Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 357

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 357
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 357
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 357
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 357

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Freeman Shiffer was born on the old Shiffer homestead, on the Pleasant Valley road in Chest- nut Hill township, October 12, 1838, and amid its pleasant memories and scenes he still continues to pass his useful and influential life. His youth was passed under the usual circumstances attending to life upon a farm. There was an abundance of hard work, and during the winter months a little schooling. At the age of nineteen years he began with Charles Koehler, of Chestnut Hill township, an apprenticeship at shoemaking, working on his farm during the summer and his trade during the winter. For twelve years he applied himself dili- gently to his trade, then abandoned it to devote all his attention to farming.

On October 29, 1865, Mr. Shiffer was married, at Sciota, Penn., to Miss Mary Jane Gregory, a native of Monroe county. She is the daughter of John and Catherine (Kresge) Gregory, and was born August 17, 1845, on the farm in Chestnut Hill township, where her mother yet resides. John Gregory was born in Polk township, Monroe county, August 12, 1815, a son of David Gregory, who in early times migrated from Berks, his na- tive county, to what is now Monroe county. Cath- erine, wife of John Gregory, was born February 22, 1826, the daughter of George and Catherine (Serfass) Kresge. To John and Catherine Gregory were born the following children : Mary Jane, wife of our subject ; Francis and Charles, twins, the lat- ter dving in infancy, and the former now living on the old homestead, having married Hannah Ever-

ett; Diana, who married Josiah Green, of Pen Ar- gyl, Penn., and is now deceased; Sarah, who married Peter Bonser, of Hamilton township, and is now deceased. John Gregory passed to the un- seen world September 19, 1898. In politics he was a Democrat, and his religious faith was that of the Reformed Church. Though for some years he had lived a retired life, he was regarded as one of the prominent men of Chestnut Hill township.

The family of Freeman and Mary Jane Shiffer consisted of the following children: Elmer E., a school teacher of Northampton, who married Jen- nie Dugan ; Sarah E., wife of John Waltz, a farmer of Chestnut Hill township; Emma J., at home; John C., who died at the age of five years; James F., a school teacher, residing with his parents; Ella A., also a school teacher, living at home; and Katie A., at home. Mr. Shiffer is one of the most prominent agriculturists of Monroe county. He has been one of the foremost members of the Re- formed Church, and during the past eighteen years he has served as deacon and elder for a period of nine years each, besides being a member of classes several times. In politics he is a Democrat. For a number of terms he has served his township as school director, and has also been overseer of the poor. In 1897 he was the candidate on the Demo- cratic ticket for jury commissioner, and was de- feated by a narrow margin of fourteen votes. As a farmer Mr. Shiffer has prospered beyond the usual measure. He is well informed not only in matters which pertain to his business, but in the current events of importance. His mind is active and re- ceptive, while his judgment is keen, and readily discriminates between that which is of value and that which is of transient or of doubtful worth. He is popular with his fellow citizens, and in every sense a prominent and respected resident of Monroe county.

WILLIAM P. CRANDALL. In the after- noon of life comfort comes to those who can look back over a successful career, who have striven and attained, whose years are crowned with achievements and good deeds done. The subject of this sketch has reached the age of seventy-five years. His three-quarters of a century have been passed within the limits of Susquehanna county. Content to live the life of an unassuming farmer, he has nevertheless been a conspicuous figure, made such by his inherent force of character. He has been active in church work, and his good judg- ment has frequently been asked in matters of busi- ness and in public affairs. He has been called upon to advocate the cause of his neighbors in the local tribunals, and has held many of the local offices. Although he has passed his three score years and ten he remains the same enterprising and ambitious farmer as in younger days. With the good judg- ment to resign the active farm work to other hands, he still has his sphere of work, without which he would perhaps be discontented. For it is the his-

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tory of active and successful men that work is life, and excessive rest, stagnation. Mr. Crandall is a keen, intellectual old gentleman in whose eye still sparkles the fires of interest and enthusiasm, and in whose busy brain is the ripeness of wisdom, char- ity and truth.

