Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 339

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 339
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 339
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 339
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 339

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.

hanna county ; Frances, wife of W. P. Tallman, of Thompson borough; Henry, a resident of Lester- shire, N. Y., and a leading stockman of that place ; and Alva, who died young. All those married have families. Henry was a soldier of the Civil war, and as he lost the sight of both eyes while in the service of his country he now draws the largest pension of any veteran in his State, $72 per month and $16,- 000 back pay. In 1853 Cornelius Wrighter married Miss Hannah A. Salmon, who was born in Bloom- ingbury, N. Y., in 1816, a daughter of Benona and Susan M. (McGlaughlin) Salmon, who died in Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn. The only child born of this union was our subject. Selling his property in Herrick township, the father removed to a farm near Wrighter's Pond after his second marriage, and after living there for some time bought a farm in Gibson township, but a year later disposed of that place and returned to Thompson township and pur- chased another farm. With the exception of the last one he erected buildings on all the farms he owned. His wife died in 1882, and he departed this life in March, 1886. In politics he was a Democrat. He was made supervisor of the Belmont turnpike by the State authorities, and also held other local offices of honor and trust.

During his boyhood Fred D. Wrighter was a student in the district schools of Thompson town- ship. He remained with his parents and during the latter years of his father's life had charge of the home farm. In September, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Foster, of Thomp- son, a daughter of James H. and Mary A. (Mosier) Foster, natives of Albany county, N. Y. She was born in Harmony township, Susquehanna county, in May, 1853, but was only three years old when taken by her parents to Thompson township, where she was reared and educated in the district schools. There her parents both died, and she is now the only one of the family living. Julia married Adel- bert Ely, of Thompson, and died, leaving one son, Julian A., now a resident of Michigan ; and Lucius died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Wrighter have one son, Russell J., a bright scholarly boy, who was born in Thompson, in October, 1885, and is now a student in the graded schools of that place.

After residing on the old homestead for one year after his marriage, Mr. Wrighter sold the place and purchased the Joel Lamb farm in Thompson township, where he still resides, and on which he has made many useful and valuable improvements. The Democratic party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and on the party ticket he has been elected to several public posi- tions, the duties of which he most faithfully and conscientiously discharged. He served as town- ship auditor for nine years, constable and collec- tor for two years each, assessor six years, and is school director at the present time. He and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he holds membership in Thompson Lodge, No. 866, I. O. O. F. He has always been quite prominent

and influential in local affairs and is very popular in both business and social circles, while his home is noted for its generous hospitality and good cheer.

A. C. BRINK, farmer, of Springville town- ship, Susquehanna county, was born in Lacka- wanna county, Penn., April 10, 1847, and has made his home in Susquehanna county since the age of ten years. His grandfather William Brink, who was probably a native of Sussex county, N. J., took an active part in the war of 1812. In early life he married Miss Kesiah Wood, and they made their home for some years in Wyoming county, Penn., where he followed farming until his death. Their children were as follows: B. A. and C. W., both deceased; J. S., a resident of Mill City, Penn .; A. K., father of our subject; John, who died when a young man ; Harris, Dewitt, Silas and James, all deceased; Betsy, widow of Isaiah De Silvey, of Wyoming county ; Catherine, deceased wife of Ja- cob Bond, of Bradford county, Penn .; and Fannie, deceased wife of Thomas Mitten.

A. K. Brink, our subject's father, was born and reared in Newton township, Lackawanna Co., Penn., and was there united in marriage with Miss Matilda Baker, a daughter of Thomas and Eliza- beth (Bolson) Baker. After his marriage he fol- lowed farming in Falls township, Wyoming county, until our subject was ten years of age, and then came to Susquehanna county. He first purchased land in Lathrop township, and after residing thereon for seven years he sold the place and came to Springville township, where he successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until called from this life. On the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, but after serving for two years in the Civil war he became a stanch Democrat. Many of the Brink family were among the boys in blue during that struggle. The father of our sub- ject was a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and in religious connection, of the Evangelical Church, and he was one of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of his com- munity. He served as school director, but never cared for political honors. His widow now resides with our subject. To them were born eight chil- dren, namely: W. R., who was a soldier in the Civil war, and is now a resident of Laurens, N. Y .; L. L., a railroad employe, who died in Ravena, N. Y., in August, 1897; A. C., our subject ; Mahala, wife of M. B. Johnson, of Springville township; B. F., also a resident of that township; C. D. and O. C., both farmers of Dimock township, Susque- hanna county ; and Jerusha, who died at the age of twenty-one years.

