Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 281

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 281
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 281
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 281
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 281

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William Taylor, Mrs. Miller's grandfather, born in 1780, a hatter by trade, worked at the busi- ness and supplied various localities in that article throughout the State and also the State of New York, carrying on the business near Smiley Hol- low. He married Elizabeth Jones, born in 1789. They removed to Taylor Town in 1816, and there passed the remainder of their lives, dying, he in 1851, and she in 1864. After locating in Great Bend township he was mostly employed in farming and lumbering.

David Taylor, Mrs. Miller's father, born in 1814, was reared in Great Bend township to the business of lumbering and farming till reaching his majority, receiving only one term of school. On becoming of age he purchased of his father 600 acres of timberland, on which he built a sawmill, and there carried on the lumber business until 1845 when he settled at Lanesboro. At that place, asso- ciated with his brother Jonathan, he purchased the Jesse Lane property which consisted of considerable real estate including a grist and saw mill. Shortly thereafter David sold his interest to another brother, Jacob, and in 1851 .removed to what was known as the Hilborn place, which he purchased. This property he sold five years later and purchased the Bethel Hill property, and in 1866, the John Comfort farm, upon which he resided until his death, in 1873. He was a man of great resolution, energy and self-reliance, and succeeded in accumu- lating a comfortable competence. He was also a man of correct habits and sympathetic nature, giv- ing liberally to the Church and to charitable pur- poses, as well as rendering assistance to those strug- gling with adversity. The religious connections of the Taylor family in general were with the Univer- 76

salist Church. The political affiliations of David Taylor were with the Republican party, to which he gave his support and influence. He was twice married, first, in 1840, to Amity, daughter of Mar- maduke Salisbury. She died seven years later and he married (second), in 1849, Mrs. Cornelia B. Benton, widow of Ansel Benton, but formerly Miss Weeks, of Afton, N. Y., born in 1817, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Pearsall) Weeks, she be- ing a woman of marked intelligence and high moral character. To this second marriage of David Tay- lor were born Nora T., in 1849, who married Adel- bert J. Slager, a prominent business man of Bing- hamton, N. Y., now treasurer of the Binghamton Trust Co., also president of the City National Bank of Susquehanna ; Charles M., born in 1855, a farm- er of Harmony township, who married Agnes E., daughter of Jonathan Taylor referred to in the foregoing ; and Nellie E., the wife of our subject. David Taylor died in 1873, and his widow in 1898.

On his mother's side Dr. Miller is in the fifth generation from William Loder, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers in what is now Ox- ford township, Warren county, N. J., the line of his descent being through William, Isaac, William H., and Edna (Loder) Miller.

I. William Loder, probably of English descent, born in 1740, in Oxford township, married in 1764, Catherine

, who was born in 1745:

II. Isaac Loder, son of William, born in 1772, marriedSarah Hummer, born in 1774. They resid- ed on the river some three miles below Belvidere, N. J. He died in 1854, and his wife in 1839.

III. William H. Loder, son of Isaac, and the father of Mrs. Edna (Loder) Miller, born in 1797, married, in 1819, Elizabeth A., daughter of Freder- ick and Margaret (Snover) Kinney, of Walnut Valley, Warren Co., N. J., and in 1826 located in Stroud township, Monroe county, Penn. Mr. Loder was a carpenter by trade, and followed that as an occupation mainly through his active life. He owned a fine farm of 160 acres, but retired from this and other active business in 1860, removing to Stroudsburg, where he made his home until his death, in 1872. Through his own efforts and with- out any pecuniary assistance he acquired a fair competence, the result of honesty and industry. He was a man of good judgment and exemplary hab- its, and both himself and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Stroudsburg. Their chil- dren were: (1) Frederick K., born in 1823, mar- ried and settled in Michigan, and died in 1885. (2) Isaac H., born in 1826, married and moved to Kansas about 1856, and there resided until his- death in 1883. (3) Alexander W., born in 1828, married, in 1851, Emily Van Vliet. He is a mer- chant at East Stroudsburg. (4) Sarah M., born in 1833, is the wife of Melchoir Smith, a wheelwright of Stroudsburg. (5) Edna is the mother of Dr.' Miller. (6) William M., born in 1839, located in the State of Kansas, and on the breaking out of the Civil war enlisted in the Union army and served in

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Missouri on the staff of Gen. Nathan Lyon, who was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek. Later he returned east and again enlisted in the service from Stroudsburg, serving in the Army of the Potomac, and rose to the rank of Colonel. After the war he married and located in Albion, Mich., where he has obtained a large competence as lum- ber merchant and contractor. He is now a resident of Albion, Michigan.

