Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 273

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 273
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 273
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 273
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 273

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NELSON L. PECK, D. D. S., a well-known dentist of Stroudsburg, Monroe county, is not only a leader in his profession, but he and his family stand high in the social life of the community. His fine intellectual gifts, and wide range of informa- tion, united with an upright character, make him a valuable citizen, and the following account of his life will be appreciated by a large circle of friends.

The record of the Peck, or Beck ( as it is pro- nounced in German), family is traced back many generations. It is supposed that they came originally from Scotland, tradition making them Scotch-Irish. Peck or Beck in Gaelic means a small stream. From Scotland they went across the North sea to the Continent, settling in Hesse Darmstadt, thence removed to Wittenberg, and thence to Alsace, whence the first ancestor in America emigrated. His given name is unknown. He was an only son, and came to America to avoid entering the mili- tary service, which was compulsory in his country, though he wished to remain with his widowed mother. Being undecided as to what course he should pursue-take care of his widowed mother or go into the army-he sought advice of his pas- tor, who advised him to take up military service, and take the ninety-first Psalm as his guide. How- ever he came to America, instead. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he enlisted, and did valiant service in many battles ; he testified that no day passed in which he failed to read the ninety-first Psalm, and that in the hottest battles he felt as safe as if at home, in his easy chair. Physically he was a very large man, weighing nearly three hundred pounds. His son, Johann Heinrich Beck, was prob- ably the founder of the Beck or Peck family in America. He married Catharine Wolf, a sister of Gov. Wolf, seventh governor of Pennsylvania, and comptroller of the currency under Andrew Jackson, and they had four sons, John, Jacob, George and Henry, and eight daughters. He took title to 325 acres of land (near Newburg, Lower Nazareth township) from John and Richard Penn, the orig- inal title and part of the land being still owned by George H. Beck. The Becks descended from this ancestry are numerous, scattered far and wide over the country, and are for the most part well-to-do, being farmers, druggists, doctors, preachers, den- tists, etc. Many of them are Lutherans in religious

faith, some are Methodists, a few Presbyterians ; and there are also a few Moravians.

Henry Beck, son of Johann Heinrich Beck and Catharine Wolf, and grandfather of our sub- ject, inherited a farm from his parents. He opened a pottery, but the clay turned out badly and he lost much money, though he was afterward more suc- cessful. He died in 1824, of typhoid fever, leaving three children : Mary, Jesse and Emanuel.

Mary married Adam Hampshire, and died near Newburg, Penn .; Jesse entered the United States ar- my during the war of the Rebellion and never re- turned home.

Emanuel Peck, father of our subject, was born in 1818, and as his parents died during his childhood he was apprenticed in early life, and was reared in the vicinity of Allentown, learning the tailor's trade, which he has followed for many years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, 4th Penn. Re- serves, and spent nine months in the service, endur- ing untold hardships, which brought on chronic rheumatism. On his return from the army he set- tled in Stroudsburg, where he still resides. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and for many years has been an honored member of the M. E. Church at Stroudsburg. His wife, Susan (Lee), who died in 1891, was a daughter of Daniel Lee, of Monroe county, and a sister of Senator D. S. Lee, of Strouds- burg. Our subject was the eldest of four children, the others being: Josephine, who died of scarlet fever when five years old ; David, who died in child- hood ; and Miss Ella F., a resident of Stroudsburg.

Doctor Peck was born January 9, 1847, at Bel- videre, N. J., and after receiving a good common- school education began his professional studies with Doctor Lantz, of Stroudsburg. Later he took a course in a dental college in Philadelphia, and on graduating he began practicing, meeting with grat- ifying success. Since 1872 he has been in practice in Stroudsburg, where he has an excellent patronage. He is prominent in the affairs of his town, and is an active member of the Building and Loan Associa- tion. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, and socially he is identified with various organizations, including the Masonic Fraternity and the Sons of Veterans. .He and his family are connected with the M. E. Church at Stroudsburg, in which he has served as local preacher for fifteen years, and even longer as class-leader. In 1879 the Doctor married Miss Elizabeth Hinsdale Burr, of Newark, N. J., and they have two children: Anna V., who graduated from the public schools of Stroudsburg at the age of sixteen with high standing, is now (Jan., 1900) a student of dentistry in the Pennsylvania College of Dentistry, Philadelphia ; Jesse Lee is now a stu- dent in the Bordentown (N. J.) Military Institute.

