Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 193

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 193
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 193
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 193
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 193

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Although a stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Bennett has never cared for the honors or emolu- ments of office, serving only as tax collector of his township. Fraternially he is a prominent member of the Farmers' Alliance and the Grand Army of the Republic. His residence in Wayne county covers the greater part of sixty-fiye years, during which he has ever borne his part in the work of development and progress, and is therefore de- serving of honorable mention among the valued representative citizens.

DAVID BENDER, proprietor of the "High- land Villa," one of the pleasant homes in Monroe county, and which is popularly sought by summer visitors, is a well-known farmer owning one of the best improved farms of Barrett township. Mr. Ben- der is of German birth. He was born in the town of Nessel, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1834, son of Michael and Rosanna Bender, farming people of the Fatherland. In 1845 Michael Bender started for America with his family, taking passage in May of that year on a sailing vessel, and not reaching New York until August. He proceeded directly to Mon- roe county, and in Barrett township purchased a tract of wild land which by patient industry ? con- verted into a home, tilling the land until his ucath in 1867. His wife died in 1860. They were of the Lu- theral faith, earnest and conscientious and faithful to every obligation and responsibility. Their family consisted of three children, David, George and Ro- sanna. The daughter died at the home of her uncle in New York City, while attending school there, at the age of twelve years. George was born in Ger- many in 1843, married Elizabeth Cross, of Moun- tain Home, and now lives with his large family at the old homestead.

David, the eldest of the two sons, and the sub- ject of this sketch, was eleven years of age when he made with his parents the memorable trip across the Atlantic. He attended the Barrett schools, and as- sisted his father with the labors of the farm. In 1856 he founded for himself a home, following his marriage to Mrs. Rachel Mick, daughter of Chris- topher and Louisa Somers, natives of Germany, and near neighbors of the Bender family in Barrett township. After his marriage David Bender pur- chased the Jacob Mick improvement in Barrett township, and here he cleared up a fine farm of 190 acres, commencing life in the woods, and by persist- ent and honest industry transforming the wilderness into a prolific and beautiful farm. He has erected substantial buildings, and now owns one of the well- cultivated farms of the county.

To David and Rachel Bender four children have been born: Rosanna, Ida A., Walter E., and Fran- ces A. Of these, Rosanna, born in 1857, married Garrison Shaffer, and lives at Mountain Home ; they have one daughter, Ida B. Ida A., born in 1859, resides with her parents, and manages the affairs of "Highland Villa" during the summer months. Wal- ter E., born in 1861, died November 26, 1899; he was a most estimable young man, highly respected and is deeply mourned by both relatives and a wide circle of friends. Frances A. Bender, the youngest member of the family, was a young lady of twenty- two years, a favorite of home and friends when death called her home in 1886.

Mr. Bender's political affiliations are with the Republican party. He is deeply interested in edu- cational matters, and for nine years has filled the office of school director. He was reared in the Lu- theran Church, and now attends the Methodist Church, of which his wife and family are members. "Highland Villa," the pleasant home of the fam- ily, is admirably located, and each season accommo- dates a limited number of guests. Here the latter find in a generous measure the rest and comfort which a well-appointed summer residence affords. Admirable in the opportunities for enjoyment, "Highland Villa" is found among the many attract- ive homesteads of Monroe county.

WILLIAM H. SMALE, a prosperous agri- culturist of Polk township, Monroe county, is a self-made man, and the story of his life should furn- ish an instructive object lesson to any aspiring youth. Beginning the work of self-support at an age when most boys are in school, he made his way steadily upward to financial independence, and a fine farm now gives tangible evidence of his success.

Mr. Smale was born November 28, 1854, in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, and is of German ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Abra- ham Smale, was a native of Monroe county, and became a leading farmer of Eldred township, where he died. He married Catherine Renner, who was born at Nazareth, Penn., and their children were:

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Eliza (Mrs. Solomon Cole), Joseph, Solomon, George, Susan, John, Abraham, and Mary (Mrs. Samuel Frantz).

