Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 282

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 282
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 282
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 282
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 282

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The discerning eye of Judge Tingley had meas- ured the qualities of Andrew Van Buskirk's fam-

ily when he 'said to his son Urbane: "You had better look for a wife among his daughters." And his advice was taken. All four daughters became mem- bers of the Harford Congregational Church.

Andrew Van Buskirk died September 27, 1884. A restless life came to an end. But he had proved that energy and determination, backed up by a will that would brook no control, could make money from a farm very stony and rough. His widow outlived him five years, dwelling among her children in peace and rest. She died at her son Harry's, April 8, 1889, and a life of patience and great forbearance was merged into that "rest that remaineth for the people of God," on the "ever- lasting hills" of heaven. The remains of both were buried at Harford. And the old homestead, with its many memories, has passed into the hands of strangers.

THE THACHER FAMILY. Parliamentary writs in the time of Henry VIII (1509-1547), and earlier, give clews. The name is written Le Thaccher and Le Thachere. The insertion of a "t" in the middle, in recent years, by some of the family is without right. The uniform spelling, Thacher, for seven generations, is conclusive evi- dence.

The Hugo manuscript in the British Museum says that a Rev. Peter Thacher was vicar of the parish of Queen Camel, Somersetshire, England, from 1574 to 1624. There are strong reasons for believing that he was the father of Rev. Peter Thacher of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, and of Antony Thacher. Died 1624. Children : Peter, John, Rebeccah, Antony, Anne ( Batt).

The first son was vicar of the parish of Milton Clevedon, Somersetshire, six years; then rector of the Church of St. Edmunds, Salisbury, Wiltshire, eighteen years, dying in 1640. Born 1588. Matricu- lated, Queen's College, Oxford, 1603. Master's de- gree, 1611. Married Anne Children : Peter, Thomas, Ann, Martha (Barker), Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Paul, Barnabas. Thomas came to America in 1635 with his uncle Antony. From these two the Thachers in America are descended.

This son Thomas, born in 1620, became first minister of Old South Church, Boston. Educated by Rev. Chas. Chauncey, afterward president of Harvard College. Eminent in piety and intellectual attainments. Married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Ralph Partridge, minister at Duxbury. Children : Peter, Ralph, Thomas, Patience (Kemp), Eliza- beth (Davenport). Died in 1678.

Peter, born 1651, resided at Milton, Mass. Or- dained pastor, 1681. Married Theodora, daughter of Rev. John Oxenbridge. Children: Theodora, Bathsheba, Oxenbridge, Elizabeth, Mary, Peter, John, Thomas, John (2). Died in 1727.

Peter, born 1688, resided at Middleboro, Mass. A graduate of Harvard. Ordained 1709. Married Mary daughter of Samuel Prince, Esq., of Sand- wich. Children: Mary, Mercy (Foster), Peter,

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Samuel, Susanna, Thomas, John, Oxenbridge, Moses, Theodora. He died 1744.

Peter, born 1716, resided at Attleboro, Mass. Graduated at Harvard. Degree of A. M. Ordained 1748. "Eminent and fervent in piety." "Faith- ful and beloved pastor of Second Congregational Church, Attleboro." Married Bethiah, daughter of Dea. Obadiah Carpenter. Children: Mercy (Tyler ), Peter, Thomas, Obadiah, John, Mary, Bethiah ( Blanding), Moses, Samuel, Nathan Prince. He died 1785.

(I) Mercy married John Tyler and moved to Harford in 1794. They had a large family. Job, the second son, has a grandson, Edward J. Tyler, dea- con of Harford Congregational Church, the only representative, with his children, of the Tylers in Susquehanna county. Joab, third son, was the fa- ther of Prof. William S. Tyler, of Amherst College.

Peter married Nanna Tyler. His first son, Peter, married Susan Carpenter. Children : Susan, John, Calista C. These three, together with John's sons, are the only representatives of the Thacher family, bearing the name, now (1900) living in Attleboro.

(4) Obadiah had a large family. Came to Har- ford in 1799. Among his children, Moses was a graduate of Brown University, a Presbyterian minis- ter. He edited a religious and anti-Masonic paper, having once been a member of the Order, is an author and State Senator for Massachusetts. In early anti-slavery days he was associated with William Lloyd Garrison. Hannah ( Pride) and Philene (Hotchkin ) were missionaries among the Choctaw Indians. Tyler graduated at Brown University, was pastor at Hawley, Mass., and went to California in 1851. An author.

