Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 246

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 246
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 246
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 246
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 246

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PETER BENNETT

MRS. ANN BENNETT

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township. By that union our subject had three children, namely : Elizabeth, who died young ; Sarah Emaline, wife of G. H. Stevens, a prominent auctioneer and street commissioner of Peckville, Penn. ; and Benjamin F., a leading merchant and postmaster at Clifford. Mr. Bennett was again married, in 1872, his second union being with Mrs. Ann (Stage) Stewart, who was a native of Clifford, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Schoonover) Stage, the former of whom was a shoemaker by trade. She passed away in November, 1896. To this marriage was born one child, who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Bennett had one child by her first marriage. Ella Maud Stewart, who now makes her home with our subject.

Since coming to Clifford township Mr. Ben- nett has been almost continually in office, having served as township supervisor, auditor, school director, poormaster, etc. He is a supporter of the Republican party, and, in religious connection, a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During his long residence in Susquehanna county he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every en- terprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. After such a useful and hon- orable career he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement.

WILLIAM J. RHINEVAULT, a well-known blacksmith and highly respected citizen of Fairdale, is a native of Susquehanna county, born in Forest Lake township, June 28, 1850, a son of John and Mahala (Strickland) Rhinevault, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Susquehanna county. Both died in Forest Lake township and were buried in Fair Hill cemetery. The father, who was by occupation a farmer and mason, was born June 27, 1785, and died April 7, 1856; the mother, born May 22, 1803, died March 26, 1885. Both were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was the only child born of their union, but both parents had other children by previous marriages. The father first married Anna Gray, and the children born to them were as follows: Eunice, deceased, first married a Mr. Thorp, and second John Strange; John G. is deceased; Mary A., born August 1, 1812, is now the widow of Charles Trobridge, and a resident of Vestal, N. Y .; Sally is deceased ; Rev. Seamour, a Methodist Episcopal minister, is also deceased; Alfred S. was one of the boys in blue during the Civil war, was captured, and starved to death in Andersonville prison; Orman B. is also deceased ; Anna, deceased, married Nathan Weston; Men- ville is a resident of Allegany county, N. Y .; Syl- vester P. was shot through the head at the battle of the Wilderness; Ezra, deceased, was also a sol- dier in the Civil war; Andrew J. is a resident of Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y .; and Myron P., Al-

mira and Chester D. are all deceased. The mother of our subject first married James Ball, by whom she had six children, namely: Rebecca, Lavina, Julia, Clarinda, Hiram and Edward (a soldier of the Union army). Her second husband was the father of our subject, and the third was Jeremiah Rosenkrantz; she had no children by the last mar- riage.

At the age of fourteen years William J. Rhine- vault began the battle of life for himself, first work- ing as a farm hand for different people. When eighteen he commenced learning the blacksmith's trade in Rush township, Susquehanna county, with Bela Giffin, with whom he remained for six months, and the same length of time was employed in the blacksmith shop of Jack Brewster, in Montrose. He then engaged in farming and lumbering until 1883, when he resumed work at his trade, opening a shop of his own at Fair Hill, in Forest Lake township, where he carried on farming operations in connection with his trade until coming to Fair- dale in April, 1897. He has since devoted his at- tention to blacksmithing. He is an expert mechanic and a good workman, and has met with a well- deserved success in his undertakings. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and politically is identified with the Democratic party. For six years he efficiently served as school director in For- est Lake, and a trust reposed in him has never been misplaced.

On December 22, 1870, in Forest Lake, Mr. Rhinevault was married to Miss Sarah Warner, and they have become the parents of two children: Mahala E., at home; and Fred E., who during the war with Spain enlisted in Company G, 13th P. V. I., and was stationed at Camp Mckenzie. Mrs. Rhinevault was born in Pike township, Bradford Co., Penn., July 24, 1849, and is a daughter of Samuel A. and Betsey A. (Marsh) Warner, also natives of Bradford county. Her father entered the Union service during the war of the Rebellion, and was starved to death in Andersonville prison, dying at the age of forty-five years; her mother is still living, at the age of seventy-six years, and now makes her home in Herrickville, Penn. The chil- dren born to them were as follows: John, a resi- dent of Herrickville; Sarah, wife of our subject ; Oscar, a resident of Welcome, Minn .; Flaville, a resident of Maple Works, Wis .; Josephine, wife of Charles S. Wells, of Herrickville; and Samuel E., who was drowned at the age of twelve years.

