Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 275

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 275
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 275
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 275
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 275

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Susquehanna ; and Frank, a railroad fireman, who married Bertha McDowell and resides at Hornells- ville. (3) Moses, born in Oakland Town, Susque- hanna county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1849. He married Miss Alida Soper, of Michigan, and lived for some time in Hornellsville, N. Y. He then removed to Rapid City, S. Dak., and as a leading and prominent member of the Presbyterian Church of that place he went as a delegate to the national convention held in Oregon. By trade he was a jew- eler. He died in Dakota, leaving a wife and one son, Avery J., now a resident of Michigan.

It was in May, 1848, that Joshua K. Grimes, father of our subject, came to Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn., and purchased a partially improved farm on the Susquehanna river in Oakland township, known as the Drinker tract, on which had already been erected a log house and barn. He has since made many improvements upon the place and there he still resides at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. In 1853 he married for his second wife Miss Maria S. Buck; who was born at Red Rock, Great Bend., Penn., in February, 1821, and is still living. Her parents were John B. and Susan ( Chamber- lain) Buck, representatives of old and prominent families of Great Bend. She attended the district schools near her early home, was also a student in the Montrose Academy for a time, and later be- came a successful teacher. Her maternal grandfa- ther, Moses Chamberlain, was a soldier of the Rev- olutionary war. In his political views Joshua K. Grimes was first a Whig and later a Republican, and although he has ever taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, he has never cared for office, but he has served as supervisor, collector, as- sessor, school director and in other local positions. He and his estimable wife are faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and have given liberally to the erection of the house of worship and the sup- port of the church. They still reside on a part of the old homestead, where they lead quiet, peaceful and happy lives, and they are one of the oldest and most highly respected couples in Oakland township. Their children are now filling honorable and use- ful positions in life and are a source of great pride to their parents. Annually the family hold a re- union on the old homestead, where a most enjoya- ble day is passed with this worthy couple. Our subject is the youngest of the three children born of the second marriage. (1) Susan E., born on the old homestead, January 15, 1855, attended the dis- trict and later the graded schools of Susquehanna, receiving a good classical education, and for several terms was one of the successful teachers of Oak- land township. In May, 1883, she married Homer Hall, of Jackson, Susquehanna county, and they now reside in the town of Susquehanna. (2) Ella R., born June 26, 1860, was educated in graded and private schools of Susquehanna, and in 1883 married Walter H. Wood, of Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., who is now engaged in business in Sus- quehanna, Penn. They have three children-Nel-

lie, Charles and Ray-all students in the Susque- hanna schools.

Elbert J. Grimes, our subject, spent his boy- hood and youth in attending the district schools through the winter months and assisting in the work of the home farm in the summer season. When a young man he superintended the cutting and putting in the lumber on the home tract, be- ing thus employed for four years. In February, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice A. Wheeler, who was educated in the schools of Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., and was a popular teacher of that county and Susquehanna county, Penn., for twelve terms. Her parents, John and Sarah ( Eggleston ) Wheeler, were natives of Broome county, and prominent farming people of Windsor. In their family were two children, and the only son, William, died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes have two children: Eva Alice, born January 29, 1885, and Ernest J., born April 7, 1888, both at- tending the home schools.

After his marriage, Mr. Grimes located on the old homestead, which he rented for two years, and then purchased all the personal property and has since had full control and management of the farm. Being a thorough and skillful farmer and a man of good business ability, he is meeeting with excellent success in his life work. In 1885, he and his father erected upon the place a fine residence near the old homestead, and there he now resides. He tenderly cares for his parents, seeing that they have every comfort in their declining years. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party, and he has been honored with a number of local offices, serving at present as school director, treasur- er and supervisor, having filled the last named po- sition for two terms. Socially he is a member of Royal Arcanum Lodge No. 140, of Susquehanna, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist Church of that place. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and gives his support to all enterprises calculated to advance the moral, edu- cational and material welfare of his community.

ANDREW THOMAS SWINGLE, in his lifetime a highly-esteemed resident of South Canaan township, Wayne county, was for some years successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and his fine homestead shows the result of judicious management.

