Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 233

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 233
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 233
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 233
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 233

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In the fall of 1896 our subject sent a man to the Klondike to invest; but hearing nothing from him, he on February 4, 1897, started out himself, traveling some 400 miles on the ice up the Yukon river, and on his arrival at the Klondike he found that this man had purchased a claim on Bonanza creek. Selling this, our subject bought a claim on Eldorado creek, running in debt $18,000, to be paid in ninety-five days. Although it was winter-time, he worked the claim right along, and so successfully that at the end of ninety days he was able to pay off the indebtedness. Here he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and reported "dead sick" all summer. Not re- covering sufficiently to be moved to the steamer before the close of navigation, he was compelled to remain in the country another winter, and in a short time was taken with scurvey and inflammation of the kidneys, which kept him confined to his bed until March of the following year ( 1898) ; in the meantime he had been given up by his physician. His expenses during his first illness averaged $70 per day. In September, 1898, he left Dawson to bring home his younger brother, who had just been stricken with typhoid fever, from home went to Eng- land on business, and in February once more set out for the Klondike, his interests there at this time requiring his personal attention. On this trip he had to travel over the frozen snow, about 600 miles, with dog-sleighs, making the distance in twelve days. In November, 1899, he once more came to his old home in South Gibson, Penn., where he is at present sojourning. It is his purpose to, in the future, visit the Klondike every spring, and return to Pennsylvania each winter. He has also interests in Oregon, and altogether has been a successful 63

man. He is a pronounced advocate of temperance, and socially is modest and unassuming.

OSCAR C. BELCHER, eldest brother of Frank J., was born January 21, 1867, at the old homestead in Gibson township, Susquehanna county. He was educated at the district schools, his spare time being occupied on the home farm, and at the age of fif- teen he commenced for himself, working for farm- ers during the summer and attending school in the winter season, which arrangement continued about three years. He then took a three-terms' course at the Chili Seminary, near Rochester, N. Y., after which he clerked in a general store at South Gibson some two years. Following this he had an interest in a store at Forest City ; then in the spring of 1891 he went to Oregon, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land, and lived until 1897. In that year he pro- ceeded to Dawson City to join his brother Frank J. in the mining business, and he is the owner of sev- eral promising claims. He is still in the Klondike regions, and his industry and perseverance well merit all the success that may come to him. He has lately recovered from an attack of typhoid fever.

HORACE GREELEY BELCHER, the youngest of the three brothers, was born February 3, 1873, at the family home in Gibson township, and his earlier education was received at the district schools of the neighborhood, while at the same time he helped in the working of the home farm. He is a graduate of the South Gibson high school, and he also attended the Keystone Academy two terms. . At the age of twenty-three, in the spring of 1896, he set out to join his brother Frank J. at Birch Creek, where he became interested with the latter in several Eagle Creek claims. At the end of a year, receiving the sad intelligence that his brother Frank J. lay at the point of death, he hastened to Dawson, after his- brother's recovery becoming interested in various claims, and he has never revisited Eagle creek. Dur- ing the summer of 1898 he was taken very ill with fever, and consequently returned to his Pennsylvania home; but in the spring of 1899 he once more jour- neyed to Dawson, and is living there at the present time.

ENOS POTTER, an industrious and thorough farmer of Salem township, Wayne county, may be properly ranked among its self-made men, for he began his career in limited circumstances, and by hard labor, perseverance and enterprise has steadily worked his way upward until he is now one of the prosperous and representative citizens of his com- munity.

Mr. Potter was born in Middlesex county, Conn., September 3, 1828, a son of Enos and Al- mira (Pease) Potter, of Glastonbury, Conn., who came to Wayne county, Penn., in 1838, and took up their residence upon a farm in Salem township. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics the father was first a Democrat and later a Republican. He died in 1858, aged seventy years, his wife in September,

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1856, aged fifty years and six months, and the re- mains of both were interred in the Salem cemetery. He was one of the defenders of his country in the war of 1812, and was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, his parents being Ezra and Ann Potter. The subject of this sketch is fifth in the order of birth in the family, the others being as follows: Mary A., the widow of Gilson Mitchell, of Wayne county ; George, deceased in 1895, who married Maria Morrison, also deceased; Francis, who mar- ried and is now deceased; David, deceased, who married Jane Arnold, now a resident of Moodus, Conn .; Nancy, widow of Jacob Burley, of Brook- lyn, N. Y. ; Anthony, a carpenter of Mauch Chunk, Penn., who married Julia Kibler, now deceased, and Dora, who married Ferdinand Steele, of Hartford, Conn., now deceased.

