Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 258

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 258
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 258
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 258
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 258

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At Montrose, in April, 1861, Mr. Meeker joined Capt. Warner's company, and on May 7, 1861, enlisted, at New York City, in Company H, 25th N. Y. V. I., for two years. The regiment was mus- tered into the United States service on State Island, and assigned to the Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. Our subject participated in the engage- ment at Hanover Court House, the seven-days' re- treat, and the battles of Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville. Being taken ill he was confined in the hospital at Fortress Monroe and on Craney Island for five months, and was honorably discharged at New York City, August 10, 1863, returning to his home in Montrose.

Mr. Meeker was married in that city, October 13, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Carney, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Thomas Carney, who was a pioneer of Montrose and died in Bridge- water township. Five children were born of this union: Georgia F., deceased; a son who died in infancy; Grace, wife of H. A. Tingley, of Bath, N. Y .; Minnie, deceased ; and Charles Henry, who is married, and resides at Tingley Station, Susque- hanna county. Politically Mr. Meeker is a Re- publican, and socially he is an honored member of Moody Post, No. 537, G. A. R., of Susquehanna.

SAMUEL ALLEN, deceased. This honored citizen of Honesdale was for many years so promin- ently identified with the best interests of this section, that the following memoir willl be of lasting in- terest. While Mr. Allen was enterprising and successful as a business man, his claim to the esteem of his fellow-citizens was based chiefly upon his personal worth. Public-spirited to an eminent de- gree, honest in all his transactions, kind-hearted and liberal to the poor, he went to his grave with any minor faults covered with charity as by a mantle, and leaving a large circle of friends in all classes of the community.

Mr. Allen was born November 2, 1818, in Chelsea, Vt., and in early manhood he engaged in various enterprises there, being connected for some

time with a stage line. On coming to Honesdale he continued the same business and later he built the "Allen House," a well-known hostelry, which gained an extensive patronage under the able man- agement of Mr. Allen and his sons. He took an intelligent interest in public questions, as became an American citizen, and although originally a Demo- crat he left that party during the agitation over the settlement of Kansas. During the Civil war he was an ardent supporter of the government, and when this State was threatened with invasion in the fall of 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 24th Regi- ment of State Guards, known as the Relief Rifles. He was elected captain and proceeded to Harrisburg with his company, with which he served during the "emergency period." In November, 1863, he was appointed provost marshal for Wayne county, and he held that difficult and responsible position until relieved at his own request. He was a valued worker in the local Republican organization, and in 1852 he became a candidate for the State Senate. This was the only time his name appeared upon the general ticket, but he was chosen to local offices, and his duties in these positions were always fulfilled with fidelity and efficiency. For many years he took an active part in the management of the Wayne County Agricultural Society, and he was popularly regarded as one of its founders. Socially he was much liked and he was one of the leading members of the Masonic Lodge at Honesdale, which showed the respect and affection inspired by his life and personality in the resolutions passed at the time of his death, in 1875. The members of the lodge also took charge of the funeral services, the ceremonies being conducted according to the impressive and touching ritual of the order.

In 1843 Mr. Allen was married to Miss Betsey Barrett, who was born in Vermont, April 22, 1820. She survives him and resides at Honesdale, Penn. Four children were born of this union: M. B., who is mentioned more fully below; William R., who married Kate P. Sullivan, and died some years ago leaving two children; Charles W., deceased; and Lizzie, who died in infancy.

M. B. ALLEN, who is now a leading resident of Honesdale, was born in New Hampshire, but his education was chiefly acquired in the schools of Honesdale and of Clinton, N. Y. From early man- hood he has been connected with the management of the "Allen House," being in partnership with his father for many years, and since the death of the latter he has taken full charge of the establishment. He is an excellent business man, his sound judgment causing him to be frequently called upon to give advice in important enterprises, and at present he is a member of the Electric Light Company of Honesdale and the National Elevator Company. His sympathies are always on the side of public improvement, and he is generally consulted on all matters of local interest, while he is also an active and influential supporter of the Republican party.

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AARON DETRICK. The peace and plenty which should accompany agricultural life are pleas- antly exemplified in the attractive homestead of the subject of this sketch, a prominent resident of Stroud township, Monroe county. Mr. Detrick is thorough- ly progressive in his management of his estate, be- lieving that money spent in judicious improvements is well invested, and the results of his policy are most satisfactory.

