Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 300

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 300
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 300
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 300
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 300

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After aiding his father on the farm for a year, Mr. McKeeby went West, where he spent two years in the employ of the government surveys, and in helping build the Western Pacific railroad and other work, spending some of the time in the lumber woods. In 1876 he removed to New York State, where he engaged in farming for three years, and on his return to Susquehanna county operated a farm in Forest Lake township for a few years, after which he again went West. Since 1885, however, he has made his home continuously upon his pres-

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ent farm.in Jessup township, Susquehanna county, and in his farming operations has met with excellent success. He is independent in politics, and in his social relations is a member of the Knights of Honor at Susquehanna. He is an esteemed resi- dent of the community, and takes an active interest in its prosperity, aiding all beneficial schemes tend- ing to improve its moral, educational or social status.

In Brookdale, Penn., February 29, 1880, Mr. McKeeby was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Travis, a daughter of Samuel Travis, of Susquehanna county. She died in 1882, at the age of nineteen years, and was buried in the McKeeby cemetery. On September 9, 1886, in Binghamton, N. Y., he was again married, his second union being with Miss Florence S. Morgan, by whom he has three children: Margery E., Edith L. and Philip Sheridan. Mrs. McKeeby was born in Jessup township, Susquehanna county, January 18, 1862, a daughter of William B. and Margery A. (Thomas) Morgan, natives of Susquehanna and Luzerne counties, Penn., respectively. In early life her father removed to Luzerne county, where he married, and engaged in farming and lumbering until 1856, when he returned to Susquehanna coun- ty. He entered the Union army during the Civil war, as a member of Company B, 52nd P. V. I., and died in hospital in South Carolina, December 25, 1864, being laid to rest in the soldiers cemetery at Beaufort, that State. He was born June 3, 1828, a son of James and Mary ( Brumley) Morgan, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Susquehanna county at an early day, and here remained. Mrs. McKeeby's mother died March 27, 1893, at the age of fifty-eight years, on the farm in Jessup town- ship now owned by our subject, and was buried in Bolles cemetery, same township. Her children were Edgar A., who married Catherine Dayvault, and is engaged in carpentering in Williamsport, Penn; Mary J., wife of Clark Vaughn, a farmer of Bridgewater township; Charlotte E., who died unmarried, and Florence S., wife of our subject.

THOMASP. McCORMICK is the senior mem- ber of the firm of T. P. McCormick & Bro., dealers in general merchandise, groceries, provisions, boots and shoes, at No. 213 Main street, Forest City, Sus- quehanna county.

Mr. McCormick is a native of the county., born in Silver Lake township, August 13, 1865, a son of James J. and Catherine (Curley ) McCormick. The father was born in Albany, N. Y., but was only six months old when, in 1829, he was brought to Sus- quehanna county by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James McCormick, natives of Ireland, who emi- grated to America in 1827, and spent their last days in Silver Lake township. Our subject's mother was also a native of the Emerald Isle, of which her parents, James and Catherine Curley, were lifelong residents. When young she came with her broth- ers to the New World, and settled in Middletown

township, Susquehanna county. Here she gave her hand in marriage to James J. McCormick, and they began their domestic life on the farm in Silver Lake township where their grandson, James McCormick, now resides. The father taught school for six years in Susquehanna county, and two years in New York State, and also engaged in the lumber business and in milling upon his own farm, in con- nection with agricultural pursuits. He was an ex- tensive farmer, and a man of considerable promi- nence in his community, being called upon to fill a number of township offices, including those of auditor, school director and supervisor. He died January 29, 1898, aged sixty-nine years, his wife December 12, 1884, aged fifty-four, and both were laid to rest in Silver Lake cemetery. They were devout member of the Catholic Church, and in politics the father was a Democrat. Their children were Mary J., now the wife of James Kane, a farmer of Choconut, Penn .; Catherine, deceased wife of John Heavey ; James, who resides on a part of the old homestead; Anna, wife of William Cad- den, of Hawleyton, N. Y .; Thomas P., our subject ; Joseph, who is our subject's partner in business ; Maggie, who died young ; and Lawrence, who lives on a part of the home farm.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the home farm, where he remained with his parents until, when seventeen years of age, he commenced teaching school. He successfully followed that profession until 1891, teaching his first term in Choconut, and all in Susquehanna coun- ty with the exception of one term in New York State. On May 18, 1891, he embarked in his pres- ent business, in partnership with James Brady, but a few months later Joseph McCormick, his brother, purchased Mr. Brady's interest, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of T. P. McCormick & Bro. They carry a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, and by fair and honorable dealing have built up an excel- lent trade.

