Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 35

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 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 35

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fine residence. Some years previous to his death he purchased a tract of land in Oregon township, Wayne county, covered with valuable timber, and there he built and operated a large sawmill, which he sold some years later to William Penwarden. Throughout life he sought to fulfill his duties as a citizen, and his excellent qualities of character won him the esteem of all who knew him. He was always a friend to the poor, seeking to better their condition in every way, and for years he was an active member of the Baptist Church at Honesdale, to which he gave liberally of his means, until his death, December 18, 1872. His first wife died in 1853, and in 1855 he married Miss Lydia A. Scho- field, who died in 1859. In 1861 he married Miss Mary Bunnell, who was born in August, 1834, and now resides at the homestead with our subject, in the enjoyment of excellent health. She is a daugh- ter of Gershom Bunnell, and a granddaughter of Henry Bunnell, a brother of David, the pioneer at Bethany. Her grandfather removed from Middle Smithfield with his family about 1808, locating in Wallpack, N. J., and her father, who became a prom- inent citizen of the latter place, was married there to Miss Annie C. Bergstresser. Our subject's father had seven children by his first marriage, viz .: David, now a resident of Honesdale ; Louisa P., who died at the age of twenty; George F., deceased ; Mary E., wife of Romania Bump, of Kansas ; Will- iam H., deceased ; Calvin P., a resident of Seelyville ; and Amanda, deceased, who was formerly the wife of John Bellamy. By the second marriage there were two children : Judson W., a merchant of Scranton, and Irwin W., a resident of Aldenville, Penn. The following children blessed the third union : (I) Edward E., born at the present home- stead in 1864, received a good education in the schools of Honesdale, and now resides at Carbon- dale, where he is engaged in business as a lumber dealer. He was married, in 1889, to Miss Mina Pethick, of Honesdale, and has two children, Bessie N. (who was born in Bunnelltown) and Edwin F. (2) William Fletcher was born at Bunnelltown in 1866, and now resides at that place, engaged in the manufacture of sawed lumber. He married Miss Emma Hoyle, of Honesdale, and they have two sons, John H., who was drowned in Bunnell's Pond at the age of four years, and William F., who is at home. (3) Ida B., born October 31, 1867, died in I872. (4) Harry H., our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (5) Ellery P., born August 15, 1871, at the present homestead, now resides upon a large farm in Oregon township, Wayne county. He married Miss Martha Biddlecomb, of Damas- cus, Wayne county.

Our subject was born September 18, 1869, in Texas township, Section No. 2. His early life was spent chiefly at the present homestead, and he was given a good practical education in the graded schools of Honesdale. In early manhood he engaged in the ice business there with his brother Fletcher, continuing the same until 1891, when he married and

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settled down at the old homestead. The care of his large stock farm occupies much of his time, and in addition to the stock raised there he buys and sells for others, having an extensive business with the New York State markets. He also manufactures lumber, and in all of his enterprises has met with uniform success, being justly regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his locality. He has always taken an influential part in local affairs, and in poli- tics is a strong Republican. For many years the family has been identified with the Presbyterian Church at Honesdale, of which he is now a leading member, and he is also a member in good standing of the Royal Arcanum, Council No. 925, at Hones- dale. He married Miss Fannie M. Lang, of Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, and they have two bright and attractive children: Leo L., born in 1892, and Ethel B., born in 1895. Mrs. Bunnell is a daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Lang, for many years well-known residents of Cherry Ridge township, her father, who died in 1881, having been a successful agriculturist there. He was a native of Cornwall, England, and came to America in 1831. His wife survives him with the following children: Nathaniel; Almira T., wife of S. S. Martin, of Dunmore, Penn .; and Fannie M., wife of our subject ; the youngest child, Frank M., died at the age of sixteen years.

LOUIS C. MUMFORD, a popular young busi- ness man, and a representative of one of the most prominent families of Scott township, Wayne coun- ty, was born there in 1876, the only child of Clinton D and Joanna ( Pickering) Mumford. His grand- father, Judge Mumford, married a relative of the same name, Miss Mary A. Mumford, of Mt. Pleas- ant township, Wayne county, and they became the parents of the following children: Oliver, who was captain of Company A, 56th P. V. I., during the Civil war, and laid down his life on the altar of his country ; Olive, wife of C. M. Keen, of Prompton, Penn. ; James L., who was also killed in the war of the Rebellion ; Mary Adelaide ; Matilda, wife of Col. George B. Osborn, now of Honesdale, Penn. : War- ren W. ; Hattie E., wife of Daniel Corgill ; Urban B., who makes his home in the West; Clarence G., of Albany, N. Y. ; E. C., of Honesdale ; Clinton D., the father of our subject ; and Thomas J., who lives on the old homestead at Starrucca, Wayne county.

