Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 297

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 297
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 297
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 297
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 297

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

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

estate business, but after various enterprises had proved uncongenial he returned home in 1887, and engaged in general farming. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and at times he has taken an active part in local affairs. In 1881 he served as supervisor, and the Mott street road, adjoining Mil- ford, was constructed under his oversight.

On November 1, 1894, Mr. McCarty was mar- ried at Dingman's Ferry to Mrs. Adelia Roe, who was born in 1851, at Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., a daughter of James M. and Jennie (Clark) Roe, both natives of New York State. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1853, at the early age of thirty-five years; her mother died in 1857, aged thirty. Two children survived them : Amelia, wife of William Smith, a farmer in Warren county, N. Y .; and Adelia, Mrs. McCarty. After the death of her father Mrs. McCarty was taken to the home of her maternal grandparents, William' H. and Sarah (Gilson) Clark, and was reared upon their farm in Orange county, N. Y. Richard Clark, her great-grandfather in the maternal line, was a resident of that locality, and the Clark family has been prominent there from an early period. Mrs. McCarty was married first to Daniel Roe, and one daughter was born of the union, Lena, who resides with our subject.

REV. B. F. LARRABEE, a Methodist Episco- pal minister, now living retired in Thompson, Sus- quehanna county, faithfully ministered to the spir- itual needs of his people for many years, and exert- ed a great influence for good in the communities with which he was connected. Revered and beloved by his own flocks, he also won the honor and es- teem of all others who witnessed his devotion to his noble calling.

Mr. Larrabee is a native of Susquehanna coun- ty, born in Jackson, in February, 1836. His fa- ther, William Larrabee, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., September 8, 1801, and was married in Octo- ber, 1828, to Miss Louisa Willard, who was also born in the same place, in September, 1807, a daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Willard, representatives of a prominent old Vermont family. At an early day Mr. and Mrs. Larrabee came to Suquehanna county, Penn., and in Jackson township he first purchased a tract of timber land. He cleared nine- ty acres, and transformed the same into a good farm, making many improvements thereon. There both he and his wife died, the former in May, 1867, the latter in September, 1873. For some years they were members of the Baptist Church, but later united with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and they gave liberally of their means to the erection of the North Jackson Church, where they worshiped. They were earnest and consistent Christians, and took a prominent part in all Church work. In politics the father was first a Whig and later a Republican, and he held a number of local offices. In the family of this worthy couple were six children, of whom two, Frederick and Franklin, died in infancy. (I)

Lucy L., the elder daughter, was born in Vermont, in june, 1830, was given a good education, and was engaged in teaching school at the time of her death, which occurred in Jackson, Susquehanna county, in 1850. (2) William B., born in Jackson, in 1833, grew to manhood on the old homestead, and engaged in teaching for a number of terms in Sus- quenanna county. He married Nellie Whitmore, of Boston, Mass., where he was engaged in mercan- tile business for thirty-five years. He died in June, 1899, his wife in 1895. Their only son, W. F. Lar- rabee, married Alice Gardner, of Norwich, Conn., and is interested in business in Boston. (3) B. F. is the next in the family. (4) Lydia V., born Sep- tember 10, 1840, married Charles Frazier, of Mont- rose, Penn., and moved to Kansas, but after spend- ing two years in that State they returned to Mont- rose, where Mr. Frazier worked at the printer's trade. His wife died in February, 1865.

Our subject grew to mannood on the home farm in Jackson township, and there obtained a good practical education in the public and select schools. In early manhood he, too, successfully en- gaged in teaching school for a number of terms, in Susquehanna and Lackawanna counties. In No- vember, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia A. Brown, a daughter of Elisha and Maria Brown, of Jackson, the former a native of New York State, the latter of Massachusetts. During her girlhood Mrs. Larrabee attended the graded schools and also Harford Academy, and for four or five years she was a popular teacher of Susquehanna county.

On the old Larrabee homestead in Jackson town- ship, our subject and his wife began their domestic life, and tenderly cared for his parents until they were called to their final rest. He was licensed as a preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1868, and his first charge was at Hale's Eddy, N. Y. He was then transferred to Rileyville, Wayne Co., Penn. ; later was at Beach Lake four years ; and from there went to North Sanford, N. Y. His next charge was in New York, where he remained until 1899, in that year retiring from the ministry on account of failing health, and taking up his residence in Thompson, Penn. Here he has purchased two fine residences, and in one of these, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, he expects to spend his declining years, enjoying a well-earned, rest.

