Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 257

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 257
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 257
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 257
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 257

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In October, 1876, he married Augusta Pettis, daughter of S. A. and Elizabeth Pettis, of Mont- rose, and to our subject and wife have been born seven children: Julia E., a graduate of the Mont- rose high school and a student at Wyoming Semi- nary (she is a gifted elocutionist) ; Ray Dresser and William P., who are both with their father in the Democrat office; Pauline; Frances; Helen and Dorothy.

In 1896 Mr. Cruser received the unanimous support of Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties for the Democratic Congressional nomina- tion in this (15th) district, but the political situa- tion was such that it seemed best that the nomina- tion that year should go to a Bradford county man, and at a conference held at Tunkhannock Mr. Cru- ser offered to stand aside. He takes great in- terest in the affairs of the Susquehanna County Historical Society, the organization of which so- ciety was first suggested by him through his news- paper.

Mr. Cruser has a taste for "matters agricul-

N. C. Cruiser

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tural," and for the rearing of fine stock. For many years he had in mind the project of going West, to establish a cattle and horse ranch on lands he owns there, but his varied interests in Susque- hanna county, including his newspaper, were such as to prevent his putting this plan into execution. In lieu of it he purchased a fine farm close to Mont- rose, where he raises registered horses, registered cattle, registered Shropshire sheep, registered An- gora goats, etc .- the place being known as the "Suburban Stock Farm." He is a warm supporter of the Susquehanna County Agricultural Society, and of enterprises looking toward the bettering of the agriculturists of his locality, such as the canning factory, etc., and anything that promises good re- sults for the farmers as a class. He also assisted materially, through his paper and otherwise, toward securing the L. & M. railroad for Montrose.

IRA W. RYDER (deceased) was a prominent merchant and postmaster at Union Dale, Susque- hanna Co., Penn., at the time of his death, on De- cember 30, 1896, when he was sixty-two years of age. He was a native of Pleasant Mount, Wayne Co., Penn., and a son of Peter and Mary (Ledyard) Ryder, the former a native of Newburg, N. Y., the latter of Connecticut. When young they removed with their respective parents to Wayne county, Penn., where Peter Ryder followed farming throughout his active business life. He died in 1866, aged sixty-seven years, his wife in 1879, aged seventy-eight years, and both were buried in Sher- wood cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Their children were Amanda E., who died at the age of four years; Girden, who died in infancy ; Miranda E., who mar- ried Albert Thorngs, and died in March, 1887; and Ira W. and Sarah A., twins, the latter of whom is now the widow of Elias Westgate; and a resident of Union Dale.

In early life Ira W. Ryder, subject of this sketch, followed farming in Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, but in April, 1882, he removed to Union Dale and turned his attention to mercantile business, which he continued up to the time of his death. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, and had served about seven years in that office at the time of his death. He was a member of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a Democrat in politics.

On October 6, 1877, in Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, Mr. Ryder married Miss Jennie V. Washburn, a native of Ararat township, Susque- hanna county, and a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Ann ( Walker) Washburn, also natives of that town- ship. Both died in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, the father in September, 1892, at the age of sixty-four years ; the mother in July, of the same year, at the age of sixty-three, and they were laid to rest in Ararat, Penn. In their family were the following children: Laura, deceased wife of Morti- mer Davis; Caroline, wife of Albert Westgate, a

farmer of Burnwood, Penn .; Dora, wife of Frank Holland, a farmer of Jackson township; Nelson, who died in Ararat; Jennie V., widow of our sub- ject ; and Frank, a resident of Burnwood. The fa- ther was twice married, his first wife being Laura Scobart, by whom he had four children: Chester, John, Luman and Stephen, all now deceased.

With Mrs. Ryder boards MISS MINA R. NOR- TON, an accomplished young lady who is preparing herself for the teacher's profession. She attended the public schools until 1896, and during the fol- lowing two years was a student in the Scranton High School. She is a daughter of Lyman P. and Ella L. (Cardner) Norton, who were married in 1871, and had two children, the elder being Lewis W., who is in the employ of the Erie Railroad Co., at Union Dale, and also boards with Mrs. Ryder. The mother of these children, who was a daughter of Stephen Cardner, died in 1885, at the age of thirty-four years, and was buried in Uniondale cemetery. The father has been connected with the Montrose Democrat for the past eight years. He, also, resides at Union Dale.

