Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 329

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 329
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 329
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 329
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 329

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).

Joseph C. Lattimore received the ordinary ad- vantages for education enjoyed by boys of his day, and at the tender age of ten years began real work in the lumber woods of Delaware township. The men would attach the horse to the logs, and our subject drew them to mill until he was able to en- gage in the heavier work, continuing at lumbering until he was eighteen years of age, when he com- menced his apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade. He entered the shop of John M. Heller, at Bush- kill, with whom he remained three years, receiving thirty dollars for his services during that time, and subsequently he worked as a journeyman, finally locating in Dingman's Ferry, where he built a shop and commenced on his own account. For twenty- five years he conducted this business successfully, at the end of that time going to Dingman's, where he embarked in the butcher business. He peddled meat between Milford and Dingman's for a number of years, and in May, 1885, joined his son Charles in the same line in Milford, buying the share of his son Lafayette, who had been a partner for a short time. Here he continued for nine years, in May, 1894, selling his interest to his son Charles and returning to Dingman's Ferry, where he has since lived in retirement; however, he spends part of his time with his son Charles in Milford. Dur- ing all these years Mr. Lattimore worked hard to make a success of his undertakings, and the pros- perity which rewarded his efforts was well deserved, all the more so as he commenced life without finan- cial assistance or "backing" of any kind, and he is a self-made man in the honored sense of the term. Good judgment and careful management, coupled with sterling integrity and regard for the rights of others, marked all his dealings, and he gained and retained an enviable reputation among the substan-

tial citizens of this township as a man reliable and trustworthy under any circumstances. Mr. Latti- more served two years as poormaster and six years as school director in his township, but he afterward refused office steadfastly, preferring to devote his entire time to his private affairs. Nevertheless he has always held rank with the most public-spirited citizens of the township, and has been a prominent man of the locality from his early manhood. Polit- ically he has affiliated with the Democratic party.

On February 27, 1844, Mr. Lattimore was united in marriage, at Dingman's Ferry, with Miss Hannah Bensley, who was a native of Lehman township, Pike county, born January 10, 1822, and died November 30, 1886; her remains rest in the cemetery at Dingman's. She was a daughter of Adam and Ann (Simpson) Bensley, who came to Pike county in an early day from Middle Smith- field, Monroe county. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lattimore, of whom we give a brief record: Mary A. (now deceased) was the wife of William Martin, a farmer of Unionville, N. Y. Elizabeth married Levi Howell, who is a stone mason and tanner, and resides in Dingman's Ferry; Mr. Howell was a soldier in the Civil war. Susan (deceased) was the wife of Oscar Brink, a carpenter of Milford. Emily died at the age of nine years. Helen died at the age of six years. Charles, a sketch of whom follows. Jerusha (de- ceased) was, the wife of James S. Drake, a grocer of Scranton, Penn. Lafayette is a butcher in Mil- ford; he married Elizabeth Hissum. Jacob resides in Chicago, Ill., where he conducts a restaurant business; he married Rosie Baker.

CHARLES LATTIMORE, at present serv- ing as collector of taxes in Milford, Pike county, is a son of Joseph C. Lattimore (a sketch of whom appears above), and was born January I, 1853, at Dingman's Ferry.

Mr. Lattimore was brought up in his native place, where he attended the public schools, acquir- ing a good practical education. During his boy- hood he suffered greatly from a white swelling, being confined to his bed for two years, but he for- tunately recovered, though not completely, and at the age of eighteen years he commenced work in a restaurant, at Port Jervis, where he remained for two years. Returning to his home, he found em- ployment with Ran. Van Gorden, in his hotel, con- tinuing with that gentleman for four years, after which he worked another two years in the restau- rant at Port Jervis, this time as general manager of the establishment. We next find him at Wilkes Barre, Penn., where he was engaged in teaming for six months, following which he spent several months in Sussex, N. J., as foreman of a con- struction crew building the South Mountain rail- road. In 1883 he located in Milford, opening a butcher business in partnership with his brother Lafayette, whose interest a few months later was bought by his father, this copartnership lasting