HENRY C. SPAFFORD, one of the worthy citizens of Susquehanna county, and well known as a dairy farmer, was born in Middletown town- ship, that county, November 20, 1844, a son of Milton R. and Lucy (Sheldon) Spafford, both natives of New Hampshire.

Milton R. Spafford was a son of Samuel Spaf- ford, who came from the old Granite State in the early days of Susquehanna county, and became one of the pioneers of Middletown township. Samuel

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Spafford cleared up a farm. In his family were the following children: Samuel, who married, lived and ched in Middletown township; Betsey, who married Joab Pierce, and lived in Warren, Bradford Co., Penn .; Mary, who married Daniel Baxter, and died in Middletown township; Milton R., our subject's father ; Silas, who first settled in Friendsville, Penn., and then went to Wisconsin, where he still lives; and Mehitable, who married Miles Baldwin, of Middletown township. Milton R. Spafford bought his father's old home in Mid- dletown, and there lived and died. He passed to his last rest in July, 1872, and his wife, who in her maidenhood was Lucy Sheldon, died in 1888. He was always a supporter of either the Whig or Re- publican parties, and served acceptably in a num- ber of local offices. To Milton R. Spafford and wife were born six children, namely: (I) Milton L. enlisted for service in the war of the Rebellion in Company D, 50th P. V. I., and served eighteen months, when he became ill and was sent home, dying in 1863, aged twenty-five years. He was in a number of battles, and was on board the "Win- field Scott" in her South Carolina engagement. (2) Abijah enlisted at the first call for troops in 1861, becoming a member of Company G, 5th New York Cavalry, and served under Gen. Phil Sheri- dan. He re-enlisted, and before the war closed had been promoted to second lieutenant. At the close of the war he settled upon a farm in Middle- town township, where he died in 1882. He mar- ried Annie Strange. (3) Lucy E. married Samuel Strange, of Bridgewater, who is now deceased, and his widow resides in Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y. (4) Henry C. is our subject. (5) Mary J. married S. J. Davis, of Bradford county, Penn., where she died leaving two children, Clara and Lucy. (6) Samuel L., of Lestershire, N. Y., married Emma Estus, and has six children, Anna, Jennie, Blanche, Samuel, Julia and Lucy.

Henry C. Spafford received his literary train- ing in the district schools of Middletown town- ship, and passed his time out of school hours assist- ing in the work on the farm. When the cannon that thundered over Fort Sumter awakened the North Mr. Spafford at once made ready to do bat- tle for the preservation of the Union. He enlisted in Company H, 22nd New York Volunteer Cav- alry, which was assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac, and served under Gen. Phil Sheridan until the close of the war, when he returned to his plow. In 1869 Mr. Spafford was united in marriage with Miss Adaline C. Stone, who was born in 1844, a daughter of James E. and Ammorillis ( Beebe) Stone, and was educated in the district schools. After their marriage the young couple purchased the old Stone homestead and continued to reside therein. They are active workers in the Baptist Church at Birchardville, and take a great interest in charitable work. Politically Mr. Spafford has ever given his hearty support to the men and meas- ures of the Republican party ; he has held the offices

of school director and supervisor, and has served as a member of the election board a number of times. He is a member of Rising Sun Grange, of Birchardville, and finds great enjoyment in re- counting tales of the smiles and tears of the dark days of the Rebellion with other "boys in blue" at Four Brothers Post, G. A. R., Montrose. Of un- sullied reputation for honesty and integrity, he has won and maintained the respect of his fellowmen.

James E. Stone, father of Mrs. Spafford, was born in Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county, a son of Canfield and Elmira ( Bostick ) Stone, natives of Connecticut, who came West in the early pioneer days. James E. Stone erected the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Spafford now reside. He died in 1860. He married Ammorillis Beebe, a native of Apolacon township, and to them were born seven children: Adaline C., Mrs. Spaf- ford; Diamond B., now a resident of the State of Washington ; Eunice A., wife of C. W. Peckens, a railroad engineer of Rochester, N. Y .; Canfield, a hotel-keeper at Hopbottom, Penn., who was in the regular army three years; Horatio B., a farmer of Forest Lake township; James J., a farmer of Pike, Bradford Co., Penn .; and Charlotte A., who was educated at Factoryville, Penn., and later was grad- uated from the Normal School at Mansfield, Penn., becoming a successful teacher in Susquehanna county prior to her marriage to Rev. P. R. Tucker, of Chicago. She is a lady of high culture and fine personal attainments.

