Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 160

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 160
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 160
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 160
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 160

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In June. 1869, Mrs. Julia Wilcox passed away, leaving five children, viz: Alice, Mrs. Acie M. Scott, of Lackawanna county, Penn., who has four children ; May, born in Damascus, now the wife of John P. Jaycox, of Starrucca, Wayne county ; Dann, born in Damascus, who resides in Pikeville (near Scranton), Penn .; Sophronia, Mrs. William Dela- mater, of Sullivan county, N. Y., who has three children; and Mattie, born in Damascus, who is married and lives near Scranton. In December, 1869, the father wedded Miss Lucretia Skinner, of Damascus, who passed away in May, 1879, the mother of three children, namely : Jenie, who is mar- ried and resides in Pikeville, Penn .; Lillie, who became the wife of William Hughes, of Pikeville, where she died, leaving one daughter ; and Miles A., who was born and reared on the homestead and is now living in Starrucca (he is unmarried). On November 16, 1879, Mr. Wilcox was united in mar- riage with Mrs. Addie Smithers, of Damascus, whose parents, James and Phoebe Darling, were natives of Sullivan county, N. Y., and Milford Penn., respectively. In 1869 she married William Smithers, and to that union were born three chil- dren-Alvidena, now Mrs. Fred Gudline, of Damas- cus, who has one child, Ella ; Addie, born in Wayne county, who is the wife of William A. Bennett, of Damascus (she has no children) ; and Allen D., unmarried, who lives at home. One daughter has blessed this last marriage, Hattie L., born October 23, 1882, in Damascus, who is now attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox are, in religious connection, members of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Republican, and before the formation of that party belonged to the Old-line Whigs, always taking more or less interest in public affairs, especially in his own locality ; while in Oregon townhip he served one term as supervisor. Socially he is a member of Capt. James Hann Post No. 106. G. A. R., and his son Miles is a member of the Sons of Veterans at Lackawaxen.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ISAAC LOVELASS is well known in Wayne county as a prosperous lumberman, miller and land- owner of Damascus township, where he owns a fine property, and he is a leading spirit in the social and public life of his locality. He is a native of Wayne county, born December 23, 1837, near Honesdale, son of Isaac and Annie ( Mills) Lovelass, who were natives of Beaminster, Dorsetshire, England, and were reared and married in the country of their birth.

On coming to this country, Isaac Lovelass and his young wife lived for a time in Philadelphia, Penn., removing thence to Wayne county and locat- ing in Damascus township, where he had made a purchase of land. He made various improvements on the place, and they resided there until 1835, when he sold and removed to Oregon township, again in- vesting in real estate. During his residence here he followed the trade of carpenter and boat-builder, continuing thus until 1847, in which year he sold his place in Oregon township and went to Wisconsin, where he bought land with the intention of establish- ing a new home in that State. While returning to Pennsylvania for his family, however, he was taken sick, and he died soon after reaching his destination, in September, 1847. He left a wife and seven chil- dren, viz .: Mary, born May II, 1832, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, married George Sheard, of Damascus, three children being born to this union-Ellsworth A., George W. and Mary Alice (Mrs. Joseph Bur- cher, of Damascus) ; Mr. and Mrs. Sheard live on his farm and he is engaged in shoemaking. John, born November 23, 1833, in Philadelphia, married for his first wife Miss Charlotte Gavitt, of Wayne county, who died leaving a large family, and he subsequently wedded Mrs. Murrilla Matthews, of Lebanon, by whom he has no children; they reside in Damascus. Emily, born July 10, 1836, in Damas- cus, is the wife of David Orr, of Damascus, and they live on a farm in that township; they have had two children-William D., who is married, and Eliza J., Mrs. A. E. Sisson, of Wayne county. Abigail, born December 29, 1840, in Oregon, is mar- ried to Simeon Skinner, of Damascus, and has one son, Wellington. Catherine, born March 4, 1845, in Oregon, became the wife of H. M. Stanton, of Damascus, and they now live at Long Branch, N. J., where he follows contracting and building; they have two daughters-Harriet and Florence, both at home. Annie, born April 15, 1847, on the old home- stead, is the widow of Mr. Ayers, of Brooklyn, and has one daughter, Ethel.