1410

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

until May 4, 1894, when the elder Mr. Lattimore retired. Our subject continued the business alone until September, 1896, when he sold out to James E. Boyd and bought a similar business in Port Jer- vis, which he also sold after conducting it for a few months, and returned to Milford. He has, how- ever, continued to speculate in hides, wool, etc. At the last March court Mr. Lattimore was appointed collector of taxes, and has since held that position, discharging the duties of his office in a most accepta- ble manner. He has also served as town council- man for two years, being elected to that incumbency in 1893. Mr. Lattimore has, during his residence in Milford, identified himself with all her best in- terests, and he is one of her prominent and repre- sentative citizens, in every way worthy of the respect which is accorded him. He is progressive in his ideas, thrifty and honest in all his dealings, and has acquired a well-merited reputation as a thoroughly capable business man. His political sympathies are with the Republican party. Fra- ternally he is an Odd Fellow, holding membership with Lodge No. 828, of Milford.

Mr. Lattimore was married, on April 12, 1887, in Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Josephine Transue, and two children have blessed their union, Flor- ence E. and Joseph. Mrs. Lattimore was born November 1, 1862, in Middle Smithfield, Monroe Co., Penn., daughter of William and Sarah ( Haney) Transue, the former of whom was a native of Mon- roe county, Penn., where his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Smith) Transue, resided for many years, thence removing to Sussex county, N. J., where they died. William Transue took up his father's occupation, milling, and for twelve years carried on a mill in Monroe county. In 1875 he removed to Sussex county, N. J., where he passed the re- mainder of his days engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He died February 15, 1890, at the age of fifty-seven years. Mrs. Sarah (Haney) Transue was born in January, 1837, in Sussex county, N. J., daughter of John and Sarah (Berks) Haney, of Warren county, N. J., and she now resides in her native county, on a farm adjoining the place of her birth. Her family consists of four children- Ida, wife of Legrand Gunn, a farmer of Sussex county ; Josephine, Mrs. Lattimore; Hattie, un- married, who lives with her mother; and Will D., also at home.

HENRY MELODY (deceased) was one of the valiant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Great Bend township, Susque- hanna county, with whose agricultural interests he was identified for many years. He was born in that township, and was there reared by a Mr. Du Bois.

Mr. Melody married Mrs. Jane Burlington, a native of Oswego, N. Y., and a daughter of Abram and Jane ( Wooden) Slater, of that place. She had (first) married William Burlington, who died in

1859, and to that union were born two children- Mary A., who died some years ago; and Lena, now the wife of Elias Snediker, of Binghamton, N. Y. By her marriage to our subject Mrs. Melody be- came the mother of four children, namely: (I) Scott, born in Great Bend township, in 1863, mar- ried Melvina Hines, of Susquehanna county, and they now reside in Great Bend. (2) Adaline, born in June, 1865, married Frederick Bulson, of New York State, by whom she has two children-Fred- erick and Jessie, and they also make their home in Great Bend. (3) Grant, born in 1868, is unmar- ried, and resides on the home farm with his mother. (4) Ella, born in 1874, married Martin Welch, of Homer, N. Y., and they lived in Great Bend, where she died leaving two children-Stella and Leon, who reside with their grandmother, Mrs. Melody.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Melody began their do- mestic life upon a farm in Smoky Hollow, Great Bend township, where she still resides. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Melody enlisted, at Owego, N. Y., in Company B, 109th N. Y. V. I., and served from January, 1863, until the close of the war, being honorably discharged at the Waslı- ington City Hospital. Among the engagements in which he participated were the battles of Spottsyl- vania and the Wilderness, and in the latter he was wounded in both legs and a minie ball pierced one of his arms, disabling him for life. After the war he purchased the present homestead of the family and there continued to reside until called from this life in July, 1879. He was in politics a stanch Re- publican and took an active part in political work in his county, but never aspired to office. As a soldier he was brave and fearless, and as a citizen he was upright and honorable, true to every trust reposed in him, commanding the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

Mrs. Melody has displayed excellent business ability in the management of her affairs since her husband's death. She is a true Christian woman, a member of the Baptist Church, and has devoted her life to doing good to those around her. She is not only the mother of two sets of children, but has reared four families who are a credit to her. Although now well advanced in years, her mind is still bright and active and all her faculties are well preserved. Her generous, kindly disposition has made her many friends in the community where she has so long resided.