Until his marriage Enos Potter remained upon the home farm. On October 17, 1848, in Salem township, he wedded Miss Matilda Mathews, who was born in that township February 5, 1827, a daughter of Hiram and Laura Mathews, and died April 23, 1890, being buried in Salem cemetery. The following children came to this union: Gib- son N., born October II, 1849, is deceased; Fran- cis U., born September 19, 1851, married Katie Anderson, and lives in Scranton, Penn ; Horatio G., born March 23, 1853, married Emma Mombecker, and lives in Scranton ; Almira L., born January 20, 1855, died when young; Mary E., born December 4, 1857, Charles W., born February 26, 1859, Clara L., born October 9, 1860, and Flora J., born August 9, 1864, all died when young; Dora S., born Janu- ary 16, 1867, is the wife of Charles Brown, a farmer and carpenter of Salem township, Wayne county ; Clarence E., born June 23, 1869, is a painter living in Scranton: Elray C., born October 29, 1870, married Edith Howe, and is a painter and decora- tor, residing at home. Mr. Potter was again mar- ried, March 30, 1892, in Paupack township, Wayne county, his second union being with Miss Mary J. Harrison, who died March 6, 1895, at the age of forty-five years, and was buried in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

After his first marriage, Mr. Potter purchased thirty-one acres of his present farm, on which he made a payment, but he was twelve years in paying off the $350 which it cost him. However, he now owns sixty-five acres, entirely free from debt and under a high state of cultivation. At the time of the purchase there was an unfinished building stand- ing upon the place, but to-day is one of the best improved and most desirable farms of the locality.

On November 16, 1862, Mr. Potter enlisted in Company B, 179th P. V. I., under Capt. H. Ste- vens, for nine months, and at the end of that time was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Penn., but he subsequently re-enlisted, becoming a member of the 112th P. V. I., with which he was mustered out at Philadelphia, January 29, 1866. On account of lung trouble he was confined at the hospital at City

Point for two weeks, and Alexandria, Va., for four weeks. On rejoining his command he cooked for the officers most of the time until finally discharged from the service at the close of the war. Socially he is a member of Salem Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in religious connection, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the most prominent and in- fluential citizens of his community, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

ANSON WHEELER, one of the wide-awake and progressive farmers of Clinton township, has throughout his entire life been prominently identi- fied with the interests of Wayne county.

The first of the Wheeler family of whom we have authentic record was Benjamin Wheeler, a Revolutionary soldier, who was a native of Win- sted, Conn., and late in life became a pioneer set- tler of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne Co., Penn. His son Nathan, also a native of Winsted, was mar- ried in Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, to Emily Tanner, of New York State, and they be- came the parents of five children: Anson, the sub- ject of this sketch; Heman J., born in 1831; Jan- ette, widow of Jacob Wagner, of Scranton, Penn .; Alman, a resident of Wyoming Valley, Penn .; and Sylvester, of Port Jervis, New York.

In Mt. Pleasant township Anson Wheeler was born March 4, 1829, and at the age of fourteen went to Honesdale, Penn., where he worked at the blacksmith's trade for six years, later following the same occupation for one and one-half years at Haw- ley, Wayne county. He was married, October 21, 1852, at Carbondale, Penn., by Rev. William Wyatt, to Miss Harriet C. Norton, and one daughter blesses this union, Sarah Freeman, who was born December 28, 1854, and was married January 21, 1892, to Henry C. Ames, a banker of Waymart, Wayne county. In 1854 Mr. Wheeler took charge of a shop in Clinton township, Wayne county, which he operated for ten years, at the end of that time laying aside all personal interests to enter the service of his country as a member of Company D, 97th P. V. I. When the war was over he returned to his family, who were then living in Waymart, and soon afterward purchased the A. W. Norton homestead in Clinton township, where he now re- sides. Mr. Wheeler is a stanch adherent of Re- publican principles, and gives his support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the general welfare or promote the prosperity of his native county.

