Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 368

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 368
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 368
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 368
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 368

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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passed unscathed through many sharp fights, but was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. The following biography of this public-spirited citizen will be of unusual interest, and in preserving such details of his famly history as are now obtainable, he has shown a commendable spirit.

The ancestors of our subject were early settlers in New England and his grandparents, Jesse and Margaret June, were both natives of Connecticut. They settled in Greene county, New York, soon after their marriage, clearing and improving a farm. Of their seven children the eldest, Jesse, married and settled in Greene county, N. Y .; Joshua mar- ried and settled in Greene county, where he died leaving a family ; Alvin died in Greene county un- married; George W. June, who is referred to farther on; Hannah, the only daughter, married Samuel Dunbar, of Greene county, and they left a large family of children, who are residents of Connecticut ; Samuel served through the Civil war and died in Greene county, leaving no family ; Thomas married and died before the War of the Rebellion, leaving a family.

George W. June, our subject's father, was born and reared in the town of Athens, Greene county, New York, and for many years he was en- gaged in business there as a lime burner. He died in 1898 and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Edwards, died in 1889. She was a native of the town of Athens, where her family has long been prominent, and her parents, Stephen and Laney Edwards, were for many years leading citizens and faithful workers in the M. E. Church. George W. and Rachel June had five children: (I) Sallie, born in 1842 in the town of Catskill, Greene county, New York, and married Edward Secore, of the same county. She died some years ago, leaving one daughter-Jane. (2) Samuel, our subject, was the next in order of birth. (3) John, born in 1846, in Greene county, left home at the age of sixteen to enlist in a Connecticut regiment, and took part in several of the most important battles of the Civil war. At Antietam he was taken prisoner and for three months he suffered the hardships of Libby Prison. After the war closed he married Miss Mar- garet June, of Greene county, and settled near the home of his boyhood. He died there some years ago, leaving no family. (4) Lana, born in 1848, in Greene county, married Nathan Lee, a farmer of that section. (5) Margaret, born in 1851, mar- ried H. Smith, a veteran of the Civil war, and they now reside at Leeds, Greene Co., N. Y.

Samuel June was born in July, 1844, at Leeds, New York, and was educated in the schools of his native county. His military service was begun before he had entered upon any business, and after his return from the army he settled upon a farm in Greene county. In 1873 he removed to Susquehanna county, locating upon a farm near Comfort's Pond, and in 1879 he purchased his present property in Harmony township. The land was in a wild state, but he has cleared and im-

proved it, making one of the best homesteads in the locality. His fine orchard contains more than two hundred trees, which are now bearing fruit, and among the other improvements made by him is a substantial residence, built in 1890. Politically, he has always been identified with the Republican party, and he is an active member of the G. A. R. post at Lanesboro. Socially, he and his family are highly esteemed and while not members of any church he and his wife are in sympathy with the work of all the evangelical denominations, having been reared in the Protestant faith. He was mar- ried in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth Kent, of Greene county, New York, and nine children have blessed the union: (1) Minnie, born in 1865, in Greene county, married Emet Shay, of Susquehanna, and has six children-John, Guy, Lydia, Samuel, Ralph and Hilda. (2) Emelissa, born in 1868, in Greene county, married Willard Toby and now resides in Thompson, Susquehanna county. They have one daughter-Ruth. (3) John, born in 1871, Greene county, married Miss Fannie Chalker, of New York, now resides in Harmony township. They have two children-Emily and Jessie. (4) Elu- retta, born in 1872, in Greene county, married An- drew Winters, of Brandt, Susquehanna county, and had three children-Andrew, Ella and Charles. (5) Charles, born in 1875, in Susquehanna county, is not married and resides at home. (6) Abel, born in 1877, in Harmony township, and (7) William, born in 1879, in Harmony township, are both at home. (8) Martha, born in 1881, at the present home, is an amiable young lady and is popular in social life. (9) Bernard, born in 1890, is a student of the local schools.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Kent) June was born in 1846, in Greene county, New York, where she spent her earlier years. Her ancestors settled in that county in pioneer times, and her parents, John and Sarah A. (Walters) Kent, were both born there and have resided there throughout their lives. They reared a family of eight children, all of whom occupy hon- orable positions in life: (1) Mary E. married Koon Whitmore, of Greene county; (2) Esther is the wife of Jacob Zimmerman, of Greene county ; (3) Elizabeth married our subject ; (4) Jane mar- ried Orlando Waldridge, of New York State; (5) Isaac married Mary Runels, and settled at Oakland, Susquehanna county : (6) Electa married Charles Vermilyea, of Susquehanna county ; (7) Abel, who resides in Greene county, New York, married Hat- tie Zimmerman, of Herkimer county, N. Y .; (8) Malissa is the wife of William Umans, of the same locality.