STEPHEN P. HOPKINS (deceased), who was for many years a leading and prominent dairy- man and farmer of Lebanon township, Wayne coun- ty, was born November 19, 1821, in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., but in 1836, when a boy of fifteen years, he came to Wayne county, Penn., with his parents, Juda B. and Lavina Hopkins. The father purchased a tract of wild woodland in Lebanon township, and with the assistance of his son soon transformed the place into a highly-cultivated and well-improved farm. There he passed away in

1411

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1877, having survived his wife for several years, her death occurring in 1853. Of their three chil- dren, George died when a young man; and Anna Eliza, born in 1834, received a common school edu- cation, and married George Sefton, of Rhode Is- land, where he engaged in business until his death, which occurred about twenty-five years ago (he left three children: Charles, George and Estella, now Mrs Savoe, of Everett, Mass., where Mrs. Sefton also resides).

During his residence in Wayne county, Ste- phen P. Hopkins continued to reside upon the old homestead in Lebanon township, which he helped to clear and improve. He was indebted to the public schools for his educational privileges. In January, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Adams, of Wayne county, who was born in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1833, a daughter of Jonathan and Fanny Adams. However, she was reared and educated in Manchester township, Wayne county, where her father moved during her childhood, purchasing a farm near Long Eddy, · where he and his wife spent their remaining days. In their family were twelve children who reached years of maturity, namely: Paul; Maria; Mary ; Amanda; Roxy; Jonathan ; Fanny ; Mrs. Effalinda Matthews, of Equinunk, Wayne county ; Mrs. Laura Geer, of New York State; Mrs. Julia Haines, of Cameron county, Penn .; Warner; and Mrs. Alma Miller, of Driftwood, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hopkins brought his bride to the old homestead near Rileyville, where he erected a fine residence, besides good and substantial barns and outbuildings, and in later years also built a pleasant dwelling for his son Clarence upon the same place. To the further improvement and cultivation of his farm he devoted his energies until called to his final rest in February, 1894. As one of the in- fluential and popular citizens of his community, he took quite an active and prominent part in local politics, was a stalwart Democrat, and held the office of assessor three terms, supervisor, collector and township treasurer several terms. In religious faith he was a Protestant. His widow still resides on the old homestead, surrounded by a host of warm friends and acquaintances.

The children born to them are as follows: (1) George W., born in 1856, grew to manhood upon the home farm, and is now a traveling salesman, making his home in Erie county, Penn. He is un- married. (2) Urania L., born in 1857, was edu- cated in the public schools, and is now visiting her sister, Mrs. Timothy Kellam, of Binghamton, N. Y. (3) Clarence is mentioned more fully below. (4) Cora F., born in November, 1860, was provided with good school privileges, and followed teaching for several terms in Wayne county. In 1885 she married Timothy Kellam, a traveling salesman liv- ing in Binghamton, N. Y., and to them were born three children: Clarence, who died in childhood ; Ray H. and Lawrence J.

CLARENCE I. HOPKINS, born on the old home-

stead in 1858, received an excellent education in the schools of Wayne county, and for a number of years was one of the leading and popular teachers of this section of the State. In 1882 he married Miss Lillian Gager, of Lebanon township, a daugh- ter of Horace and Millicent Gager, prominent citi- zens of Wayne county. They began their domestic ilfe upon the farm where he was born, and with the exception of his mother's home, he now owns the entire place of 160 acres, on which he is success- fully engaged in general farming and dairying. His children are Leon, who died at the age of one year; Leila Amanda, Ray G. and Hazel, at home. Like his father, he is quite prominent in public affairs, and in 1892 was elected justice of the peace in Lebanon township. So acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in 1897 for an- other five-years' term, and he has also served as town clerk of Lebanon, being elected in 1885, and as township treasurer. He and his wife are lead- ing members of the Presbyterian Church in Leba- non, in which he is serving as elder, and being a good musician and possessing an excellent voice, she takes quite an active interest in the music of the Church. At their hospitable home the ministers and their many friends are always sure of a hearty welcome.

PROF. U. B. GILLET, at this writing prin- cipal of the public schools of New Milford, Sus- quehanna county, is a native of the county, born in Gibson township, in 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Almeda (Parmeter) Gillet.

