Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 223

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 223
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 223
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 223
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 223

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PHILANDER FLETCHER is one of the hon- ored sons of Wayne county, as well as a leading and representative farmer of Mt. Pleasant township. A man of progressive ideas, broad-minded and liberal, he has made the most of his opportunities in life, and has risen to a foremost place among the well-to-do citizens of his community.

Born February 23, 1823, Mr. Fletcher is a son of John and Catherine (Decoba) Fletcher, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Dutchess county, N. Y. From Connecticut they came to Wayne county, Penn., during the pioneer epoch of this region, when the country was an al- most unbroken wilderness, and in the primitive for- est they cut the logs for their first home there. After living for a time on the banks of the Dela- ware river they came to Mt. Pleasant township, and located where Hugh Lestrang now lives, about one mile west of our subject's present home. By trade the father was a cabinetmaker, but during his residence in Pennsylvania was principally en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He died at the age of eighty-one years, the result of an injury sus- tained from the kick of a horse. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religious connection a worthy member of the Methodist Church, to which his wife also belonged. She departed this life at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. In their family were children as follows: John E .: Ruth, who died when young; Almira, widow of Marcus Wil- cox, of Honesdale : Philander ; Solon, who died at Pleasant Mount ; Lucy and Joseph, both deceased ;

Lucy (2), deceased wife of Jackson Hines, of Wayne county ; Nancy, deceased; Sally Anne, wife of L. W. Rude, of Walton, N. Y .; and Amanda, wife of Norman Hines, of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

During his minority Philander Fletcher re- mained under the parental roof, and he early became familiar with all the duties incident to farm life. When twenty-one years of age he secured fifty- six acres of land, and several years later purchased another tract of forty-two acres. His education was received in the old log school-house so common in early days, and since leaving the school room he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying results. He has cleared about nine-tenths of his land, and has replaced the little log cabin by a more commodious and modern dwelling, which is surrounded with good barns and outbuildings. Upon the place is one of the best orchards to be found in Wayne county.

On August 21, 1845, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Wilcox, a native of Wayne county, and a daughter of Ezaias and Lucy (Compton) Wilcox). Her father, who was one of the first settlers in the forests of this region, was an active and prominent member of the Presby- terian Church and served as deacon in the same for many years. He died at the age of eighty-six years, his wife at the age of sixty-three. Their chil- dren were Ambrose, deceased; Ambrose (2) ; Marcis; Sarah,, wife of our subject; Axie Marie, deceased ; Axie Marie (2) ; David Stuart; Lucy Jane, wife of S. Clemno; Benjamin; and two who died when young.

Seven children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher in order of birth as follows: George, who now lives near Philadelphia, Penn .; Abbie, wife of Norris Brown, of Preston township, Wayne county, and the mother of three children, Merrett, Clarence and Minnie; Anna, wife of Charles Gear, by whom she has three children, Cora, Ernest and Wright; Solon, who married Louise Hartman, and has four children, Francis, Grace, Alice and Edna; Libbie, wife of Victor Gear; Adelia, deceased; and Leroy, who died at the age of three years.

In early life Mr. Fletcher was a stanch Demo- crat, but now gives his allegiance to the Prohibi- tion party, of which his son Solon is also a sup- porter. He is a man of more than ordinary intelli- gence and natural business ability, is energetic, en- terprising and thoroughly reliable, and his life has ever been such as to command the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a devout member of the Free Methodist Church, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ELDER JOHN GRUBB RAYMOND, a well known Methodist Episcopal minister now located at Carley Brook, Wayne county, was born on a farm in Newcastle county, Del., August 6, 1844, a son of Sebastian and Ann B. (Grubb) Raymond, na-

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tives of Luzerne, Switzerland, and Newcastle county, Del., respectively. The father is now a resident of Wilmington, Del., and a leading mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church of that place ; he has reached the advanced age of ninety- three years. The mother who passed away in January, 1899, at the age of eighty-seven years, was also a devout member of that Church.

Elder Raymond is entirely a self-made man, having left the home farm at the tender age of eight years to make his own way in the world. At the age of fifteen he began learning the shoemak- er's trade with J. B. Murphy, of Wilmington, Del., and was thus employed until entering the Union army during the Civil war. On October 23, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 2nd D. V. I., under Capt. Thomas J. Wood, and was afterward discharged in order to re-enlist at Stevensburg. For a while he served as sergeant of his company, and was quar- termaster-sergeant of the Ist Del. Vol. Vet. Inf. for about one year, holding that rank until honor- ably discharged at Munson's Hill, July 12, 1865. He then resumed work at his trade as a shoemaker.