CLINTON D. MUMFORD was born on the old homestead, November 24, 1845, and was for many years one of the most energetic and progressive busi- ness men of northern Wayne county. He was a member of the Starrucca Chemical Co .. which erect- ed the first works of the kind in the county, and was afterward associated with William Stone, an- other energetic man, in the establishment of the chemical works at Ball's Eddy, Scott township, Wayne county. Later they started the Stevens Point Chemical Works, in Susquehanna county, which plant was destroyed by fire two years ago. The firm of Mumford & Stone was extensively en-

gaged in lumbering, and also interested in other in- dustries, giving employment to a large number of men in Wayne and Susquehanna counties. After the death of his partner Mr. Mumford continued the business until he, too, was called to his final rest, March 14, 1894. He owned large tracts of land in Wayne and Susquehanna counties, one of which he purchased from the well-known Drinker family, of Montrose, it being one of the richest tracts of tim- ber land in the latter county. He always took an active and prominent part in local political affairs, first as a Republican, and subsequently working in conjunction with the Democratic party, and finally becoming a Prohibitionist. A man of kindly dis- position, he was given to practicing charity in its most beneficial form, and would cheerfully lend a helping hand to his neighbors in need of assistance. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Socially he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Starrucca Lodge, K. of H.

On June 7, 1871, Clinton.D. Mumford was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Joanna Pickering, daugh- ter of Jotham and Mary Ann ( Hopkins) Pickering, of Jackson, Susquehanna county. The Pickering family came from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania at a very early day, and is one of the oldest and most highly-respected families of Susquehanna county. The children of Jotham Pickering are Martin, who now lives on the old homestead at Jackson ; Serena, wife of E. Dix; and Joanna, mother of our sub- ject.

Louis C. Mumford began his education in the graded schools of Starrucca, and later pursued his studies in Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Penn. He is a young man of much promise, and, like his father, is a general favorite, being of a cheerful and hopeful disposition. For some time after his father's death he conducted the chemical works at Stevens Point, and since they were destroyed by fire he has devoted most of his time to matters relating to the estate. At present he is carrying on an under- taking establishment in Starrucca, and also assists his uncle, W. W. Mumford, in mercantile business, where he is acquiring a practical knowledge of busi- ness methods which will undoubtedly be of great use to him in later years. He resides with his widowed mother, and has ever been most fortunate in being under the guidance of an intelligent and Christian mother, a faithful member of the M. E. Church. His career promises to be both creditable. to himself and helpful to his fellow men.

FRANK E. HOWARD, M. D., a prominent and successful young physician and surgeon of Lackawaxen, Pike county, is a worthy representa- tive of an honored and highly-respected family of Ontario, Canada. The grandfather, Rev. N. H. Howard, who for over forty years was actively en- gaged in the work of the Methodist Episcopal min- istry, was born in Ontario, and there died in 1894, at the age of seventy-five. He married Ruth Thompson, also a native of the same Province, who

C. D. Mumbral

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now resides in Elgin, Ontario, at the age of eighty years.

Rev. E. E. Howard, our subject's father, was born in Ontario, Canada, April 14, 1844, and for some years resided at Percey, Ontario, where he followed mercantile pursuits. Later he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now pastor of the Church of that denomination at Blackstock, Ontario. At Percey he was married, May 5, 1865, to Miss Almena Mallory, who was born in Ontario, March 18, 1844, a daughter of Smith Mallory. She is second in the order of birth in a family of four children, the others being : Car- rie, deceased; Smith E., deceased; and James W. a merchant of Belleville, Ontario. Rev. E. E. Howard and wife are the parents of four children : Minnie V., now the wife of C. W. Ashley, who is engaged in the carriage business in San Francisco, Cal. ; E. S. Howard, B. A., who married Lelia Cald- well, a native of Belleville, Canada, and is prin- cipal of a Collegiate Institute at Brampton, Ontario ; Frank E. is the next of the family ; and Fred H., studying for the ministry at Victoria University, Toronto, Ontario.

