Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 213

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 213
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 213
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 213
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 213

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At Madisonville, Luzerne (now Lackawanna ) Co., Penn., November 30, 1862, Mr. Abbey was mar- ried, by Rev. Milton Clark, a Christian minister, to Miss Ruey A. Wilcox. The children born of this union are as follows: (1) Maud is the wife of S. R. Raymond, a farmer of Salem township, and has three children, Carl, Albert and Helen. (2) Merritt O., a cabinet maker of Carbondale, Penn., married Alberta Miller, and has two children, Iris and Vera A. (3) Mabel is at home. (4) Meigs M., a farmer of Salem township, married Bessie Har- wood, and has one child, Otis H. (5) Manton R., (6) Morgan H. and (7) Monica are all with their parents.

Mrs. Abbey was born in Salem township. Feb- ruary 7, 1842, a daughter of John H. and Ruth ( Os- good) Wilcox, also natives of Wayne county. Her father was born February II, 1816, and was a son of Hazard and Ann ( Hocksey) Wilcox, natives of Rhode Island who settled in Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn., at an early dav. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation. He married for his second wife a Miss Lowery. By trade John H. Wilcox was a carpenter, but his last days were spent in retire- ment at the home of his son in Elmhurst, Penn., where he died August 27, 1897. His wife, who was born February 1, 1819, now finds a pleasant home with our subject. She is a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which her husband also belonged. Mrs. Abbey is the eldest of their children, the others being as follows: Jeremiah H., a resident of Elmhurst, Penn., first married Dinah Swingle, and after her death wedded Hannah Mc- Gargle ; Delzene A. and Alden are both deceased ; Angelo E., deceased, married Harriet Nash, who now lives in Elmhurst.

Mrs. Abbey's great-great-grandfather, Josiah Osgood, of Connecticut, was killed in the Revolu- tionary war, and her great-grandfather, Jeremiah Osgood, Sr., resolved to avenge his father's death, enlisted in the Continental army at the age of four- teen years. For three months he was held a prisoner by the British, and before his death he drew a $3,000 pension in recognition of his service. He also se- cured the present homestead of our subject, ob- taining about 400 acres of land in Wayne county on

a Revolutionary claim. He was born in Connecti- cut, September 1, 1761, and in 1801 came to Wayne county, Penn., settling upon the farm now occupied by Mr. Abbey, where he died October 26, 1857 ; his wife, who bore the maiden name of Ruth Hewitt, also died at that place. She was twice married, her first husband being William Swan, by whom she had one child. By her union with Mr. Osgood she had four children, of whom Jeremiah, Jr., the eldest son, was the grandfather of Mrs. Abbey. He was born March 6, 1796, and on May 23, 1819, married Diantha Lutz, by whom he had three children ; Ruth, the mother of Mrs. Abbey, was the eldest. Jeremiah Osgood, Jr., died September 12, 1870, his wife Sep- tember 5, 1876, at the age of seventy-four.

During the Civil war Mr. Abbey was drafted, but afterward released. In his political affiliations he is a pronounced Republican, and for seven years he most acceptably served as supervisor of Salem township, at the end of that time declining to be- come a candidate for re-election. He is a man of broad and liberal views, and very progressive and public-spirited, giving his support to all worthy en- terprises for the public good. He is accordingly numbered among the valued and useful citizens of the county.

W. A. ROCKWELL, one of the leading lum- bermen and farmers of Scott township, Wayne county, was born in 1852, in Great Bend township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., a son of William and Lois A. (Myrick) Rockwell, representatives of honored pioneer families of this section from New York State.

Our subject's father was born in 1818, near Montrose, Susquehanna county, where he grew to manhood, and at Great Bend he followed shoe- making and butchering for a number of years. While engaged in the latter occupation he became widely and favorably known all over the county as a stock buyer and dealer. In 1865 he removed to Red Rock, where he worked at the trade of shoe- making for four years, and then came to Scott town- ship, Wayne county, where he purchased a partially- improved farm of seventy-two acres near the village of Sherman; he was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, as he died on the 29th of October, of that year. His widow afterward married Hiram Englert, of Wayne county, but still continued to re- side on the old homestead with our subject until the latter's marriage. She is now a resident of Sher- man. Our subject is one of a family of three children. Mary, the eldest, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., and married Edgar Hitchcock, of that State; they lived on her father's farm until her death. Elizabeth, born at Great Bend, Susquehanna Co,, Penn., married Chauncy Baker, of that county, and afterward lived in Port Jervis, N. Y., where she died, leaving one daughter, Minnie, now the wife of William Kirchhoff, of Sherman, Pennsylvania.

