Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 338

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 338
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 338
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 338
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 338

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).

Joshua Burrows was born August 25, 1817, at Hebron, Conn., and remained at the home farm until he reached the age of eleven years, when his father's death occurred. After one year in school at Middletown, Conn., he spent three years as a clerk in a store at Gibson, Penn., belonging to his uncle, Urbane Burrows, and he then returned to Middletown for another year of study. Having decided to learn the cabinet makers' trade he went to New Haven and served one year of his appren- ticeship, receiving $25 for that time, and the next two years worked in a shop at Middletown at $1.00 per day, paying $16 per month for board in the meantime. Later he worked at his trade in Spring- field, Mass., and in February, 1838, he engaged in business on his own account in Gibson township, Susquehanna county-an uncle building him a shop. In 1840 he located in Pike township, Brad- ford county, Penn., where he built a shop and car- ried his trade in connection with farming. For eighteen years he was also engaged in mercantile business, and on retiring he sold out to his sons, William and Arthur. He continued to devote much of his attention to agricultural pursuits, and in No- vember, 1881, he removed to his present homestead, although he still owns valuable property at Stevens- ville, Bradford county, including a mill and exten- sive tracts of real estate. Politically he was once a Republican, and is now independent, but will vote for Chicago platform, and while at Stevensville he served four years as postmaster and ten years as justice of the peace. He is not identified with any religious denomination. Although now in his eighty-third year he enjoys excellent health, the fact showing that life of industry tends to promote longevity.

On February 9, 1840, Mr. Burrows was mar- ried in Pike township, Bradford county, to his first wife, Harriet C. Bostwick, who was born in that county, in 1815, and died in December, 1877, at Stevensville, where her remains are interred. Her parents, Benajah and Mary (Olmstead) Bostwick, were natives of Litchfield, Conn., but were early settlers in Bradford county, Penn. Of the chil- dren of this union: (1) Mary O., born in Septem- ber, 1840, died in 1865. (2) Francis V., born in

1448

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1842, is an attorney in New York City. (3) George H., born in 1844, went to Outray, Col., in 1879, and has been engaged in mining gold and silver. He married (first) Nellie Clifford, and (second) Mary A. Cochran. (4) William C., born in 1847, married Sarah Van Gilder, and is now prospecting in Alaska. (5) Arthur B., born in 1849, is a traveling salesman, for a Syracuse (N. Y.) firm, and resides at Stevensville, Penn. He married (first) Mary A. Devine, and (second) Anna Eliza Lyon. (6) Gil- -bert S., born in 1853, married Lizzie Massar, and resides at Sunbury, Penn., where he is employed as a reporter. On October 4, 1881, Mr. Burrows was wedded at Lawrenceville, Penn., to his second wife, Miss Dorcas L. Huzzey, the ceremony being performed by Rev. B. F. Taylor, an Episcopal min- ister, and a brother-in-law of the bride. She is a gifted writer, numerous interesting articles from her pen having appeared in the periodicals of the day. Her family is well known in Northumberland county, Penn., her birthplace, her grandparents, William Hoffman and Ralph Huzzey, having been among the early settlers of that section. Richard- son Huzzey, father of Mrs. Burrows, was a native and life-long resident of Northumberland county, and for some years was a contractor on the North Branch canal. He died in 1850, aged forty years, and his wife, Deborah Hoffman, who was a devout member of the Lutheran Church, survived him many years, her death occurring in 1877, at the age of eighty-three years. The remains of both were interred in Northumberland county. Mrs. Bur- rows was the youngest of a family of four children, the others being: Margaret, who married Rev. B. F. Taylor, an Episcopal minister, and died in 1892; Mary, who married G. S. Burr, of Northumberland, Penn .; and Deborah, who died in childhood.

LUCIUS C. BARNES (deceased) was an honored veteran of the Civil war, and a leading agriculturist of Berlin township, Wayne county, being one of the native sons of the county, born in Bethany, April 10, 1836.

