Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 192

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 192
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 192
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 192
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 192

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

During his early years Caleb G. Cyphers attend- ed the public schools of the neighborhood of his home in Luzerne county, later becoming a student in the Wyoming Seminary, where he completed his literary education. In 1864 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary J. Eldredge, the accomplished daughter of William and Miriam Eldredge, prom- inent residents of Wilkes Barre, Penn., and the young couple located on a farm, to the cultivation of which Mr. Cyphers devoted several years. In 1868 he commenced contracting and building in the city of Wilkes Barre, continuing in that line for seven years, until his removal, in 1874, to the farm in Smithfield township, Monroe county, which he has since occupied. This place, formerly known as the Abram Fenner homestead, comprises 123 acres of valuable land, and is located a half mile north of Shawnee and four miles from Stroudsburg, and since it was purchased by Mr. Cyphers many im- provements have been made all over the property, which is now one of the most highly cultivated tracts in the township. He has done considerable in the way of clearing, and the close attention which he gives his work is apparent in all his surroundings. His land has been devoted to general farming pur- Doses, and he has gained the reputation of being one of the best managers and most successful agri- culturists in Smithfield township.

Mr. and Mrs. Cyphers have reared a family of nine children, of whom we give a brief record, as follows: (1) Edgar F., born in 1865, in Wilkes Barre, completed his education in the Wyoming Seminary, and has been one of the leading professors in the schools of Bethlehem, Northampton Co., Penn. His first wife was Miss Della Wilt, of Bethlehem, who died a year after their marriage, leaving one son, Russell, who lives with his grandparents. In 1898 Prof. Cyphers wedded Miss Lizzie Yost, of Bucks county, Penn., who is a daughter of Michael and Lizzie Yost. (2) Harry A. was born in Feb- ruary. 1867, received a good common-school and classical education, finishing his literary course at the Wyoming seminary, and later took a commer- cial course ; he commenced the study of law under Mr. James, of Allentown, Lehigh Co., Penn., and he is now one of the leading attorneys of that place. He married Miss Mary Heller, daughter of Melchior and Sarah Heller, of Smithfield township, and they have one son, Earl Tinsley. (3) Lizzie May, born in 1868 in Wilkes Barre, received her academic train- ing in the schools of Wyoming, and in 1894 gradu- ated from the East Stroudsburg Normal School. She has since been successfully engaged in teaching in Monroe county, where she has taught ten terms, and is at present acting as principal of the Bush- kill Independent district. (4) Robert M., born in July, 1872, in Luzerne county, Penn., is also a grad- ttate of the East Stroudsburg State Normal Sschool, class of '96, and has also been engaged in teaching for some years. (5) Frederick L., born in June, 1875. in Monroe county, also graduated from the East Stroudsburg Normal in the class of '96, and is

at present teaching in the public schools of North- ampton county. (6) Miriam E., born in 1877, in Monroe county, graduated from the East Strouds- burg Normal, and has also taken up the teacher's profession. (7) Jesse H., born in 1879, is at pres- ent a student in the State Normal, though he has al- ready taught one term of school, and bids fair to make the same success which has attended his broth- ers' and sisters' efforts as educators. (8) E. Ray- mond, born in 1882, is at present attending the Nor- mal School. (9) S. Leonard, born in November, 1883, is attending the public schools in Smithfield. As will be seen, Mr. and Mrs. Cyphers have given their children the best advantages for educa- tion within their means, and taken an interest in their mental training, which has been a source of constant encouragement to them. Mrs. Cyphers herself received a thorough education, and her close companionship with her children during the period of their early studies inspired them with the thirst for more advanced knowledge which they have all displayed, and which has made them known, as a family, as progressive and scholarly and eminently useful in the sphere of life which they have entered. This worthy couple may well be proud of their large family, all of whom have proved such competent and successful instructors, and socially they are all ranked with the cultured and advanced people of their locality. Mr. and Mrs. Cyphers are earnest members of the M. E. Church, and their children have united with various denominations, all taking a warm interest in Church work and the welfare of religious enterprises. Politically Mr. Cyphers has been identified with the Republican party, and he has held the office of collector in Smithfield township.

