Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 22

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 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 22

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A. Dinsmore. On December II, 1884, he was ad- mitted to the Bar, and for a short time he was in the office of Stephen Holmes, but later he became associated with E. A. Bell, with whom he remained four years, gaining valuable insight into the branch of law involved in insurance business. He then spent three years as a clerk in the county commis- sioners' office, and as he had been gradually work- ing up a practice he found himself in a position to devote his attention exclusively to professional work. In 1893 he resigned his clerkship, having been elected district attorney, and in 1896. he was re-elected to that position.

In 1886 he married Miss Sue Eva Plumer, who was born July 25, 1866, at New Hope, Penn., on the site chosen by Gen. Washington in 1776, as his headquarters, and from which place Gen. Washing- ton started on his famous trip of crossing the Dela- ware with his army. Three children have blessed this union: Jeremiah Palmer; Roger, who died at the age of two years and two months ; and Augusta McIlhaney. Mr. Williams and his wife are promi- nent in social life, and he is a member of Otseningo Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M., at Binghamton. N. Y., Monroe Chapter No. 281, R. A. M., of Stroudsburg, Penn .; Malta Commandery No. 21, K. T., all at Binghamton, N. Y. ; and Irene Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Wilkes Barre, Penn .; also of Fort Penn Lodge No. 134, I. O. O. F., at Stroudsburg.

HON. MILTON DIMMICK MOTT, de- ceased. On November 1, 1895, this honored citi- zen passed away at his home in Milford, Pike coun- ty, his death causing a profound shock to the peo- ple of that community, where his public services had made his name a household word. 'As editor of the Milford Dispatch, and he wielded wide and useful influence for good, and years of able and faithful discharge of duty in important official po- sitions had gained for him the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens without regard to party. Though scarcely yet in the prime of life, he had achieved a standing of which any man might well be proud, and the following memoir is appropriately inserted in this volume for preservation.

The Mott family is of English origin, and our subject could trace his ancestry in a direct line from 1622, from entries in an old family Bible brought from England by his first American ancestor, his great-grandfather, Edward Mott. This Bible, still in a good, state of preservation, is now in the pos- session of Mrs. Henry K. Fox, of Philadelphia, a descendant of Edward Mott. Edward Mott was born March 3, 1752, in England, and on January 24, 1763, was indentured as an apprentice in the grocery and chandlery business to William Harris, of Coventry, England, to which place his widowed mother, Jane (Stiles) Mott, had removed from London a short time previous. At the age of twen- ty-one years he enlisted in the "Second Troop of Life Guards," and served as a "private gentleman" seven years and five months. On October 20,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1776, he married Miss Sarah Beckett, daughter of Jarvis Beckett, and they became the parents of two children, Edward and William B. In 1798 Edward Mott came to America with his wife and two sons, and his father-in-law, Jarvis Beckett, then about seventy-five years of age, was also of the party. This old gentleman, born July 19, 1723, had enlisted in 1744 in the "Second Troop of Life Guards," then commanded by Lord Amherst, and remained in the service forty-four years. He died December 23, 1806, and was buried at Easton, Penn. Mr. Mott came to this country possessed of means, with the in- tention of establishing an agency for the sale of English hardware and cutlery, and remained in New York City until 1803, thence removing to Phila- delphia, and after a short stay in that city settling in Easton, Penn., when he purchased a house at the northeast corner of Second and Northampton streets. His son William B. located in Philadelphia.

Edward Mott, grandfather of our subject, was born October 3, 1780, in the parish of St. James, Westminster, London, and came to this country with the family in 1798, studied law in Easton, Penn., and became a successful lawyer. In 1815 he re- moved to Milford, Penn., where he passed the re- mainder of his life, dying there January 13, 1834. He married, for his first wife, Faithful Slay- maker, of Easton, by whom he had one child, Jarvis Beckett Mott, who died January 26, 1863, at Jersey City, N. J. In 1810 he married ( second) Elizabeth Spering, daughter of Henry Spering, who from the rank of fifer in the Revolutionary army rose to that of general in the war of 1812; he held the offices of sheriff and prothonotary in Northampton county. Children as follows blessed the second union : ( 1 ) Sarah Markrina died young. (2) Henry S., born Novem- ber II, 18II, at Easton, Penn., died June 7, 1877, at Milford; he married (first) Hannah Bull, and (second) Delinda Peters. He was one of the lead- ing men of Pike county in his day, serving as sheriff, prothonotary, canal commissioner, representative, State senator, and in other offices of trust and re- sponsibility. (3) Edward, born in 1814, died April 3, 1877, at East Stroudsburg. (4) William Pitt, born June 28, 1818, died young. (5) Charles Fox, born June 28, 1818, died September 20, 1862, at Philadelphia ; he married a Miss Smith. (6) Oscar Harold, born October 8, 1821, is mentioned more fully below.

