later he served for the same length of time as treasurer of Palmyra township alone. He was an honored member of Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M., of Hawley; a charter member of Lackawaxen Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the K. of H. Lodge of Hawley. Religiously he was connected with the German Reformed Church. His sterling worth and many excellencies of character gained for him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact, either in business or private life, and his circle of friends was indeed extensive. His death occurred on Sunday, January 23, 1898, and the home press thus referred to his life:

In the death of Frederick Nell, Hawley loses another of her old business men and an esteemed citizen. It was a shock to the community early Monday morning when the word was circulated that he died suddenly Sunday evening. Although Mr. Nell had been ailing the past three years, no one thought the end was so near. On the Friday preceding his death he was driving about town, apparently no worse than he had been. The funeral was held from the German Church at 2 o'clock Wednesday, and interment was in Wal- nut Grove cemetery. Rev. E. E. Gottlieb officiated at the

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

religious obsequies. G. S. Teeter was funeral director, and Hawley Lodge, F. & A. M., were in charge of the prelimina- ries and committal service. Mr. Nell was sixty-three years and nine months old, and is survived by his wife and six sons, namely: Joseph, Frank and Charles P., of Hawley; Frederick, of Hoboken; William of Scranton; and Rhein- . hart, who is at present a student at the Pennslyvania Dental College at Philadelphia. Deceased came to Hawley in 1856. In 1860 he was married to Emilie Schmidt, and in '61 he entered into partnership in the butcher business with John H. Ames, previous to which time, and from his first coming here, he had been in the employ of Mr. Snyder, a well-known butcher in this place at the time. After three years of part- nership with Mr. Ames the firm was dissolved and he pur- chased the business of his former employer, which he con- ducted until two months prior to his death, when three of his sons assumed control. During these many years of business lite he had acquired great popularity among the farmers of Wayne and Pike counties, on account of his fair dealing in his extensive purchase of cattle. Mr. Nell was a charter member of Lackawaxen Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Lodge of Knights of Honor. He was also an old member of Hawley Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M.

MILO OVERFIELD, one of the leading agri- culturists of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, was born there in January, 1824, a son of William and Sarah (Coolbaugh) Overfield, and grandson of Martin and Mary (Utt) Overfield.

The grandfather, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was a native of Northampton county, Penn., and one of the earliest settlers of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, where he followed agricultural pursuits and blacksmith- ing throughout life. He located one mile south of Shoemaker's, where he built a very substantial log house as a protection from the Indians. The coun- try round about was at that time an almost unbroken wilderness, and the Indians were far more numer- ous than the white inhabitants. It is said that they found their lead in the vicinity of Mr. Over- field's home and melted it at his blacksmith shop. At times they were quite hostile, and gave the set- tlers much trouble and uneasiness. Mr. Over- field's neighbors consisted of the Transue, Place and Mosier families, and in common with them he and his family endured all the hardships and privations, as well as dangers, incident to pioneer life in this region. He reared a family of four chil- dren : Emanuel, William, Adam, and Sarah, wife of John Mosier. All married and located in Mid- dle Smithfield township, where they reared families of their own, but all are now deceased and many of their older children have also passed away.

William Overfield, father of our subject, settled on the present farm of the latter after his marriage, and built thereon a log house near the Milford road. He also purchased a large tract of land, on which he erected several sawmills, and exten- sively engaged in manufacturing and rafting lum- ber down the Delaware river to Philadelphia, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Judge Cool- baugh. He was one of the leading business men of this section, was enterprising and progressive, and became quite well-to-do. He was an old Jack- sonian Democrat, and took an active and prominent part in local politics. His fellow citizens recog-

nizing his worth and ability called upon him to serve in a number of important official positions. He was elected sheriff of Pike county when Monroe and Pike formed one county, also represent- ed those counties in the State Legislature and State Senate, was appointed canal commissioner of his district for a term of four years, and served as a delegate to the reformed convention of 1836. Although he received but a limited education dur- ing his youth, he became a well-informed man of fine business qualifications, and had considerable influence in his community. He held membership with no religious organization but aided in the erection of the house of worship, and gave liberally to the support of the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife belonged. Upon land included in his first purchase he built, in 1818, a large stone house on the Milford road, now owned by a Mr. Michael. There he died in 1864; his wife had passed away in 1858.