Franklin Barnes, father of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, and on reaching manhood married Miss Julia Howser, who was born on the Delaware river, in Monroe county, Penn., of Dutch extraction. Her father aided the Colonies in achieving their independence, as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. To Franklin and Julia Barnes were born children as follows: George, deceased ; Lucius C .; Frank ; two daughters, who died when young ; Lewis, also deceased ; and Abram, who was one of the boys in blue during the Civil war, being a member of the Sixty-seventh P. V. I., and now makes his home in Monroe county, this State. As a means of livelihood the father carried on the manufacture of gloves and mittens, and also en- gaged in business as a huckster. His political sup- port was given to the men and measures of the Re- publican party. He died in Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, at the age of seventy years, and his

wife, who was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and a most estimable woman, passed away at the same age.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Mt. Pleasant township, and was taught lessons of industry and honesty in the home circle, receiving also a fair school training. Resolved to strike a blow in defense of his country, he enlisted, in Au- gust, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-first P. V. I., and with his command partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville. He was wounded by a gunshot in the right knee, which necessitated the use of crutches for one year, and on June 16, 1864, he was honor- ably discharged at Saterlee Hospital, West Phila- delphia. It was some time after his return home before he regained his usual health and strength. Coming to Berlin township, Wayne county, in 1869, he purchased the place upon which he resided until his death, June 25, 1898. It is a fine farm of 106 acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies with most gratifying re- sults. Upon the place is a good orchard, a pleasant residence, and substantial barns and outbuildings.

On the present farm Mr. Barnes was married, in 1858, to Miss Mary E. Haines, a daughter of Ed- ward and Grace (Pettuck) Haines, who were born in Cornwall, England, and came to the New World in 1833, locating in the midst of the forests of Wayne county, Penn. Four years later they re- moved to the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until called from this life, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a Republican in poli- tics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. She died at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. In the family of this worthy couple were six children, as follows : Jane, who died at the age of eleven years ; John, who died at the age of ten months; William, a resident of Wayne county, who was a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Heavy Artillery dur- ing the Civil war; George, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Mary E., wife of our subject; and John, who died at the age of five years.

Children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes as follows: Eddie F. died at the age of three months; George W. died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving a widow ; Elma J. married Alonzo J. Spry, and died at the age of nineteen years, leaving two children, Lizzie and Wesley Barnes, who live with their grandmother; Henry A. is at home; Julia G. is the wife of Samuel Box, of White Mills, Penn .; Zenas A. died at the age of eighteen months ; Rosa C. is at Shenandoah; Alice I. is the wife of Floyd Decker, of Indian Orchard; Lizzie M. is the wife of C. E. Richards, of Beach Lake, Penn .; Kate A. is the wife of A. H. Ostrander, of Boyd's Mills, Penn .; Minnie Maud is at home.

Mr. Barnes used his right of franchise in sup- port of Republican principles, and took an active interest in the success of his party. He was an

1449

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

honored member of Captain James Ham Post, No. 198, G. A. R., of Honesdale. Upright and honor- able in all the relations of life, he gained the confi- dence of his fellow men, and his genial, pleasant manner won for him a host of warm friends, who appreciated his sterling worth.

LORENZO DOW BENSON. If the names of a few prominent residents of Susquehanna coun- ty were asked, that of our subject would be in- cluded; if the limitation were made to Jackson township, of which he has been a lifelong resident, his name would rise in the minds of all who were questioned. His is a wonderful record. Since 1856 he has served continuously as justice of the peace-a service it might be difficult to parallel within the borders of the State. As county sur- veyor for twelve years, he has known familiarly the entire topography of Susquehanna county. His acquaintance is with men as well as property, and for half a century he has been a leading spirit in the public affairs of the county. He was born in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, Decem- ber 30, 1824, a son of Hosea and Anna (Aldrich) Benson, natives of Keene, N. H., who in 1813 migrated with their two eldest children to Sus- quehanna county. Hosea Benson was the son of John and Margaret (Ballou) Benson, and the grandfather of our subject, followed his son to the wilds of Susquehanna county, and settled on a neighboring farm.

John Benson reared a family of five children. Of these Hosea, father of our subject, was the eldest.' (2) John was born in 1796, and when a young man migrated to Zanesville, Ohio, where he died, leaving one daughter-Alfa-and two sons- Lewis and Emerson. (3) Job came, when a boy, with his parents to Jackson township, Susquehanna county. He married Miss Phila Aldrich, and cleared up a farm in Jackson township. His five children were Elliott, a resident of Jackson ; Am- brose, a resident of Binghamton ; William, of Mary- ville, Cal .; James, of Arizona ; and Angeline, widow of Dr. Filewood, of Susquehanna. (4) James, born in New Hampshire, married Miss Anna Durkee, and settled on the old Benson homestead; their children were: John W., of Jackson; James D., who settled near the old home; Eunice, wife of Sid- ney E. Morse, of Jackson; Margaret, widow of Edward Chandler, of Jackson; and Anna Eliza, deceased wife of Henry Barnard, of Jackson. (5) Lewis, born in New Hampshire, married Maria Warner, of Montrose, and settled in Jackson town- ship, where he died, leaving four children-William, a resident of Binghamton, N. Y .; Fred, of Jackson township; Warner, of Jackson township; and Minerva, wife of Sidney Estabrook, of Jackson township.