Mr. Crandall comes of pioneer stock. His grandparents, Caleb and Ransom Crandall, soon after their marriage in Otsego county, N. Y., mi- grated to Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county. Caleb Crandall was a native of Rhode Island. In his new Western home he followed well digging, wall building and grist mill work at Brooklyn Center. He died in Dimock township in 1854, aged eighty-six years. Both himself and wife were buried at Brooklyn Center cemetery. They left three children, Asa, father of our subject ; Polly, who married Aaron Saunders, of Lathrop town- ship ; and Nancy, who married Thomas Wilmarth.

Asa Crandall, the father of our subject, was born in Bridgewater township. In early life he worked in 'a cotton mill and later learned the shoe- maker's trade. He married, in Brooklyn township, Rhoda, daughter of Ephraim and Rhoda (Perry) Tewksbury, and after marriage continued the trade of shoemaking in Brooklyn township in connection with farming. He was a devout member of the Methodist Church and in politics was a stanch Democrat. His death occurred on his farm in Brooklyn township when he was aged sixty-four years, and his good wife died aged sixty-two years. Their children were as follows: William P., our subject; Edwin, who died young; Emaline, who married G. W. Tiffany, of Lathrop township, and is now deceased; Sarah, deceased; Charles E., a farmer of Brooklyn township; Amanda, widow of Ira Foster, of Vermont, and now living at Bing- hamton, N. Y.

William P. Crandall was born in Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county, October 26, 1824. He was reared on a farm and his early education was received under the laborious necessity of walk- ing three miles for it. Early in life he became self-sustaining, for when but nineteen years of age he purchased from Judge William Jessup a farm of sixty-three acres in Brooklyn township. He was married, February 1, 1844, to Philena Miles, daugh- ter of Edmund and Sally (Irnes) Miles, both of whom were natives of Otsego county, N. Y., and after marriage came, in 1824, to Susquehanna county. Edmund Miles was the son of Jesse and Olive Miles, and was one of nine children, as follows : Rawlin, a lawyer of Abington, Penn .; Reuben, a shipbuilder of New York City; Jared, shoemaker of Brooklyn, Penn .; Edmund, father of Mrs. Crandall; Hartshorn, a farmer in Brooklyn, Penn .; Betsey, who married Samuel Brown, of Car- bondale, Penn .; Caroline, who married Oraz Wright, of Lathrop; Fidelia, who married William Moon of Otsego, N. Y., and Parker, who was a resident of Hopbottom. The family of Edmund and Sally Miles was as follows: Willard, who died

young ; Philena, born January 28, 1824, wife of our subject ; and Emeline, widow of Stephen Gavitt, of Hopbottom. To our subject and wife, William P. and Philena Crandall, were born eight children, namely : Ellen R., wife of H. Wright, of Hopbot- tom; Edmund M., who married Sarah Yeomans, and is a carpenter of Hopbottom; Emma F., widow of John Smith, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Elbert, who died a young man; Eva J., wife of Eugene Wright, of Hopbottom; Eliza E., who married Alonzo Miles, of Hopbottom, and is now deceased ; Zaidee M., who married Herbert Yeomans, of Hopbottom; and Josephine A., who died at the age of seventeen years.

Our subject began housekeeping on a farm of sixty acres, which he increased from time to time until it amounted to 240 acres, of which 175 acres were improved land, and which he farmed extensively, often raising 500 bushels of oats, 500 bushels of corn and 60 tons of hay. He also dealt extensively in stock and appreciating the value of travel passed considerable time pleasantly and profitably in that way. In 1883 Mr. Crandall dis- posed of his farm, giving part to his children and selling the remainder. Purchasing nine acres of land in the village of Hopbottom he has since re- sided there. In politics Mr. Crandall is a stanch Democrat, and has held many offices, including those of supervisor, constable, collector, street com- missioner, health commissioner, poormaster, etc. For many years he has practiced in the justice courts. For thirty-five years he has been a veteri- nary surgeon. Himself and wife have been for fifty-five years members of the Methodist Church, of which he has served as trustee and steward.