CAPT. W. R. BENNETT, a military veteran, and one of the leading business men of Strouds- burg, Monroe county, has won an enviable reputa- tion in financial circles for sound judgment, of which he has given abundant evidence in the course

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of his career. His persistent steady pursuit of his chosen line of business has brought him substan- tial success, and his example will afford a helpful suggestion to any ambitious youth.

Our subject derives his sterling qualities of character from sturdy Welsh ancestry in both pa- ternal and maternal lines. His father, William Bennett, was born in 1808, in Charlestown, Mass., son of Stephen Bennett, a native of Wales, and in his early days followed farming as an occupation, but later became an official in the State prison at Charlestown. He was a Republican in politics, and was orthodox in religious faith. He died at Wo- burn, Mass., in 1860. His wife, Susan (Russell), who was born in 1809 and died in April, 1878, was a daughter of Col. Bill Russell, a successful busi- ness man of Woburn. Our subject was the eldest of. seven children, the others being: Celina, wife of Otis Cummings; Augustus, a resident of Cali- fornia ; Winthrop, of Woburn, Mass .; Granville, who died April 17, 1879, formerly superintendent of our subject's tannery at Stroudsburg : Isabella, wife of George Merrill ; and Walter, a resident of Read- ing, Massachusetts.

Our subject was born November 30, 1830, at Woburn, Mass., and his education was acquired in the public schools of that place. His business abil- ity was manifested at an early age, and before he attained his majority he engaged in the manufacture of leather, owning a tannery at Woburn. In 1873 he was in the leather business in Philadelphia, and about that time bought his present tannery at Stroudsburg, where he has built up a large trade. He carries on all branches of the business from tan- ning to finishing, giving employment to fifty-two men regularly, and he has customers in all parts of the world, maintaining agencies in Liverpool and London, England, and in California. His military service began in August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, 22nd Mass. V. I. Later he was pro- moted to the rank of orderly sergeant. At the expiration of his term he re-enlisted, with the rank of captain, and in all he served three and a half years, being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At one time he was captured, and spent twenty- four hours in Libby Prison, entering on Friday and leaving on Saturday morning, when he was sent back to the Union lines for exchange. He belongs to Wadsworth Post No. 150, G. A. R., at Strouds- burg, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

In 1860 the Captain married Miss Caroline Flint, a native of Lexington, Mass. They have no children.

SAMUEL B. BRYANT, a highly-esteemed resident of Waymart, Wayne county, has been for many years a trusted employee on the Gravity rail- road, and his able and efficient work in the responsi- ble position of engineer has won for him the con- fidence of the public as well as that of the company.

Like many successful citizens, Mr. Bryant is of

English birth. His family has resided for many generations in Cornwall, England, and his grand- father, Thomas Bryant, followed farming there throughout his life. The late Richard R. Bryant, father of our subject, was born in Cornwall, and was married there to Miss Margaret Hean, also a native of that district. In 1850 they came to America with four children, and located at Bethany, Wayne coun- ty, upon a farm. They were members of the Methodist Church, and were much respected for their sterling qualities of character, Mr. Bryant being frequently chosen by his fellow citizens to town- ship offices, on the Democratic ticket. Their last years were spent in their pleasant home in Texas township, Wayne county. Mrs. Bryant, who was noted for her cheerful temperament and sweet dis- position, passed to the unseen life April 26, 1888, agd sixty-seven years, three months and twenty- seven days, and her husband died July 15, 1895, in his seventy-ninth year, both succumbing to the same disease, apoplexy. Their remains now rest in Riverside cemetery, at Honesdale. They had the following children: Walter, who died in Iowa, December 27, 1884, aged forty-two years, one month, eighteen days, leaving a wife Hattie (Egleston), a daughter and three sons (they also buried three sons) ; Rhoda, who married Joseph Adams, and after his decease wedded Amos Grimstone, a stone cutter at Bethany ; Samuel B., our subject; Luther J., a railway fireman, residing at Waymart ; Chester, a resident of Waymart, also employed on the rail- way; Emma, wife of William Belknap, of Promp- ton; Edgar, a resident of Canaan township, who works at our subject's engine, as fireman ; and Caro- line, Earl and Calvin, all of whom died in infancy.

