Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 169

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 169
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 169
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 169
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 169

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Their descendants branched off in New York and New Jersey. Her grandfather, Nathan Hand, was born in Morris county, N. J., November 13, 1781, and died in Cortland county, N. Y., at the age of sixty-four. Her grandmother, whose maiden name was Margaret Grandemyer, was born in Germany, and came to New Jersey when five years old, dying in Damascus, Wayne county, at the home of her son, Nathan Hand, at the age of seventy-seven. (Her father lived to be more than one hundred years old).

Robert Hand, father of Mrs. Brown, was born in Wantage, Sussex Co., N. J., November 26, 1806, and was married to Susanna Goble in Milford in 1827. In 1831 he moved to Hawley, then a wilder- ness with but four or five houses, being one of the early pioneers of Wayne county. He found the hills covered with valuable timber, and purchased 180 acres of land two miles from the present site of the town, near the Middle Creek, of David Bishop. He cleared fifty acres and erected a large dwelling and barn. He turned his attention to lumbering, and found the Lackawaxen and Delaware rivers easy highways to the large cities and the seaboard. He died in 1854 at the age of forty-eight, the result of a fever contracted during a freshet, while absent from home. He left, besides his widow, seven chil- dren, namely: (I) Nathan G., who died in a hos- pital in Philadelphia from disease contracted in the Union service during the Civil war. He married Leah Crone, and left three children, William, Anna and Alida. (2) Charles F., who was an engineer on the old Pennsylvania Gravity railroad, and died at the old homestead at the age of thirty-three. He married Hannah Truesdell (no issue). (3) Eliza- beth L., widow of Dr. H. B. Stephens, an early and trusted practitioner in Wayne county. She is a well-known evangelist and Christian worker, and has been connected with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union since 1876. In 1884 she was elected president of the County W. C. T. U., which position she held for six years, and has been one of the mainsprings of the work since its inception. She is now State superintendent of the Mothers' Work, and State organizer for Pennsylvania. Her first husband was George M. Rohne, who served in the Union army. Two children were born to them, Susie M. (deceased), and Carrie S., married to James Stevenson. (4) Mrs. Melissa A. Smith, who lives in Tioga county, has been twice married ; her first husband, Nelson Wilber, died in the Union army from wounds received on the battlefield, leav- ing three children, Lina M., William N. and Charles Judd. (5) William J., who at the age of nineteen enlisted for three years at Tennallytown, D. C., in Company B, 3rd Regiment, Penn. Res. Vol. Corps (the regiment having preceded him there), August 7, 1861, and participated in thirteen engagements. He was twice wounded. At Gaines Mills June 27, 1862, he was taken prisoner. He was busily en- gaged in shooting down the Rebel color bearers, and not hearing the order given to fall back, he was sur- rounded by the enemy, and after two weeks spent in

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Libby Prison and four weeks in Belle Isle he was exchanged and sent to the hospital at Fortress Mon- roc, Va. He was wounded (the second time) at Cloyd Mountain, May 9, 1864. His regiment was discharged in June of the same year, when he was transferred to the Ist Kentucky Artillery ; from that to Company C, 54th P. V. I., where he served till August 21, when he was discharged from service. On his return from the army he married Catherine Treslar. They had six boys: David T., Jerry W., Charles (deceased), Floyd, Homer, and one who died in infancy. He has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Company for thirty-six years, latterly as their land and lumber agent. (6) David B., who graduated from the medical department of the University of New York City, and now resides in Scranton, where he has established a large prac- tice. Dr. Hand is a self-made man, having won his way in life over obstacles that would have daunted a weaker character. His lifelong study of materia medica, his extensive practice that has brought him in contact with all forms of disease, and his acknowl- edged skill in the treatment of intricate cases, place him in the front rank of professional men. His rem- edies for children, so popular everywhere through- out the United States, were the result of long prac- tice and of a specialty of children's diseases. After traveling extensively through the United States he returned to his native State (Pennsylvania) from choice. By his energy and skill as a business man he has amassed a competency. He married Sarah T. Cromwell, of Hawley, who has been a most de- voted wife and mother, and an earnest worker in Church and temperance, being president at one time

