Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 251

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 251
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 251
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 251
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 251

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To Mr. and Mrs. Biesecker were born two chil- dren, namely: Jacob, who married Minnie Simons and is engaged in farming at Hollisterville, Wayne county ; and Carrie, who married Ward Sheerer, of Maplewood, Penn., and died leaving one child- Ethel. Poltically Mr. Biesecker is an ardent Re- publican, but has never cared for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business in-

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terests. Socially he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and religiously both he and his wife are sincere and faithful members of the Baptist Church. They are widely and favorably known throughout their county, their sterling worth and many excellencies of character winning for them the friendship of all with whom they come in contact.

WILLIAM H. REYNOLDS, an honored vet- eran of the Civil war and a leading citizen of Oak- land township, owns and operates a valuable farm, whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision. Substantial improvements are surrounded by well-tilled fields, and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found.

Mr. Reynolds is a native of New York, born in Greene county, in November, 1844, and is a son of John and Jrefa (Watters) Reynolds, both of whom were born in the town of Jacksonville, Greene coun- ty, the father in 1819. After residing in Delaware county, N. Y., for some years they came to Oakland township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., in 1856, and bought a farm, on which the father still lives at the age of eighty years, but his wife is now deceased. Leaving his wife and five children he enlisted during the Civil war in the 137th N. Y. V. I., for three years, and at the battle of Gettysburg he was so seriously wounded in the shoulders that he was disabled for further duty. Our subject is the eldest of his children. (2) Martha J. is now the wife of Martin Pooler, of Oakland borough. (3) Mary is the wife of Isaac Kent, of the same place, and has five children. (4) Watson, born in Delaware coun- ty, N. Y., lives in Oakland borough and by his mar- riage has two children. (5) Betsy is the wife of Noah Chamberlain, of Oakland, and has seven children.

During his boyhood, the subject of this sketch was given the advantages of a district school edu- cation, and upon his father's farm he grew to man- hood. At the age of eighteen years he offered his services to the government in her efforts to suppress the Rebellion, enlisting in Company F, 112th P. V. I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. As a recruit he joined his regiment in front of Peters- burg and was placed on picket duty the first night. He took part in the engagement at Chase's farm, and later was in several skirmishes while the head- quarters of the regiment was near the Appomattox river. They followed Lee's army to Richmond and after the surrender of that general were stationed at Petersburg until July, 1864, when they were dis- charged at Fortress Monroe.

Prior to entering the army Mr. Reynolds mar- ried Miss Mary E. Tanner, of Susquehanna, a daughter of George Tanner, and then bought a farm in Oakland township, upon which he made , some improvements, but later sold his first pur- chase and bought his present farm in 1865. Here

his wife died in 1868, leaving two children: Ida, who was born in Susquenanna, in 1865, and died at the age of fourteen years; and George, who died in childhood. For his second wife he married her sister, Miss Wealthy Tanner, who died with con- sumption inside of two years. He next wedded Miss May Munson, who died twelve years later, leaving three daughters: Jennie and Minnie, who have received good educations and are at home with their father ; and Grace, wife of Ernest Pettis, of Susquehanna. In 1886, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage with Mrs. Hustey, who was born in Broome county, N. Y., in . 1861, a daughter of R. H. and Sarah Atwell. She was educated in the dis- trict and private schools of Windsor, and when a young lady gave her hand in marriage to Chauncey Hustey, of Delaware county, N. Y., by whom she had one daughter, Myrtle, who married Lewis Mc- Kinney, of Oakland, and now resides in Great Bend township, Susquehanna county. By his last marriage our subject has no children.

In 1893 Mr. Reynolds erected upon his farm a fine residence with every modern convenience ; has cleared his entire farm and placed it under a high state of cultivation, and now has one of the best improved and most desirable places of the locality. Although he started out in life a poor boy, he has by his own honest industry and good management accumulated the means to make him independent. In 1894 he became manager of the poor farm of Oakland township, which he most satisfactorily conducted for three years, and then returned to his own farm. He has always cast his ballot with the Republican party but has never been an aspir- ant for office, though he has filled a number of local positions. He is an honored member of the Grand Army Post of Susquehanna, and he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they were both reared. They have an adopted son, Karl W. Reynolds, now two years old.