In the graded schools of Susquehanna county, W. A. Rockwell acquired a good practical education,

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and upon the home farm he became thoroughly fa -. miliar with agricultural pursuits. After his father's death he assumed the management of the old home- stead, and has made many valuable improvements upon the place, including the erection of a com- fortable two-story residence and two barns. He has also added twenty-five acres to the original tract, and owns an adjoining farm on the west, which he rents. In connection with general farming he has success- fully engaged in the dairy business and lumbering, and his efforts have been crowned with prosperity.

In 1877 Mr. Rockwell was married to Miss Harriet C. Bergmüller, of Sherman, who was born in 1856 in Harmony (now Brandt), Susquehanna county, daughter of William Henry and Doretta (Wefferling) Bergmüller. They were natives of Germany, came to America in 1840, and were mar- ried in 1843. Their first home in the United States was in Greene county, N. Y., near Catskill, where they resided until 1852, the year of their removal to Harmony, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and they sub- sequently settled in Sherman, Wayne county. Mr. and Mrs. Bergmüller had three children, Henry William, Louis Carl, and Harriet C., the sons born at their old home in Greene county. The parents both died in 1880, the father May 2, the mother August 8. He was at one time one of the leading business men of Sherman, where he owned and op- erated a tannery.

Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell adopted a boy, William Bergmi ller, whom they have reared to manhood. They are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church of Sherman, to which his mother also belongs, while socially Mr. Rockwell is a member and Past Sachem of Tribe No. 136, I. O. R. M., of that place. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party and has for twelve years most acceptably served as supervisor of his township, being re-elected every three years. He is a man of recognized ability, and, with his amiable wife, stands high in the community where they have so long made their home. Those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends.

CHARLES WOLBERT. Among the enter- prising and progressive agriculturists of Monroe county, who have attained success through their own well-directed efforts, is the subject of this sketch. He is one of the most active and energetic farmers and stock raisers in Jackson township, and is a com- plete master of the calling which he is following. His sterling integrity and honorable, upright man- hood, fully entitle him to the postion which he holds in the estimation of the people of the community.

John Wolbert, grandfather of our subject, was born and reared near Philadelphia, and when a young man came with his parents to Monroe coun- ty, locating in Hamilton township, where his fa- ther purchased land and engaged in farming. In that township John Wolbert married Polly Meizner, a native of the township, and soon after his marriage came to Jackson township, where he took up a tract

of 500 acres of wild land which he commenced to prepare for farming purposes. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. She died in 1842, aged sixty years, and he departed this life in 1863, at the extreme old age of ninety-three. To them were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters. Of these, Joseph Wolbert, father of our subject, was the youngest. He was born in Jackson township, December 30, 1818, and on reaching manhood en- gaged in farming there for many years. In the same township he married Elizabeth Setzer, who was born in Hamilton township, Monroe county, October 16, 1820, a daughter of Henry and Catherine ( Kerr) Setzer, also natives of Hamilton township, where they spent their entire lives as farming people. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolbert were born two children : Mrs. Mary E. Miller, whose sketch appears elsewhere; and Charles, our subject. The parents now make their home with their son.

Charles Wolbert was born in Jackson township, September 9, 1841, and during his youth received a common-school education. At the age of twenty- one he began operating the old home farm on his own account, and some years later purchased the place. It comprises 176 acres, and elsewhere he owns twenty acres, making a valuable estate, of which sixty acres have been cleared and placed under excellent cultivation. In addition to general farm- ing he is considerably interested in stock raising. Politically he is a stalwart Democrat, and has served on the election board.

In Jackson township, Mr. Wolbert was united in marriage with Miss Amelia A. Boyer, who was born December 25, 1843, a daughter of Jacob and Sally (Kerr) Boyer, natives of Jackson township. To our subject and his wife have been born the following children : Joseph F., born June 28, 1864, died October 20, 1864; Mary Elizabeth, born Janu- ary 13, 1866, is now the wife of Peter Gorman, of Stroud township, Monroe county ; Eugene, born No- vember 6, 1868, is foreman for a bridge building company at Seattle, Wash. : John, born August 17, 1870, is a resident of Jackson township ; Charles B., born February 12, 1871, was married, but his wife died leaving two children, Jennie May and Eugene H., who live with our subject : Simon, born October 29, 1872, is a resident of Jackson township ; Daniel, born March 9, 1874, is at home; Jacob, born De- cember 7. 1875, is now in Seattle, Wash .: and William H., born April 25, 1877. Emeline, born March 20, 1879, and Milton, born October 2, 1882, are all at home.