Mr. Swingle was a member of one of the lead- ing families of his locality, and traced his descent to Hans Ulrich Swingle, a native of Switzerland, who settled in New York State prior to the Revo- lutionary war, and in 1783 removed to this section, locating in what is now South Canaan township, Wayne county, where he secured a large tract of land. John Swingle, a son of Hans, and the great- grandfather of our subject, was married three times and had twenty-four children, among whom was a son Andrew, born of his second marriage, to Catherine Shorter. Andrew Swingle, our sub-

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ject's grandfather, married Sarah Enslin, and they had three children: Thomas, who died in Cali- fornia in 1894; Miles, who is mentioned more fully below ; and one who died in childhood.

Miles Swingle, the father of our subject, was born in South Canaan township, and passed his life there, his attention being given to agricultural work. In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought prominence in public life. He died in July, 1865, at the early age of thirty-five years. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Burleigh, who survives him, and they had the following children: Andrew Thomas, our subject ; John, who died when two years old ; Elizabeth, who married first William Larrison, and after his decease wedded Frederick Kepler, a watchman for the D. & H. Co., at railroad station No. 6, Wayne county : Angeline, wife of E. Swin- gle, a farmer in Hudson, S. Dak .; and Laura, wife of Bartley Fuller, a machinist in the D. L. & W. railway shops at Scranton, Penn. The mother resides at Scranton, Penn., in her sixty-third year. She formed a second matrimonial union with Jestus Rodger, who died January 13, 1889, but by this marriage had no children. The Burleigh fam- ily is of English origin, and her parents, John and Elizabeth (Enslin) Burleigh, came from the old country many years ago, making their home in South Canaan township, Wayne county.

Mr. Swingle was born February 16, 1855, at the old homestead in South Canaan township, and until he was thirty years of age resided with his mother. In 1885 she went to Dakota for a time, but he remained in his native township, where he had purchased a farm of his own, in 1882. On September 27, 1885, he was married to Miss Mary A. Swingle, and the first two years of their wedded life were spent upon the farm, after which they removed to Scranton, where he was employed for four and a half years in the car shops, as a re- pairer. In 1892 he settled upon an attractive estate of ninety-three acres, and until his death was en- gaged in general farming. As a citizen he was in' favor of progress in all lines, and politically a firm believer in the doctrines of the Republican party. He passed to his last rest April 15, 1898.

Mr. and Mrs. Swingle had three bright and healthy children: Leslie, born August 23, 1891, and Claude and Carl, twins, born August 19, 1896. Mrs. Swingle was born May 25, 1861, in South Canaan township, daughter of 'Squire Paul Swin- gle, a prominent citizen of that locality.

MILTON WILLIS PALMER, one of the leading and substantial farmers, of Brooklyn town- ship, Susquehanna county, evidences by the man- ner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is engaged. Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its culti- vation, in a manner which reflects great credit upon the owner.

Mr. Palmer was born in Brooklyn township,

July 27, 1856, the only child of Isaac N. and Nancy M. (Tewksbury ) Palmer, farming people of that township. The father was quite a prominent man in the community, and held several local offices. He died September 11, 1865, at the age of forty- one years, one month and twenty-seven days, the mother passing away November 14, 1863, at the age of thirty-five years, ten months and one day, and the remains of both were interred in the Uni- versalist Church cemetery. They held membership in that Church.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Esek H. and Amy (Smith) Palmer, were natives of Groton, Conn., born December 6, 1777, and March I, 1783, respectively. In 1811 Esek Palmer came to Susquehanna county, Penn., locating in Brook- lyn township, where he was joined by his family the following year, and for a few months they made their home in a log cabin belonging to Capt. Bailey. Mr. and Mrs. Esek H. Palmer had the following children : Lydia S., deceased wife of George Chap- man ; Emeline, deceased wife of M. L. Mack ; Annis, deceased wife of Obadiah Bailey ; Elmina, widow of Robert Kent, and a resident of Brooklyn : James S., a Universalist minister, of Mansfield, Penn .; Gurdon W. and Charles R., deceased; Eunice L. widow of Asa Titus, and a resident of Lenox town- ship, Susquehanna county ; Isaac N., father of our subject ; and David L., deceased.

Amos and Harriet ( Robinson ) Tewksbury were Mr. Palmer's maternal grandparents. The former, born in Vermont, son of Sergeant Tewksbury, came with his parents to Susquehanna county in 1802, locating in Brooklyn township, where he became the owner of a farm of seventy-two acres. His children were Nancy M., mother of our subject ; Mary J .; Benjamin F., who was the second super- intendent of schools of Susquehanna county, and the youngest man to hold that office; Fanny M .; Harriet E. and Amos E., twins, the former now the widow of William D. Frost, the latter deceased when about four months of age.