AIr. Detrick belongs to a well-known pioneer family, his grandparents, Elias and Effie Ann Det- rick, both natives of Northampton county, settling soon after their marriage, in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, upon a tract of wild land. This Elias Detrick cleared and improved for a home- stead, and his death occurred there in 1859. His estimable wife survived him, and her last years were spent in a new home, purchased by herself in Stroud township, Monroe county. They had the following children : John, Daniel, Joseph, Erastus, Jesse, Will- iam, Elias, Martin, Catherine (Mrs. William Drake), Sallie A. (Mrs. John Chambers), Betsy ( wife of Levi Huffman, of Middle Smithfield town- ship). and Marie ( who married Josiah Betrone, of Portland, Northampton Co., Penn.).

Joseph Detrick, the father of our subject, was born in Northampton county in 1809, and spent his youth chiefly at the old homestead in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county. After his marriage he bought wild land in the same town- ship, which he cleared. He built a log house and made other improvements, but later he sold the farm and purchased another tract of land, and this he also sold after bringing it under cultivation, Levi Huffman being the present owner. He finally bought an improved farm near Bushkill, where his remain- ing years were passed, his death occurring in July, 1867. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Halderman, died in 1875. Of their large family of children, all born in Middle Smithfield township, the following lived to adult age: (1) Sarah A., born in 1836, married Rudolphus Schoonover, a farmer of Middle Smithfield township, and died in 1894, leaving two children, Emma and Harry. (2) Aaron is our subject. (3) Elijah, born in 1840, resides in Monroe county. He married (first) Miss Lizzie Boutzman, of the same county, who died in Middle Smithfield township, leaving no family, and after- ward married Miss Annie Stroth, daughter of a Methodist minister ; they have two children, Laura and Lydia. (4) Catherine, born in 1842, married Alfred Miller, of Middle Smithfield, and has five children-Harry, Chester, Amzie, Lorenzo and Florence. (5) Mary, born in 1844, married Albert Marsh, now deceased, of East Stroudsburg, and has one daughter, Alice, now Mrs. William Tran- sue, of East Stroudsburg. (6) Elner, born in 1846, married James Overfield, of Middle Smithfield town- ship, and has had three children-Frank (who died when six years old), Stella and Laura. (7) Amzie, born in 1848, married Miss Jane Bush, of Stroud township, and now resides on a farm joining that

of his brother Aaron. (8) Susan and (9) Harriet are deceased. (10) Albina, born in 1852, married Henry Van Why, of East Stroudsburg, and has one daughter, Susie.

Aaron Detrick was born February 24, 1838, in Monroe county, and received a common-school education in Middle Smithfield township. In 1862 he married Miss Susan Row, daughter of Daniel Row, of Stroud township, and settled upon a rent- ed farm in Price township, Monroe county, but after three years removed to Pike county, where he re- mained one year. He then resided in Middle Smith- field two years, and spent three years in Smithfield township. In 1873 he purchased his father-in-law's homestead, where he has since resided, making nu- merous improvements of a general nature .. Politi- cally he is a Jacksonian Democrat, and for twenty- six years .he has held the office of overseer of the poor, being still in that position. He and his wife are identified with the Baptist Church at Beakley- ville, in which they are both active workers, giv- ing liberally to all its varied forms of religious en- deavor, and their children have been reared in that faith. Of their seven children, four are living: ( I) Amanda died at the age of six years. (2) Frank died when two years old. (3) Clara, who died at the age of twenty, was a young lady whose rare qualities of mind and heart endeared her to the com- munity at large as well as to the little home circle. She had already become an earnest helper in Chris- tian work, and was a devout member of the Bap- tist Church. (4) Bertha, born in Smithfield town- ship in 1870, married George Bentzman, a black- smith of East Stroudsburg. (5) Sherman, born in Stroud township in 1876, and (6) Porter, born in Stroud township in 1878, are at home. (7) Flora, born in 1880, the pride of the home, is attending school in Stroud township, and shows unusual abil- ity as a student.

Mrs. Detrick, who has been a worthy helpmeet to her husband, was born in 1837 in Middle Smith- field township, Monroe county, where her parents, Daniel and Magdelina Row, were highly-esteemed citizens. She was one of a family of seven children, born as follows: Catherine, 1839; Maggie, 1830; Susan, 1837; Jacob, 1835; William, 1844; Henry, 1848; and Maria, 1846.

