Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 271

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 271
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 271
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 271
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 271

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An earnest Christian, Miss Blackman has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since twelve years of age, and all through life has been active in Church work and its auxiliary societies. She has been identified with Home and Foreign Mis- sions, was active during the Civil war in the Soldiers' Aid Society and Sanitary Commission, the Freed- man's Aid, and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

GEORGE R. COOL, one of the prosperous self-made men of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, has resided on his present place for over forty years, during which time he has gained an enviable standing among the substantial citizens of his locality for progress and thrift, and he has taken an active part in the advancement of this region, which he has seen converted from a comparative wilderness to its present beautiful and fertile con- dition.

Mr. Cool was born in Warren county, N. J., July 31, 1826, son of William and Catherine ( White ) Cool, natives of the same county, who came to Susquehanna county in 1848, settling in Auburn township. William Cool was a lifelong farmer. He and his wife died at South Auburn, he in 1875, at the age of seventy-eight years, she in 1887, at the age of ninety-two. Their remains rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. They were members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Cool was a Mason of high stand- ing. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, viz. : Harrison, who died young ; Ann M., wife of Milton Lott, a farmer of Auburn township; George R .; Amy, who died young; Riason, de- ceased ; Martha, widow of George France, of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; and Susan, wife of Rufus Carter, a farmer of Auburn township. Mr. Cool's paternal grandparents, Paul C. and Susan (Raub) Cool, were natives of Germany and New Jersey, respect- ively, and were engaged in farming in New Jersey, dying in Warren county, that State. His maternal grandparents, William and Amy (Runion) White, were natives of New Jersey, and passed their cios- ing years in Susquehanna county, dying in Auburn township.

George R. Cool remained with his parents up to the age of twenty-five years, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools, and his agricultural training on the home farm, which he then pur- chased, in partnership with his brother Riason. They worked it together for one year, at the end of that time dividing the property, on which our subject remained for five years longer, cultivating · his share. On March 10, 1858, he took up his resi- dence on the farm in Auburn where he has since lived, a tract originally comprising fifty-three acres, which at that time was almost in its primi- tive condition, and on which he lived for twenty years in a log cabin. He subsequently added another fifty-three acres. Thanks to Mr. Cool's industry, the place has gradually become cleared and culti- vated, and it is now a valuable piece of land, pro-

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ductive and beautiful, and he has a comfortable farm and home, which he has literally taken out of the wilderness. He has made numerous improve- ments on the property, as its appearance testifies, and he has been thoroughly systematic and up-to-date in all his farming operations, with results that have justified all his methods. He has deserved all the prosperity which has rewarded his efforts, and he is highly respected throughout the township, where he is well known. In political sentiment he is a Democrat.

On February 21, 1852, Mr. Cool was married, in Rush township, to Miss Mary Stone, and their family consists of three children, namely : Macrina, who married Smith Dornblazer, of Auburn town- ship; John F., who married Emma Allen, of South Montrose, Penn., and Alice, wife of Abram Lake, a farmer of Bridgewater township. Mrs. Cool was born October 29, 1832, in Warren county, N. J., a daughter of Daniel and Alice ( Witzel) Stone, the former of whom was the son of Richard Stone, born in Ireland, who came to America to take part in the Revolutionary war, and subsequently remained in this country. Mrs. Cool's maternal grandparents, William and Martha Witzel, were lifelong residents of Monroe county, Penn. Daniel and Alice ( Wit- zel) Stone removed from Monroe county, Penn., their native place, to New Jersey, and thence in 1850 came to Susquehanna county, Penn., settling in Auburn township. The father was a shoemaker by occupation. He was born in June, 1789, and died March 30, 1891, the mother preceding him to the grave in 1869, at the age of eighty-four years. They were laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. In re- ligious faith they were members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Cool was the eldest daughter in their family of four children, viz. : Abraham, a farmer of Spring- ville township; Mary, Mrs. Cool; Eliza, wife of Isaac Low, of Rush township ; and Gideon, who died in 1897.

GILES ANDREW FIKE, M. D., is a skilled physician and surgeon of Dundaff Borough, Susque- hanna county, one whose knowledge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and whose ability in applying its principles to the needs of suffering humanity has gained for him an enviable prestige in professional circles.