ELEAZER PRICE. To a lineage which antedates the Revolutionary war the subject of this sketch added luster by heroic service during the Civil war. He is a prominent farmer and lumber- man of Barrett township, Monroe county, ranking high among its foremost citizens. The ancestral history of Mr. Price is rich in historic events.

His great-grandfather, John Price, was a native of Bucks county, Penn., of English extraction, and in religious faith was a Quaker. He came to what is now Monroe county as early as 1765, and was. one of the few fortunate settlers who escaped the Indian raids and massacres which occurred on Brodhead's creek, near the place he had settled. During those troublesome days John Price con- cealed his family until the savages had departed. On Brodhead's creek he cleared up a small farm, and here he remained through life. The problem of living was then much simpler than now. Wild game abounded in the surrounding forests, and furnished an abundance of meat. Upon this small farm Mr. Price passed his days earning a liveli- hood, and he passed away at a good old age. He had a large family, the seven sons being as follows : Charles, who was killed at Fort Pitt during the war of 1812-15 : Ichabod, who was killed at Fort Meigs ; Joseph, who lived for a time at Shawnee, then migrated to Ohio; John, who married and lived on Brodhead's creek, where he died; Benjamin, who settled on the farm in Price township now owned

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

by Henry Lesoine; Samuel, who died on the old homestead in Barrett; and Eleazer, grandfather of our subject, who settled near the old homestead until later in life, when he moved across the creek into Price township.

Eleazer Price was born in what is now Price township in 1785. He married Rachel Drake, fol- lowed farming, and was killed by a train on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad near Stroudsburg. He raised a family of eight children, as follows: Maria, who married Jacob Henry, and settled in Pocono; Hulda, who married Nathan Chitister, and settled in Calhoun county, Mich .; Phyla, who was the wife of Charles Price, of Bar- rett township; Charles J., father of our subject ; Anna, who married James Mayo, and settled in Calhoun county, Mich. ; William, for a time a farmer of Barrett township, and in his later years a resident of Michigan; Perry, who married and remained through life on the old homestead ; and Joseph, the sole survivor of the family, who lived for many years on part of the old homestead, and now resides with his son-in-law, Charles Bush, in Price town- ship

Charles J. Price, the father of our subject, was born in Price township October 29, 1814, was reared on the old homestead in Price township, and re- ceived a limited education. He married Miss Su- sanna Yetter, who was born in Smithfield in 1818, and after marriage settled in Barrett township, near the Pike county line. In November, 1839, he bought a small improvement, where he cleared up a farm and remained through life. He died in 1895, his wife passing away in 1878. They reared a family of eight sons, as follows: (I) Mathias, born in November, 1837, at Brodhead's creek. He enlisted in Company F, 4th Regiment, Pennsylva- nia Reserves, Capt. George B. Keller, serving eight- een months in the McClellan campaign, was dis- charged for disability, and returning home died the same year. (2) Emery, born in Barrett in 1840, enlisted in February, 1864, in Battery D of a Penn- sylvania Artillery regiment, and served to the close of the war, being seriously wounded at the battle of Fort Harrison. Returning home at the close of the war, he was married to Sarah A. Pos- ten, of Price, and they now reside at East Strouds- burg. (3) Eleazer is the subject of this sketch. (4) Abram, born in Barrett in 1845, married Sarah A. Mole, of Sterling, Wayne county. They reside in Barrett, and have three children, Edith, Elsie and Alice. (5) Francis M., born in May, 1847, is married and lives in Sullivan county, Penn. (6) Sylvester, born in 1850, married Estella Clark, and lives in Barrett. They have three sons, Austin, Percy and Russell. (7) William, born in 1852, died when a young man. (8) Lafayette, born in 1854, married Annie Schroeder, of Stroudsburg, resides in Barrett township, and has eight children, Zola B. (one of the successful teachers of Barrett township), Francie S., Charles, William, Lulu, Harry, Willard and Eva.