FRANCIS FARNUM HAYDEN. Among the successful farmers of Herrick township, Sus- quehanna county, the subject of this sketch is de- serving of special mention, his homestead on Elk Mountain being one of the noted farms in the State. The place comprises 100 acres of land all wrested from the wilderness by his enterprise and energy, and the soil, though rough, is very rich. The loca- tion is beautiful, and the view is charming, as this is one of the four highest farms in the State of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Hayden has retired from active busi- ness, but for many years he carried on agricultural work on an extensive scale, and at one time he owned two other farms in the township. He was born April 5, 1828, at Roxbury, Mass., and is of good New England stock, his grandfather, Michael Hayden, having been a lifelong resident of Massa- chusetts ; he was employed in cotton mills as super- intendent.

Milton Hayden, our subject's father, was born December 15, 1798, at Roxbury, Mass., and settled in Benton township, Lackawanna Co., Penn., in 1818, after a few years returning to Roxbury. Later he again made his home in Lackawanna county, and in 1853 he located in Lenox township, Susquehanna county, where he continued in agri- cultural pursuits until his death, on February 7, 1862. He was an excellent citizen, and a leading member of the Clifford Baptist Church, in which he held office as clerk. On September 14, 1818, in Benton, Penn., Milton Hayden was married to Miss Roxey Farnum, who was born June 14, 1803, and died at the home of our subject, June 14, 1877, her remains being interred at Benton, Penn. Her par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. Eliab Farnum, were natives of Orange county, N. Y., but settled in an early day on a farm near Benton, this State. To the union of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Milton and Roxey Hayden came the following chil- dren: Abigail, born February 1I, 1820, married John Smith, and died May 23, 1868; Charles J., born November 21, 1821, died in Philadelphia, Penn., May 6, 1892 ; Clarissa, born October 3, 1824, died November 11, 1825; Mary Ann, born August 27, 1826, died in Providence, Penn., September 6, 1872 (she was the wife of John Acker) ; Francis Farnum is our subject; Harvey, born March 29, 1830, died January 29, 1870, in Luzerne county, Penn. ; Malinda, born June II, 1835, married Reece Williams, and died June 18, 1858, in Scranton, Penn .; Mahala, born August 27, 1837, married William Dodd, and died August 25, 1862, in Lenox- ville, Penn. ; Stephen A., born May 28, 1838, died in Parsons, Penn., September 29, 1874; and George M., born November 28, 1839, died May 10, 1895, in Topeka, Kans. Five of the sons served in the Civil war, Charles J. and Harvey belonging to the same company as Francis, our subject.

On attaining his majority our subject left home, and for twelve years he was connected with the Dela- ware & Hudson Railroad Co., teaming or furnishing props and other supplies. He then engaged in farm- ing in Scott township, Wayne county, renting a farm for one year, and on April 5, 1857, he settled upon his present farm. In politics he is a Republican, and he has served nine years as school director and six years as supervisor, while he is active in religious work as a member of the Baptist Church at Elkdale, in which he had been a deacon for fourteen years. His patriotic spirit was shown by his enlistment, March 30, 1864, "for three years or during the war." As a private in Company G, 187th P. V. I., under Capt. Carling, he left Scranton for the front, and among the engagements in which he took part were the battles of the Wilderness, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad (where he received a sunstroke), and Cold Harbor. For some time he was in hos- pitals at City Point, Alexandria, Arlington Heights, and Washington, in January, 1865, returning to his company, and in August of the same year he was discharged at Harrisburg.

On April 18, 1849, Mr. Hayden was married, in Scott township, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, to Miss Mary J. Ogden, and they have had the fol- lowing children : Sarah, born March 15, 1850, mar- ried G. Alvey Corey, a farmer in Herrick township; Charles G., born September 25, 1851, died October 9, 1853 ; Martha M., born March 8, 1854, married Edward J. Thomas, a street railway conductor at Jermyn, Penn .; George H., born August 14, 1856, is mentioned farther on ; Alice A., born January 28, 1861, married John Jones, of Horton, N. Y .; Mag- gie M., born September 15, 1863, married John Davis, a farmer of Clifford township, Susquehanna county ; John G., born June 4, 1866, died November 7, 1885 ; and Marion A., born September 27, 1874, died December 27, 1877.

