Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 234

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 234
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 234
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 234
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 234

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Cherry Ridge, Wayne Co., Penn .; and the youngest died in infancy.

In his political views, Mr. Spencer is a stanch Republican, and he has been honored with a num- ber of local offices, serving as a member of the election board, auditor of his township, constable and assessor for one year each. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and religiously he has been a sincere and faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for over half a century, dur- ing which time he has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and is now trustee of the Church. Upright and honorable in all things, he has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow men, and has always been willing to assist those less fortunate than himself.

JOHN W. VAN VLIET. Among the first settlers on the Delaware river near Stroudsburg, Monroe county, was Dyrick Van Vliet, a native of Holland, who passed his remaining years in that locality, and died in 1744, his remains being in- terred at Stroudsburg. He was twice married, and had three sons, Joseph, Derick and Charrick. Charrick Van Vliet, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born near Stroudsburg, and resided at the present homestead in Stroud township, which he purchased from William Penn. He was a Revo- lutionary soldier, as was also his brother Joseph.

Derick Van Vliet (son of Charrick), our sub- ject's grandfather, passed his entire life at the old homestead, and built the stone house now occupied by our subject. He married Rachel Staples, daugh- ter of John Staples, a Revolutionary soldier, and had eight children, of whom our subject's father, Charrick Van Vliet, was the youngest. Marion, born on the present homestead, married a Mr. Bow- man, of Wayne county; Amanda is the widow of Rufus Bennett, who died in Wayne county ; Anna is the wife of John Randsburry, of Stroud township, . where they both died; Rebecca married John Van Vliet, of Stroud township, and both are now de- ceased ; Elizabeth married Major Berry, and moved to Kansas, where they both died; John S. married Susan LaBar, of Stroud township, and settled upon a farm in that township, where he spent his last days; Richard married Jane Griffin, of Stroud township, where he followed farming for some years, later removing to Stroudsburg, where he died.

Charrick Van Vliet (2), our subject's father, was born at the present homestead in 1806, and after receiving a good common-school education he engaged in farming and lumbering. The farm was left him by his father's will, and he always resided there. He also owned large tracts of land in Pal- myra township, Wayne county, and for many years he rafted lumber down the Lackawaxen to the Delaware for the Eastern markets, while the lum- ber from his lands in Monroe county was rafted down the Analomink creek to the Delaware, and sent to Philadelphia. In 1831 he married Miss

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Hannah Berry. He died in 1844, his wife in March, 1897, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.

Our subject was the eldest in a family of seven children. (2) Warren, born in 1833, grew to manhood at the old farm, and now resides in East Stroudsburg. He married ( first) Miss Sarah Dunlap, of Monroe county, and ( second) Miss Ellen Kelly, of Stroud township, Monroe county. By the first union he had one child, Elizabeth, and by the second there were two sons, Edward, a resi- dent of Stroudsburg, and Charrick, who is married and resides in Carbon county, Penn. (3) Sarah J., born in 1835, married J. G. Angle, of Stroud township, and died leaving two children, (a) Lulu, who married Eugene Kinney, of Smithfield town- ship, Monroe county, and later of Pike county, and has one daughter; and (b) George Angle, who resides with his father. (4) Milton, who did not marry, was a soldier in the Union army, but returned home with his health undermined, and died in 1864. (5) Martin is a bricklaver in Louisa county, Iowa. He married Miss Susanna Stewart, of Pike county, and has several children. (6) Mary married Jacob Shuper, of Hamilton township, Monroe county, and they now reside on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa. They have two sons, Daniel and John. (7) Lydia A. married Wiliam M. Lader, of Albion, Calhoun Co., Michigan.

John W. Van Vliet, the subject proper of this sketch, was born in May, 1832, in the old stone house in which he now resides. He was educated in the public schools of the locality, and at the age of fifteen entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. as a conductor. He ran the first coal train from Port Beanchard to Hawley over the Gravity road, and later on, in 1854, he was em- ployed on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. from Scranton to the junction of the Jersey Central, remaining one year. In 1858 he con- tracted for building a portion of the Bloomsburg road, grading the road and laying the ties and rails. He also built several miles of the Lackawanna road, where he had large investments. For a number of years he was one of the leading contractors in railroad work, and he made and lost a large amount of money in his ventures. In 1861 he bought the old family homestead, where he has since resided, and he recently built a fine new dwelling house there for his son Harry, who is of the fifth genera- tion of the family to occupy the estate. After tak- ing possession of the homestead Mr. Van Vliet erected a number of hot-houses, and at present he supplies Stroudsburg and adjoining towns with choice varieties of plants of all kinds. He also has an extensive business in canning fruits raised on his farm. For years he has been a leading member of the local Grange, and in religion he inclines to the Baptist Church, in which he was reared. and of which his wife is a devout member. Politically he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and at

