Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 216

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 216
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 216
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 216
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 216

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Fredericka, widow of Henry Young, of Hoboken, N. J. ; Christina, wife of our subject ; and Caroline, wife of Peter Mavus, of Richfield Park, New Jersey.

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Blanken- bush, Henrietta, born August 1, 1863, is the wife of John Mavus, of Richfield Park, N. J. William S., born September 28, 1865, assists his father in the farm work; he married Carrie Humple, of Sterling township, Wayne county, who died in Oc- tober, 1897. John A., born June 27, 1867, married Elizabeth Olsomer, of Greene township, Pike Co., Penn., and lives in Wilkes Barre, this State. Carrie J., born October 14, 1869, died April 25, 1870. Alice, born August 19, 1871, is the wife of William Mathews, of Gouldsboro, Wayne county ; Bernard, born September 28, 1873, died July 17, 1886; and Richard C., born November 10, 1875, is at home with his parents.

EDGAR L. HITCHCOCK, a wide-awake and energetic farmer carrying on operations in Scott township, Wayne county, and meeting with a well- deserved success in his undertakings, was born June 27, 1841, in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., N. Y., a grandson of Levi Hitchcock, whose father was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. Many interesting incidents are related of the early trials and achievements of mem- bers of this prominent and highly respected family.

Sylvester Hitchcock (our subject's father) was a native of Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., and on at- taining man's estate married Miss Julia Maria Jami- son, daughter of Timothy and Mary Jamison, of Albany, N. Y. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock resided in Jeffersonville, N. Y., and then removed to Callicoon, that State, where the father died at the age of sixty-four years ; she is still liv- ing, her home being in Long Eddy, Sullivan Co., N. Y. The children born to them were Edgar L .; Mary E. ( deceased) ; George ; and Julia E., wife of William Peak, who was a Union soldier in the Civil war.

From his birthplace Edgar L. Hitchcock re- moved to Jeffersonville, Sullivan Co., N. Y., when in his ninth year. At the beginning of the Civil war le laid aside all personal interests and joined the 56th N. Y. V. I., under Col. Charles Van Wyck, remaining in the service until hostilities ceased in 1865. He participated in the battle of Fair Oaks. went with Gen. Foster to Hilton Head: was with Gen. Gillmore at the siege of those islands, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. After the war Mr. Hitchock returned to Callicoon, Sullivan Co., N. Y., later removed to Great Bend, Penn., where he spent thre years, and then came to Scott township, Wayne county, where he has since successfully engaged in farming.

In 1867 Mr. Hitchcock wedded Miss Mary Rockwell, daughter of William and Louise ( My- reck) Rockwell. She died November 26, 1875, and he afterward married Miss Althea Shue, who was born in Scott township, Wayne Co., Penn., and was

educated at Deposit, N. Y. Her father, Ezra H. Shue, was a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., and a son of John and Nelly (Lane) Shue. In Har- mony township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., Ezra H. Shue, married Miss Vashti Wright, who was born in Hales Eddy, N. Y., February 16, 1821, a daughter of Thomas and Betsy E. (Dickinson) Wright. Mr. Wright was born in Connecticut in 1777, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1868 Ezra H. Shue, who was a farmer by occupation, located at Maple Hill, Scott township, Wayne county, where he con- tinued to make his home until called to his final rest. Politically he was a stanch Republican, and relig- iously was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church at Sherman. His wife, a most estimable lady, died December 20, 1899, aged seventy-seven years. In the last few years of her life she had pieced many quilts, one of which contained 2,902 pieces and drew a prize. Their children were: Ward, now a resident of Axtell, Kearney Co., Neb. ; Althea, wife of our subject; Edward Allen, who died when in his twenty-third year; and Elizabeth F., who died in infancy.

Politically Mr. Hitchcock is a Republican, and while an energetic member of his party he is a man of broad and liberal views, always willing to accord to others their right of opinion. He is a prominent member of Capt. Oliver Mumford Post No. 373, G. A. R., of Starrucca, and himself and wife are both leading and active members of the Sherman Presbyterian Church. They are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance, and their friends are many.

NATHAN B. SHERWOOD, a wide-awake and successful agriculturist, owns and occupies a good farm of ninety-five acres, pleasantly located near the village of Pleasant Mount, in Mt. Pleas- ant township, Wayne county. He thoroughly un- derstands his chosen calling, and is justly num- bered among the most progressive as well as re- liable farmers of his community.