Isaac Lovelass received his education in the public schools of the home neighborhood in Wayne county, and being a mere boy at the time of his father's death he was obliged to begin life in earnest at a very early age. He learned the trade of mill- wright and carpenter, following the same for five years, after which he commenced lumbering, for some years as a jobber. He purchased his present property in 1864, at which time he was a partner in the firm of Wood, Boyd & Lovelass, and he continued

to do business with them until 1876, when he became sole owner, and he has since conducted it on his own account. He erected a new sawmill, as well as a grist and cider mill, and manufactures sawed lum- ber, in addition to this giving considerable attention to the improvement of his land, which is kept under a fine state of cultivation and supplied with all the necessary conveniences for modern agricultural work. He has erected a fine home, substantial barns and other outbuildings, and has a place of which he may well be proud, for it is as attractive as it is val- ttable. Mr. Lovelass is one of the oldest lumbermen on the Delaware river, where he has rafted lumber for over a quarter of a century, running it to Camden, N. J., and Philadelphia, Penn., and he has always been foremost among the lumbermen of this section as a shrewd manager and prosperous business man, possessing good judgment in the line in which he is engaged. His business methods have never been questioned, and his reputation for integrity and hon- esty is second to none, for he is admired and respect- ed by his business acquaintances wherever he goes, and commands the esteem of all who have the pleas- ure of knowing him. In the affairs of his home com- munity, in supporting any movement for the prog- ress or benefit of the neighborhood, he gives material aid and influence to every cause which in his opin- ion is for the general good. For three years he held the office of supervisor of the township, dis- charging the duties of that incumbency with fidel- ity and ability, but he is not an office-seeker, pre- ferring to devote his time to his private interests.

In 1865 Mr. Lovelass was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Fish, of Damascus, whose par- ents, Daniel and Nancy ( Maffit) Fish, were former- ly of Liberty, Sullivan Co., N. Y., and removed thence in 1862 to Wayne county, here passing the remainder of their days. Daniel Fish was born June 26, 1789, at Bennington, Vt., and died at Da- mascus, December 26, 1879. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Nancy ( Maffit) Fish, was born November 3, 1801, in Dutchess county, N. Y., and died October 20, 1884. They were married May 16, 1832. On February 10, 1824, Mr. Fish had wedded Margaret Harmes, by whom he had four children: Ellen, born December 1, 1824, married Gersham Porter, and died in 1890. William P., born October 7, 1826, served in the Civil war as gunner in Company F, 144th New York Battery, and was killed by accident at Morris Island in 1863. John B., born March 4, 1829, enlisted in 1861, in Company H, 52nd P. V. I., rose to the rank of cap- tain, and was mustered out in March, 1865 ; he took part in the battles of Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, White Oak Swamp, Seven Pines and Fair Oaks; after the close of the war he became a major in the State militia. Margaret, born January 27, 1831, married Isaac Pinckney, who is now deceased. By his second union Mr. Fish became the father of chil- dren as follows: Sarah A., born April 14, 1833, married Morris A. Reybolds. Edmund, born No- vember 27, 1834, enlisted in January, 1864, in Com-

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pany F, 15th New York Heavy Artillery, and was discharged in October, 1865; he participated in the battles of Spottsylvania, the Wilderness, Cold Har- bor and Petersburg. Lavina, born December 25, 1836, married Sexton Noble. Drusilla was born January 14, 1840. Rebecca, Mrs. Lovelass, was born August 29, 1842. Mr. Lovelass and his young wife settled at their present home soon after mar- riage, and here they have reared their family of children, as follows: Lena, born April 17, 1870, received a fine education in Damascus and for the past several years has followed teaching in the pub- lic schools of Wayne county. Lydia, born Novem- ber 13, 1872, died February 14, 1886, a bright, charming girl, whose carly death was greatly mourned. Isaac N., born December 20, 1874, is en- gaged in business with his father, having charge of the gristmill ; he is unmarried. Laura S., born Oc- tober 21, 1876, commenced her education in the schools of Damascus and graduated from the nor- mal school at Stroudsburg; she has taught three terms in the Wayne county schools and makes her home with her parents. Homer, born August 3, 1878, was educated in the schools of Damascus, and also graduated from the Scranton Business College. The home is a pleasant place, equipped with all modern improvements, and the family circle, cul- tured and refined, and pervaded with the spirit of the father, who is noted for his genial, hospitable nature, is one of the most cheerful in the locality. Mr. and Mrs. Lovelass and their daughters are members of the M. E. Union Church of Damascus. He is a Republican in political faith, belonging originally to the Old-line Whigs, and he has always been active in the local workings of the party.