DANIEL M. KIMBLE, a leading lumberman and farmer of Dyberry township, Wayne county, has spent his entire life in this county, his birth occurring in Oregon township, August 26, 1846. His father, George W. Kimble, was born in Dy- berry township, in 1820, and at the age of twenty- one removed to Oregon township, where he purchased a tract of timberland and a mill, devoting his energies to lumbering and farming until his death, which occurred September 1I, 1893. He married Miss Phoebe, daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Jackson) Schoonover, and to them were born four children, namely: Asa, who died at the age of twelve years ; Daniel M., the subject of this sketch ; Abbie Jane, now the widow of Joseph D. Parson, of Rhode Island ; and George A., a resident of Oregon township. After the mother's death the father mar- ried Lucetta Schoonover, by whom he had one daughter, Ella A., now the wife of J. W. Ridd, of Oregon township.

Daniel M. Kimble acquired a good practical education in the district schools, and early became familiar with the labors which fall to the lot of the farmer and lumberman. Soon after his mar- riage he purchased a farm in the northeastern part of Dyberry township, to the cultivation and im-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

provement of which he devotes much of his time, though he is still interested in lumbering. In 1882 and 1883, during the fall and winter, he ran a hay press for D. G. Allen, James Birdsall, Seth Powell, and also for Warren K. Dimock, buying the hay by contract. Since 1888 he has been soliciting agent for the Hartford Life, Accident and Fire In- surance Co., and has been quite successful along that line. On attaining to man's estate Mr. Kimble was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Adams, a daughter of William and Matilda (Stark) Adams, both natives of Wayne county, the former born in Manchester township, the latter in Mt. Pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Kimble have five children : Allen M., born April 16, 1869, is at home; H. Winfield, born February 11, 1871, is a resident of Dyberry ; Flor- ence, born January 8, 1875, is the wife of Osmar Nield, of Oregon township; and Verna I., born August 5, 1877, was married December 14, 1898, to George W. Van Dusen, of Oregon township, and now resides in Dyberry ; and Olive Gertrude, born July 10, 1880, is at home.

At the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Kimble was much too young to enter the service, but on September 22, 1864, although only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company M, 198th P. V. I., and ten days later the company was placed on picket duty before Petersburg, where some severe fighting was experienced. At the battle of Black Creek (the day before Lee's surrender) Mr. Kimble was wounded and removed to the hospital at City Point. The war being over, and his services no longer needed, he was honorably discharged at Philadelphia, June 1, 1865, and returned home. He is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. For many years the Republican party has found in him an earnest advocate and stanch supporter. He has faithfully and efficiently served his fellow citizens in the capacity of auditor, tax collector, overseer of the poor, and for six years was a member of the school board.

LE ROY G. SMITH, one of the leading young business men of Gouldsboro, Wayne county, was born at that place, November 28, 1869, a son of G. G. and Catherine (Garey) Smith, highly re- spected and honored citizens of Gouldsboro, who are represented elsewhere in this work.

The early education of our subject, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course in Wood's Business College, where he graduated in 1889. He began his business career as an employe in a sawmill under his father's supervision, and also held the positions of bookkeeper and clerk at Marshville, Penn. For some years past he has now been employed as clerk in William Wallace's mer- cantile establishment at Gouldsboro, and his ser- vices have given the utmost satisfaction to all con- cerned. The Democratic party always finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has been honored with a number of official positions, being inspector of election, auditor and township clerk.

LEONARD G. CLEARWATER. There are few men more worthy of representation in a work of this character than the subject of this biography, who was for many years a prominent hotel man of Hamlinton, and is now passing the later years of his life upon a pleasant farm in Salem township, Wayne county, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

Mr. Clearwater was born in Orange county, N. Y., July 2, 1833, a son of Abram and Nancy (God- frey) Clearwater. The father was born in Old Paltz, Ulster Co., N. Y., July 4, 1796, and was a son of Abram Clearwater, Sr., a native of Holland and a farmer by occupation, who located in that county on coming to the New World, and there died at the extreme old age of ninety-seven years. In Orange county, Abram Clearwater, Jr., met and married Nancy Godfrey, who was born in that county, March 4, 1807. Her father, Daniel Godfrey, was a prominent business man of that county, where he conducted a hotel, engaged in merchandising and also operated a stage line between Bloomingburg and Newburg, a distance of twenty-four miles. He died at the age of eighty-eight years. Until 1850 the parents of our subject resided on a farm in Orange county, N. Y., and then removed to Bing- hamton, that State, but not being pleased with the location they went to Guilford, Penn., a month later. For three years the father conducted a hotel at that place; was then similarly employed in Wyoming, Penn., for the same length of time; and in 1859 came to Hamlinton, Wayne county, where he purchased the Salem Hotel for our subject. There he died in October, 1866, and his wife died in the same house April 15, 1871, the remains of both being interred in the Salem cemetery. In his political affiliations he was a Republican. Their children were as follows: Charles C., born Feb- ruary 18, 1825, married Anna Depew, and is now deceased ; Caroline, born February 29, 1828, died when young; Jeanette, born August 9, 1830, died when young ; Leonard G. is the next of the family ; George A., born November 17, 1836, married Elea- nora Hamlin, and lives in Scranton, Penn .; and Henry, born June 8, 1846, died when young.