Mr. and Mrs. Larabee had two sons: (I) Frank B., born December 4, 1861, obtaained a good education in the local schools and in the high school of Honesdale, and married Bertha Stoddard, of Jackson, a daughter of Henry Stoddard. They lo- cated on the Larrabee homestead, where he died in July, 1888, leaving a wife, but no children. (2) Arthur W., born in Jackson, in July, 1869, attend- ed school in that township, and was for three years a student in the high school of Honesdale. In June, 1893, he married Isabel Walker, of Thompson, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Walker, and they

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have one daughter, Emily L., born in February, 1896. He was general agent and operator for the Delaware & Hudson railroad at Starrucca, Penn., for several years, and then purchased the Spencer grist- mill at that place, which he has since successfully operated, being one of the leading young business men of the town.

For many years Mr. Larrabee was identified with the Republican party, but being a strong tem- perance man, and believing the liquor traffic the most important issue before the people, he now supports the Prohibition party. Before entering the ministry he served as secretary of the school board, and was a school director several terms. He is a man of good business ability, and so capably man- aged his affairs that he now has an income suffi- cient to supply himself and family with every com- fort, and enable him to lay aside all business cares. He was one of the prominent ministers of his Con- ference, and is very popular among all people.

ROBERT AUGUSTUS GREELEY, who was one of the brave boys during the Civil war, is a na- tive son of Wayne county, born near Bethany, May II, 1835, and is a representative of the same family to which Horace Greeley belonged. His paternal grandparents were Samuel and Olive (Reed) Greeley, who spent their entire lives in New Hamp- shire. The former was born September 29, 1752, and died September 25, 1798, while the latter was born July 23, 1757, and died February 23, 18II. Their children were as follows: Nancy, born No- vember 13, 1780, married a Mr. Scripture, and died September 9, 1837; Samuel, born July 2, 1783, died August 16, 1861 ; Augustus, born December 27, 1787, died August 19, 1843 ; William, mentioned below ; Abby, born May 12,1793, married Dr. Elliott ; and Robert R., born April 2, 1797, died in April, I87I.

William Greeley, commonly known as Col. Greeley, was born in Wilton, N. H., May 14, 1790, and came to Wayne county, Penn., at an early day. He was a member of the firm of Greeley & Faatz, glass manufacturers at Dyberry, where together they engaged in business for ten years, starting in 1829. The plant had been erected in 1816 by a company of Germans-Christopher Faatz, Adam and Nicholas Greimer, and Jacob and Christopher Hines, who built it for the purpose of manufacturing window glass. In early life William Greeley was a Uni- tarian in religious belief, but later joined the Epis- copal Church. He died in Dyberry township, Sep- tember 20, 1869, and was laid to rest in the Beth- any cemetery. Mr. Greeley was twice married, his first union being with Miss Jane Felt, who was born in Milton, Mass., August 28, 1792, and died at Bethany, Penn., November 8, 1832, being buried at that place. Abby E., born August 27, 1816, is the widow of Simon H. Plumb, whose sketch is given be- low; Nancy S., born October 27, 1817, married Leonard Graves, who died August 2, 1842, and she died April 23, 1842; Jane Capon, born March I,

1819, married John Jenkins, of Prompton, Penn., who died May 29, 1856, and she died December 14, 1893; Louisa W., born February 3, 1820, mar- ried Homer Payne, who lives in the West, and she died April 1, 1854; William R., born November 19, 1821, died November 20, 1877; Samuel W., born September 10, 1823, died September 19, 1862; Da- vid F., born March 22, 1825, died February 2, 1827; Sarah F., born May 12, 1827, died September 6, 1828; and Augustus, born October 22, 1832, died October 24, 1832. For his second wife, Will- iam Greeley married Miss Olive Messenger, who was born at Plainfield, N. H., January 27, 1809, and died October 6, 1886. Robert Augustus is the oldest child born of this union; Edwin E., born April 19, 1838, died April 30, 1838; Augusta M. and Agibus (twins), born September 2, 1839, died September 22, 1841, and September 3, 1839, respect- ively. Williard E., born August 18, 1841, is now a jeweler of Scranton, Penn .; Horace C. M., born October 5, 1843, is a traveling salesman, residing in Syracuse, New York.