Mr. Sherwood was born in Sullivan county, N. Y., December 30, 1838, and is a son of Bradley Sherwood, a native of Connecticut, of English origin. The mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Burr, and was a daughter of Raleigh Burr, also a native of Connecticut. In 1842 the family came to Wayne county, Penn., in company with the family of our subject's uncle. John F. Sher- wood. The mother had previously died in Sullivan county, N. Y., but the father's death occurred in Nebraska, when he had attained the age of seventy- three years. Both were earnest and and faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and in po- litical sentiment Mr. Sherwood was first a Whig, later a Republican. By occupation he was a farm- er. The children of the family were: Nathan B., Oliver S .. Stella, Polly, Lotta. Josephine, Rosa Valt and Bradley.

Upon the home farm in Mt. Pleasant township Nathan B. Sherwood grew to manhood, attending

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the district schools of the neighborhood when his services were not needed in the fields. On starting out in life for himself, he worked as a teamster and a farm hand for a time. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company C. 6th P. V. I. He was in a number of severe engagements, including the hotly-contested battles of Fredericksburg and Seven Pines, where he contracted a severe cold, which made him an invalid for some time, being confined in the hos- pital at Washington, D. C. He also participated in the battle of Gettysburg, and in October, 1864, was honorably discharged from the service, after which he returned home.

In June, 1865, Mr. Sherwood was married to Miss Eliza Gellatte, who was born in Thompson, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and is of French lineage. To her parents, Stephen and Angeline ( Hall) Gellatte, were born eight children, namely: Vilana, Cynthia, Thankful, Eliza, Diana, Diantha, Luella and Wellington. The father, who was a Republi- can in politics and one of the prominent men of Susquehanna county, died at the age of seventy- six years ; the mother departed this life at the early age of thirty-six. Capt. Genatte, Mrs. Sherwood's great-grandfather, was one of the early settlers of New Hampshire, where he died at the extreme old age of one hundred and four years. Her grandfa- ther, Robert Gellatte, was the founder of the pretty town of Gelatt, Susquehanna Co., Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have three children: Mary, now the wife of Fred Salsbury, of Mt. Pleasant town- ship, Wayne county ; and John F. and Elizzie Elva, both at home.

Politically Mr. Sherwood is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, and at elec- tions always casts his ballot for that organization. At all times he is a supporter of every measure which he believes will prove of public benefit, or will advance the interests of his community. In the Presbyterian Church he and his wife hold mem- bership, and as an active member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union she has done a great deal of good for the temperance cause.

SOLOMON W. SAMPSON is now pleasantly situated in Dyberry township, Wayne county, where he owns a valuable farm of between twenty-seven and twenty-eight acres under a high state of cultiva- tion, and improved with excellent buildings includ- ing a handsome residence-in fact it is one of the very best places of the township. He has had a varied career, and for the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit.

Solomon Sampson, Sr., father of our subject, was born on the boundary line between Rhode Island and Connecticut, and was a son of William Samp- son, a native of Connecticut and a descendant of one Henry Sampson, who came over in the "Mayflower." William Sampson wedded a Miss Ames, and fol- followed farming as an occupation. Their children were Solomon, Sr., a soldier of the war of 1812;

Levi, also a soldier in the war of 1812; Eliza, who married Samuel Roberts, reared two sons, Samuel and George, and resided in the city of New York until the decease of Mr. Roberts, when she moved to Pennsylvania, where she made her home for a time with her brothers and sisters. Here she met Col. John Schenck, of Revolutionary fame, whom she afterward married and lived with until his decease. She lived many years his widow, and a pensioner. Fanny, who married William Ferguson ; they settled and cleared a farm in a wilderness that is now a part of the city of Scranton, Lackawanna Co., Penn. Olive, who married Wareham Day, a native of Hart- ford, Conn. ; they bought an improved farm in South Canaan, and resided there until their deaths ; she was a noble woman-peace be with her ashes. Sophia, who married Luther Hoadley, a native of Connecti- cut, lived and died on their homestead farm in Canaan township. Levi, William, Elijah and Ward all bought and cleared farms in the wilderness of South Canaan, made comfortable and good homes, and raised respected families except Levi, who died childless when over four-score years. All of the above were strictly law-abiding people. The above fur- nished in all nine faithful soldiers for the Union, and not one for the lost cause.