(5) John, born 1759, married Sarah Richard- son. Children: Sally (Tyler ), Nathan P., John, Myra (Stephens), Daniel, Bethiah (Ellsworth), Rebeccah, Onley, Amanda (Greenwood), Seth Williston. John Thacher was a Revolutionary sol- dier. Came to Harford in 1799. A farmer. Died 1841.

(6) Mary, unmarried, came to Harford previous to 1800.

(7) Moses was one of the famous Nine Partners who came from Attleboro in May, 1790, and pur- chased 2,560 acres of wild land, now the center of Harford township. Moses did not settle until 1799. His son, Washington, was a pupil of Rev. Lyman Richardson. Began theological study in 1818; licensed, 1821. Trustee of Auburn Theologi- cal Seminary. A home missionary. Honorary de- gree of A. M., from Hamilton College.

(9) Samuel, one of the Nine Partners, settled in Harford in 1794. Of his large family, all found their way eventually to the West, save Peter. He has a son in Binghamton, Prof. S. N. Thacher ; a daughter, Harriet (Kimball), in Little Meadows, Susquehanna county ; a daughter, Lizzie (Upham), in Binghamton.

Returning to the fifth child, John ; his children : ( I) Sally married Col. Job Tyler. One daughter, Polly Wadsworth (Guile), is still living, in Har- ford, aged eighty.

(2) Nathan P. had one son living in Harford, Ebenezer Bailey Thacher, respected citizen. He married Nancy Tiffany. Two children: Edward C. and Abbie (Perigo). Abbie has four chil- dren, and one grandchild.

(3) John married Sally More, and had a large family. Edwin was a county sueprintendent of schools in Michigan. Azor had children: Rachel (Elbrecht), Emerson A., Elizabeth, Hattie (El- brecht). Emerson married Julia Elbrecht ; two sons and three daughters ; a farmer and respected citizen of Harford.

(4) Myra married Philander Stephens. The daughters were teachers. One son, Almon P., re- sides at Great Bend, Susquehanna county ; an ex- State Senator.

(5) Daniel, born in 1791, married Huldah, daughter of Abel Read, Sr. A farmer residing in Harford. Children : Julia ( Hawley), Russel R., Daniel Byington, Elizabeth Sweet (Noyes). He died in 1861.

(7) Rebeccah, unmarried, resided in Harford. At sixty years she had read the Bible through sixty times. At seventy, it is believed, seventy times.

(10) Seth Williston, born 1805. Resided in Harford. Married Nancy Sweet, a granddaughter of Hosea Tiffany, leader of the Nine Partners. A farmer. Children : Byington, a successful grocer, residing at Montrose; Mirantha living in Harford. He survived all John's other children, dying in 1897.

Returning to the children of Daniel: (1) Julia married Nathan Hawley, a cabinet maker. Re- sided in Harford and Scranton. Children: Sarah Elizabeth, a painter; Anna M., who married Berth- old Galland; Effie J., a teacher of reputation, who married Louis A. Watres, lawyer of eminence, and an ex-lieutenant-governor of Pennsylvania ; Nathan Hawley was killed by a locomotive, in July, 1863.

(2) Russel Read, born August 26, 1816. Through the accidental cutting of his foot, when eighteen years old, by which he nearly lost his life, he took up the trade of shoemaker. He was fore- man of the extensive shop of Albert Moss, New Milford, Penn., working for him sixteen years at $300 per year. With this he paid for the pretty little farm near Harford village, supported his family- and educated his children. Married, 1839, Catharine Spearbeck. With only the opportunities of the common schools of those days, and two terms at Franklin Academy, her education was well developed. and very practical. She taught a number of terms. Her familiarity with the Bible was great. Children : Wallace L., Daniel B., Agnes B. Russel Thacher became a farmer. Was commissioned drum major by Gov. Bigler. Is now in his eighty-fourth year .. (3) Daniel B. died young.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

(4) Elizabeth S. married John B. Silkman. He was a civil engineer. Later he became promi- nent among Erie Railway officials, and he would have risen to its presidency had he lived. Elizabeth married James S. Noyes, a real-estate broker in New York. He was killed by an elevator.

Returning to the children of Russel : (I) Wall- ace L. (See personal sketch).

(2) Daniel B., a harnessmaker, residing in Har- ford. Married, 1870, Alice V. Steenback. One child, Flora B. In 1876 he became a grocer, re- maining thus for eighteen vears, diligent and suc- cessful in business, a man of sterling integrity, re- spected by all. Treasurer of the township. Died in 1895, aged forty-eight.

(3) Agnes B., a teacher of keen intellect and deep thinking ; very successful in the common schools, and the graded schools of Harford and Montrose. Largely self-educated.

Twelve generations have been here outlined, covering three hundred and fifty years, every link es- tablished beyond doubt, save the first.