Mrs. Wheeler is also a representative of an honored pioneer family of Wayne county. Her grandfather, Levi Norton, who was born in Goshen, Litchfield Co., Conn., May 13, 1759, when sixteen years of age went as a substitute for his older brother Samuel to defend New York, enlisting in the Light Horse, and was a member of Gen. Israel Putnam's staff. When discharged, at the close of the war, he received in return for his services "pay certificates," government scrip which was then valueless. In

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the spring of 1783 he went to Winchester township, now West Winsted, Conn., where he purchased 300 acres of land. The following year he married Olive Wheeler and removed to his new purchase, where he continued to reside until 1812. The names and dates of birth of his children are as fol- lows: Warren W., November 12, 1785; Alva W., August 10, 1791; Sheldon, November 20, 1793; Clarissa, March 28, 1796; and Samuel, June II, 1799. In company with others, Levi Norton came to Pennsylvania in September, 1810, in search of a location far from the severe Puritanic rule of Con- necticut. After a thorough examination of this section of the State he went to Philadelphia, and in return for the "pay certificates" received nine tracts of land in what is now Clinton township. Wayne county. In 18II he fitted out his son Alva WV. and started him for his newly acquired prop- erty. He entered Wayne county on Christmas Day. While traveling through Mt. Pleasant town- ship he met a young man who had been sent out with sheep, and together they came to Clinton township, where they built a cabin IOX12 feet, near where the Baptist Church now stands. The fol- lowing spring a large colony of Connecticut peo- ple arrived in the county, including Levi Norton and the remainder of his family.

Alva W. Norton received his early instruction under Mr. Beach, a Presbyterian minister. He completed his education at the Winsted high school, where he was fitted to become a civil engineer, and after coming to Pennsylvania he did considerable surveying, locating coal lands and new roads, and was also one of the surveyors sent out to determine the boundary lines between the counties in eastern Pennsylvania. On November 21, 1816, Mr. Nor- ton married Miss Sallie Freeman, and to their union came the following children: Emily A., born Oc- tober 3, 1817; Olive A., born November 20, 1819, who died July 12, 1890; Maria S., born January 5, 1822, who died November 29, 1862; Lucius F., born February 9, 1824, who died March 12, 1890; and Harriet C., born June 13, 1827, who is now the wife of our subject. The father of these children died July 5, 1881, and the mother November 9, 1869.

DAVID M. STALKER. The splendid farm owned by this gentleman in Manchester township, Wayne county, is a standing monument to his in- dustry, perseverance and good management.

Mr. Stalker is a native son of the county, born in Damascus township, in September, 1861, and Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, is the birthplace of his parents, David and Harriet (Rogis) Stalker, who continued to reside there for some time after · their marriage and then removed to Damascus township. In the latter place the father owned property, which he sold in 1862, purchasing an im- proved farm of 100 acres in Manchester township, to the further development and cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies with good

results. He has erected upon the place a pleasant residence and substantial outbuildings, and the well- tilled fields testify to his thrift and industry. He and his wife still live to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and in their declining years are surrounded by a loving family and many friends. To this worthy couple came six children, four sons and two daughters, all born in Wayne county: (I) Gordon S., born in 1854, learned the carpenter's trade in early life and for some time lived in the oil regions of this State, doing an extensive busi- ness in erecting derricks. He also bought a farm in Damascus township, Wayne county, upon which he made many improvements in the way of build- ings, but later removed to Michigan, where he now owns property and is successfully engaged in farm- ing, his home being at Summit City. In 1881 he married a Miss Bush, of Wayne county, who died after a short married life, leaving one son, Royal, and for his second wife he married a Michigan lady. (2) Eugene S., born in 1858, married Mary Purdy, of Wayne county, by whom he has two chil- dren, Earl and Bertha. He moved to Arkansas, later to Indian Territory, and then back to Arkan- sas, where he now resides. (3) David M. is next in the family. (4) Amanda died at the age of six years. (5) Emma Viola, born in 1865, is with her parents. (6) Russell E., born in 1871, was married in 1896 to Ella Skinner, of Manches- ter township, by whom he has one son, Arthur R., and they now reside at Long Eddy, N. Y., where he is engaged in business.