J. FRANK IRWIN. One would have to search far and wide to find a more thoroughly appointed dairy farm than that of the subject of this sketch, an enterprising agriculturist of New Milford town- ship, Susquehanna county. It is attractively located in a picturesque region, but the land is not especially hilly, and the entire tract of 200 acres is admirably adapted to its present use.

Mr. Irwin is a native of the Keystone State, born in Luzerne county, April 29, 1844. Thomas Irwin, his grandfather, was born and reared at the village of Irwin, N. Y., but came to Luzerne county at an early day, and he and his wife, Clarissa Tuttle, died there. Soon after his arrival he located at

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Kingston, where he purchased 300 acres of land for a horse, gun and $100 in cash. The land was underlaid with coal, but as he was not satisfied with the locality, and had no idea of the future value of the site, he sold out and bought another farm, about nine miles away. Later he disposed of that place and purchased a home in Dallas, Penn., but his death occurred in Wilkes Barre. He was a man of influence in his day, serving at one time as treasurer of Luzerne county, and for many years he held the office of justice of the peace.

Andrew Irwin, our subject's father, was born in Luzerne county, and was married there to Mary Frantz, daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Weis) Frantz, who removed to that section from Northhampton county. For some years after his marriage Andrew Irwin remained in Luzerne county, afterward set- tling in Crawford county, Penn., where he died Oc- tober 28, 1897, aged seventy-eight years. By oc- cupation he was a farmer ; his sterling qualities of character won him the esteem of his associates wherever he was known. His estimable wife sur- vives him, residing in Crawford county. They had the following children : Clarissa, who married Anth- ony Carr, a farmer in Crawford county ; Thomas, deceased ; George, owner of a vineyard at Lawton, Mich .; J. Frank, our subject; Miss Phœbe, who still resides at the old homestead in Crawford coun- ty; Payne, a manufacturer of sash and doors at Pennside, Penn .; Amy, wife of E. C. McKay, a prosperous merchant of Conneautville, Penn., and at present postmaster there ; and Sarah, a widow re- siding at Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Our subject remained with his parents until he reached the age of sixteen, when he went to Wilkes Barre to learn the carpenter's trade. This he followed for eight years with marked success, when he purchased his present farm and devoted his attention to dairying. As a citizen he takes an in- terest in all that concerns the general welfare, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his family attend the Baptist Church, and, while he is not a member, he contributes liberally to the cause. On November 8, 1874, he was married in Gibson township, Susquehanna county, to Miss Philinda Lathrop, who died October 19, 1895, aged forty-four years. One daughter, Miss Edith, brightens our subject's home.

Mrs. Philinda (Lathrop) Irwin was born in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, daugh- ter of Oliver Lathrop, and granddaughter of Spencer and Clarissa (Tucker) Lathrop, of Connecticut, who settled in Susquehanna county in pioneer times. Oliver Lathrop was born in Susquehanna county, January 5, 1815, and early in life began reading medicine, but as his family needed his help he gave up his cherished plans. For some years he taught school successfully, and later engaged in farming. In 1860 he located at our subject's present home- stead, where he died in December, 1875. In politics he was a Democrat, and at times he held township

offices, his ability and education giving him promin- ence in the community. He was a member of the Methodist Church from childhood, and his wife, Amelia Ladd, also united with that Church in her youth. Mrs. Amelia (Ladd) Lathrop was born October 10, 1819, at Albany, Bradford Co., Penn., daughter of Charles K. and Philinda (Allen) Ladd, of Connecticut, early settlers of Bradford county. She died in December, 1892, her remains being in- terred beside those of her husband in a cemetery in Gibson township, Susquehanna county. They had six children : Spencer, who died in 1892 at Buffalo, N. Y .; Howard and Hanlon, who died in infancy ; Wilbur F. ; Philinda, wife of our subject ; and Caro- line, who married James L. Wilcox, of Buffalo, New York.

ULYSSES GRANT STEVENS, an intelligent and progressive young farmer and dairyman of Au- burn township, Susquehanna county, has passed his entire life here, having been born in Auburn, Sep- tember 15, 1866, son of Alexander and Janet ( Bell) Stevens.