In the family were ten children: (1) J. M. married Lydia Michael, of Monroe county, and spent his entire life in farming in Middle Smithfield township, where he died at an early age, leaving a widow and four children: William; George ; Eliza- beth, deceased wife of John Shoemaker; and Mar- garet, wife of Aaron Smith, of Smithfield. (2) Elizabeth married Henry Eilenburg, of Smithfield township, Monroe county, and died there leaving a large family. (3) Washington married Susan Depuy, and both died at their home in Middle Smithfield township, leaving a large family who are still residents of Monroe county. (4) Mary was the wife of Martin Place, who is represented else- where. (5) Sarah married James Place, of Middle Smithfield township, and died leaving a family who are also residents of Monroe county. (6) Dan- iel D., a farmer of Middle Smithfield township, married Sarah Depuy, and died some years ago, leaving a family who still occupy the home in that township. (7) Milo, our subject, is next in the family. (8) Joseph R. married Sarah Kintner, who died leaving three children, Lizzie, Susan and Will- iam, and he afterward wedded Mattie Eilenberger, who died leaving two children, Cora and Moses. His death occurred soon after that of his last wife. (9) William grew to manhood, and died unmarried. (10) Susan married Abram Freese, of Pike county, and they made their home at Shawnee, Monroe county, where both died. Their only child, Lizzie, died later.

On the old homestead Milo Overfield passed his boyhood and youth, aiding his father in his business, and attending the subscription schools of the neighborhood as there were no free schools in those days. In July, 1864, he was drafted and asigned to Company A, 51st P. V. I., being sworn into the United States service at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, and assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac. He was discharged on the day of the Presi- dent's assassination, in April, 1865.

Mr. Overfield was married, in 1846, to Miss

---

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Julia Cowen, of Middle Smithfield township, where she died, leaving one daughter, Mrs. Hannah Quag- ley, who moved to California, where she and her husband both died, leaving no children. For his second wife Mr. Overfield married Miss Julia A. Pipher, daughter of Samuel D. Pipher, who be- longed to one of the old and highly respected fam- ilies of the county. Eight children were born of this union, and five reached years of maturity : (1) John M. married Bertha Michaels, daughter of Philip Michaels, one of the worthy citizens of Mid- dle Smithfield township, and they now reside with his father on the home farm. (2) William mar- ried Bella Barnes, of New Jersey, and they also live in Middle Smithfield township. (3) Lizzie lives at Cincinnati, Ohio. (4) Samuel wedded May Michael, daughter of George A. Michael, of Smith- field township, Monroe county, and they make their home in Stroudsburg, where he is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. They have one son, George. (5) Amelia, a most promising young lady, died at the age of eighteen years.

Mr. Overfield has spent his entire married life on his father's old homestead, and has devoted his time and attention to farming with good results. Upon his place he has erected a commodious residence, good barns and other outbuildings, and now has one of the best improved farms and handsomest homes among the many in Middle Smithfield town- ship. He has cleared a large portion of his farm and placed it under a high state of cultivation. Politically he is a supporter of the Democracy, and has most creditably and satisfactorily filled the of- fices of assessor, supervisor two terms, and in fact all of the local offices of his township. His wife is a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and although not a member of any religious denomina- tion, he gives liberally to the support of Churches and Church work. Always a patriotic and loyal citizen, he offered his services to his country during her hour of peril, and willingly bore the hardships of the long marches and the heat and danger of battle that the Union might not be destroyed. As an upright, honorable citizen, he is respected by all who know him, and it is the wish of his many friends that his declining days may be passed in peace and happiness. .

HON. WILLIAM MITCHELL, formerly as- sociațe judge of Pike county, is a leading merchant of Milford, being the senior partner in the well- known firm of W. & G. Mitchell, and a representa- tive self-made man.

Our subject was born January 5, 1841, in the parish of Longside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where his family has been prominent for generations. Robert Mitchell ( I), his grandfather, a lifelong res- ident of Aberdeenshire, married Ann Cummings, and they had three children: Mary, who married John Sangster, a shoemaker ; Margaret, wife of James Smith, a farmer ; and Robert, all of whom re- mained in Scotland.