Solomon Sampson, Sr., married Elizabeth Clark, a native of New London county, Conn. Ail of their eight children were born in the latter State, and in 1845 the family came to Wayne county, Penn., locating in Canaan township, where the father died six weeks after their arrival. The children were as follows: Bartlett P. was killed while employed by the Pennsylvania Coal Co .; William Pitt became a sailor, making four voyages on whaling ships to the Arctic regions, and died while in the far North; Alexander was drowned when a small boy; Maria (deceased ) was the wife of James Nichol; Sophia ( deceased ) was the wife of William Glossenger, of Salem township, Wayne county; Christopher L., a soldier of the Civil war in Battery F, 5th U. S. Artillery, died in Green Castle, Franklin Co., Penn. ; Solomon W. is next in the order of birth; and Henry A., a soldier of the Civil war in Company M, 17th P. V. C., is now employed at Waymart, Wayne county, by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company.

Solomon W. Sampson was born in New Lon- don, Conn., August 16, 1839, and accompanied the family on their removal to Wayne county. His mother married a second time, and moved to Forest City. Penn., but our subject returned to Wayne county, living with an uncle, Wareham Day, in South Canaan township, who allowed him to attend school in the winter, while through the summer months he worked in the fields. His opportunities for gaining an education were extremely limited, however, yet by thorough reading and observation he has gained a practical knowledge of business af- fairs. For one year he was employed on the Gray- ity railroad, which was then operated by the Penn- sylvania Coal Co., running between Scranton and Hawley. He also worked for the Delaware & Hud-

8. It. Sampson.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son Canal Co. for a time, and then returned to farming.

On September 5, 1861, Mr. Sampson enlisted in Battery I, 5th U. S. Artillery, and was with the army of the Potomac under Gens. McClellan and Burn- side. He participated in the Peninsula campaign, the seven-days' fight, the second battle of Bull Run, and the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. After the last named he went to the hospital at Washing- ton, D. C., as he was unfit for further duty, having contracted rheumatism while in the Virginia marshes. Being honorably discharged March 18, 1863, he went to New York, where he received med- ical treatment. He has been almost helpless, being unable to walk, for the past twenty-three years. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to corporal, and later became a gunner, being considered one of the best in the battery.

About a year after leaving the army, being somewhat improved in health, Mr. Sampson again entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Co., and was later a conductor on the Delaware & Hud- son railroad, holding that position until completely disabled by rheumatism, when he went into business in Carbondale, Penn. On selling his interest there, he located upon his present farm in Dyberry town- ship, Wayne county, where he has since made his home.

At Bethany. Wayne county, Mr. Sampson was married April 27, 1865, by Rev. E. O. Ward, to Miss Ann E. Bodie, a daughter of Joseph and Car- oline (Faatz) Bodie, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere, in connection with C. W. Bodie. To Mr. and Mrs. Sampson have been born the following children : (I) Blanche F., born November 5, 1866, is now the wife of H. C. Lipper. (2) Llewel- lvn Ewin, born October 14, 1871, died August 21, 1872. (3) Ella M., born October 15, 1874, is the wife of John T. Jackson, and has two children, Bruce Sampson, born September 12, 1895, and Harland H., born July 28, 1897. (4) Inez, born August 5, 1877, died April 12, 1878. (5) Willard Blaine, born May 5, 1879. died April 26, 1889. (6-7) Lu- cia and Lulu (twins) were born September 7, 1883, and the latter died April 26, 1889. (8) Anna, born January 22, 1886, completes the family.

Socially, Mr. Sampson is an honored member of the G. A. R. and the F. & A. M., while, politically, he is an ardent Republican, taking a deep and com- mendable interest in public affairs, but caring noth- ing for public office. He possesses in an eminent degree all the qualifications which go to make up a good citizen and honorable business man, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

EDWARD S. FOOTE, deceased. "Whoever leaves behind him a record of a noble life has be- queathed to posterity an enduring source of good." and in the life of this brave soldier and upright citizen there was much that was worthy of emula- tion. Without seeking public honors, he was al- ways ready to fulfill the duty of the hour, and dur-

ing his long residence in Harmony township, Sus- quehanna county, his fellow citizens frequently called him to positions of trust and responsibility.