John Smale, our subject's father, was born at Nazareth, and for many years he was engaged in farming in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, where he was much esteemed as a citizen and was frequently elected to local offices. He died there May 10, 1886, at the age of seventy-six years, seven months, and his remains now rest in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. He married Elizabeth Serfass, who was born July 7, 1810, and still resides at the old home- stead. They had a large family of children as fol- lows: Emma, widow of Rudolph Hawk, of Polk township; John, a resident of Chestnut Hill town- ship, who married (first) Susannah Shupp, and (second) Ann Rhode; Joseph, a farmer on the old homestead, who married (first) Amanda Hawk, and (second) Elizabeth Kresge; Sarah, who mar- ried (first) Nathan Trodendorf, and (second) August Walker, both deceased; Christiana, wife of James Muffley, a machinist at Allentown, Penn .; Catherine (deceased), who married George Best ; Mary (deceased), who married Amos Burger, of Scranton, Penn. ; Peter, a resident of Scranton, Penn., who married Maggie Hines ; William H., our subject ; Amanda, second wife of Amos Burger, of Scran- ton ; Jacob, who married Ella Fehnel, and resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Serfass), our subject's mother, was born June 12, 1814, in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, and belongs to a prominent pioneer family. Her grandfather, John Serfass, was a na- tive of Germany, whence he came to this country in early manhood to engage in farming. He died in 1839 in Polk township, Monroe county, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife, Sarah Hone, a native of Lehigh county, died a few years later at about the same age. Of their thirteen children, John married a Miss Kunkel; Adam, Christina Berger; and Joseph, Eliza Kunkel; William died unmarried ; David married Sally Everitt ; Peter mar- ried Kate Storm; Hannah, William Kresge; Su- sannah married John Livigood; Mary, Powel Soldt ; Elizabeth, Philip Moyer; Christina, Conrad Dreish- back; Kate, George Kresge; and Sally, George Hawk. Adam Serfass, Mrs. Smale's father, was born in Monroe county, and by occupation was a farmer and shoemaker. He died in 1875, aged seventy-two years, and his wife in 1873, at the age of seventy-nine, both being buried in Gilbert's Cem- etery. Of their children, the eldest, Fannie, married Aaron Hinery ; Charlotte, Double Balou; Ephraim died unmarried; Arom married Eliza Hawk; Joel, Elizabeth Kress; Elizabeth, John Smale; Linford married (first) Sallie Beers, and (second) Polly Getz; Manaville married (first) Miss Lusinda Er- hardt, (second) Sarah Shupp and (third) Eliza Kleintop.

Our subject was but fourteen years old when he left home to find employment in Scranton, where he followed teaming for eight months. He then

spent three months in Wilkes Barre in the same line of work, and for one year he was employed in a foundry in Reading. For more than five years he was employed by the Lehigh V. R. R. Co., as a work- man on the tracks, but with his experience in "roughing it" he became desirous of a permanent home, and, purchasing a farm in Northampton county, he engaged in agricultural work. In Febru- ary, 1893, he purchased his present farm from Fred. Koch, an attractive estate which he devotes to gen- eral crops. Politically he is a Democrat, but he does not crave official distinction. He was reared in the Reformed Church, with which his parents united many years ago, and he is a leading member of the congregation at Gilberts.

In January, 1874, he was married at Bath, Northampton Co., Penn., to Miss Amanda Hickman, and the following children have blessed the union: Thomas (deceased), Amelia, George, Eugene (de- ceased), Mary, Preston, Carry, Hattie (deceased), Elmer (deceased) and Eva.

Mrs. Smale, whose efficient help has been a valued factor in her husband's success, was born October 29, 1853, in Moore township, Northampton county, daughter of Thomas Hickman and grand- daughter of Abraham Hickman, a lifelong resident of Lehigh county. Her father was born in that county, but made his permanent residence in Moore township, Northampton county, where he died in 1891 at the age of eighty-three, and his remains were interred at Morristown. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade and for many years he was engaged in teaching, while later he became a successful merchant. In politics he was a Repub- lican, and his advice and influence were sought in all local movements of importance. In religious faith he was a Lutheran. His wife Catherine (Fogle), who died in 1890, aged eighty-one years, was born in Lehigh county, a daughter of Abraham Fogle, a well-known citizen of that section. Mrs. Smale is the youngest in a large family of children, and of the others the eldest, Hannah, married William Powell, a miller in New Jersey; Steven (deceased) married Kate Landenback; Mary married Conrad Hoover, deceased, of Bethlehem, Penn .; Caroline (deceased) married David Mercer; Hellena (de- ceased) married Frank Donick; Thomas, a resident of Lebanon, Penn., married a Miss Berg ; Ellavesta is the widow of John Daub, of Philipsburg; Amelia married Jacob Stott, of Clearfield, Penn., now de- ceased ; Manilious (deceased) married Sarah Weiss ; Joseph (deceased) never married; and Kate mar- ried Anthony Ketchledge, of Martin's Creek, Penn- sylvania.