SILAS H. SMITH, a prosperous and highly esteemed agriculturist of Rush township, is a native of Susquehanna county, and since attaining to man's estate has been prominently identified with its farm- ing interests. He was born in Auburn township, January 9, 1857, a son of Samuel and Urania (Leon- ard) Smith, also natives of Susquehanna county, where they were married April 8, 1850. Through- out life the father followed the occupation of farm- ing, and during the Civil war he served as second lieutenant of Company H, 147th P. V. I. He was born July 9, 1825, and died in Rush township, Janu- ary 13, 1891, while the mother was born April II, 1832, and died December 13, 1872, and they now sleep side by side in the Rush Center cemetery. Their children were as follows: Albert L., born July 21, 1851, is now a resident of Scranton, Penn. ; Sally W., born October 30, 1854, is the wife of Samuel S. Stone, of Scranton; Silas H., our sub- ject, is the next in order of birth; Jerome W., born

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March 5, 1859, is a resident of Rush; Stella M., born June 26, 1864, is the wife of George Lincoln, of Birchardville ; and James R., born June 22, 1866, is deaf and dumb. The father was a second time married, June 7, 1873, this union being with Mrs. Elmira (Sebring) Dickerson. Our subject's pa- ternal grandfather was John Smith, of Auburn township, Susquehanna Co., Penn.

During his boyhood and youth Silas H. Smith remained with his parents, and at the age of eigh- teen began working as a farm hand for others, being thus employed for nine years. He was then mar- ried and located upon his .present farm, where he has since lived with the exception of two years spent on another farm in Rush township. In con- nection with agricultural pursuits, for four sum- mers he engaged in peddling meat. He has pros- pered in his undertakings and is now the owner of two fine farms. He is acknowledged to be one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of his com- munity, as well as one of its most upright and re- liable citizens. In politics he is a Republican.

On December 1, 1883, in Rush, Penn., Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah E. Kunkle, and they have become the parents of two children : Cleon L., born April 19, 1885; and Raymond L., born June 12, 1894. Mrs. Smith was born in East Rush, Susque- hanna county, April 29, 1860, and being provided with a good practical education, she commenced teaching school at the age of sixteen years, and successfully taught two terms of three months each. She then served an apprenticeship to the milliner's trade, and later conducted a millinery shop of her own until 1897, when she sold out owing to poor health. She is a most estimable lady who has the respect of all who know her, and in the conduct of her business affairs displayed remarkable ability.

Mrs. Smith's parents were John H. and Sarah (Spragle) Kunkle, natives of Monroe county, Penn., who made their home in Kunkletown until 1851, then removed to Warren county, N. J., and seven years later became residents of Rush town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn. The father, who in early life followed milling and later farming, was born January 29, 1811, and died in 1877; while the mother was born January 17, 1817, and died July 5, 1888, their remains being interred in Rush Center cemetery. Their children were Jerry, deceased ; George, now deceased, was a soldier of the Civil war; Edna, deceased; Jacob S. died in the army during the Rebellion ; William C., a farmer of Rush township; Catherine, widow of R. S. Loose, of Liberty township, Susquehanna county ; John W. also died in the army; Rebecca is the wife of Asa W. Hickok; Martha is the wife of D. L. Bunnell, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Edwin M. died in infancy ; Mary F. married Kirby Bunnell, a farmer of Rush township; Ella S. married Randolph Wilcox, a huckster of Rush township; and Sarah E. is the wife of our subject. Her paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca (Huston) Kunkle, of Mon-

roe county ; and her maternal grandparents were Jacob S. and Catherine (Myers) Spragle, also of that county.

GEORGE W. DANIELS, deceased. It is dif- ficult for the rising generation to realize the changes that have been brought about in this section within an average lifetime, but Mr. Daniels, late a venerable and highly-esteemed resident of White Mills, Wayne county, could recall the time when that locality was a veritable "howling wilderness." During his span of life fertile farms and busy cities took the place of the forests which once stretched unbroken over hill and valley, and he had many interesting remin- iscences of the early time to relate. As a boy he became inured to all the trials and hardships of "backwoods" life, and as a man he did effective work in supporting the progressive movements which have brought about our present high state of culti- vation.