L. WALTER SAMMIS is one of the most progressive, energetic and reliable young business men of Pike county. His thoroughly American spirit and his great energy have enabled him to overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his path, and through his own efforts he not only gained an excellent education, but has attained an enviable

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position in the business world. One of his chief characteristics is his habit of giving close attention to every detail of his business, and the success that he has achieved is certainly well deserved.

The Sammis family is of Holland origin, and settled in the Dutch colony on Long Island. There our subject's great-great-grandfather, Zophar Sam- mis, was born. His son Zophar, the great-grand- father of our subject, passed his entire life on Long Island, following the carpenter's trade. He married Clarissa Burr, and to them were born eleven chil- dren, all of whom reached years of maturity.

Zophar Sammis, our subject's grandfather, was born on Long Island, in 1810, and learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed until an accident while assisting ina Fourthof July celebration unfitted him for that occupation. He then took up painting, at which he was employed for many years. He died on Long Island, in 1893; his wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Taylor, passed away in 1859. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters, four of whom are still living, namely: . George W., the father of our subject ; Israel P., who married Mary Place and resides in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Hannah Elizabeth, wife of John Jarvis, of Long Island; and Sarah N., wife of John Gardner, of Norwich, Connecticut.

George W. Sammis was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., February 22, 1836, and was reared on Long Island, but had little opportunity to attend school. From the age of ten years he has been a hard worker, and followed the carpenter's trade success- fully until 1894. During that year, in company with his sons, he bought the Shohola property, con- sisting of 4,000 acres of valuable woodland. It is the famous summer resort, known as Shohola Glen, which is reached by the "Switch-back railroad," built to connect with the Erie R. R. for the benefit of tourists. Politically, he is independent and so- cially has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1867. In Brooklyn, N. Y., he married Hep- zibah, daughter of William Nicholl, and to them were born four children: George W. Jr., a real es- tate and insurance agent, who is engaged in busi- ness with out subject, his office being in Brooklyn and his residence in Jamaica, L. I .; L. Walter; Laura E., wife of William H. Baylis, a farmer of Laurelhill, L. I .; and Annie E., wife of William F. Heynam, a bookkeeper living in Brooklyn. For his second wife the father married Charlotte Higgins, by whom he has two daughters, Minnie and Luella.

L. Walter Sammis was born in Brooklyn, Sep- tember 13, 1863, and at the age of fourteen entered his father's shop to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six or seven years. In the meantime he continued his studies at night, and in this way prepared himself for college. He then entered Madison University at Hamilton, N. Y., and taking his tools with him, he obtained enough work to help him greatly in paying his expenses. By securing several scholarships he was enabled to complete the course, and on his graduation was

granted the degree of Master of Arts. For some years he was connected with a daily paper of New York City, first as reporter, and he gradually worked his way upward. In 1894, when his father retired from the real estate business, our subject and his older brother took charge of the same. That year the property at Shohola, Pike Co., Penn., was purchased, and as part owner he came here to take charge of the business, which he has since so successfully managed. The Shohola Glen, a wild and rocky valley, most picturesque in appearance, is a portion of this property, and here during the summer months thousands of sightseers come from miles around to spend the day in this naturally favored spot. Though a stanch Democrat in pol- itics, Mr. Sammis has never cared for political honors and has several times refused official posi- tions. He is quite prominent socially, is a member of the Kings County Wheelmen of Brooklyn and the Improved Order of Red Men.

In Brooklyn, Mr. Sammis was married March 30, 1890, to Miss Celia Armstrong, and they now have two children: L. Walter, Jr., born March 15, 1891 ; and Edna Armstrong, born July 13, 1892. Mrs. Sammis was born January 2, 1871, near Bel- fast, Ireland. Her paternal grandfather, Francis Armstrong, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, near which place he carried on farming throughout life. Her father, Francis Armstrong, Jr., was born, reared and married on the Emerald Isle. Mr. Arm- strong continued a resident of his native land until 1887, when he came to America and settled in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he secured employment as factory superintendent. Mrs. Sammis is one of a family of seven children. John, her only brother, came to America shortly before the par- ents, and located in Brooklyn; he was married in February, 1898, to Hattie Caskey, and is employed by a linen company. Rebecca resides in Brooklyn with her parents. Minnie died in 1894. Arabella, Sarah and Eleanor are all at home.

JAMES POLK CRONE was, during his life- time, one of the well-known residents of Delaware township, Pike county, where he carried on farming and a private boarding house for over twenty years, and he was also engaged in lumbering in this region for a number of years. He was a native of the county, born December 13, 1844, in Dingman town- ship, son of Gilbert Y. Crone, and grandson of Gilbert Y. Crone, Sr., both of whom were lifelong farmers of Pike county. Gilbert Y. Crone was a hotel proprietor for a number of years, for the sake of accommodating sportsmen.