Mrs. Hayden was born February 1, 1830, in Scott township, Lackawanna county, and belongs to

a highly-respected pioneer family of that section. William Ogden, her paternal grandfather, removed with his wife from New York State to a farm in Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, where their last years were spent. John Ogden, Mrs. Hay- den's father, was born in New York State June 15, 1803, and was engaged in farming in Scott town- ship for many years previous to his death, on No- vember 7, 1855. His wife, Sarah Engler, who was a devout member of the Baptist Church, was born March 20, 1809, daughter of Jacob Engler, of Pittston, Penn. She died September 8, 1898, at the old home in Scott township, at the age of nearly ninety years. Of the children born to this worthy couple, Joseph, born January 21, 1828, died June 24, 1864; Mary J. is the wife of our subject ; Han- nah, born January 10, 1832, died aged fourteen years ; Elizabeth, born March 4, 1834, married Richard Short, and died September 18, 1879; Phœbe, born June 13, 1836, married Davis Reeder, and died in Tennessee ; Sarah E., born April 10, 1838, married Marcus Sholl, and died May 28, 1892; John W., born December 21, 1841, died November 8, 1855, in Scott township, Lackawanna county; William C., born August 18, 1844, is a farmer in Scott town- ship; Charles A., born June 24, 1850, died in Scott township, September 23, 1873; and Alice A., born September II, 1853, died July 30, 1860.

GEORGE H. HAYDEN, of Gibson township, Susquehanna county, is an enterprising and suc- cessful agriculturist, and although he has never sought public office he takes an active part in edu- cational and other movements, and holds the es- teem of his fellow citizens in a marked degree.

Mr. Hayden was born August 14, 1856, in Scott township, Lackawanna county. Until he reached the age of twenty-four he assisted his fa- ther on the homestead, and for three years taught school in Herrick township, Susquehanna county. He was also engaged in farming there for one year on his own account, and for one year was in the mercantile business at Burnwood, Susquehanna county, returning afterward to his farm. In the following year he went to Australia, where he spent two years, being interested in a process for enlarg- ing photos. He visited Melbourne, Sydney, Tas- mania and other points of interest, and on his return to this hemisphere spent six months in Toronto, Canada. Travel had ceased to have any attraction for him by this time, and he settled upon his pres- ent farm, a fine homestead of 156 acres. In pol- itics he is independent, and the only office that he has been willing to accept is that of school director, which he held for three years. He and his family are prominent socially, and he belongs to the Baptist Church at Gelatt. He served as superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Baptist Church at Jack- son, and four years as superintendent of the Sunday- school at Gelatt. On October 20, 1880, he was married in Gibson township to Miss Carrie Howell,

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and they have had five children, viz .: Jessie B., F. Reid, H. Ray, Henry G. (deceased), and Paul F. Mrs. Carrie Howell Hayden is a member of one of the prominent families of Gibson township, and was born July 21, 1859, at the present homestead. Her paternal great-grandfather was a sea captain, and perished in a shipwreck. Her grandparents, Israel and Freelove (Madison) Howell, were born and reared in Rhode Island, and soon after their marriage removed to New York State, later settling in Susquehanna county, Penn., making their perma- nent home upon a farm in Gibson township. Israel Howell died June 19, 1872, aged seventy-seven years, and was buried in Manzer cemetery, and his wife died in 1840, her remains being at rest in the Smiley cemetery, Gibson township. They had a large family of children, as follows: Henry, Mrs. Hayden's father; Curtis, a retired farmer, residing in South Gibson; Silas, a farmer in Gibson town- ship; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of George Potter; Vivian, who died in Gibson town- ship ; Harriet, who married Charles Fuller, a farmer in Sullivan county, Penn .; Rebecca, deceased wife of Alfred Hine; David and Freelove, who died in Gibson township; Betsy Ann, who married William Tarbox, of Deposit, Wayne county; and Charles V., who was born February 8, 1839, in a log cabin on the farm in Gibson township which he now owns and operates.

Henry Howell, father of Mrs. Hayden, was born in Binghamton, N. Y., and came to the present homestead in 1855. For many years he operated a sawmill and gristmill in connection with his farm, but he retired from active business some time be- fore his death, which occurred October 5, 1896, at the age of eighty years. His remains were interred in Manzer cemetery. As a man of sound judgment and high moral character his opinion was valued in the community, and he was frequently called upon to take important township offices. He married Miss Mahala J. Pickering, to whose efficient aid and wise advice he owed much of his success. Mrs. Mahala J. (Pickering) Howell is a native of Gib- son township, born August 17, 1822, daughter of John Pickering. The latter was born in Connecti- cut, but became an early settler in Gibson township, where he followed farming for many years. At the time of his death, in January, 1857, when he was sixty-six years old, he resided at Nicholson, Penn., where his remains were interred. His wife, Sally Denny, who died at the age of sixty-six, was a native of Bloomingburg, N. Y., and for many years was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. They had eleven children, viz .: Mary E., deceased, who married (first) Henry Felton and (second) Acias Cord; Solomon W., a farmer in Clifford township, Susquehanna county ; Mahala J., Mrs. Howell; Sally A., deceased, who married (first) Albert Pratt and (second) Henry Lord; Ephraim, a farmer at Nicholson, Penn .; Emulas, a farmer in Lathrop township, Susquehanna county; Keziah, deceased,

