Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 207

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 207
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 207
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 207
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 207

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Mr. Stevens accidentally had his left thumb shot off by his brother, who was "fooling" with a pistol, the same shot penetrating his sister's head. He is a wide-awake, progressive farmer, whose sticcess in life may be attributed to his own untir- ing efforts. His word in business transactions is considered as good as his bond, and he is justly recognized as one of the most energetic representa- tive citizens of Sterling township.

JAMES W. FLYNN. In the agricultural and industrial development of the western portion of Susquehanna county one of the most conspicuous figures is James W. Flynn, of Middletown township. He is a citizen who is keenly alive to the best inter- ests of the people among whom he lives, and his native talents and generous, kindly nature have ever commended him favorably to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Flynn was born in County Tipperary, Ire-

land, February 9, 1833, son of John and Bridget (Ryan) Flynn, the parents, both of whom were born in the year 1804, immigrating in 1841 to Am- erica with their family of five children. In their na- tive land they had farmed, and they followed the same pursuit in the United States. Patrick Ryan, a broth- er-in-law of John Flynn, had in 1840 purchased by contract a tract of land in Middletown township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and to this the father of our subject moved, erecting a small log cabin, 16x20, and clearing up a farm. Later, in 1852, he bought from John Doughtery an adjoining farm of 100 acres, of which about twenty acres were cleared. To this farm Mr. Flynn moved, and here he lived until his death, which occurred May II, 1874, his wife, who survived him many years, passing away March 8, 1891. In religious faith he was a consistent Catholic, and in politics a Democrat. To John and Bridget Flynn were born nine children who grew to manhood and womanhood, as follows: (I) John, born in Ireland June 4, 1831, married Miss Mary Welsh, of Rhode Island, and they now reside on a farm in Middletown. Nine children have been born to them-Thomas, a blacksmith, and foreman in a bicycle works at Albany, Ind .; William, who now owns the "Joel Terrell Stone House" farm in Forest Lake township; James, general manager for the State Hospital at Binghamton, N. Y., for a time, and now a policeman of that city ; John, manager of the home farm; Edward, who was well-educated, and is now manager of the State Hospital farm at Binghamton, N. Y. ; Henry P., a dry-goods salesman at Binghamton; Annie, wife of James Kahil, of Binghamton : Alice, a resident of Binghamton ; and one who died at birth. (2) James W., our subject, was the second child. (3) Thomas, born in Ireland in 1835, married Emily M. Ryan, daughter of Pat- rick Ryan of Apolacon township, and was for a num- ber of years a grocer at Friendsville. Later he bought a farm in Friendsville, where he died Jan- uary 15, 1866, leaving a wife and two children- Alfonso, who died soon after his father's death; and Francis J., a resident of Apolacon township. (4) Henry P., born in 1835, left home when a young boy, at the age of fifteen years, and worked for a time in Tioga county. He learned the tanner's trade in Maine, Broome Co., N. Y., was general superin- tendent in various tanneries for Thomas E. Proc- tor, some twenty-two years, and is now general land agent and manager for the Thomas E. Proctor land- ed estate in the State of New York, residing in the city of Carthage. (5) Mary, born in Ireland, married Francis P. Ryan, who served as a soldier in the Civil war, being a sergeant of Company H, 143rd P. V. I., and took part in many important and hard-fought battles, including Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilder- ness, etc. He died at Friendsville in March, 1870, leaving a wife and two children-Thomas and James, both residents of that place. (6) Edward F., born November 14, 1841, married Miss Mary Casey, of Oxford, Chenango Co., N. Y. He settled in Greene, N. Y., where for some years he engaged in

Ins. W. Klyn

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the clothing business, in 1876 moving to Philadel- phia, where he exhibited a midget child during the Centennial exposition, and later he traveled through- out the United States, Europe and Australia, dying while in the latter continent. His widow still travels with the child. The other children of Edward F. and Mary Flynn are William J., of Elmira, N. Y .; Nellie, of Binghamton ; Alice; Beatrice, whose home is with her uncle, our subject; and Edward, who died at the home of our subject. (7) Margaret, born in Middletown in 1843, niarried Charles H. Ham- lin, and they now reside at Binghamton. They have a family of seven children-Mary, Thomas, Lizzie, Charles, James, Carrie and Joseph. (8) Johanna, born in 1854, married Andrew Phalan, and died on his farm in Middletown township April 15, 1889, leaving a husband and nine children-John, a hotel man at Scranton; Andrew J., hotel proprietor at Scranton; Henry, of Middletown; William, of Scranton ; Frank, of Scranton; Edward, of Middle- town; Ambrose, of Jessup, Lackawanna county ; Phelix, of Middletown ; and George, of Middletown. (9) Elizabeth, born in Middletown in 1847, is now a dressmaker of Binghamton. (10) Michael died in childhood.