HENRY S. BLOES, who after a busy and useful life is now living retired with his daughter, Mrs. Bryant, in Varden, Wayne county, was born in Easton, Northampton Co., Penn., April 22, 1826. His parents, Nicholas and Mary ( Radeline) Bloes, spent their entire lives in that county, where the father carried on farming as a life work. He died in 1836, aged sixty years, his wife passing away at the age of seventy. To them were born children as follows: Eliza, now the widow of Charles Zink. who lived near Weissport, Penn. ; David, a retired railroad engineer, who lives in Hazleton, Penn. : Reuben, deceased ; Henry S., the subject of this sketch; Mason, an undertaker, of Weissport: and Mary, wife of Reuben Zimerman, a retired wheel- wright, living in Weissport.

After the death of his father Henry S. Bloes went to live with his uncle, Benjamin Bates, a mill- er at Kreidersville, Northampton county, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. Going to Easton, Penn., he worked in the mill of Peter Snyder for a year, and in May, 1848, came to the present site of Varden. South Canaan township, Wayne county, where he worked as a miller for Gabriel Howell nine years. The following two years were spent in farming, after which he spent

another year with . Mr. Howell. Again he engage:1 in farming for a short time, and then returned to Mr. Howell, who subsequently sold his mill to Mr. ()'Donald, for whom our subject worked two years. For one year he was also in the employ of Mr. Mc- Intire, the next owner of the mill, and at the end of that time he traded his farm for a half-interest in the same, Moses Swingle purchasing the other half. After operating it together for three years the property was divided, Mr. Bloes continuing to own and conduct the mill until 1869, when he traded it for a farm in South Canaan township. In 1871 he sold, and then purchased another farm and sawmill at Varden; but after carrying on the latter for two years, he sold it to his son Charles, who continued business there for three years. In the meantime our subject continued to devote his energies to the cultivation of his farm, but since selling out to his son-in-law, George Bryant, in 1890, he has lived retired, enjoying the rest which should always follow a long and honorable business career.

At South Canaan Mr. Bloes was married, in April, 1894, to Miss Charlotte Frisbie, a native of South Canaan township, and a daughter of Solo- mon and Charlotte (Howard) Frisbie, of Luzerne county, Penn. She was called to her final rest February 3, 1895, at the age of sixty-four years and five months. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bloes are as follows: Charles, baggage-mas- ter for the Erie & Wyoming Valley railroad, living at Dunmore, Penn., married Adelia McMinn, and has three children-Blanche, Bertha and Hen- ry. Viola is the wife of Edgar Yale, a farmer of Lebanon, Penn., and has four children, Grace, Henry, Olan and Ethel; Wilton, a druggist and merchant of Peckville, Pennsylvania, married Lana Shaffer, and has two children-Lee and Wai- ter : and Minnie is the wife of George Bryant, a farmer of Varden, and has two children. Mr. Bloes has one great-grandchild.

Originally Mr. Bloes was a Democrat in poli- tics, but he now gives his support to the principles of the Prohibition party, believing the question of Temperance to be the most important issue be- fore the people. Socially he is an honored member of the I. O. O. F., of South Canaan, and in relig- ious connection is a prominent and active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which he has served as treasurer, steward for the past fifteen years, and trustee for the past twenty years. He has also been called upon to serve in local political positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he has most capably and conscientiously performed.

GEORGE CHECKLEY is one of the well- known and respected citizens of Honesdale. To untiring industry and sound business judgment he adds a genial and kindly demeanor that wins the cordial good-will of all who come within his in- fluence, and the helpful wishes of a host of friends brighten his pathway in life. An evidence of his

Henry S. Blogs

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

popularity is seen in the fact that, although a stanch Democrat, he occupies a place in the council of a borough which has long been a Republican strong- hold, and it is but fair to say that his able and efficient discharge of duty in that position has still further established him in public favor.

