Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 190

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 190
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 190
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 190
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 190

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During his boyhood and youth Levi Hoffman received a public-school education, and aided in the work of the home farm in Middle Smithfield town- ship. In 1852 he purchased a tract of 105 acres of land in the same township, and at once commenced to clear and improve it. After his marriage he be- gan housekeeping in the small log house which had previously been erected, and there made his home until 1867 when it was replaced by a large brick residence. He has also erected a good barn and other outbuildings, and made many useful improve- ments, so that he now has one of the handsomest homes and most desirable farms in this section. The land is under a high state of cultivation, and by his careful management is made to yield bountiful harvest in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it.

In 1855 Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Detrick, of Middle Smithfield township, a daughter of Elias and Effie Detrick, who were representatives of old and prominent families of Northampton county, Penn., whence they came to Monroe county, making their home here until called from this life. When quite young Mrs. Hoffman united with the Lutheran Church, and died in that faith in January, 1865. She was a consistent Christian, a faithful wife and loving mother. She left three children: (1) Eva, born on the home farm in Middle Smithfield township, in 1858, married Amos B. Coleman, of Mercer county, Penn., and they now reside in Titusville, N. J. ; they have one son, Austin. (2) Samuel died at Ocean

Grove, N. J., when a young man. (3) William, born in 1863, married Ida Mosier, daughter of Emanuel Mosier, of Middle Smithfield township, and they reside on a part of the father's homestead, while he superintends the farming operations ; they have three children, Herman, born in 1884; Ada, born in 1885 ; and Georgia, born at Wyalusing, Bradford Co., Penn., in 1886.

In 1867 Mr. Hoffman was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna Brown, of Smithfield township, a daughter of John and Jennie Brown, who belonged to one of the pioneer fam- ilies of Stroud township, Monroe county. Three daughters bless this union : (1) Bessie, born in Mid- dle Smithfield township, in July, 1867, was edtt- cated in the public schools, and was married in 1896 to William Herman, a farmer of Monroe county, by whom she has one daughter, Eva C. (2) Mary, born in 1868, is the wife of George Palmer, a lead- ing butcher of Smithfield township, Monroe county. (3) Hattie, born in 1869, is a young lady of culture and refinement, who was educated in the public schools, and is the pride of her parents' home; she is a member of the Presbyterian Church and takes an active part in Church and Sabbath-school work.

In his political convictions Mr. Hoffman is a Jacksonian Democrat, and has most acceptably filled the offices of school director, treasurer and collector of the board for a number of years. Re- ligiously he and his family are connected with the Presbyterian Church of Coolbaugh, and have the respect and esteem of the entire community.

PURDON L. BRAMAN. Prominent among the energetic, enterprising and successful business men of Wayne county is the subject of this sketch, who has for many years been prominently identified with the lumbering and farming interests of Berlin township. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and his connec- tion with the various enterprises has been of de- cided advantage to the community, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner.

Mr. Braman was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1840, a son of Rhodes and Catharine (Russ) Braman, also natives of the Empire State. On com- ing to Wayne county, Penn., the father located in Berlin township, where he engaged in lumbering during the remainder of his life. Our subject was a lad of nine years when he came with the family to Wayne county, and upon a farm adjoining his pres- ent place, on what is known as Braman creek, he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the local schools. When a young man he engaged in freighting hollowware, glassware and other com- modities between Honesdale and Mt. Hope, carry- ing on that business for a number of years before the Erie railroad was constructed from Lackawaxen to Honesdale. In partnership with his father and brother Hamilton he then engaged in the lumber business. They bought and owned large tracts of timber land, and did the most extensive lumber

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business of any firm in Berlin township. Until 1887 our subject spent the greater part of his time on the old homestead, in that year purchasing the Allen Compton farm, on the Narrowsburg turnpike, consisting of 100 acres, which he now has under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings.