On April 29, 1891, in Silver Lake township, Mr. McCormick married Miss Loretta McMannus, by whom he has one daughter, Mary Annetta. Mrs. McCormick was born in Choconut township, Sus- quehanna county, August 25, 1868, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget ( White) McMannus, natives of Ireland. In early life the father was a contractor for the Erie Railroad Co., but later engaged in farming in Choconut township, where he died in 1874, at the age of seventy years ; there the mother is still living, at the age of sixty. Both were mem- bers of the Catholic Church. Their children were Mary, wife of James Curley, of New York; Mag- gie, deceased wife of John Murphy, of Vestal, N. Y .; John J., a resident of Hyde Park, Penn .; James P., who resides on the old homestead ; Loretta, wife of our subject; and Rebecca, who also lives with our subject.

Mr. McCormick has been grand officer for the Young Men's Institute for the State of Pennsylva-

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nia, and is also a member of the Knights of Colum- bus. In religious faith he is a Catholic, and in his political views a Democrat. He has become quite prominently identified with public affairs in Forest City, was elected to the town council in 1897, for one term, and the following year was elected presi- dent of the school board. He has also been a dele- gate to the Democratic State Convention four times. He is quite popular, and is a man of excellent busi- ness and executive ability, whose sound judgment, unflagging enterprise and capable management have brought him well-merited success.

HARVEY BISHOP. Among the most beau- tiful homes of this section is that of the subject of this sketch, who has held for many years the responsible position of assistant superintendent of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. The estate, which was formerly known as the Jacob Palmer property, is located in Texas township, Wayne county, one-half mile from Honesdale, within the limits of the village of Tracyville. Mr. Bishop has spared no expense in improving the place, having erected tasteful and commodious buildings with all modern conveniences, and the natural advantages of the picturesque location on the banks of the canal have been enhanced by artistic designs. It is an ideal spot in which to pass the afternoon of life, and our subject and his estimable wife are now enjoying in well-earned repose the results of their years of effort in securing so desirable a home.

Mr. Bishop was born January 14, 1824, in Hawley, Wayne county, and comes of old Pennsyl- vania stock. Hiram Bishop, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Bucks county, whence in early manhood he came to Wayne county, where he married Miss Anna Corselius, their home being established at Bethany. Both died in 1875, and the father, who had been engaged in extensive lum- bering operations for many years, had at that time attained the advanced age of eighty-four. Of the fifteen children of this worthy couple four died in infancy, the others being: George, who died in Missouri; Margaret, deceased wife of Simeon Kimble, of Wayne county; Susan (deceased in 1849), wife of Ira Compton, of Palmyra, Penn .; Lany, who married Charles Leonard, of Joliet, Il1., where she died in 1897; John (deceased), formerly a resident of Wayne county, where his widow and family still reside; Harvey, our subject, who is mentioned more fully below; Peter, a resident of Hawley, where he is the local superintendent for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. Henry, who is married and resides at Hawley ; Annie (deceased), who married S. B. Hagelbarger, formerly of Ga- lena, Ohio, also deceased; Hiram, who is married and resides at Green Ridge, near Scranton, where he is employed by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co .; and Miss Katie, who resides in Hawley.

Our subject received a district-school education in his youth, and when fifteen years old found em- ployment as a boatman on the canal. For nine years

he served in that capacity with so much ability and fidelity that he attracted the favorable notice of the company, and he was then promoted to the position of toreman in general charge of the canal from Honesdale to Hawley. About seven years later he was appointed foreman of Section No I, his posi- tion being the same as assistant superintendent, and he has ever since continued this work with satis- faction to his employers and credit to himself. The esteem of the shrewd business men who manage the affairs of this well-known corporation is in itself an evidence of ability and worth, and Mr. Bishop and his family may take a justifiable pride in their un- broken approval as shown in his promotions to more and more important posts during his long service with them. While he has not engaged in political work actively, he has always taken a hearty interest in public questions, and in early life was an Old- line Whig, later a Republican. In religious faith he and his family are Presbyterians, and for years he has been a leading member of the Church at Honesdale.