Our subject made his home with relatives until fifteen years of age, and then began life for himself as a farm hand, being thus employed for five years. Subsquently he clerked one year in the store of G. P. Tiffany, at Brooklyn, and then again worked by the month at farm labor for five years. After his marriage he purchased a half-interest in the stock and tools of his father-in-law, three years later buying the other half, and he is now successfully engaged in the operation of the farm, which com- prises 400 acres of valuable land.

In Brooklyn township, Mr. Palmer was mar- ried, January 4, 1882, to Miss Anna E. Bailey. They have no children of their own, but are rear- ing a son, Robert M., born July 29, 1895, whom they adopted when he was one year old. Mrs. Palmer was born on the farm where she now resides, a daughter of Henry L. and H. Miranda (Guernsey) Bailey, natives of Brooklyn and Bridgewater town- ships, respectively. The father was born March

AMalmo

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8, 1824, on the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, and always followed the occupation of farming, with the exception of three years when he engaged in mercantile business with his brother, in Salem, N. H. He died upon his farm in Brooklyn township, July 4, 1898, aged seventy-four years, and was buried in the Universalist cemetery. He was a member of the Universalist Church, and, fraternally, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a man of prominence in his community, being elected to many township offices. His widow, who was born in 1830, finds a pleasant home with our subject and wife. They had only two children, and Emily L., the younger, died at the age of nine months.

Mrs. Palmer's paternal grandparents, Fred- erick and Polly ( Witter) Bailey, were natives of Groton, Conn., were married in 1806, and the fol- lowing year came to Brooklyn township, Susque- hanna Co., Penn. Their children, all now deceased, were: Mary W., who (first) married a Mr. Rob- erts, and (second) a Mr. Tyler; Frederick L .; Lodowick F .; Sally M., wife of Rodney Jewett ; William P .; James W .: Esther W., wife of W. B. Stevens : Robert M .; Henry L .; Eliza A., wife of Moses Cole; and two who died in infancy. The maternal grandparents were Hiram C. and Maria R. ( Watrous) Guernsey, the former a native of Windsor, N. Y., the latter of Schoharie county, that State. The grandfather was a soldier in the war. of 1812. He was born in 1801, and died in 1871, and his wife, born in 1807, died in 1887, the remains of both being interred in Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna county. In their family were the following children : Julia A., deceased wife of N. P. Miller : James W., deceased ; H. Miranda, mother of Mrs. Palmer; Joseph, who died at the age of eighteen months; Joseph W., who died in 1899; Martha A., deceased wife cif Henry Watrous ; Ellen E., wife of Jason S. Wright, of Brooklyn township: George A., a resident of Winchester, Mass. : Sarah A., who died when twenty-three years old : Lavinia J., deceased wife of Joseph L. Kent ; and Emma N., who died at the age of fourteen years.

In religious belief Mr. Palmer is a Universalist, and in his social relations he is an Odd Fellow and Free Mason, belonging to the I. O. O. F. lodge in Brooklyn, and to Harford Lodge No. 445, F. & A. M., in Hop Bottom, in which latter he has filled all the chairs, being a past master. His political sup- port is always given to the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has filled the office of school director nine years, and supervisor three years. In the estimation of his fellow citizens he is one of the representative men of his community, and he is held in high regard by all who know him.

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ARTHUR W. FOOT, a well-known citizen of New Milford township, Susquehanna county, is an enterprising and successful agriculturist, his fine farm near Hart Lake giving evidence of careful

management. He was born April 27, 1851, and comes of honored pioneer ancestry, the Foote or Foot family being descended from Nathaniel Foote, who came from England in 1633 and settled in Connecticut, Charles Foot, our subject's grand- father ( who was a brother of Belus Foote, grand- father of Byron Foote), came from Vermont in childhood, and as a young man was married in New Milford township to Miss Rebecca Wellman, a na- tive of Massachusetts, who also came to this sec- tion when a child. This estimable couple had six children, viz .: Belus H., Ira, Orland, George, John, and Harriet, who married Nelson Dorr, pro- prietor of a book store at Port Jervis, N. Y., and is now the only survivor of the family.