Alexander Stevens was born May 22, 1822, in Inverkeithing, Fifeshire, Scotland, son of John and Margaret Stevens, who passed all their lives in the land of the heather. They had a family of seven children, namely: Nancy, Alexander, David, Mary, Henry, Richard and Margaret. All remained in Scotland, but Alexander and Henry, who came to the United States in 1842, making their home in the State of Pennsylvania. Alexander Stevens lived for several years at Carbondale, where he was mar- ried August 6, 1846, to Miss Janet Bell, and he sub- sequently resided at Archbald, Dunmore and Pitts- ton before settling, in 1861, in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, where he made a permanent home. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed at Carbondale and after- ward at Retta, Auburn township, in connection with farming. While at Pittston he was engaged in mer- cantile business. He became quite prominent in the affairs of his adopted town, taking an influential part in the advancement and general welfare of the community, was instrumental in having the post- office established at Retta, where he served as post- master for thirteen years, and in many other ways showed his interest in matters of public importance. While a resident of Carbondale he was an active member of Cameron Lodge No. 58, I. O. O. F., and the F. & A. M., and after his removal to Retta he assisted in organizing the Auburn Center Grange. Mr. Stevens lived at Retta for thirty-two years prior to his death, which occurred December 16, 1893; he was laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery, sincerely mourned by a wide circle of neighbors and friends who knew and honored him for his genuine worth. He was an earnest member of the M. E. Church, and was everywhere regarded as a charitable, Chris- tian man, who tried to do his duty in his daily walk through life. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom John is a farmer in Auburn town-

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ship; Robert lives with his mother on the old home place ; Margaret is the wife of Emmett Tewksbury, a feed merchant of Meshoppen, Penn .; Alexander, Jr., is a farmer in Auburn ; Jennie, unmarried, lives with her mother ; William resides in Peckville, Penn., where he holds the position of weighmaster ; Thom- as is deceased; Janet married Harvey Bunnell, a farmer of Meshoppen township; Ulysses G., the subject proper of these lines, and Euphrasia D., liv- ing with her mother, are twins.

Mrs. Janet ( Bell) Stevens, who still makes her home on the old farm at Retta, Auburn township, was born October 11, 1824, at Dumfries, Scotland, daughter of Robert and Jane (Gillespie) Bell, who came to America in 1836, first making their home at Carbondale, Penn. While residing there Mr. Bell was boss of a crew of men on the railroad, but sub- sequently, on his removal to Peckville, he engaged in farming. He died in Peckville, at the age of eighty-six years, his wife in 1884, at the age of eighty-three, and they were buried in the cemetery at that place. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, all born in Scotland but the youngest, viz. : Janet, Mrs. Stevens; Thomas, of Peckville; Mar- garet, Mrs. John Sheridan, of Olyphant, Penn. (she was first married to John Thomas) ; William, liv- ing retired in Peckville; Agnes, widow of Andrew Cunningham, living on the old homestead; Robert, who died at Carbondale, while young; and Joseph, a resident of Peckville, who is foreman at the D. & H. works.

Ulysses G. Stevens received a good education in the public schools during his boyhood. He was reared to farm life, which he has taken up in turn on his own account, and under his thrifty father ac- quired habits of carefulness and good management which have evidenced themselves in his career as a general agriculturist, for though yet a young man he ranks among the best farmers of the township. He remained on the paternal farm until his mar- riage, when he purchased a place of his own in Au- burn, and after living on same for a year he traded with his brother Alexander for another tract in the township, which he sold after three years. He has since resided on his present farm. He is thoroughly modern in all his methods, and well deserves the respect which is universally accorded him among his friends and acquaintances in this section. He is an active member of the M. E. Church, in which he has served as steward for the past two years, and, fraternally, unites with the Auburn Center Lodge No. 905, I. O. O. F. In political opinion he is a Republican.

Mr. Stevens was united in marriage, at his present home, on August 22, 1888, to Miss Virgie Swisher, and they have had five children: Cleon, Euphrasia, Bertha (deceased), Glenn and Guy. Mrs. Stevens was born April 26, 1867, at Auburn Center, only child of Lewis C. and Matilda ( White) Swisher, and granddaughter of Gideon L. and Anna (Smith) Swisher, who came from their home in New Jersey in about 1850, settling in Auburn town-

ship. Her maternal grandparents, Thomas R. and Margaret (Low) White, also came hither from New Jersey, in 1852; they were farming people. Her parents were married in Auburn township, where her father was engaged in farming, and he also carried on a mercantile business at Auburn Cen- ter and acted as agent for a nursery company. Mrs, Matilda Swisher passed away August 16, 1878, at the age of thirty-six years, and was laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. She was a member of the M. P. Church. Mr. Swisher afterward wedded Ce- celia Davis, by whom he also had one child, Maud, who lives in Towanda, Penn. His death occurred December 9, 1881, when he was thirty-eight years of age.

