Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 206

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 206
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 206
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 206
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 206

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Simon Richard Evans, our subject, was married November 22, 1869, in Canaan township, Wayne county, to Miss Rena Louise, daughter of Louis H. Buckland, Rev. George C. Hart, a Presbyterian min- ister, officiating. To them were born two children : Evangeline L., at home ; and Elsie, who died in in- fancy. The wife and mother died October 23, 1889, aged forty years, and was laid to rest in Keens cemetery, Canaan township.

At the early age of eleven years Mr. Evans worked away from home for the first time, at hay- ing for Luther Weston, a prosperous farmer of Salem, the agreement being he was to receive his board and ten cents per day. He worked long enough to carn two dollars and forty cents, the first money he had ever earned, and it seemed a large amount at the time. Mr. Weston kindly consented to accept this in payment for two sheep, which he took, agreeing to return double the number at the expiration of four years. Our subject continued to work for Mr. Weston six months in the summer and attend school during the winter until the spring of 1857, when he went to Scranton, Penn., the late John Raymond having secured him a situation with Hawley Barton & Co., merchants, as errand boy and driver of delivery wagon, and there he remained un- til the firm went out of business. Returning to Wayne county in 1858, he worked in the post office at Salem under Dr. J. N. Wilson for a short time, and then entered the employ of Hon. A. B. Walker, a merchant of that place, who later transferred him to his other store at No. 19, now the present village of Lake Ariel, Wayne county, where he remained for a year and a half. During the winter of 1859-60 he clerked for Charles V. Taft, of Hawley, and then returned to Lake Ariel, where he conducted the store of Arthur Kimble and Charles V. Taft for one year. In connection with William D. Curtis he then purchased the store, which they carried on until September, 1862, when Mr. Evans enlisted in Com- pany A, 137th P. V. I., for nine months, being under the command of Capt. J. M. Buckingham, of Canaan township. The regiment was in no regular engage- ment, but was under artillery fire at South Mountain and Chancellorsville, and at Antietam was detailed to guard the baggage wagons in the rear during the battle, and afterward to bury the dead left on the

field. On June 1, 1863, Mr. Evans was mustered out with his regiment at Harrisburg, Penn., receiv- ing an honorable discharge from the service.

Returning to Hawley, Mr. Evans worked in the mercantile establishment of Cromwells & Solliday for a year, and then went to Nashville, Chattanooga and other places, being in the transportation depart- ment of the government for a year and a half. On his return to Wayne county, in 1866, he again en- gaged in merchandising with William D. Curtis at Lake Ariel, for two years, when the firm sold out to J. H. Schenck, for whom our subject worked one year. In 1869, in connection with Mr. Curtis, he purchased the Uri Mills corner, on First street, in Hawley, Penn., erected a store building, and entered into business under the firm name of Curtis & Evans. In 1877 the store was destroyed by fire, but they rebuilt the same year, and continued in business until 1885, when the firm was obliged to make an assignment. Mr. Curtis retired, and Mr. Evans continued the business in the Mourman building, a few doors below. In 1893 he purchased the old stand, where he remained till it was destroyed by fire in December, 1897. The proprietor of the United Knitting Mills wishing to extend their plant, he ex- changed lots and erected a fine building on the op- posite corner, on the site occupied some twenty-five years ago by the "Ewen House," a noted hotel built by the Pennsylvania Coal Co. to hold their elections in. Here Mr. Evans still carries on operations, re- ceiving a liberal share of the public patronage. He has taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, has done much to advance the welfare and prosperity of the village, for three years was an efficient member of the borough council, was a mem- ber of the board of health the same length of time, and has also been school director. Socially he is a member of Hawley Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M., and James M. Thorp Post No. 157, G. A. R., of Hawley ; and politically he is identified with the Republican party. As a business man and citizen he well de- serves the success he has achieved in life, and the high regard which is accorded him.

WALTER SPRY. Among the citizens of mark in Oregon township, Wayne county, no one is more worthy of consideration than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. During the trying days of the great Civil war he stood firmly in defense of the Union, and took an active and prominent part in that struggle. He is now one of the representative farmers and leading citizens of Oregon township.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were James and Elizabeth Spry, who spent their en- tire lives in Cornwall, England. In their family were three children: (I) Walter Spry, Sr., became the father of our subject. (2) Elizabeth came to America, married John Robins, and made her home at Beach Lake, Berlin township, Wayne county, where she died in 1895. (3) William emigrated to the country in 1836, and also located at Beach

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Walter Spry

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lake, where he passed away in 1893. He mar -- ried Ann Tamblyn, and left a family of six children, two sons and four daughters.

