Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 283

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 283
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 283
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 283
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 283

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).

In 1865 Mr. Birdsall purchased the old home- stead where he has since continued to reside for more than a third of a century. He has adorned this farm with substantial and beautiful buildings, and made many other notable improvements; hav- ing one of the refined homes and most highly cul- tivated farms in Jackson township.

In politics our subject is a leading member of the Prohibition party of his town. For a number of terms he has held the office of school director. Himself and family are active and prominent mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and for several years Mr. Birdsall has filled the offices of trustees and treasurer of the Church. He is one of the most in-

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fluential and prosperous citizens of the township, and the clean-cut character of his business methods and habits are amply exhibited by the splendid con- dition of his properties. A distressing accident, a few years ago, when Mr. Birdsall was assisting in threshing grain for a neighbor, in which he was caught in the machine, necessitated the amputation of his left foot, and although he has since been a constant sufferer his invincible spirit still dominates his work, and he manages his extended business with the same ability and success as in younger years.

DENNIS SHAY, deceased. As a soldier of the Civil war the subject of this sketch made an honorable record, while by his upright life as a private citizen he proved himself no less worthy of esteem. His military service began Septem- ber 21, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and he was soon after ap- pointed commissary sergeant, with which rank he served until mustered out, in June, 1865. While he was never wounded, the hardships of army life impaired his health, and his widow now draws a pension from the government.

Mr. Shay was born April 22, 1825, in Sussex county, N. J., a son of Benjamin Shay, and grand- son of John and Jane Shay, well-known residents of that locality. Our subject came to Susquehanna county in 1829, with his parents, who located in Jes- sup township, and at the age of twenty-one he en- gaged in farming and lumbering in that locality. For some years he conducted a sawmill, but after his removal to his present homestead in New Mil- ford township, in 1859, he devoted his attention to agricultural work. As a good citizen and a stanch Republican he took keen interest in local affairs, although he did not seek official honors. While re- siding in Jessup township he was a member of the Methodist Church at Fairdale, of which his father was a leading member for a number of years, and later he attended the Church at New Milford, but did not unite with it. His death occurred November 2, 1894, from the effect of the amputation of his left limb, and his remains now rest in the ceme- tery at New Milford. On March 5, 1846, he was married, in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, to Miss Beulah Ann Bertholf, who sur- vives him. They had a large family of children, of whom seven are living: (1) W. Chauncey, born December 9, 1846, is a farmer in New Milford town- ship, and is prominent in local politics, serving at present as supervisor. He is married, and has four children, David, Theron, Grace and Howard. (2) Martha J., born December 12, 1847, died at the age of sixteen. (3) John H., born August 8, 1849, is a farmer in Jackson township, Susquehanna county. His family consist of four children, Myrtie, Ar- thur, Alma and Harley. (4) David W., born Feb- ruary 7, 1852, is a farmer in New Milford town- ship. (5) Rosette, born February 5, 1854, died at the age of ten years. (6) Sarah A., born March 12, 1856, married Byron Walker, a farmer in New

Milford township, and has four children, Edith, Lulu, Jessie and Mabel. (7) Clarence E., born April 20, 1858, resides at the old homestead. He has a family of three children, Dennis, Ada Belle and Ivan M. (8) George E., born September 20, 1860, is an expressman at Peckville, Penn. He has one child, Carleton. (9) Anne E., born March 24, 1863, died at the age of four years. (10) Louisa L., born October 9, 1866, was married December 26, 1894, to Clarence E. Washburne, a farmer in New Mil- ford township, and has one son, Shay. She is a good musician, and has taught music. Mrs. Shay has six great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Beulah A. (Bertholf) Shay still resides at the homestead, which is attractively located on a hill, known as "Shay Hill." She comes of good pioneer stock, and her paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth ( Perry) Bertholf, came from Orange county, N. Y., at an early day, settling in Jessup. township. The grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation, died in New Jersey, while on a visit. Samuel Bertholf, Mrs. Shay's father, was born in Orange county, N. Y., and located in 1840 in Jes- sup township, Susquehanna county, where he fol- owed farming in connection with the blacksmith's trade. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and died in that faith in 1870, aged seventy years. His wife, Martha (Couse), died January 7, 1890, at the age of eighty-six years, at the home of our subject, and both are interred in Bertholf cemetery, Jessup township. Mrs. Bertholf was a native of Sussex county, N. J., where her parents, Henry and Margaret (Opedack) Couse (who were both born in Germany), made their home upon a farm in their later days. Samuel and Martha Bertholf had the following children: Beulah Ann, Mrs. Shay; Henry, deceased; Elizabeth, who died in childhood; John, deceased; Elizabeth, widow of Peter Berdell, of Scranton, Penn .; Edwin, de- ceased ; Watson, an attorney at Scranton ; Margaret, wife of Wilson Dewitt, a clerk in Philadelphia, and Benjamin, deceased.