Dr. Fike was born in Scott, Lackawanna coun- ty, July 29, 1851, a son of William and Rachel (Stanton ) Fike, the former a native of Scranton, the latter of Scott township, Lackawanna county. Throughout his active business career the father engaged in farming in that township, and died there; in 1882, at the age of fifty-eight years, his remains being interred in Justus cemetery. He was a sincere Christian, and a prominent member of Mt. Bethel Church, the building for which was erected upon a part of his farm given by him to the organization for that purpose. His widow is also a faithful member of the same Church. She was born June 6, 1824, and is still living in Scott township. In their family

were only two children, the Doctor being the elder. Ruth E., born February 25, 1855, is the wife of Clarence E. White, a prominent farmer and dairy- man of Scott township. The Doctor's paternal grandfather, Jacob Fike, was a native of Bucks county, Penn., and an early settler of Scott town- ship, Lackawanna county. His maternal grand- parents were William and Judith Stanton.

Dr. Fike was reared upon the home farm, his early life being devoted principally to study. At the age of two he knew the letters of the alphabet, and when four years old entered the first reader. He attended the high school at Waverly, Penn., until 1863, when he entered the high school at Clark's Green, walking two miles to and from the school house each day. From the spring of 1870 until 1874 he was a student at the high school of Factoryville, and in the fall of the latter year entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he remained for one year. The following fall he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated from that famous institution in March, 1876, with the degree of M. D. He was first engaged in practice with Dr. Louis Van Sickle, at Waverly, Penn., for four months, and was then located at Clark's Green until the spring of 1878, when he came to Herrick Center, Susque- hanna county, and on June 10, 1879, located at Dundaff, where he has remained ever since. For five years he was in partnership with Dr. J. C. Olm- stead, but since that time has been alone, and to-day enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice.

At Clark's Green, June 20, 1877, Dr. Fike married Miss Eva A. Stone, and to them have been . born seven children, namely: Ina B., Daisy, Hazel B., Margaret G., Harry S., Catherine F. and Will- iam H. D., all at home. Mrs. Fike was born in Wayne county, Penn., December 14, 1853, a daugh- ter of Emory and Catherine (Hudson) Stone, na- tives of Lackawanna and Wayne counties, respec- tively. The father was born in 1822, the mother in 1824, and both are still living. They were mar- ried in Wayne county, and continued to reside there until 1863, when they removed to Lackawanna coun- ty, where they now make their home. The father is a prominent farmer of the community, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children are Frank H., a coal merchant of Oneonta ; Gertrude M., at home; Mary I., deceased ; Eva A., wife of our subject; Arthur J., a wholesale milk dealer of Scranton, Penn .; Charles R., a wholesale milk dealer of Baltimore, Penn .; Oscar H., at home ; Harry, bookkeeper for a milk company at Green Ridge, Penn .; Hattie F., deceased ; and Herbert, a farmer of Lackawanna county.

Dr. Fike has ever taken an active and com- mendable interest in public affairs, especially in educational work, and has been an efficient school director for the past seventeen years, serving as secretary of the board fifteen years of that time. He is also serving his third term as justice of the

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peace. He is local medical examiner for the New York Life Insurance Co., the Home Life Insurance Co., and the Ætna Life Insurance Co. He is a pronounced Republican in politics, and since 1881 has been a member of Olive Leaf Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Carbondale. He is an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Dundaff, and has served as president of the board of trustees, recording and financial steward of the Church for the past nine years.

FRANCIS COSGRIFF, in partnership with his brother PATRICK COSGRIFF, recently de- ceased, has been identified with the business interests of Liberty township, Susquehanna county, for many years. As well-known farmers and stone contractors they won, through their own well-di- rected efforts, an enviable position in business cir- cles, being numbered among the leading business men in their line in Susquehanna county. Their af- fairs have always been so managed as to win the confidence of the public, and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.