James W. Flynn, our subject, was eight years of age when, in 1841, he was brought to America by his parents. He received a good education, attending the district schools of Middletown in his youth, but the greater part was acquired bv attendance at night school, his studies being pursued by candle light and while he was working by his blacksmith fire. When a young man he acquired a knowledge of the black- smith trade in Forest Lake township and in Tioga county, N. Y. At the close of his thorough appren- ticeship locating at Apalachin, Tioga Co., N. Y., where he followed his trade for three years. Re- moving to Binghamton, N. Y., he was there em- ployed for a time as foreman in the Shapley-Wells shops, and thence removed to Deposit, where for three years he was in the employ of Devereux, Clark & Co. Later he came to Friendsville, and followed his trade continuously until 1870. Meanwhile, in 1859, Mr. Flynn had purchased the old homestead, which from time to time he greatly improved. On Christmas Day, 1861, he married Miss Mary Donlin, who was born in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, February 23, 1842, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Divin) Donlin, old and prominent residents of that township, and they commenced married life at Friendsville, our subject working steadily at his trade in that village until 1870, with the exception of one year. 1864, when he worked at Birchardville. In 1870 Mr. Flynn moved to the old homestead, on which he erected a large two-story frame house and made many other improvements. He has added to the place by purchase, and now owns 153 acres, his being one of the valuable and well-tilled farms in the township. He also owns real estate in the borough of Friendsville, and is interested in other real estate in New York State. In 1894, through his energy and substantial aid, the Woolf Road Cream- 56

ery was established near his home, and his good judgment in business matters is evident in the fact that it has been a success from the start. For over twenty-eight years Mr. Flynn has acted as agent for different persons from various sections of the coun- try, receiving quite an income from this source. Having discharged every trust with the utmost fidelity and economy, he won and retained the con- fidence and good will of his patrons. From his earliest boyhood his motto was strict attention to all business intrusted to his care.

Mr. and Mrs. Flynn have no family of their own, but they have reared a son, William J., and also five of his brother's children, besides several orphans. William J. Flynn married Miss Kate M. Doocey, of Middletown, and they have two daugh- ters, Mary and Alena ; they reside on the homestead.

Politically Mr. Flynn was formerly identified with the Republican party, but latterly he has sup- ported Democratic principles. Ever since his mar- riage he has been invested by his fellow citizens with the duties and responsibilities of some position of trust. While a resident of Friendsville he held the offices of burgess, town councilman and school di- rector, and since coming to Middletown he has been supervisor, poormaster and justice of the peace, at present serving his fifth term in the responsible judi- ciary office last named. Through the efforts of Mr. Flynn and other public-spirited citizens the post- office of Flynn was established in 1891, at our sub- ject's home, and he was appointed the first postmas- ter. He declined, however, and F. A. Rouck was appointed, holding the office for two years, during which time the duties of the postoffice were dis- charged by William J. Flynn. The next four years Mrs. James W. Flynn served, resigning in 1897 in favor of J. A. Curley, who removed the office to his store, near by. Mr. Flynn has always given his support to forwarding all enterprises beneficial to his town or county. He and his family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Middletown. He is universally regarded as one of the foremost men of the township, his social standing is unexcelled, and his devotion and fidelity to public interests have been attested in numerous instances.