JOHN D. IRWIN, a well-known lumberman, farmer and contractor in stone masonry, residing in Lebanon township, Wayne county, is a man of more than ordinary business ability, enterprise and sagac- ity. Although he is comparatively young, his popu- larity is established on a firm basis-that of his own well-tested merit.

Born in Western Ontario, Canada, in July, 1860,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Irwin is a son of John and Mary ( McEwen) Irwin. His father is a native of Ireland, born in 1819, and in 1831 emigrated to Canada with his par- ents, John and Debora Irwin, the family locating in Western Ontario, where John Irwin, Sr., purchased a large tract of land which he and his sons converted into a good farm. Upon that place he and his wife both died. By occupation he was a tailor. In their family were six sons and three daughters, the former being Frank, James, William, Thomas, Henry and John, all of whom remained in Canada with the exception of the father of our subject.

John Irwin, Jr., grew to manhood in Canada, and received a fair common-school education. In 1857 he wedded Mary McEwen, and in 1865, after residing for a few years in that country, they came to Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn. For ten years thereafter Mr. Irwin was employed as foreman by Richard Henwood, and then removed to the Wise farm in Lebanon township, where the following nine years were passed. He then purchased an improved farm in Oregon township, Wayne county, where he and his wife still continue to reside. In their family were seven children. (1) Frank, the eldest, died in Canada, during childhood. (2) John D. is next in order of birth. (3) Margaret, born in Canada, in 1862, was educated in the schools of Honesdale, and is now the wife of A. T. Searle, a prominent at- torney of that place, by whom she has had three sons, Jewett (who died at the age of twelve years), Charles P. and Thurston. (4) Elizabeth, born in Canada, died in Honesdale at the age of twenty-two years. She had received a fine classical education, and was a young lady of great promise. (5) Charles H., born in Honesdale, in 1866, married Carrie Williams, daughter of William H. Williams, a pioneer settler of Wayne county, and they now re- side in Honesdale, where he is engaged in business. (6) James H., born in Honesdale, in 1868, grew to manhood upon the home farm, receiving a fair edu- cation in the public schools. He married Myra Kimble, of Oregon township, who belongs to an old and prominent family, her father being one of the largest lumbermen in Wayne county. They now reside on the A. T. Searle farm in Lebanon township, with their family of two children, Bea- trice and Hazel. (7) Bismarck, born in Honesdale, in 1870, is still with his parents upon the old home- stead in Oregon township.

John D. Irwin obtained a good common-school education, which has well fitted him for the respon- sible duties of business life. He was about five years of age when brought by his parents to Wayne county, and after the removal of the family to Le- banon township he turned his attention to farming and lumbering, which occupations still claim a por- tion of his time. He was married. in December, 1885, to Miss Rosie Hiller, of Oregon township, a daugh- ter of Johnand Catharine Hiller, natives of Germany, who became residents of Wayne county in 1857. Five children bless this union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Blanch, July, 1886;

Charles, October. 1888; Alonzo W., December, 1891 ; Catharine, October, 1893 ; and Mary, January 9, 1895.

For three years after his marriage Mr. Irwin resided on the Jenkins & Weiss farm, in Lebanon township, in 1884, purchasing ninety acres of land of that firm, to which he has added a sixty-acre tract ad- joining, bought of Mr. Greidlein. Clearing the land of its timber, he has successfully engaged in farming and lumbering, and now has one of the best farms in the locality. The large residence he erected was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1892, but on the same foundation he has since built a commodious and beautiful home, with all modern conveniences. He has also erected a large barn, and made many other.improvements which add to the attractive ap- pearance of the place. Having learned the mason's trade during his youth, he has, in connection with his other business, carried on operations as a con- tractor and builder, constructing the stone arches for a number of bridges in Wayne county and also in the State of New York. As a business man, he is prompt, energetic and reliable, always fulfilling his part of every contract. In his efforts to secure a home and competence he has met with success, and is to-day one of the well-to-do and prosperous citi- zens of the community. He affiliates with the Re- publican party, and has held the office of school director for one term. Religiously his parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife holds connection with the Lutheran Church.

SETH R. WRIGHT, a well-known farmer and manufacturer residing in Forest Lake town- ship, Susquehanna county, is a descendant of an old New England family.