In 1870 Mr. Raymond entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but for about ten years was interested only in local work. In 1880, however, he assumed the pastorate of the Church at Newark Union, Newcastle Co., Del., where he remained for three years; the following year had charge of a Church in the Catskill mountains, Greene Co., N. Y .; for two years was located in Wilkes Barre, Penn., one year in Waverly, Penn .; one year in South Canaan, Wayne county ; and five years in Arlington, Wayne county. He now has charge of the Church at Carley Brook, and is an untiring worker in the cause of the Master, labor- ing earnestly for the betterment of his fellowmen and for the welfare of the communities in which his lot has been cast. He not only has the love and confidence of his own congregations, but has the respect and ésteem of all who know him.

DAVID S. DOYLE. Among the prominent farmers of Wayne county there are many who man- ifested their loyalty and patriotism during the dark days of the Rebellion by going to the front and valiantly fighting for the old flag and the cause it represented. Mr. Doyle responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in Company D, 179th P. V. I., for nine months' service, and with his regiment was stationed most of the time near Yorktown, Va., be- ing honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Penn., when his term of enlistment had expired.

Mr. Doyle, now a leading farmer of Mt. Pleas- ant township, Wayne county, was born August 16, 1835, at Carbondale, Penn., and is a son of Gar- rett Doyle, a native of Ireland, who came to Amer- ica when a young man and lived for many years in Carbondale, but died in Philadelphia when in his fortieth year. By trade he was a carpenter. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Huldah Swezy, survived him for many years, passing away in Mt.

Pleasant township, Wayne county, at the age of seventy-six. In their family were three children: William, who lives at Middletown, N. Y .; David S .; and Anne, wife of Wesley Howell.

David S. Doyle acquired his literary education in the public schools. On April 7, 1859, he married Miss Mary Giles, a native of England, who at the age of twelve years came to this country with her parents, William and Catherine ( Mills) Giles. In the Giles household were nine children: Emily, William, Kate, Mary, Christopher, John, Grace, and two who died when young. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doyle: (I) William H., a resident of Wayne county, married Mary Spen- cer, daughter of James Spencer, and they have four children, Frank, Clara, Howard and David. (2) John W., also of Wayne county, married Hat- tie Monroe, and they have three children, Emma, Irwin and Alice. (3) Emma, who married Charles H. Spencer, of Mt. Pleasant township, died in November, 1894. (4) Seymour, who lives on the old homestead with his parents, married Jennie Spencer, daughter of James Spencer ; she died Au- gust 1, 1892, leaving one child, Tennie Florence. (5) Frank died when young. (6) Susie May lives on the old homestead. Mrs. David S. Doyle, the mother of this family, died November 8, 1898, after an illness of five days, aged fifty-six years.

For the past twenty years Mr. Doyle has re- sided upon his present farm in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, having purchased the place of Joseph L. Smith. It is known as the old John Howell farm and contains 120 acres of rich and productive land, improved with a comfortable residence and good farm buildings of all kinds, which stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party, as are also his two sons, William and Seymour. The family at- tend the Methodist Church, and John and Seymour take a very active and prominent part in both Church and Sabbath-school work. Wherever known the family is held in the highest esteem, and their circle of friends is only limited by their circle of acquaintances.

JOHN WESLEY VAN WERT, a prominent and representative farmer and dairyman of Berlin township, Wayne county, was born at Beaver Brook, Sullivan Co., N. Y. May 27, 1853, and be- longs to an old and distinguished family of the Empire State. The Van Werts are of Holland descent, and to the great-uncle of our subject, Isaac Van Wert, is due the capture of Benedict Arnold, the traitor, during the Revolutionary war.