Patrick and Mary (Brady) Cosgriff, the par- ents of our subjects, were born near Longford, Coun- ty Longford, Ireland, the father emigrating to the United States in 1849, the mother in 1843. They located in New York, where their marriage was celebrated, and there continued to make their home for some years, the father being engaged at the brick mason's trade. In 1859 they came to Susque- hanna county, Penn., and took up their residence in Franklin township, where he rented a farm, and in connection with its operation worked at his trade. In 1866 he bought a place in Liberty township, one and a half miles east of Lawsville, known as the Michael Dawley farm, on which he erected a new house and barn, and made other improve- ments which add to its value and attractive appear- ance. There the parents still continue to reside. honored and respected by all who know them. To this worthy couple were born seven children, name- ly : (1) Annie, born in New York, was educated in the schools of Susquehanna county, and married G. H. Dean, of Putnam county, N. Y., who is now engaged in farming in Franklin township, Susque- hanna Co., Penn. They have six children, Bessie, Mamie, Frank, Ella, Willie and Frederick. (2) John, born in New York, was reared in Susque- hanna county, Penn., and in 1877 went to Muske- gon county, Mich., where he followed lumber- ing, but he has not been heard from for eight years. (3) Francis and (4) Patrick are next in the order of birth. (5) Ella, born in Franklin township, in 1865, married John Kane, of that township, and they now reside in New Milford, Penn., where he is engaged as currier in a tannery. (6) Andrew, born in Liberty township, in 1867, received a good practi- cal education, and is now engaged in the insurance business in Binghamton, N. Y. (7) Mary, born in Liberty township, in 1870, was educated in the schools of Hallstead and Montrose, and has for the

past fourteen years successfully engaged in teach- ing in the district schools of Liberty township.

Both Francis and Patrick Cosgriff were born in Franklin township, the former in July, 1860, the latter in March, 1862, and were educated in the dis- trict schools of that locality. When a young man Patrick learned the stone mason's trade, which he followed as a contractor, building a number of the bridges in Susquehanna county. He also dealt quite extensively in lumber, buying the land and con- tracting for the lumber. In 1880, forming a part- nership with his brother Francis, they purchased the Kenyon farm, in Liberty township, one mile east of Lawsville, where they erected a fine barn, 36x44 feet, with silo attached. They cleared a large portion of their farm, placed it under a high state of cultivation, and successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. From 1898 Patrick operated a stone quarry at Summersville, and an- other near Hallstead, from which he made large ship- ments, his specialties being flag and bridge stones. He extensively engaged in bridge building, having constructed the following: The bridges at Red Rock New Milford, Howard Corners, and Brandt's Station, all in 1890; Gibson, in Clifford and Harford townships, in 1892; Forest Lake township, Birchardville, in 1893; Harmony, Brandt's Station, Thompson Inn, Susquehanna county bridge, and Martin Creek, in 1894; Rush township, Bridgewater, Harford, Hawkins Mill and Bridgewater, in 1895; Great Bend, Wyalusing creek and Rush, in 1896; Harford and South Gib- son, in 1899. He also worked on the Mill creek reservoir, and although one of the youngest con- tractors in the county he did thousands of dollars worth of work, both as a stone contractor and as a lumber contractor. With his brother he ranked among the most energetic, enterprising and pro- gressive business men of their community, and by their honorable, straightforward course the brothers gained the confidence and respect of all with whom they came in contact. Politically he was always identified with the Democratic party, as is also his brother, and religiously the family hold membership in the Catholic Church of Great Bend. Patrick was elected supervisor of his township when only twenty-three years of age, also filled the offices of poormaster and school director, and at the time of his decease was one of the committeemen of his township.

On January 23, 1900, while Patrick Cosgriff was working with his foreman, Elmer Howard, in a blacksmith shop connected with his stone quarry, a quantity of blasting-powder which had been test- ed and considered worthless ignited, seriously burning both men. The other employes of the quarry hastened to their assistance, quickly tearing off their burning clothes, and they both walked the greater part of the distance, about one-fourth mile, to their boarding house. Medical aid was quickly summoned, and everything possible was done to alleviate their sufferings. After his burns were

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dressed, Mr. Cosgriff seemed quite comfortable, and every hope was entertained for his recovery. But about midnight he seemed to grow rapidly worse, though he still continued to know his friends. Though in great pain, he neither complained nor murmured, and at half-past three, Wednesday morning, January 24, became unconscious, passing away quietly about seven A. M. Undertaker E. E. Tuttle, of Hallstead, was summoned, and the body removed to his father's home in Liberty. The fu- neral, from St. Lawrence's Church, at Great Bend, on Friday, January 26, was largely attended, Rev. J. S. Fagan officiating. Requiem High Mass was celebrated, after which he preached a sermon (taking as his subject, "Be ready ; ye know not the time nor the hour"), in which he affectionately spoke of the straightforward life and Christian virtues of the deceased, as a son, a neighbor and a citizen. The Knights of Columbus, of which Mr. Cosgriff was a member, took charge of the funeral, and on Sun- day, February 25, memorial services in his honor were held in their hall at Great Bend. His decease is most keenly felt in his home by his aged parents, by his brothers and sisters, and outside home cir- cles by innumerable friends and his employes. In disposition he was genial, and always ready to lend a helping hand where needed. The vacancy left by him is one which will always be felt at home, and by workingmen and society for many long years.