Belus H. Foot, our subject's father, was born and reared in New Milford township, and was mar- ried in 1850, in Binghamton, N. Y., to Miss Ann Parks, a native of Broome county, N. Y. He re- sided for a time in Franklin township, Susque- hanna county, but removed in 1853 to our subject's present farm. For many years he followed the carpenter's trade in connection with farming, and he also took an active and influential part in local affairs, serving as school director, poormaster and supervisor and in other township offices. He died April 12, 1894, aged seventy-three, and his wife died September 30, 1876, at the age of fifty years, the remains of both being buried in the cemetery at New Milford. Our subject is the eldest of a family of three children; Ida E. died at the age of nine years, and Miss Francelia resides at the home- stead.

The Parks family has been identified with Dutchess county, N. Y., from an early period, and our subject's maternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Finch) Parks, came from that locality in 1867 to spend their last days in New Milford township, Susquehanna county. They had a large family of children, as follows: Oran, David, William, Lois, Jane, Olive, Annis, Ann (our sub- ject's mother), and Mary, who married first John Cortright, and second James Robinson, deceased (she now resides in New Milford township), and Johanna (Mrs. Tiffany), of Binghamton, N. Y., is the only other living member of the family.

Our subject was but two years old when his parents settled at the present homestead where he has since resided. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and politically is a stanch Republican. His interest in local affairs is shown in many ways and he is especially active in promoting the welfare of the schools, having entered in the fall of 1898 upon his second term of three years as director. On June 20, 1872, he was married in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, to Miss Mary Wood. Two children brightened their home for a brief time only, Ernest dying at the age of two years, and Mabel at the age of three.

Mrs. Mary (Wood) Foot belongs to a well- known family of this section, her paternal grand- parents, Cornelius and Mary Wood, having come

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from New York State in 1808 to make their home in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county. John Wood, Mrs. Foot's father, was born in New York State, and was married in Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna county, to Miss Nellie Matthews, daughter of David and Sinda ( Blowers ) Matthews, who, on removing from New York State, settled in that locality in 1810. John Wood died in Bridge- water township in 1885, aged eighty-six years, and his wife still resides, at the age of eighty-four, upon their old homestead. For many years she has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church, her faith being exemplified in her daily life. To John and Nellie Wood the following children were born: Mortimer, a farmer on the old homestead ; Frank, deceased; Adelia, deceased, who married N. F. Kimber; Eugene, of Bingham- ton, N. Y .; Jennie, who died in childhood; Mary, wife of our subject ; Eudorah, who married Gerome Hart, a farmer in New Milford township; Eva, wife of John Richardson, of New Milford; and Hattie, who married Lemuel Cole, a farmer in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county.

JOSEPH STEVENS, a prosperous and well- to-do farmer and stock raiser residing in Oakland township, Susquehanna county, was born in Lu- zerne county, Penn., near Scranton, in August, 1827, and is a worthy representative of an honored and highly respected family, being a son of Samuel and Mary Ann ( Mckinney) Stevens, both natives of Dutchess county, N. Y. The grandparents, Ephraim and Hannah Stevens, were born in New York, in 1758, and at an early day located near Scranton, Penn., where the former followed agri- cultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life. Both died on his farm in Providence town- ship, Luzerne county, in 1855. To them were born four children, as follows: (I) William, born in October, 1785, married and settled in Luzerne coun- ty, where he died leaving a family. Ebenezer, one of his sons, now resides in Susquehanna county. (2) Polly, born in 1789, died young. (3) Annie, born in 1791, married Curtis M. Sterling, of Lu- zerne county, where she died leaving a family. Two of her sons were soldiers in the Civil war, and one was wounded and died in the army. (4) Samuel Stevens, father of our subject, completes the family. Samuel Stevens was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in July, 1795, and in Providence, Luzerne Co., Penn., married Mary Ann Mckinney, who was born in September, 1807. He owned a wild tract of land in Luzerne county, which was underlaid with anthracite coal, and to the improvement and cultivation of his land he devoted his energies until 1864, when he sold the place and purchased the farm in Oakland township, Susquehanna county, where our subject now resides. Here he died in 1865. His wife survived him for many years and was tenderly cared for by our subject and his wife, who received a mother's blessing at her death in 1886.