In 1867 Mr. Braman was united in marriage with Miss Betsy W. Church, of Bethany, Penn., a daughter of D. W. and Milly Church, who were old and prominent citizens of Honesdale. Her father was born in Lebanon, N. H., in 1814, her mother in Springfield, Mass., in 1812, and after their marriage they came to Honesdale, Penn., where they resided for some years, while he worked at the trade of a millwright. In 1848 he removed to Bethany, where he continued to engage in the same occupation until his death in 1880. While a resident of Honesdale he also taught in the public schools for several years. His wife died in Bethany in 1881. Mrs. Braman, who was born in Honesdale in 1842, was their eldest child. Mary, born in the same city in 1845, obtained an excellent education, and for some years was employed as teacher in the graded schools of Honesdale, but at present is a teacher in the Oral School for the Deaf at Scranton, Penn. Helen, born in 1848, died at the age of six- teen years. James, born in Bethany, in 1850, mar- ried Katie Johnson, of Long Island, N. Y., and they reside in Lynn, Mass., where he is employed as a machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Braman have two daugh- ters : Adda, born in 1870, received a good education in the schools of Bethany and Honesdale, and suc- cessfully engaged in teaching for several years pre- vious to her marriage, in 1895, to Edward F. Rice, of Atco, Wayne county ; they reside in Bunnelltown, that county. They have one son, Lester. Maude, the younger daughter, was born in Berlin, in 1876, and obtained her scholastic training in the home school at Waymart. She is a refined young lady, now employed as teacher in the schools at Beech Lake.

Mr. Braman is descended from good old Whig stock, and since attaining his majority has given an unwavering support to the principles of the Repub- lican party. He has held the office of school di- rector for three years, and gives his influence to every enterprise which he believes calculated to ad- vance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his township and county. Religiously he is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, while his wife is a Pres- byterian, and in social circles they occupy a position of prominence, being numbered among the best citi- zens of Berlin township.

EDWARD ADARE, a leading business man of Brandt, Susquehanna county, has been success- fully engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years, and is also extensively interested in real estate there, and at Stevens Point. His keen foresight and sound judgment as to values have enabled him to gain a substantial competence, while in political affairs

these qualities have been no less useful, making him one of the chief advisers in local movements.

Mr. Adare was born November 14, 1835, in the town of Tompkins, Delaware Co., N. Y., where he spent his early years upon a farm along the Delaware river. His paternal grandparents, James Adare and his wife, natives of Ireland, settled there at an early day, making their home in the "clearing." Joseph Adare, our subject's father, was born in Ireland, and was a boy when he accompanied his parents to this country. He attended school in Ireland and in Del- aware county, receiving a good education for that day, and for a number of years taught school suc- cessfully in the latter locality. After his marriage he settled upon a farm, where he died in 1873. He was married, in Delaware county, to Miss Polly Peck, a native of Connecticut, whose father, Nich- olas Peck, became an early settler in Delaware coun- ty, N. Y., and ten children were born to this worthy couple, our subject being the second youngest : (I) Jane married George Houghtaling, of Delaware county, and settled on a farm at Little York, N. Y., where she died leaving no family. (2) Sarah mar- ried John Cowan, and settled in the town of Auburn, N. Y. She died some years ago leaving a family. (3) Betsy married John Burnside, of Otsego coun- ty, N. Y. They settled in Delaware county, where they died leaving two children, David, who is mar- ried and resides at Deposit, N. Y., and Jane, wife of Milo Gardinier, of Delaware county. (4) Elmyra is the deceased wife of John Quackenbush, of Del- aware county, and left three children, James, Arling- ton and May. (5) Abigail married Hiram Mc- Guire, and now resides at Stevens Point. They have three children, George, Harriet and Lavanche. (6) May married David Walley, of Delaware coun- ty, where they settled. They died some years ago, and their only son, Milo, is now a resident of Ithaca, N. Y. (7) Samantha married Amos Finch, of Delaware county. She died at Sidney Center, N. Y., leaving two children, Fowler and Clarissa (Mrs. Empit, of Sidney, N. Y.). (8) Esther married Allen Lawson, of Albany county, N. Y., where she died leaving a family. (9) Edward is our subject. (10) James married Jane Brandt, and settled on the old homestead. He died leaving a family of three children, James H., who is married and resides near the old home; Belinda, wife of George Walley, of Delaware county; and Sarah J., wife of Charles Wood, of Delaware county.