Our subject was born January 7, 1848, in Cornwall, England, and coming to Wayne county in childhood, his education and training for life's battles were obtained there. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty, much of his time being devoted to work on the farm, and on leaving the parental roof he found employment with the Gravity Railroad Co. For fifteen years he was a fireman, but since that time for seventeen years he has been continuously in service as an engineer, a fact which is of itself a certificate of reliability. Possessing agreeable manners, Mr. Bryant has the faculty of making many friends. He is prominent in local affairs, and in the Prohibition organization, and has held various offices, including those of school dirctor, township treasurer, and county poormaster. In religious faith he is a Methodist, and he and his talented wife are both workers in the Church at Waymart. They have an attractive residence, and everything bespeaks the comforts of a typical Ameri- can home.

On November 13, 1870, Mr. Bryant was mar- ried at Wavmart, by Rev. J. L. Race, to Miss J. Dora Bates, daughter of the late John Bates, a well- known resident of Dyberry, Wayne county. One son has blessed this union, F. Otis, now a success-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ful physician at Chester, Penn. He was carefully educated in his youth, graduated from the Waymart Normal School at the age of seventeen, and from the State Normal School at Millersville, Penn., at the age of twenty. He then entered the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, to prepare for his professional work, and in July, 1896, received the degree of M. D. The following year he spent as resident physician of the hospital at Ches- ter, and at the end of that time was honored with a hospital diploma, the first ever granted to a resi- dent physician at that institution. At the age of of twenty-seven years, in 1898, he was elected to a position on the medical staff of said Chester Hospital, which he filled with dignity and credit, both to himself and his parents, being the youngest physician ever elected to said Hospital Staff, and the following year was re-elected, this time to the more trying positon of Hospital Surgeon, which position he still holds at the time of this writing. He is a member of the Third Presbyterian Church of Chester, and, like his parents, is actively interested in all movements which tend to promote the public welfare.

Mrs. Bryant was born April 16, 1848, in Dy- berry township, Wayne county, and is of excellent ancestry. John Bates came from Cornwall, Eng- land, in 1831, and, with his brother William, and Joseph May, purchased from Hon. Pope Bushnell a large tract of land in Dyberry township, where he cleared a fine farm which he cultivated with marked success, acquiring a handsome competence. He was an honest and conscientious citizen, highly respected in his community, and for many years was a leading member of the Methodist Church near his home. In politics he was a Democrat, but he never sought distinction in public life. He died June II, 1887, at the advanced age of eighty years and eleven months. His wife, Emily (Swingle), a native of South Canaan township, Wayne county, died at Dyberry three years later, at the age of sev- enty-six, their remains being interred at Bethany. Mrs. Bates was a daughter of Jacob Swingle, a prominent resident of South Canaan township, and a descendant of that noted pioneer, Hans Ulrich Swingle, of Switzerland. To John and Emily Bates ten children were born, as follows: Miss Elizabeth, who resides at the old homestead in Dy- berry township; Sarah, wife of Peter Randall, a retired lumberman of Hancock, N. Y .; Robert, a farmer in Wayne county ; Jacob J., who operates a farm and gristmill at Dyberry village; John M., a physician, now deceased, who is mentioned more fully below ; J. Dora, the wife of our subject; Lou- ise, who married Richard Randall, a farmer and lumberman of Wayne county; George and Spen- cer, deceased; and Eugene, who conducts the old homestead.

Dr. John M. Bates was a physician of marked ability, and although he had not been engaged in professional work many years before his death he

had already acquired an enviable reputation. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Strong, of Honesdale, and after graduating from Bellevue Medical College, in New York, he located in South Canaan, where he established himself in practice. Later he removed to Waymart, and in 1878 he went to Wauseon, Ohio, where a bright future seemed to await him. He entered upon his work there with characteristic zeal, winning success from the start, and at the time of his death he was president of the Medical Association of Fulton County, Ohio. His untimely demise may be justly attributed to his disregard of his own health in his care for that of others. He was treating a case of typhoid fever about nine miles from Wauseon, and in spite of the fact that he was feeling ill at the time he visited his patient, returning home in a cold rainstorm. A violent cold aggravated his symptoms, and being finally taken with pneumonia he died four days later, on April 28, 1882. At his request, his remains were brought back to his home for interment, and the services which consigned "dust to dust" were attended by a large assembly of his early friends. Ceremonies were also held at Wauseon, a numerous company following his remains to the train which was to bear him to the East, and nothing was left undone which could show the appreciation of the citizens to a kind-hearted, able physician and man of honor. His brother physicians who acted as pall- bearers expressed heartfelt grief that a life of such promise should be cut short, and that the profession should lose one who had seemed destined to win a place in the highest ranks. Dr. Bates was married, August II, 1869, and two children, Elliott F. and Howard, survive him.