Hosea Benson settled in the southern part of Jackson township, where he cleared up a farm of 200 acres. He prospered, erected good buildings, and made one of the finest farms of the county.

There he remained engaged in the work of a pioneer until his death, which occurred in 1867, when he was aged seventy-eight years. His worthy wife, Anna Aldrich, died in 1845. Hosea Benson was one of the founders of the Jackson Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years was one of its most active and prominent workers. In politics he was a Henry Clay Whig. He filled many of the local offices, and was a leading and influential citizen. The family of Hosea and Anna (Aldrich). Benson consisted of ten children, namely : (1) Austin, who married Betsy Manzer, of Jackson, settled in that township and died in 1897, aged eighty-four years. His children were Hosea M., a merchant of Jackson Corners; Philander K., a. farmer of Jackson ; T. K., and Nelson C., of Scran- ton; Mary, deceased wife of N. K. Low, of Jack- son ; and Nathaniel A., of Susquehanna. (2) Maria, the second child of Hosea and Anna Benson, was. born in New Hampshire. She married Elisha. Brown, and died, leaving the following children : F. D., of Jackson; Cynthia, wife of Rev. Frank D. Larrabee, a Methodist minister, of Thompson; H. S. and L. D., of Jackson; Amanda, wife of R. F. Howard, of Thompson township; Estelle, widow of Judge E. P. Strong, of Starrucca; and A. W., of Starrucca. (3) Sophia, the first female born in Jackson township, married H. Houghton, of Jack- son, by whom she has four children: Emory, of Susquehanna; N. A., of Binghamton, N. Y .; Jerome, of Jackson ; and Anna M., wife of George. Starkweather, of Susquehanna. Mrs. Sophia Houghton, after the death of her first husband, married O. S. Brigham. (4) Amanda married. Henry Jenkins, of Thompson, and died, leaving one- son-C. B. Jenkins, of Thompson. (5) Lorenzo D., our subject, is spoken of farther on. (6) Anna E., now widow of A. R. Moxley, of Boone, Ia., has five children-Anna, wife of Harry Dilsworth, of Des Moines, Ia .; Byron, of Boone,. Ia .; John, also of Boone; and William and Jesse, of Iowa. (7) Leander C. married Ellen S. Birdsell, of Jackson, and is now a contractor and builder of Susquehanna. He had three children-Herbert, of Denver, Col .; George, of Susquehanna, and Ed- ward S., who died a few years ago, a very popular and talented young physician of Jackson. (8) Arza. M. married Lodenia Davis, of Jackson, and is a manufacturer of machinery at Cleveland, O. He has two daughters-Minnie, wife of George Fas- burg, cashier of a Cleveland bank, and Cora G., wife of Harry Shupe, of Cleveland. (9) Charlotte, deceased wife of Luman Foster, of Jackson, had four children-Anna, wife of Warren Livingston, of Binghamton, N. Y .; William H., of Susque- hanna ; Gertrude, wife of Allen Collins, of Carbon- dale, Penn .; and Martha, wife of Everett Ely, of Jackson. (10) Caroline, born in Jackson, married J. A. Bingham, and had three children-Charles, now deceased; A. S., of Jackson; and Gertrude, wife of C. C. Brookstaver.

Lorenzo Dow Benson received his early edu-

1450

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cation in the district schools, and later in the academy at Gibson. He remained on the farm through his youth, working in a wooden-ware fac- tory operated by his father. In 1847 he married Miss Emeline Dougherty, daughter of William and Sallie (Tarbox) Dougherty, old settlers of Jackson township. She was born in 1825, and received her education in the towns of Jackson and Gibson. Her father, a tanner by trade, followed farming in later life and died in Jackson township in 1860, his wife passing away in 1856. The four children of Will- iam and Sallie (Tarbox) Dougherty were : Harriet, deceased wife of Adin B. Larrabee, of Jackson township; Mary, deceased wife of George Mahew, of Honesdale; Nancy, wife of Peter J. Conyne, of Binghamton ; and Emeline, wife of our subject.