During boyhood our subject obtained a dis- trict-school education while assisting in the work of the farm. In 1860 he married Miss Harriet Sim- mons, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Simmons, well-known residents of Schoharie county, N. Y. He then settled upon a farm in Delaware county, remaining three years, and later he engaged in busi- ness as a butcher, also bought cattle for sale in the New York markets. In 1883 he came to Susque- hanna county and engaged in mercantile business, which he followed for some time in connection with butchering and dealing in cattle in the Susquehanna

EDWARD ADARE

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

markets. During President Cleveland's first term he was appointed postmaster at Stevens Point, serv- ing five years, and at the same time had a general store at the same point. On retiring from office he sold his business to F. E. Putnam, but at present he is again conducting a general store at Brandt, having bought out his son Charles, who had gone into the stock business. He purchased at one time two farms near Stevens Point, and some real estate in the village which he still owns, as well as a store and several tenant houses in addition to his homestead in Brandt. His residence is among the most attractive in the town of Harmony, and his farms have been substantially improved with commodious houses and barns. Politically Mr. Adare is a strong Dem- ocrat, as was his father before him, and in religious faith he is a Presbyterian, he and his wife being leading members of the Church at Brandt. His first wife died in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1883, and in 1888 he married Miss Emma Myrick, of Har- mony township, Susquehanna county. He has two sons, both by the first union: (I) Charles, born July 20, 1861, in Delaware county, N. Y., received a district-school education, and after coming to Ste- vens Point became interested in mercantile business. He is a Democrat in politics, and an active member of the Methodist Church, and has an excellent stand- ing as a citizen. He married (first) Miss Fannie Kelder, daughter of Thomas and Amilicen Kelder, highly esteemed residents of Susquehanna county. She died in May, 1888, leaving one son, Edward, born in Brandt a few days before her death. He died when four months old. Mr. Adare later mar- ried Miss Cora Lee, daughter of Lewis and Eliza- beth Lee, a member of one of the old families of Harmony township. They have one child, Ray- mond, born January 8, 1898. (2) George, born November 8, 1863, in Delaware county, N. Y., is a telegraph operator at Deposit, N. Y. He married Miss Sybil Evans, of that place, and has one daugh- ter, Pauline.

Mrs. Emma (Myrick) Adare was born April 25, 1855, in Australia, a daughter of Daniel Myrick, and came to this section in 1868 with her parents, who settled near Scott Center. Her father was a native of New York State, went to Australia in early manhood, and was married there to Miss Pris- cilla Eckert, a native of England and daughter of Thomas Eckert, who removed to Australia and died there some years ago.

GEORGE FANSEEN is the well-known pro- prietor of "Mount Airy Farm," a popular summer resort in Paradise township, Monroe county, pleasantly situated in the Pocono mountains, only two miles from the Mt. Pocono Station on the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, and only a few hours ride from New York and Philadelphia. This region abounds with many large hotels where several hundred guests are entertained during the summer months. His home is well-furnished and supplied with every convenience for the comfort of

his guests, and as it is surrounded by pleasant shady walks and drives it is very attractive to city people, especially as the fresh fruits, vegetables, butter and eggs used are all produced on his own farm. His table is also supplied with all the luxuries that the local markets afford. He has given special atten- tion to fruit culture, raising different varieties of fruits in abundance, including apples, pears, plums, apricots and all kinds of small fruits and berries. For persons wishing to recuperate from the cares and worries of business life, they will find in his home a pleasant place to rest.

Mr. Fanseen was born in Lensing, Germany, in July, 1842, and is a son of John and Mary Fan- seen, also natives of that country, who, in 1854, brought their family, then consisting of three chil- dren, to the United States. After spending a short time in New York City they removed to Para- dise township, Monroe county, Penn., in the year the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad was constructed through this region. The father ob- tained employment with the company building the road. He died in Germany while on a visit to his old home, and his wife departed this life in Para- dise township somewhat later. Our subject is the eldest of their children. (2) Dorothy, born in Ger- many, in 1843, was reared in Monroe county, and became the wife of Joseph L. Hallett, of Sprague- ville, where she died, leaving a son and two daugh- ters. (3) Lizzie, born in Germany, died in Para- dise township at the age of fourteen years.

