Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 18

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 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 18

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Nathaniel Treadwell (our subject's father) was extensively engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes in his native place, and was one of the most public-spirited and influential citizens of the community. In early life he was a Democrat, later became a prominent member of the Know- Nothing party, and on the organization of the Re- publican party joined its ranks, voting for John C. Fremont in 1856. A true and earnest Christian gentleman, he took an active part in the work of the Congregational Church, to which he and his wife belonged. He died in 1857, aged thirty-seven years, and was buried at Ipswich; Mrs. Treadwell

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is still living, at the age of seventy years, a resident of Malden, Mass. The children born to them were Marcus M., of this sketch; Henry S., who married Lydia B. Lord, and is now serving as postmaster of South Boston, Mass. ; Emma C., wife of Thadeus Griffing, a coal merchant of Gloucester, Mass .; Su- san E. and Della, both residents of Malden, Mass .; Mary F., who died in infancy ; Nathaniel W., in the boot and shoe business at Malden, Mass .; Edward D. and Arthur J. (twins), of whom the latter died at the age of ten years; the former is a civil en- gineer in Boston.

Until thirteen years of age, Marcus M. Tread- well attended the public schools of Ipswich, and then worked in his father's factory until the latter's death, after which he was employed in the postoffice at Boston until the war of the Rebellion. Like his ancestors, he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in the service of his country, becoming a private in Capt. N. B. Shurtliff's company, the 12th Mass. V. I., under command of Col. Fletcher Webster, son of Daniel Webster; he served three years, and was mustered out with the rank of quartermaster ser- geant. After receiving his discharge he joined Gen. Grant's army, and remained in the service until the close of the war.

Returning to his home in Ipswich, Mass., Mr. Treadwell was employed as bookkeeper until Au- gust, 1869, and was then in the service of the Erie Railroad Co. for a short time. Later he was em- ployed as bookkeeper and weighmaster by the Penn- sylvania Coal Co., at Hawley, Wayne county, Penn., until 1876, when he took charge of his father-in- low's mercantile establishment at that place, with which he was connected until 1889. In the mean- time he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1883, and has since engaged in the practice of his chosen profession with good success.

Mr. Treadwell was married at Hawley, in July, 1875, to Miss Josephine Barker, Rev. Galpin, a Pres- byterian minister, officiating. She is a daughter of Levi Barker, who erected the elegant residence in which Mr. and Mrs. Treadwell now reside, it being the finest home in Wayne county. Here hospitality reigns supreme, their many friends always being sure of a hearty welcome. Their library is one of the best and largest to be found in the county. For five years Mr. Treadwell has served as school di- rector in Hawley ; in November, 1893, was elected district attorney ; and in the fall of 1896 was re- elected for a three-years' term. That he proved a most capable and popular official is evidenced by his re-election. He is a pleasant, genial and polished gentleman, of high social qualities, and has made a host of warm friends and acquaintances in his adopted county. In religious connection he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and socially has affiliated with the Masonic fraternity since 1878.

EDWARD E. HOOKER. The Pocono moun- tain region is known as "the sportsman's paradise," and its beauty was first made known by the anglers

and hunters who made their way within its borders in search of fish and game. Its attractions now draw crowds of visitors annually, and one of the most popular of the summer hotels which have been built there is the "Pocono Mountain House," near the village of Mt. Pocono.

Its genial and enterprising proprietor, the sub- ject of this sketch, was among the first to realize the advantages of the locality, and in 1874 he joined some friends in the purchase of a tract of 400 acres at Mt. Pocono, known as the Jacob Teel estate. They built a club-house for their own use, but later Mr. Hooker bought the exclusive title, and fitted the place up as a summer resort. The buildings, which will accommodate 300 guests, are situated on one of the highest eminences in the locality, and command a charming view. Cottages on the grounds afford privacy for those who prefer it, and every provision is made for the comfort and enter- tainment of the guests. Outdoor amusements are endless in variety, the trout streams of the neighbor- hood being especially noted, and while the well find it a delightful resort the sick are no less pleased to enjoy the salubrious air, hay fever sufferers espec- cially experiencing immediate relief. The place is easy of access, hotel stages meeting all trains at the station, and a New York or Philadelphia business man can spend his spare time there without losing touch with affairs in the city. Not the least of the many attractions of the hotel is the genial and hos- pitable influence of its host and his estimable wife, whose interest in the welfare of their guests is un- tiring.