Leonard G. Clearwater was reared on his fath- er's farm in Orange county, N. Y., and remained with his parents until going to Binghamton, N. Y., where he worked in a sash and blind fac- tory for five years. He then followed the same business in Galesburg, Ill., for one year, and on his return East joined his father in Wyom- ing, Penn., where he remained for two years. He then took charge of the hotel in Hamlinton, which his father had purchased for him, and successfully conducted the same until 1884, when he sold it to George Hamlin and demoved to his present farm in Salem township, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

On October 16, 1860, at Hollisterville, Wayne county. Mr. Clearwater was married to Miss

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Amanda Hollister, a daughter of William and Polly (Jones) Hollister, who were natives of Connecticut, but became acquainted and were married in Wayne county, Penn., March 25, 1814. Her paternal grandfather, John Hollister, spent his entire life in the Nutmeg State, was a wealthy land owner, and also had an interest in a cotton factory. Her maternal grandparents were Asa and Polly Jones, of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Clearwater was born one son: Frank A., who was born January 23, 1863, and died at the age of fourteen months. Socially, Mr. Clearwater is a Master Mason, and politically is a Republican. He has been hon- ored with a number of local offices of trust and responsibilities, the duties of which he most capably and faithfully discharged, being school director three years ; poormaster for six consecutive years, and at another time poormaster for nine years. His career has ever been such as. to command the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or in social life. -

W. P. DOWNING is one of the influential members of the farming community of Berlin town- ship, Wayne county, and one of its well-to-do and energetic citizens. He is entirely a self-made man, for he has been the architect of his own fortune, and has builded wisely and well, aided only by his own strong arms, indomitable energy and laudable ambition.

A native of England, Mr. Downing was born in Cornwall, February 4, 1863, and is a son of John and Ann (Petherick) Downing, also natives of Cornwall, who now make their home in South Canaan, Penn. The father has worked some in the car shops at Carbondale, but the greater part of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children are W. P., Emily, Frederick, Lucy, Bessie, John, Albert and Charles.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native land, attended school to some extent, and was taught to be honest and faithful in all things. He was married in Cornwall, Feb- ruary 1, 1882, to Miss Mary Jane Box, also a native of that county, and a daughter of Henry and Mary (Medland) Box. Her mother, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in England, in 1882. She was a sister of ex-Sheriff Medland, of Wayne county, Penn. Mr. Box is still living and now makes his home in Prompton, Penn. He is a farmer by occupation, and an Epis- copalian in religious belief. His children are Mary J., Elizabeth, Fanny, John, William, Emily and George. To Mr. and Mrs. Downing have been born ten children, namely: Emma A., Fred W., Mary P., Lucy J., Bessie M., Ethel E., John H., Wilber F., Frances M., and Agnes E.

On coming to the United States in 1883, Mr. Downing first located at Cherry Ridge, Wayne Co., Penn., where he spent one year. He then entered

the employ of Frailey & Penwarden, and for eight years served as foreman in their factory. In 1892 he removed to his present farm in Berlin township, which is an excellent dairy farm of 103 acres. Half a century ago this place was an old stage station, Jacob Travis running a hotel there, known as the Halfway House, between Cochecton and Hones- dale. Upon the farm is an excellent residence, good barns and outbuildings and a five acre or- chard. Mr. Downing is a progressive, and thrifty farmer, and is also a stockholder in the Beach Lake Creamery, of which he has been secretary for the past six years. He is now filling his second term of office as poormaster in Berlin township, and is one of the most active and zealous workers in the ranks of the Republican party in his community. Although comparatively a young man, he has al- ready met with success in his life work, and has gained the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In religious belief both himself and wife are Episcopalians.