Walter Spry, Sr., was born September 17, 1803, in Cornwall, England, where he grew to man- hood and married Miss Patience Kinsman, daughter of Charles Kinsman, born March 25, 1807. Five of their family were born in England, and the others after coming to the United States. The record of their children is as follows: Daniel K., born April 19, 1827, died May 28, 1839; Charles, born Febru- ary 27, 1829, is a resident of Berlin township, Wayne county ; Keziah, born August 22, 1831, is the wife of George Oliver, of Berlin township ; Walter is next in the order of birth; James K., born April 14, 1836, is a resident of Waymart, Wayne county ; Frederick, born June 22, 1838, lives in Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Penn .; Tamzen, born Octo- ber 3, 1841, died December 20, 1867; Daniel K., born November 21, 1843, in Beach Lake, Wayne county, is a resident of Plymouth; Anna M., born October 5, 1845, is the wife of Edmund Budd, of Mt. Vernon, N. Y .; and Richard Bray, born May 3, 1847, resides in Jersey City, and is employed as a tinner in New York City. The mother of these died July 17, 1848. By his second marriage, to Emily Raymond, Mr. Spry had one daughter, Hannah Emily, who was born May 5, 1851, and is now the wife of Theodore Taft, of Jersey City. The father died September 26, 1870.

In Cornwall, England, Walter Spry, Jr., was born November 29, 1833, and when a lad of nine years was brought by his parents to this country, locating near Beach Lake, in Berlin township, Wayne county, where he acquired his education in the public schools. He assisted in the work of the home farm until twenty years of age, and then obtained employment with other farmers in Wayne county.

On August 31, 1862, at Scranton, Penn., our subject enlisted in Company C, 67th Penn. Vols., and was mustered in to the United States service at Harrisburg. He was first under the command of Gen. Milrov, and saw active service at Upper- ville and Opequan Creek, W. Va. While engaged in a severe skirmish at Winchester, in the Shenan- doah Valley, his division was captured and taken to Richmond prison, where they were confined for thirty-six days, being released on parole at the end of that time. Mr. Spry was slightly wounded at Winchester, but soon returned to the front, and under Gen. Grant participated in the battles of Bran- dy Station and Mine Run, where he was wounded, losing one finger. The regiment then went into winter quarters, and on May 5, 1864, again took the field, participating in the famous seven-days battle in the wilderness, in which Mr. Spry was slightly wounded in the leg. At the bloody bat- tle of Cold Harbor, the Union troops were forced to evacuate, from there went to City Point, and thence to Washington, joining Sheridan, under whom they were in the Shenandoah Valley, being

victorious in the three battles of Winchester, Fish- er's Hill and Cedar Creek. At Winchester, after a gallant charge, the Union army fell back, but re- formed their broken lines, and upon a second charge drove the Rebels from the field. During his serv- ices Mr. Spry was transferred, in the spring of 1864, to the 6th Corps, which was the first to break the lines in the siege before Petersburg. The last engagement of any importance in which he took part was that of Sailor's Run, in which a part of Lee's retreating army was defeated and their wagon train captured. After the surrender of Lee the 6th Corps went to Danville, N. C., intending to help Sherman, but Johnston surrendered and they returned to Washington. At the close of the war our subject took part in the grand review at Wash- ington, D. C., and was mustered out June 20, 1865, with an honorable war record.

In Honesdale, Wayne county, Mr. Spry was married, September 20, 1853, to Miss Ann Eliza Nelson, a daughter of Charles Ripley, who died when she was only three years old, and she was then adopted by the Nelson family, in which she was reared. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Spry: (1) Alonzo J., born November IO, 1854, married Elma Barnes (now deceased), and they had two children, Lizzie, born March 14, 1880, and Wesley, born July 5, 1881. (2) George M., born April 12, 1858, is living in Berlin township, Wayne county. (3) Abbie Jane, born August 13, 1861, is the wife of David M. Bunnell, of Honesdale. (4) Willie K., born April 28, 1867, is employed in Canaan township, Wayne county. (5) Daniel K., born June 4, 1869, is a resident of Meriden, Conn. (6) Howard Grant, born March 4, 1873, is employed as a glass cutter in Newark, N. J. (7) Franklin W., born October 1, 1878, is at home.