times he has held local offices, having served fifteen consecutive years as township auditor. In 1853 he married Miss Henrietta Rau, daughter of Valen- tine and Elizabeth Rau, well known residents of Pittston, Luzerne county. Two children came of this union: (I) Martha, born in 1853, at the homestead, received a public-school education, and was married to Charles L. Tobey, a jeweler in Scranton; they have one daughter, Pearl. (2) Harry, born in 1855, was educated in the schools of Stroud township, and after teaching success- fully for some time engaged in business with his father ; he married Miss Laura Detrick, of Stroud township, and has three children, Myrtle, May and Stanley.

EDWARD GILLEN. Those lives are often deepest which run with a smooth, unruffled surface. The subject of this sketch is a man of quiet and un- ostentatious manner, yet he has accomplished more work than falls to the lot of the average citizen. He has won a lasting place in the hearts of his many friends, who appreciate his abilities and sterling worth. As millwright and as farmer, he is now a resident of Middletown township, Susquehanna county.

For more than a half century the family have been grafted to the soil of that fertile locality. and in numerous ways he has proved its inherent strength and vitality. Our subject was one in a family of fourteen children. His father, after whom he is named, was born in 1810 in Londonderry, Ireland. He was educated in the schools of his native coun- try, and when a young man emigrated to America. Locating first in Philadelphia, he there married Miss Margaret McGargle, of that city. In 1840 he moved to Bradford county, Penn., where he lived for about eight years. He then purchased the Rexford farm in Middletown township, where he remained through life. He erected a good house and barns on this place, cleared up a large portion of the land. and made one of the fine homes in that vicinity. He died on this home in 1886, his worthy Christian wife surviving him three years. They were con- sistent members of the Catholic Church. In politics Edward Gillen was a Democrat.

The fourteen children born to them were as follows : ( I) James Gillen was born in 1835, in Phila- delphia. He was well educated, and for many years was one of the leading teachers in Susquehanna and Wayne counties. He married Miss Almira Wood, of Bradford county, and first settled at Hall- stead, where he taught the higher schools. He also followed teaching at Honesdale and other cities. He died at Honesdale in 1897, leaving a widow and three children, Mattie, Melissa and Rebecca. all residents of Wayne county. (2) Robert Gillen, born in Philadelphia, married Miss Mary Cooney, of Mid- dletown, daughter of James and Lenora Cooney. He now resides in Friendsville, where he is post- master. He has two daughters, Catherine and Mar- garet. (3) Mary Gillen, twin sister of Robert, mar-

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ried James Delhanty, clerk in a dry-goods store at Hallstead, who died in 1870, leaving a widow and five children, Mary, wife of John McCormick, of Hallstead; Edward Delhanty; Sarah, wife of Bar- ney Degnam, of Middletown; Margaret, at home; Katie, wife of Samuel Carmondy, who died in Feb- ruary, 1891 ; and Edward, who was an employe of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co., and was killed in a wreck near Binghamton, N. Y., in November, 1896. (4) Benjamin Gillen, born at Philadelphia, died at the home when a young man of twenty years. (5) Elizabeth Gillen, twin sister of Benjamin, married John McCovey, of Bradford, and they settled at Elmira, N. Y. He died in 1885, leaving a widow, who still resides in Elmira. Mrs. McCovey has always been devoted to the work of the Catholic Church. She is a lady of culture, and has led a useful Christian life. (6) Edward Gillen, our subject, comes next. (7) John Gillen, born in Bradford county, married Sarah Powers, of Susquehanna county. They reside in Binghamton, N. Y., and eleven children were born to them : Anna, who married George A. Printice, of Deposit ; Abbie, who married Oliver L. Huntington, also of Deposit ; and George, Charlie, Frank, Mary, Jay, Veronica, Bell, Agnes and Hazel. (8 Cath- erine Gillen, born in Bradford, entered the Friends- ville schools, where she prepared for the Sisters School, at Lockport, N. Y. She is now Sister Mary Frances of the Lockport Convent. (9) Margaret Gillen prepared for the convent at Owego, N. Y., and is now Sister Veronica of the Niagara Con- vent. (10) Joanna Gillen, born at the old home in Middletown, remained with her parents until their death. She then became manager of the home, where she lived, a devout Christian, until her death in April, 1899. She was greatly missed. Her life was spent in doing charitable work, and she was much loved by her people. ( II) Sarah Gillen, born in Middletown, resided at the old home during her life, dying in April, 1887. She was greatly beloved and respected for her charitable work. ( 12) Charles Gillen, born in Middletown, now resides in Bing- hamton, where he follows farming. ( 13) Sylvester Gillen, born at the old home farm in Middletown, is a graduate of the Riley Business College at Bing- hamton. He has followed teaching in Middletown district, and for two years taught in the Black Hills country and in Ohio. He remained with his par- ents during the latter part of their lives, and now has charge of the homestead. He is an intelligent man, and very highly respected in his community. (14) Agnes A. Gillen, born in Middletown at the old home, married John Redding, of Rush, Sus- quehanna county. They resided at Binghamton, where she died leaving four children, Mary, who was educated in the parochial schools of Bingham- ton, and is a very bright, scholarly young lady ; and Sarah, Francis and Leo, all students of the Bing- hamton schools.