Mr. Checkley is of English birth and ancestry, the home of his family having been at Mollington, Oxfordshire, where he was born April 11, 1860. His father, the late William Checkley, was born and reared in that locality, and for some years of his early manhood was engaged in agriculture. He married Miss Mary Hazelwood, also a native of England, who died in January, 1868. In 1873 he came to America, landing in New York City, and soon afterward settled at Honesdale, where he en- tered the employ of B. L. Wood. Later he re- moved to New York and spent five years in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Willis, but his last days were passed in Honesdale, his death occur- ring there in September, 1897. He and his wife had a family of five children, of whom three died in childhood, previous to the death of their mother. The only surviving daughter, Ada, kept house for her father after coming to Honesdale until her marriage, in 1888, to Charles Willis, a furniture dealer in Newark, N. J .; they have two children- Charles W. and Florence A.

As Mr. Checkley was about thirteen years old when he came to the United Statees with his father, he had already received some educational advan- tages in the public schools of his native land. Not long after his arrival in Honesdale he secured em- ployment in the glass factory, and in 1874 he began an apprenticeship to the barber's trade with William T. Heft. On completing his apprenticeship, in 1877, Mr. Checkley entered the employ of Ferdi- nand White, with whom he remained two years, but in 1879 he formed a partnership with Nicholas Loris, and purchased the shop of his old employer, Mr. Heft. The partnership continued until Janu- ary, 1896, when Mr. Checkley bought the entire interest, and he has ever since conducted the busi- ness alone, with increasing patronage. He is a thorough American in spirit, and has always taken keen interest in public questions. In February, 1898, he was elected to his present office of coun- cilman, and he is recognized as one of the most active members of that body. In religious faith he inclines to the Episcopal Church, his parents hav- ing been members of the Church of England. Al- though he was but eight years old when his beloved mother passed to the unseen life, he has never for- gotten the lofty Christian principle which she in- stilled into his young mind. Growing to manhood under the watchful care of a kind and indulgent father, with the loving sympathy of a gentle sister sustaining him, he developed a fine character, rich in the elements of true manliness.

In 1884 Mr. Checkley married Miss Mary Weiser, of Honesdale, and the union has been blessed by three daughters-Edith W., who died

at the age of fourteen months; Martha, born April 10, 1893, and Marion, born July 6, 1895. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Checkley went to Europe on a pleas- ure trip and remained about three months, visiting his old home in England and the locality in Ger- many where his wife's ancestors had resided for generations. They had a delightful journey, their voyages on the Atlantic being made in most favora- ble weather, and on their return to Honesdale they again settled down in their cozy home. In 1893 Mr. Checkley purchased the old homestead of his wife's parents, located in Spring street, Honesdale. Mrs. Checkley is a native of Honesdale, born in 1859, and her parents, Michael and Rosina Weiser, who were both born in Germany, were for many years residents of that place. This worthy couple had a large family of children, and Mrs. Checkley is one of six who are living at the present time. (I) John M. is married and lives in Honesdale. (2) Michael, who was born in Germany, now resides at Port Jervis, where he owns a fine home and is suc- cessfully engaged in business as a machinist. He is married and has a large family. (3) Barbara, who was born in Honesdale, married Lewis Schuetz, a stonemason of that town, and they have a large family. (4) Mrs. Rosa Feeley resides in Honesdale; she has one daughter. (5) William, a resident of Scranton, Penn., married Miss Adelia Kilcoyne, of Honesdale, who has one son, Will- iam, Jr.

JOHN WHITAKER, a prominent agricultur- ist of Texas township, Wayne county, is one of the most highly-esteemed citizens of that locality, and his genial and cheerful disposition has attracted to him a host of friends. His family, which has been identified with this section for many years, has al- ways been noted for public spirit and patriotism, and in war and peace its members have shown a high order of citizenship.

Mr. Whitaker was born in 1827 in Orange county, N. Y., son of Francis and Elizabeth ( Rob- inson) Whitaker. His father, who was a native of Ireland, came to America in 1825, and after spend- ing a few years in Orange county, N. Y., removed to this section, locating on the canal in Texas town- ship, Wayne county, at the present site of Leonards- ville, where he purchased a tract of wild land. He cleared the place for a farm and erected comfortable buildings, securing a fine homestead as the result of his labors, and for many years he was regarded as one of the leading men of that vicinity. His death occurred in 1862, and his wife survived him only a few years. Of their children, William, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1833, served as a soldier during the Civil war, and some years ago moved to the West with his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Collins. (2) John, our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (3) Francis served in the Union army in the Civil war, and in early manhood went West to make his home, but his whereabouts are now unknown. (4) Thomas, who was

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born in 1835, in Pike county, Penn., came to Wayne county with his parents, and for some time followed boating on the Delaware & Hudson canal, but for a number of years he has held the office of foreman for the canal company. He served during the Civil war in Company B, 4th New York Battery, taking part in numerous battles. In 1868 he married Miss Frances Secor, daughter of John and Emeline (Williams) Secor, who were natives of Connecti- cut and settled at Honesdale at an early day, be- coming leading residents of that place. Thomas Whitaker resides about two miles from Honesdale, on the road to Hawley. He and his wife have two bright children-Frederick and Hattie. (5) Miss Eliza Jane was born in Orange county, N. Y., and now resides with our subject at the old homestead in Texas township, Wayne county, where she is held in great respect for her excellent qualities of char- acter.