JAMES WELLS LOWRY, a leading repre- sentative citizen of Elkdale, Susquehanna county, is engaged in general farming and in the agricult- ural implement business, and is also serving as jus- tice of the peace. He has always made good use of his opportunities, has prospered from year to year, has conducted all business matters carefully and suc- cessfully, and in all his actions displays an aptitude for successful management.

Mr. Lowry was born on the old Lowry home- stead, three-quarters of a mile from his present home, July 18, 1830, a son of Holloway and Sophia ( Wells) Lowry, the former a native of Sparta, N. J., the latter of Susquehanna county, Penn. In connection with farming the father conducted a cooper shop upon his farm, being a cooper by trade. He held township offices at different times. He was born in 1801, and died on the old homestead, in 1874, while his wife, who was born in 1807, died No- vember 28, 1868, their remains being laid to rest in the family burying-ground upon the farm. They were earnest members of the Baptist Church, and most estimable people. In their family were chil- dren as follows: Charles H., for some time be- fore his death, on December 8, 1899, a retired farmer of Lackawanna county, wedded Mary Hubbard; Martha A. is the wife of Rev. George M. Dimock, a Seventh-Day Adventist minister of Minnesota ; James W. is next in the order of birth; John, a farmer of Lackawanna county, (first) married Mary Hunter, and (second) Jane Smith; Amy is the widow of J. F. Kinback, who prior to his death was alderman of Carbondale, Penn., for many years ; Sarah married Elias Lowry, and both died in Clif- ford; Wright, a farmer of Lackawanna county, married Rebecca Jenkins ; Clark, United States mar- shal at Scranton, Penn., married Matilda Hubbard, now deceased; Benjamin, a traveling salesman of Brooklyn, N. Y., (first) married Elizabeth Patton, and ( second) Kate -; Hezekiah W., a farmer and stock dealer of Lackawanna county, married Rosaltha Decker ; and Samantha (first) married Thomas Kelly, and (second) Joseph Heap, of Carbondale.

James W. Lowry was reared upon the home

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

farm, and his early education was obtained in the schools of the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen he entered Dundaff Academy, where he was a student for four years, and then attended Madison Academy for a time. In 1847 he commenced teach- ing school in Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, where he taught two winter terms, and then went to Texas township, Wayne Co., Penn., where he passed the following five years, engaged as prin- cipal of a large and flourishing school.

On April 30, 1854, in Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, Mr. Lowry married Miss Alma Taylor, and they became the parents of the following named children: (1) Wells J., born September 16, 1855, is a physician at Carbondale. He (first) married Celia Fuller, and (second) Flora M. Ham- mond, of Harford, Penn., and has five children, of whom four are named, Mabel, Anna, Mary and Alice. (2) Milton W., born March 10, 1858, graduated from the Pennsylvania State College, and is an attorney at Scranton. He married Anna Lowry, an adopted daughter of Clark Lowry, and they have one child, Robert. (3) Samuel, born March 17, 1862, is a farmer, and the present supervisor of Clifford town- ship. He married Della Curtis, of Uniondale, Penn., and they have one child, James. (4) Eva, born De- cember 1, 1864, is the wife of John E. Wiliams, principal of the high school of Mount Carmel, Penn., and they have one child, Alma. (5) George, born in August, 1867, died at the age of two and a half years. (6) Susie A., born February 1, 1870, is at home. She graduated from Keystone Aca- demy.

Mrs. Lowry was born in Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, November 17, 1830, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Worth) Taylor, natives of Connecticut and New Hampshire, respectively. They were married in Greenfield township, Lack- wanna Co., Penn., where the greater part of their lives where spent, though they lived for a number of years in Providence, Penn. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born November 28, 1797, and died February 26, 1888, and the mother was born Februarv 21, 1804, and died July 25, 1864. Both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Benton, Penn. They were members of the Baptist Church of Clifford, and were highly respected by all who knew them. Their children were Emily, deceased wife of Ephraim Pickering ; Alma, wife of our sub- ject; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Simeon Reeves ; George, who married Florence Stevens, and lives on the old homestead in Lackawanna county, where he is engaged in farming and blacksmithing, and serves as postmaster; and Martha, who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Lowry's paternal grandparents, John and Sarah (Benedict) Taylor, were born in the eastern part of Connecticut, and were married in that State. At an early day the grandfather came to Lackawanna county, Penn., where he took up a tract of land, and after making a small clearing he re- turned to Connecticut for his wife. He followed 70

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 258

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