who married (first) Henry Card and (second) Henry Ball; Emeline, who became the wife of Richard Brewer, of Wisconsin; Gaylord, a farmer in Lenox township, Susquehanna county; Olive, who married Philander Brown, of Lathrop town- ship; and Electa, deceased, who married Edwin Corey.

JOHN R. RAYNSFORD, the well-known proprietor of the "Tarbell House," of Montrose, Susquehanna county, and a leading business man and citizen of that place, was born in Binghamton, N. Y., September 13, 1847, son of Edward and Charlotte M. (Drake) Raynsford, of Owego, New York.

Joshua W. Raynsford, grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the most prominent and conspicuous men in the early settlementof Bridgewater and Mont- rose. The Ravnsford family was one of prominence in New England, whence they came to Pennsyl- vania. Joshua W. Ravnsford was born in 1779, in Windham county, Conn., the son of Joseph and Anna ( Waldo) Raynsford. In 1801, he migrated from his New England home to Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn., stopping at a clearing in Bridgewater township, known as that of Amalo Balch, located some two miles south of Montrose. He erected a log cabin, into which he moved his family in the spring of 1802, but a little later he built a more pretentious dwelling near by. Not long after the settlement of the son in Bridgewater the father joined him, erecting a frame house which was still standing some years ago, and in it was organized, in 1810, the first Congregational Church of Bridge- water, now the Presbyterian Church of Montrose. Mr. Raynsford was appointed a justice of the peace about 1812 and held the office in Bridgewater until 1817, when he moved into Montrose. In the village he first built the house in recent years occupied by F. M. Williams, and later the house opposite the Jerre Lyons home, to which he moved, afterward adding an office: His mother died in the old home, and the father died in the new one in 1832. A man of marked characteristics, the influence of Joshua W. Raynsford could not fail to be felt. He was active in the social, political, educational and re- ligious interests of the community. His father, mother and wife were all constituent members of the first Congregational Church of Bridgewater, and he an early member of the Presbyterian Church of Montrose, being chosen one of the elders on the adoption, in 1823, by the Congregational Church of the Presbyterian form of government. He severed his connection with this Church and in 1829 he and his wife, with their eldest daughter, were confirmed by Bishop Onderdonk as constitu- ent members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in the formation of which he was the chief instrument, and he became one of the first wardens of that Church. He taught the first school kept in the present limits of Bridgewater township, in 1803-04,

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and was a leading spirit in establishing the Susque- hanna County Academy. He was very systematic and methodical in all of his affairs, and kept a diary, from which in his after life he used to read for the pleasure of others many of the incidents of his pioneer life. For thirty years he was a justice of the peace; during that period he had 36, 680 suits before him; took acknowledgements of one thous- and deeds; and united 104 couples in marriage. He was a man of great integrity and distinguished for remarkable practical gifts.

Mr. Raynsford married for his first wife Hannah Lathrop, daughter of Walter Lathrop; she died March 17, 1831, aged fifty-one years, and he wedded for his second wife Lydia Treadwell, from Connecticut, who died October 7, 1854, aged sixty- eight years. Mr. Raynsford died November 12, 1852, aged seventy-three years. The children born to the first marriage were: Mary A., who married D. D. Warner, of Bridgewater and Montrose; Ed- ward, father of our subject; Salome; Frederick ; Jones ; and Hannah.

Edward Raynsford was born in Montrose, Penn. He married Charlotte M. Drake, of Owego, N. Y., where he located in the mercantile business and there resided. He passed away November 27, 1881, in Sayre, Penn., his wife September 26, 1898, in Susquehanna, at the advanced age of eighty years. Their children were: (1) Alice married Marvin Day, of Owego, a speculator, and died in 1899. (2) John R. is referred to farther on. (3) Delphine married Col. Loren Burritt, a prominent officer of the Civil war, who was several times in- jured in the service. (4) Edward holds a re- sponsible position in the Erie railroad shops. (5) Charlotte married Frederick Farrington, of Owego, now a government official at Washington, D. C.