The father of our subject, George Van Wert, was born on the Hudson, in New York, son of John Van Wert. He married Miss Nancy Slater, a na- tive of Sullivan county and a daughter of David Slater, who was of German descent, and they be- came the parents of nine children, as follows: Mrs. Mary Ann Johnson ; John Wesley: Mrs. Charlotte Koehler, of Pike county, Penn .; George, of Empo-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rium, Cameron Co., Penn. ; William H., of he same place: Mrs. Alice Howland, of Buffalo, N. Y. ; Stephen, of Emporium, Penn .; Mrs. Lenora Buhr, of Elizabeth, N. J. ; and Frank, of Hawley, Penn. The mother of these children died February 23, 1870: the father is still living at the age of sev- enty years, a resident of Sullivan county, N. Y. Throughout his active business career he has been a lumberman and farmer, and since the organiza- tion of the party has been a stanch Republican. During the Civil war he was a member of Company K, 143rd N. Y. V. I., and proved a valiant and fearless soldier on many a Southern battlefield.

In the county of his nativity John W. Van Wert grew to manhood, acquiring a fair educa- tion in its common schools. On leaving home he came to Wayne county, in 1873, and has since been identified with its agricultural interests, now own- ing a valuable farm of 130 acres in Berlin township, which is under excellent cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. He is also a stockholder in a creamery and conducts a good dairy upon his farm, finding this branch of his busi- ness quite profitable.

Mr. Van Wert was married, May 7, 1879, to Miss Susan Male, who was born, reared and edu- cated in Wayne county. Her father, John C. Male, was born in Cornwall. England, April 19, 1827, a son of Richard and Susan ( Huskin ) Male, also natives of that county, the former of whom came to America in 1832, with one son, George. The following year he was joined by his son Will- iam, and in 1836 the mother and John C. also crossed the Atlantic. For some time Richard Male worked at his trade as a tailor in Honesdale, Wayne county, but in 1836 he came to Berlin township. purchasing land on Vine Hill from which he cleared the timber, erecting thereon a house. Later he moved to the neighborhood where our subject now resides, and died there at the age of sixty-five years. He was a Whig in politics, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as class-leader for forty years; as a. local preacher in England, and as an exhorter most of his life. His wife died at the age of seventy years. Their son George Male removed to the State of Oregon, where he passed away in 1894, leaving three sons and one daughter. The second son, William Male, died in 1850. leaving a widow, now Mrs. Warfield, and a daughter, now Mrs. Eliza Babcock, of Carbondale, Penn. John C. Male, the father of Mrs. Van Wert, was married in 1854 to Miss Ann Spry, a daughter of William and Ann ( Tamblyn) Spry, who were also born in Cornwall, England, and died in Berlin township, Wayne county. Mr. and Mrs. Male became the parents of six children, viz .: William C., a resident of Egeria, Routt Co., Colo .; Joseph Benson, an exten- sive cattleman and ranchman of the same place ; Miles M., of Peckville, Penn. ; James Spry, a travel- ing man of Pittsburg, Penn. ; Jonathan T .. a medical student, of Buffalo, N. Y. ; and Susan, wife of our

subject. The mother of these children, who was a most estimable woman, died February 14, 1871 ; the father passed away July 11, 1898, honored and respected by all who knew him. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious faith a Free Method -. ist.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Wert have a family of five children, namely: Forest Everett, Herman Mon- roe, Mabel Anna, Mildred Jane, and Edith Alice. The parents are both earnest and consistent mem- bers of the Free Methodist Church, in which Mr. Van Wert is serving as steward. Being an advo- cate of Temperance principles, he has become an active worker in the Prohibition party, which he always supports by his ballot. He is a large man, of kindly disposition, and his circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county is extensive.

JOSEPH H. NEWHART, a highly-esteemed resident of Delaware Water Gap, Monroe county, has held for many years the position of steward in the "Kittatinny House," a noted hostelry and a fav- orite resort of the visitors from all parts of the Union who spend their summer months among the charming scenery of this region. As a citizen Mr. Newhart is public-spirited and progressive, taking an active part in local improvements, and his genial, kindly disposition has won him the friendship of everyone in the community.

Our subject comes of good pioneer stock, his grandfather, John Newhart, having settled in Smith- field township. Monroe county, at an early day, en- gaging in the blacksmith's trade. This worthy citi- zen married Jemima DePuy, and they had eight children, of whom our subject's father, Abram Newhart, was the second. Of the others. ( I) Charles is deceased. (3) Aaron, who was not married, went South previous to the Civil war, and was never heard from afterward. (4) Peter now re- sides at the old homestead in Smithfield township. (5) Daniel is deceased. (6) Lewis, who died at his home in Delaware Water Gap, married Miss Louise Sandt, of Northampton county, and had five chil- dren, Mary, Eva, Lizzie, David and George (de- ceased ). (7) Sarah married Frederick Casebeer, of Smithfield township, where she died leaving no fam- liv. (8) Miss Susan resides at the old homestead with her brother Peter.