WILLIAM JOHN DAY, a leading, progres- sive and prosperous citizen of Great Bend, Susque- hanna county, is a native of England, born in Buck- inghamshire, January 9, 1854.

Charles Day, father of our subject, was born in Warwickshire, England, about the year 1831, a son of Richard Day, a laborer by occupation, who had a family of seven children. He died at Strat- ford-on-Avon. Charles Day married Sarah Fanth- am, who was born in Buckinghamshire, England, about 1830, and is at present living at Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, where her husband died in October, 1897. Five children were born to this honored couple, viz. : Twins that died in infancy ; William John, our subject; Edward, who lives in Canada, is a stone-cutter by trade, and helped to build the new locks in the Canadian "Soo" canal ( he is mar- ried, and has three children, Nellie, Bertha and Edward ) ; and Helen, who married George Hodges, a brickmaker in Canada, and died in 1880, leaving two children, George and Grace. The father of this family was a farmer, and on settling in Canada, in 1872, he followed his occupation there on land which he bought, and where his widow now lives. Prior to leaving England he owned a line of canal boats that ran between Wendover and London, carrying hay and coal, and he accumulated some means. He belonged to the Episcopal Church, and was a member of the Order of St. George.

William John Day received his education in the schools of his native county, and remained at

home until eleven vears old, when he was appren- ticed to Ezra Pigott, of Luton, Bedfordshire, Eng- land, to learn the trade of butcher. He served five years, receiving his board and clothes, and with savings from his "pocket money" (one shilling a week) he managed, when sixteen years old, to pay his passage to the United States on a sailing vessel, arriving at New York June 19, 1870, after a voyage of seven weeks. His brother Edward ac- companied him, and when they landed in the New World they found their combined capital, after pay- ing for their first night's lodging, amounted to a couple of English sovereigns (worth about $4.84 each). Our subject soon found work, however, in a large slaughter-house in Jersey City, remaining there some three months, his brother meantime moving westward to Hop Bottom, Susquehanna Co., where he was employed as a stone-cutter by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Co., at that place. Here William J. joined him, working on the railroad that winter and the following spring until May I, at which time he took an engagement with Mead Bros., butchers, at Conklin Station, Broome Co., N. Y., and with them remained five years. In 1876 he came to Great Bend, Susquehanna coun- ty, and commenced the butchering business in partnership with J. Judd; but at the end of three months he bought his partner out. In 1880 he pur- chased a vacant lot and erected his present fine three- story brick building, the third floor being rented to the I. O. O. F. lodge. In addition to this he owns other property in Great Bend, as well as some in Hallstead, besides a farm of 100 acres of improved land and nine acres up Trowbridge creek, whereon he has a slaughter-house and an ice-house. In ad- dition to his extensive butchering interests Mr. Day is a heavy stockholder in and president of the Great Bend Brush Manufacturing Co., which is a stock concern, owned exclusively by our subject, his son, Frederick C., his wife's father, Frederick Nitchke, and the latter's son, J. B. Nitchke. It was organized in October, 1899, mainly through Mr. Day's influ- ence and enterprise, and is already meeting with good success, employing some thirty hands, and shipping large orders to all parts of the United States and Canada.

On March 29, 1876, William J. Day was united in marriage, at Conklin Station, Broome Co., N. Y., with Miss Rosena A. Nitchke, who was born there in 1855, a daughter of Frederick and Susanna Helena (Byron) Nitchke, Germans by birth. In 1860, after marriage, they came to the United States, settling at Conklin Station, where Mr. Nitchke was foreman in an acid factory. His wife died in 1895, the mother of three children: Rosena A. (Mrs. Day), Ella (Mrs. William Newman, of Great Bend), and J. B. (superintendent of the brush factory). Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Day: Frederick C., born January 26, 1877, at present traveling in the interests of the brush factory; Lulu, born in October, 1882; and

My Day

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Lena, born in June, 1888. Frederick C. Day was a soldier in the late war with Spain, serving one year as a private in Company G, 13th Pennsylvania In- fantry.