Religiously this entire family have been devout members of the Catholic Church. The mother was

a thorough Christian woman, justly proud of her large family of children, all of whom were an honor to her.

Edward Gillen, our subject, was born in Brad- ford county, May 22, 1843. He was reared on the farm and received a good education in the neighbor- ing district schools. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for eight years. He was then, in 1869, employed in a tan- nery in the Muncy Valley. For eighteen years he was superintendent of Thorn & McFarland's tan- nery. He then accepted a responsible position with Thomas E. Proctor, the great Boston tanner, and had charge of the construction of numerous tan- neries in Clearfield, Jefferson, Mckean, Elk, and other counties. He is a natural mechanic, and a skilled one, and in whatever position he has been placed has been fully equal to the situation.

Some years ago he retired from this active life, and since then he has settled on the old home- stead which is now managed by himself and brother. He is a devout member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Gillen is quiet and unostentatious in manner, but possesses that en- ergy and force of character which proclaim the suc- cessful man. In whatever work he has undertaken thoroughness and completeness have been marked. He knows what should be done, knows how to do it, and is not satisfied with anything short of the best that is attainable. He holds the respect and high esteem of all who know him.

CHARLES GILLETT has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Salem township, Wayne county, for many years, his farm of two hundred acres being one of the best in that locality. He comes of good New England stock in both paternal and maternal lines, and his ancestors have been chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Joseph Gillett, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer in Connecticut throughout his life. Aaron Gillett, the father of our subject, was born in Con- necticut in 1800, and came to Pennsylvania in 1822, locating in Salem township, Wayne county, and after making a trip to Ohio he settled here perma- nently, engaging in business as a butcher while con- ducting a farm in Salem township. He was a man of excellent abilities, and possessed a good educa- tion for that time, being employed for a time as a teacher on his arrival in this section. He was active in local affairs, holding various township offices, and for years he was a prominent member of the Methodist Church in his neighborhood. He was married in Salem township to Miss Betsey Harford, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Samuel Harford, one of the earliest settlers at Purdytown, Wayne county. Aaron Gillett died in 1881, and his wife passed away March 17, 1891, at the age of eighty-three, the remains of both being interred in a cemetery in Salem township. Our subject was the eldest in a family of eight children, the others being: Harvey (deceased ), who married

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Miss Emma Brooks; Philemon, who married Miss Ella Engles, and resides in Salem township; Ezra, who married Miss Jane Buch (both are now de- ceased) ; Charlotte, who married Simon Lutz (both are now deceased) ; Diantha, wife of Columbus Delong, of Hemlock Hollow, Penn .; Sarah, de- ceased wife of Charles Delong, of Scranton, Penn. ; and Oliver, who met a soldier's death while serving in the United States army.