In Manchester township David M. Stalker grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he took charge of his father's farm while the latter was in the oil regions, and since then has engaged in business on his own account. In 1883 he purchased sixty-two acres of the old homestead, and later bought 102 acres of partially improved land known as the Weston farm, making in all 164 acres, which to-day is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. In 1891 he erected thereon a fine two- story residence, with all modern improvements, and four years later built a most convenient and substan- tian barn, so that he now owns one of the hand- somest homes and best farms in Manchester town- ship.

Mr. Stalker was married, in 1886, to Miss Zelma Braman, a daughter of Hamilton and Jane. Braman, honored pioneers and prominent citizens of Manchester township, and three children have blessed this union: Reuben J., born July 21, 1887; Gale H., November 7, 1889; and Orman C., May 5, 1895. The young couple began their domestic life in the village of Braman, where onr subject worked in the brush handle factory for two years, and then moved to Long Eddy, N. Y., where he engaged in quarrying stone for two and one-half years. In 1891 he located upon his farm, and has since given his attention to its operation. Through his own efforts he has become quite well-to-do, and

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he always cheerfully gives his support to all enter- prises for the good of the community. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, has held the office of supervisor of Manchester township one term, and is a school director at the present time. Fraternally he belongs to the Improved Or- der of Red Men, the Knights of Honor, and the Farmers' Alliance of Wayne county; and in re- ligious faith he and his wife both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Equinunk. His public and private duties have always been dis- charged with fidelity, and he is worthy to be classed among the best citizens of his community.

AUGUSTUS WOOD is a well-known and representative lumberman and farmer of Berlin township, who throughout life has been identified with the industrial interests of Wayne county. Upon his farm is a good residence, flanked by a substantial barn and various other outbuildings re- quired by the progressive agriculturist. As a tiller of the soil he is thorough and skillful, and in his business ventures has met with a fair degree of success.

A native of Wayne county, Mr. Wood was born in Damascus, in September, 1844. His father was born at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., where he grew to manhood, and in Binghamton, that State, he married Miss Mary Bigsby. Subsequently he purchased a farm near Atco, in Damascus town- ship, Wayne Co., Penn., cleared the land and there reared his family of five children. Upon this place both he and his wife died some years ago.

Augustus Wood is the eldest of their children. (2) Moses A., born in Damascus township, enlisted at the President's first call for troops to aid in put- ting down the Rebellion, and, as a member of the 84th P. V. I., he participated in many important engagements. He was taken prisoner and incar- cerated at Asbury prison for seven months, being almost starved to death. He re-enlisted as a vet- eran, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He married Betsy Ferguson, of Wayne county, and they now reside in Duck Harbor, same county. Their children are George, Edward, Alex- ander, David and Mary. (3) Elizabeth is now the widow of James Knepp, of Damascus. (4) An- geline is the wife of Walter Walford, a lumberman of Tionesta, Forest Co., Penn., and they have two daughters, Mrs. Adda Saltsgiver and Mrs. Nettie Nepp. (5) Malissa is the wife of Charles Law- son, of Pennsylvania.

In his native township Augustus Wood passed his boyhood and youth, and as he attended the local schools only for a few winters his literary education was rather limited. When a young man, during the Civil war, he enlisted in Company A, 118th P. V. I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under command of Gen. Grant. His first engagement was the battle of the Wilderness, where the losses on both sides were heavy. He was then in the campaign around Petersburg, and while

tearing up the Danville railroad, in September, 1864, his left arm was pierced by a minie ball, necessi- tating amputation immediately on the battle field. He was then taken to City Point hospital and later to Washington, D. C., where he remained until hos- tilities ceased, being honorably discharged in that city in July, 1865, after which he returned home.

In 1866 Mr. Wood wedded Miss Barbara Hier, of New York City, and soon afterward he purchased a farm in Berlin township adjoining that of John Perkin, but subsequently sold that place and bought Mrs. Hiram Branning's farm, where he still resides. Six children have come to brighten the household : William A., born in Berlin township, married Annie White, of Milanville, Wayne county, by whom he has one child, Jessie Ruth, and they now reside in Pike county, Penn. Alfred, born in Damascus township, married Minna Skinner, of Sullivan county, N. Y., and resides in Hawley, Penn., where he is engaged in business. John, born in Damas- cus, in August, 1873, was educated in the public schools of Berlin township, and is still at home. Harry, Frank and Mabel are also under the pa- rental roof.