Our subject was reared upon his father's farm, and became familiar at an early age with the details of agricultural work. After the death of his father he remained at the homestead with his sister Eliza Jane, who takes charge of the house, and for many years he has conducted the farm successfully. Some time ago he became crippled with rheumatism, preventing him from taking an active part in the work of the place, but he bears this severe affliction with remarkable fortitude, seldom mentioning his sufferings. In religion he inclines toward the Methodist Church, his parents having been devout members of that organization. At one time he was an active worker in the I. O. O. F. at Honesdale, and he was a charter member of Lodge No. 1709. Among his admirable traits of character is that of absolute loyalty to his friends, a rare quality which is thoroughly appreciated by those who are so fortu- nate as to be included in his circle of intimates. Politically he is a stanch Republican, of Old-line Whig antecedents, and he has taken an influential share in the local work of the party, having served nine consecutive years in the office of supervisor.

JOHN J. BAIRD, who resides in Tracyville, Wayne county, is one of the well and favorably known citizens of Texas township. He is a native of the county, born in February, 1854, in Hones- clale, and is the son of John and Annie (Cain) Baird, both of whom were born in the North of Ireland, and came to the United States in early life.

John Baird settled in Honesdale before his marriage, and for many years was in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. at that place. He purchased property and established a comforta- ble home for himself and his children, who were eight in number, viz .: Thomas, who died in boy- hood ; Mary, born in Honesdale, who is now the wife of John Loftus, of Scranton, Penn. ; William, born in 1856 in Honesdale, living in Winona, Minn., where he follows the trade of machinist (he mar- ried Miss Maggie Kerns, of Winona, and they have four children-Edward,. Mary, Julia and Bernard) ;

Annie, Mrs. Howard Bishop, of Honesdale, who has four children-Susan, Frank, Emma and George; James, born in Honesdale, now engaged in rail- roading on the New York & Erie road, and resid- ing on the old Baird homestead (he married Miss Mary Murray, of Honesdale, and they have two children-Madeline and Joseph) ; Edward, born in Honesdale, who married Miss Annie Grove, of that place and still lives there (they have two sons- Paul and Thomas) ; Joseph, a railroad man, resid- ing in Deposit, who is married to Miss Mary Madi- gan, of Port Jervis ; and John. The father of this family passed away in 1897 in Honesdale, at the advanced age of ninety years, and his widow still occupies the old homestead.

John J. Baird attended the schools of Hones- dale during his boyhood, acquiring a good common- school education, and at an early age began work on the Delaware & Hudson canal, where he became captain on a boat. In 1878 he left this to work on the dock at Honesdale, and continued to be thus employed for about ten years, with the Erie com- pany, repairing cars, etc. In November, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice J. Dunn, who was born in Honesdale in 1854 and received her education in the public schools of that town and Tracyville, where she grew to womanhood. The young couple settled on the homestead of her parents, in Tracyville, and have ever since made their home there, making various improvements, however, in the dwelling, which they have remod- eled and changed until it is now a most comforta- ble and pleasant residence. . Four children have blessed their union, namely: Elizabeth, born in 1884 in Tracyville, who is now a pupil in the Honesdale schools ; William, born in 1888, Abbie, born in 1890, and Francis, born in 1892, all three attending the Tracyville school. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Baird are devout members of the Catholic Church, in the work of which they take an active part, and he is also united with the C. M. B. A., of Hones- dale. He gives his political support to the Demo- cratic party, with whose local interests he has been closely identified, and he is at present filling his second term as school director, having been re-elec- ted to that position in 1898. Mr. Baird has the sin- cere respect of his fellow citizens in the township, and he has an enviable reputation among the busi- ness men of Tracyville for honesty and sterling in- tegrity.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 160

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