ALSEN H. BURDICK, an honored and high- ly-esteemed citizen of Clifford, was born January 9, 1842, in Clifford township, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania.

Zebediah Burdick, father of our subject, was born in Rhode Island January 20, 1812, and with his parents came to Susquehanna county in 1825, locating in the eastern part of Clifford township, at what is now known as the Burdick settlement. In connection with farming he followed the boot and shoemaker's trade. He held several township offices, and belonged to the State Militia. In Madi- son county, N. Y., on November 19, 1835, he mar- ried Miss Susan Irish, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Elias Irish, who removed from Con- necticut to New York at an early day. Her grand- father, Joseph Irish, was also a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick had five children, all born in Clifford township, Susque- hanna county, with the exception of the eldest, who was a native of New York. Catherine H. is now deceased ; Alsen H., our subject, is next in order of birth; Elmina S., born February 3, 1845, is deceased ; John J., born June 1, 1848, died at the age of one year ; and Loren Z., born May 24, 1850, completes the family. The father was called to his final rest August 2, 1865, and the mother, who was born April 22, 1808, died January 24, 1864, of black fever, from which disease her daughter also died. Their remains were interred in the cemetery located on the old Burdick homestead. They were earnest, consistent Christians, members of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church.

Alsen H. Burdick was reared on the home farm and received a common-school education. He re- mained with his parents until their deaths, after which he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres and en- gaged in farming on his own account with good success. He also devoted considerable attention to the raising of cattle and sheep, but in November, 1892, he removed to the village of Clifford, and is now practically living retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil.

On January 9, 1865, in Clifford township, Mr. Burdick married Miss Ann F. Finn. The only child born of this union died in infancy. Mrs. Burdick was born on Elk Mountain, Clifford town- ship, September 18, 1846, a daughter of Clark and Maria (Coleman) Finn, also natives of Susque- hanna county. Her grandparents, James and Polly (Wells) Finn, and John and Christina ( Felts ) Cole- man, were farming people, and life-long residents

of Susquehanna county. In early life her father worked at both the carpenter's and blacksmith's trades, but later followed the occupation of farm- ing. He died in Uniondale, Susquehanna county, in 1893, at the age of seventy-five years, and was buried there. His widow is still living at the age of seventy-six years, and makes her home in Her- rick township, Susquehanna county. Their chil- dren were Albert E., deceased ; Ann F., wife of our subject ; Henry H., a mechanic and contractor of Uniondale; and Christine E., deceased wife of O. W. Chandler, who is engaged in farming on the old Finn homestead.

Being a strong temperance man, Mr. Burdick affiliates with the Prohibition party, and he has filled the office of roadmaster in a most creditable and sat- isfactory manner. He and his wife are active and prominent members of the Baptist Church of Clif- ford, in which he has served as deacon for the past five years, and his life is in perfect harmony with his professions.

BURDICK FAMILY. Prominent among the old historic families of Clifford township, Susque- hanna county, were the Burdicks. Their ances- tral home was in Rhode Island, and they came of good old Revolutionary stock, the progenitor of the numerous and progressive family in Clifford town- ship, having been Stephen Burdick, who served in the conflict for American independence.

Stephen Burdick was a farmer, and lived in Hopkinton, R. I. He was a zealous member of the Baptist Church, and was held in high esteem by his friends and neighbors. He married Mary Church, who bore him nine sons and one daugh- ter, namely: Joel, Billings, Caleb, Joshua, Thomas, Zebediah, Stephen, Kendall, Elias, and Polly, who became the wife of Barber Cardner. Not all these children migrated to Susquehanna county. Elias, the youngest son in the family, came first in 1816, bringing with him his two nephews, Thomas and Billings. Simeon, a brother of Thomas and Billings, also came in 1816. In 1825 Kendall Billings, brother of Elias, also removed to Clifford township. Joshua and Billings Burdick, sons of Stephen, moved to Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, Penn- sylvania.