Mr. Daniels was born May 27, 1822, at Pal- myra, Wayne county, son of Russell and Cynthia (Kellam) Daniels, who were among the earliest settlers in that locality. They were born, reared and married in Wayne county, and for a short time after their marriage resided at Tafton, Pike Co., Penn., where the father purchased a small tract of land, improving it for a homestead. Later he bought a large amount of real estate at the present site of Hawley, and there made his permanent home, clearing out an extensive farm. The timber from the tract was disposed of to good advantage, and for a number of years he was among the lead- ing lumbermen on the Lackawaxen and Delaware rivers. He was a man of strong character, and he and his estimable wife were active workers in re- ligious and educational movements, helping to found schools and Churches in the community. He died December 8, 1863, and she survived him but a few years, her death occurring at the home of her daugh- ter, Mrs. Electa Bassett, of Honesdale. This ex- cellent couple had eight children, whom they reared to lives of usefulness and honor: (1) Frank, born at Hawley, in 1819, remained on the homestead for some years of his early manhood, but later removed to White Mills, where he purchased property. He died there in 1885, and his widow, formerly Miss Victorine Dexter, of Wayne county, died in August, 1897. They had five children, Elmore, Ida, Arthur, Cora and Myra. (2) George W., our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (3) Ira, born at Hawley, resided there until his death, in 1895. He married Miss Margaret Atkinson, of Wayne coun- ty, who survived him with five children, Howard, William, Fannie, Delaphine and Lizzie. (4) Mar- tin, born at Hawley, resides at Scranton, Penn., where he is employed in the car shops. He mar- ried Miss Mary Compton, of Wayne county, and they have two children, Edith and May. (5) Ed- win, born at Hawley, married Mary Bailey, of Wayne county, and still resides in that county.

GEORGE W. DANIELS

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(6) Dighten was born at Hawley, where he still resides, being employed in the railroad depot. He married Miss Fanny Snyder, of the same town, and they have four daughters, Annie (wife of Os- car Ridgeway), Jennie (wife of Mortimer Ball, of Hawley), Nellie, and Lulu. (7) Elizabeth, born at Hawley, in 1830, married a Mr. Slocum, of Chi- cago, Ill., and died some years ago, leaving two children, George, and Emma (now Mrs. Moss, of Chicago). (8) Electa, born in 1837, at Hawley, is the widow of John Bassett, of Honesdale. Six children also survive-Russell, who is married and resides in Kansas City; Anna, wife of William Hanton, of Chicago; Elizabeth, who resides with her mother, at Honesdale; James, who is married and resides in Canada; and Herbert and Charles, who are residents of Honesdale.

George W. Daniels was reared at the old home- stead at Hawley, and until he reached his majority assisted his father upon the farm. On leaving home he engaged in boating, on the Delaware & Hudson canal, carrying lumber and coal from Honesdale, Penn., to Rondout, N. Y., a distance of 108 miles. After spending one year in this occupa- tion he resumed his work upon the homestead, which he continued until his marriage, November 2, 1844, to Miss Lura Dexter, daughter of John and Lura Dexter, well-known pioneers of New York State. Soon after this event Mr. Daniels set- tled upon a farm at Purdytown, Wayne county, be- longing to his father, and engaged in stock raising, dealing largely in horses, of which he had many fine ones. He remained there about ten years, when he returned to Hawley and followed teaming for some time. In 1865 he purchased the old Perry homestead, of 150 acres, at White Mills, where he continued to reside until his death, October 26, 1899, his attention being devoted to agricultural work until his retirement from active business, in 1885. He always took an intelligent interest in public af- fairs, and was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. While never an office- seeker, he did not hesitate to do his duty as a citizen, and his interest in educational matters was shown by his active service for more than fifteen years as a school director. During the Civil war he was drafted, but paid $300 for a substitute and remained at home. The family is identified with the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Daniels was a consistent member until her death, on April 30, 1885. She was a faithful helpmeet, sharing cheerfully all the hardships of her husband's life, and her influence was a lasting inspiration to him."

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniels : (1) Cynthia, born in Purdytown, August 22, 184-, married David Bishop, of. Hawley, and after his decease wedded Erastus Hadglon, of Ariel, Wayne county, where she now resides. She has five chil- dren, all by her first marriage, Lulu, Freeman, George, Frederick and Charles. (2) Lura, born in 1847, in Wayne county, married Joel Fish, and 63

removed to Blackberry, Ill., where her husband died some years ago. She returned to Wayne coun- ty with her three sons, George, Joseph and Lewis, and died in 1889. Her sons, who are now grown to manhood, were reared under the kindly care of their grandfather and their aunt Amanda. (3) Miss Amanda, born in Wayne county, August 2, 1849, received a classical education in the schools of White Mills, and her refinement and culture have made her a leader in the best social circles of the locality. She takes an active part in Church and Sunday-school work, and for some years has had entire charge of the home, having relieved her mother's last days from care, and proving her fa- ther's chief comfort in old age. (4) Emma died in early womanhood. (5) Edith died at the age of eight years. (6) Martha died at the age of five.