PETER F. OSBORNE, one of the brave de- fenders of the Union during the Civil war, and a worthy citizen of Salem township, Wayne county, is a representative of a family that has long been identified with the growth and development of this section of the State. His grandfather, John Os- borne, a famous hunter, was born in Susquehanna county, Penn., and married Miss Rebecca McCape, by whom he had four children : James, the father of our subject ; Rebecca, deceased wife of Nathaniel Rollison, of Salem township, Wayne county ; Hen- ry, who died in Canaan township; and Peter, who died in Salem township, in 1875. The grandfather died in 1816, his wife two years later, their deaths resulting fron an accidental plunge in the icy waters. of the Susquehanna river.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

James Osborne was born June 23, 1807, in Pittston, Penn., and was but nine years old when his father died. The children lived near their birth- place until they reached maturity, when Rebecca married and came to Wayne county. The brothers followed soon afterward, and purchasing wood land in Salem township, began clearing the same for farming purposes. James, Rebecca and Peter set- ted within a radius of a mile, while Henry bought property six miles distant on Bidwell Hill, but he afterward removed to South Canaan township, Wayne county, where he operated a carding ma- chine. The father of our subject was a renowned hunter and fisherman, and when the infirmities of age prevented him from doing manual labor he de- lighted to sit with his descendants around him, re- lating the scenes and incidents of life in the back woods. He was married, April 22, 1829, to Miss Rachel Persing, of Catawissa, Penn., daughter of Peter Persing. Of the eleven children born to them, two died in infancy; Harriet, wife of Abra- ham Cramer, died in 1874; James died in 1893; Amanda, wife of L. B. Cramer, died in 1896; John W. is a resident of Hamilton, Penn. ; Angeline is the wife of George Penny, of Daleville, Penn. : Rebecca is the wife of Stephen Kimble, of Hoadley's, Penn. : George Henry is a resident of Reynoldsville : Peter F. is next in the order of birth ; and Rachel is the wife of W. H. H. Bell, of Patton, Penn. The mother of these children died May 26, 1880, the father in 1897, at which time he had forty-six grand- children and fifty-eight great-grandchildren. He was widely and favorably known, and is deserving of prominent mention on the roll of Wayne county's honored pioneers.

Peter F. Osborne, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Arlington, Wayne Co., Penn., November 1, 1842. On August 6, 1862, he offered his services to his country, enlisting for nine months in Company A. 137th P. V. I. He was honorably discharged June 1, 1863, and March 7, 1864, re- enlisted for three years, or until the close of the war, becoming sergeant in Company D, 2nd Penn- sylvania Heavy Artillery. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C., November 22, 1865. With the Army of the Potomac he was all through the Peninsular campaign, including the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and South Mountain. While fighting in front of Petersburg he was wounded, June 17, 1864, and was sent to the hospital at Chestnut Hill.

Mr. Osborne was married, in Honesdale, Au- gust 3, 1867, by Rev. W. J. Judd, a M. E. minister, to Miss Frances G. Williams, daughter of Jeremiah and Susan Ruth ( Bartleson) Williams. Her father, who was born in New York City, May 20, 1811, died March 1, 1886, in South Sterling, Penn., where her mother is still living. Mrs. Osborne's paternal grandfather, Joseph Williams, a native of Wales, became a sailor, and finally located in New York, where he wedded Mary Kinney, a native of Ireland. When their son Jeremiah was seven years old they

removed to Philadelphia, and subsequently to South Sterling. This was in the early days, when travelers were forced to make their own roads, and it required four days for them to cut a road through the dense woods, a distance of twelve miles. Bartle Bartle- son, Mrs. Osborne's maternal grandfather, was of German descent, and married Alice Acres, of Eng- lish parentage. The children of Jeremiah Will- iams and wife were Rebecca, wife of Truman Os- borne, of South Sterling; Martha, who is unmar- ried, and lives in South Sterling; John B., a law- yer of Stroudsburg, who is now serving as district attorney of Monroe county ; J. W., a coal dealer of Elmhurst, Penn. ; Mary A., wife of Edward Kimble, of Lake Ariel, Penn. ; and Frances G., born Decem- ber 15, 1846, the wife of our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have four children: Bella M., born April 14, 1868, was educated at the Waymart Academy and the Bloomsburg Normal School, and is now a successful teacher ; Ernest W., born May 4. 1872, attended school at Waymart, Wood's Business College, and the Bloomsburg Normal School, and is now a bookkeeper for the Delaware & Hudson Coal Co., at Honesdale; and Gertie R., born March 1, 1878, and Lena F., born June 27, 1879, are both at home.

Politically Mr. Osborne has always been a pro- nounced Republican, and besides serving on the Republican county committee he has held the follow- ing township offices : Supervisor, two years ; school director, three years; overseer of the poor, seven years; and inspector of elections. He also served as postmaster of Arlington for six years, and has proved a most popular and trustworthy official. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Encampment, while religiously, he and his wife are both connected with the Method- ist Episcopal Church. As a citizen, friend and neighbor he is true to every duty, and justly merits the esteem in which he is held.