Abram Newhart, our subject's father, was born October 14. 1814, in Smithfield township, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Susanna Hau- ser, a native of the same locality, born September IO, 1816. He then settled upon a farm in Smithfield township, now Delaware Water Gap borough, and his death occurred there October 4, 1886, his esti- mable wife having died a few years previous, on December 26, 1879. Of their ten children: (I) Elizabeth, born September 20, 1841, died in in- fancy. (2) Jemima, born November 9, 1842, mar- ried J. Van Houser, of Smithfield township, and resided in Delaware Water Gap borough, where she died in 1882. Her husband survived her

O Ho Newhart

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with three children, Lizzie, Abram and George. (3) Joseph H., our subject, is mentioned more fully be- low. (4) Sarah J., born April 9, 1847, married George Reinhart, then of New Jersey and now a resident of Delaware Water Gap borough. They have six children, Anna, Samuel, Susan, Ada, Pres- ton and Raymond. (5) Hannah died in infancy. (6) Anna, born April 12, 1849, married George B. Shanon, who for many years was engaged in mer- ' cantile business, and is now living in retirement at Delaware Water Gap. (7) John N., born March 4, 1850, died March 5, 1879. (8) Maggie, born October IS, 1854, married David Huddleson, who is engaged in general mercantile business at Bangor, Penn. (9) George W., born May 18, 1857, married Miss Mary Yeisley, of Smithfield township, and settled upon the old homestead in Delaware Water Gap borough, but some years after engaged in business there, and still continues same. He has three children, John, Mag- gie and Florence. (10) Katie, born August 22, 1860, married Harry Christian, of Smithfield township.

Our subject was born December 11, 1844, in Delaware Water Gap borough, was reared a farmer boy and at the age of eighteen began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In 1869 he purchased a lot from his father's old farm, and erected a good two-story house, but in 1891 sold the property and removed to the old homestead which he purchased later. For two years he resided in the old family residence, but he then built a fine home on the estate, where he still resides. Since 1881 he has been steward of the "Kittatinny House," owned by W. A. Brodhead & Sons, and his skillful discharge of the duties of that position has been a recognized factor in the success of that well- known establishment. Politically Mr. Newhart is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type. and he has been frequently chosen to office by his fellow citizens. For six years he was school director in Smithfield town- ship, and after the organization of the borough he held the same office four years. In 1893 he was elected chief burgess for one year, in 1894, for the term of three years, and in 1897 he was chosen to the office of councilman, which he is now filling ac- ceptably. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, and he and his family are prominent members of the Church at Delaware Water Gap: his parents were among the original supporters of the denomination in this region.

In 1868 Mr. Newhart married Miss Sarah Smith, daughter of Henry and Sarah Smith, and a member of a leading family of Smithfield township. Their only child, Miss Jennie, born October 30, 1869, received an excellent classical and musical educa- tion, and is a favorite in the best social circles of the neighborhood. She is especially active in re- ligious work as a member of the Presbyterian Church and Sunday-school in which she is organist. and she is one of the workers in the Christian En- deavor Society. Mr. Newhart and his wife have also reared one of his nephews, George Houser. a son of his deceased sister Jemima, and have given

the lad the same educational opportunities afforded their daughter. At present he is attending the Stroudsburg Normal School, taking high rank in his classes.

DANIEL VANWHY, proprietor of the "Val- ley House," near East Stroudsburg, Monroe coun- ty, is one of the leading citizens of that locality, and in addition to the management of his well- patronized hotel he has recently engaged in the manufacture of baskets on an extensive scale.

Mr. Vanwhy comes of good pioneer stock, and his paternal grandfather, Israel Vanwhy, who re- sided in Middle Smithfield township; Monroe coun- ty, was a citizen of more than usual prominence. He was almost ninety years old when he was called from earth, and his wife, Mary (Leonard), also lived to an advanced age. Their children were: Henry, Israel, Martin, Margaret, Mary, Lottie and Julia.