J. J. STRICKLAND, a progressive and ener- getic farmer of Springville township, Susquehanna county, is a worthy representative of one of the most prominent and distinguished families of that section of the county. He traces his ancestry back to Stow Strickland, who was probably a native of England and settled in Connecticut at an early day. His son, Jonathan Strickland, the great-grandfather of our subject, is believed to have been born in the Nutmeg State. For some time he lived in what was known as the stone tavern near Shohola Falls, Pike Co., Penn., and later came to Springville town- ship, Susquehanna county. He was a millwright by trade and during his residence in Pike county operated an up and down mill. He married and his wife died November 25, 1815, while his own death occurred July 3, 1816. To them were born four children, all now deceased, namely: Jonathan ; Sylvester, grandfather of our subject; Sarah, wife of Jeremiah Rosengrant ; and Phœbe, wife of Samuel Sutton, of Springville township.

Sylvester Strickland was born near Shohola Falls, Pike Co., Penn., August 7, 1791, and from there moved to Wyoming county, where he was married September II, 1811, to Miss Rachel Taylor, who was born in Connecticut, June 3, 1792, and when a child was taken to Wyoming county, Penn., by her parents, Obediah and Rhoda (Wilcox) Taylor. Her father died October 27, 1830, her mother January I, 1855. On leaving Wyoming county, Sylvester Strickland came to Susquehanna county, and in Springville township purchased 120 acres of wild land, of which he cleared a large portion and con- verted it into well tilled fields. His political support was given the Republican party, and he most ac- ceptably filled the office of supervisor of his town- ship. He died October 1, 1876, and his wife passed away May 21, 1868. To them were born the fol- lowing children: Harriet, deceased wife of Calvin Rogers, of Springville township; Ezra, deceased ; Isaac, who died during his service in the Civil war ; Susana, deceased wife of Theron Marcy, of Wyom- ing county ; Esther, deceased wife of J. W. Fisk,

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of Morrison, Whiteside Co., Ill .; John, father of our subject ; Alfred, deceased, who engaged in farm- ing near Omaha, Neb .; Philander, a resident of Springville township; Ruth, wife of Preston Mary- ott, a farmer of Springville township; Theron, also a resident of that township; and Clarissa, deceased wife of Martin Park, of the same place.

John Strickland, our subject's father, was born in Springville township, November 10, 1822, and there spent his entire life. In 1848 he bought eighty- one acres of wild land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he turned his attention after erecting thereon a house and barn, and to the original purchase he afterward added fifty-two acres. At different times he bought and sold other property, but retained his first farm which he suc- cessfully operated until called from this life, Oc- tober 16, 1890. He was a strong Republican in political sentiment, and served as overseer of the poor. On March 26, 1848, he wedded Miss Mary C. Kintner, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Stucker) Kintner, who were married January 14, 1819. Her father was born in Pike county, Penn., December 3, 1791, and died April 17, 1877. His father was Conrad Kintner, a native of Smithfield township, Monroe county, now Pike county, who married Christiana Puss, and to them were born five sons and seven daughters, nearly all of whom lived to a ripe old age. To Jacob and Elizabeth (Stucker) Kintner were born the following chil- dren : Angeline, now eighty years of age, is the wid- ow of George Carney, of Wyoming county ; Thomas, deceased, was a resident of Meshoppen, Wyoming county ; Mary C., mother of our subject, was born November 16, 1821 ; Christiana is the wife of Jack- son Mowry, of Meshoppen; Sarah is the widow of Frank Siegfried, of Wyoming county ; Conrad died at the age of thirty-six years; Mary Margaret died young ; and John died leaving a family.