Capt. Oscar Harold Mott was born at Milford October 8, 1821, and died in that village, January 4, 1864. On January 11, 1846, hewas married at Milford to Miss Theodosia Clark, by whom he had the fol- lowing children: Ann Barton, widow of Hon. David A. Wells, of Milford, formerly a representa- tive in the State Legislature; Sarah A., deceased ; Milton D., our subject ; Edward C., deceased ; Henry S., a government official at Washington, D. C., who married Grace Van Auken; and. Elizabeth S., wife of C. O. Armstrong, a druggist at Milford. Mrs. Theodosia (Clark) Mott, our subject's mother, was born at Milford, April 30, 1825, a daughter of

John B. Clark, and a granddaughter of James Barton, an Englishman, who married Sarah Riddus, of Germantown, Penn., and became one of the pio- neer settlers at Milford. John B. Clark was born in Orange county, New York, and came to Milford in early manhood to engage in mercantile business. He was married there to Miss Ann Barton, who died in 1832 ; he passed away at the age of seventy. This worthy couple had five children: S. Augusta, widow of William C. Salmon, formerly'an attorney in Milford, Penn .; James, deceased; Theodosia, mother of our subject; and Vincent and John B., both deceased.

Hon. Milton D. Mott was born January 31, 1852, at Milford, and as he was only twelve years old when his father died he was thrown upon his own resources at an age when most boys are free from care. His educational opportunities were lim- ited, much of his knowledge being "picked up" in various newspaper offices where he was employed, having learned the printer's trade in the Milford Herald office. He worked on the Honesdale Herald, the Newton Herald, and several other country news- papers, and was employed in the Port Jervis Gazette office for a number of years, commencing in 1871. He was an industrious and swift compositor, and while working in New York City, on Beekman street, he had no superior in that line. In 1878 he purchased the Milford Herald, and changing the name of the journal to the Dispatch, he soon made it one of the leading country papers of the State. He had a large acquaintance in this section and was naturally drawn into public life, for which he was eminently fitted. In 1884 he was elected Repre- sentative to the State Legislature of Pennsylvania, serving two terms, and during his absence at the State Capital the late Col. Charles N. Pine edited the Dispatch. About seven years ago Mr. Mott was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the office of associate judge of Pike county left vacant by the death of George Drake. He was re-elected at the expiration of the term, and at the time of his death held the office. Some years ago he was chief burgess of the Borough of Milford, and he also held several minor local offices. On August 23, 1888, he was married at Milford to Mrs. Alice (Westbrook) Emerson, daughter of John C. West- brook, of whom an extended account is given else- where, and widow of the late Dr. Gouverneur Emer- son, a native of Delaware, who came to Milford with his parents at the age of seven years, and on gradu- ating from the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania engaged in practice at that place, where he died February 4, 1886, aged thirty- three years. Dr. Emerson was a man of fine talents, and was highly esteemed socially ; he was an active member of the Knights Templar. Mrs. Mott, who has always been prominent in the best social circles of Milford, is a lady of rare culture and refinement. Three children were born of her union with our subject ; Virginia Barton, Gertrude Brodhead and John C., who are all living.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Mott's death was sudden and unexpected, a hemorrhage of the lungs cutting short his career while he was apparently in full vigor. His funeral was largely attended, and the floral tributes sent by mourning friends and relatives fairly enveloped the casket. Perhaps no better summary of his life and character could be found than that of his pastor, Rev. Mr. Nichols, of the Presbyterian Church, in his touching address on this solemn occasion. He spoke briefly of the providential lesson in a life cut off in midcareer, and pointed out that youth and strength are not to be presumed upon. Then, after dwelling on the increased sense of loss when death occurs under such circumstances, and the need of faith in God to hush complaints, he continued as follows :

We are less disposed to murmur, also, if we can see in one of these so-called unfinished lives in early maturity and a record of usefulness scarcely surpassed by lives of longer span, and this, I think, we can do in the present instance.