In 1849 Mr. Bishop married Miss Mary Man- deville, and for a time they made their home at Leonardsville, near Hawley, on the Texas township side of the Lackawanna river. About 1873 he pur- chased his present homestead, where he has con- tinued to reside. Two children have brightened his home: (1) Howard, born in 1850, received a collegiate education, and in early manhood was started by his father in a grocery business at Hones- dale, which he continued successfully for twelve years. He then sold out and erected a store and dwelling house adjoining his father's home in Tra- cyville, where he conducts a general mercantile busi- ness. He married Miss Annie Baird, of Texas town- ship, and they have had four children, Susie, Frank, Emma, and George. (2) George, born in 1853, learned the printer's trade and entered upon life with every promise of success, but he died in 1880, at the early age of twenty-seven, mourned by a large cir- cle of friends.

Mrs. Bishop, who has been a worthy helpmeet to her husband, was born in 1828, in Orange coun- ty, N. Y., daughter of David and Phoebe Mandeville, who removed to Honesdale, Wayne county, in 1829, and two years later settled permanently at White's Mills, same county. Her father, who was a tailor by trade, died there in August, 1876, and her mother passed away in 1877. Mrs. Bishop was the eldest in a family of five children, the others being: Caro- line E., wife of Henry Garrett; Benjamin F., who married a Miss Jaynes and resides at Leonards- ville; John E., who married Miss Helen Beards- ley, of Texas township, and now resides at Hawley, where he is employed as a machinist ; and Joseph H., who is married, and after residing for some time in Middletown, N. Y., settled in New York City.

CHARLES H. ALTEMOSE, one of the highly-respected and worthy citizens of Polk town- ship, Monroe county, whose life has been devoted

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to agricultural pursuits, was born at Albrightsville, Carbon Co., Penn., November 20, 1853, a son of Jacob and Julian (Haney) Altemose, natives of Monroe county.

The father of our subject died on the old home- stead in Polk township, in 1888, at the age of fifty- five years, and was buried in Pleasant Valley ceme- tery. He was a supporter of the Democratic party, and a consistent member of the Reformed Church, to which his widow also belongs. She is now aged sixty-two years, and resides in Chestnut Hill town- ship, Monroe county. To them were born the fol- lowing children : Dawalt, who accidentally shot and killed himself while out hunting; Charles H., our subject; Ellen, who died young; Annetta, wife of Jacob Trach, of Lackawanna county, Penn .; William, deceased ; Julian, wife of Henry Radeline, of Northampton county, Penn .; Cornelia, wife of Milton Shupp, of Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county ; Sarah J., wife of Charles Krome, of Effort, Penn .; Emma, a resident of New York; Jacob F., a resident of Scranton, Penn. ; and Mathias E., who is with his mother. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Hannah ( Arnold) Altemose, also made their home in Monroe county, as did the maternal grandparents, Charles H. and Juliann ( Hufsmith ) Haney.

Under the parental roof Charles H. Altemose passed his boyhood and youth, remaining at home until twenty-two years of age, and acquiring an ex- cellent knowledge of every department of farm work. He then purchased a farm in Polk town- ship, which he operated for five years, and on selling that place bought his present farm, which he has greatly improved and placed under good cultivation. He is progressive in his methods, and is meeting with well-deserved success. He casts his ballot with the Democratic party, and for one year most effi- ciently served as supervisor of his township. He is a member of the Reformed Church, takes an active part in its work, and for several years has served as deacon.

At Sciota, Monroe county, May 6, 1875, Mr. Altemose was married, by Rev. Daniels, a minister of the Reformed Church, to Miss Anna Shupp, who was born on the old family homestead June 12, 1854, and is a sister of Franklin D. Shupp, in whose sketch may be found a record of the family. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Altemose, namely: George F., who died at the age of one year, seven months and twelve days ; James H., who is attending the Allentown Business College, at Al- lentown, Penn .; and Sallie M., at home. The family is one of prominence in the best social circles of the community in which they make their home.

WILLIAM H. OSBORN. Though he had almost reached the age of exemption from military service when the great Civil war began, being then forty-two years of age, the subject of this sketch was one of the first to enlist, once it was seen that there was serious work ahead for the government.