Robert Augustus Greeley remained with his parents until they were called to the world beyond. At the call of the government for volunteers to aid in putting down the Rebellion, he enlisted May 13, 1861, under Capt. John S. Wright, in Company C, 6th P. V. I., and was mustered in at Washing- ton, D. C., July 27, 1861. On December 24, 1863, he was honorably discharged, but the following day re-enlisted, under Capt. P. L. Norton, Com- pany E, gIst P. V. I., and was granted a thirty- days' furlough, during which he visited home. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, including the engagements at Drainsville, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, but fortunately was never seriously wounded. However, he was several times slightly wounded, often had his clothes pierced by bullets, and at one time a bullet passed through his beard, breaking his gun. The war being over, he was honorably discharged June 28, 1865, and returned to his home. In the spring of 1866, after recuperating, he went to Susquehanna depot, where he worked for the New York & Erie railroad for twelve years. He then returned to Prompton, where he has since made his home, while with him resides his sister, Mrs. Plumb. Fraternally he affiliates with the G. A. R., No. 198, of Honesdale, and the I. O. O. F., of Susquehanna, while politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is an honored and valued resident of the community, and is held in high regard by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.

SIMON H. PLUMB, deceased, was born in Chester, Mass., July II, 1805, and belonged to a family originally from Normandy, which was founded in England as early as 1272. The first of whom we have any record in the United States was John Plumb, who was one of the first settlers of Wethersfield, Conn., whither he removed from

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Watertown, near Boston, Mass. The next in direct line were Robert and Mary (Baldwin) Plumb, of Milford, Conn., followed by John and Elizabeth (Norton) Plumb, also of Milford. The next were Joseph and Elizabeth (Bailey) Plumb, of Milford, followed by Warstill J. and Rhoda (Curtis) Plumb, of Middletown, Conn., who were the great-grandparents of our subject. The grand- parents, Jacob and Prudence (Powers) Plumb, were natives of Middletown, Conn., but died in Kingston, Luzerne Co., Penn. He was born March 22, 1751, and died in 1822, while his wife was born August 24, 1748. In their family were four children. In his younger days the grand- father was a sea captain, but later worked at the cabinet maker's trade. The parents of Simon H. Plumb were Jacob and Rhoda ( Plumb) Plumb, natives of Middletown, Conn., the former born March 31, 1776, the latter October 5, 1778. In their family were eleven children. In 1800 the father designed and built the first carding machine in the United States. In 1834 he came to Promp- ton, Wayne Co., Penn., where he died September 17, 1853, and his wife passed away September 17, 1872.

It was in 1833 that Simon H. Plumb became a resident of Prompton, where he was successfully en- gaged in business for many years as a manufacturer of umbrella sticks. On February 6, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Abby Greeley, an Episcopal clergyman performing the ceremony. She was born in Boston, Mass., August 27, 1816, a daughter of William and Jane (Felt) Greeley. Mr. and Mrs. Plumb became the parents of two daughters: Ellen J., born November 26, 1840, died August 29, 1842; and Agnes M., born Octo- ber 7, 1843, successfully engaged in teaching in Wayne county for twenty-five years, being assist- ant teacher in the Wayne County Normal. Mr. Plumb continued business in Prompton until called to his final rest, September 14, 1871. He was a member of the Universalist Churclt, and was an upright, reliable business man, who commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His widow and daughter now reside with the former's brother, Robert A. Greeley, in Prompton, where they have a beautiful and pleas- ant home, and are held in high esteem by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

F. I. LOTT, one of the prominent and influ- ential citizens of Montrose, now practicing at the Bar of Susquehanna county, was one of the men who devoted the opening years of his manhood to the service of his country during the Civil war. He enlisted at Scranton, Penn., in May, 1863, in Com- pany F, 30th P. V. I., at the time of the threatened invasion of this State, and was first located at Carlisle, and on July 2, 1863, was transferred to Chambersburg, Penn., where he did picket duty. He was in camp there until mustered out, being honorably discharged at Harrisburg in July, 1863,

after which he returned to his home in Montrose. He now takes an active and prominent part in Grand Army circles and served as commander of Four Brothers Post No. 453, G. A. R., from No- vember, 1894, to January, 1897.

