Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 295

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 295
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 295
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 295
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 295

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Sebastian K. Brong was born on the farm now owned by S. Rees Gerarhart, but then owned by his father, in Chestnut Hill township, December IO, 1841. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, when he enlisted March 29, 1864, for three years in Company B ( Capt. John Nichols), 5Ist P. V. I. He served to the end of the war and participated in twelve engage- ments, including the terrible fighting in the wilder- ness, at Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, etc. Fortunately he escaped without a wound, and he was mustered out at Alexandria, Va., July 27, 1865.

After his discharge he returned home and there remained until his marriage March 4, 1866, at Sciota, Monroe county, Penn., to Margaret Getz, who was born in Ross township June 19, 1842, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Dotter) Getz, and granddaughter of Conrad and Margaret (Weiss) Getz. Conrad Getz was a farmer of Polk township, Monroe county, and had served in the war of 1812. His son Henry married Catherine, daughter of Jacob Dotter, (who had married a Miss Richell, and was a lifelong farmer of Polk township). Henry Getz was a merchant at McIlhaney, serving for many years as justice of the peace, and filling various other local offices. He was a Democrat in politics, and died in July, 1885, aged seventy-four. His wife, Catherine, died in May, 1893, aged eighty-three

years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and are buried side by side in the Brodheadsville cemetery. The family of Henry and Catherine Getz consisted of the following children : Julia Ann, who married Peter Young, and is now deceased ; Mary, who married Isaac Hess, and is now deceased ; Will- iam, a farmer of Mt. Bethel, Penn., who married Sally A. Mufley ; Henry, deceased, Margaret, wife of our subject; Catherine, who married Adam Frable, and is now deceased; Lucinda, who first married Joseph Hessler, and whose second husband was William Olerwine, of Slatington, Penn .; Clemenzs, who married Carolina Kindt, and resides on the old homestead in Ross township; Conrad, a farmer and carpenter, who married Sophia Serfass, and who lives in Kansas; and Arvine, who married Samuel Weiss, of Brodheadsville, and is now de- ceased.

The children born to Sebastian K. and Mar- garet (Getz) Brong are as follows : Francis S., born February 4, 1867, married Jennie Irvin July 6, 1893, and is proprietor and publisher of the Luserne Standard, Luzerne, Mo .; Catherine, born May 21, 1868, was married February 22, 1894, to James Krone, a farmer of Effort, Penn .; William H., born December 4, 1869, a Reformed Church minister, mentioned below ; George S., born April 10, 1871, a salesman at Weissport, Penn., married Cora Kresge, May 4, 1894; Effie J., December 17, 1872, formerly a school teacher, married July 4, 1899, to Victor E. Williamson, a salesman at Moorestown, Northampton Co., Penn .; Arvina C., September 16, 1874, died of diphtheria March 28, 1885 ; P. Monroe, February 13, 1876, married Emma Bond, December 24, 1898, and is a school teacher at home; Sally A., May 22, 1878; Anna R., January 9, 1881, died of diphtheria April 2, 1885; Calvin, April 6, 1882, a student at Fairview Academy ; Lillie A., December 12, 1884, at home; Oscar S., December 27, 1886, at home. After his marriage our subject settled upon his present fertile and well-improved farm. It was then almost a wilderness, containing in the way of improvements a small house and shed. It was the old Hoodmacher farm, and was purchased from Mr. Moodmacher by our subject. Mr. Brong has demonstrated that he is a good farmer. He has not only brought to a high state of cultivation his broad acres, led the way in modern methods of farming, and made reasonable financial provision against the future, but has been an influential citizen of the county, interested in the causes which promote the welfare of his fellowmen. He has served the town- ship for two years as supervisor, and for the past three years has been an elder of the Reformed Church.

REV. WILLIAM H. BRONG, son of Sebastian K. Brong, of Chestnut Hill township, is a young man who is devoting his life work to the Gospel minis- try, and is now pastor of the Tannersville Reformed charge, consisting of four congregations, viz. : Grace church, Tannersville, St. Mark's church,

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Appenzell, Salem's Church, Houser Mills, and St. Paul's Church, Paradise. He was born in Chest- nut Hill township December 4, 1869. Until the age of fifteen years he lived on his father's farm the life of a farmer boy. He then became a student at Fairview Academy, Brodheadsville. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching school in Monroe county, continuing for a period of six years, procur- ing at the close of his teaching career a teacher's permanent certificate from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In summer he attended Fairview Academy, where a portion of the time he assisted in teaching. In 1893, he entered Franklin and Marsh- all College at Lancaster, Penn., to take a mental scientific course. The following year he took up the study of theology in connection with his college work in the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Penn., graduating in May, 1897. Rev. Brong was elected to the Tannersville charge June 12, 1897, and was ordained August 8, the same year, and during his first two years he received ninety-six new members into the charge. He publishes a small paper called Reformed Parish Helper.