Discharged for disability, he re-enlisted, and saw active service, participating in a number of engage- ments, including some of the most memorable bat- tles of the war. It is a glorious record, and one well worthy a typical representative of a prominent Pennsylvania family.

The grandfather of our subject, James Osborn, was a native of New York State, born near the Jersey line. He was a physician who, a century, or longer, ago, practiced his profession among the pioneer settlements of Lackawanna county, and there died. He married Asenath Brady in New York State, and left a family of eight children, namely : James, who moved to Ohio, and there died ; John, whose descendants now live in Wayne county ; William, father of our subject; Peter and Henry, who went West; Hannah, who married John Love; Polly, who married a Mr. Grist; and Betsey ,who married William Ross.

William Osborn, father of our subject, was born in Sussex county, N. J., December 23, 1778. At the age of eighteen years he removed to Lack- awanna county, Penn., and there married Elizabeth Holden. He removed to Wyoming county, near Lake Winola, where he followed farming, and lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years, dying in 1862; his wife lived to the age of seventy-two years. In politics he was a Democrat. To them were born seven children : Sydney, deceased; Asenath, who married a Mr. Dix, and is now de- ceased ; Orilla, deceased; Polly, who died unmar- ried ; William Holden, the subject proper of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married James Milligan, and lives at Mill City, Penn .; and Joseph G., a resident of Dorrance, Luzerne county.

William H. Osborn was born in Lake town- ship, Luzerne county, April 23, 1819. He was given fair school advantages, and at the age of twenty-one years began for himself the life of farm- ing, lumbering and sawmilling. He has in his life- time owned three sawmills, the first in Falls town- ship, Wyoming county ; the second in Springville township, Susquehanna county, and the third in Lathrop township, Susquehanna county. Mr. Os- born moved to Susquehanna county in 1856. For seven years he resided in Springville township, then moved to Lathrop township, where he has since remained. He purchased a farm of 275 acres, and now has 160 acres partially cleared. He is now farming the old mill pond, the water having been drained off. Mr. Osborn enlisted, in Septem- ber, 1861, in Company A, 57th P. V. I., and was with that regiment until discharged for disability, March 10, 1863. On April 5, 1864, he enlisted in Battery D, of the First Penn. Light Artillery, and received an honorable discharge June 30, 1865. He participated in sixteen regular battles, including those of Chase City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks while in the infantry service. In the artillery service he was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, at Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill and Winchester. At Cedar

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Creek a horse was shot from under him, and that sharp engagement witnessed some heroic work by the First Artillery, in which our subject was espe- cially conspicuous.

Mr. Osbone has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married in Wyoming county, was Alvira, daughter of Stephen and Betsey (Scott) Post, and by this marriage he had six children, but one of whom is living, Mary Ann, wife of Isaaac Lonsberry, of Chicago, Ill .; one son, Stephen M., enlisted in the 57th Infantry, and was killed Sep- tember 1, 1862, at the battle of Chantilly ; Milton and Melvin, twins, died at the age of thirteen years, with diphtheria; Lydia died when one and a half years old; Helen married, and died when about twenty-one years old. Our subject for his second wife married Catherine Gregory, daughter of Syl- vester Gregory, and by that union had one child, Sylvester L., who married Minnie, daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Reynolds) Decker, and he has two daughters, Katie and Eula.

In politics Mr. Osborn has been a Republican since the party was organized, and has held various local offices, including those of auditor, poormaster and school director. He is also a member of Rog- ers Post, G. A. R., of Brooklyn, Penn., and is now serving on its official staff as lieutenant. He has through his long life in Susquehanna county ever been an earnest and industrious citizen, interested in all matters that relate to the general welfare, and by his worthy and consistent life has won the high- est esteem of his fellow citizens.

HENRY J. HARRIS, a well-known general farmer and stock raiser of Clifford township, Sus- quehanna county, is meeting with well-deserved success in his calling, and his fine, well-ordered farm, with its carefully cultured fields, its neat buildings, and all their surroundings, denotes the skillful management, industry and well-directed labors of the owner.