After his marriage Mr. Benson settled on the farm which he still occupies, purchasing two ad- joining properties and making a most pleasant home. In his youth he acquired the profession of surveying, which he followed with marked success through life. During the entire past twelve years he has served as county surveyor to the complete satisfaction of his wide constituency. He was elected justice of the peace in 1856, and has con- tinuously filled that judicial position to the present time. He has also filled many of the minor local offices, including those of treasurer, school director and collector. To our subject and wife have been born three children, two sons and one daughter- Le Grand, Frank A., and Maria. Le Grand was born in 1849, and after a good education became salesman for Judge Strong in a store at Starrucca. Later he was employed as a clerk in the Erie rail- road office at Susquehanna, resigning that position to become cashier and manager for a wood working firm at Cleveland, O. Returning to Susquehanna two years later he accepted a clerkship in the City National Bank, and six years ago was promoted to the post of cashier, which position he still holds. He first married Miss Cora Thomas, of Lanesboro, daughter of Edgar Thomas, an old and prominent settler of Susquehanna county. She died, leaving one son, Friend E., a graduate of the State College of Centre county, and now a civil engineer of El- mira, N. Y. For his second wife, Le Grand Benson married Amelia Eckroth, of Mifflin county, who bore him two children-Ida and W. Scott, both students of the public schools. Frank A. Benson, the second son of our subject, is now chief clerk in the Erie railroad office at Elmira, and a popular young man. He married Miss Agnes Wilson, of Elmira, and has two children-Teresa and Maria. The only daughter of our subject, Maria, was a graduate of the High school of Mansfield, Penn., and for several years was one of the successful teachers of her county. She married George T. Rymer, of Susquehanna, and died in 1876, leaving no family.

Politically Mr. Benson has always been iden- tified with the Republican party. He is a promi- nent member of Freedom Lodge, No. 328, F. &

A. M., and is one of the oldest living Masons in the county. For thirty-three years he was also active in the I. O. O. F. Himself and wife are attendants and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, though he himself is not a mem- ber. Throughout his long and successful career he has ever displayed a commendable public spirit, and by his comprehensive grasp of affairs has been a leader in political and social life.

L. E. WARNER, who owns and operates a good farm in Ararat township, Susquehanna coun- ty, and has distinguished himself as one of its most active and enterprising citizens, was born in that township in 1860, a son of Edward W. and Eunice E. (Washburn) Warner. The birth of the father occurred in the same township, in 1837, but the paternal grandparents, Edward and Elizabeth War- ner, were natives of England. They emigrated to the New World at an early day and took up their residence in Ararat township, where in the midst of the forest the grandfather opened up a farm. He once returned to England on a visit and has crossed the ocean four times. He is still living at the ad- vanced age of ninety-six years, and now makes his home in Thompson, Susquehanna county, but his wife died some years ago in Ararat township. Their children were: Francis, who enlisted in the Civil war, was taken ill and died of typhoid fever during his service ; Edward W., father of our subject ; Mrs. Harriet Barrett, a resident of Illinois ; Mrs. Sophia Slocum, who died in Jackson township; Mrs. Ara- bella Salisbury, of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Mrs. Ellen Messenger, of Thompson, Penn.

Edward W. Warner was reared and educated in Ararat township, and throughout life followed farming, buying the old homestead, which he suc- cessfully operated for many years. He was mar- ried in that township, in 1858, to Miss Eunice E. Washburn, a native of the township and a daughter of Lyman and Rodexie (Sparks) Washburn, both now deceased. They were born in this State and were prominent pioneers of Ararat township. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Warner : L. E., our subject ; Frances, now the wife of Albert Stone, of Ararat township; and Ernest M., who is married and resides on the home farm with his mother. The father died in 1894. He was a Demo- crat in politics, and was one of the highly esteemed and honored citizens of his community.

The first sixteen years of his life L. E. Warner passed on the home farm and he acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of the neighborhood. He then started out in life for himself as a farmer, and to that occupation he has since devoted his energies with good results. In February, 1894, he purchased his present farm, which he is now suc- cessfully carrying on. In Ararat township, Sus- quehanna county, he was married in 1878, to Miss Ida B. Manzer, a native of Gibson township, and a daughter of S. H. and Ophelia (Howell) Manzer, prominent citizens of Gibson, where they still re-

1451

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

side. To Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been born two children, Lulu and Nina. In his political views Mr. Warner is a Democrat, and he is now most capably and acceptably filling the office of township auditor. He receives and merits the high regard of his fellow citizens and has a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county.