Elias Burdick, the youngest son of Stephen, was born in Hopkinton, R. I., in 1780. He became a ship carpenter, but in 1816 came to Clifford town- ship, Susquehanna county, and purchased a farm. In 1806 he married, for his first wife, Patty Bright- man (1786-1810), who bore him two daughters, Patty, born in 1807, wife of Gideon Palmer, of Rhode Island, and Thankful, born in 1809, who married Abram Burdick, of Clifford. For his second wife Elias Burdick married in 1811, Sarah Brightman (1788-1859), and by this marriage his children were: Luther (1812-1878), a farmer of Clifford township ; Sally ( 1814-1877), wife of Sam- uel Cole, also deceased, who was a farmer of Clif- ford township; Mary, who married her cousin,

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Philip Burdick, of Clifford township; Julia, born in 1818, who married Rev. B. B. Palmer, a Method- ist Episcopal minister of Nebraska (both now de- ceased) ; Stephen, born in 1820, a retired farmer of Clifford; Abigail, born in 1822, who married William H. Main (both are deceased) ; Elisha, de- ceased, born in 1824, who settled on the old home- stead in Clifford township; and Caleb ( 1826-1874), a farmer in Clifford. Elias Burdick, the fa- ther, died on his farm in 1858, aged seventy- eight years. Billings Burdick, son of Stephen, set- tled in Greenfield township, Lackawanna Co., Penn., with his wife, Hannah.

Simeon B. Burdick, who came to Clifford town- ship in 1816, was born in Hopkinton, R. I., in 1788, the son of Billings and Hannah Burdick, and the grand- son of Stephen Burdick, the progenitor. He set- tled on a farm in the wilderness in Clifford town- ship, and he and his wife, Catherine ( Broton), also a native of Rhode Island, became prominent set- tlers. They were devout members of the Baptist Church. To their union were born children as fol- lows: Louise, who married Henry Reynolds; Sim- eon, a prominent citizen of New Milford town- ship, Susquehanna county ; Thomas, a retired farm- er of Clifford township; Caroline (deceased), who married Rufus Burritt; Sarah, widow of Olonzo Richardson, of Dundaff, Penn .; Jeremiah, who mar- ried Sarah Stevens, and died in Scranton; Alfred, who moved West; Elmira, who married Joseph Avery, of Carbondale ; Gilbert, deceased ; Billings, a farmer of New Milford township; Fanny ( unmar- ried), of Dunfall; and Charles, who resides in Honesdale. Simeon B. Burdick died December 24, 1870, aged eighty-two years ; his wife had preceded him to the better land, dying in 1858. The re- mains of both were interred in Clifford cemetery.

Kendall Burdick, son of Stephen, was born in 1778, in Westerly, R. I., where he married Hannah Gray, who was born in 1775, and died in 1843. He served in the war of 1812. While in the East he was engaged as steward on whaling vessels, but in 1825 he removed from his native State, settling in Clifford township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., where he purchased a farm and followed agricult- ural pursuits ; there he remained until his death, in 1871, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He was an earnest Baptist in religious belief, and realiz- ing the need of a Church home in the new settlement he became prominently interested in the construction of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church near his farm. He was a close and accurate student of the Bible. and preserved to a remarkable degree his physical and mental powers in his old age. His children were as follows: Elias, a mechanic, who remained in Rhode Island; Mason, for a time a farmer of Clifford township, who later removed to Lacka- wanna county ; Dolly, who first married Putnam Edwards, and after his death Roswell Ames: Abra- ham, a farmer of Clifford township; Zebediah, also a farmer, of Clifford township; Philip, born in Rhode Island, July 1, 1814, who married Mary

Burdick, his cousin (daughter of Elias) ; Happy, who married Ezra Carpenter, a farmer, of Union- dale ; and Harriet, of Clifford, widow of Luther S. Burdick.

VAN BUSKIRK FAMILY. Andrew Van Buskirk, the first representative of the family in Harford, Susquehana county, was born in Hamp- tonburg, Orange Co., N. Y., May 6, 1814, son of David Van Buskirk. His father was a man of property, but reverses overtook him, and he died when Andrew was five years old. His mother's maiden name is believed to have been Raynor. They had nine children. Charlotte (Raynor), Levi, Cornelius, Jeremiah, Sylvenus, two sons whose names are unknown, Andrew, and Mary Ann ( Os- trander). The mother struggled to keep the family together, but Andrew was at an early age appren- ticed to the trade of painter; became skillful in decorating, sign painting, and gilding ; and showed considerable ability as an artist. In his after years of farming he still loved his trade, and earned many dollars at it.

On February 8, 1837, in Wallkill, Orange Co., N. Y., Andrew Van Buskirk married Mary Gil- lespie, who was born August 20, 1813. Her father, Robert Gillespie, was born April 28, 1774, and married Leah Crance, who died in October, 1813. They lived in Scotchtown, Orange county. Their children were: Andrew, Jonathan Dunning, Alan- son, Permelia (Smith), Susan (Smith), Amanda (Dailey), and Mary (Van Buskirk).