In the early history of the Colonies the Wrights settled in Connecticut. Seth Wright, the first of whom we have any definite knowledge, lived in Connecticut, where he was born, and he died there in 1775. His wife, Lydia, died July, 1816. Their son, Seth (2), was born in 1755, and died in Au- gust, 1822. He married Miriam Wright, who died in 1803, and he subsequently wedded Polly

In 1800 he left his native State and sought a new home in New York, where he died, leaving a large family. There were eleven children by the first marriage and three by the second. (I) Erastus was born in 1778. (2) Sally, born in 1779, mar- ried a Mr. Williams, and died in 1828. (3) Lu- cina, born in June, 1782, and died in 1842, became the wife of Joshua Skiff, and settled in Alleghany county, N. Y. (4) Marilla, born in 1784, died in 1785. (5) Chester, born in 1786, died in 1861. (6) Marilla (2), born in 1788, married Marcus Willard, of New York, and died in 1861. (7) Chauncey, father of our subject, is mentioned be- low. (8) Moses, born in 1793, settled in Ashta- bula county, Ohio, and there died in 1876. (9) Milton, born in 1795, died in May, 1804. (10) Henry C., born in 1797, became a Presbyterian min- ister, and was located for a number of years in Philadelphia. He died in Pawtucket, R. I., in

SOMright

Chauncey Wright

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1870. (II) Miles, born in 1800 in Otsego county, N. Y., settled in Allegany county, N. Y., and died in 1866. (12) Miriam, born in 1806, became the wife of a Mr. Gardner, and died in 1869. (13) Lydia, born in 1809, became the wife of Samuel Button, of Broome county, N. Y., where she still lives. (14) Polly, born in 1811, became Mrs. Na- thaniel Wells, and went to Allegany county, N. Y., where she died in 1861.

Chauncey Wright was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in 1791, and when quite young accompanied his parents to Otsego county, N. Y., where he was educated in the district schools. He became a cloth dresser by trade, although he had learned carpentry. On coming to Pennsylvania in 1815, he purchased land in Choconut Valley, and there erected a home in which he continued to live until 1842, when he purchased land of Brown & Knapp, in Forest Lake, and in 1846 erected a grist mill which he ran until 1868, when he turned the mill work over to his sons, Chester and Seth R. He continued to look after his farm until 1871, when he gave up his farm to his children, Chester, Seth R., Matilda and Sarah M., and he with his wife continued to live on the home- stead with his daughters, Matilda and Sarah M., until his death. He died in 1883 at the age of ninety- two years. In June, 1816, Mr. Wright wedded Jerusha Rockwell, native of Otsego county, N. Y., born in 1798, daughter of Timothy Rockwell, of New England. To their union came children as f: lows: (I) Chester, born in Choconut township ir 1818, was educated in the district schools, and taught one term of school at Little Meadows. He engaged in business with his father as cloth dresser. In 1843 he wedded Julia A. Nickerson, of Forest Lake. Penn., and they settled near the old homestead. In 1868 he entered into partnership with Mr. South- well and his brother Seth R., and they erected a plant for the manufacture of cloth which they conducted until the mill burned. Chester Wright passed away in 1896. His son Charles Fred is now cashier of the First National Bank of Susquehanna, and member of Congress from his district. (2) Lydia, born 1820, married. Philip Peckens, of Susquehanna county. He became a soldier in the Union army and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, leaving a widow with three children, Chauncey W., now a railroad engineer located at Rochester, N. Y. ; Cyn- thia M., wife of Edgar Sprout, of Muncy, Penn. ; and Frederick G., of Rochester, N. Y. (3) Lucina. born in 1823. married Thomas D. Wright, of Otsego county, N. Y., where she died in 1850 leaving one daughter, the deceased wife of Charles A. Browr (4) Matilda, born in 1827, died unmarried in 1884. (5) Helen M., born in 1829, died in 1861. (6) Seth R. is sixth in the order of birth. (7) Sarah M., born in 1837, died in 1892. (8) Miriam J., born in 1841, married George A. Guernsey, who first started a bank in Susquehanna and then moved to Port Jervis, N. Y., where he followed banking, later removing to New York, and thence to Canton, Bradford Co., Penn. There he followed banking until 1898, when

he retired, locating in Winchester, Mass. Their children are : George, Miriam A., Helen M., Harry C., Benjamin W., Henry C. and George R. Chaun- cey Wright, the father of this family was a strong Abolitionist until the organization of the Republican party, with which he was prominently identified dur- ing the remainder of his life. He served as justice of the peace for many years, and was a very prominent man in many ways. Both Chauncey Wright and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Wright passed away in 1892, aged ninety-three years.