During his boyhood and youth our subject re- ceived only the advantages of a common-school education, and he remained upon the home farm, assisting in its work, until twenty-nine years of age. He bought 130 acres of wild land in Springville township, of which he has since cleared about 100 acres, in connection with its cultivation also operat-

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ing the old homestead. He raises both sheep and cattle, and is also engaged in the dairy business, keeping twelve cows. Mr. Brink is well informed on topics of general interest, and the leading ques- tions and issues of the day, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. For three years he efficiently served as school director of his district. He is a member of the Grange, and supports and attends the Evangelical Church.

On December 24, 1876, Mr. Brink was united in marriage with Miss Ida R. Strickland, who was born December 20, 1853, a daughter of Elisha and Margaret (Bond) Strickland, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Brink have been born four children: Homer L., born September 29, 1877, who is now connected with the American Horse Shoe Works, at Phillips- burg, N. J .; Dolly and Frederick, both of whom died in infancy ; and Wade, born September 15, 1886, who is at home.

LE GRAND BENSON, cashier of the City National Bank, at Susquehanna, is deserving of special mention in any volume which aims to pre- sent an account of the leading men of this section. As a financier he has won a high reputation, and his ability is a recognized factor in the success of the bank with which he is associated. The institu- tion was organized in 1884 with a capital of $50,000, and is regarded as one of the safest establishments of the kind in the county.

Mr. Benson comes of good New England stock and his paternal grandfather, Hosea Benson, came to Susquehanna at an early day with his wife, Anna (Aldrich) Benson, and two children, and set- tled in Jackson township, where he bought a large tract of land. By occupation he was a cooper, and a machine for manufacturing staves, which was invented by him, is in general use at the present time. He was an excellent citizen and a consis- tent member of the Methodist Church, while po- litically he affiliated with the Whig party. His life was extended to three score and ten years, but his wife died when comparatively young. They had the following children : Austin, who died in 1897, in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, at the age of eighty-four; Maria, wife of Elisha Brown, of the same township; Sophia, (Mrs. Orville Brig- ham) who was the first female born in Jackson township; Amanda, who married Henry Jenkins, of Thompson township, and died in the winter of 1897; Lorenzo D., our subject's father; Anna E., (Mrs. Almon Moxley) of Boone, Iowa; Leander C., a contractor at Susquehanna county ; and Azra M., a manufacturer at Cleveland, Ohio; Charlotte, deceased wife of Luman Foster, of Jackson; and Caroline, wife of James Bingham, of Jackson town- ship.

L. D. Benson, the father of our subject, was born December 30, 1824, in Jackson township, Sus- quehanna county, where he grew to manhood and for a time followed the cooper's trade. He also

studied surveying and was county surveyor for about twelve years. For forty years he has held the office of justice of the peace in Jackson town- ship, where he resides upon a fine farm. Politically he is a steadfast Republican, having joined in the abolition movement in the days of Fremont, and socially he is identified with the I. O. O. F., and the Masonic fraternity. While he is not a church member he is interested in all that concerns the wel- fare of his community, and as a citizen he is held in high esteem. His wife, whose maiden name was Emeline Dougherty, was born October 25, 1825, in Salem, Wayne county, the daughter of William and Sally (Tarbox) Dougherty. Our subject was the eldest in a family of three children, the others being: Maria, who married George Rymer and died, leaving no children, and Frank A., who is a clerk in the shops of the Erie R. R. at Elmira, N. Y., and who married Miss Agnes Wilson, by whom he has two children-Theresa and Maria.

Our subject was born May 26, 1849, at the old home in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, where his education was begun in the public schools and at Gibson Academy, and he began his busi- ness career as a clerk in a grocery store at Susque- hanna. He also clerked for a time at Starrucca, and afterwards went to Cleveland, Ohio, and kept the books in a planing mill and sash factory. On his return to his native county he was employed for some time as clerk in the office of the super- intendent of motive power for the Erie Road at Susquehanna, and then he was transferred to the main offices of the Company in New York City, re- turning later to the office at Susquehanna. A few years were then spent in Cleveland with an uncle, when he came back to Susquehanna to take a clerkship in the City National Bank, in which he was promoted six years ago to the post of cashier. In 1872 he married his first wife, Miss Cora Thomas, a native of Susquehanna county, who died in 1881, leaving one child-Friend E. In 1885 Mr. Benson married Miss Amelia Eckroth, by whom he has had two children-Ida and Winfield Scott. In poli- tics he is a firm supporter of the Republican party, and he also belongs to various fraternities, includ- ing Freedom Lodge No. 328, Jackson, Penn., F. & A. M., Susquehanna Chapter, No. 276, and St. Andrews Commandery, No. 76, K. T., at Susque- hanna.