The Day family hold membership in the Episco- pal Church, of which Mr. Day is a liberal supporter. Socially he is a 32nd degree Mason ; is Past Master of Blue Lodge No. 338, High Priest of Chapter No. 210, and Past Commander of Commandery No. 27, all at Great Bend; is a member of Irem Temple, Shrine, at Wilkes Barre, Penn. At one time he was affiliated with the I. O. O. F. Mr. Day, his wife and son are all members of Gill Chapter, No. 12, Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Day was the first Worthy Matron. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, though no office-seeker, being a silent yet influential advisor of his party. How- ever, he served as a member of the city council two terms, and has frequently been urged to accept nom- ination for the office of burgess, but has invariably declined the honor. For twelve years he has been a member of the school board, and was recently re- elected for another term of three years. In all re- spects Mr. Day is public-spirited and progres- sive, and ready to aid any enterprise that may tend to the benefit of the city of his adoption, or of the county at large.

KENNETH ANDERSON JOHNSTON (de- ceased ) was for many years a leading citizen of New Milford, Susquehanna county, and his high character and upright life won for him the respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. While his life was free from ambitious strivings for public notice, it was marked by a quiet usefulness which exerted an influence upon the community not often attained by men in private life.

Mr. Johnston was born February 20, 1807, at Kirkwood, Broome Co., N. Y., and came of good pioneer stock. His parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Snedeker) Johnston, were the first couple married in that locality, the ceremony being performed by Priest Buck, of Great Bend, Penn. Andrew John- ston built the first public house at Kirkwood, and had charge of it when the first line of stages was started from that place to this section; after his death, in 1815, his widow settled on the Thomas Day farm, at Great Bend, with her daughter, Ursula, and six sons, James, Garrett, Kenneth Anderson, David, John Berkalew, and Andrew.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Snedeker) Johnston was born in 1777, and lived to the advanced age of ninety- two years-over half a century of widowhood attest- ing her devotion to her husband's memory. Her fa- ther, Garrett Snedeker, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, removed in 1794 from Somer- set county, N. J., to the northern part of the Valley of the Susquehanna, making the journey with a wagon, upon which were loaded the household goods and the necessary provisions. His family consisted of his wife and six children: Isaac, David, James,

Catherine, Elizabeth and Abby. Notwithstanding the difficulties attending the fording of creeks, and other incidents of travel in the wilderness, they made their way without notable mishap until about fourteen miles from Great Bend, when the wagon broke down, and they spent the night in a hastily- constructed camp, their slumbers being disturbed by serenades from wolves and other wild animals. At that time there was but one house at New Mil- ford, one at Binghamton, N. Y., and two at Great Bend, one on each side of the river. .

Our subject's youth was spent at his old home in Kirkwood, N. Y., and when a young man he came to this section, locating first at Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, where he operated a mill for a few years. This was destroyed by fire, and later he conducted a woolen-mill at Great Bend. He was also engaged in a similar business, at different times, at Harford and Tingley, Susquehanna county, and in 1849 settled permanently upon a farm at New Milford, where he died June 11, 1877. In connection with farming he operated a sawmill and lathmill, and in his varied line of business he met with marked suc- cess. He was a man of generous nature, was a good Christian, and for many years was an active member of the Congregational Church at New Mil- ford. He served for some time as deacon, but when the Church became Presbyterian in faith he declined to remain in office longer. Politically he was a Re- publican, and among the positions which he filled were those of school director, roadmaster, assessor and poormaster. On September 5, 1832, he was married, at Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, to Miss Nancy A. Kennedy, and the following children blessed the union : Rhoda E., deceased, who married James Partridge; Harriet E., who died in child- hood ; Miss Evelyn M .; W. Irvin, who died in 1856; and Miss Julia H. The two surviving daughters occupy the homestead, which shows no lack of business-like management under their oversight. Both are fond of reading, and their intelligence and culture enable them to pass their leisure time pleas- antly and profitably with the best literature.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 271

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