J. J. Strickland is the youngest in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Eliza- beth, now the wife of W. H. Squire, of Wyoming county ; Sophronia, who is living on the old home- stead with her mother; Jacob, who died at the age of six and a half years ; Ella, wife of J. C. Reynolds, of Wyoming county ; Sarah, widow of John Squire, of Springville township, Susquehanna county ; J. Edwin, who died in infancy ; and Christina Lavina, wife of L. H. Gregory, a farmer of Dimock town- ship, Susquehanna county. Our subject was born in Springville township, May 26, 1864, was reared on the old homestead and began his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. Later he at- tended the Mansfield State Normal, and on com- pleting the course returned to the home farm. In connection with agricultural pursuits, he was for several years successfully engaged in teaching school in Springville township. He now owns and operates the old homestead, consisting of 133 acres all cleared and under a high state of cultivation, and is also agent for farm implements. He raises considerable

corn and oats, and for dairy purposes has twenty COWS.

In Wyoming county, June 27, 1889, Mr. Strick- land was married by Rev. C. H. Sackett, a Metho- dist Episcopal minister, to Miss Dora B. Vose. Her parents, James L. and Amanda E. (Yamer) Vose, have spent their entire lives in that county, where the father was engaged in milling until 1890, and has since carried on an insurance business. Our subject and his wife have a little daughter, Elta Blanche, born July 26, 1892. Mr. Strickland casts his ballot for the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and is now efficiently serving his ninth year as auditor of his township. He attends and supports the Evangelical Church, of which his mother is a member. As a business man he is straightforward and reliable, and as a citizen meets every requirement.

A. W. MILES. This prominent farmer and business man of Lenox township, Susquehanna county, is of the third generation of the pioneers of northeastern Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Thomas Miles, a native of Connecticut, migrated to Susquehanna county early in the present century with his wife, Polly Vose, and settled in Dimock township, where he purchased a farm and reared a large family of children, namely: James, Betsy, Maria, Lucy, Jonathan, Jasper, Cordelia, William, John Orey and Riley. Of these, Jasper, the father of our subject, was born in Dimock township. He was married in Bradford county to Ursula Black. For some years after his marriage he lived in Dim- ock township, then moved to Auburn township, where he owned and operated a farm of considera- ble size. He then farmed for some years in Bridge- water township, whence he removed to Dimock township and died near the old homestead, aged forty-one years. His wife subsequently married J. J. Green, of Elk county, Penn., and died in Septem- ber, 1895, aged seventy-nine years. The family of Jasper and Ursula Miles consisted of the following children: Burton E., a farmer of Ridgway, Elk county, owning about eight hundred acres of land ; Alonzo W., subject of this sketch; Sarah, who died at the age of one year; Mary, who married E. M. Tiffany, a merchant of Hopbottom, and is now de- ceased ; Albert, deceased; Frank, deceased; and Thomas J., a painter of Sherman, Chautauqua coun- ty, New York.

Alonzo W. was born in Auburn township, Sus- quehanna county, December 25, 1842. He was reared in that county, attending the district schools and also the graded schools at Spring Hill. He left home at the age of nine years, when his father died, and lived with one family for seven years. He en- listed September 12, 1861, in Company D, 50th N. Y. Engineers, and remained continuously in service until discharged August 15, 1865, serving on the regular detail to construct roads, build pontoon bridges, etc. The regiment was the largest in ser- vice, having a force of 1800 men. It was stationed

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in Virginia throughout the war and was actively en- gaged during the battles of Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor and Yorktown. After his discharge from the government service Mr. Miles was engaged for eight years in the mercantile business in Pittston. He was then engaged for two years as stationary engineer of the Glenwood tannery. Removing to Hopbottom he was for eighteen years salesman with E. M. Tiffany. In October, 1896, he located at West Lenox, where he bought a farm, erected a store and has since engaged in mercantile pursuits in connec- tion with extensive and successful fruit farming.

Mr. Miles was first married to Nellie Alexan- der ; she died leaving one child-Bert C., born March 7, 1873, who served in Company C, 13th P. V. I., during the Spanish-American war. The second wife of our subject was Miss Nettie Hardy. After her death he married Elizabeth E. Crandall, the daughter of William P. Crandall, of Hopbottom. After her death Mr. Miles married his present wife, Lida L. Lawrence, adopted daughter of Seymour Lawrence, of Lenox township. In politics Mr. Miles is a stanch Republican. At Hopbottom he was frequent- ly called upon to fill local offices, including those of burgess (for two terms), and school director. He was elected the first high constable of the borough. Mr. Miles was formerly a member of the G. A. R.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 251

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