of the Lackawanna Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Their children were Mary Isabella (de- ceased ), Fred Cromwell, Elizabeth L., and Howard D. (7) Sarah A. (Brown) was but four years old when her father died. She began teaching in the public schools of her county at the age of fifteen, and continued in that profession fifteen years. She stood at the head of her chosen profession, and taught successfully in the counties of Wayne, Pike, Chester and Lancaster. Her two sisters were also successful teachers for several years. In 1884 she became identified with the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, and has labored in nearly all of its departments. With a strong conviction between right and wrong nothing would swerve her from her purpose when once convinced she was in the right. Her motto through life has been "Whatso- ever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," and this has been exemplified in her untiring devo- tion to Sunday-school, Mission, Church and Tem- perance work. She has organized Unions and Bands of Hope throughout her county, and for some years held the office of State W. C. T. U. organizer, doing effective work in several counties. In 1884 she was appointed W. C. T. U. County Superintend- ent of Scientific Temperance Instruction in the pub- lic schools of Wayne. She circulated the petition for this bill to be presented to the legislature of her

State. Since the bill became a law she has been un- ceasing in her effort to secure the introduction of suitable text-books in this branch in the schools. Through her influence, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, of Bos- ton, the founder of Scientific Temperance Instruc- tion, was secured as an instructor before the Teach- ers' Institute in Honesdale in November, 1897. Whatever success the sons and daughters have achieved in life they attribute largely to the love and training of their mother, Susan ( Goble) Hand, who, by the death of her husband, was left with a fam- ily of dependent children and slender means, and, courageously adapting herself to their changed con- ditions, she inspired her children with her own fortitude and invincible will, and secured educational advantages for them at the sacrifice of her own com- fort. She lived to see the result of her labors, for her last days were brightened by her children's suc- cess, and the knowledge of their unfailing devotion to her. She passed away September 17, 1891, at the age of eighty years.

ANGUS SMITH. Years of quiet usefulness, and a life in which the old-fashioned virtues of sin- cerity, industry and integrity are exemplified, have a simple beauty that no words can portray. Youth has its charms, but an honorable and honored old age, to which the lengthening years have added dig- nity and sweetness, has a brighter radiance, as if some ray from the life beyond already rested upon it. Among the old and honored citizens of Starrucca, Wayne county, none stands higher in the esteem of his fellow men than Angus Smith, who was for many years engaged in the chemical business at that place, but is now living retired.

Mr. Smith was born in 1817, in North Knap- dale, Scotland, in which country his parents, Archi- bald and Sarah (McGugan) Smith, spent their en- tire lives. Archibald Smith's father, Angus Smith, Sr., was a farmer, but the son passed his life work- ing in acid factories. He died in 1848, and his wife three years later. In their family were eight children, besides our subject, namely: John, who died in childhood; Christina, widow of John Pat- terson, of Binghamton, N. Y .; John, who spent his entire life in Scotland; Mary, wife of Alexander McPherson, of Scotland ; Katie, who resides in Aus- tralia ; Lizzie, who married and died in Scotland ; Malcolm, who is married and still lives in his native land; and Jane, now deceased.

In his native land Angus Smith was married, May 29, 1851, to Miss Margaret McAlpine, who was born there November 6, 1824, a daughter of Archie and Margaret McAlpine, well-to-do people. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith are as follows: (1) Margaret resides with her parents: (2) Archibald died in his fifteenth year. (3) Sarah, united in marriage to Charles Getter, of Pennsylvania. They now live in Auburn, N. Y., where he is serving as foreman in a chair factory. Four children were born to them, Angus (who died at the age of six years), Archie (at the age of three

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years), Harriet, and Charles. (4) Katie is the wife of W. H. Brown, who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Forest City, Penn. They have had six children, Margaret (who died at the age of twelve years), Jennie, Florence, Harry, Archie (deceased), and Marion. (5) Christina P. married Rev. J. W. Young, of Clifford, Penn., and three children have brightened their home, Myra W., Archie S. and Omar Kenneth. They now re- side at Gilbertsville, N. Y., where Mr. Young is pastor of a fine Presbyterian Church. (6) Mary E. is the wife of L. B. Smith, of Starrucca, who is engaged in the bakery business in Dunmore, Penn. Their children are Angus D. and Isabelle J. (7) Jean McAlpine resides at home. (8) Isa- belle A., a teacher, was educated in the schools of Starrucca, and later graduated from the Mansfield State Normal, in 1890. She has served as princi- pal of the graded schools of Brandt, Penn., and is now teaching in the public schools at Starrucca.