Our subject commenced his education in the schools of his native land, being twelve years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to America, and in Paradise township he attended the public schools for a time. He began his business career in early boyhood, carrying water for the men building the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, and later was appointed to the position of flagman at Washington, N. J. He gradually ad- vanced, remaining with the same road, and was finally appointed section foreman at Spragueville, which position he most capably and satisfactorily filled for the long period of twenty-one years.

In 1866, Mr. Fanseen was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, the worthy and refined daughter of James and Isabella Wilson, prominent citizens of Paradise township. They began housekeeping in Spragueville, and continued to make their home there until 1882, when our subject purchased the old Wilson homestead where his wife was born in 1847, her education being acquired in the public schools of the neighborhood. This place consists of 139 acres of well-cultivated and productive land, on which he has made many useful and valuable improvements. He has remodeled the house and set out five or six hundred choice fruit trees. As previously stated, he is now engaged in keeping summer boarders in addition to his other business.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fanseen have been born ten children, six of whom were born in Spragueville, the others in Paradise township: (1) Mary, born

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1867, died in childhood. (2) Joseph, born in November, 1869, first attended the home schools, but completed his education at the Brodheadsville Academy and the East Stroudsburg Normal; he is now one of the successful and popular teachers of Monroe county, where he has followed his pro- fession for eight years. (3) John, born in 1872, married Ida Learn, daughter of Joseph and ! Sarah Learn, of Paradise township, and they now reside upon a part of his father's farm, while he aids in its operation ; they have three children, Leander, Clinton and Norman. (4) Helena A., born in August, 1873, received a good education, and was an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In August, 1895, she was taken suddenly ill and died a few days later ; her death was deeply mourned not alone by her family but by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances, for she was a great favorite socially. (5) Lillie M., born in August, 1878, died at the age of two years. (6) Ada L., born in August, 1880, is a refined and cultured young lady, educated in the local schools and the Brodheadsville Academy, and is now one of the leading teachers of Monroe county. (7) Lulu B., born in October, 1882, (8) George S., born in 1884, (9) Maria R., born in 1886, and (10) Foster H., born in 1888, are all at- tending the home school.

Mr. Fanseen, his wife and family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as treasurer and trustee he has taken a leading part in Church work for many years. He was also an active factor in the erection and management of the Swiftwater Methodist Episcopal Church, served as one of its trustees, and has been superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school at Spragueville, and also the one near his present home. Formerly he cast his ballot with the Democratic party, but being a strong temperance man he is now a stalwart sup- porter of the Prohibition party. He has been school director for nine years, also a justice of the peace. Socially he is a charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at East Stroudsburg, and is a member of Blue Lodge No. 225, F. & A. M., at Stroudsburg. In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and no citizen of the community is more deserving of the high regard in which he is held than George J. Fanseen.

JAMES BLACKWELL, the well-known pro- prietor of Fair View Farm, in Damascus township, Wayne county, is a good representative of the Scotch-Irish race in America, a race from which our noblest citizens, best soldiers and most promi- nent business men have come. He was born in Treland in 1841, a son of William and Annie (Or- rim) Blackwell. When but six years old his father died in the old country. and the mother brought her children to America, believing that here they were more sure of a successful future. Her death oc- curred in Sullivan county, N. Y. The children were

John and George, who were Union soldiers in the war of the Rebellion and are now deceased ; Rob- ert; James; Annie, who married A. Carden, and lives in Mountain Dale, Sullivan Co., N. Y .; and Mrs. Mary Blackall, a resident of New York.

After coming to America James Blackwell lived for several years in the family of Mr. Drake, of Wayne county, Penn., and since large enough to engage in any occupation he has followed farm- ing and lumbering, meeting with decided success in his undertakings. Like the sturdy race from which he springs, he has always been industrious, energetic and persevering, and is now the owner of an excellent farm of 138 acres in Damascus township, on which he has erected an elegant mod- ern residence at a cost of $2,500, while the barns, outbuildings and well-tilled fields are in keeping with it. To this beautiful rural home has been given the appropriate name of Fair View.