Dr. Howard was born at Percey, Ontario, Sep- tember 7, 1869, and his early education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by a course at Albert College, Belleville, Ontario, where he was graduated. After completing his literary education, he taught school in Ontario for three years, and then took up the study of medicine at Trinity University, Toronto, where he was graduated in March, 1894, receiving the degree of M. D. He immediately began the practice of his chosen profession in To- ronto with Dr. J. B. Frazer, and there remained for a year. The following year he spent at Ennis- killen, where he had the practice of Dr. J. C. Mitch- ell while that gentleman was taking a post-graduate course in New York City. He has since been ad- mitted to practice in both New York and Pennsyl- vania, and in May, 1896, he located at Laxawaxen, where in a short time he built up a large and lucra- tive practice which kept constantly increasing, he receiving calls throughout northeastern Pennsyl- vania and across the line in New York State.

On June 1, 1897, at Brooklin. Ontario, Dr. Howard was united in marriage with Miss Helena M. Moore, a daughter of Richard and Margaret Ann (Rutledge) Moore, both natives of Toronto, Canada. Mrs. Howard is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Doctor attends services with her and gives liberally to its support. They have made many warm friends since com- ing to Lackawaxen, and occupy an enviable posi- tion in social circles. [Since the above was writ- ten, Dr. Howard has sold his practice at Laxawaxen, and intends locating immediately in the town of Friendship, New York.]

CARL OBERLE, the leading jeweler and watchmaker at Hawley, Wayne county, was born December 28, 1861, in Archaffenburg, Germany, 10

where his parents, Joseph and Anna (Kramer) Oberle, have spent their entire lives. There the father conducted a clothing store until 1880, but is now living retired from business cares. He be- longs to one of the oldest, most prominent and wealthy families of the place, and is himself num- bered among its distinguished and honored citi- zens, having served as judge for many years and also as treasurer and poormaster. He is now about seventy years of age, and his wife three years younger. Both hold membership in the Pfarr Church. Their children are Frank, who now car- ries on the store of which his father was once pro- prietor ; Joseph, a wholesale fruit merchant of the same city; Mary, wife of Eugene Petzholt, book- keeper in a large paper mill in Germany; Carl, the subject of this sketch; and Alois, an attorney at Augsburg, Germany.

At the age of thirteen years Carl Oberle com- menced learning the jeweler's trade with Anthony Lentz, to whom his father paid $300 for the priv- ilege. After an apprenticeship of three years he left home and went to Bayreuth, Germany, where he worked for a year and a half for Ernest Hay- burger, later had charge of the business of Bern- hard Schardle, at Weiden, Oberpfalz, for two and a half years, and then served for. one year as a sol- dier in the German army, after which he worked at his trade for Ernest Salberg, at Nürnburg, for ten months. After eight months passed at Neustad, he sailed for America, November 14, 1883, and first located in New York City, where he remained two and a half years, working for the firms of Clossal & Son, and Henry Rossenburg. During the following eleven months he worked at his trade for Henry Geiger, in Chicago, next had charge of a jewelry business in Tarrytown, N. Y., for a year and a half, then worked at his trade for four- teen months in Newburg, N. Y., and in 1898 came to Hawley, Wayne Co., Penn., where he worked for L. Phillips one year and a half. He then em- barked in business on his own account, and is now the leading jeweler in the place, carrying a large and well-selected stock, and receiving a lib- eral share of public patronage.

Mr. Oberle was married in Hawley, February 26, 1893, to Miss Tilla (Matilda) Sommer, Rev. Cross, a Lutheran minister, performing the cere- mony. They have one son, Carl Roy. Mrs. Oberie was born in New York City, January 18, 1869, a daughter of John and Augusta (Yarp) Sommer, natives of Germany who on coming to the New World first located in New York City, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of pianos, as partner in the business. In 1885, on account of his health, they removed to Tafton, Pike Co., Penn., where he has since carried on farming. He is now sixty-eight years of age. His wife died in 1887. aged fifty-four years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Hawley. Both were consistent mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, and polit- ically he is identified with the Democratic party.