ISAAC LEWIS PERRINE. Men of ability, forceful character and enterprise, leave their im- press upon the world, written in such indelible characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory, or to sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after they have passed from the scene of their earthly careers.

Mr. Perrine was one of the strong characters who became an important part of the business life of Susquehanna, and was one of the prominent and influential citizens of that place. He was born in Bridgewater, Susquehanna county, May 10, 1833,

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and died in Susquehanna April 3, 1879. His father, Henry Perrine, a native of Plymouth, N. J., fol- lowed the tanner's trade in Wayne county, Penn., for some time, and in 1850 came to Susquehanna, where he conducted a grocery store and meat mar- ket. In Plymouth, N. J., he married Beulah B. Wright, who was a distant relative of Lord Arney, of England, and a daughter of Mary (Arney) Wright, a native of New Jersey, who died in Phila- delphia. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Lewis Perrine, a native of France, came to America at an early day, and located in New Jersey, where he lived retired, being quite wealthy. Upon a farm which he owned near Trenton was fought a noted battle during the Revolutionary war. Our subject was fifth in the order of birth in a family of six children, the others being as follows: Mary Ann, born November 10, 1820, died in 1878, unmarried ; Abel K., born December 29, 1821, is now employed in the Erie shops at Susquehanna ; Hannah, born January 2, 1824, is a resident of Susquehanna ; Martha, born July 12, 1832, was drowned, March 12, 1834; and Jeremiah W., born November 7, 1837, a farmer, died in Bellville, Texas.

Isaac L. Perrine was employed as clerk in his father's grocery store in Susquehanna until twenty years of age, and then entered the service of the Erie Railroad Co., as car sealer, being soon pro- moted to ticket agent, which position he held for several years, after which he became head clerk, serving as such for many years up to the time of his death. He was also agent for the Adams Ex- press Co., and owned a grist mill, sash and blind factory at Lanesboro, which he rented, as he did not have time to operate them himself. He was an en- ergetic and progressive business man, of known reliability, and was one of the most prominent men of the community. Politically he was a supporter of the Republican party.

On December 21, 1859, in Susquehanna, Mr. Perrine married Miss Sarah E. Mills, and to this union were born three children : Charles L., a me- chanical draughtsman, married Catherine D. Lane, of Oakland, Penn., and died in July, 1893 ; Welling M. is mentioned below; Isaac L. died at the age of six years.

Welling M. Perrine was born in Susquehanna, October 8, 1866, and was educated in the schools of that place, from which he graduated at the age of sixteen years. He then entered the Erie Railroad shops as an apprentice, and has since been con- nected with the company, with the exception of four years spent at Beloit, Wis., with Fairbanks, Morse & Co., in their machine department. Returning to Susquehanna, he was on November 1, 1898, ap- pointed foreman of the fitting department in the Erie shops. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. In his religious belief, he is a Presbyterian, in political sentiment, a Republican. In February, 1898, he was elected to the town council, and is a member of the county

central committee, and has been delegate to county conventions a number of times. On November 26, 1890, he was married, in Susquehanna, to Miss Ione Miller, by whom he has one son, C. Harold. Mrs. Perrine is a native of Scranton, Penn., and a daughter of George W. and Anna Miller, the former now master mechanic in the shops of the Erie Rail- road Co., at Elmira, New York.