Mr. Smith was educated in the schools of Scot- land, but as he himself confesses, it was hard to learn, yet to-day one finds him a well-read man. When he landed in New York with wife and three children he had but twenty-five dollars. At the age of fourteen Mr. Smith learned the acid business in the chemical works of Messrs. Turnbull & Co., in Glasgow, Scotland, of which establishment hisfather was foreman, and on coming to America, in 1855, lie assisted that firm in building the first acid factory in the United States, it being located at Conklin, N. Y. He is therefore the pioneer in that line in America. After spending about twelve years in Conklin, N. Y., he located at Brandt, Penn., where he was engaged in the manufacture of acids and wood alcohol, under the firm name of Smith & Co. Coming to Starrucca in 1880, he also embarked in the manufacture of charcoal in connection with those chemicals, this time carrying on business under the name of the Susquehanna Chemical Co., and his partners being Messrs. Wright, Eisman and Falkenberry, of Susquehanna. This connection proved mutually pleasant and profitable, as is evi- denced by the desire of the others that Mr. Smith should join them in establishing large works of the same kind in the West, after carrying on business for sixteen years in Starrucca. He is now living re- tired, however, enjoying the rest which should al- ways follow a long and useful career.

In politics Mr. Smith was first a Whig, and is now a Republican. For some time he served as councilman in Starrucca, and for about ten years was treasurer of the school board. He is elder in Harmony Presbyterian Church, of which his wife and family have been for many years prominent and consistent members. In 1887 he and his daugh- ter Margaret returned to Scotland, where three en- joyable months were passed in visiting relatives and places of beauty and historic interest. For almost half a century he and his estimable wife have trav- eled life's journey together, and it is safe to say

that no couple in Wayne county are held in higher regard or have more warm, true friends than Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

JACOB B. TRANSUE, one of the prosperous farmers and large landowners of Smithfield town- ship, Monroe county, is a descendant of one of the earliest pioneer families of this section, the Tran- stes having been closely identified with the history of the county for many years.

Mr. Transue's grandparents were natives of France, his grandfather, Elias Transue, being one of three brothers, John, Philip, and Elias, who left their native country and same to seek a home in the New World, all settling in Smithfield township, Monroe Co., Penn., near Shawnce. John and Philip both reared large families, the former hav- ing six cihdlren, viz .: John, Abram, Jacob, Susan (Mrs. Peter Albert, of Smithfield), Barbara (Mrs. Shrauder, of Shawnee) and Susie (wife of Henry Strunk, who settled in Smithfield). Philip and his family lived in Pocono township. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Transue first located in Northampton county, Penn., removing thence to Smithfield, Monroe coun- ty, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their family consisted of nine children, five sons and four daughters, namely: Anthony (father of Jacob B. Transue), John C., Abram, Jacob, Isaac, Margaret (Mrs. Jacob Yetter), Barbara (Mrs. Philip Shivey), Susan ( Mrs. Michael Hotterstine, of Middle Smithfield) and Polly (Mrs. William Fish).

Anthony Transue was born in 1790 in Smith- field township, and during his boyhood received the benefit of such schools as were then in vogue in this locality, in the meantime obtaining a thorough knowledge of the duties on a pioneer farm. On commencing life on his own account he settled in Shawnee Valley on part of a large tract which his father had purchased, clearing out a large portion of that land, upon which he remained for some years. In 1827 he bought from his father the farm upon which his son Jacob now resides, but which at that time was in its primitive condition, and he spent the rest of his life in the improvement and cultivation of this place. He first erected a small log barn and, in 1842, a frame barn, which was burned down in 1853 and replaced by a large frame barn, and he made numerous other improvements on the property during his residence there. He learned blacksmithing, and erected a shop on the farm whereon our subject now lives, and it is still in existence as the family do their own blacksmithing. He died in 1860. Anthony Transue married Miss Catherine Brutz- man, daughter of Jacob Brutzman, who was one of the early settlers of Monroe county, coming from Montgomery county, Penn., where he was born in 1779. Mrs. Transue passed away a few years after the death of her husband. They were the par- ents of nine children, of whom, Susan is the wife of Valentine Transue, and has three children, Abram,