Mr. Gillett was born August 27, 1825, in Salem township, Wayne county, and remained at the old homestead with his parents until his mar- riage. His father gave him fifty acres of land for his home, and by his industry and judicious man- agement he secured other tracts from time to time until his farm reached its present handsome pro- portions. After residing there about twenty-one years, he decided to retire from active work, and accordingly removed to another home near Hamil- ton, where he is quietly spending the afternoon of his life in well-earned leisure. As a citizen he is much esteemed, and although he has not sought office he has at times served in different positions, including those of poor master and tax collector, holding the latter for two years. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and for thirty years past he has been a member of the Methodist Church near his home. On March 21, 1849, he was married in Salem township, to Miss Nancy Good- rich, and two sons have brightened this home: (I) Clayton, born January 9, 1850, died June I, 1872. (2) George, born December 21, 1853, owns the farm on which he lives as one of the success- ful agriculturists of Salem township, while he is also engaged in business as an undertaker; he married Miss Elizabeth Benning.

Mrs. Nancy (Goodrich) Gillett, who has proved herself a true helpmeet to her husband, is of Scotch descent in the paternal line, her great- grandfather, Enos Goodrich, who settled in Con- necticut at an early day, having been a native of Scotland. Seth Goodrich, the grandfather of Mrs. Gillett, was born in Connecticut, and in 1803 re- moved to this section, locating in Salem township, Wayne county, where he died in 1844, aged seventy years. His wife was Polly (Grover), a native of Con- necticut, also now deceased, and their remains now rest in the cemetery at Salem Corners. This worthy couple had the following children : Anson, father of Mrs. Gillett; George, who married Naby Moore; Phineas, who married Lucy Rathbone; Dwight, who never married; Nancy (Mrs. Zeniuis Nichol- son) ; Sallie ( Mrs. Lansing Hollister) ; and Re- becca (Mrs. Joseph Moore). Anson Goodrich was born in Middletown, Conn., and in 1803 accom- panied his parents to Salem township, Wayne coun- ty, where his father, purchased from Dr. Collins a small farm consisting of meadow land. As a boy he assisted in the work of the farm, and later he engaged in agricultural work on his own account, continuing until his death in 1861 at the age of sixty-nine. Politically he gave his support to the

Republican party and he was frequently chosen to township offices, while he was prominent in re- ligious work as a member of the Methodist Church. On Sunday, September 14, 1814, he was married by Rev. Lorenzo Dow to Miss Eunice Andrews, the ceremony being performed at Bidwell Hill, in a barn belonging to Mr. Hamlin. In those days large gatherings were often held in commodious barns, and although there were no costly presents or fash- ionable garments to display, the occasion was doubtless a joyous one. The Andrews family is well-known in this section, and the ancestors of Mrs. Goodrich, who were of old Connecticut stock, settled in Wayne county at an early date. She died in 1854 at the age of fifty-four, and her remains repose beside those of her husband in Salem ceme- tery. A large family of children blessed this union, the names with dates of birth being as follows : Julia, January 21, 1816, married Stephen Clark (now deceased), and resides in Salem township; George L., December 26, 1818, died some years ago, leav- ing a widow ( formerly Miss Louise Russell), who resides at Abington, Penn .; Mary, September 14, 1820, married Horace Bell (now deceased), and resides in Salem township; Lucy E., December 8, 1822, is the wife of L. W. Rohne, a retired resident of Minneapolis, Minn .; Sallie, September 10, 1824, married Charles Pelton, and both are now deceased ; Nancy M., January 13, 1828, is the wife of our subject ; Hiram B., June 13, 1830, married Miss Phœbe Quick, and is now living in retirement upon a farm in Salem township; Angeline, January 13, 1833, married John Bell (now deceased), and re- sides at Hawley. Wayne county ; Ermina and Ar- menia (twins). born October 25, 1835, died tin- married ; and Miss Martha, December 22, 1840, resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

GEORGE OLVER. Wayne county has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them, but have also been of important service to the community through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named George Olver, one of the leading citizens of Berlin township.

Mr. Olver was born December 28, 1824, in Cornwall, England, where his parents, John and Sarah ( Aunger) Olver, were born, reared and mar- ried. Both his paternal and maternal grandfathers, William Olver and Edward Aunger, spent their entire lives in that country. John Olver, with his wife and eleven children, sailed for the New World, arriving on these shores in June. 1831, and locating in Wayne county, Penn., where the family circle was increased by the birth of three children. In order of birth they are as follows : Thomas and John, now deceased ; William, who is now eighty years of age, and makes his home in Carbondale, Penn .; Richard, deceased; Edmond, a resident of Berlin township; Elizabeth, deceased wife of William Deckover, of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Sarah, widow