Ever since the war Mr. Spry has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but he is not an aspirant for political favors, though he has been delegate to many county conventions, and for six years a member of the county central committee. He is an honored member of the G. A. R., Post No. 198, Honesdale, and is also a member of the Association of Prisoners of War. As a true citizen and honor- able business man, he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

EDUARD METZGER, a thorough and skill- ful farmer, and a business man of more than ordi- nary capacity, is a representative of the agricultural interests of Paradise township, Monroe county. He was born in Ross township, same county, in June, 1844, a son of Samuel and Catherine (Smith) Metz- ger, also natives of Monroe county. The grand- father, Christian Metzger, was born in Bucks coun- ty, Penn., and was one of the early settlers of Ross township, Monroe county, where he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Strout, both died. Their family consisted of five children, one son, Samuel, and four daughters, Tena, wife of John Shupp, of Chestnut Hill township, Monroe

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county; Julia A., wife of William Newheart, of Ross township ; Annie, wife of Levi Frantz, of Ross township ; and Lavina, wife of Jacob Bond, of Chest- mt Hill township.

Samuel Metzger, our subject's father, grew to manhood in Ross township, where he purchased a tract of wild land and cleared and developed a farm, erecting thereon good buildings. In 1866 he pur- chased a grist mill in Eldred township, Monroc county, which he operated for many years, and on selling his farm removed to his mill property, where he died in 1800. His wife, who had proved to him a true helpmeet, is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-fiveyears. She aided and encouraged him in his carly struggles to make a home for his family, and many times took an active part in the work of the harvest field.

This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, all born in Ross township; Betsy is now the wife of Jacob Frantz, a leading farmer of El- dred township ; Truda married Edward Huffelinger, of Eldred township, and they now reside near Mauch Chunk, Penn .; Eduard, our subject, and Joseph were twins, the latter of whom died at the age of nine months; Mary A. wedded Levi Engline, and they live at Allentown, Penn .; Jane is the wife of Timothy Danwort, of Easton, Penn. ; Alfred died young; Peter married Tamar Drauck, of Chestnut Hill township, and they now reside in Eldred town- ship, where he is engaged in milling; Fietta mar- ried George Bishop, who died at his home in Phila- delphia from injuries received in a railroad accident, and she afterward married Frank Husen, of Phila- delphia, who is now engaged in farming in Eldred township, Monroe county, and by whom she has one son, George; and Ella is the wife of Walter Earl, a railroad engineer of Philadelphia, and they have one daughter, Gurtie.

On the old homestead in Ross township, Ed- uard Metzger passed his early life, and continued to follow farming there until his marriage. In 1866 he wedded Miss Emma S. Frantz, daughter of Charles Frantz, of Ross township, and soon after- ward he purchased the old home farm of his father. On selling the place in 1878, he bought a farm in Jackson township, Monroe county, to the develop- ment and cultivation of which he devoted his ener- gies for nine years. Here his wife died in 1885, leaving the following children: Milton; Alvin; Ja- cob; Levi; Charles and Samuel (twins) ; Fannie, wife of Harry Edwards; Catherine, wife of Tom Jeffer ; Maria and Lizzie. The daughters are all residents of Philadelphia. Milton married Sarah Mixal, of Ross township, in 1890, and has four children, Emma, Charles, Miria and Alisis, and has purchased the old homestead in Jackson town- ship.

Mr. Metzger was again married, his second union being in 1885 with Mrs. Amy V. Kendrew, of Lackawanna county, Penn., widow of Christo- pher Kendrew, and daughter of Ephraim and Rachel Wescott, old settlers of that county. By her first

marriage she had three children: (1) Frank, who married Lucy Cerry, and resides on a farm in Wayne county, Penn .; (2) George, a resident of Paradise township, Monroe county, who married Claria Everets, and has children, Edgar, Rebecca and Lucy ; and (3) Christiana, who married George Em- erson, of England, and is now living in Madison, Lackawanna Co., Penn .; they have three children, Emma, Cristfer and Edna. To Mr. Metzger were born two children by his second mar- riage: Oscar, who was born in Paradise township in 1885, and is now attending school; and Rachel, who was born in 1886, and is at home.

In 1888, Mr. Metzger purchased a farm in Paradise township on the line of Barrett township, and has since made many improvements on the place, including the erection of a good barn. He has cleared a large portion of the farm and placed it under a high state of cultivation, and being an up-to-date farmer has equipped his place with mod- ern machinery of all kinds. He started out in life for himself a poor boy, being thrown upon his own resources at an early day, but by honest industry. energy, perseverance and good management he has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable compe- tence, and has also won an enviable position in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and in religious faith is a member of the Lutheran Church.