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Alice and Ida ; they reside in Susquehanna county, Penn. Frederick, born in 1832, married Miss Ma- tilda Newark, of Monroe county, and they resided in Shawnee, where he died in 1872, leaving a family of five children, Philip, David, Jacob, Eliza- beth and Amanda; his widow and family still reside in Monroe county. Henry, born in 1834, was first married to Elizabeth Mosier, who died leaving one daughter, Mattie, and he subsequently wedded Miss Fanny Gardner, of New Jersey, by whom he has two children, Clyde and Edna; they live in Stroud, where he is engaged in mercantile business. Jacob B. is fourth in the order of birth. Katie, born in 1839, is the wife of Michael Walters, of Smithfield ; they have one son and one daughter, Josephine and Irvin. Adam, born in 1842, married Margaret Kinney, of Smithfield, and has a family of three chil- dren, Olive, Kinney and Charles; they live in War- ren county, N. J., where he conducts one of the finest hotels along the Delaware river, his establishment being especially popular as a summer resort. Eve, twin sister of Adam, is the wife of James Kinney, and has one daughter, Edith; they live in Stroud township, near East Stroudsburg, where Mr. Kin- ney follows the blacksmith trade. Hannah, born in 1844, is the deceased wife of Warren Dunblazer, of Lackawanna county, Penn. ; she left one son, Wood- ward. Abram, born in 1847, married Miss Arminta Overfield, of Middle Smithfield, and they have three children, Edith, Ethel and Elmer; they live on his farm in Smithfield township.

Jacob B. Transue was born November 9, 1837, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, and there was reared, in his youth attending the neigh- boring public schools, where he received all his edu- cation. During his early manhood he commenced lumbering,which he followed in all for thirteen years, rafting down the Delaware river to the East- ern markets as far as Trenton, and he has since de- voted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, living on the farm of his birth, which he purchased in 1865, shortly after his mother's death. Subse- quently, in partnership with his brother Henry, he bought a farm in Middle Smithfield, and in 1872 the brothers bought the Christian farm, in New Jer- sey, where he erected his large boarding-house ; he afterward sold his interest in the latter investment to his brother. Mr. Transue has continued to make his home on the old place up to the present day, making various improvements on the place in the way of additions to buildings, new outbuildings, etc., and he and his wife have by their united efforts succeeded in converting it into a beautiful property, their home being one of the most desirable in the township. The land is under a profitable state of cultivation, yielding its owner a good income, and in appearance as well as productiveness it ranks with the fine farms of Monroe county. In addition to this place Mr. Transue owns a large amount of real estate in Middle Smithfield, and a piece of property in Delaware Water Gap, N. J. Mr. Tran- sue has been actively identified with local public

affairs, and has held various offices in the township with ability and with satisfaction to his constituents, serving for several terms as overseer of the poor and as school director. In 1876 he was elected to the office of county commissioner, the duties of which he discharged faithfully during his term of service, making a clean record for himself as a val- uable citizen and competent official. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party. He is regarded by all as one of the substan- tial, progressive citizens of the town in which he makes his home, and by his upright life he has gained the respect of those who have come in con- tact with him, whether in business, social or political circles.

On May 9, 1882, Mr. Transue was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Place, the accomplished daughter of Martin and Mary Place, prominent residents of Middle Smithfield, and their union has been blessed with one son, Irvin L., who was born January 25, 1883, and is at present attending the public schools. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Transue are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ORANGE A. BALDWIN is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the early New England pioneers of Middletown township, Susquehanna county, his grandfather, Peleg Baldwin, having settled On wild land in that locality in 1817. Our subject is one of the prosperous and successful farmers of that township, and has always been closely identi- fied with its development and best interests. He was born in the township, and has been a continu- ous resident thereof except for the three years which he gave to his country during the Civil war.

Peleg Baldwin was a Revolutionary soldier, and in his later life he drew a pension from the . government for his military service. In 1817, with his wife Anna (Fields) and family, he migrated from Litchfield county, Conn., and settled upon wild land in Middletown township, where he made a home. He died in 1848. He had five children : (I) Miles, the father of our subject. . (2) Sam- uel, who settled in Wyoming county, where he died leaving a family, of whom are mentioned Miles D., who lives near Leraysville, Penn .; Charles, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Lyman, of Middletown ; Heze- kiah, of Wyoming county, Penn .; Anne, deceased wife of Ithamer Canfield; and Hellena, widow of Frank Brister, of Bradford county. (3) David settled in Wilkes Barre, where he died leaving two children: Ruth, widow of E. G. Ball, of Mont- rose ; and Mary, wife of E. G. Gorman, of Hope, Penn. (4) Nancy, born in Middletown, married David Whited, of Middletown, and reared a fam- ily, including Charles, of Middletown; David, who lived near Ithaca, N. Y .; Mary A., who married John Butler, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Louisa, wife of Ed. Stephens, of Warren, Bradford county ; and Samuel, of Liberty township, now deceased, (5) Caroline married Russell Sheldon, and lived in

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D. A.Baldwin

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Bradford county until her death. She left four children, George R., who was a soldier in Company H, 143rd P. V. I. during the Civil war, and now resides in Shawnee county, Kans .; Caroline, wife of Eliphalet Wilcox, of Nineveh, N. Y. ; Lucy, wife of Philander Foster, of Carbondale; and Nancy, of Owego.