THOMAS LEONARD, an enterprising and prominent farmer of Buckingham township, Wayne county, has demonstrated the true meaning of the word success as the full accomplishment of an hon- orable purpose. Energy, close application, perse- verance and good management, these are the ele- ments which have entered into his business career and crowned his efforts with prosperity.

Mr. Leonard is a native of County Meath, Ire- land, and a son of Daniel and Rose (Langan) Leon- ard, who were born, reared and married in that county, where the mother continued to make her home until called to her final rest, in 1863. They were poor and humble, but honest and highly-re- spected people. In his native land the father was employed as a shepherd, caring for sheep and stock of all kinds, and his children all became familiar with that occupation. They all came to the New World, and here the father spent his last years, dy- ing in Wayne county at the age of seventy-five. In

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

order of birth the children of the family are as fol- lows: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Mathew, a leading and well-known citizen of Buckingham township, Wayne county ; Michael, who is engaged in the transfer business with the Decker Company, in New York City; Mary, wife of Bernard Mc- Garry, of Buckingham township; Daniel, a stone mason, of North Adams, Mass. ; John, of Mt. Pleas- ant township, Wayne county ; and Christopher, of Buckingham township.

In 1860 Thomas Leonard crossed the Atlantic to the United States, and first located at Beach Pond, Berlin township, Wayne Co., Penn., where he lived for four years. After a few months spent in Honesdale, he then settled upon his present farm in Buckingham township, his first home being a rude log cabin now used as a chicken house. On a natural building site he later erected a comfortable and more commodious residence, has built good barns and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place. The farm com- prises 300 acres of rich and arable land, and is stocked with good grades of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, including a herd of sixteen cows. In con- nection with general farming our subject has also successfully engaged in stock dealing, and his prop- erty is all free from debt.

In 1869 Mr. Leonard was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Flynn, a most estimable lady, who has proved a true helpmate to him. She is a native of County Roscommon, Ireland, where she was reared and educated, coming to America in 1864. Her parents were Patrick and Winifred (Dwyer) Flynn, the former of whom died in 1895, aged eighty years, the latter on March 13, 1899. In their family were eight children, namely: Ellen, Patrick, William, Luke, Thomas, Michael, Bridget and Mary Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have six children : Rose, William, Thomas P., Winifred, George and Edward. The Democratic party always finds in Mr. Leonard a stanch supporter, and for nine years he has served as auditor of his township with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is honorable and upright in all things, his word being considered as good as his bond.

JOHN H. UTTER owns and operates a good farm of eighty acres in Preston township, Wayne county, conveniently located near Poyntelle, and its neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his care- ful supervision. Substantial buildings are surround- ed by well-tilled fields, which yield to the owner bountiful harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.

Mr. Utter was born November 29, 1848, in Otsego countv, N. Y., a son of Dr. Daniel Utter, who was for many years an eminent physician and popular citizen of Starrucca, Wayne county. Dr. l'tter married Miss Abigail Skinnerhorn, a native of Otsego county, N. Y .; and to them were born children as follows: John H .; Elizabeth, Mrs.

Koehler, of Starrucca; Marvin, a resident of the same place; and Anna, Mrs. Thompkins. The fa- ther died at the age of sixty-four years, honored and respected by all who knew him. The Doctor, being quite a successful business man, left consider- able property at the time of his death.

On a farm near Lanesboro, in Susquehanna county, Penn., John H. Utter grew to manhood, early becoming familiar with the occupations of farming and lumbering. He was also one of the most successful hunters of the county, and during his youth had ample opportunity to indulge in that sport, as most of the country was still unimproved and inhabited principally by wild game of all kinds. For two years, 1870 to 1872, he was engaged in hunting and herding cattle in Kansas, during that time killing 500 buffalo and plenty of other game.

Mr. Utter was married, December 25, 1867, in Preston township, Wayne county, to Miss Marian Hine, who was born, reared and educated in that township, and is a daughter of John and Amanda ( Thurston ) Hine, now deceased. Nettie, the only sister of Mrs. Utter, has also passed away. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Utter are as follows : Rosa ; Emma (wife of George Haines. of Austin. Potter Co., Penn.) ; Arvilla (wife of A. Necle, of Wayne county ) ; Jennie, Daniel, Henry, Nettie, Daisy, and Warren. For many years Mr. Utter has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party and always takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs.