ANDREW HOUCK stands second to none among the well-to-do farmers and enterprising citi- zens of Jackson township, Monroe county. As a judicious tiller of the soil he has met with success, and as a man and citizen he holds a good position among his neighbors. The improvements upon his place are of a substantial character, and everything about the farm denotes prosperity and thrift. He has been quite prominently identified with the in- terests of the community in which he lives, and as- sisted materially in the development of his section of the county.

Mr. Houck was born February 10, 1837, in Upper Mt. Bethel township, Northampton Co., Penn. There his grandfather, Abram Houck, who served as quartermaster in the war of 1812, made his home for many years, engaged in farming. He died April 6, 1854, at the age of eighty-seven years, nine months and six days, and his wife died April 12, 1850, at the age of eighty-four years, five months and four days.

George Houck, our subject's father, was a na- tive of Northampton county, and on reaching man's estate was there married to Miss Frances Kertz, who was born near Portland, Northampton county, a daughter of Andrew Kertz. Subsequently they removed to Monroe county, locating in Stroud township, where Mr. Houck cleared and developed a farm. There both he and his wife died, the for- mer June 2, 1874, at the age of sixty-eight years and nine days, the latter June 15, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, two months and one day. Of the nine children born to this worthy couple, six are still living : . Harriet, born August 9, 1827, is the widow of Louis Precell, and lives in New Jer- sey ; John, born March 3, 1831, makes his home in East Stroudsburg, Monroe county ; Angeline, born December 21, 1832, is the widow of Jacob Row, and a resident of East Stroudsburg ; Andrew, our subject, is next in the order of birth; Sarah Jane, born July 28, 1839, is the wife of Amos Cus- tard, of Kansas; and Almira, born September 7, 1844, is the wife of Samuel Thompson, a telegraph operator in New York.

The subject of this review was a lad of ten years at the time of the removal of the family to Stroud township, Monroe county, where he grew to manhood. On attaining his majority he began following lumbering, which he continued several years. Coming to Jackson township in 1877, he purchased fifty acres of land, to which he later added a tract of wild land, comprising eighty acres. He now has about seventy acres, cleared and under excellent cultivation. He has bought and sold sev-

eral tracts at different times, and is now the owner of 180 acres, a portion of which is covered with a fine growth of timber. In connection with gen- eral farming he is still engaged in lumbering. He has remodeled his residence, built barns and other outbuildings, and made many other useful im- provements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place.

In Stroud township, September 6, 1862, Mr. Houck was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Neyhart, who was born December 13, 1840, one of a family of nine children, of whom five are still living. Her parents, Samuel and Lucy (Kintz) Neyhart, were both natives of Monroe county, the former born in Stroud township, the latter in Ham- ilton township. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his entire life in his native town- ship. His parents, George and Anne (Alabach) Neyhart, were probably born in the same township, and there they made their home throughout life. Mrs. Houck's maternal grandparents, Melcher and Christiana Kintz, were natives of Hamilton town- ship.

Eight children were born to our subject and his wife, in order of birth as follows: Samuel Orin, born December 26, 1863, died January 31, 1864; Edwin E. is a carpenter, living in Scranton, Penn .; Martha is the wife of Franklin Metzgar, of Pocono township, Monroe county ; Nettie Jane is the wife of Eugene Heller, of Tobyhanna township, Monroe county ; Joseph S. is a farmer of Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county; Elmer is a farmer of Jackson township; and Irvin and John S. are both at home. Mr. Houck is an earnest and consistent Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as deacon, class- leader, trustee and Sunday-school teacher. By his ballot he usually supports the Democratic party, but is somewhat independent in politics. Mrs. Houck passed away June 11, 1899; she, too, was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FRED D. WRIGHTER is an enterprising and wide-awake business man and a public-spirited and progressive citizen of Thompson township, and he certainly is entitled to prominent mention in the history of Susquehanna county, where his entire life has been passed. He was born in the township where he still makes his home, in January, 1854, and is the only child born to Cornelius and Hannah A. (Salmon) Wrighter. The birth of the father oc- curred in Orange county, N. Y., in 1802, but in early life he came to Susquehanna county, Penn., where he married Miss Harriet R. Simons. After living for some years in Thompson township they removed to Herrick township, where the wife died. By that union the following children were born : Harly Ann, wife of William A. Nugent, of Susque- hanna; Elmer, who is married and engaged in blacksmithing in Susquehanna ; Olive, wife of Lu- man Sanford, of Thompson borough; Lydia, wife of George D. Tallman, of New Milford, Susque-

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 338

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