Miles Baldwin, the father of our subject, was born in Litchfield county, Conn., September 2, 1808, and when nine years of age came with his parents to Middletown township. Here he was reared to manhood, receiving a limited education in the common schools, and adopting farming as his occupation. In 1839 he married Miss Mahitable Spafford, daughter of Samtiel and Mary Spafford, pioneers of Middletown township, who had migra- ted from New Hampshire about 1817. She was born in Friendsville January 31, 1817, was edu- cated in the schools of Friendsville and Montrose, and for some years prior to her marriage taught school in Susquehanna county. After their mar- riage Miles and Mahitable settled on the old Bald- win homestead in Middletown township, where they remained through life. They were active and con- sistent members of the Baptist Church. In poli- tics Miles Baldwin was a Democrat, and he was a prominent citizen of the township. He held vari- ous local offices, including those of constable, col- lector, school director and supervisor. Of his seven children, our subject is the eldest. (2) Emma M., born November 13, 1846, was a teacher in her girlhood, married John E. Strange, of For- est Lake township, and has two children, Alice E., wife of Adam Kear, of Orwell, Penn., and Cora, wife of George Willis, of Standing Stone, Penn. Mrs. Strange later married S. G. Case, of Orwell. Penn. (3) Ellen T., born June 10, 1849, was well educated at the Montrose high school, and taught school very successfully in Susquehanna until her death, in 1876. (4) Elsie T., born June 18, 1851, married Fred Sheldon, of Coudersport, Penn .. where she died soon after, leaving no family. (5) Candace, born September 23, 1853, married Powell Jones, a farmer of Apolacon township. They have three children, Clarence, Emma and Ida. (6) Chester J., born November 28, 1856, is engaged in farming at the old homestead with our subject. (7) Olive I., born November 2, 1859, is the wife of Fred L. Compton, of Middletown, and has two children, Benton O. and Irene H.

Orange A. Baldwin, our subject, was born in Middletown December 20. 1843, received his ele- mentary education in the district schools, and later attended Montrose Academy. He was engaged in school teaching in Susquehanna county when, in August, 1862, at the age of eighteen years, he en- listed at Friendsville in Company H. 143rd P. V. I .. and was mustered in at Camp Curtin. He served during the full term of three years, and was pro- moted from corporal to sergeant July 1. 1864. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, participating in many of the severest battles of the war, his first 46

engagement being at Chancellorsville. At Gettys- burg he was wounded in the foot, and there entered the field hospital. Just before the battle of the Wilderness, in which he was engaged, he was de- tailed as adjutant's clerk for the regiment, and in that capacity served until August 30, 1864, when, his health having failed, he was sent home on fur- lough, where he came very near dying. When sufficiently recovered he returned to the hospital and performed the duties of clerk until discharged, Sep- tember 7, 1865, at Philadelphia, at the expiration of his term of service.

Returning to Susquehanna county, Mr. Bald- win engaged in teaching school until his marriage, June 19, 1867, to Miss Juliet L. Leonard, of Forest Lake township. She was born in South Owego, N. Y., June 10, 1839, a daughter of Henry and Catherine Leonard. After his marriage our sub- ject settled in the old Baldwin homestead, which he has ever since occupied. Here his wife died March 2, 1875, leaving two daughters, Louise W., born August 13, 1869, and Juliet L., born February 20, 1875, both of whom have adopted teaching, and are now among the bright and progressive teachers of Susquehanna county. On August 4, 1878, our sub- ject married Miss Julia A. Allen, who was born November 19, 1856, a daughter of David and Abbie L. Allen, one of the prominent families of South Montrose. By this marriage there were three chil- dren: Burton M., born July 26, 1881, a graduate of the Montrose High School in 1899, and now a teacher; Edgar A., who died aged seventeen months ; and Jessie P., born June 5, 1888.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 169

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