CYRUS W. LOVELASS, a prosperous and honored citizen of Damascus township, Wayne county, was born August 18, 1848, on the old home- stead where he still continues to reside.

Our subject's paternal grandfather, William Lovelass, was one of the prominent early settlers of Wayne county, and here reared a family of four sons : John ; Robert ; Isaac ; and James, who is still a resident of Damascus township. Of these, Robert Lovelass was born in Dorsetshire, England, and in that country married Ann Wilkins, a daughter of John Wilkins. It was in 1837 that they crossed the Atlantic and took up their residence upon the farm in Wayne county. Penn., where their son now lives. In 1878, however, he rturned to England. Robert Lovelass died at the age of eighty years. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were devout members of the Presbyterian Church. She passed away at the age of eighty-seven. In their family were five children: Samuel, Sarah, Jonathan, Charles and Cyrus W.

Cyrus W. Lovelass grew to manhood upon the home farm, becoming a thorough and skillful agri- culturist, and a business man of more than or- dinary ability. Farming has been his principal occupation, but he has devoted some attention to lumbering, and at the present time he and his broth- er Samuel own and successfully operate the old homestead, comprising 245 acres of valuable and productive land, under excellent cultivation. The

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

place is known as "Fallsville Farm," and an elegant residence was erected thereon in 1884, at a cost of $2500. One of the great attractions of this farm is the fine herd of Jersey cows that are a source of much pride and profit to the owner. Besides his interest in his home farm, our subject owns a tract of land at Jamestown, N. Dak., and also has property in other localities.

On December 5, 1883, Mr. Lovelass married Miss Helen Burcher, a daughter of William P. Burcher and a granddaughter of John Burcher. The former was married in 1852, to Sarah Sprague, a native of Sullivan county N. Y., and a daughter of Samuel Sprague, who was born at Rockland, that county ; his father, Levi Sprague, was a Revolu- tionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Burcher became the parents of the following named children: Helen, wife of our subject ; Frank, a resident of Denver, Colo. : Lena, wife of P. N. Crawford, of Bingham- 1on. N. Y .; Mary, wife of G. W. Jenks, of Denver, Colo. : Dunkort, of Binghamton, N. Y. ; and three who are deceased ; Passmore, who died at the age of thirty years ; Maxwell, who died at the age of thir- teen months; and Joseph, who died at the age of five months. The father died in 1873; the mother is still living, and now makes her home in Denver, Colorado.

Mr. and Mrs. Lovelass have three children : William Foster, born March 24, 1890; Helen Ger- trude, born February 25, 1895 : and Mildred Grace, born February 13, 1808. The wife and mother is a member of the Baptist Church in Damascus town- ship, and is a most estimable lady. Mr. Lovelass partakes of many of the admirable characteristics of his English ancestors, those of industry, good man- agement and honesty, and wherever known his word is considered as good as his bond. He has been re- markably successful in business life, and his career has been such as to win for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party, and he is now acceptably serving as a member of the school board ..

FRANCIS M. WAGNER has for several years been actively identified with the agricultural and commercial interest of Wayne county, and is to- day numbered among the most reliable, enterpris- ing and energetic business men of South Canaan Corners, where he carries on operations as a gen- cral farmer and dealer in live stock, produce, etc.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wagner was born in Huntington township, Luzerne county, Oc- tober 13. 1851, and is a son of George and Huldah (Sutliff ) Wagner, who still reside in that town- ship, where the father follows farming. They are also natives of Luzerne county, the father born No- vember 25, 1822, and the mother April 18, 1824. In politics he is an ardent Republican. In their family were only two childern, and the elder. Wells, died in Feburary, 1895, at the age of forty-seven years.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Mary ( Miller ) Wagner, died in Luzerne coun- ty, Penn. Their children were George and Adamn, twins, both residents of Luzerne county; Milton, a stone cutter, of the same county ; Henry, a mer- chant of Shickshinny, Luzerne county ; Frank, who lives in the West; Leonard, who died when young ; Mary, who first married a Mr. Turner, and after İ his death wedded Stephen Clark, a retired farmer ị of Luzerne county; Catherine, widow of Lambert. Bohman, of the same county ; and Elizabeth, who married Wesley Romick (both are now deceased ).

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 207

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