Mr. Foote was born October 3, 1828, in Broome county, N. Y., a son of Andrew and Roxana Foote, and a member of one of the old and highly respected families of that section. During boyhood our subject received an excellent educa- tion in the schools of his native county, and on completing his course he engaged in teaching, in which he met with marked success, being employed for some time in the district and advanced schools of Broome and Schuylkill counties. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Ist N. Y. Cav., with which he served until the close of the struggle. In 1865 he married Miss Emma S. Watson, of Franklin, Susquehanna coun- ty, and made his permanent home in that county, purchasing a farm on the Belmont turnpike, one mile east of Lanesboro. He cleared and improved the place, making a most attractive homestead, and the present residence was built by him in 1879. For many years he was active in the work of the local Republican organization, and at times he held of- fice in the township, serving a number of terms as poormaster, school director and supervisor. He died May 27, 1894, and was sincerely lamented in the community, his comrades in the local lodge of the G. A. R. Post at Lanesboro paying appro- priate tributes to his memory. Mrs. Foote sur- vives her husband with two children: (1) Myron was born May 29, 1867, at the present homestead where he still resides, and was carefully educated under the personal direction of his father. He is naturally gifted as a mechanic, and is engaged in business as a mason and contractor. He married Miss Leona Dodge, of Starrucca, Wayne county, and has one son, Lloyd E. (2) Cora, born May 27, 1874, at the homestead, was educated by her fa- ther and by private tutors, and is now the wife of Jesse Mavo, a farmer in Great Bend township, Sus- quehanna county. They have one daughter, Grace.

Mrs. Emma ( Watson) Foote, who is much esteemed among her large circle of friends, was born in Franklin township, Susquehanna county, where her parents. Andrew and Susan ( Webster) Watson, were early settlers. Her father was a na- tive of New York State, and her mother was born in Rhode Island, a daughter of Rev. John Webster and his wife, Prudence Merrit. Rev. Mr. Webster was one of the first Baptist ministers to locate in Susquehanna county, and for many years he preached the Gospel there, making long journeys through the wilderness to visit the various settle- ments.

PETER KELLAM, one of the brave defend- ers of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, is to-day one of the leading and representative citi- zens of Manchester township. Wayne county. He was born at Cooley, in that township. September

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22, 1828, and is a son of Jacob and Hannah Kellam, a sketch of whom is given in connection with that of H. P. Kellam elsewhere. During his minority our subject obtained an excellent education in the schools of Troy and Waverly, Penn., which has well fitted him for the responsible duties of busi- ness life, and until after the outbreak of the Civil war he engaged in lumbering with his father.

In July, 1862, Mr. Kellam enlisted in Com- pany G, 143rd N. Y. V. I., under Capt. Benjamin Reynolds. He recruited forty-two men in Wayne county, Penn., and Sullivan county, N. Y., and with them proceeded to Monticello, N. Y., where he was appointed orderly sergeant of his company and was sworn into the United States service in Au- gust, 1862. The regiment then went to Washington, D. C., by way of New York City, and was placed in Hooker's army, IIth Army Corps. For one year it did picket duty around Alexandria, Va., and in the summer of 1863 was transferred to Suffolk, where it remained for three or four months, after which it returned to Yorktown, thence marching to West Point, Va. There they participated in a skirmish with Lee's army, and Fitzhugh Lee was wounded and the Rebels driven back. On July 4, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Hampton Roads, Va., and was sent to re-enforce Mead's army at the battle of Gettysburg, where it was

held in reserve. The regiment took part in the hard-fought battle of Resaca, where the Union batteries were taken but were afterward recaptured, and a large number of the enemy were killed, while the Union loss was also heavy. The regiment was then transported to Bridgeport, Ala., by way of Gainesville, and in November marched to Lookout Mountain, participating in the engage- ment at that place. They took part in the siege of Knoxville, and in December returned to Bridge- port, Ala., where they went into winter quarters. In the following spring they were in the four-days' battle of Missionary Ridge, the engagement at Buzzards Roost, and all others against Johnston's army during the march to Atlanta, including the battles of Peach Tree Creek, Dallas, Culp's Farm, Round Top, etc. After the surrender of Atlanta they remained at that place for a time, and then marched to Savannah, driving the Rebels back to the sea, where they finally surrendered to Gen. Sherman. Crossing the river into South Caro- lina, they took part in the three-days' battle of Bentonville, where the lieutenant of our subject's company was shot. Mr. Kellam then had command until wounded in the left leg during the same en- gagement. He was first taken to Morehead City, N. C., and later to David Island Hospital, New York, where he remained four months, during which time he contracted black fever. He was then granted a thirty-days' furlough which he spent at home, at the end of that time reporting for duty at the hospital, where he was honorably discharged June 8, 1865, as first sergeant of Com- pany G, 143rd N. Y. V. I.