RANDOLPH TURRELL is well known as a leading farmer and business man of Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county, where the family has been prominent from the beginning of the century. The Turrells are of that sturdy New England stock which has formed the backbone of many of the most prosperous and progressive communities in Pennsylvania, communities where the moral and in- tellectual welfare has advanced side by side with business and material interests, and the family has given many able men to Susquehanna county in past and present generations.

Mr. Turrell was born January 14, 1844, in Forest Lake township, grandson of Leman Turrell and son of Leman Miner Turrell, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The father was born January 6, 1808, in Litchfield, that State, and in 1810 was brought by his parents to Susquehanna county, where he passed the remainder of his life. The ad- vantages offered by the public schools of those days were very limited, and Leman Turrell undertook the education of his children himself, attending to their lessons in the evening after his day's work was done. Under his instruction our subject's father also ac- quired his early knowledge of farming, and after his marriage he made his home in Forest Lake township-

Ro. Turrell

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Lester Turrell

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

on part of the old homestead which his father gave him, and where he followed general agricultural pursuits to the close of his life, clearing up a large farm. In 1859 he erected a water sawmill, where he manufactured lumber for his own use and did cus- tom work in that line for his neighbors, and for many years he also conducted quite a large nursery busi- ness, dealing in all kinds of fruit stock. He at one time owned a large tract of land in Nebraska. Naturally, he became closely identified with com- mercial as well as with agricultural interests in the county, and he also took an active part in public matters, filling a number of local offices, to the duties of which he gave the same careful attention as he did to his private affairs. His political sympathies were originally with the Old-line Whigs, and he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party on its organization.

Leman Miner Turrell married Miss Lovina Griffis, who was born June 20, 1815, in Jessup town- ship, Susquehanna county, daughter of John and Susanna (Leonard) Griffis, and like her husband was of Connecticut stock. She passed away in 1875, Mr. Turrell surviving until 1883, when he was drowned while crossing a creek near his home. They were consistent members of the Baptist Church, uniting with the congregation at Birchardville, in which he held the office of deacon for many years, and were worthy Christian people, holding a high place in the esteem of their neighbors and many friends. Six children blessed their union, Emma A., Leman, Lucy A., Randolph, Lester, and Martha M., all born in Forest Lake township, of whom we have the following record: Emma A., born March 9, 1838, received a good education in the home schools and at Wyoming Seminary, and taught in Susquehanna county for a number of years before her marriage to Seth R. Wright, of Forest Lake. Leman, born November 15, 1839, enlisted during the Civil war in Company H, 143rd P. V. I., Capt. J. C. Morris, and came home after one year's service, hav- ing been discharged on account of physical dis- ability ; he died in April, 1866, cut down at the be- ginning of a promising career. Lucy A., born Sep- tember 1, 1841, was a teacher for some years prior to her marriage to Theodore H. Bradshaw, of Tomp- kins county, N. Y., and they now reside at Port An- geles, Wash .; they have had two sons, Charles M., who died in boyhood, and Harry, who survives. Martha M., born September 27, 1851, died January 6, 1864.

Randolph Turrell obtained his literary educa- tion in his native township, attending the district schools and later the select schools, and during his early manhood he taught one term in Forest Lake. He drifted quite naturally into his father's business, working on the farm and in the mill from early boy- hood, and in addition to continuing in the original lines, lumbering and farming, he has engaged rather extensively in dairying, being a heavy stockholder in the Birchardville Creamery Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer. His standing in business 52

circles is unquestionably high, and he is equally prominent in matters relating to the public welfare, having been honored with election to various of- fices in the gift of his fellow citizens. He has served ably and faithfully as town clerk and assessor, and is filling the office of school director at the present time. Like his father, he is Republican in political sentiment.

On December II, 1867, Mr. Turrell was united in marriage with Miss Sarah F. Southwell, who was born in 1848, daughter of Francis H. and Sarah (Deuel) Southwell, of Forest Lake. She received a thorough education in the select schools of the town- ship and in Montrose High School, and taught in the public schools near her home for several years prior to her marriage. Mr. Turrell purchased the old homestead of his father, which he has improved in various ways in the passing years, and in 1895 he erected, on the site of the old dwelling, the commodi- ous modern house which the family now occupy. To Mr. and Mrs. Turrell have been born two children, William H. and Nellie M., the former on August 25, 1869, the latter February 13, 1871. William H. Turrell attended the Montrose schools and Wyoming Busi- ness College, from which latter he was graduated, and for two years he was a clerk in the bank at Can- ton, Bradford Co., Penn. He is now teller of the People's Bank, of Wilkes Barre, Penn., with which he has been connected for the past six years. In May, 1894, he married Mrs. Mary A. Stroud Let- son, and they have had two children-Mildred, born September 29, 1895, and Francis R., born March 8, 1899. They reside at Dorranceton, Luzerne county. Nellie M. Turrell attended the schools of Montrose and Wyoming Seminary, from which institution she was graduated with the class of '94, in Music and Art, and she was engaged in teaching for five terms. in the schools near her home previous to her mar- riage, November 17, 1897, to Judson S. Hosford, of Friendsville, Susquehanna county, where he is a merchant.