On January 1, 1900, Rev. William H. Brong was united in holy wedlock to Miss Clara H. Leidy, daughter of Washington F. Leidy, a merchant at New Hanover, Montgomery county, Penn. She is a descendant of Rev. John Philip Leidich, a Re- formed missionary from South Holland, who came to this country in the year 1748, as an assistant to Rev. Michael Schlatter, the first Reformed mission- ary in the United States. By his earnest solicitation Rev. Brong has procured a parsonage for the Tan- nersville Reformed charge and made many needed improvements in the churches. As an earnest minister of the Gospel, he is. achieving great good for the people of his ministry.

CORNELIUS B. DIBBLE, deceased, an agri- culturist of energy and ability, who made his home upon his farm in Preston township, Wayne county, from 1872 until his death, October 1, 1899, was born in Bovina, Delaware Co., N. Y., August 3, 1835. His father, Cornelius Dibble, Sr., who was a soldier of the war of 1812, married Mary Lewis, daughter of James Lewis, and they became the parents of ten children, namely : Perry, Jehial, William, Thomas, Charles, Noah, James, Lewis, Delight Ann and Cornelius. The mother died at the age of seventy-two years, and the father, after surviving her several years, died at the age of eighty- two.

Like most farmers' sons of his day, Cornelius Dibble, Jr., spent his boyhood and youth, and on March 14, 1857, he married Miss E. McMurray, a native of Delaware county, N. Y. Her father, George McMurray, was born in Ireland, of Scotch parentage, and in early life married Jane Miller. He died at the age of sixty-nine, his wife at the age of eighty-three years. Their children were Doro-

thea, John, Jane, James, Robert, Ruth, Eliza, W. M., George, Mary and Nancy.

Coming to Wayne county, Penn., in 1872, Mr. Dibble purchased what was known as the John Carr place at Preston Centre, which is beautifully located near Spruce Lake, and less than two miles from Windwood on the Ontario & Western rail- road. The Preston Centre Baptist Church, and the school house are only a few minutes walk from his home. To his original purchase he has added other tracts, until at his death he and his son owned 233 acres of valuable land in one body. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dibble: Noah A., who died when nine years old; George M .; and Jennie M., now the wife of Richard C. Tem- pleton, a blacksmith residing at Preston Centre.

George M. Dibble, the son, was born July 4, 1861, and when a boy of eleven years accompanied his parents on their removal to Wayne county. In the schools of Preston township, he received a fair education, to which he has added much by reading and observation. He has always remained upon the old homestead, and with his father successfully en- gaged in general farming and the dairy business. He is an ardent supporter of the Democracy, but is broad and liberal in his views, and is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his township, and is at present serving as jury com- missioner of Wayne county. Socially he is a mem- ber of Moosic Lodge No. 400, I. O. O. F., of Pleas- ant Mount, Wayne county. The Dibble home has ever been noted for its hospitality, and the friends of the family are many.

JOSEPH K. BRUGLER, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Rush township, Susque- hanna county, has had considerable experience in agricultural pursuits, to which he now devotes his time and attention, and is a man of good business capacities, public-spirited and liberal, and in all re- spects a valued member of society.

Mr. Brugler was born in Warren county, N. J., May 6, 1849, a son of Samuel and Latishia ( Lina- berry) Brugler, also natives of that county, the former born in August, 1821, the latter in 1825. In 1859 they came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and located on a farm in Auburn township. where they still continue to reside. In their family were the following children: Peter J., a farmer of Au- burn township; Joseph K., our subject; Jerris, a farmer of Fairdale, Jessup township, Susquehanna county ; Judson, a grocer of Oliphant, Penn. ; Libby, deceased wife of Henry Young ; and Katie, wife of William Stevens, of Peckville, Pennsylvania.

The boyhood and youth of Joseph K. Brug- ler was passed on the home farm. In Aubuni town- ship, he was united in marriage with Miss Angeline Crissman, and although they have no children of their own, they have given homes to four, three of whom they have reared to man and womanhood, while the fourth died at the age of six years. Mrs. Brugler is also a native of Warren county, N. J.,

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and is a daughter of Nelson and Matilda Crissman, who were born in Warren county. Mr. Brugier continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until thirty-three years of age, and for four years engaged in farming upon a rented farm in Auburn . township, after which he purchased his present place in Rush township. To its further improve- ment and cultivation he has since devoted his ener- gies with most gratifying results and has become quite well-to-do. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a pronounced Democrat in politics.