Oxenbridge Thacher, first son of Rev. Peter Thacher, Milton, Mass., graduated from Harvard College in 1698. Many years selectman of Boston and representative to General Court. A preacher and public man. He had a son Oxenbridge, an attorney of eminence; graduated Harvard College, 1738; died 1765. Was representative to General Court for Boston. Author of "The Sentiments of a British-American," appearing at same time with writings of James Otis, 1764. [See Grenville Mel- len's U. S. History.] These two men were co- laborers with Samuel Adams, patriot.

Oxenbridge Thacher, Esq., had a son Rev. Peter Thacher, D. D., of Boston. Thomas Antony Thacher was an honored and beloved professer at Yale, lately deceased. Hon. George Thacher, in Congress about 1812, was a distinguished judge of the supreme court of Massachusetts. George H. Thacher, a graduate of Princeton, was four times mayor of Albany. John Boyd Thacher, his son, was also mayor. Solon O. Thacher was an attorney (1889) at Lawrence, Kans., and president of a national bank. Thomas Thacher, a descendant of Antony, born at Yarmouth Port, Mass., on lands of Antony, foreclosed a western railroad ; was made receiver, reorganized it. Hon. Peter Thacher, Cleveland, was a contractor in the building and operation of a number of public works. Hon. Peter Thacher, Boston, was an attorney of ability, also a judge. These last two men were very diligent and enthusiastic in collecting family history.

The coat of arms of the family bore the motto : "Cedant arma togae, concedat laurea linguae" (Let military authority yield to the civil power ; let the laurel yield to eloquence ).

The Congregational Church of Harford was organized June 15, 1800, with seven members, all bringing letters from the Second Congregational Church of Attleboro. Three of these were Mercy

Thacher Tyler, John Thacher, and his sister Mary. John's wife, Sarah, united before the close of the years. He was its first clerk. On the roll of this Church to-day are sixty persons bearing the family name, and probably as many more if we traced the blood into other families. Three deacons: Moses, Onley and Wallace.

Peter Thacher's ancestor was rector of an Epicopal Church, conforming to its ritual, but having strong leanings to Puritanism. His son, Thomas, reaching America, escaping the tyranny of the "Established Church," soon became an In- dependent, or Congregationalist, and the generations following have kept the faith.

In the church at Attleboro were brought up the Carpenters, Thachers, Richardsons, Tylers, Sweets, Reads, Blandings of more than a century ago. Under the Puritan preaching of Peter Thacher were developed the stern characters and stubborn opinions of the founders of the Harford Church. Says Prof. William S. Tyler: "Providence selected some of the choicest seed-corn from Massachusetts and Con- necticut, with a sprinkling from some of the other New England States, to plant on the hills and in the valleys of Harford. They were of Puritan stock. They brought with them the stern theology of Hopkins and Emmons."

This family history records many titles, offices, honors, etc., gained by its members. These are the successes that the world counts as substantial and as triumphs. But in this great family the great majority have the greater honor of being "heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." Many of them were humble toilers. The truly wise concede great honor to honest toil and a clean life.

WALLACE L. THACHER was born in New Mil- ford, Susquehanna county, March 28, 1841, and removed with his father to the home in Harford in 1852. He attended the common schools. entered the select schools of Melissa J. Guile and Mary Mil- ler, and took one term ( 1860) at Franklin Academy, but his education is largely due to study at home. To Miss Guile he ascribes the honor of first in- spiring him with a desire for knowledge, and open- ing to his mental vision the possibilities of life. He taught four terms.

In 1863 our subject entered the harness shop of T. J. Carr as an apprentice. A better opportunity opening, he became a clerk in the westward freight office of the Erie railway at Jersey City: In 1867 he married Ella Van Buskirk and at her solicita- tion became a farmer, continuing thus to the pres- ent time. In connection with this occupation he resumed his profession a portion of each year, teach- ing thirteen terms of common school, one in the Springville graded school, two in Harford graded, two in Gibson graded, being principal in each. In 1876 his diagrams in Civil Government, in the Susquehanna county school exhibit, Centennial Ex- position, Philadelphia, attracted the attention of M. Buisson, commissioner of education for France, Mr. Thacher receiving a personal compliment from