Mr. Hooker was born March 24, 1831, in Cort- land county, N. Y., where his family has been prom- inent for many years. He is a direct descendant of Rev. Thomas Hooker, and has in his possession the old Bible, bearing date of 1582, which that worthy ancestor brought to this country, and which was the first Bible preached from in Connecticut; it was again used at the celebration of the 250th anniver- sary of the Church of which Rev. Thomas Hooker was pastor. The book is well preserved. The title-page bears the imprint of Christopher Barker, London, 1582. Rev. Thomas Hooker was born in 1586, was pastor of Christ Church, in Marfield, Hertfordshire, England, and came to New England in 1632. On October 11, 1633, he established the first Church at Hartford, Conn. He died July I, 1641, leaving one son, Rev. Samuel Hooker, who died at Farmington, Conn., while in the ministry. His family consisted of eleven children: Thomas, Samuel, William, John, James, Roger, Nathaniel, Mary, Hezekiah, Daniel and Sarah. John, the next in the line of descent, was born February 20, 1664. He was the father of ten children: Hezekiah, John, Abigail, John (2), Abigail (2), Mary, Sarah, Jo- seph, Ruth and Roger. Of these, Hezekiah was born October 14, 1688. He had ten children : Heze- kiah, James, Joseph, Abigail, Mary, William (the great-grandfather of our subject), Jessie, Eunice,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Asahel and Sarah. William, born January 20, 1729, had a family of fifteen children: Hezekiah, Eunice, William, Mary, Increase Mosely (grand- father of Edward E. Hooker), Rachel, Eunice (2), Olive, Josiah C., Mary (2), Deborah A., Timothy J., John, John (2) and Charissa. Increase Mosely Hook- and his wife Lois settled in Cortland county, N. Y., thence in 1843 removed to the vicinity of New Brunswick, N. J., where he spent the remainder of his days, dying September 10, 1849. They had chil- dren as follows: Eliza, John H., Chellis and Harley (twins) and Sophia.

John H. Hooker, the father of our subject, was born in 1791 in Connecticut, and was educated in New York State. He became a successful business man, and engaged in many lines of enterprise. He purchased large tracts of land, which he cleared and brought under cultivation, and there he established dairies and cheese factories, the product being sent to New York City markets. He also owned and operated a large woolen-mill and a flouring-mill; but after many years of uniform success a fire caused him a loss of over one hundred thousand dollars, leaving him much embarrassed. Having managed to save about eight thousand dollars from the wreck, he removed, in 1843, to a farm near New Brunswick, N. J. His wife, Nancy (Dunham), who was born in 1793, died, in 1856, and Mr. Hooker passed away in 1867. Our subject is one in a family of twelve children, all of whom were born in New York State: (I) John H. engaged in business in New York, and died in early manhood. (2) Eliza married James Sutton, of Deruyter, N. Y. (3) Sarah mar- ried Dr. Haverman, of New Brunswick, N. J., where both died, leaving no family. (4) Delia married, for her first husband, Alanson Crego, a harness man- ufacturer, and they settled in Rahway, N. J., where

he died in 1850. There were two children by this union. John H. and Sarah E. For her second hus- band Mrs. Crego married Francis Sears, of Cort- land, N. Y., a manufacturer of linseed oil. No children were born to this marriage. (5) Samantha. (6) Sophia died in girlhood. (7) Sylvia married Joseph Beavers, of New Brunswick, N. J., where he died, and she now resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. She has one daughter, Eliza, who is the wife of George H. Raymond, of Brooklyn. (8) Sophia (2) mar- ried George W. Bliss, a merchant of Cortland, N. Y., and had three sons, Charles E., Henry S. and George W., Jr. (9) Mary is the wife of Rev. Isaac M. See, of Brooklyn, and has four children, Henry, Ed- ward, Rudolph, and Mary (who married William Bird, of Brooklyn). (10) Edward E. is tenth in the order of birth. ( II) Henry C. married Miss Myra Bullman, of Plainfield, N. J., and resides at Wash- ington, N. J., where he is engaged in business. He has one son living, John S. (12) Emily married John H. Tapping, of New Brunswick, N. J., and has four children living, Edward, a business man of Milwaukee, Wis .: Chester, a resident of Boston ; Sarah : and Mary.