HARRISON V. WATTS is one of the most worthy citizens of Matamoras, Pike county, and for many years he has been prominently identified with its railroad interests, serving as engineer on the Erie road the greater part of the time. He belongs to an honored family of Scottish origin, which was founded in this country at an early day.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His grandfather, John Watts, was a tanner. of Crawford township, Orange county, N. Y., for many years, and married a lady who was also of Scottish parentage. To them were born the follow- ing children : Robert was for many years a farm- er of Ulsterville, Orange county ; Theodore was the father of our subject; Henry resided in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Abram was a painter in Chicago, Ill., where his sons are now in business ; Letta married George Barnum, an extensive lumberman, of Sullivan county, N. Y. ; Eliza married Simon Currington, a farmer of Sullivan county, who was living in New York City at the time of his death; Maria married Samuel Sensebal, a farmer of Blooming- burg, Orange county, N. Y .; Elizabeth married a Mr. Roemer, a tanner of Burlingham, Orange county. All are now deceased.

Theodore Watts, father of our subject, was born in Orange county, N. Y., November 18, 1822, and there spent nearly his entire life. Learning from his father the tanner's trade, he followed the same when a young man, but was for many years a prosperous farmer of his native county, and when he grew tired of agricultural pursuits he sold his · place and removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he became interested in the ice business, acting as agent for the Rockland Lake Ice Co. He died October 22, 1854, after about three years spent in the city. On December 25, 1843, he married Miss Harrietta Van Kenren, a daughter of Cherick and Elizabeth ( Sensebal) Van Kenren, who were of Dutch ancestry and lived in Great Bend, N. Y., though carrying on farming in Orange county. Mrs. Watts was born in Orange county, August 30, 1823, and died December 29, 1897. Harrison V. is the eldest of her children. James, born April 19, 1848, married Frances Dale, of Newark, N. J., and as an engineer on the Wabash system resides in Delroy, a suburb of Detroit, Mich. Augustus, born May 5, 1850, married Annie Umstead, of Port Jervis, N. Y., who was also an employe of the Erie Railroad Co., and died September 16, 1887. Caro- line, born September 18, 1852, died April 2, 1855.

Harrison V. Watts, the subject of this review, was born in Wallkill township, Orange Co., N. Y., August 2, 1845, and there grew to manhood, receiving such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. Going to Port Jervis, at the age of twenty-two, he secured employment on the Erie railroad as fireman, continuing as such for five and one-half years, when he was promoted to the position of engineer. In 1870 he entered the service of the Sterling Mining Co. as locomotive engineer, and remained with them for three years. During the following four years he was an engin- eer on the Ontario & Western railroad, and for six months was on the Third Avenue elevated road in New York City, during which time he ran the first train from Harlem to the Batterv. On leav- ing that position he returned to the Erie railroad, and has since been an engineer on the New York division.

At Middletown, N. Y., Mr. Watts was mar- ried, June 18, 1868, to Miss Anna Torrey, who was born September 2, 1849, a daughter of Robert and Antoinette (Peet) Torrey, who were members of the Society of Friends, and made their home in Canterbury, Orange county. Four children bless- ed this union, namely: Emma, born April 19, 1869, is now the wife of H. C. Moore, an employe of the Pennsylvania railroad residing in Jersey City, N. J .; Theodore, born October 23, 1870, is a tinsmith by trade, and resides with his father in Matamoras, Penn .; Nellie, born December 22, 1874, died June 29, 1875; and Blanche, born No- vember 20, 1885, is at home. The mother of these clied July 5, 1899.