MRS. KEZIAH OLVER

GEORGE OLVER

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of Charles Treverton, of Beach Lake; George, the subject of this sketch; Frances, who died in Dy- berry township, Wayne county; James, a promi- nent citizen of Berlin township; Amos, who died young ; Daniel, a resident of Berlin township; Moses, who died in that township; and Joseph, who still lives on the old farm in the same township. This place the father purchased on coming to the coun- ty, converting the wild wooded tract into rich and productive fields. For six years he made his home in Bethany, and they returned to the home farm, where he died at the age of seventy-seven vears, honored and respected by all who knew him. In early life he was identified with the Episcopal Church, but later joined the Methodist denomina- tion, while in politics he was a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. His estimable wife lived to the ripe old age of eighty- eight vears, and died in 1874.

Reared upon the home farm, George Olver early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and for twenty-three years during his early life he successfully engaged in farming and lumbering. He then went to Beach Lake, where, in connection with his brother James, he embarked in mechandising, subsequently buying out the latter and conducting the business alone un- til 1892, when he sold his store to William Dunn. During the entire time he was engaged in business as a merchant he never sold any tobacco, it being against his principles to deal in that weed, let alone use it.

On October 2, 1850, Mr. Olver was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Spry, who is also a native of Cornwall, England. whence when a child of eleven years she was brought to the United States by her parents, Walter and Patience (Kinsman) Spry. natives of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Spry made their home in Berlin township, where the father died at the age of sixty-six years, the mother at the age of forty-two. Both were earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the father was a Republican in politics and a farmer by occupation. Their children were: Charles, who was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Berlin township; Keziah, the wife of our subject; Walter; James ; Frederick : Tomson, deceased; Daniel; Mrs. Anna Budd ; and Richard, a resident of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Olver have two daughters, the elder be- ing Martha, now the wife of Rev. J. W. Tamblyn, a Free Methodist minister of Brooklyn, N. Y., by whom she has ten children-Rev. William, also a preacher ; Anna ; George Olver; Albert; Arminta : Luella ; Jeremiah D .; Eva; Bessie; and Edson. Phobe P., the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Olver, is the wife of George C. Olver, of Berlin township, and has five children-Edna Rena, Grant George, Emmons J., Merritt Richard, and an infant unnamed.

Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Olver has been one of its stanch supporters, and

he most capably filled the office of township treas- urer, also that of postmaster at Beach Lake for years. Although his life has been a busy one, he has never neglected the holier duties, for as an earnest, con- scientious Christian gentleman he has taken an act- ive part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which organization he is a licensed ex- horter; for twenty years he has served as superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school, and has also been an exhorter and class leader in his Church, being at all times an active and zealous worker in the Mas- ter's cause or for the good of his fellow-men. The cause of temperance has also found in him a stanch supporter, and he has probably done more along these two lines for the good of the community than any other man in Berlin township. Time and money are as nothing to him if by their use he can further the cause of Christ, and better the individual or the community by aiding the downfall of the liquor traffic.

WILLIAM SEARFASS, who is now suc- cessfully engaged in farming at Brodheadsville, Monroe county, was born on the old Searfass home- stead in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe Co., Penn., March 12, 1841, and is a worthy representa- tive of one of the old and honored families of that locality.

William and Catherine (Bond) Searfass, par- ents of our subject, were natives of the same town- ship, the former born August 13, 1813, the latter on March 12, 1814. The paternal grandparents, William and Margaret (Everitt) Searfass, spent their entire lives in the same township, where the grandfather, who was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation, owned a very large tract of land which included most of the present site of Brodheadsville, and gave to each of his children a farm. The chil- dren were Juliann, who married Abraham Shiffer ; Catharine, who married Peter Fraley; Mary, who married Michael Getz; Margaret, who married Jacob Dorsheimer ; Daniel, who married Lucinda Seigle; Charles, who married Hannah Kresge; William, father of our subject; Samuel, who died unmarried ; Sallyann, who married Peter Burger ; Elizabeth, who married (first) Peter Shupp, and ( second) John Swartz. The paternal grandpar- ents, George and Christianna ( Hoodmaker) Bond, were also lifelong residents of Chestnut Hill town- ship, where the former engaged in farming and coopering. In their family were nine children: Christianna, wife of John Shiffer ; Catherine, moth- er of our subject; George: Sarah; Mary A .; Charles, married to Sally A. Krutz; Jacob, married to Levina Metzgar; Joseph, married to Sarah Stainer ; and Simon, married to Annie Frey.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 234

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