Fraternally, Mr. Wood is an honored member of Capt. Ham Post, G. A. R., of Honesdale, and politically is a stanch Republican, taking a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He is cer- tainly deserving of honorable mention in a work of this character, for he is not only one of the highly respected citizens of the county, but was also one of the brave defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. His parents are both consistent members of the Baptist Church.

HENRY A. SPENCER, a highly esteemed citizen of Springville township, Susquehanna coun- ty, was born there October 21, 1824, and is de- scended from good old New England stock. His great-grandfather was William Spencer. His grandfather, Jeremiah Spencer, a native of New Hampshire, was captain of a company in the Co- lonial army during the Revolutionary war, and was in Col. Ashley's regiment at the battle of Benning- ton, Vt. He married Tirzah Ashley, a sister of the Colonel. About the beginning of the nineteenth century he came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and made the first clearing in Springville township, his home being near the present site of the village of Lynn. Here this worthy pioneer died in 1825. His children, who are all now deceased, were as follows: Daniel; Usebia, wife of Squire Avery ; Susana, the first wife of Thomas Kassedy; Eunice, wife of Abel Marcy, this being the first couple ever married in Springville township; Betsy, wife of Elijah Avery; Annie, the second wife of Thomas Kassedy; and Francis, the father of our subject.

Francis Spencer was born in Claremont, N. H., January 2, 1787, and was twelve years old when he came with his parents to Susquehanna county, Penn. For many years he followed farming in Springville township, and was one of the most in-

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fluential and prominent citizens of that locality. He served as county surveyor for some years ; was the first postmaster of the village of Springville; was also assessor for a number of terms; and a member of the election board. Politically he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. In Susque- hanna county he married Naomi Lyman, a daugh- ter of Gideon and Dolly (Spencer) Lyman. She was born in Weathersfield, Vt., June 22, 1789, and died August 20, 1859. Mr. Spencer died in Ab- ington, Lackawanna Co., Penn., January 1, 1869, They had . a large family of children, namely : Naomi, deceased wife of Frederick M. Hepburn, of Tunkhannock, Penn .; Eunice, who died unmar- ried May II, 1840; Benjamin N. (deceased), who was a shoemaker by trade and lived in Pennsylva- nia, later in Wisconsin ; Francis, a Methodist Epis- copal minister, who died in Lanesboro, Penn .; Mary Ann (deceased), who married (first) B. H. Cogswell, of Springville, and (second) H. M. Whitney; Henry A., our subject; Lyman C., a farmer of Susquehanna county, who died in Albany, N. Y .; Hume, who died in infancy ; Eveline, who married (first) Ashley Brooks, and (second) Jonas Stanton, of Brooklyn, Penn .; and Caroline, Eve- line's twin sister, who married Elias Reynolds, of Factoryville, Penn., and is now matron of Bucknell University.

Henry A. Spencer, our subject, spent his boyhood and youth in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties, and received a common-school education. At the age of six years he went to live with an aunt and uncle, where he remained until attaining his majority, and then started out in life for himself as a farm hand. In 1881 he located upon his pres- ent farm in Springville township, where his son had purchased forty-three acres of land, nearly all of which was under cultivation. For five weeks dur- ing the Civil war he was in the employ of the gov- ernment, building barracks at Washington, D. C., but with that exception he has always engaged in farming and painting in Springville township.

On November 19, 1852, in New Brunswick, N. J., Mr. Spencer married Miss Sarah R. Smith, whom he had never met until the day of their mar- riage. She was born December 10, 1824, in Bloom- ingdale, N. Y., a daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Storey) Smith, natives of Scotland, and died December 18, 1890. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and a most estima- ble lady. To our subject and his wife were born eight children, as follows: David Smith, born January 31, 1854, is now a Methodist Episcopal missionary in Japan; Sarah died in infancy ; John O. is also a missionary of the same denomination in Japan; George C. died in Houstonville, Wash- ington Co., Penn., January 2, 1892; Mary Jenette, born August 21, 1861, died at the age of three years : William E., who resides with his father, married Emma Eggleston, of Wyoming county, Penn., and is engaged in teaching school in Lynn ; Alice L. is the wife of Rev. W. S. Wilcox, of

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 233

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