Mr. Watts' parents were both faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the father was a Democrat in politics, and acceptably filled a number of offices in his township. Our subject, however, supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and on that ticket was elected overseer of the poor in Westfall township the first time his party had met with success. He served in that position two years, and while in Orange county, N. Y., he filled the office of collector of school taxes. Since 1872 he has been a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and both he and his wife were charter members of the Matamoras Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served for some time as trustee, and now as steward. Honorable and upright in all things, his life has been such as to commend him to the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

DORASTUS B. ALLEN is one of the most enterprising, energetic and progressive business men of Matamoras, Penn., proprietor of the "Allen House" since December 28, 1898, and a member of the livery firm of Allen & Huff, also traveling sales- man for the Gardner hay forks, for which he has been agent for the past seventeen years. His ter- ritory embraces three States, but his business is not confined within their borders, and he often makes sales all over the country. He also speculates con- siderably in cattle, horses and sheep, and since April, 1898, has been interested in the livery busi- ness at Matamoras in partnership with Abram V. Huff. He also keeps summer boarders, and for a short time was once in the employ of the Erie Railroad Company at Port Jervis, N. Y. He has won success through his well-directed efforts, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well deserved. Although his father was a Demo- crat, he himself is an ardent supporter of the Re- publican party.

Mr. Allen was born in Greeneville, Orange Co., N. Y., December 23, 1853, and there grew to manhood, remaining with his mother for several years, while he received his education in the com- mon schools. His grandfather, Elijah Allen, was probably a native of Allentown, Penn., as the place

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

was named in honor of the family. The father, William H. Allen, was born there, and when a boy moved to Stillwater, Sussex county, N. J. For some years he was engaged in the tanning busi- ness in that State; later he followed the same occu- pation at Greeneville, Orange county, N. Y. He was married in that county to Mary Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Dorastus and Ester (Brink) Brown, and died there when our subject was two years old.

At Westtown, Orange county, N. Y., Octo- ber 17, 1877, Dorastus B. Allen married Miss Elizabeth Halsey, and they have one daughter, Hattie Sayer, born October 1, 1879.

Henry C. Halsey, Mrs. Allen's paternal grand- father, was a native of Westtown, Orange Co., N. Y., and a son of Henry Halsey, who was of Scot- tish origin and lived for some time on Long Island. The former was engaged in farming, and was the founder of the Orange County Milk business, of which he was president for some time. He died in New York City. He married Elizabeth Smiley, and had four children: William S. (deceased), who was a physician of Philadelphia; John B., the father of Mrs. Allen; Sarah, wife of Henry Davis, of Middletown, N. Y .; and Carrie, deceased wife of Elbridge Rice, of Worcester, Massachusetts.

John B. Halsey is also a native of Westtown, Orange county, where he still makes his home at the age of seventy years, and has throughout life been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He mar- ried Miss Harriet Sayer, daughter of William S. and Sally (Murray) Sayer, and granddaughter of William Sayer. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was also a farmer by occupation. His children were as follows: (I) Amelia is un- married and still lives at the old homestead. (2) William M., who died in March, 1896, married Jane Sears, of Goshen, N. Y., and their children were: Ed S., of Walton, N. Y., who married Mary Dick, of Meadville, Penn., and had a family of eight children; Ruth, wife of Frank Merriam, who represents a machine firm in Chicago, Ill .; Richard, who married Frances Low, of Middle- town, N. Y., and has two children; Murray, who married Della Halstead, and has three children ; Alice, who is living at the old home in Goshen, N. Y .; Jennie, wife of J. W. Gott, of Goshen, by whom she has three children; Antoinette, at home; and Sally, wife of James Coats, a farmer living near Goshen, by whom she has two children. (3) An- toinette is the wife of George C. Shaw, of Newton, N. J., and has three children: Fannie, wife of Hon. L. J. Martin, of Newton, by whom she has six children ; Albert C., of Passaic, N. J., who mar- ried Mary Demorest, and has four children; and Sayer C., traveling salesman for a shoe store of Philadelphia. (4) Harriet S., born June 19, 1838, is the mother of Mrs. Allen. (5) Sarah is unmar- ried. (6) Emma is the widow of John R. Hal- stead, of Unionville, N. Y., and had five children, namely: Frank, Minnie and Harry, who are dead,

and Floyd and Mary, living. (7) Daniel, a resi- dent of Unionville, married Mary Williams, and has five children. Mrs. Allen is one of a family of six children, the others being as follows: (I) Sarah S. is the wife of A. D. Cook, who conducts the "Nassau Hotel," in Princeton, N. J., and they have two sons, both graduates of Princeton Col- lege : William L. and Harry S. (2) William H. married Jennie Clark, who died leaving one child that died five months after its mother. He then married Louise Hustin; they reside at Middle- town, N. Y., and he is in the employ of the Erie railroad. (3) Frank H. died at the age of six- teen months. (4) Emma died at the age of nine- teen days. (5) Carrie died at the age of six monthis.