Our subject was reared in the Baptist faith, and his daughter is a member of that Church, while Mrs. Turrell and her son united with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Socially Mr. Turrell is an active member of Rising Sun Grange, Birchardville, in which he has served for twenty-one years as sec- retary, and he filled the office of county secretary for ten years. He is one of the intelligent, prosperous citizens of his township, owning a valuable farm and pleasant home, held in high regard by all who know him as a man of the strictest integrity, and occupy- ing a high position in his community as a worthy representative of a name which in Forest Lake town- ship has long been regarded as a synonym for all the sterling qualities which constitute good citizenship.

LESTER TURRELL was born February 6, 1846, and grew to manhood on the home farm. He com- menced his education in the district schools of his native township, and attended high school in Tomp- kins county, N. Y., receiving a thorough training for the practical business of life. He taught school

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

one winter in his early manhood. In 1868 Lester Turrell was married to Miss Sophronia L. Handrick, daughter of Wakeman C. and Karania ( Stone) I landrick, prominent farming people of Middletown, . Susquehanna county, where Mrs. Turrell was born August 26, 1843. She obtained ner elementary edu- cation in the schools near her home, and attended high school at Montrose. Mr. and Mrs. Turrell settled in Forest Lake on one of the farms owned by his father, and in 1869 the beautiful modern dwell- ing in which they have since resided was erected. New barns and outbuildings have also been built, and Mr. Turrell has continued to improve the place until it is now one of the finest of the many good farms along Wyalusing creek, well-cultivated and well kept up in every respect. In addition to general farming he has carried on dairying for a number of years, meeting with substantial success in both lines. One daughter, Lorena, was born January 19, 1873, to Mr. and Mrs. Turrell. She received a thorough education, attending the common schools and Mont- rose High School, from which she was graduated in 1891. In October, 1893, she was married to Will D. Turrell, of Franklin township, Susquehanna county, son of Samuel Turrell, of that township, and they have made their home with our subject and wife ; one daughter, Erma L., was born to them June 25, 1899. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. Turrell and their daughter hold membership with the Baptist Church at Birchardville.

Lester Turrell has been a lifelong supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and though not an office-seeker, he has taken quite a prominent part in political affairs. In 1881 he served as cen- suis enumerator of Forest Lake, and he has also held the offices of school director and justice of the peace, filling the latter incumbency two terms. In all his public service he has proved himself a man of strict honor and ability in business affairs, and he has dis- played a high sense of duty in the responsibilities connected with his several public positions. Fra- ternally Mr. Turrell is a member of the F. & A. M., uniting with Blue Lodge No. 240, of Montrose, of which he is a past master.

ELY UTT. The subject of this sketch is a prominent farmer of Barrett township, Monroe county, one whose life has been actively connected with the large agricultural and lumbering interests of the neighborhood, but who is also widely known for an earnest and conscientious work of forty years duration in the moral and religious history of the community in which he lives. He is a local minister of the Methodist Church, and his lifelong residence in Monroe county may be truly said to have been covered with a genuine success, sur- passed by few if any of his contemporaries.

Mr. Utt is grandson of a Dutch emigrant, Elias Utt, who migrated to the New World in the old Colonial days, and bore arms in the cause of Amer- ican freedom during the Revolutionary struggle. In a contest with the hostile Indians he was wound-

cd in the breast by a bullet, but happily recovered. He brought with him from Holland, his native land, a number of articles, which are now cherished by his descendants as interesting and valuable heir- looms. The relics include a unique button mould- er of brass, and several vases and jugs of great present value. Elias Utt settled upon property near Analomink, on Brodheads creek, now owned by Thomas Stites. Here he made a small clearing, and died leaving a family of five sons and three daughters, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of James Sebring, of Pocono; Catherine, wife of Thomas Smiley, of Stroud township; Jane, wife of Charles Edgerton, of Warren county, N. J .; Henry, Jacob, and Andrew, who died when young men; Eli, who married and settled in Wayne county ; and Adam, the father of our subject.