Reurning home, Mr. Kellam accepted the po- sition as manager of Thomas Barnes' sawmill busi- ness at Hawley, where he remained for several years. He then came back to the old home at Little Equinunk, and has since given his attention to the operation of the farm when not discharging the duties of some official position. He has several times been elected to offices of honor and trust, and for some years was the efficient and popular post- master at Braham. Fraternally he is a prominent member of Scudder Post, G. A. R., and politically is identified with the Democratic party.

WILLIAM DUSENBERRY, the present postmaster of Dingmans Ferry, Pike county, is the junior member of the well known firm of Smith & Dusenberry, the leading merchants of the village, and as a public-spirited citizen he is. thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the material welfare of the community.

A native of Pike county, Mr. Dusenberry was born in Delaware township, April 17, 1859, and is a son of Abram and Mary J. (Stoll) Dusenberry, who were born, reared and married in Sussex county, N. J., where they continued to make their home until the spring of 1856, when they became residents of Delaware township, Pike Co., Penn., but in 1861 they returned to their native county. There the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1867, at the age of forty-two years, and was buried in Bevans cemetery, N. J. His children were Mar- garetta, deceased ; William; Susie, wife of John P. Van Etten, who is engaged in the telephone business at. Conashaugh, Pike county; and Edmond, who died when young. After the death of her first hus- band the mother married John S. De Pue, who died in 1887, and she now makes her home in Milford, Pike county. The children born of this union were Mary E., who is with her mother; and Roy, de- ceased.

Upon the home farm William Dusenberry grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-one accepted a position as clerk with James M. Stoll, at Haines- ville, N. J., where he remained for six months, re- turning home at the end of that time. In the follow- ing fall he entered Coleman's Business College, Newark, N. J., where he was graduated in Febru- ary, 1884, and until the spring of 1885 he remained on the home farm. He was partner in the mercan- tile establishment of Smith & Dusenberry, at Layton, N. J., until October, 1891, when they opened a branch store at Dingmans Ferry. He had previously served as postmaster at Layton, and in October, 1897, was appointed postmaster at Dingman's Ferry, a position he is now filling to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a first-class business man, and as a citizen he is enterprising and progressive. The Republican party finds in him a stanch sup- porter of its principles, and he is now ably serving as a member of the county committee. Religiously he holds membership in the Reformed Church.

On September 23, 1896, at Layton, N. J., Mr.

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Dusenberry was united in marriage with Miss Es- tella M. Bevans, a native of that place, where her parents, Dayton and Elizabeth (Schooley) Bevans, still reside. Her father was born in 1844, a son of John and Margaret (Bell) Bevans, and is success- fully engaged in farming in Sandyston township, Sussex Co., N. J. In 1866 he married Elizabeth Schooley, who was born in New Jersey, in 1846, a daughter of John and Martha ( Huff) Schooley, and two children graced their union: Floyd E., who married Elizabeth Van Gordon, and is engaged in mercantile business at Egypt Mills, Penn., and Estella M., wife of our subject.

WILLIAM C. COURTRIGHT, the well known station agent and postmaster at Lackawaxen, Pike county, needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume; but the work would be in- complete without the record of his life, as he has been identified with the interests of the county for almost thirty years.

Frederick Courtright, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Greenville, Orange Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood, and at Coleville, Sussex Co., N. J., he married Miss Didamia Davenport, a daughter of Richard Davenport and Sarah ( Win- field ) Davenport. Her mother was one of four who came to America from Holland in early life. After his marriage Frederick Courtright made his home in Coleville, N. J., where he worked as a blacksmith for many years. He died in 1859, at the age of sixty-seven years, after which the mother lived with our subject and other sons until she, too, was called to her final rest in 1875, at the age of sev- enty-one years. The children of the family were as follows: Micha, who lived at Coleville, and died at the age of fifty years; Adam, who lived for some years in Illinois, but died at Matamoras, Pike Co., Penn., at the age of forty-nine; Lydrana (de- ceased), who married Decker Dennis and lived in Coleville, N. J. ; Alva, who followed the blacksmith's trade at Branchville, N. J., for many years ; George N., who wedded Mary Austin, and lives in Cook county, Minn. (he was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war for three years, and is a black- smith by trade) : Jennie, wife of Lewis Richardson of Milwaukee, Wis., who was a railroad employe for some years, and is now a police officer at Schlitz Park, that place; and Nellie C. (deceased), who married James K. Osterhout, who was a railroad man living at Matamoras, Pike Co., Penn., and died in 1898.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 216

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