CHARLES BRIDGE, the efficient and popular postmaster at Sawkill village, Pike county, has a fine farm in the most beautiful portion of that picturesque region, a portion of Sawkill lake, which comprises eighty-four acres, being on his estate. The lake affords excellent fishing, pickerel and other varie- ties of the "finny tribe" being found in abundance, and this with the other attractions of the place brings to the farm every summer a number of tourists who have learned to appreciate its advan- tages.

Mr. Bridge was born November 9, 1849, in Rockland county, N. Y., the son of Henry and Ade- line (Myers) Bridge, natives of Germany, who came to America early in life and were married in New York City. In 1850 they settled near Sho- hola Station, Pike county, where the father was. employed as foreman on the Erie R. R. and also engaged in farming. He was a man whose quali-

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ties of character commanded respect, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. Po- litically he was a Democrat and he held the offices of tax collector, poormaster and constable. His death occurred in May, 1887, at the age of seventy- two, and his wife died in 1883, aged sixty, their remains being interred on the old homestead at Shohola. Of their children the eldest, Will- iam, who married Mary Wolfe, is a boatman and re- sides at Barryville, N. Y .; Charles, our subject, is mentioned more fully below; Peter, a stone mason by trade, was accidentally killed while at work in a quarry; Lawrence, who married Mary Stein- hart, resides at Gulf Summit, N. Y., and is em- ployed as track foreman by the Erie R. R .; Carrie married George Beisel, a carpenter and farmer at Shohola; George, who married Libbey Hass, is a farmer and stone cutter at Shohola; Henry, who married Miss Susan Watson, is a stone cutter at Stockport, N. Y .; Miss Katie resides at Shohola ; Elizabeth married George Vogt, a stone cutter at Paterson, N. J .; Annie married John Englehart, a farmer at Shohola, and Joseph resides in New York City.

Charles Bridge remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four, but at nineteen he began to learn the stone mason's trade, entering the employ of the Erie R. R. Co., with whom he remained about eighteen years. During this time he worked on different divisions of that road, and in 1874 his work took him to Dingman and Milford townships, Pike county, where he has since resided. The estate contains 280 acres of choice land, and while much of his time is devoted to its manage- ment, he also works at his trade. In politics he is a Democrat, and in addition to the office of post- master, to which he was appointed in 1895, he has served three years as County Auditor ( 1882-1885), and nine years as school director, with three years longer to serve. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to various fraternities including the K. of H. and the Royal Oak.

On December 16, 1874, he was married in Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Mary H. Stark, and five children brighten their home: Carrie M., May A., Charles P., Frank H. and Lillie. Mrs. Bridge was born May 16, 1848 (on the adjoining farm now oc- cupied by John Stark), daughter of John P. and Margaret Stark.

OSCAR E. STANTON, one of the most in- dustrious and energetic lumbermen and farmers of Preston township, Wayne county, is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family of the county, whose members have been important factors in the development and prosperity of this section of the State. The paternal grandfather, John Stanton, was a native of Connecticut, and was among the first settlers of Wayne county, locating on what was known as the Rebecca Cox tract of land, where he cleared and improved a farm. He died on the old homestead in Preston township, leaving a fam-

ily of five sons and four daughters, namely : Sam- uel, Sidney, Henry, David, John; Louisa, wife of Abram Haines, of Preston township; Betsy, wife of David Dix, of the same township; Eunice, wife of Charles Roberts, of Scott township, and Maxie, wife of Jesse Haynes, of Scott township.