EDWIN W. SLOATE, a wide-awake and energetic young farmer of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, was born August 4, 1867, in Bradford county, Penn., a son of Leander and Sarah A. Sloate. The mother, who was a sincere Christian woman, a faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, died when our subject was only five years old, leaving four children, namely : . Emma; John, who lives on the old homestead; Edwin W .; and Isabelle, wife of Charles Sterling, of Hopbottom, Penn. For his second wife the father married Julia Merrill. He is a farmer by occupation, a Republican in politics, is one of the prominent citizens of the county, and during the Civil war valiantly aided in the defense of the Union as a soldier of the Federal army.

The literary education of our subject was acquired in the common schools, which he at- tended when his services were not needed on the home farm, for he was early inured to the arduous duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was married October 30, 1889, to Miss Hattie Har- per, who has been to him a faithful wife and help- meet, aiding him at all times by her encouragement and sympathy. Her father, Edgar Harper, is a well-known and prominent citizen of Susquehanna county, being one of the most public-spirited and progressive men of his community. He married Betsy Allen, and to them were born the following children : Mrs. Eva Allen, deceased ; Mrs. Hattie Sloate ; and Della, wife of Joseph Sheen, of Dimock township, Susquehanna county. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active and zealous workers in its interests. Our subject and his wife have four children, Vern, Ethel B., Carl and Earl.

Mr. Sloate has a fine farm, ninety-nine acres in extent, and engages to some extent in stock rais- ing. In 1897 he had a colt which carried off first prize at the Harford fair. In religious connection

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both Mr. and Mrs. Sloate are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is iden- tified with the Prohibition party. They are widely and favorably known and their friends are many throughout the county.

THEODORE R. MESICK, one of the lead- ing farmers and most influential citizens of Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, was born there in August, 1844, and throughout his active business life has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the community. He is a grandson of Henry and Mary (Truax) Mesick, natives of Columbia county, N. Y. For many years the grandfather followed farming at Conklin, that State, and there died in 1839, his wife some years later. Their children were all born in Columbia county and were as follows: (1) Maria married John Bowman and died in Bucks county, Penn., leaving six children-Henry ; Ralph; Annie, wife of Charles Mesick, of Columbia county, N. Y .; Elida, wife of Harry Towdy, of Philadelphia, Penn .; Mary, deceased wife of Abram Beams; and John, who was killed on the Albany & Troy railroad. (2) Margaret was the second wife of John Bowman, and had three children-Victoria, Ella and Bell, all residents of Philadelphia. (3) Christina married William Park, of Broome county, N. Y., and they resided in Corning, that State, where both died. They had five sons-Charles, George, Eugene and Robert, all living; and Frederick, who died in childhood. (4) Henry married Emeline Walter- myre, a half sister of Lewis Payne, the noted politi- cian of Chatham, N. Y. Mr. Mesick was in the employ of the government as a custom house of- ficial in New York City, where he died. His chil- dren were William E., a government official at Troy, N. Y .; Mary, who died young; Samuel, a resident of Utica, N. Y. ; and Charles, a resident of Chicago, Ill. (5) Sophia married Lewis Parks, of Columbia county, N. Y., where he died, leaving two children-Henry; and Lewis, a resident of Great Bend township, Susquehanna Co., Penn. For her second husband, Mrs. Parks married Sam- tel Wright, who died in Hickory Grove, Susque- hanna county, and she later removed to Montrose, where her death occurred. By her second marriage she had one son, Samuel S., now register and re- corder for Susquehanna county. (6) Ralph A. married Josephine Lines, of Franklin township, Susquehanna county, where he lived for some years, but spent his last days in Great Bend township. He left no family. (7) Annie married Amasa B. White, cashier of a bank in Campbell, Steuben Co., N. Y. (8) Granville married Susan Hall and resided for a number of years in Great Bend township, Sus- quehanna county. Their children were Leverett and Louella.

Peter W. Mesick, the father of our subject, completes this family. He was born in Columbia county, N. Y., in 1814, and was there reared, his education being acquired in the district schools of

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 357

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