W. JULIUS SHARFF. No better illustra- tion of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical German-American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this gentleman, now a well-known resident of Masthope, Pike coun- ty. Coming to this country with no capital except his abilities, he has made his way to success through widely-directed effort, and he can now look back with satisfaction upon past struggles.

Johan Henry Sharff, his father, a native of Saxony, Germany, was a shoemaker by trade, and traveled through a large portion of Germany while employed at that occupation. He married Mary Shindler, and all of the eight children born to them are now deceased with the exception of our sub- ject. They were Gotlieb, Henry, Charles, W. Ju- lius, William, Theresa, Paulina and Amelia. The father departed this life in 1878, at the age of eighty-seven years.

W. Julius Sharff was born in Saxony, April 15, 1823, obtained a fair education in the public schools of his native land, and served for four years in the German army. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Miss Johanna Minch, a native of Germany and a daughter of Andrew Minch. She died after the emigration of the family to Amer- ica, at Narrowsburg, N. Y., December 28, 1855. Of the six children born of this union three died in infancy ; Mary Johanna is now the wife of Peter Ruffer, of Jersey City, N. J., who is an engineer on the Erie railroad; Emma (deceased) was mar- ried and lived in Port Jervis, N. Y .; and Julius died at the age of one year. At Narrowsburg, N. Y., Mr. Sharff was again married, his second union being with Susan Elizabeth Werry, who was born April 30, 1843, and died June 8, 1896. By the second marriage there were five children: Aman- da, who died at the age of four years; Robert E., who died in infancy ; an infant, who died unnamed ; Amelia, wife of Edward Tique, of Masthope, who is engaged in the stone business, and by whom she has one daughter; and Cora Elizabeth, who is with her father.

Before entering the German army Mr. Sharff learned the trade of a weaver, and during his mili-

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tary service continued to work at his trade when- ever given a furlough. He was discharged when his term expired, and then enlisted in the militia, in which he served as one of the higher officers. In 1852, with his family, he crossed the Atlantic, and located with his wife's parents on a farm in Sullivan county, N. Y., but becoming dissatisfied with that life he went to Port Jervis, N. Y. Not finding employment at his trade, and having a family depending upon him for support, he ac- copted a laborer's position on the railroad, and at this work he spent several years. In 1857 he came to Masthope, Pike Co., Penn., where he served as switchman and baggagemaster for six years and a half, and then embarked in mercantile business, which he still continues with good success, having by fair and honorable dealing built up an excellent trade. Besides his store he now owns five dwell- ing houses in the village.

Politically Mr. Sharff is a pronounced Demo- crat, and for five years he served as postmaster at Masthope to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. lle has also filled the office of school director for twelve years, and supervisor for four years. So- cially he has affiliated with the Masonic fraternity for the past thirty-five years, and religiously he is a member of the German Lutheran Church.

GEORGE DAUMANN, JR., treasurer of Pike county, is a man whose sound practical judgment is valued by his fellow citizens, by whom he has frequently been chosen to offices of responsibility and trust. While he is a stanch .Democrat, his sup- porters are to be found in all parties, showing gen- eral appreciation of his fidelity in the discharge of duty.

Mr. Daumann comes of good old German stock, and his paternal grandparents, John H. Dau- mann and wife, were natives and life-long residents of Bavaria. The name has been variously spelled, and some members of the family who settled in New York, in the Bohner line, have changed it to Bennett. George Daumann, our subject's father, was born in Bavaria, and came to America in early manhood, landing, about 1844, in New York City, where he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes, his business keeping ten men employed. In 1855 he removed to Milford, Pike Co., Penn., where he continued that business, employing two workmen, and later he also followed farming. Although he began his business career without capital, he ac- quired a handsome competence through his indus- try. Politically he was a Democrat, and he took an active part in local affairs, serving for a time as tax collector and school director. He and his wife, Marie Bohner, to whom he was married in New York City, were both devout members of the Pres- byterian Church. He died June 29, 1891, aged seventy-three years, and his wife survived him a few years, passing away January 27, 1895, at the age of seventy-six. They had the following chil- dren: Margaret, Mrs. George Eschenfelder, who

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 193

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