Mrs. Sarah E. (Mills) Perrine was born in Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn., June 11, 1838, a daughter of Ebenezer W. and Rebecca (Galloway) Mills, who were born near Newburgh, N. Y., the former May 31, 1807, the latter November 25, 1807. Her paternal grandparents, Oliver and Phoebe Mills, were life-long residents of New York State, where the former was born May 31, 1775, the latter in the same month of the same year. Their children were Rachel, Mary A., Polly, Jane, Eben- ezer, Rebecca, Josiah, Amy, Joanna, Oliver, and Thomas. In 1824, Mrs. Perrine's father went to Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county ; later spent seven years in Prompton ; and in 1854 came to Susque- hana, where he spent his last days with Mrs. Per- rine. He was a wagon-maker by trade, but after coming to Susquehanna worked as a carpenter in the Erie shops. He attended the Presbyterian Church and was held in high regard by all who knew him. He died February 3, 1881, his wife, in April, 1892, and both were laid to rest in Sus- quehanna cemetery. Their children were Mary H., who died unmarried; Josiah, an engineer of Susquehanna; and Sarah E., now Mrs. Perrine, who lives in her home in Susquehanna. She is a most estimable lady, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FRANCIS CHAPMAN, one of the substantial agriculturists and leading citizens of Lake town- ship, Wayne county, is descended from families who were equally prominent and useful members of society.

Ralph Chapman, his father, was a native of Connecticut, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in connection with farm- ing throughout his lifetime. He was married in Connecticut to Laura Taylor, a native of that State. In 1840 he brought his family to Pennsylvania, lo- cating in what was then Salem township, Wayne county, where he died in February, 1871, when about seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away in February, 1867, at the age of seventy-five years. Both were buried at Salem Corners. They were good plain country people who lived lives of usefulness, made good citizens, were kind neigh- bors and left unsullied names as a legacy to their posterity. He held several of the town offices, among them supervisor, and overseer of the poor. Politically, he was a Democrat. To this marriage were born children as follows : (1) Lovisa, born February 8, 1830, married Elizur Fessenden, a sub- stantial farmer and miller in Salem township, Wayne county, and is a'man of influence and stand-

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ing in the community. (2) Francis is referred to farther on. (3) Laura, born October 10, 1834, mar- ried George Davenport and both died in Chicago, Ill. (4) Edgar, born January 2, 1836, married Mary A. McQuar, and is now following agricul- tural pursuits near Madisonville, Penn. (5) Dwight, born May 7, 1837, married Lovina Andrews, and is a farmer of Salem township, Wayne county. (6) Ezariah B., born March 6, 1839, married Harriet Polly, and is a farmer of Salem township, Wayne county. (7) George B., born October 10, 1843, married Eunice Buckingham, and is a farmer of Salem township. The parents of these were each twice married, the father's first wife was Lovisa Argur, by whom he had three children: Oliver married Frances Porter, and died at Prompton, Penn .; Orlando, who is engaged in the butcher business at Clarks Green, Penn., was married (first) to Esther A. Hall and (second) to Ellen Green ; and Ralph, a farmer in Michigan. Mrs. Laura (Taylor) Chapman's first marriage was to a Mr. Ames, and by him she had children as follows: Mariette married Russell Bidwell, a retired farmer at Dunmore, Penn .; Lorenzo was twice married, the first time to Rosanna Avery, and some time after her death he married Bezillah Peas, now all deceased ; and Warner died unmarried.

Francis Chapman was born November 12, 1832, at Portland, Middlesex county, Conn. He was reared on his father's farm, where he learned habits of industry and economy, which enabled him in after life to accumulate a competentes for himself and family. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, receiving wages from his father for the last years' labor. Subsequent to this he was employed at various places in sawmills in Wayne county, Penn., for fifteen years. His next occupation was the firing of a stationary engine for two years, at the expira- tion of which time he came to the farm upon which he has ever since resided. Fifty acres of this place was then in its primitive state, and on the place was a small unfinished house, floorless and win- dowless, in which he resided until the building was completed. Years passed by and through the good management of himself and wife, aided by his sons and daughters as they advanced in years, he has become fairly well-to-do. He is to-day one of the reliable men and among the leading farmers of Lake township, where himself and family are esteemed by their many friends. His beautiful tract of land and neat farm lies in Lake and South Canaan town- ships. He is one of the enterprising and progressive men of the community, taking a great interest in all movements looking to the good of his section- an up-to-date agriculturist. He very acceptably served the people of Lake township one year as supervisor ; one year as tax collector ; three years as school director ; and two years as treasurer. He is a member of Hamilton Lodge No. 356 of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Democrat.