Our subject spent much of his early life in and

near New Brunswick, N. J., where he received a good practical education. After his father removed to the farm they turned their attention to fruit raising. The fruit was shipped to New York City, Albany, Troy, and Boston, and as the farm was lo- cated in an extensive fruit belt, our subject often sold for others on commission besides attending to their own crop. His business increased yearly un- til, while still a young man, he became one of the leading commission merchants in the fruit business in New York. In 1849 he was employed by his brother-in-law, Alanson Crego, as manager of his large wholesale harness manufactory, and Mr. Crego dying soon afterward, Mr. Hooker succeeded him in the business until 1861, when the Civil war broke out, and he lost a large share of his business, which was mainly connected with New Orleans and other Southern markets, for as he was a Republican his trade was boycotted by the Southern people. He sold out at great loss, and then engaged in the man- ufacture of military equipments for the government, furnishing the first ten thousand bought for use in the Rebellion. Later he removed to Trenton, where he was engaged in the dry-goods business for five years, and since that time his attention has been given chiefly to the development of his interests at Mt. Pocono, whither he removed in 1878 with his family. Mr. Hooker had hunted and fished in this part of Pennsylvania for some twenty years previous to his removal, for he has always been a great sportsman, enjoying thoroughly the pleasures of the rod and gun. Our subject has always taken a keen interest in politics, and since 1856, when he voted for John C. Fremont, he has supported the Repub- lican ticket. In all local affairs he is prominent, and at present he is postmaster at Mt. Pocono. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, and he is a lead- ing member of the Church at Trenton, with which his wife also united. Fraternally, he belongs to Mercer Lodge No. 20, F. & A. M., of Trenton, New Jersey.

In 1854 Mr. Hooker married Miss Hannah M. Manning, daughter of Isaac William and Christine (Sebring) Manning, of Plainfield, N. J., and of the children born to this union three are living: . (1) Mary, born in Rahway, N. J., received a fine educa- tion in the Trenton schools, and is a bright, scholarly young lady ; she lives at home. (2) Emily, born at Rahway, N. J., was educated in Trenton, and is now the wife of Mercien Thomas, one of the leading architects of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have children, Edward, Ruth, Charles, Emily and Mercien, Jr. (3) E. E. Hooker, Jr., born in Trenton, N. J., in 1863, received a classical education in the schools of New Jersey. He is unmarried and resides at home, be- ing associated with his father in business. The mother passed away March 14, 1899, and on the Saturday following, March 18, she was laid to rest in Riverview cemetery, Trenton, N. J. Services were held at the home on Friday, attended by a large gathering of friends who held Mrs. Hooker in high esteem for her many virtues. The funeral services

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were held in the First Presbyterian Church, of Tren- ton, Rev. Dr. Studdiford officiating, and were very impressive.

JOHN YEISLEY, one of the well and favor- ably known farmer citizens of Smithfield township, Monroe Co., Penn., is a native of same, having been born May 22, 1827, on the farm which he now owns and carries on, and the Yeisleys are numbered among the pioneers of this part of Monroe county.

Mr. Yeisley's grandparents, George A. and Christina Yeisley, were of German parentage. Dur- ing the early part of their lives they resided in Northampton county, Penn., and in 1790 he took up the tract of wild land in Smithfield, Monroe county, which has ever since remained in the family, he and his wife being among the first settlers of the section. Mr. Yeisley made the first improvements on this property, building a log house and devoting the re- mainder of his days to clearing the land, which was a veritable wilderness when he took possession. As prosperity came to him he erected a larger dwell- ing, of stone, in which he continued to live until his decease ; his wife survived him some years, dying in 1851. They were the parents of seven children, Jacob, John, Peter, Nicholas, Conrad, Charlotte and Christine. Nicholas, John and Conrad moved west, settling in Ohio. The daughters both married and died at Easton and Pittston, Pennsylvania, respect- ively.

Peter Yeisley was born in 1793 near Easton, Northampton Co., Penn., grew to manhood in Smithfield, Monroe county, and after his marriage settled on the old homestead, where he had been trained to agricultural pursuits ; he was a lifelong farmer, and after taking possession of the property he did a large amount of clearing on it, working hard to bring it under a profitable state of culti- vation. He married Catherine Transue, and they had a family of sixteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, viz. : (I) George, born in 1813 in Smith- field, was first married to Miss Julia Pipher, of the same town, who died leaving two daughters, Katie J., wife of Jacob Halderman, and Mary, who died in young womanhood. His second wife was Han- nah Nicholas; no children were born to their union. George Yeisley occupied a part of the old homestead, and died there in 1893. (2) Mary, born in 1814, became the wife of Daniel Zimmerman, of Smithfield, and died leaving four children, Samuel, Annas, Sabina and Hiram. (3) Christina, born in 1816, married John Hoffman, and they became the parents of seven children, Andrew, Catherine, Anna Maria, Theodore, Charles, George and Amzi. (4) Elizabeth, born in 1817, married Aaron Yetter, who died within a short time, and she subsequently became the wife of John Mechley, of Monroe. By her first marriage she had one child, James C. (5) Katherine, born in 1818, married Frederick Zimmerman. (6) Philip married Miss Margaret Steel, and moved to Iowa, settling in Lisbon, that State. They have three children, Horace, Charles