CHARLES DOBELMANN, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Hotel Lafayette," at White Mills, Wayne county, is one of the leading citizens of that locality and as he has made his own way in life his history is of more than ordinary interest.

Mr. Dobelmann was born in Loraine, Germany, at that time a province of France, and his parents, Nicholas and Magdalin ( Faltoe) Dobelmann, were lifelong residents of that locality. They had four sons and three daughters, and of the former, three (Richard, John, and Charles) came to Ameri- ca to reside. Richard arrived in New York when sixteen years old and being ardently devoted to the cause of liberty, he served as a soldier in the Union army throughout the Civil war, but he has not been heard from since the close of that struggle. He never married. John came to New York in boy- hood, and was employed for a time by Christopher Dorflinger in his glass works in that city. In 1872 he bought the business, and he continued it on his own account until a few years previous to his death, which occurred August 19, 1897. He married Miss Ada Lucas, of New York State, who survives him and now resides in New Haven, Conn. They had no children.

Our subject received an excellent education in the schools of his native place where he also learned the glass blower's trade. In 1862 he married Miss Rosile Girard, daughter of Lerefant and Margaret Girard, of France, and the first seven years of his married life were spent near his old home. In 1869 he with his family came to America and for some time he remained in New York City working at his trade with his brother John. Later he removed to White Mills to take a position in C. Dorflinger's Glass Works at that place, but in 1872 he returned to New York to enter the employ of his brother. In 1879 he settled permanently at White Mills, where he followed his trade for about seven years. In Sep- tember, 1896, he purchased real estate near the Erie depot and began building a large hotel, 40 x 60 feet, with commodious outbuildings and stables, and this establishment, which is now one of the finest hotels in Wayne county, he has named in honor of his famous compatriot whose gallant assistance during the Revolutionary war will always be re- membered with gratitude by the American people. The house is heated with hot air and is fitted up

with every modern improvement, while the table is at all times supplied with the best that the market affords. Mr. Dobelmann's unfailing geniality and politeness are strongly characteristic of his race, and his guests find his jovial good nature infectious. His prosperity has been well-earned and he may survey with satisfaction the realization of his early ambitions. As a citizen he is public-spirited and al- though he does not aspire to political recognition he is an active worker in the cause of the Republican party. In religious faith he and his family are de- vout Catholics and he is a prominent member of the Church at White Mills.

His home has twice been invaded by death, his first child, Albert, having died in childhood, and his beloved wife passed away in October 1897. One daughter, Roselin, survives. She was born in Lor- aine, at that time a province of France, and received an excellent education in the schools of New York City. In 1886 she married Mr. George Conely, son of James and Mary Conely, well-known among the pioneers of Honesdale, where he was born and reared. For some time after his marriage Mr. Cone- ly was engaged in mercantile business at White Mills, but in October, 1897, he and his wife removed to the hotel to assist Mr. Dobelmann in its manage- ment. The family has always been popular social- ly, and Mrs. Conely's mental gifts and culture have made her an especial favorite.

JOHN ROBINSON, proprietor of "Orchard Farm," one of the pleasantest country homes in Lebanon township, Wayne county, was born in Bol- ton, England, April 19, 1826, a son of James and Mary ( Hague) Robinson, also natives of England, the former born in Yorkshire. In their family were seven children, namely: Samuel, deceased ; Tamar, wife of Matthias Ogden, of Dyberry, now deceased ; John; Sarah, wife of George Stearns, of Philadel- phia, Penn .; James, deceased ; Mary, wife of Mar- tin Kimble, of Dyberry township, Wayne county ; and Hannah, widow of J. J. Thompson, of Arling- ton, Neb. The mother died in England, in 1836, and the father subsequently wedded Miss Mary Hall, by whom he had two children: Franklin, a well-known farmer of Lebanon township, Wayne county ; and Susan, wife of N. Latourette, of the same township. In his native land the father con- ducted a store, but in 1842 he disposed of his busi- ness, and with his family emigrated to America, being four weeks in making the voyage from Liver- pool to New York. Deciding on Wayne county as a location, he took up his residence in Lebanon township, where he died at the age of eighty years, his wife at the age of sixty-two. In political senti- ment he was a Republican.