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Their children were Augusta, who died in child- hood; John, who is with his father on the home farm; Henry, who died when young; Louis, who wedded Mary Myers, and is engaged in farming at Tafton, Penn .; Charles, a bookkeeper in New York City ; and Matilda, wife of our subiect. Mrs. Oberle's grandparents, on both sides, were farming people, and spent their entire lives in Germany.

Mr. Oberle is a prominent member of the Jew- elers' Society, and is one of the leading citizens of Hawley. In his political affiliations he is a Repub- lican. When a young man of twenty-two years he came to America, and with a small capital started ottt in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have been realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil.

ROBERT B. DECKER. Rising above the head of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered fortune, and by their own unaided efforts have become well-to-do and prosperous citizens. Among this class is Mr. Decker, a leading business man of Gouldsboro, Wayne county, carrying on operations as a harnessmaker and shoemaker, and also as a member of the firm and as treasurer of the Gouldsboro Ice Company.

Mr. Decker was born October 24, 1846, three- quarters of a mile from Stroudsburg, in Monroe county, Penn., and is a son of Dephew and Eleanora ( Bidelman) Decker, who spent their entire lives in that .county. As a millwright the father put in operation many of the early mills of that locality, and later in life he turned his attention to carpen- tering. He was a man of prominence in his com- munity, and served as constable for many years. He died in December, 1891, aged seventy-eight years, and his wife in 1887, aged sixty-five years, and both were buried in Keystone cemetery at Stroudsburg. In their family were the following children: John W. married Catherine Storner, and lives in Stroud township, Monroe county ; Ann E. is the widow of Lewis Treet, and lives on the old homestead; Sarah F. is the wife of Joseph Ruth, a carpenter of Delaware Water Gap, Penn .; Martha J. first married Emanuel Heller, and is now the wife of George Frutchey, a carpenter of Scranton, Penn. ; Robert B. is next in the order of birth; Charles W. died unmarried ; Ellen is the widow of Stewart Star- ner, and resides on the old homestead; Simon mar- ried Laura Kellar, and is a farmer of Stroud town- ship, Monroe county; Lewis (deceased) married Cynthia Cartwright, who now lives in East Strouds- burg, Penn .; Jacob died unmarried; Emma is the wife of Anneis Leap, who is employed in a paper- mill in Minsi, Monroe county ; and Horace married Bell Keller, and is a farmer of Monroe county.

Our subject's paternal grandparents were James and Sarah Janes Decker, natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Monroe county, where their last days

were spent. Their children were as follows: John (married) was the eldest; Rachel married John Armethig; Dephew was the father of our subject; Susan married Peter Newhart; Charles married Mrs. Croop; Morris married Lida Heller; Benja- min (unmarried) was killed by a falling tree; and Anna, the widow of Aulice Gordon, is a resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Robert B. Decker made his home with his par- ents until eighteen years of age, but in the meantime worked at intervals for neighboring farmers. In the fall of 1859 he began learning the shoemaker's trade with George Armitage, of Stroudsburg, and when that gentleman joined the army two years later, he entered the employ of the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western railroad, and in the spring began braking on that road, with which he remained until the spring of 1863. He then started to join the Union army, but at Belvidere left the train to join a show, remaining with the same as keeper of the ani- mals for two seasons. At Connersville, Ind., he de- cided to return home, and from fall until the follow- ing spring was ill. Coming to Gouldsboro, Wayne county, in 1866, he worked for William Cahill in a shoe shop for several weeks, and when that gentle- man went out of business he returned to Strouds- burg. A few months later, however, he again came to Gouldsboro, where he has since conducted a shoe shop of his own with the exception of the year 1868, when he was engaged in loading cars with lumber. He built a shop and house on the site of his present home, and has since been prominently identified with the business interests of the place. He is the pioneer ice man of this section, having in 1889 formed a partnership with W. L. Harvey, Esq., in the ice business ; the following year they shipped ice by rail, and in 1891 sent their first car-loads to New York and Hoboken, N. J., which cities are now their prin- cipal markets. The ice is taken from Lake Latau- qua, which is the east branch of the Lehigh and covers an area of 136 acres. They have two large ice houses consisting of sixteen rooms, with a capa- city of 60,000 tons; one of these is 404 × 100 feet, the other, 411 x 104 feet.