John R. Ravnsford was reared in Owego, N. Y., where nis father was engaged in business and there remained until coming to Montrose, Penn., in 1863, as clerk for his father's cousin, Azur Lath- rop, by whom he was employed until 1874. When the Montrose & Tunkhannock branch of the Le- high Valley railroad was built to South Montrose he was appointed station agent, and shortly after- ward was elected secretary of the road. He was agent for a number of years, engaged also in the coal business until 1892, and sold all kinds of build- ing supplies. In connection with William H. Coop- er, a banker, and James I. Blakesly, president of the Montrose railroad, he erected the first and largest creamery in this section, which they successfully carried on for several years, and then sold to the American Dairy Company, which was establishing creameries throughout this part of the State. Mr. Raynsford was also agent for the Adams Express Company, remaining in the employ of the railroad company from 1874 until 1892. Since 1889, how- ever, with perhaps very little exception, he has been the landlord of the "Tarbell House," long a popular resort for families who spend the summer months

in the beautiful picturesque mountain town of Mont- rose, as well as for the commercial traveler. He is a most genial and accommodating host-an ideal landlord.

In 1866, at Montrose, Mr. Raynsford was unit- ed in marriage with Miss Mary Frances Tarbell, a daughter of John S. Tarbell, whose sketch appears elsewhere. They had four children, namely: Irene is now the widow of Hugh McCollum, a resident of Montrose; Arthur T., general agent for the Union . Mutual Life Insurance Co., of Maine, at Scranton, Penn., married Irma Weeden, and has one child, John R .; Leonard S. is with the Heckla Mining Co., at Calumet, Mich .; and Robert P. at home. For many years Mr. Raynsford was recog- nized leader in the Democratic party at Montrose, and during President Cleveland's first administration served efficiently as postmaster of Montrose. At one time he was candidate for prothonotary, and though defeated received the largest vote on the ticket. He has served as councilman, school direc- tor, chief of the fire department, and secretary of the Susquehanna County Agricultural Society, and his official duties have been performed with a promptness and fidelity worthy of all commendation. He and his family are prominent members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he has been vestryman for the past twenty years. He is a thirty- second-degree Mason, and has filled all the chairs in the Blue Lodge and Chapter, being past commander of Great Bend Commandery No. 27, F. & A. M.

CHARLES F. MEEKER. Among the more prominent farmers of Bridgewater township, Sus- quehanna county, is the subject of this biography, whose name stands high in the military records of the Civil war, as well as in the annals of the county.

Mr. Meeker was born in Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., in February, 1840, a son of Daniel C. and Harriet D. (Dinsmore) Meeker, he a native of that State. The father was born in Litchfield coun- ty July 8, 1807, and was a son of Capt. Elijah Meeker, who spent his entire life in Connecticut, and was an officer in the Revolutionary war. Daniel C. Meeker was married in his native State, in 1832, to Harriet D. Dinsmore, who was born in Rutland, Vt., March 31, 1807, and in 1846 they removed to Susquehanna county, Penn., locating first on a farm near Montrose, and later settling in that city. The father, who was formerly an anti-slavery man, finally became a supporter of the Republican party. He died in Franklin township, Susquehanna county, in June, 1878, and the mother passed away at the home of our subject, in Susquehanna, in September, 1879. In their family were four chil- dren, two son and two daughters, namely: Sarah J., a resident of Ithaca, N. Y., is the widow of Capt. George L. Stone, who enlisted at Montrose in 1863, in Company A, 14Ist P. V. I., was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and died at New Milford, Penn., in 1869; Mary J. in 1863 married L. B.

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Isbell, who served as lieutenant in the navy during the Rebellion, was rendered deaf by his service, and died at Ithaca, N. Y., in 1893; Henry C. was in the one hundred days' service, and is now living in Binghamton, N. Y .; and Charles F. completes the family.

Our subject was a child when the family moved overland to their new home in Susquehanna county, and he was reared and educated in Bridgewater township. In early life he learned the trade of an iron-molder, at which he worked in the Susque- hanna shops for several years. He now owns and operates a good farm of forty-four acres in Bridge- water township, pleasantly located one mile from Montrose, and under a high state of cultivation. He has made his home in Montrose for thirty years, and is numbered among its honored and highly-respect- ed citizens.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 257

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