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him. This aroused his enthusiasm and ambition. Four years of study and writing, amid hindrances and discouragements, carrying on meanwhile farm- ing and teaching, resulted in a book-"Outline Lessons in Civil Government"-for the common schools of Pennsylvania. One thousand copies were published at his own expense, and absorbed by his county and Wayne. Sample copies, on request, have reached places all over the world. Had he possessed capital Mr. Thacher would have cap- tured the State with his book, and made a fortune. In 1885 Lafayette College granted him the hon- orary degree of A. M., "mainly for the production of a good and useful book." In 1888-90 he wrote forty-one chapters of local history, the larger part being a "Centennial History of Harford Township." He has reported teachers' institutes, farmers' insti- tutes, Harford farmers' club sessions (eight years), and written on many subjects, the papers contain- ing these articles being the Independent Republican, New Milford Advertiser, Susquehanna Ledger, and Susquehanna County Educator. In the lecture field he has been successful with "Gettysburg" and "Alexander Hamilton." Our subject was deacon and clerk of the Harford Congregational Church, resigning after twenty years' service, and in 1900 was secretary of the Centennial celebration of his Church. The same year he acted as secretary of the Reunion of Franklin Academy students. He has served his township as school director and as- sessor.

Mr. Thacher was an ardent Republican until 1885, since when he has been a Prohibitionist. He employs his leisure hours in historical research, of which he never tires, for his town and county, being secretary of the latter's historical society, and was secretary of the Centennial celebration of Harford which occurred in 1890. Since 1894 he has devoted all his time to his little farm. He prides himself on good crops and clean farming, perform- ing nearly all the manual labor himself. He finds that education is not a disqualification for work, but rather an encouragement; and is content to be classed among "the horny-handed sons of toil."

JOHN FREDERICK WELLBROCK, a prominent wholesale liquor dealer of Forest City, Susquehanna county, was born in Bremen, Germ- any, April 9, 1864, a son of Henry and Catherine (Schroder) Wellbrock, who never left the Father- land.

Henry Wellbrock, who was a farmer by occu- pation, died in 1880, at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife is still living in her native land, at the age of seventy-nine. Their children were Matta, who is now the widow of Herman Heisenbuttel, and a resi- dent of Germany ; John, also of that country ; Han- nah, wife of Herman Cook, of Germany ; Katie, de- ceased wife of Henry Reuken ; and John Frederick. The grandparents of our subject were John and Metta Wellbrock, and John and Anna Schroder, all lifelong residents of Germany.

John F. Wellbrock was reared on a farm in his native land, and was eighteen years of age when he emigrated to America. He came alone, and first located in New York City, where he engaged in clerking in a grocery store for six years, and for one year conducted a store of his own. On disposing of his business he moved to Carbondale, Penn., where he worked as a blacksmith for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Co., for two years. He then came to Forest City, and purchased the William Hartung liquor store, which he carried on for five years. The following year he engaged in hotel- keeping, and then embarked in the wholesale liquor business, with which he is still connected. His place of business was destroyed by fire July 22, 1899, and he has erected a good brick building for his own use. He is an enterprising, wide-awake business man, and is meeting with good success.

On September 1, 1884, at Carbondale, Mr. Wellbrock married Miss Emma Schaff, and to them has been born one son, Henry A. Mrs. Wellbrock is a native of Honesdale, Penn., and a daughter of Adam Schaff. She has three brothers and one sis- ter : George, Mary and John, who reside in Carbon- dale, Penn., and Jacob, who resides in Albany, New York.

Mr. Wellbrock attends the Lutheran Church. As a Democrat he takes quite an active and promi- nent part in local political affairs. He was elected poor director, to fill a vacancy, serving in that capacity for one year, and since 1893 has been an influential member of the town council, being elected president of the same in March, 1898, and again in 1899. At the Democratic convention held in Janu- ary, 1900, Mr. Wellbrock was a candidate for the nomination for burgess against John F. Gallagher, and, each having a large following, it developed into the most interesting Democratic factional fight in the history of Forest City politics. Mr. Gallagher however, being a foreman for the Hillside Coal & Iron Co., controlled a large number of votes and he was declared the nominee by one vote. After the convention Mr. Wellbrock supported and assisted in electing his party ticket, but the votes were hardly counted at the election in February when a strife commenced for the organization of the borough council. Mr. Wellbrock himself entered the field as a candidate for treasurer, and another stubborn fight was on, the same faction that defeated him for burgess opposing him for treasurer. But having profited by his defeat, and the experience gained two months previous, he was this time successful beyond expectation, on March 5, 1900, receiving the entire vote of both the Democratic and Republican mem- bers of council.

WILLIAM BIRDSALL. In the thrifty ap- pearance of his well-kept acres, this leading agri- culturist of Jackson township, Susquehanna county, betrays the provident characteristics which have led to his success. His farm is a model of neatness.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Every object upon which the eye may fall shows careful thought and foresight. Thrifty manage- ment has brought prosperity.