FRANCIS X. JARDON. The "Jardon House," at Milford, Pike county, is justly cele- brated for its cuisine, and the most critical tour- ist, visiting that picturesque region, will find every delicacy furnished in first-class metropolitan hotels. In selecting this favored spot for his enterprise Mr. Jardon has shown rare judgment, as the house, which stands on a bluff overlooking the Delaware river, commands a charming view across the Jer- sey flats to the Blue Mountains. Within, the guest enjoys the refined comforts of a well-appointed, well-managed home, while outdoors there awaits him at his pleasure a delightful round of recrea- tions. The water supply is excellent, no organic matter being revealed by chemical analysis, and physicians of high standing often recommend a sojourn at the place to their patients. During the summer the house is filled with appreciative guests, and at all times of the year it is a favorite halting- place for coasting and cycling parties.

Mr. Jardon was born October 23, 1854, in the village of Chalon Villard, department of Haute- Saone, France, son of Francis and Adele ( Mongin) Jardon, natives of France. The mother died in 1862, aged forty-eight years, and in 1866, the father came to America, locating first in New York City,

Francis & Gardon

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

where he engaged in the manufacture of clock springs. In 1869 he removed to Milford, to join his son Ignaz in conducting a meat market, but a few years later he returned to New York to spend his last days, his death occurring there in 1881, when he was aged seventy-two. Our subject is the youngest of three sons, the others, Hubert and Ignaz, being now employed as chefs in New York City.

During the first fifteen years of his life Mr. Jar- don remained in his native village, his education being obtained in the local schools. He was then employed in the kitchen of the "Cannon D' Orr," a small hotel at Belfort, France, and during his two years of service there laid the foundation for his future fame as a chef. At the age of seventeen he came to the United States, landing in New York, where he soon secured a position as an assistant to the famous chef, Louis Ragot, who was in charge of the cuisine at Delmonico's for thirty-five years. Mr. Jardon's abilities were soon recognized, and although but a boy in years his loyal and con- scientious application to his duties, and his quiet, unassuming manner, made him a valued employe. He remained with Delmonico seven years, and at the age of twenty-five went to Glen Summit, Penn., to take a position as chef in the "Glen Summit Ho- tel," where he remained three years. He then took charge of the kitchen at the "Frontenac," in the Thousand Islands, and later he spent one year at the "Wyoming Valley Hotel," Wilkes Barre, Penn., and one year at the "Wyoming Hotel.' Scranton, Penn. For the next two years he was chef of the "Pequot House," New London, Conn., and in 1886 he was selected from a host of applicants for the post of chef at the famous "Princess Anne Hotel," at Virginia Beach, Va. There he remained nine years, notwithstanding changes in the manage- ment, and by his efforts not only won an enviable name for himself, but did more than any other chef to establish the reputation of the hotel for excellence of cuisine. In 1886 he started his present hotel, meeting with gratifying success from the beginning.

Mr. Jardon's genial and gentlemanly manners add much to his popularity, admirable character- istics with which even the casual acquaintance can- not fail to be impressed, while in his chosen line of work he shows the earnestness and zeal of the true artist. Mr. Jardon has enlarged his property at least one-half since he purchased it in 1886, his hotel at present having accommodation for seventy-five guests, and he is preparing to make further in- provements and additions this year, intending to build ten new rooms. A fine lawn, comprising about ten acres, surrounds the house. Mr. Jardon closes his place in the winter season, going south in his old capacity of chef at the "Princess Anne Hotel."

FREDERICK R. HOLBERT, a popular mer- chant and lumberman of Equinunk, is a worthy representative of a family which has long been 74

prominently identified with the commercial and in- dustrial interests of Wayne county. It is true that he became interested in a business already estab- lished, but in controlling and enlarging such enter- prises many a man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would have failed ; and he has demonstrated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius, but the out- come of clear judgment and experience.