A native of Susquehanna county, Mr. Lott was born in Lenox township, September 25, 1848, and is a son of Peter Lott, who was born in Clifford town- ship, the same county, July 10, 1807, son of William and Peggy Lott. The grandfather was a native of New York, but at the time of the terrible Indian massacre in the Wyoming Valley, he was living there and fled for safety to Clifford township, where he cleared and developed a farm, and ever afterward made his home. There Peter Lott, a farmer by occupation, was reared, and married to Miss Elsie Rynearson, a native of Lenox township. Her father, Isaac Rynearson, was born in New Jersey of Puritan stock and spoke the German language. He was one of the pioneers of Lenox township, having located there in 1793, and he took up the first land, called Rynearson land, becoming the owner of a large tract. He assisted in organiz- ing the township in 1813, served as its first assessor and was one of the leading men of the county in his day. He died in Lenox township about 1841. The death of Peter Lott occurred in the same township in 1849. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1896, at the age of ninety. Her entire life was spent in Susquehanna county, and she was one of its early school teachers, conducting her schools in private houses. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, all of whom are living: Mrs. Sarah Miller, a resident of Lenoxville ; Mrs. Cather- ine Tennant, of Luzerne, Luzerne Co., Penn .; Mrs. Anna Hayden, of Lenoxville; William, of Clifford; Peter, who enlisted at Scranton for three years in Battery K, 5th United States Artillery, and is now living in Clifford township; Mrs. Margaret Snyder, of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Mrs. Susan Steele, of Scranton ; Mrs. Mary Wilson, of New York City ; and F. I., of this review.

F. I. Lott was reared on a farm in his native township, and received his primary education in its public schools. He was provided with good edu- cational advantages; after attending the schools of Lenox for some time he was a student in the normal at Waymart, Wayne county, for two years, and spent one year at the Mansfield Normal. He first taught school in Wayne county and later followed the same profession in Lenox and Clifford town- ships, Susquehanna county. In 1874 he commenced reading law at Montrose with the firm of Littles & Blakeslee, the following year was admitted to the Bar, and since April, 1876, has successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, at present as a member of the firm of Lott & Maxey. His fel- low citizens recognizing his ability, elected him justice of the peace in 1878, district attorney in 1880, and to the last named position he was re-elect- ed in 1886. His retention in office plainly indicates

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that his official duties were always most capably and satisfactorily performed. He was district attorney when the annex was built to the court house and drew up the contract. He has also served as com- missioner's counsel for the past twelve years and enjoys a large and lucrative practice.

In Montrose, in 1878, Mr. Lott was united in marriage with Miss Helen Warner, a native of that place and a daughter of N. C. Warner, ex-sheriff of the county, and to them was born one child, Emily. Politically Mr. Lott is an active member of the Re- publican party. He is quite prominent socially, especially in Masonic circles, and is a member of Warren Lodge No. 140, F. & A. M .; Warren Chap- ter No. 180, R. A. M .; and Great Bend Command- ery No. 27, K. T.

LOUIS GARRATT MCCOLLUM, an enter- prising young merchant of New Milford, Susque- hanna county, is making an enviable standing for himself in business circles. He comes of honor- able ancestry, and is of Scotch descent in the pa- ternal line. The first of the family to come from Scotland settled near Albany, N. Y., during the eighteenth century and engaged in farming. His two sons, Hugh and Alexander, removed to Sus- quehanna county about 1810, locating in East Bridgewater, and their descendants in this section are among our best citizens.

Peter McCollum, our subject's grandfather, was born in 1812. He married Harriet E. Brew- ster, and had the following children: George B., Edward F. and Mary E. George B. McCollum, the father of our subject, was born June 4, 1842, and for many years conducted a store in New Mil- ford. In 1876 he went to Philadelphia, to reside, and his death occurred there May 28, 1889. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucia Garratt, was a most estimable woman, and a devout member of the Episcopal Church. She died October 15, 1876, in Binghamton, N. Y., aged thirty-three years. Her family is well known in Susquehanna county, and an account of her ancestry appears eleswhere in this volume. Our subject is the eldest of three children. (2) Harriet married Charles H. Ainey, an attorney at Montrose, who is also interested in hardware business. (3) Lucia B. is the wife of H. A. Lyons, a merchant of New Milford.