Eleazer Price, our subject, was born in Bar- rett township August 28, 1842. He attended the Canadensis schools, three and one-half miles dis- tant, until 1860, when the township erected a school nearer his home. In 1864 he enlisted, at Easton, in Company D, 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery, the battery being sent to Camp Cadwallader, Philadel- phia, and remaining there until April, 1864, when it moved to Alexandria, Va. There the regiment was formed and named the "Provisional 2nd." Our subject was attached to Company E, under Capt. Holman, assigned to guard trains carrying provis- ions to the Army of the Potomac. On May 4, 1864, the regiment joined Burnside's corps, and our sub- ject participated in the battle of the Wilderness and in the engagements at Spottsylvania, North Anna River and Cold Harbor. The regiment marched to Petersburg, June 17, 1864, where its losses were extremely heavy, exceeding 200 men. Here our subject was held with his regiment dur- ing the siege, and engaged July 30 in the terrible battle of the mines, as it is known in history. Thence moving to the left, to the Weldon railroad, the command skirmished and joined the original regiment at Point of Rocks, Va. On September 29, 1864, it was engaged at the battle of Fort Har- rison, onr subject remaining on duty there until fall, when they returned to Point of Rocks and went into winter quarters. In the spring of 1865 they made a charge upon the enemy from Point of Rocks with the Ioth New York Heavy Artillery, but were entrapped by the Rebels, the Ioth New York losing 300 men and retreating. After the evacuation of Petersburg, April 2, the regiment was taken to Chester Station, on the Weldon railroad, for some time, proceeding to the city of Petersburg and doing provost duty until Lee surrendered. Mr. Price was honorably discharged in January, 1866, at City Point.

Returning to his old home in Monroe county, the young soldier engaged in lumbering. In 1869 he married Miss Julia Mole, daughter of William Mole, of Sterling, Wayne county. Purchasing a portion of his father's homestead, the part upon which stood the sawmill, our subject has since his marriage actively engaged in farming and lumber- ing. His wife died in April, 1873, leaving three children: Rufus L., Lyman N. and Annie J. Rufus L. was born in January, 1870, and is now living at Springfield, Mass., unmarried, and em- ployed in the hard rubber works. Lyman was born in April, 1872, has received a fair education, and is now filling the position of constable in Barrett town- ship. Annie, born in March, 1873, is the wife of William F. Monies, now assistant superintendent of the stove works at Pittston. In August, 1877, our subject married Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, of Mon- roe county, and by this marriage has one child, Ira S., born in June, 1878, and now at home; he is a bright young man, and for three years has been assistant secretary of the school board of Barrett. Mrs. Elizabeth Price died in November, 1883.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Later our subject married Miss Mary E. Deubler, of Barrett. Politically Mr. Price has always been identified with the Republican party. His father was a Democrat until 1860, when, approving the policy of the Republican party, he became one of its adherents, and voted therewith until his death. Our subject has held the office of tax collector, and has several times been elected to the office of school director of Barrett township. He is a member of Wadsworth Post, G. A. R., at Stroudsburg, and of the P. O. S. of A. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Church.

JOHN L. CAMPBELL, for the past ten years a care-taker of engines in the employ of the Erie Railway Co. at Tracyville, Wayne Co., Penn., is a well known man in his neighborhood. He is a native of the county, born in July, 1842, in Hones- dale, where his parents, James and Annie ( Mc- Clain) Campbell, were among the earliest settlers.

James Campbell was born and reared in Ire- land, and there married Annie McClain, who was also a native of that country, but received her edu- cation in France, where she had a fine classical training. In 1842 they left Ireland for America, and after landing in New York City proceeded by way of the Delaware & Hudson canal to Hones- dale, Wayne Co., Penn., which thriving place was then in its infancy. They made the journey along with the Blake brothers. Mr. Campbell commenced work at once with the Delaware & Hudson Co., and he remained in their employ until death claimed him, in 1871. From that time until her decease, which occurred in 1891, the widow made her home with her son John L. The parents were both mem- bers of St. Johns Catholic Church in Honesdale. Their family consisted of three children-Eliza- beth, John L. and Joseph, of whom Elizabeth was born in Ireland and remained there with her grand- parents until she was ten years of age, when she joined her parents in America. She received her schooling in Honesdale, obtaining a good practical education, and later learned dressmaking, which she has ever since followed, at present residing in New York City. She is unmarried. Joseph was born in Honesdale in 1856, ran away from home when ten years of age, and was last heard of in 1872, at which time he was in Texas. Daniel Campbell, the only brother of James, came to the United States a few years after him and settled in Carbondale, Lackawanna county, where he died, leaving two sons-John and Peter, who died and were buried in Honesdale-and one daughter, who is now the wife of Joseph Arthurs, and resides in Bethany, Pennsylvania.