John Robinson was sixteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic with the family and became a resident of Lebanon township, Wayne county, and his literary education was all obtained in the schools of England. Here he and his father secured a tract of wild land in the midst of the forest, which

The Detelmanny

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they at once commenced to clear and improve, trans- forming the same into highly cultivated helas. Our subject is now the owner of a valuable farm of 180 acres, and in connection with general farming he makes a specialty of poultry raising and the drying of fruits, having upon his place a small evaporating house. In 1896 ne uried 1,000 bushels of apples, his crop being 0,000 bushels, and this branch of his business has proved quite profitable. He has erect- ed a comfortable and attractive residence upon his farm, large barns and good outbuildings-in fact the place is one of the model farms of the commu- nity, supplied with all modern conveniences and ac- cessories.

On March 17, 1857, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Amanda M. Stearns, who was born, reared and educated in Harford township, Susquehanna county, and is a representative of a very prominent family, her parents being Ira and Maria (Plum) Stearns, natives of Massachusetts, the former born in Attleboro, the latter in West- chester. Of their eleven children only six are now living : Alvin, a resident of Harford township, Sus- quehanna county ; George W., of Philadelphia ; Mrs. Maria Patterson, of Herrick Center, Penn .; Ansil, of Harford township; Amanda ; and Alzo M., a resi- dent of Colorado. The family, always a patriotic and loyal one, was well represented in the Civil war, three sons being members of the Union army : Oscar, who died in the service; Alzo M. and Henry, who died from effects of wounds received in bat- tle. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have four children : James A., of Seeleyville, Wayne county ; Frank M., of Dyberry township; Fred J. of Lebanon, and Ma- bel F., wife of Frank Smith, of Dyberry. Mr. Robin- son is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, believing its policy best suited to the demands of the nation. He has been very successful in business af- fairs, has succeeded in obtaining a comfortable com- petence, and is to-day numbered among the solid men of Wayne county.

WILLIAM N. RUDE, a leading agriculturist of Wayne county, owns and operates a valuable farm in Clinton township, whose neat and thrifty appear- ance well indicates his careful supervision. Sub- stantial improvements are surrounded by well tilled fields, and there are found all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm.

Nathan Rude, Sr. (grandfather of our sub- ject), was a native of Norwich, New London Co., Conn., and in the winter of 1799-1800 came with his family to Pennsylvania, where he died at the ex- treme old age of ninety-eight years. His son, Na- than, Jr., was born September 10, 1776, and was married October 15, 1798, to Miss Rachel, daugh- ter of Rev. William Purdy, of Paupack township, Wayne county. Their children were: Phœbe J., who was born December 14, 1830, and is now a widow living in Ohio; William N., the subject of this sketch; and Lorain W., who was born April 28, 1835, and is a resident of Walton, New York.

In Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, Will- iam N. Rude was born February 15, 1833, and in early life learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, which he followed for seven years in Mt. Pleasant, Penn. He then purchased a farm in Clinton town- ship, Wayne county, which he operated for six years, and subsequently for several years he en- gaged in lumber dealing and farming in Paupack township. In 1877, however, he returned to his farm in Clinton township, and to its cultivation and improvement he has since devoted his time and attention with most gratifying results. The place comprises 294 acres of rich and arable land, which he has converted into one of the most desirable farms of the locality.

On' March 22, 1865, Mr. Rude was united in marriage with Miss Helen Fritz, a daughter of Mandus and Christina (Keane) Fritz, both natives of Bavaria, Germany. In the Fritz family were the following children: Caroline (deceased) ; Annette, wife of John Krug, of New York City ; Helen J., wife of our subject; Julia E., widow of William S. King, and a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Mary (deceased) ; Margaret A., widow of T. Corbey, and a resident of Brooklyn; Christina, who died at the age of eleven years; and Henry, who died in in- fancy. Four children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rude, namely : (I) Alfred N. and (2) Will- iam E., twins, born May 7, 1866. The former be- came a detective and was drowned in the Rock river at Janesville, Wis. The latter was reared on the home farm, began his education in the local: schools and later attended the Waymart Academy. For a time he successfully engaged in teaching in Dreher and Clinton townships, Wayne county, but now has charge of the home farm. (3) Francis N. and (4) Lenor M., twins, were born June 2, 1870. Francis completed his education in the Waymart Academy and now assists in the operation of the home farm. Lenor M., after completing her edu- cation at the West Chester State Normal School, became a teacher and is now successfully following that profession at Sands Creek, New York.