Joseph Stevens, the only child of Samuel and Mary ( Mckinney ) Stevens, grew to manhood in Luzerne county, where he attended the district schools and aided in the work of the home farm. In December, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Carman, who was born in Luzerne county, in November, 1834, and was educated in its schools. She is a daughter of Phineas and Mary (Ayers) Carman, natives of New Jersey. Our subject and his wife have two children: (I) Frank H., born in Jefferson, Luzerne county, in November, 1862, attended the home schools, and later the Elmira Business College, from which he was graduated, and he is now in the employ of the Erie Railroad Company. He married Ida Griffis, of Susquehanna, where they now reside. (2) Minnie L., born at the present home of the family in Oakland township, Susquehanna county, in July, 1868, completed her education in the high schools of Scranton, and is now the wife of Elmer Englert, of Montrose, who was born in Laceyville, Luzerne Co., Penn., and is now in the employ of the Erie Railroad at Susquehanna.

For some years after his marriage, Mr. Ste- vens followed farming in Providence township, Luzerne county, but in 1866 located upon his pres- ent farm in Oakland township, Susquehanna coun- ty, on the Susquehanna river, one mile from the town of the same name. By purchase he has added to his homestead eighty acres, making a fine farm of 280 acres, which he has placed under excellent cultivation, and erected thereon a pleasant resi- dence and good outbuildings. As a farmer and stock raiser he has steadily prospered and has be- come one of the substantial citizens of his com- munity. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party, and he has most cred- itably filled the offices of school director, assessor and supervisor. He and his family hold member- ship in the Baptist Church of Susquehanna, and merit and receive the respect and esteem of all who know them. He is a generous, kindly and cour- teous gentleman, upright and honorable in all things, and whose life is above reproach.

WILKINSON PRICE. Successful farming a generation ago among the best families was in- variably accompanied by a generous hospitality. Genial pleasure reigned in a wholesome and invig- orating social atmosphere. A few households may yet be found where the same kindly and lavish pro- vision is made for friend or stranger, where the essence of the good old days yet lingers, where grace and cheer, culinary art and drawing-room accomplishments, combine to welcome the coming and speed the parting guest. One of the most cheering and hospitable, widely known as such throughout the country, is that of Wilkinson Price, in Barrett township, Monroe county.

The Price family is an old and prominent one. The grandfather of our subject, John Price, settled in this neighborhood prior to the Revolutionary

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war, coming from Bucks county at a time when the Indians were numerous and hostile. He had many encounters with them, and many narrow escapes at their hands. Later he settled across Brodhead's creek, two and one-half miles below. Canadensis, but being driven away by the Indians returned to Bucks county, where he remained until the war was over. He made the return trip to this region with his wife and one child, on horseback. John Price reared a large family, his seven sons being John, Ichabod, Charles, Eleazer, Samuel, Benjamin and Joseph. Ihcabod and Charles were both killed while serving as soldiers in the war of 1812-15, the former at Fort Meigs; Benjamin was drafted during that conflict, and went down to Marcus Hook, where he was discharged. The father lived for several years with his son Benja- min, on the place now occupied by Henry Lesoine, and there ended his days.

Benjamin Price, the father of our subject, was born in Price township, and about 1807 married Jane, daughter of Henry Smith, of Stroud town- ship. He settled in the woods and cleared up a good farm. A Democrat in politics, he was one of the leaders of his party, and held many local offices. His death occurred in 1848, his good wife surviv- ing him until 1859. Their family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, was as follows: (1) Jacob married and settled at Spruce Cabin, where his sons Wesley and Milton now live. (2) Charles, born in 1810, married Phila Price, daughter of Eleazer Price, settled at Cove, in Barrett township, and became an extensive lumberman. He died leaving a family of seven sons and one daughter, Madison, Emma (wife of Dimmick Custard), Mor- ris, Benjamin, Davis, Townsend, Dimmick, and Mahlon. (3) Smith, born in 1812, married Mary Wolfinger, of Stroud, settled in the Cove, and and raised a large family. (4) Mahala died at the age of sixteen years. (5) Mary A., born in 1816, married William C. Long, of Monroe county. They settled in the Cove, and there raised a family of children. (6) Daniel, born in 1819, married Mary A. Busecker, of Price, and settled in the Cove, in Barrett, where he died leaving three chil- dren, Warren, Albert and Daniel. (7) Emaline, born in 1822, died unmarried. (8) Benjamin, born in 1826, died at the age of sixteen years. (9) Wilkinson, the youngest, is the subject of this sketch.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 275

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