Mr. Holbert was born in Berlin township, Wayne county, March 13, 1858, and is the second youngest son of William and Emma ( Pool) Holbert, in whose family were seven children: (I) Joseph, a resident of Binghamton, N. Y., married Maria Sherwood, of Equinunk, and has one daughter, Edith. (2) William P., born in Pike county, Penn., married Eva Dillon, of Equinunk, and also lives in Binghamton. (3) Emma, born in Pike county, is the wife of John Cole, of Damascus, Wayne county, and has three children : Effa, Emma and Nora. (4) . Frank. (5) and (6) Nora and Horton, twins, born in Berlin township, Wayne county ; the former is the wife of Ephraim Kimble, of Kimble, Pike county, and has one son, Horton, and also an adopted daughter, Gertrude; the latter died when young.

William Holbert (the father of our subject) was born, reared and married in Pike county, where his parents, Joseph and Sabra Holbert, had located in pioneer days. He continued to make that county his home for some time after his marriage, and then came to Equinunk, where for about twenty years he was extensively engaged in merchandising and the manufacture of lumber, building a number of sawmills which he successfully operated, and be- coming one of the leading lumbermen on the Del- aware river. He was also one of the most promi- nent and influential citizens of his community, and for three years acceptably served as county com- missioner of Wayne county, during which time he supported many measures resulting in great good to the county. In 1889 he returned to Pike county, and near his old home died the same year. The mother of our subject was called to her final rest in 1861.

Frederick R. Holbert began his education in the public schools of Equinunk, and later pursued a commercal course at Monticello, N. Y. Having thus obtained a good practical business education, he entered his father's store as clerk and bookkeeper, and after serving in that capacity for a number of years, he purchased the establishment, which he has. since carried on with good success. He has also engaged in the manufacture of lumber, owning a large tract of timber land on the Delaware river, and this line of business has proved very profitable.

In 1878 Mr. Holbert married Miss Minnie Sheldon, of Equinunk, who is a native of Jersey City, and a daughter of Hoyt and Catherine Shel- don, prominent people of that place. Our subject and his wife now have six children, namely : Leon,.

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who was born in Equinunk, in 1879, and is attend- ing Lowell College, of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Edgar, Willard, Cora, Harvey and Ina, who are pursuing their studies in the local schools. Mr. Holbert was reared in the Baptist faith, his par- ents both being members of that Church. He is a prominent Mason, having taken the thirty-second degree, and belonging to Hancock Lodge No. 552, F. & A. M .; Shehanken Chapter No. 258, R. A. M. ; Malta Commandery No. 21, K. T., of Bingham- ton, N. Y. ; and Binghamton Consistory. His polit- ical support is given the men and measures of the Prohibition party, and his aid is never withheld from any object which he believes calculated to advance the welfare of his fellow men, or to promote public prosperity.

DANIEL LA BARR. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Wayne county who occu- pies a more enviable position than Mr. La Barr in business circles, not alone on account of the bril- liant success he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. He is now one of the most prosperous citizens of Preston township, where he carries on operations as a lumberman and farmer.

Mr. La Barr was born in Waymart, Wayne county, December 12, 1860, son of John and Jane (Lord) La Barr, the former born in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1816, the latter in Wayne county, Penn., in 1823. The paternal grandparents, John and Rachel La Barr, were natives of Germany, born in 1768 and 1778, respectively. The parents of our subject were married July 4, 1850, and began their domestic life in Delaware county, N. Y., where the father followed lumbering for some years. Sub- sequently he conducted a hotel in Equinunk, Wayne county, for ten years, and then removed to Way- mart. A few years later he located on the Dela- ware river, where he engaged in lumbering until about a year before his death, when he removed to Lake Como, dying at that place November 14, 1884. His wife survived him some time, her death occur- ring December 2, 1896. In their family were six children, namely: (I) Esther, born in Delaware county, N. Y., May 25, 1851, married George Simpson, of Wayne county, and they now make their home in Scranton, Penn. Their children were Smith and Johnnie, who are still living; and Lizzie, who died in childhood. (2) Theodore, born in Equinunk, April 29, 1853, died at the age of twelve years. (3) Medora, born in Waymart, March 23, 1855, died in infancy. (4) J. C. Fremont, born in Waymart, July 20, 1856, was educated in Hones- dale, and is now a resident of Philadelphia, and en- gaged in'contracting and building bridges. (5) Rhoda, born in Waymart, January 8, 1859, is the wife of Eveal Moore, a carpenter and builder, of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 273

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