MRS. SARAH B. SETZER, a most estimable lady whose home is in Jackson township, is a repre- sentative of one of the old and prominent families of Monroe county, being a granddaughter of Peter Woodling, a native of Germany, who when a young man crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Hamilton township, Monroe Co., Penn. He was a Revolutionary soldier under George Washington. Here he married Miss Maria Hoffner, a native of the county, and to them were born six children, all now deceased, namely: Peter, father of Mrs. Setzer ; Jacob, who died in Smithfield township, Monroe county ; Andrew, who made his home in Ohio; George, a resident of Hamilton township, Monroe county ; Elizabeth, wife of George Miller, of Mon- roe county ; and Sarah, widow of John Ritner, of Missouri.

Peter Woodling was born and reared in Hamil- ·ton township, and was married in Butler township, Luzerne Co., Penn., to Miss Hannah Beishline, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Edinger) Beishline, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Tannersville, Monroe Co., Penn. Mrs. Setzer is the eldest of the children born of this union; Simon died at the age of two years; Lena died at the age of five ; Hannah is now the wife of James Warner, of Paradise township, Monroe county ; Rebecca is living in Reeders, Monroe county; William and Peter both live in Paradise township (Peter is mar- ried to Euphemia Heller) ; Michael is a resident of Appenzell, Jackson township, and is married to Emma Gresge; Amos lives in Reeders, and is

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married to Tillie Meakies; Susanna is the wife of Aaron Handerlong, of Bangor, Penn .; Theodore, unmarried, lives at Reeders ; and Mary is deceased.

Our subject was born August 28, 1837, in what is now Jackson township, but at that time formed a part of Pocono township, Monroe county. On March 17, 1857, at Reeders, she was united in mar- riage with William Setzer, a son of George and Elizabeth (Sigline) Setzer. His father was born, reared and married in Hamilton township, and con- tinued to make his home there throughout life, his time and attention being devoted to the mason's trade. His children were Susan (deceased), who married Samuel Harleman, and died at Weatherly, Penn .; Amos, who died at Wilkes Barre; William, above mentioned ; George and Jerome (twins), the former of whom is living in Weatherly but the latter died in Neola, Jackson township (they were both soldiers in the war) ; Mary, widow of David McNear, and a resident of Wilkes Barre; Washington who died in Weatherly (he was a soldier in the war), and Dolly and Melinda who both died young.

William Setzer grew to manhood on the old homestead and in early life learned the mason's trade with his father. In 1861 he responded to the President's call for aid in putting down the Re- bellion, and on the expiration of his first term re- enlisted. He was wounded at the battle of the Wil- derness, and never fully recovered his health. When hostilities ceased and nis services were no longer needed, he returned home and resumed work at his trade, to which he devoted his energies throughout life with good success. He was a stanch Republi- can in politics, and held several local offices, includ- ing that of school director. Socially he was an honored member of the G. A. R., the K. of P., and the I. O. O. F., while in religious faith he was an ac- tive and prominent member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, with which he was officially connected up to his death. He died December 25, 1896, and his taking away was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances besides his immediate family, for he was widely known and had the respect and confi- dence of all with whom he came in contact.

Eight children blessed the, union of Mr. and Mrs. Setzer: Milton, born March 2, 1858, married Hannah Miller, and is now engaged in the hotel business at Mauch Chunk, Penn .; he served as sheriff of Carbon county at the age of thirty-seven, and as constable thirteen years. Calvin W., born De- cember 9, 1860, married Hattie Bloce, and is a fire- man residing in Dunmore, Penn. Alice S., born June 26, 1863, is the wife of Edward F. Altemose, of Dun- more. Elmer Elsworth, born August 4, 1867, mar- ried Maggie McDonald, and lives in Dunmore. Elizabeth M., born October 26, 1869, married Mil- ton Bonser, and removed to Denver, Colo., where he died, but his remains were brought back and in- terred at Reeders, Monroe county ; he left two chil- dren, Jessie, born August 24, 1890; and Grant, born September 4, 1892; Mrs. Bonser is now living in Scranton, Penn. Ada, born May 8, 1872, is the wife

of James Bell, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Jennie J., born May 28, 1876, is the wife of Ulysses Kellow, of Scranton. S. Aurora, born October 8, 1877, is now at home, but spends most of her time in Scranton.