The father was born in Gibson township in 1820, a son of Willard Gillet, who was a native of Connecticut, and became a resident of Susquehanna county about 1815. In Gibson township he took up a farm on which he spent his remaining days, dying in 1868. In his native township Jacob Gil- let was reared and married, and throughout life was prominently identified with its agricultural interests. He held a number of local offices, the duties of which he most diligently and faithfully discharged. He died in 1892, since which time his widow, also a native of Gibson township, has made her home with her children. The Professor is the elder of the children, the other being Mrs. S. Emma Tif- fany, who resides on the old homestead in Gibson township.

Prof. Gillet passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and was educated in the schools of New Milford and at the Montrose Acad- emy. He commenced teaching in 1860, and has since successfully followed that profession, with the exception of three years, having charge of schools in New Milford, Gibson and Lenox town- ships. He was principal of the schools of Susque- hanna in 1868, and in 1887 was elected county superintendent, filling that office most acceptably until 1896. He increased the number of schools in the county from 319 to 323, and raised the stand- ard of all so that they compare favorably with any

1412

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

public schools in the State. During the Civil war he enlisted, in 1863, in Gibson township, in Com- pany D, 35th P. V. 1., was mustered in at Harris- burg, and when his term of service had expired was honorably discharged the same year. It was after his return from the war that he completed his education at Montrose.

In New Milford township, in 1868, Prof. Gil- let was married to Miss Addie Bradford, a native of that township, and a daughter of John W. Brad- ford, who was born in Windham county, Conn., and was one of the early settlers of New Milford township, now living in the village of that name ; her mother died in June, 1896, in the township. In early life Prof. Gillet supported the Republican party by his ballot, but since 1872 he has been a Prohibitionist, and has done all in his power to promote the cause of temperance. Fraternally he is a member of Levi Moss Post No. 313, G. A. R.

PETER H. COLE, who is at present serving as register and assessor of Manchester township, Wayne county, has lived in that town for nearly twenty years, during which time he has become one of her prosperous farmers and dairymen. He is a native of New Jersey, born in June, 1844, in Sus- sex county, where his family has resided for the past three generations, the first of the line to come to this country having been his great-grandfather, William Cole, who was a native of Holland. His son, William H., who was born and reared in Sus- sex county, married Catherine Brink.

John W. Cole, the father of our subject, was born in 1822, in Sussex county, N. J., son of Will- iam H. and Catherine (Brink) Cole, and was brought up and educated in the place of his birth. He took up the teacher's profession as his life work, and followed it some twenty years in Sussex county, after which, being disabled by a stroke of paralysis, he was obliged to retire from active life. He survived until 1887, and his widow still makes her home on the old place in Sussex county at the advanced age of eighty years. Her maiden name was Charity Coykendall, and to her union with Mr. Cole were born six children, namely: Evelyn died in early womanhood. Emily, born in 1848, married Stewart Welch, of Orange county, N. Y., who now owns a farm in Sussex county, N. J., where they reside ; they have four children, Webster, Peter and Archibald (twins), and Hattie. Harriet, born in 1841, became the wife of Merritt Carpenter, of Orange county, N. Y., and they resided in Sussex county, N. J., where she passed away in 1879, leav- ing three children, John, Charity and Catherine. Webster J., born in 1847, is a resident of Elmira, N. Y., where he is engaged in the grocery business ; he married Miss Mary Coykendall, of Sussex coun- ty, and they have one son, Edgar. Mary J., born in 1857, married Dr. E. Potts, of Sullivan county, N. Y., and has three daughters, Louisa, Minnie and Nettie ; they reside in Port Jervis, Orange Co., N. Y., where he follows his profession.

Peter H. Cole received a practical education in the public schools of his native place, and was brought up to farm life on the home place in Sus- sex county. In February, 1864, when nineteen years of age, he enlisted in the Fourth Battery, Light Artillery, New Jersey Volunteers, under Capt. Charles R. Doanes, Gen. Butler commanding, and served throughout the remainder of the Civil war. The first engagement in which he took an active part was at Petersburg Pike, in May, 1864, and he was subsequently engaged in the following battles : Bermuda Hundred, May 18, 1864; Bat- tery Marshall, June 18; Deep Run, Va., August 16; Fuller Mills, August 18; Petersburg, Septem- ber 16; Varina Roads, September 29; marched from there to Richmond, where the battery threw up breastworks and remained until April, 1865, when, after Lee's evacuation of the city, they advanced on toward it and had the honor of being the first battery to enter Richmond. They were stationed there until discharged from the service, on June 17, 1865, and Mr. Cole returned to his home in Sussex county, N. J., where he resumed . farming. On January 16, 1873, he married Miss Mary H. Sharp, who was born in December, 1844, in Sussex county, a daughter of Peter and Caroline Sharp, who were natives of Susquehanna county, Penn., and Sussex county, N. J., respectively. They passed their mar- ried life in Sussex county, where Mr. Sharp died in 1879, and where his wife is still living, aged eighty-one years.