Milton Dimmick Mott was early left to fight the battle of life almost alone. His school-room was the printing office, one of the best, if advantage is taken of its opportunities. Time and again, in our American history, literature and statesmanship have been adorned by its graduates. Some men it educates mechanically; they have rare skill as crafts- men; and some it broadens and develops intellectually. For our friend I am sure it did both. An editor is always closely identified with public interests. He diffuses information, moulds opinion, originates and fosters enterprises, is a prime factor in guiding and developing the life of the community. In this office Mr. Mott exerted his legitimate influence; his paper reflecting the man, and becoming the instrument through which he impressed himself upon others. It has been said that one should not leave the editorial chair of one of our great daily journals, even for a seat in the White House. On the same principle the editor of a local journal may not feel greatly attracted by local honors. And yet such a position naturally leads to others of a public character. The place may seek the man if not the man the place. As a public servant Mr. Mott was above reproach; characterized by a high sense of honor and an uncompromising integrity. His hands were clean, his aims were true and his standard high. If I may speak from knowledge gained through private intercourse with him, he believed firmly the principles which he advocated, both in office and out of it,and sought by adherence to them to promote the general welfare. At the same time he could recognize intelligence and principle among those who differed with him, and he fought them frankly and fairly. He earnestly sought the purification of politics, but he knew that it was an ideal most difficult of attainment. When I come to speak of those finer personal traits which endeared him to so many, I find myself in dan- ger of repeating what has been said by others. The nimble types have anticipated me and I do not begrudge them the loving service. I think they must have fallen into their places with singular readiness, weaving a chaplet for the brow of him who was their life-long friend. He was a man of unaffected modesty Gentle, unobtrusive, of a rare sweetness of spirit; warm and true in his friendship; large- hearted, generous and helpful to all. To this, I think, and not to his conspicuous public position, is largely due this deep stirring of the heart of our community. This it is which, not only from our own town, but from the country about and from far and wide, has drawn the people here to follow him to his burial.

Let me not attempt to portray what he was in the house- hold, how tender a son, how kind and generous a brother, how affectionate a father, how elevated a husband. We do not withdraw the veil from this sanctuary. Here are things which the home circle will tell over one to another on many an after occasion, and which will never be lost out of memory. One other sphere I must mention, in order that you may see the man as he was, and that the whole power of

his example may be felt by those to whom I speak-I mean. the sphere of religion. Thoughtful and with a deep respect for sacred things, even when his life tended away from them, this early promise only seemed to be fulfilled, when at last he gave to these things their legitimate place in heart and life. This was now nearly four years ago. For some time previous he had been a most attentive listener to the truth. I say it, not in empty eulogy, but as a tribute sincerely due, that since I began my ministry to this people, no face in my congregation has attracted me, interested me, encouraged me, more than his. The final step he took deliberately, and with an earnest desire that his testimony for Christ, as his personal Lord and Savior, might be understood by all. Since then, his life has been that of a true disciple-a firm friend of the church, and its faithful supporter, with his coun- sels, his services, his purse, his prayers; an example of the believers in word, in charity, in conversation, in spirit, in faith, in purity. For such a one, heavy burdens become light, death has no terrors, and regrets at parting with loved ones. give way to those eternal hopes, not only for self but for them, which spring from the " Knowledge of the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

REV. DANIEL F. HELLER (deceased) was an earnest and consistent Christian, whose life was devoted to the work of the Master, as a minister in the Lutheran Church. It is our duty to mark our appreciation of such a man-a man true to every re- lation of life, faithful to every trust, and seeking only the public good.

Mr. Heller was a native of Monroe county, born in Hamilton township, in June, 1830, son of Anthony and Sarah (Fetherman) Heller, who were also born in Hamilton township and died at Shawnee, Smith- field township, on their farm. In their family were the following children: Mercer; Philip; George; Daniel; Rosana, wife of Jacob Miller, of Strouds- burg; Catherine, wife of Luke Staples, of Strouds- burg; Sarah H., wife of David Ace, of Smithfield township; Sybilla, wife of John Smoyer, of Strouds- burg. All are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Smoyer, and George, also a resident of Stroudsburg.