On July 6, 1867, at Coolbaugh, Monroe county, Mr. Decker was married, by Rev. Van Allen, a Pres- byterian minister, to Miss Susan C. Hanna, who was born in Middle Smithfield, that county, January 8, 1848, a daughter of David and Margaret (Arnst) Hanna, of that place, where the father died in 1869, aged sixty-four years. The mother died in East Stroudsburg, Penn., in January, 1897, aged seventy- four years, and was laid by his side in Coolbaugh cemetery. Their children were as follows: John (deceased) married Pernina Smith ; Jane is the wife of William H. Vanwhy, of East Stroudsburg; Caro- line is the wife of Alfred Smiley, a teamster of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Emily died unmarried ; Phellie married Charles Smith, and both are now deceased ; William married Annie Green, and is engaged in the hotel business in East Syracuse, N. Y .; Susan C. is the wife of our subject; and Martha is the

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widow of Martin L. Smith, and a resident of East Stroudsburg.

In political sentiment Mr. Decker is an ardent Republican, and he has filled the office of poor- master in Lehigh township, Wayne county. He has never sought political honors, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business inter- ests, and as an upright, honorable business man he has won an enviable reputation.

E. W. RUTH, a leading business man of Del- aware Water Gap, is a citizen whose career is worthy of note. Beginning life as a poor boy, he has built up a prosperous business through his well-directed en- ergy, while his character and ability have won him the esteem of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Ruth was born in December, 1860, in Stroud township, Monroe county, and he is of good pioneer ancestry. Jacob Ruth, his grandfather, who was a shoemaker by trade, came from Bucks county and settled in Hamilton township, Monroe county, at the present site of Bossardsville, when that sec- tion was covered with primeval forests, and cleared and improved a farm, his remaining years being spent chiefly in agricultural pursuits. He died there in 1880, and his wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Bossard, passed away some years later. They had seven children, our subject's father, Jo- seph Ruth, being the youngest: (1) Sanford set- tled in Stroudsburg, where he still resides. (2)

Jacob settled in Stroudsburg, where he has been em- ployed as one of the boss carpenters for the Del- aware, Lackawanna & Western railroad for a great many years ; he married and has six children. (3) Sarah married Jacob Kresge, of Hamilton township, and has had three children, Laura, Omer (who went to Santiago, Cuba, on the "Brooklyn" battleship) and Mary. (4) Samuel settled in Williamsport, Penn .; he married and has two children, Howard and Laura. (5) James, born in Hamilton township, settled on the old homestead; he married Ellen Arnold, and has four children, Clara, Minnie, Edith and Walter. (6) Martha J., born in Hamilton township, is now the wife of Israel Haney, a farmer in Hamilton township; they have six children, Lizzie, William, Maggie, Ella, Clayton and Floyd.

Joseph Ruth, our subject's father, born in 1837, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his marriage, in 1858, to Miss Sarah F. Decker, daughter of Depuy and Eleanor Decker, and a mem- ber of one of the old pioneer families of Stroud township, Monroe county. Mr. Decker was a mill- wright by trade, and drew the plans for the first bridge that crossed the Analomink at Minsi. After his marriage Mr. Ruth settled in Hamilton township, where he followed agriculture for some years, then in 1864 he moved his family to Water Gap borough, where he purchased real estate. Later he engaged in business in connection with the Brodheads, con- tinuing for a number of years, and for a time he worked as carpenter on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. For the past six years he has

been engaged with his son, our subject, in the livery business at Delaware Water Gap. He and his wife havehad seven children, our subject being the eldest. (2) Howard, born in Hamilton township, August 24, 1862, is single, and is employed as a mason in the borough of Delaware Water Gap. (3) Elmer died in childhood. (4) Harry, born at Delaware Water Gap, July 30, 1866, is engaged in railroad- ing. He married Miss Ruth Lossey, of Elmira, N. Y., where they reside, and they have one son, Don- ald. (5) Sandy M., born at Delaware Water Gap, July 7, 1868, and a painter and decorator by trade, is married to Miss Ida Williams, of Slateford, Penn., and now lives in New Orange, N. J. (6) Clarence, born in Water Gap borough, August 25, 1871, is a painter by occupation, and resides at Delaware Water Gap Borough. He married Miss Ida Coff- man, of Spragueville, Monroe county, and has one daughter, Elsia, born in 1894. (7) Bertha, born August 6, 1873, was educated in the schools of Del- aware Water Gap, and now resides at home, being prominent in the social life of the locality.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 35

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