For the first six years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cole lived in Sussex county, where he engaged in the manufacture of cheese, and in the spring of 1879 they removed to Wayne county, Penn., locating in Manchester township, where they have since had their home. In June, 1897, he purchased his present farm in the township, situated near Lookout, where he is engaged profita- bly in general agriculture and dairying, ranking among the substantial and well-to-do farmers of the township, where he is well and favorably known. He has displayed remarkable energy in his work as a farmer and dairyman, and he is respected for his thrift and industry and looked up to as an exemplary citizen in every way. His reputation for integrity, honesty and just dealing is second to none, and his fellow men have shown their appre- ciation of his worth by electing him to various offices of trust, the duties of which he has discharged with faithfulness and ability. He has served one term as school director, and at present holds the offices of register and assessor of his town. Mr. Cole is a Republican in his political faith, belonging originally to the Old-line Whig branch.

Mr. and Mrs. Cole have two sons, John and Theodore. The eldest was born in Sussex county, N. J., in August, 1873, and was reared and educated in Manchester township; he is at present in Otsego county, N. Y., where he is engaged in growing hops. Theodore was born in Sussex county No- vember 9, 1877, received a good common-school

1413

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

education, and is now engaged in assisting with the work of the home farm. Mrs. Cole is a devout member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Cole was brought up in the doctrines of the Presbyterian de- nomination. In social connection he is a member of Scudder Post No. 340, G. A. R., of Equinunk, Wayne county.

PATRICK H. WALSH (deceased) was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and a son of An- thony and Mary (Thornton) Walsh, who emigrated to America in 1847 and located in Scranton, Penn., where the father worked for the Delaware & Hud- son Canal Co. In their family were the following children: Mary wedded Patrick McLane, and both are now deceased; John is also deceased ; Michael is a machinist of Stroudsburg, Penn .; Bridget and Elizabeth live together in Scranton ; Sarah died unmarried ; Patrick H. was next in order of birth; Anna is the widow of Mr. Larkin, a coachman of Hoboken, N. J .; Nellie died unmar- ried ; and Catherine is the deceased wife of Thomas Roach, a farmer of Whitewater, Ill. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Walsh, who spent his entire life in Ireland.

In his native land Patrick H. Walsh was reared and continued to reside until 1845, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating first in Scranton, Penn., where he worked for eighteen years for the Delaware & Hudson Coal Co. He then came to Wayne county, and from James Glenn purchased fifty acres of land in South Canaan town- ship, to which he added from time to time as cir- cumstances permitted, until he owned a valuable and highly improved farm of 200 acres, in the midst of which is a beautiful lake. Like many of the best citizens of the county, he came to America poor but honest, with a sturdy independence and a determination to succeed, that justly entitles him to representation in the history of his adopted country.

On August 17, 1852, in Hyde Park, Penn., Mr. Walsh was united in marriage with Miss Bridget Loftus, who was born in 1832, in County Mayo, Ireland, where her parents, Thomas and Barbara (Jordan) Loftus, made their home throughout life, dying within six weeks of each other, the father July 14, 1848, in middle life, but the mother was several years younger. By occu- pation he was a farmer. Mrs. Walsh was the eldest of their children, the others being Ann and Mary, who died in childhood; Barbara, now the wife of John Loftus, a puddler in a mill at Scran- ton, Penn .; Catherine, widow of Patrick Mahan, of Greenridge, Penn .; Patrick, deceased; and Ce- celia, Thomas and Henry, who all died in childhood.

To Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were born the follow- ing children: Michael married Catherine Fox, and is engaged in carpentering in Honesdale, Wayne county ; Thomas died and was buried out West; Patrick and Mary died in childhood; John married Elizabeth Mahan, and is a physician of Scranton ;

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 329

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