Mr. Harris was born in South Wales, Febru- ary 16, 1847, a son of Henry and Hannah (Mas- tin) Harris, lifelong residents of that country. The father, who was a physician by profession, died June 4, 1849, at the early age of thirty years, and the mother departed this life in 1880, at the age of sixty. The children born to them were Letitia, who died young; John, a tailor of Hereford, England ; Ann, deceased ; Henry J., our subject ; and Mary, deceased. Henry was the only one of this family to come to America. For her second husband the mother married John Henry, and by him had two daughters: Mary, now the wife of John Davis, a farmer of Olympia, Wash. : and Ann, a resident of Clifford township, Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania.

During his boyhood and youth Henry J. Harris worked in the mines and upon the farms in his native land. On September 14, 1870, in Llandovery, South Wales, he married Miss Ann Thomas, who was born in that country, December 21, 1847, a

daughter of John and Elizabeth (Evans) Thomas, farming people who spent their entire lives in South Wales. The father died in 1862, the mother in 1896, at the age of seventy-one. Their children were Ellen, wife of David Price, of England; Elizabeth, who married Lewis Lewis, and died in South Wales, in June, 1898; Ann, wife of our sub- ject ; Thomas, a farmer of Clifford township; and Margaret, who died unmarried in South Wales, in 1868. Mrs. Harris' paternal grandfather, Evan Thomas, worked in the lead mines of South Wales during his entire life.

Three days after their marriage, September 17, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Harris sailed for the New World, and they located in Scranton, Penn., where he worked in the mines and at teaming for six months. During a strike, the following year, they came to Gibson township, Susquehanna county, and after working for a farmer for one year he operated rented land on shares for one year, and then for nine years rented a farm. He then purchased the Long Pond property, in Clifford township, and erected thereon a boarding house, which he con- ducted for a time, but not liking the business he sold out and removed to Providence, where he had charge of some property which he had purchased while at Scranton. At the end of two years he located upon his present farm of 105 acres, which he purchased in 1891, and has since successfully en- gaged in its operation. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and has builded wisely and well, for through his own industry, perseverance and good management he has become the owner of handsome property, from which he derives a good income. He is a supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact, in either business or social life.

WILLIAM T. STRUBLE. The history of any human life possesses interest, but that of a man who has won success in any line of effort through his own energy and enterprise is instructive and in- spiring to all readers. The subject of this sketch, a well-known citizen of Milford, Pike county, has made his own way from youth, overcoming the obstacles of poverty, and at present owns the Saw- kill Flouring Mill, located in Milford, on the pic- turesque stream known as the Sawkill.

Mr. Struble was born July 5, 1858, at Mon- tague, N. J., son of Ira and Anna (Kittle) Struble. His father was a native of Branchville, N. J., and followed the cooper's trade there, his death occur- ring in 1864, when he was aged thirty-five years. Our subject's mother was born at Montague, N. J., where her father, Mason Kittle, was a miller and farmer, and she passed away in 1882, at the age of forty-five. Two sons were born to this worthy couple : William T., our subject; and Frank, a resident of Paterson, New Jersey.

Our subject resided with his mother until he reached the age of eighteen, and when twelve years

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old became a clerk in a store at Hainesville, N. J., for J. M. Stoll. After working in that capacity at intervals for ten years, he removed to Montague, where he was employed four years on a farm. He then spent five years in the employ of Jacob Horn- beck, at the Montague Mill, and on leaving that situation he crossed the mountains to Beemerville, N. J., to engage in the hotel business at the "Moun- tain House." This venture proved unsuccessful, and after losing all his capital he returned to Mon- tague, and at the end of a year took a position as manager of Mr. Hornbeck's mill. A year later he rented his present mill from Mr. Hornbeck, paying $475 for the first year. The rental for the next year was fixed at $450, but Mr. Hornbeck insisted on his buying the property, which he finally did, paying $4,800. He has greatly improved the place, putting in new machinery and making repairs and additions, at a cost of $1,400, and the entire prop- erty how presents a decided contrast in appearance to its former state. When Mr. Struble first took the mill he had but $350 in the world, and at pres- ent, notwithstanding his expenditures, he is out of debt. He owns a pleasant home near the mill, and the latter building, as now equipped, is valued at $7,000. He has two water-wheels, giving 2,400 horse-power, and in connection with his extensive flour manufacturing business makes large quanti- ties of cider. In politics Mr. Struble is a Repub- lican, but he has not been especially active in par- tisan work.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 300

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