John L. Campbell grew to manhood in Hones- dale, where he was given a fair training in the common branches during his attendance at the pub- lic schools. In early life he commenced railroad- ing on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road, on which he was employed for six years at Scran- ton, Penn., and later he worked three years for the

Delaware & Hudson Co. After his marriage he commenced boating on the Delaware & Hudson canal, at which he continued until 1873, handling anthracite coal for the eastern markets, principally Kingston, Tidewater and New York. He next engaged in boat building and repairing with Sam- uel B. Halley and Christopher Lane, and later worked for Mr. Thomas Sweeney for some years, after which he entered the axe factory of White & Co. as a skilled workman, remaining with them until he took his present position with the Erie Co., in 1887. He is employed as shifting engineer, or care-taker, and he bears the reputation of being an industrious, reliable man, steady in his habits and trustworthy in the capacity in which he is engaged. Mr. Campbell is a stanch Democrat in his political preferences, and he has taken quite an active part in the workings of his party and the public affairs of his locality. For twelve years he has held the office of school director in his township and he has also served as detective of the town for one year, having been the first man elected to that position. He is highly respected by all who know him.

In July, 1871, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Julia Welch, who was the youngest in the family of six children of William and Rose Welch, natives of Ireland, who came to this country and settled in Honesdale among its earliest residents. Their children were Mark; Mary, now Mrs. Henry Hagan, of Scranton, Penn .; William, who died in New York; Peter, who married and settled in New York; Thomas, a bargeman, who lives in Onondaga county, N. Y. ; and Julia, Mrs. Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell settled in Honesdale after their mar- riage, and a few years ago he purchased the old Welch homestead, now one of the comfortable homes in Tracyville, which he and his family have since occupied. Six children have blessed their union-William, born in May, 1873, lives at home ; Henrietta, born in December, 1875; Robert Leo, born in August, 1879, is engaged as clerk with Mayes & Hagan, of Scranton; Walter is shipping clerk for Mr. Leonard Guckenberger, of Hones- dale; Mary, born August 16, 1884, is attending school in Honesdale ; and Arthur, born in 1887, died in November, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are devout members of St. Johns Catholic Church in Honesdale, and socially he belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the same town.

CAPT. JOSEPH EDWIN WEBB (deceased) was a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Susquehanna county, who lo- cated here when this locality was a wild and un- improved region. Our subject was an important factor in its development and prosperity, and al- ways faithfully performed his duties of citizenship. He became widely and favorably known, made many friends, and his death was regarded as a loss to the entire community.

Capt. Webb was a native of Susquehanna coun- ty, born in Bridgewater township, October 22,

MRS. SUSANNAH POST WEBB

CAPT. JOSEPH EDWIN WEBB

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1817. He was a son of Stephen and Olive (Shal- lor ) Webb, who were born, reared and married in Connecticut, whence they came to Susquehanna county in 1812, locating in Bridgewater township, where the father followed his trade of shoemaking. The family, then consisting of parents and four children, made the journey in a wagon drawn by oxen, and with them brought a small stove, the iron frame of which is still used by the family in their fireplace. The father was born August 21, 1779, and died July 26, 1836, while the mother was born October 6, 1778, and died December 11, 1827, the remains of both being interred in Bridgewater cemetery. Their children were as follows: Eliza, born August II, 1804, died October 20, 1805 ; Ema- line, born July 13, 1806, married Oran Williams, and died February 19, 1853; James H., born April 1, 1808, died April 29, 1878; Lynda, born October II, 1810, married Jeremiah Stevens, and died May 6, 1867; Lucy A., born May 1, 1813, married Julius T. Williams, and died May 16, 1869; and Joseph E. completed the family. For his second wife the father married a Mrs. Warner, but no children were born to them.

In early life Capt. Webb engaged in mercan- tile business in Montrose, and also served as deputy postmaster at that place for three years. In 1842 he purchased the present homestead of the family, comprising 125 acres of wild land, which has since been transformed into one of the most desirable farms of the locality. He was ever quite promi- nently identified with public affairs, especially with the State militia, in which he served as first lieu- tenant and later as captain. His political support was always given to the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he was a recognized leader of the party in his community. He held several township offices, such as school director, etc., and gave a liberal support to all measures for the pub- lic good. He held membership in the Baptist Church at Montrose, and in all the relations of life was found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He passed away March 4, 1882, and was buried in Bridgewater township.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 246

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