Mary (Gillespie) Van Buskirk was an esti- mable woman, adored by her children, scarcely less by those who came into her family by marriage. Converted in her youth, she united with the Re- formed Dutch Church in Montgomery, and later, by letter, with the Congregational Church of Harford, She was her father's housekeeper until her mar- riage, after which he lived with his children in their various places of abode, dying in Newburg, N. Y., December 23, 1857. With the exception of a few years spent in Susquehanna county his life was passed in Orange county, New York.

Andrew Van Buskirk, wife and infant daughter removed to Harford from Montgomery in Febru- ary, 1839. Her sister Amanda, who married Henry Dailey, came soon after, Dailey buying the Samuel Thatcher homestead. Andrew Van Buskirk pur- chased the Hosea Tiffany homestead for $1,200. In July, same year, he made a transfer with Thomas Sweet, who owned the Robert Follet farm, and here they lived until 1852. Robert Gillespie had previously purchased seventy acres of Samuel Guile (originally belonging to John Carpenter ), on which stood the old Columbian school house, and had given the place to his daughter Mary; and thither they removed. This school house, erected in 1809, was the first one in Harford. It remained in use until 1820; was afterward occupied by many families ; and underwent some changes. Mr. Van Buskirk doubled its length, painted and beautified it, and

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subsequently it was still further enlarged. The original school room is the parlor of this house, and in it the first three of Andrew Van Buskirk's daugh- ters were married by Rev. A. Miller.

As the years went by Mr. Van Buskirk en- larged the farm, buying seventy acres more, and erected buildings. The place was peculiarly adapt- ed to dairying, and his wife's skill as a butter maker was unequalled. The high prices created by the Civil war enabled him to purchase the farm of Henry M. Jones, containing 126 acres, and thither he removed for about two years, leaving the old home with his son David and daughters Ella and Carrie. Returning, he built a very large barn. The years following he added the Timothy Hurley farm, 21 acres; the Martin Blanding farm, 106 acres ; the Jacob Clark farm, 44 acres ; the Joel Harding farm, 123 acres; and the Daniel Piper farm, 17 acres. All of these farms adjoined his, save Harding's. He loved the spur of debt, and his advice always was: "Run into debt for what is valuable, and then bend every energy to get out." The amount of butter made on the farm from 1853 to 1883 was enormous. But his ability to make money was largely aided by a prudent, tireless wife, of excellent judgment.

To this couple were born eight children : Caro- line, December 14, 1837 (died August 4, 1839) ; Elizabeth G., November 19, 1839; Evaline, Septem- ber 15, 1841 ; David A., May 19, 1843 (a sketch of whom follows) ; Mary Ellen, May 30, 1845; Caro- line L., February 17, 1848; Leah G., January 16, 1850 (died January 27, 1850) ; William Harrison, May 20, 1855.

(I) Elizabeth G. Van Buskirk married Urbane Tingley, son of Judge Charles Tingley, February 6, 1860. He inherited the farm of his father, and subsequently paid for a large farm in New Milford. Mrs. Tingley was left a widow in February, 1889. She has, with patience, tact and heroism, maintained unbroken the homestead of 200 acres. The New Milford farm and her own inherited farm added to her cares. She has that nobility of character that enables her to entertain royally in any society, yet hesitates not to perform labor that often falls to the farmer's wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Tingley were born children as follows: One that died in in- fancy, Eva Tingley (Harding), Clara May (de- ceased), Arthur Burr (deceased), Anna Belle (de- ceased), Adah Pearl (Summers), Blanche, Urbane Boyd, and Charles Jay. The youngest daughter is attaining excellence as a painter.

(2) Evaline Van Buskirk was married, March II, 1861, to William H. Tiffany, who comes of the hardy pioneer Tiffanys who first settled Harford. In company with Peter Cramer, of New Jersey, he owns a large property in Alford, Susquehanna county, including a saw and grist mill and a store. He manages the large business with judgment, and is ably assisted by his son-in-law, John S. Marean. Mrs. Tiffany inherits her mother's lovable dispo- sition, and her affability and tact make her a wel-

come member of any circle or society. Both her- self and only child, Mrs, Hattie A. Marean, are carnest workers in the Church.