Our subject grew to manhood upon the home farm in Hamilton township, receiving his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and for some years he successfully engaged in teaching in the schools of Monroe county. Later he attended the Theological Seminary at Hartwick, N. Y., where he was graduated in 1858, and on June of the same year he married Miss Caroline Bush, of Smithfield township, Monroe county, daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Mann) Bush, the former a native of Smithfield township, the latter of Newton, N. J. Her maternal grandparents were Philip and Sarah Mann, who belonged to an old and prominent family of New Jersey. In the Bush family were ten chil- dren, namely: Mary A., wife of Simon Myers, of Smithfield township; Christina, wife of Peter Eilen- berger ; Elizabeth, wife of John Trach, of Smithfield township; Emma, wife of Charles Wallace, of Pike county, Penn .; Sarah, a resident of Stroudsburg ; Caroline, now Mrs. Heller; Andrew; Theodore; John ; and Josiah (deceased).

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Heller was called to the pastorate of the Lutheran Church in West

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Camp, N. Y., on the Hudson river, where he re- mained for seven years. While residing there he was taken ill with a bilious attack, and after a short illness died November 22, 1864, leaving his young wife with two small children. His death was widely and deeply mourned for he not only had the love and respect of his own congregation, but was held in high regard by all who knew him. His life was a constant inspiration to those who saw his zealous and self-sacrificing work in the advancement of the cause of religion. Politically he was a strong Republican, and always took a deep and commendable interest in public affairs.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Heller re- turned to her parents' old home in Shawnee, Monroe county, where she remained for a year and a half, and then purchased a home for herself and children in Branchville, Smithfield township, known as the Muncie property. Here she has resided up to the present time, and has successfully engaged in dress making. She heroically provided for her own sup- port and that of her children, and now since they are grown and have gone to homes of their own, she is able to lay aside business cares, enjoying a well- earned rest. For her success she deserves much credit, and she has the respect and esteem of the entire community.

Flora Heller, the only daughter of our subject and his wife, was born in New York State, in 1859, and received a fine classical education in the Doyles- town schools. In 1881 she married Henry Peterson, a native of Norway, and they make their home in Monroe, Jasper Co., Iowa, where he owns a fine farm. They have four children, Karl, Anna May, Ralph and Kyle, all born in Iowa.

D. Ernest Heller, the only son, was born in Monroe county, Penn., in 1865, and grew to man- hood at his mother's home in Smithfield township. He was educated in the high schools of Stroudsburg and Brodheadsville, was a bright scholarly young man and always stood high in his classes. In May, 1887, he joined his sister in Iowa, but a year later located at Greeley, Colo., where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for two years. He then entered the School of Mines in that State, where he grad- uated in the chemical department, and where he also studied civil engineering. In 1895 he married Miss Elizabeth Jones, of Denver, Colo .. a lady of culture and refinement, and they now reside in Butte City, Mont., where he is superintendent of large smelting works blonging to Heinzy Brothers. He is well educated, is a man of good business ability, and has the entire confidence of his employers. In 1895 Mrs. Heller visited her children in the West, spend- ing one year in Iowa and Butte City, Montana.

THOMAS HARTFORD was for many years one of the most successful lumbermen and farmers of Sterling township, Wayne county, and, as the result of his untiring labors, ambition, energy and well-directed efforts, he is to-day the possessor of a handsome competence and comfortable home, where

he is now living retired, enjoying the society of his family and friends in the midst of the comforts that go to make life worth living.

A native of Wayne county, Mr. Hartford was born on the old homestead in Salem township, March 22, 1830, and is a son of Edwin and Susannah (Hazelton) Hartford, natives of Connecticut and Ireland, respectively. At the age of sixteen years Edwin Hartford ran away from home and followed the sea for some time, becoming part owner of a vessel. At the beginning of the present century he came to Wayne county, and located on the west branch of Paupack creek, in Salem township, where he made his home until his death. During the war of 1812 he assisted in building a fort. He died in 1872, at the extreme old age of ninety-six years, and the mother of our subject passed away in 1852, at the age of fifty-five years, both being buried in Sa- lem township cemetery. The children born to them were Edmond, who died at the age of eighteen years; Thomas, of this sketch; and Susannah, who died at the age of fifteen years. The father was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Brown, by whom he had two children: Jerusha was three times married, first to a Mr. Merritt, second to a Mr. Garrison, and third to a Mr. Degrass, all now deceased. Joanna married William Widderman, and both are now deceased.