Seth R. Wright was born in Choconut town- ship, Susquehanna county, January 22, 1835, and was educated in the district schools of his native town, also in the schools of Hamilton, N. Y. On reaching man's estate he engaged in farming until 1868, in which year he joined his brother in the man- ufacture of cloth and in milling, continuing until 1878, when he sold his interest to W. A. Southwell. Since 1890 our subject has been a stockholder in the Forest I .ake Creamery, of which he has served most capably as secretary and treasurer, and really as manager.

In 1864 Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Emma A. Turrell, of Forest Lake town- ship, a daughter of L. M. and Lovina Turrell, prominent residents of that town. Mrs. Wright was educated at Kingston and Montrose, Penn., and for some time was employed as a teacher in the New Jersey and Susquehanna schools. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wright settled on a part of the old homestead, but after his mother's death they moved into the old home, which is equipped with every modern convenience. To their union one son, Le- man T., was born in 1866; he died in 1875.

In his political affiliations Mr. Wright, while formerly a Republican, is now a stanch advocate of and adherent to the principles of the Prohibition party. In 1862 he was appointed postmaster by Abraham Lincoln, and continued in office for fifteen years, and he has held various town offices. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Wright belongs to the Rising Sun Grange. Socially both are very popular, and their hospitable home is always open. Their kindness to those in less fortunate circumstances, and their uniform courtesy to those in all stations of life, have en- deared them to all who know them.

WILLIAM WILSON. It has often been re- marked that this is the "age of specialties," and that any man who desires to achieve success in busi- ness should select some new or unusual line of effort rather than attempt to follow in the steps of the multitude., As the only manufacturer of optical lenses in the State of Pennsylvania, this well-known citizen has brought this advice to a practical test with most favorable results, and the history of his life will be of interest to any ambitious youth.

Mr. Wilson was born April 12. 1835, in Shef- field, England, where his ancestors in the paternal line had their home for many years. His paternal

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

grandfather, Wilson, married a Miss Claten, and both belonged to Sheffield, England. His maternal grandfather, Ilewit, of Gate Emsley, near Whitby, married a Miss Munster, of Munster Hall, near Whitby, England.

John Wilson, our subject's father, was born and reared in Sheffield, and for many years was employed there as a grinder of optical lenses, his cleath occurring in 1876. He was married in Shef- field to Miss Mary Hewit, a native of Whitby, Eng- land, who died in 1868. They had seven children, all of whom are deceased except Isabella, who mar- ried William Lineman, of Sheffield, and has two sons, Joseph and John; and William.

Our subject received a limited education in the schools of Sheffield, and when eleven years old began the art of preparing lenses, at which he scon became an expert. In 1840 he married Miss Maria Hall, daughter of Ralph and Betsey Hall, highly esteemed residents of Sheffield. He continued to work at his trade in a Sheffield factory until 1873, when he came to America with his family, locating first in Reading, Penn., and taking the position as foreman in the works of the T. A. Wilson Spectacle Co. A year later he engaged in the manufacture of optical lenses for Spencer's Optical Company, of Maiden Lane, New York City. Later he started a new factory at Katonah, N. Y., forty miles from New York City, in partnership with Cox & Parent, the venture proving very successful. In 1885 he sold his interest and took a position as fore- man of the same plant ; but in 1889 he resigned, hav- ing determined to move to this section on account of his wife's failing health. Before their prepara- tions were quite completed she died, and he brought her remains to Stroudsburg for interment. Soon after his arrival he purchased from William Rafferty a gristmill in Cherry Valley, about two miles south of Stroudsburg, for the grinding of lenses. His business is chiefly with wholesale markets in New York and in Philadelphia, and he keeps a large quantity of goods on hand at the factory, his pres- ent stock and machinery representing an outlay of about $5,000. His skilled workmanship has brought him a high reputation, and his enterprise and sound judgment have enabled him to reap fair financial returns. As a citizen he is much respected, being prominently identified with the best interests of his community, and he is active in religious work as a member of the Episcopal Church of Stroudsburg. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but he does not crave official rewards for his allegiance. In 1893 he married a second wife, Mrs. Rhoda Marvin. daughter of Simon Hill, a well-to-do agriculturist of New Jersey. He has five children, all of whom were born in England of his first marriage, and are well settled in life, reflecting credit upon their par- ents, while all are members of the Methodist Church: (I) William, a watch-spring maker of Sanford, Conn., married Miss Emma Clark, of New York, and has two sons, Ernest and Arthur. (2) John T. resides in Southbridge, Mass., where he

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 213

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