and Alice. (7) Sarah, born in 1820, married Con- rad Ward, and they made their home in Scranton, Penn., where she died. She left seven children, John, Katie, Mary, Anna, Ella, Martha and Charles. (8) Margaret, born in 1822, married Samuel Posten, of Price, Monroe county; they had no children. (9) Julia, born in 1823, died in young womanhood. (10) Theodore, born in 1824, died when a young man. (II) Rachel, born in 1826, became the wife of George Sayre, of Monroe county, who is now de- ceased, and she makes her home in Stroudsburg. Her family consists of eight children, Miriam, Amanda, Anna M., Lawrence, David, Daniel, Henry, Sophia. (12) John is the subject proper of this sketch. (13) Susan, born in 1828, married Thomas Somers, of Scranton, Penn., and they resided at Kingston, where she died, leaving four children, Arthur, William, Mary and Emma. (14) Jacob, born in 1830, married Miss Elizabeth Sebring, and they reside in Wilkes Barre, Penn. They have a family of eight children, George, Andrew, Emma, Ella, Gilbert, Ida, Hattie and Eugene. (15) Anna, born in 1832, is the widow of James Wallen, of White Haven, Penn. She has four children, George, Eleazer, Charles and Sylvester. (16) Sophia, born in 1835, was the wife of Henry Ward, of Scranton, Penn. ; three daughters survive her, Addie, Emma and Frances. Peter Yeisley and his wife died on the old farm in Smithfield in 1884, and 1875, respectively .. They were consistent members of the Christian Reformed Church, in the work of which they took an active interest, giving liberally of their means toward the support of all religious en- terprises. They contributed toward the building of the first Church edifice in Monroe county.

During his boyhood John Yeisley assisted his father on the home place in the summer season, and during the winters attended the schools in vogue in that early day, receiving such education as was afforded by those comparatively primitive insti- tutions of learning. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some sixteen years, and he has continued to use his knowl- edge of this craft up to the present day with con- siderable saving and profit to himself in connection with his agricultural pursuits. After his first mar- riage he resided in Smithfield until 1854, when he removed to Middle Smithfield, making his home in that township until 1865, in which year he re- turned to his old home. He purchased the home- stead after his father's death, and here he has since carried on farming with encouraging success, rank- ing among the well-to-do agriculturists of the town- ship. Mr. Yeisley is universally liked for his many sterling qualities of head and heart, and he is a representative type of the Christian citizen, kind and cheerful in disposition and considerate in his treat- ment of all, regardless of position. His integrity and fairness in business matters are above reproach, and he has the esteem and good wishes of all who know him in any of the relations of life. During the Civil war he enlisted in October, 1862, in the

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Union service from Monroe county, becoming a member of Company C, 176th P. V. I., received an honorable discharge in August, 1863, and was com- mended by his officers for his strict attention to duty and good conduct.

In 1850 Mr. Yeisley married Miss Susan Arnst, daughter of Michael and Mary Arnst, old settlers of Smithfield, and to their union were born four children, of whom we give a brief record : Rev. Wil- son Yeisley, born in 1851 in Monroe county, re- ceived his training for the ministry in the Muhlen- burg College and Allentown (Penn.) Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, and is now in the ministry of the Lutheran Church, being stationed in Wash- ington county, Penn. ; he married Miss Fanny Roof, of Jewett, Ohio, and they have three children, Paul W., Lucile and Ruth. Frank P. Yeisley, born in 1852, married Miss Mary Ross, and has three ch.l- dren, George, Stewart and Lewis; they reside in Smithfield. Mary Yeisley, born in 1855, is the wife of George Newheart, of Delaware Water Gap, and has three children, John, Maggie and Florence. Susan Yeisley, born in 1857, married John Hall, of Price, Monroe county, and died leaving two chil- dren, Anna (Mrs. Perry Turner, of Price) and Wilson (who died young). The mother of these died in Middle Smithfield, and in 1859 Mr. Yeisley wedded her sister, Miss Lucinda Arnst. She passed away on the old Yeisley homestead in 1870, widely mourned by all who knew her. She was a con- sistent member of the Lutheran Church. This marriage was also blessed with four children, Aman- da, Anna, Emma and Jeremiah. The eldest daugh- ter, born in Middle Smithfield in 1859, received her education in the public schools, and has always lived at home. Anna Yeisley, born in Middle Smithfield in 1862, attended the public schools in girlhood, and later became a student in the Fair- view Academy and the Westchester Normal School, finally taking a course in Wood's Business College, at Scranton, Penn. For the past eighteen years she has been engaged in teaching in Monroe county, and she ranks among the most successful members of her profession here, her culture and general learning entitling her to an honored place among the competent educators. She is thoroughly in- formed on current literature and matters of gen- eral interest, and is one of the most pleasant mem- bers of the cheerful domestic circle for which the Yeisley home is marked. Miss Yeisley is no less interested in Church and Sabbath-school work, into which she enters with the same energy and success which has characterized all her undertakings, giv- ing liberally of her time and means to religious enter- prises. Emma Yeisley, born in 1864, married Sam- uel Ruster, of East Stroudsburg, where they reside, Mr. Ruster working in the car shops as carpenter ; they have two children, John J. and Paul W. Jere- miah Yeisley died in childhood. In 1872 Mr. Yeis- ley married Miss Elizabeth Cramer, of Middle Smithfield, whose father, John Cramer, was born in Germany, and for some time after coming to the