On December 10, 1855, in Salem township,

Mr. Chapman was married to Sarah Foote, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Edward Men- denhall, an Episcopal rector. The marriage has been blessed by the following children : Kate, born December 31, 1856, married Eben C. Brown, a substantial farmer of Cherry Ridge township ; Eva, born October 8, 1860, married Benjamin Hoffman, a lumberman of Hawley, Penn .; Clayton, born September 28, 1862, died April 16, 1880; Anna, born May 6, 1868, married Edward Warner, a car man at Dunmore, Penn .; John, born November 24, 1870, married Agnes Bigart, and is on the home farm with her father; Julia, born April 16, 1873, married Marvin Purdy, a carpenter of Dunmore, Penn .; and Grace, born August 28, 1876, married Elmer Wickizer, of Wyoming, October 16, 1899. The mother of these was born at New Milford, Conn., September 15, 1834, a daughter of George and Anna (Moorehouse) Foote, of Litchfield county, Conn., where their marriage occurred. They were born February 7, 1808, and August II, 1803, respectively, and died January 31, 1889, and March 6, 1894, respectively, and both are buried at Sa- lem Corners. He was a brick and stone mason by trade, and in politics was a Democrat. They came to Salem township, Wayne county, in 1840, and here remained the balance of their lifetime. He was one of the commissioners of Wayne county, in 1875. There were born to them children as follows : Catherine, born May 14, 1832, is a resi- dent of Lake township; George M., born October 26, 1836, is a coal breaker at Dunmore, Penn .; Lemira, born April 17, 1837, resides with her sister on a part of the Francis Chapman farm; Esther, born March II, 1841, married Clayton Spangen- burg, a farmer of Salem township; Robert, born January 5, 1844, died at the age of thirteen months ; Ralph, born January 10, 1847, married Carrie Blois, and keeps a hotel at Hollisterville, Penn.

Filo and Anna (Northrop) Foote, grandpar- ents of Mrs. Sarah Woote) Chapman on her father's side, and John and Sarah (Straight) Moorehouse, her maternal grandparents, were Connecticut people and there remained.

CHRISTOPHER MARSH, a prominent agri- culturist of Stroud township, Monroe county, is a man whose industry, thrift and sound business methods have won for him a handsome competence, while he also enjoys in a high degree the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Marsh comes of excellent stock, and his great-grandfather, Rev. George Marsh, a native of Germany, was one of the first German Reformed ministers to locate in Philadelphia. Abram Marsh, our subject's grandfather, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, and later settled in what is now known as Monroe county, being among the ear- liest permanent residents. By trade he was a cloth weaver, and he attained the good old age of eighty- seven years. He and his wife reared a large family of children, of whom an account is given as follows :

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(1) Jacob was a man of great physical strength and endurance, having the reputation of being the most powerful man in the county, and his remark- able feats are still remembered. He married Mary Cress, and had four children : Simon, Jacob (a resident of Wilkesbarre), Mary (Mrs. Peter Fellen- cer), of Jackson, Penn., and Elizabeth (who resides in Stroudsburg). (2) Abram and (3) George settled in Wilkesbarre. (4) John, our subject's father, is mentioned more fully below; (5) Isaac; (6) Sallie ; and (7) Sophia.

John Marsh was born in Hamilton township, Monroe county, where he followed farming for many years, his death occurring in 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Bittenbender, died some years before. They had ten children: (1) Joseph, a resident of Hamilton township, married Susan Smith, of Ross township, Monroe county, and had four children: Ferdinand, who resides in Monroe county ; Frank and Emma, deceased ; and David, now residing in Monroe county. (2) Chris- topher, the subject proper of this sketch. (3) Melchor, unmarried. (4) Emanuel married Mary Ann Metzgar and had six children-Jerome, Wil- liam, Allen, Elizabeth, Frank and Jennie. (5) Eliz- abeth married Anthony Arnold, and had eleven children-Samuel, Steward, Elizabeth, Allen, Jo- seph, Amelia, Amanda, Alice, Emma, Tilda and Ida. (6) Abraham married Mary Williams, and became the father of nine children-Loretta, Wil- liam, Catherine, Steward, Ida, Minnie, Charles, George and Annie. (7) Jacob (twin of Abraham) married Emma Reese and they were the parents of three children-Edward, Willis and Kurb. (8) Christiana wedded Amandus Woodling, and was the mother of eight children-Edwin, Emma, Alice, George, Steward, Frank, Ida and Martha. (9) Katie Ann became the wife of Hamilton Fahs, and had four children-Flora, Frank, Agnes and Roy. (10) John had consumption, and died unmarried, at the age of twenty-three years.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 339

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