Louis G. McCollum was born at New Milford April 13, 1869. He received a good practical ed- ucation in the local schools, and at the age of seven- teen entered the Keystone Academy, at Factoryville, Penn., where he spent one year. On April 1, 1890, he purchased his present store from an uncle, E. S. Garratt, and his thrifty and judicious management has increased the trade largely. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, as was his father before him, but he does not seek official honors for himself, his business interests demanding his attention. On November II, 1891, he was married in Syracuse, N. Y., to Miss Helen E. Burns, a native of Great

Bend, Susquehanna county, and a daughter of Por- ter and Marian ( Wilson) Burns. Her father is a prominent citizen of Great Bend, and is engaged in the insurance business.

JAMES SPRINGER, a well-known farmer and stock raiser of Springville township, Susque- hanna Co., Penn., has been the architect of his own fortune, and has met with reasonable success. He has brought his land to a high state of cultivation largely by the labor of his own hands, and is in possession of a comfortable set of farm buildings, to which each year he adds something to enhance the beauty and value of the property.

The Springer family was originally from Ger- many, and the first to come to this country located near Albany, N. Y. There the grandfather of our subject, Philip Springer, was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy Manderville, and later they came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and took up their residence in Springville township, where he died November 2, 1873, and his wife, April 24, 1879. Their children were Maria, who married Daniel Mack, of Springville township, and died in No- vember, 1894; Margaret, widow of Joseph Ran- dall and a resident of Quincy, Ill .; Jane, wife of Elias Mack, deceased ; Philip, a resident of Susque- hanna county, who died in the Union service dur- ing the Civil war; Tunis and Alvin, both deceased; Frederick, father of our subject; and Sarah, wife of Daniel Bullock, of Lathrop township, Susque- hanna county.

Frederick Springer spent his entire life in Springville township as a farmer, owning and oper- ating fifty acres of land. He cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Miss Eliza Justin, a daughter of Dillis and Olivan (Newman) Justin, and the children born of this union were James, our subject; Katie, who died at the age of one year ; Abbie, wife of David Christian, of Springville township; Minnie, deceased wife of Thomas Brown; Chancy; and Jennie, wife of Milburn Oakley, of Kingsley, Susquehanna county. The wife and mother died in 1874, at the age of thirty-one years, and the father departed this life in 1891, at the age of fifty-six.

James Springer was born in Springville town- ship, September 30, 1859, and being reared in that township, his education was acquired in its com- mon schools. At the age of eleven he began to provide for himself by working on farms or in a sawmill, and when fifteen years old entered a grist- mill to learn the trade, which he followed for six years. Since then he has engaged in milling to some extent in Wyoming county, Penn. In 1879 he bought thirty-four acres of land in Springville, and on selling that in 1884 he purchased 100 acres of unimproved land in the same township. Much of this tract he has since cleared and placed under cultivation, leaving only seven acres of woodland.

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In 1885 he built thereon a good residence, which, together with the other improvements he has made, has cost as much as he originally paid for the land. Besides the young stock and sheep he has upon his farm, he keeps six cows for dairy purposes, and he gives considerable attention to speculating in stock:

On December 16, 1883, in Springville town- ship, Mr. Springer married Miss Hattie Riker, who was born April 23, 1865, a daughter of Peter and Eveline (Oakley) Riker. Her paternal grandpar- ents were Hiram and Lavina ( Miller) Riker, na- tives of Germany, and her maternal grandparents were Alonzo and Caroline Oakley. Mrs. Springer is the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Ida, wife of Andrew Beckwith, of Lake county, N. Y .; Fred, deceased ; Eugene, a resident of Penn Yan, N. Y .; and Sey- mour, a stonecutter of Lathrop township, Susque- hanna county. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have an adopted son, Robert Springer, who has been a mem- ber of their household for the past six years, and is being reared as their own child. Both are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly respected by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. In political sentiment Mr. Springer is a stanch Republican.

THOMAS L. LAMB. Among the active and energetic members of the farming community of Thompson township, Susquehanna county, none stand higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than the gentleman whose name . introduces this sketch. There his entire life has been passed, his birth occurring at Comforts Pond, in May, 1862.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 297

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