Reared in the Democratic party, Mr. Rude has always been an earnest advocate of its principles, and has acceptably served in a number of official positions of honor and trust, being postmaster of Farno, Wayne county ; overseer of the poor and a member of the election board in his township, and treasurer of Mt. Pleasant township. He and his family are prominent and influential members of the Baptist Church, in which his son William is serving as clerk and trustee. As a citizen, Mr. Rude stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him, and the best years of his life have been given to the building up and advancement of his na- tive county.

DAVID B. PERRY, the well-known night watchman on the Gravity railroad, residing at Prompton, Wayne county, is a native of New York, born in Minisink, Orange county, April 14, 1825,.

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and is a son of Caleb P. and Esther ( Morse) Perry, natives of Litchfield, Conn., where they were mar- ried December 17, 1817. In 1829 the family re- moved to Wayne county, Penn., and located at Prompton, where the father engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life, and also held a number of local offices. The parents were both earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were held in high regard by all who knew them. The father was born July 18, 1795, and died November 22, 1861, while the mother was born July 28, 1792, and died August 8, 1875, both being laid to rest in Keene's cemetery. David B. is the youngest of their four children, of whom the others are as follows : Louisa and Lavisa (twins) were born December 14, 1818, and the former died June 14, 1835, while the latter became the wife of Asa V. Hendrick, and both are now de- ceased. Susan, born January 4, 1820, married Amos Denslow, who died in 1869, and she died February 7, 1893. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Caleb and Esther Perry, always lived in Waterbury, Conn., and the maternal grandparents, Filo and Rachel Morse, emigrated from England and located in Connecticut, at an early day.

David B. Perry is a carpenter by trade, and at that occupation he worked for a few years in Forest City, Penn. For the past thirty-eight years he has made his home uninterrupted in Prompton, Wayne county, and with the exception of eight years of that time has been in the employ of the railroad, generally working for the Delaware & Hudson Co. He continued to follow carpentering until 1895 when he was appointed night watchman on the Gravity railroad, and is now capably filling that responsible position to the entire satisfaction of the company.

On November 27, 1850, Mr. Perry was mar- ried at Waymart, Wayne county, to Miss Rebecca Jane Burns, the Rev. Father Griffing officiating. She was born at Deer Park, Orange Co., N. Y., October 11, 1829, a daughter of George and Jane (Drake) Burns, the former born at Little Scoda, near Albany, N. Y., the latter at Forestburg, Sulli- van Co., N. Y. They were married at Forestburg in March, 1818, and celebrated their golden wedding before a death occurred in their family. The father died April 12, 1879, at the age of eighty-six years, and the mother, who was born September 9, 1797, passed away November 12, 1883, being laid to rest by his side in the cemetery at Aldenville, Wayne Co., Penn. She was a consistent member of the . Baptist Church. In politics the father was a Demo- crat and by his party was elected to several local offices. Throughout the greater part of his life he engaged in lumbering, owning and operating a sawmill in Orange county, N. Y., in 1835, where he had about 300 acres of timber land. At one time he was quite wealthy, owning several farms, but later lost some of his property. He came to Wayne county, Penn., April 1, 1840, and spent his last days upon the old Collins farm in Cherry Ridge

township. He served as a private in the war of 1812. His father, William Burns, a native of Scot- land, came to the United States at an early day, and died on a boat near New York, when going to that city to collect a debt. Mrs. Perry's maternal grandparents were Zephaniah and Rebecca ( Shontz ) Drake, natives of Deckertown, N. J., and West Town, Orange Co., N. Y., respectively. Their deaths occurred in Forestburg, Sullivan Co., New York. In the family of George and Jane ( Drake) Burns were the following children: Alfred, born August 1, 1819, is a retired farmer living in Hollis- terville, Wayne county. Amzi and James (twins) were born August 26, 1821, and the former died in June, 1891; the latter is represented elsewhere in this volume; William, born March 21, 1825, died in 1827 ; Ira, born May 14, 1827, is a railroad machinist in Kingston, Penn .; Rebecca J., born October II, 1829, is the wife of our subject; Sarah D., born April 9, 1832, is the wife of A. R. Peck, a farmer of Aldenville, Wayne county ; Elsa A., born July 12, 1835, is the widow of Amilisa Walter, of New York City; Mary E., born July 13, 1836, is the wife of E. B. Hollister, pension agent and justice of the peace at Hollisterville, Wayne county ; Harriet E., born March 1, 1839, is the wife of R. P. Abby, a merchant of Grand Junction, Colo .; and George W., born September 14, 1841, is a railroad engineer of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 295

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