Of these children, Samuel Stanton ( father of our subject), was born in Wayne county, in 1817, and in Preston township grew to manhood, having very limited educational advantages. He wedded Miss Mary Flynn, and then located on a tract of wild land in Preston township, which he trans- formed into a good farm, improved with substan- tial buildings. Selling his first purchase in 1868, he bought fifty acres near Shehawken Pond in the same township, the place, which was partially im- proved, being known as the George Case farm. With the help of our subject he cleared the entire tract and soon had a very desirable farm, on which he and his wife spent their remaining days, his death occurring February 16, 1890, hers one year pre- viously when she was seventy-three years of age. In Preston township four children were born to this worthy couple. (I) William H., born in 1849, was educated in the schools of his native township, and in early life married Victoria Benedict, who died some years ago, leaving four children-Leland, Daisy, Myrl and Nina. He lived in Preston town- ship, where he followed lumbering and farming, and in 1885, while sawing lumber in a mill, he was caught in the shaft and killed. A short time pre- viously he had married Mrs. Nelson Woodmansee, of Starrucca, Wayne county. (2) Lucy was well educated and successfully engaged in teaching school prior to her marriage. She is now the wife of Daniel L. Sanford, a farmer of Preston township, and has four children-Catharine, Evan, Essie and Harry (an adopted child). (3) Julia A. is the wife of Darwin W. Tallman, who is engaged in mining at Long Mont, Colo., where they make their home. Their children are Winnie B., Sidney P., Samuel H., and Mary Philina.

Oscar E. Stanton, who completes the above mentioned family, was born April 4, 1859, in Pres- ton township, where he grew to manhood, receiv- ing a common school education, and early becoming familiar with the occupations of farming and lum- bering, which he has made his life work. He pur- chased his present farm in 1883, and besides this valuable and well improved property, he now owns. the John Clark homestead of seventy-one acres in the same township, purchased in 1896.

In June, 1884, Mr. Stanton was united in mar- riage with Miss Frances A. Reynolds, of Preston township, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Rey- nolds, pioneers of Wayne county. She was born in 1860, and is one of their family of five children, the others being George W., who died when a young man ; Clara M., wife of Daniel Hadden, of Wayne county ; Myrtle, who died when young; and Earle, who is single and lives in Delaware county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Stanton have an interesting

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family of five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows; William Carl, born in Febru- ary, 1886; Ina B., January 25, 1888; Harold, Sep- tember 4, 1893 ; Lulu May, December 16, 1896; and Leo, September 18, 1899. Mr. Stanton is descended from good old Whig stock, and since casting his first vote has supported the men and measures of the Repblican party. His father was a soldier of the Civil war, belonging to the company commanded by Capt. H. L. Stephens of Starrucca, Wayne county. Religiously his mother was for sixty years a most consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which himself and wife are now con- nected. In the social circle of their community they occupy an enviable position, and they are certainly deserving the high regard in which they are uni- versally held.

S. E. SUTTON has accomplished a satisfac- tory work as a farmer and has acquired a comforta- ble competency, which now enables him to lay aside all business cares and enjoy a well-earned rest. For many years he was one of the most active and enterprising agriculturists of Springville township, Susquehanna county, but in 1892 he sold one farm and has since lived retired. He still owns a nicely improved farm of eighty acres, but makes his home with his son's widow.

Mr. Sutton's ancestors were among the hardy sons of the Green Mountain State. His grandfa- ther, Samuel Sutton, was born reared and mar- ried in Vermont. The father, who also bore the name of Samuel, was born there, but dur- ing his childhood was brought by his parents to Pennsylvania. After a short time spent in Wyomng county, the family came to Susque- hanna county, traveling on horseback through the woods, as there were no roads at that time. They located in Springville township when it was almost an unbroken wilderness. The grandfather pur- chased a tract of land, but had to go in debt for it, and it was not freed from this incumbrance until after the father came into possession of the same in later years. He followed farming throughout life, was always a supporter of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife were earnest mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in Springville township, to Miss Betsy Tuttle, a daughter of Ezra Tuttle, and to them were born seven children, as follows. Theresa, deceased wife of Welcome Smith, a Methodist Episcopal minister ; M. R., a surveyor, who resided in cen- tral New York; Henrietta, deceased wife of Miles Prichard ; Julia Ann, widow of John Johnson, of Lathrop township, Susquehanna county ; S. E., our subject ; Sabrina, deceased wife of Lafayette Rosen- grant, of Springville township; and Eliza, wife of William Tiffany, of Wyoming county, Penn. The father died in 1875, aged eighty-four years, the mother in 1885, aged eighty-eight years, five months and five days.