JOHN STEVENS, one of the leading repre- sentative citizens of Sterling township, Wayne county, is prominently connected with the agri- cultural interests, and with those enterprises which tend to promote the welfare of the community.

Mr. Stevens was born on the old homestead in Sterling township, April 15, 1836, a son of Henry and Sarah (Dobell) Stevens, the former also a na- tive of Sterling township, and the latter of Kent County, England, whence she came to America with her father, Rev. George Dobell, a Baptist minister, who first located in Sterling township, later re- moving to Jonestown, Wayne county. Mr. Dobell was three times married, his first wife being Eliza- beth Hillman, who died in England, leaving three daughters: Sarah and Anna, twins, the latter of whom died unmarried in 1895; and Eliza, who mar- ried Abbott Purdy. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Martha Stevens, na- tives of Germany and Long Island, respectively. From the latter place they removed to Wyoming Valley, Penn., but they spent their last days in Wayne county, their remains being interred on the old homestead in Sterling township. Their children were Valentine, George, Jane, Nicholas, Mary, Ann, Henry and Martha. A more extended history of the ancestors is given in connection with the sketch of William Yates elsewhere.

The parents of our subject were farming peo- ple, and spent their entire married life in Wayne county. The father died May 21, 1878, aged sixty- nine years, the mother February 21, 1898, aged eighty-five, and both were laid to rest in Nobletown cemetery. Their children were as follows: Eliza A., widow of William Yates, and a resident of Sterling township; John, the subject of this sketch; Mary J., wife of John Ferguson, a farmer of Ster- ling township; Harriet, a resident of Salem Cor- ners, Wayne county, and the widow of Solon Peet, who was killed in the Civil war; Phobe, wife of Benjamin Yates, a farmer of Sterling township; William, also a farmer of that township. who mar- ried Sarah Sinquet ; Martha, deceased wife of James Bird, of Scranton, Penn .; Emma, who engaged in teaching school for some time prior to her death; Lotta, a milliner, of Georgetown, Penn. ; and George, who married Tacey Noble, and is a merchant of Maplewood, Wayne county.

John Stevens spent his boyhood and youth like most farmer boys. On reaching manhood he was married, at Hamilton, Wayne county, on Janu- ary 29, 1866, to Miss Mary A. Yates, by whom he had four children: Ira M., who is with his father ; Ida M., who is with her brother in Denver, Colo .; Merton J., a railroad fireman, living in Denver, Colo .; and Charles, who has been adopted by Mrs. William Yates, and is now known as Charles Yates.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The mother of these children died January 25, 1876, aged thirty-two years, and was laid to rest in the Nobletown cemetery. She was a daughter of Ben- jamin T. and Mary A. ( Jarvis) Yates, and a sister of William Yates. At Greenwood, Lackawanna Co., Penn., Mr. Stevens was again married, Janti- ary 30, 1878, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Sinquet, and to them have been born five chil- dien : Arthur, Nellie, Emma, Henry and Gertrude, all at home. Mrs. Stevens is a native of Sterling township, Wayne county, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza ( Fritz) Sinquet, who were born, reared and married in Chester county, Penn., whence they came to Sterling township, Wayne county, in 1858. The father, who was born March 30, 1824, died here March 1, 1895, and the mother passed away in November, 1878, at the age of fifty-three years, their remains being interred in Nobletown ceme- tery. She was a member of the Society of Friends. Mr. Sinquet was a carpenter by trade. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Society, was quite a prominent man, and was called upon to fill the offices of constable and county auditor. His par- ents were Samuel and Mary ( Neils) Sinquet, of Chester county, where the mother died, the father spending his last days with his son in Wayne coun- ty. Samuel Sinquet was a soldier of the war of 1812.

Mrs. Stevens is one of a family of seven chil- dren, who in order of birth are as follows : William, who married Anna Smith, and is engaged in carpen- tering for the Gravity Company at Waymart, Wayne county : Sarah, wife of William F. Stevens, a farmer of Sterling township; Susan, wife of Alvin Bisbing, who is with the Pennsylvania Coal Co., at Providence, Penn. ; Mary E., wife of our sub- ject : Emma, wife of Phineas T. Howe, who is en- gaged in the creamery business at Lake Ariel, Wayne county ; Ida, wife of Edward Ammerman, a farmer of Peetona, Penn .; and Elizabeth, wife of George Fisher, who is in the employ of the Grav- ity railroad and lives in Waymart.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 206

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