United States lived in Chester county, Penn. He there married Miss Mary Thompkins, of that county. They finally removed to Monroe county, where they both died, leaving seven children: Caroline, wife of J. U. Hilgert, of Tobyhanna, Monroe coun- ty; George, of Stroudsburg; Elizabeth, Mrs. Yeis- ley; Mary, Mrs. E. Cramer, of Monroe county ; John and James, both residing in East Strouds- burg; and Lemuel, of Tobyhanna. Mr. and Mrs. Yeisley and family are all members of the Lutheran Church in Smithfield. His political support is given to the Democratic party, in whose welfare he takes a deep interest, and he has held a number of elective offices, though he has never been a politician in the ordinary sense of the term. Our subject was at one time a member of the G. A. R.

HON. THEODORE Y. HOFFMAN, associ- ate judge of Monroe county, enjoys the distinction of being the first Republican ever elected to the po- sition in that stronghold of Democracy, the honor being the more notable from the fact that he did not spend a cent to secure his election. As a life-long resident of the county, his sterling qualities of char- acter are well known and his supporters are to be found among men of all classes. For many years he has been identified with the lumber business at East Stroudsburg, and at present he is manager-in- chief of the extensive operations of the East 'Stroudsburg Lumber Co., in which he is a stock- holder.

Mr. Hoffman comes of thrifty German stock, and is a grandson of Peter Hoffman, an early set- tler in Bucks county, who came from Germany at an early period with his brother, Philip, at which time they were middle-aged men. Peter, who was a carpenter by trade, subsequently made his home in the eastern part of Monroe county, near Shaw- nee, and later removed to a farm near Buttermilk Falls, Smithfield township, Monroe county, where he died in 1861, aged seventy-six years and seven months. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife, Hannah ( Metzgar), who died at the age of eighty years, were both devout members of the Reformed Church. They had the following chil- dren: John, our subject's father ; Philip; Charles, a wheelwright by trade, who died in Monroe county ; Lewis, who died in childhood ; Peter, a wheelwright, who died in Monroe county ; George, a carpenter, at Buttermilk Falls ; and Barbara, deceased, the wife of John Huff.

John Hoffman, the father of our subject, was born in Bucks county in 1815, and died in May, 1893. He resided about half a mile from Buttermilk Falls, and followed the carpenter's trade for many years. Politically he was a Democrat, and he was active in religious work as a member of the German Reformed Church. He married Miss Christina Yeisley, who was born in 1815, near Buttermilk Falls, in Smith- field township, and died in 1881, and they became the parents of eight children: Andrew, a farmer in Smithfield township, Monroe county ; Hannah,

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wife of Samuel H. Halderman, of East Strouds- burg; Catherine, wife of Thomas Engle, of Blooms- bury, N. J .; Theodore Y., our subject ; George Y., owner of a grocery in Scranton; Charles S. and Amzi, contractors in East Stroudsburg ; and Susan- nah, who died at the age of seven years. Mrs. Christina ( Yeisley) Hoffman, the mother of this family, was one of the family of sixteen children born to Peter and Catherine (Transue) Yeisley, viz .: George, Philip, John, Jacob, Theodore, Eliza- beth, Margaret, Christina, Sarah, Susan, Anna, Rachel, Sophia, Mary, Katherine, and one that died in infancy. Peter Yeisley was a farmer, after his marriage buying the place on which he and his wife passed sixty years of happy wedded ilfe. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-one, surviving his wife several years. They were members of the Reformed Church.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 18

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