Robert Mitchell, our subject's father, was a car- penter by trade, but gave much attention to agricult- ural pursuits. He was active in local affairs, and was especially interested in the historical Church movements in Aberdeen in 1843. His death oc- curred at Mintlaw, Parish of Longside, Aberdeen- shire, in 1846, when he was forty-eight years of age, and his widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Sellar, came to America in 1872; she died at Mil- ford in 1886, aged eighty-one years. Our subject was the seventh in a family of eight children, the others being Robert, who died while preparing for the ministry at Marischall College, Aberdeen, now merged with King's College, and called the Univer- sity of Aberdeen; John, who came to America in 1881, married Mary Findlay, and settled upon a farm in Iowa, where he died some years ago ; James, who married Mary Connan, and died at Aberdeen, Scotland; George, in partnership with our subject; Elizabeth, married to John Findlay, the owner of a livery stable and stage line at Milford, and agent for the Wells Fargo Express Co. at that place ; and Miss Mary and Miss Isabella, engaged in the mil- linery business at Milford.

Our subject remained at the home farm in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, until he reached the age of fifteen, receiving his education in the parish schools, and then entered upon his mercantile career as a clerk in a store in Aberdeenshire. In December, 1860, he came to America with his sister Elizabeth, landing in New York City at the age of nineteen with no capital to commence life in the New World but good health and native perseverance. Failing to find employment in New York, he came to Milford a few months later, and as the chance for work in mercantile lines seemed poor he took a position in A. B. Sherman's tannery, remaining two months. He then became a clerk for C. C. D. Pinchot & Son, of Milford, with whom he spent six years, and later he returned to New York City and clerked two years for Pinchot, Warren & Co., dealers in wall paper. In July, 1868, he came back to Milford and engaged in mercantile business with J. B. Newman, under the firm name of Mitchell & Newman, the partnership continuing thirteen years. In 1881 he built his present brick store, and the following year he took possession, entering into partnership with his brother George at the same time. They have met with success, and now have the largest general store in Milford, with a well-selected stock of groceries, notions, dry goods, hardware and other commodi- ties. Politically our subject is a Republican, and he has served in various offices. In November, 1895, he was appointed, by Governor Hastings, as- sociate judge of Pike county, to fill the unexpired term of Hon. M. D. Mott, and held this position un- til January, 1897. In religious faith he is a Pres- byterian, and he has been an elder in the Church at Milford since March 17, 1872.

On June 18, 1868, Mr. Mitchell was married in New York City to Miss Helen Hall, and two chil- dren have blessed their union: Emily W., living at

Miliam Mitchell 1/

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home ; and William A. H., who graduated from the University of New York in 1896, and is now reading law at Milford. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, December 14, 1838, a daughter of Lieut. Hugh Hall, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, who was reared and educated in Edinburgh, and died in that city at the age of forty-two. Mrs. Mitchell has his sword and a number of articles he used, as well as a unique clock sent her from Scotland. Lieut. Hall married Betsey Mitchell (no relation to our subject's family ),who drew a pension up to the time of her death, which occurred near Edinburgh when she was seventy years of age. They had four chil- dren : Jane ; Hugh and Robert, who reside in Scot- land; and Helen, wife of our subject. Various members of the Hall family have become distin- guished in military life, and Mrs. Mitchell's nephew (her sister's son) has been a soldier all his life.

HAMILTON BRAAMAN, who for several years has been prominently identified with the in- dustrial and agricultural interests of Wayne county, is to-day at the head of the largest brush handle and block manufactory in this section of the State, it being located in the village of Braman, which place was named in honor of the family.

It is not difficult to conjecture what manner of man is Mr. Braman. In a republican country where merit must win, we can tell much of his life. Wealth may secure a start, but it cannot maintain one in a position where brains and executive ability are required. Our subject did not have wealth to aid him in beginning his business career. His re- liance has been placed in the more substantial qualities of perseverance, untiring enterprise, réso- lute purpose and commendable zeal, and withal his actions have been guided by an honesty of purpose that none have questioned.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 15

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