Mr. Birdsall was born.in Orange county, N. Y., November II, 1829, a son of George C. and Catherine (Embler) Birdsall. George C. Birdsall was born in Columbia county in 1796, and at the age of twenty-three married Catherine Embler, who was born in Orange county in June, 1802. Residing in Orange county for some years after marriage, George Birdsall moved thence to Chenango county, N. Y., and later to Binghamton, and nearly a half century ago came to Gibson township, Susquehanna county, where he became a highly-respected citi- zen. He was blessed with a family of fourteen children, nine of whom are still living, and at his death, September 23, 1887, eight of his children were permitted to follow the remains of their loved father to his last resting place. There are now living fifty-two grandchildren, ninety-six great- grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Birdsall was a thorough, thrifty farmer, con- tented with his lot. He was a kind, indulgent fa- ther, an obliging neighbor, and a Samaritan in time of trouble. He was a firm believer in the Universal Church of Christ, and was instrumental in the building and support of Church work, helping to erect the Gibson and other churches. His funeral services were held from the North Jackson M. E. Church. His worthy wife died in 1870. In politics George C. Birdsall was always identified with the Democratic party, but he ever aspired to office.

Of his children, Elizabeth, the eldest, married J. W. Gillett, of Gibson ; both are dead. Malinda is the wife of Beverly Gutcheus, of Cortland coun- ty, N. Y. John {deceased) married Miss Eunice Pellett, of Harford; they moved to Wisconsin, set- tling in a town which they named Gibson, where he died. Benjamin married Miss Hannah Pellett, and moved to Wisconsin; he now lives retired at Kerney City. Catherine J. married Coe Wells, of Gibson, and is now a widow and a resident of Bing- hamton. Christina married Darius Peck, now a resident of Wisconsin. Amanda is now the widow of Amos Sherwood, of New Milford. Ann married H. Payne, of Gibson, and they are now residents of New Milford. Ellen married Jackson Par- mater, of Gibson, where he died; she later married L. C. Benson, of Susquehanna. Martha married Edgar French, of Susquehanna. Others of the children of George C. Birdsall died young.

Our subject was educated in the district and select schools of his town, remaining on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself. In February, 1856, he married Miss Delana D. Dann, of Deposit, N. Y., one of Deacon Dann's daughters, and of an old family. After marriage our subject and wife settled in Harford township, where he followed farming. On April 2, 1864, after he moved to Jackson, his wife died, leaving one son and one daughter. Ival, the son, born in Harford in 1860,

married Miss May Roberts, of Jackson, who died when they were residents of Lanesboro, in Octo- ber, 1882, leaving her husband with one son, George C., now a resident of Jackson; later Mr. Birdsall married May Silsby, of Nebraska, and he now re- sides in Kansas City, Mo., where he is engaged in the mercantile trade. Nellie D. Birdsall, the daugh- ter of our subject by his first wife, was born in Harford in July, 1862. She married Lawrence Hazen, of Sidney, Neb., where she died soon after marriage.

In 1867 our subject married for his second wife Miss Amity Potter, daughter of William and Ra- chel Potter, one of Harmony township's prominent pioneer families. To William and Amity Birdsall were born ten children, as follows: (I) Grace L., born May 20, 1869, married, in 1886, E. B. Norris, of Jackson. They reside in Stroudsburg, Monroe county, where he clerks in a store for Wallace Bros. They have had six children, of whom five are living, Benjamin C., Carrie May (deceased), Kenneth I., Evelyn, Nellie and Ethel. (2) Benja- min F., born in 1870, died when three and one- half years of age. (3) Royal W., born in June, 1873, is a business man of Hampton, Iowa. (4) Katie R., born in February, 1876, was educated at the Factoryville high school. She married Dr, M. D. Snyder, of Dundaff, who was educated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and they reside in Dunmore, near Scranton. (5) Lottie E., born in November, 1878, graduated from the Laurel Hill Academy in the class of '96, later attended the Normal School in Stroudsburg, and became one of the successful teachers in the schools of Susque- hanna county and Cortland county, N. Y. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and is most highly esteemed. On February 21, 1900, she married Ar- thur L. Matthews, of Susquehanna, who is a car- penter by trade, and a most estimable young man. (6) Fannie B., born November 28, 1880, was a student at the Laurel Hill Academy, of Susque- hanna county, and is a teacher in the home schools ; she is a very bright young lady. (7) George C., born August 12, 1882, is a student in the New Mil- ford high school. (8) James R., born January 10, 1884, (9) Stanley M., born in August, 1886, and (10) John E., born April 4, 1891, are the younger children.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 282

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