Adam Utt was born in Northampton county in 1792, grew up on his father's farm, and married Miss Sarah Mills. He settled on the farm of his father near Analomink, and there lived for a num- ber of years, followed lumbering as a contractor for various lumbermen, and also lumbering for sev- eral winters in Lackawanna county. In 1848 he purchased, of William S. White and Mathias Brake- ly, 140 acres of wild land near Mountain Home, and there settled, being the first settler on the north- east side of Brodheads creek. He cut out the road to reach his farm, and in the midst of the wilder- ness erected a large two-story log house, 16x24 feet, also a log barn 24x48 feet. While living in this wilderness home Mr. Utt contracted to peel bark for White & Brakely, who built the first tan- nery in that section of the country. He became an extensive contractor, at times employing as many as forty or fifty men, and followed the business until shortly before his death. He was a lifelong Democrat, and was honored with the election to many local offices, among others that of justice of the peace, which he held for fifteen years. He was not a member of any Church, but attended the Methodist Church, of which his wife was a devout follower and an earnest Christian worker in. He gave liberally of his means to the support of the Church and the erection of buildings. Adam Utt died June 8, 1875, his wife having passed away six days prior to his death. Their family of eleven children were as follows: (I) Charles, born in Stroud township in 1823, married Elizabeth Over- Deck, of Chestnut Hill. They lived on a farm in Paradise township, where she died leaving eight children, Samuel, Catherine, Ellen, Amanda, Mich- ael, Susan, Richard and Elizabeth. Later Charles Utt married Mrs. Bartholomew, and to this mar- riage one child, Cora, was born. The second wife died in 1893, and he afterward married Mrs. Thom, of Tannersville. He died at his home near Para- dise in 1897. He served throughout the Civil war, and was honorably discharged. (2) Almeron, born in November, 1825. married Mary A. Transue, of Smithfield, and they now reside with a large family of children on his farm in Barrett. He served in the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Civil war, and was honorably discharged. (3) Jacob, born in November, 1827, married Anne Washburn, of Montrose, and now resides at Paterson, N. J., where his wife died, leaving two children, Florence and Frank. (4) Lucretia, born January 2, 1830, mar- ried Andrew Somers, of Barrett township, where he died leaving children, Henry, George, Frank, Catherine, William, Jennie, Sallie, Mary. (5) Ely, the subject of this sketch, was the next child of this family. (6) Eliza, born in 1836, died in childhood. (7) Jackson, born in April, 1839, married Emaline Wademan, of Barrett, enlisted in the army during the Civil war, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. (8) George died young. (9) Phœbe, born in 1841, married Isaac W. Sutton, of New Jersey, and settled in Barrett township, where her husband and three children died. (10) Ellen, born in February, 1843, married Charles W. Decker, of Smithfield, who became superintendent and general manager for the Oakland Tannery Co., of Mountain Home. After that company passed out of exist- ence Mr. Decker engaged in the manufacture of shoe pegs and clothes pins for some years. He died in August, 1893, leaving a wife and child, Jennie, an accomplished young lady. Mrs. Decker is the pro- prietress of a large boarding house for the entertain- ment of city boarders. (II) JamesW., born March 8, 1845, married Lavina Quirk, of Philadelphia, and resided there until his death in 1880. His widow and daughter Marion now reside in Philadelphia.

Ely Utt, the subject of this sketch, was born April 26, 1832, in Stroud township. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and there remained, working for his father, until 1859. In that year he married Miss Catherine A. Sebring, daughter of James and Elizabeth Sebring, an old and prominent family of Pocono. She was born in 1840, and in her girlhood attended the district schools; but like her husband she supplemented the rudiments of an education there obtained with an extended course of private study and reading, thus acquiring an ex- cellent education.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ely Utt settled at the home of his father, taking care of his parents until their death. £ Our subject engaged actively in lumbering until 1886, when he retired to his farming interests. In 1883 he had purchased from F. S. Hovey, of Philadelphia, the timber on a 700-acre tract of land near Mountain Home. To Mr. and Mrs. Utt were born nine children, only three of whom, Sarah E., Herbert and Allen, are now living, all the others having died in infancy. Sarah E., born in 1870, married Henry Shaller, a railroad employe at Cresco, and has five children, Nellie M., Harry S., Chester C., Flora T., and Arachie B. ; Herbert was born in April, 1875, and is now a bright and scholarly young man, residing in New York; Allen, born in April, 1877, has received a good education, and is now at home. Both Her- bert and Allen are members of Washington Camp No. 483, Patriotic Order Sons of America, at Mountain Home.