In 1861 Mr. Blackwell was married to Miss Mary Jane Moore, a native of Wayne county, and a daughter of William and Sarah Moore. To them were born nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely : Alice, wife of John Eggleston, of Wayne county ; D. W., who married Miss Ida Mit- chell, and lives in Oregon township, Wayne county ; Jane, wife of Charles Bingham, of Monroe coun- ty, Penn .; Wattie S., wife of George North, of Long Eddy, N. Y .; Lily, wife of William Avary, of Monroe county, Penn .; Annie Gertrude; George T., at home; Grace, a resident of Blackley, Long Island, N. Y .; and Marion, the youngest son, at home.

Politically Mr. Blackwell is a Democrat, and he is now efficiently serving his fellow citizens as a member of the school board. He is also a trustee of the Methodist Church in Damascus, to which he belongs. The success of his life is due to no in- herited fortune, nor to any happy succession of ad- vantageous circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, tireless industry and ster- ling integrity.

HARRISON MILLER, one of the success- ful and prosperous agriculturists of Jackson town- ship, Monroe county, was born at Houser Mill, May 22, 1852, and is a worthy representaetive of one of the leading families of the county. His grandfather, Frederick Miller, was born and reared in Jackson township, and the birth of the great- grandfather, Frederick Miller, Sr., probably oc- curred there. The former wedded Katie Boir, a daughter of John Boir, and located in his native township, where he followed farming for a time. Later he engaged in lumbering at Houser Mill, and there he died. His children were: Phenas, father of our subject; Hiram, who is now living in Iowa; Timothy, who died when young in No- vember, 1892; Sarah, deceased wife of Jacob Bon- ser, of Houser Mill : Emanuel, who was killed dur- ing the Civil war; Kate, wife of William Custard, of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Alexander, a resident of

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Easton, Penn .; Barbara, deceased wife of John Knecht, of Tobyhanna township, Monroe county ; and Josiah, of Wilkes Barre.

Phenas Miller, our subject's father, was born in Jackson township, October 12, 1826, and was there married to Miss Mary Singer, a daughter of John and Susie Singer, of that township He died March 27, 1858, when our subject was a mere child, and the mother, who was born December 30, 1823, departed this life February 5, 1898. Har- rison is the elder of the two children born to them ; the other, Anna, died at the age of nine months.

At the age of eighteen years Harrison Miller began life for himself as an employe in the lumber woods and in sawmills, and in 1889 he located upon his present farm in Jackson township, which he had previously purchased, and has since devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying results. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres, thirty-five of which have been cleared and placed under excellent cultivation. In polit- ical sentiment he is a stalwart Democrat, and in religious connection he is a member of the Re- formed Church, while his estimable wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

On September 13, 1883, at Eaton, Penn., Mr. Miller was married by Rev. R. W. Hufford, a Lu- theran minister, to Miss Emma Doll, who was born in Jackson township, December 20, 1862. They have become the parents of four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Edith, July 27, 1884; Grace, June 29, 1886; Leroy, Octo- ber 24, 1888; and Frederick, September 18, 1897. All are living with the exception of Edith, who died January 14, 1889.

Mrs. Miller's paternal grandfather, Jacob Doll, was born in Monroe county when it formed a part of Northampton county, and there grew to manhood and married Catherine Ruthstine, also a native of Monroe county, and a daughter of Fred- erick Ruthstine. For many years Mr. Doll fol- lowed his trade of shoemaking in Monroe county, and lived to a ripe old age, while his wife survived him for some years. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely: Jacob married Elizabeth Hay, and spent the greater part of his life in Jack- son township ; John married Susan Felker, and also lived in Jackson township; Frederick was the father of Mrs. Miller; Samuel married Sophia Boier, and lived near the present home of the Doll family ; George married Susan Singer, and lived for some time in Jackson township, but is now a resident of Mehoopany, Penn .; Joseph, who is living near Mehoopany, wedded (first) Mary Smoke, and (second) Hannah Seip; Charles married Hannah Transue, and they make their home in Strouds- burg. Penn .; Louisa (deceased) married George Smith, of Jackson township; Katie, deceased, mar- ried James Evans, of Pocono township, Monroe county ; Sarah (deceased) married Joseph Slutter, of Hamilton township, Monroe county ; Betsy (de- ceased) married William Bower, of Hamilton

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 190

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