S. E. Sutton was born in Springville township,

October 8, 1826, and received a common school education. He remained at home until his mar- riage, assisting in the labors of the farm. At the age of twenty-eight, he was married in Lathrop township, Susquehanna county, to Miss Samantha Emily Lathrop, who was born in 1839, and died April 2, 1894. Four children were born of this union : Edward, a resident of Springville township, married Ella Bullock, and has six children ; M. R., who married Ida Springer and died June 22, 1898, leaving two children, Ila and Lula; Bertha, wife of A. Vail, of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county ; and Alida, deceased.

Prior to his marriage, Mr. Sutton purchased eighty-six acres of land in Springville township, most of which was wild, but he soon had seventy- five acres cleared and under excellent cultivation. Later he bought another tract of 146 acres of par- tially improved land, but sold the same in 1892, and is now living with his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ida Sutton. Throughout his active business life he fol- lowed general farming and dairying, and due success was not denied him. By his ballot he supports the Democratic party, and he has most creditably filled the office of supervisor of his township. He at- tends and supports the Evangelical Church, of which he is a trustee. His uprightness and in- tegrity have won him the confidence and esteem of the neighbors and he is classed among the most respected citizens of his community.

THOMAS RIMRON. Prominent among the self-made men of Clifford township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., is the subject of this sketch-a man hon- ored, respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known. He was born in Cardiff, South Wales, February 17, 1832, a son of Edward and Christiana ( McGregory) Rimron, who spent their entire lives in that country. When a young man the father was a soldier of the Brit- ish army, in which he served for twenty-three years, and he participated in the battle of Waterloo. Later he followed the carpenter's trade in his na- tive land. He died in 1833, aged sixty years, his wife in 1871, aged eighty-five. They had four children, namely: Margaret, who married a Mr. Wallace and died in South Wales; Edward, who holds a government position in that country ; Will- iam, who is a coal inspector for the government in South Wales; and Thomas, our subject. :

Thomas Rimron was reared and educated in his native land, and there he was married, in Febru- ary, 1852, to Miss Margaret Morgan. By this union seven children have been born, namely: Anna, now the wife of George Davis, who is in the civil ser- vice and resides in Carbondale, Penn .; Mary, wife of Thomas Bray, who is engaged in the livery busi- ness in Jermyn, Penn .; Edward, who married Kate Curtis, and is foreman for an iron company in Forest City, Susquehanna county ; Elizabeth, wife of F. M. Davis, a merchant of Uniondale, Penn .; Edith, wife of W. L. Decker, a merchant of Dun-

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daff, Penn .; and Bertha and William, both at home. In 1854 Mr. Rinron came to America, but after spending a year in New York, returned to South Wales. In 1875 he again crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in the Welsh settlement in Susquehanna county, Penn. Four years later he purchased his present farm of 157 acres in Clifford township, and has since successfully engaged in its operation. Upon the place are valuable sand pits from which he derives a good income, selling the sand for $2 a wagon load to the Railroad Company for use in their shops and furnaces. He is also an employe of the Hillside Stone & Iron Co. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and for three years he has filled the office of school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Uniondale. He is widely and fav- orably known and has made many warm friends during his residence in Clifford township. Mrs. Rimron was born in Actloselin, South Wales, May 4, 1835, a daughter of Thomas and Joanna Mor- gan, farming people of that country, where the fa- ther died in 1884 at the age of seventy-eight years, the mother in 1889, at the age of seventy-nine. They were members of the Baptist and Congregational Churches, respectively, and were held in high re- gard by all who knew them. In their family were six children, namely: John, who is now living re- tired in South Wales; Margaret, wife of our sub- ject; William, a farmer of South Wales; Ann, de- ceased wife of John Rosser; Mary, who died un- married ; and Thomas, a farmer of South Wales. Mrs. Rimron is the only one of the family who came to the New World.

JOHN COLEMAN RIFENBURY, one of the highly-respected residents of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, was born May 28, 1836, in Hope, N. J., son of James K. and Sarah (Angle) Rifenbury .. He is of German descent, his grand- parents, Samuel and Sarah Rifenbury, having been born in the Fatherland, whence they came to the United States in 1790, settling in Sussex county, N. J., where they passed the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six sons served in the war of 1812. Samuel Rifenbury was a shoemaker by trade. Our subject now has a stone which his great-grandfather, Peter Rifenbury, used for hammering leather, and which has been handed down to him through Samuel and his father, James K. Rifenbury.