(3) DAVID A. VAN BUSKIRK was brought upon a farm, where there was no lack of labor, early show- ing superiority in turning off work. It moved on without hindrance, and apparently without effort. In 1866 he decided to purchase the Henry M. Jones farm of his father, the price being $5,000. His sister Carrie was his housekeeper. The high prices com- manded by butter and young stock after the war was his opportunity. Incessant labor, great pru- dence and economy caused this large debt, principal and interest, to entirely disappear in eight years; and in the meantime he had worked up a large dairy, and surrounded himself with all the tools and ma- chinery of farming. He was very fond of horses, could control the worst specimens, and each one, while doing its full quota of work, improved on his hands.

In 1888 Mr. Van Buskirk, who had acquired . the Martin Blanding farm, made a transfer with L. L. Leroy, of New Milford borough, and thither he removed and began mercantile pursuits, engaging at first in the meat business. Two years later he . added a grocery stock, continuing both lines one year, at the end of which time he sold out and pur- chased a livery business from William B. Phin- ney. That gentleman afterward bought a half in- terest, and the business is now conducted under the firm style of Van Buskirk & Phinney; Mr. Van Buskirk has invested much capital in this enterprise. In company with A. H. Crosier, of Thompson, he purchased the undertaking establishment of Na- thaniel Kimber, which they continue to carry on, the firm being Crosier & Van Buskirk. It is need- less to say that Mr. Van Buskirk is one of the lead- ing business men of the borough. He owns a fine house and lot there, and still retains the old farm, which bears the marks of his improving hand. A Democrat in politics, he takes a warm interest in local affairs, and served two years each as super- visor and poormaster while residing in Harford township.

On February 23, 1876, Mr. Van Buskirk was married in Harford township, to Miss Addie Car- penter, a native of the same, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Harford ; her parents, Elias and Amanda (Tiffany) Carpenter, being children of settlers from Massachusetts. She began teaching when seventeen, the common schools, Harford graded school, and Soldiers' Orphans School being the fields of her good work. In her married life her home was like herself, a place of neatness, taste, culture and refinement. In 1883 she and her hus- band adopted the infant son of his brother, whom they named Glenn Carroll. Mrs. Van Buskirk died October 22, 1890.

On June 22, 1892, Mr. Van Buskirk married Emilie A. Lamb, daughter of Ambrose J. and Eu- phemia (Mudge) Lamb. Her birthplace is Thomp- son, Susquehanna county. Her ambition was early

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in the line of teaching, and beginning at the age of seventeen she counts many terms of school as tri- umphs of diligence and well-directed energy. For many years she has held a position in the New Mil- ford graded school, and, though principals have been changed often, the directors have retained her over all applicants. She is eminently successful as a primary teacher. She holds a warm place in the hearts of the family into which she has married, and her culture and refinement make her prominent in society.

(4) Mary Ellen Van Buskirk, called from childhood "Ella," married Wallace L. Thatcher, of Harford, December 18, 1867. She inherits from her father sound common sense, and is very practical ; and to her prudence, economy, and judgment her husband owes what success has come in the material things of life. She has sympathized with his am- bitions and intellectual pursuits, and shares joy- ously in whatever successes he has attained. The following named children have been born to them : Mary Catherine-"daughter Kate," diligent and dutiful ; Arthur S., who died in childhood and Jesse O., who died in infancy.

(5) Caroline L. Van Buskirk called from childhood "Carrie," married John W. Belknap, March 23, 1872. Like the other children, there was' no disposition to shirk hard work; and she left the scenes of childhood to help carve out a home on wild land in Osceola, Lewis Co., N. Y., which her husband had some time before purchased. Many privations were endured. Some years after they resided in Amsterdam, N. Y., but again returned to Osceola, where she died May 28, 1892. Her re- mains were brought back and interred in the village cemetery, whither her father and mother had preced- ed her, and where all the family expect to sleep. Mr. Belknap still resides in Osceola. In his early manhood he was a teacher, in later years a tireless worker. They had two children: Lennie E., who died in childhood; and May Adelle.

(6) William Harrison Van Buskirk, abbre- viated to "Harry," married Augusta M. Devine, February 27, 1879. His father took down the old house on the Jacob Clark farm, once occupied by John Carpenter, and erected a large residence. The young couple set out to pay for this farm and home, but on the birth of their second child she died, Aug- ust 2, 1883. Two children were born to them : Win- field S. and Glenn Carroll (adopted by his brother). On August 22, 1885, he married Lizzie F. Cook. He proved himself an excellent farmer, with the ability to dispatch work; the farm was paid for, but he subsequently rented it and removed to Harford village, where he is mail, passenger, and freight carrier between that place and Kingsley station on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. Mrs. Van Buskirk is an earnest worker in the Church. Three children have been born to this union: Ethel R., Carrie A. and Pearl.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 281

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