Henry Vanwhy, father of our subject, was born in 1832, and is living at Smoky Hill. He spent his early life in arduous labor, as a tiller of the soil, but for many years he has been invalided through rheumatism. He married Miss Liza Mil- ler, and had three children: Daniel (our subject) ; Sarah, who married Roland Miller, and resides in Northampton county, Penn .; and Mary, who died when two years old. The mother of this family died, and for his second wife Mr. Vanwhy wedded Mary Smith, by whom he had ten children: Mar- garet, William, Jefferson, Mary Ann, Henry, Moses, Israel, Peter, Samuel, and Susan.

Daniel Vanwhy, the subject proper of this memoir, was born April 15, 1850, in Middle Smith- field township, Monroe county. It is due to him to say in the outset that he is purely a self-made man, having through his own peculiar genius and in a straightforward business way lifted himself in a few years from the "ragged edge" of poverty to an honorable place as a citizen. His hotel is worth several thousand dollars, and his basket factory is also worth several thousand dollars, with every prospect of an advance in value. In his boyhood days his educational opportunities were most meagre. At the age of twenty-four, when he desired to take a wife and settle down, he found himself penniless, but this did not prevent him from marrying. He commenced keeping house with seventeen dollars worth of furniture, purchased on credit, and later he bought a horse on credit with his father for se- curity, but the horse died soon afterward. He managed at last to secure a span of mules, and with them to do the hauling he commenced cutting and hauling railroad ties. He chopped, hewed and de- livered the ties himself, and having knocked from the hardwood a subsistence he finally secured a tract of land ; but he was still poor. In course of time, however, he saved about three hundred dol- lars, just enough to pay for the ground required, and he decided to build a hotel in the picturesque

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region at the forks of the road north of East Stroudsburg. His friends tried to discourage him, but he saw an opportunity and he took advantage of it. By careful management he built a fine brick hotel of three stories, which was opened in 1893 and then he was, so to speak, on his feet. How he managed and how he saved and traded can be better imagined than described. The story would fill a volume, but he made money to pay his bills and kept his credit good, and soon had money ahead. He lost some by over-liberality with the needy, for he remembered his own trials, and never suspected that any poor man would be less honest and full of resource than himself ; yet notwithstand- ing losses the short period of three years has made him practically independent. A fine basket fac- tory worth about $6,000 was offered for sale, and in 1897 he purchased it, and this he also makes profit- able. Politically he is a Democrat, but he does not aspire to office. His first wife, who in her maiden- hood was Miss Gussie Smith, died a few years after their marriage, and their two children passed away in infancy. For his second wife he married Miss Hannah Miller, who has proved herself an efficient helpmeet. They have no children of their own, but have adopted two, George Vanwhy and May Miller. Mrs. Hannah ( Miller) Vanwhy is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Strunk ) Miller, the latter of whom is a daughter of John C. Strunk, who is now living at the advanced age of ninety-four years, with unimpaired intellect, though he has been blind for the past twenty-five years. William Miller and his wife have six liv- ing children: B. F., who has been county commis- sioner for six years; John; Catherine, wife of Ja- cob Mick; Hannah; Lizzie, wife of Jacob Rush; and Rush, who married Fannie Smith.

ERASTUS BENNETT is numbered among the brave "boys in blue" who,. during the Civil war, laid down their lives on the altar of their country while defending the old flag and the cause it repre- sented. He was born September 25, 1822, a son of John Bennett, a native of Gibson, Susquehanna Co., Penn., of which place the family were hon- ored pioneers. His parents had seven children : The eldest. son is deceased; Erastus was second in the order of birth, and was followed by Priscilla Coon, Laura Lee, Wilbur, Horace and John Wes- ley. The father was a pronounced Republican in politics, but was very broad and liberal in all his views. The mother was a woman of strong char- acter, and was a faithful member of the Methodist Church.

Reared in Susquehanna county, Erastus Ben- nett obtained his literary education in the public schools of that section. Soon after attaining his majority he was married, October 30, 1843, at West Herrick, Penn., to Miss Martha D. Coon, who was born in Roxbury township, Delaware Co., N. Y., a daughter of Benjamin and Hariet Coon. The children born to them are as follows: Lester E.,

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 223

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