In politics Ely Utt is a Democrat. He has held various local offices, among them those of school director and overseer of the poor. In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Utt are members of the Methodist Church, and ever since their marriage, forty years ago, have been active workers in the Church. Mr. Utt established the first Sabbath-school at Locust Ridge, Tobyhanna township, also at Tompkins- ville (now Houser Mills), Monroe county. He is a member of Lodge No. 684, I. O. O. F., at Moun- tain Home, and also of the Order of the Star of Bethlehem, he being an Eminent Grand Organizer of the lodge. Mr. Utt is prominent as a farmer, and as a Christian worker and as a public-spirited citizen. During the Civil war he was drafted, but sent a substitute at a cost of six hundred dollars. He is self-educated, enjoys the possession of a hos- pitable home, and ranks high among the thinking and active people of Monroe county.

JOSEPH BENNETT, a prominent and high- ly respected citizen of Clinton township, Wayne county, is a veteran of the Civil war, and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and he has won an enviable reputation in the paths of peace through the ster- ling qualities which go to make up a good citizen. Stephen Bennett, father of our subject, was born in Pike county, Penn., January 18, 1802, and died January 22, 1841. He was united in marriage with Miss Desire Ainsley, and they became the par- ents of the following children: George, born in 1825, is now living in Barry county, Mich .; Levi, born in 1827, resided in Waymart, Wayne county, and died in 1899; Anna, born in 1830, is the wife of Samuel Stanton, of Waymart ; Emmit and Emily (twins) were born in 1833, and the former died in 1874, the latter in 1893; Joseph is next in the order of birth; John, born in 1837, makes his home in Hyde Park, Lackawanna Co., Penn .; and Marian, born in 1839, died in infancy.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Wayne county, born July 6, 1835, and from the age of six to twenty years he worked in Wayne and Pike coun- ties, part of the time employed in a wagon shop in Carbondale. For a number of years he also found employment with the Gravity road, and as a contractor did an extensive lumber business. His business was interrupted by his service in the Union army, he having enlisted September 23, 1861, in Company H, 77th P. V. I. He participated in the hotly-contested engagements at Shiloh and Cor- inth. Through a mistake the company was sent to Harrisburg, Penn., where it was disbanded, but not having had enough experience as a soldier, and being filled with patriotic valor, Mr. Bennett re-enlisted, in Company G, 187th P. V. I., and on June 1864, while in action before Petersburg, he was wounded and sent to the hospital. He was able to rejoin his regiment in time to go to Phila- delphia. where they did garrison duty. In August, 1865, they were mustered out at Harrisburg.

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Mr. Bennett was married, February 26, 1868, to Miss Julia K. Stone, daughter of Lemuel and Eliza ( West) Stone, in whose family were seven children, namely : Ellen, now the widow of Emmit Bennett ; Julia K., who was born October 5, 1840; Elbert, a resident of Port Byron, Ill .; Mary (de- ceased ) ; George W., of Windom, Minn .; Jasper, of New York; and Mattic (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had three children: (1) John, born April 8, 1869, died in 1878. (2) Judson S., born August 31, 1871, graduated from the Way- mart Academy, and for five years was connected with a mercantile establishment in Lackawanna county, Penn. ; he is now a mail clerk, and resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. On December 27, 1898, he married Miss Jennie Bremer, of Amsterdam, N. Y. (3) Frank W., born November 13, 1873, ob- tained his early education in the common schools and later attended the Waymart Academy. On February 8, 1899, he married Miss Martha Lillie, and they have a son, J. Irving, born December 29, 1899. Lilly West, a distant relative, finds a pleasant home with our subject. She was born December 14, 1876, and is now successfully engaged in teach- ing school in Clinton township.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 192

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