During his minority Thomas Hartford aided in the work of the home farm, and after leaving the parental roof he worked in a shovel-handle factory at Daleville, Penn., at intervals, for three years. The following four years he followed the carpenter's trade, and then erected a sawmill on the site of his present mill in Salem township, where his father built the first mill. Prosperity has crowned his efforts, and though he has given to each of his children a farm he is still the owner of a valuable place of 200 acres in Sterling township, on which he has made his home since leaving the old home- stead in Salem township, in 1853.

At Sterling, Wayne county, August 22, 1853, Mr. Hartford was united in marriage with Miss Frances J. Simons, who was born in Sterling town- ship, March 4, 1830, a daughter of Richard Simons, whose sketch is given in connection with that of G. W. Simons, elsewhere. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartford are as follows: Jo- hanna, born June 15, 1855, is the widow of Charles Benjamin and a resident of Gravity, Penn .; Ed- mund, born May 16, 1857, married Laura Shelters, and is a well-known farmer of Salem township, and postmaster and merchant at Callapoose: S. Mary, born May 10, 1862, died May 16, 1884 ; Rev. Friend, born November 24, 1864, married Etta Race, and is a Baptist minister, now located in Sus- quehanna county, Penn .; Charlotte E., born Octo- ber 8, 1866, is the wife of John Miller, a farmer of Salem township: George, born October 13, 1868, married Edith Williams, and besides following farm- ing in Sterling township, he carries the mail be- tween Callapoose and Wimers; and William, born November 28, 1871, died January 26, 1878.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon Mr. Hartford to serve in several township offices of honor and trust. Po- litically he is identified with the Republican party, and socially he affiliates with the Odd Fellows lodge at Sterling. For the past forty-five years he has held membership in the Baptist Church, of which his wife is also a sincere and faithful member. They are widely and favorably known, and their circles of friends seems only limited by their cir- cle of acquaintances.

HON. CHARLES H. VAN WYCK. The lives of illustrious men are ofttimes the fruitage of a distinguished ancestry. Modest, earnest, con- cerned only with the duties and questions of his day, the subject of this sketch in his lifetime paid little heed to the personal past. He rose high in the councils of the nation ; was prominent as a lawyer of the Empire State, and served with distinction as an officer in the army of the United States during the Civil war. As a Congressman during many successive terms, he rendered eminent services to his country in the National Legislature; and, when a little later he cast his fortunes with those of a distant Western State, fitting recognition of his sig- nal abilities gave him a seat in the United States Senate. And yet, in his honorable and distin- guished career, the subject of this memoir only bears out the promise of his ancestry.

The Van Wycks of Holland use the same coat of arms which the founders of the American branch brought to the new continent two and one-half cen- turies ago. From the beginning of the history of Dutchess county, N. Y., in which our subject was born, the Van Wycks have been prominent in the professions and in the public service as judges, leg- islators, congressmen, senators and soldiers. The family gave richly of its blood in the struggle for in- dependence, and fought bravely in every subsequent national conflict. Two brothers, members of the family, were, in 1898, respectively mayors of Ameri- ca's greatest city and candidates for governor of America's most prosperous State.

Charles H. Van Wyck was born in November, 1824, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., a son of Thadeus and Elizabeth ( Mason) Van Wyck, and after graduating at Rutgers College in New Jersey he prepared for the Bar and engaged in practice successfully, in Sul- livan county, N. Y. From 1850 to 1856 he was district attorney for that county. When the Civil war broke out he entered the Union army as colonel of the roth Legion, or 56th N. Y. V. I., which he commanded with marked ability, being promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. He was elected to the XXXVIth, XXXVIIth, XLth and XLIst Con- gresses, serving with distinction, and on his removal to Nebraska in 1847 he at once took a prominent place in the Republican party of that State. In 1876 he was a member of the constitutional convention ; from 1876 to 1880 (three terms) he was a member of the State Senate to succeed Hon. Algernon S.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 22

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