James K. Rifenbury was born in 1782 in Ger- many, and came with his parents to New Jersey in 1790, there grew to manhod, marrying Sarah Angle, who was the daughter of Samuel Angle, a farmer. In November, 1836, they came to Sus- quehanna county, Penn., and took up a farm of fifty acres at Auburn Center, where Mr. Rifenbury made a clearing for a log house and settled with his family, residing on that place fourteen years. He removed thence to another farm in the northern part of the

township, and finally took up his home with his son John C. on the latter's farm in Auburn, spending his declining years in retirement. He made farm- ing his life vocation. James Rifenbury passed away February 13, 1881, at the great age of ninety- eight years and six months ; his wife died December 24, 1874, at the age of seventy-three, while on a. visit to her daughter Mrs. Sarah Cunningham, at Meshoppen. These pioneers were laid to rest in the cemetery at Jersey Hill. Religiously they were earnest members of the M. P, Church. Of their children, Margaret, widow of John Clink, resides at Auburn Center ; Samuel died young, in New Jersey ; Jacob was killed in a sawmill, in Auburn township, at the age of forty-three years; Jane, deceased, was. first the wife of Johnson Low and after his death married Charles Nicholson; William died young ; Catherine married Aaron Wood and both are de- ceased ; John C. is the subject proper of this sketch ; James L. is engaged in farming in South Auburn (he was a soldier in the Civil war) ; Philip H. is. a farmer in West Auburn (he also served in the Civil war) ; Hannah is the widow of Nicholas Fore- man, of Auburn township; Sarah, widow of Will- iam Cunningham, resides in Meshoppen.

John C. Rifenbury was reared on the home farm in Auburn township and received a thorough training to the hard duties of a pioneer farm, for his parents needed his assistance, and during his boyhood he never attended school more than six weeks in any one year. After reaching manhood, however, he went for a term of nine months, and by reading and observation throughout life he has be- come an intelligent and well-informed man, one who thoroughly appreciates the value and advantages of an education. Up to the age of twenty-three years he assisted his father, and for the next two years worked among other farmers in Auburn township. Subsequently, for five years, he was en- gaged as an artist in ambrotype and lithograph work, having studied for three months under Prof. Evans, and in this line traveled through Susque- hanna, Wyoming and Bradford counties, Penn., and in New York State. On August 16, 1862, he en- listed, at Auburn Center, in Company H, 14Ist P. V. I., under Capt. Casper Tyler, and was mus- tered in at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg. On October 16, following he had his right shoulder and elbow broken, at Bailey Cross Roads, one of the horses from the cavalry jumping on him. For a few days he lay in a private house, was taken thence to Alex- andria Hospital, where he remained for a week, and then spent some time in Douglas Hospital, Wash- ington, D. C., finally entering the Episcopal Hospital at Philadelphia, from which he was discharged March 16, 1863. A pension was granted him by the government, but during the sensational exam- ination of the pension rolls, for fraudulent claims, under the administration of Grover Cleveland, Mr. Rifenbury's right to a pension was questioned. Unfortunately for the ones who wished to prove themselves loyal upholders and care takers of the

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government, the special examiner's report showed not only was the pension due, but that the govern- ment had withheld about $1,200 back pay, yet rightly due, and the money was paid, and the pen- sion correspondingly increased. For nearly three years after his return from the war Mr. Rifenbury was almost an invalid, and during that time he spent much time hunting, becoming quite a noted sportsman ; in two seasons he killed respectively fif- ty-six and forty-four foxes. As soon as his returning strength permitted he commenced to clear and cul- tivate his present farm in Auburn township, a fine tract of eighty-eight acres, which by industry and thrift he has succeeded in putting into a productive condition. It is nearly all cleared, and he devotes his time to raising general crops, deriving a good income from the place. For many years after he reached his majority Mr. Rifenbury engaged in ped- dling woolen cloth and yarns throughout this sec- tion, the first seven years for a factory at Forest Lake, and for fourteen years after that burned down for J. W. Mott, his children attending to the chores of the farm in the winter after they were old enough. By close attention to business and careful management he has succeeded in making a good living, and he is highly respected by all who know him for his honesty and many sterling qualities. Mr. Rifenbury has never sought office, but he has been chosen by his fellow citizens to the positions of pathmaster and road commissioner, giving gen- eral satisfaction in the discharge of his duties. He takes a public-spirited interest in everything that concerns the welfare of his community.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 283

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