Gilbert Y. Crone, father of James P. Crone, was born August 2, 1813, in Pike county, and was married August 21, 1834, to Miss Susan Hoover, who was born July 22, 1819, in Delaware town- ship. They died in Delaware, he, on December 13, 1885; she, on October 19, 1868, and their remains rest in the cemetery in that township. Six children were born to this worthy couple, as follows : Rachel,

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December 22, 1835 ; Phoebe, August 16, 1837 ; Wil- liam J., August 24, 1839, died in January, 1898; Gilbert Young, April 16, 1841 ; Martha L., February 27, 1843; James P., December 13, 1844. Rachel became the wife of Joshua Dewitt. Phoebe mar- ried Alfred Perdenkamper. William married Jean- ette Albright, who died March 7, 1899. Gilbert married Emma J. Albright, who died in Delaware about 1885; he is a farmer in Delaware township. Martha died at the age of eighteen.

James P. Crone grew to manhood in the county of his birth, and took up farming as his life occu- pation, in connection therewith engaging in lumber- ing to some extent. In 1863 he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, I5Ist P. V. I., and was honorably discharged. He sustained disabilities for which he received a pen- sion. For a number of years he lived in the "Nar- rows," near Hawley, Penn., in 1874 remov- ing thence to the farm in Delaware town- ship, which he occupied until his death, and which is now carried on by his widow and fam- ily. On March 23, 1863, at Cherry Ridge Wayne Co., Penn., Mr. Crone was married to Miss Sarah F. Reaser, who was born on a part of the farm where she now resides, the daughter of Philip and Eleanora (Ferguson) Reaser. Philip Reaser was born August 15, 1808, in Pike county, where he passed his entire life, engaged in farming and carpentering, and he was a man of considerable prominence in his day, taking an active part in local affairs and holding several township offices. He died September 17, 1870, the mother August 15, 1893, at the advanced age of seventy-four years, and both are buried in Delaware cemetery. They had a family of six children, viz .: Mathias, now deceased, who married Margaret Fuller ; Mary J., wife of Anson Cortright, a farmer of Delaware township; Sarah F., Mrs. Crone; Nelson, who en- listed for service in the Civil war, was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg and had one of his limbs amputated, dying from the effects of the operation ; John F., who died at the age of nine- teen years ; and Barbara, unmarried, who lives with Mrs. Crone.

To Mr. and Mrs. Crone were born three chil- dren : (1) J. Elton, who is an artist of considerable talent. He received instruction at the National Academy of Design and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, 1893-94, and also under va- rious noted artists. He has painted two hundred and forty-seven portraits, the orders coming from prominent families of New York, Brooklyn, New- ark and neighboring towns. At present he is en- gaged in his own studio painting, studying from nature, and also doing professional artistic photo- graphing, having studied with the great art photographer, George C. Cox, of 826 Broadway, in 1892-96. On October 18, 1898, in New York City, he was wedded to Miss Etta J. Picot, daughter of the late John G. and Elizabeth M. Picot, of Mid- dletown, N. Y., and they reside at his home, "The

Evergreens." (2) Irwin R., who died in 1897. (3) Edith, who resides with her mother in Bing- hamton, N. Y. Mr. Crone passed away April 20, 1897, on his farm in Delaware township, aged fifty- three years, four months, seven days, mourned by all who knew him as one of the best men of the neighborhood in many respects, for he was a pub- lic-spirited, and one of Delaware's most respected, citizens, a kind neighbor, an active member of the M. E. Church, and was without doubt one of the closest students of the Bible in the county. He carried on the work of his farm, a very neat piece of property, in a manner decidedly up-to-date, bringing an intelligence of no mean order to bear upon everything he undertook, and he filled several township offices with characteristic efficiency and ability, becoming well known and popular during his residence here. For some years previous to his- death he conducted a private boarding resort, ac- commodating some of New York and Brooklyn's- prominent families at his beloved homestead, "The Evergreens," and his family still carry on the busi- ness there during the summer months. Socially, Mr. Crone was warm in his attachments, kind in his disposition, intelligent in his intercourse.

J. B. THOMAS. Among the pleasantest rural homes of Scott township, Wayne county, is that of Mr. Thomas, his farm being situated in a cozy nook at the head of the valley, just west of the village of Sherman, with the hills towering up on every side, while the valley broadens out to quite an expanse and is very picturesque. The gracious hospitality of the inmates adds a charm to this delightful home.

On the old homestead in Scott township, Mr. Thomas was born June 20, 1866, son of George W. Thomas, also a native of the same township. The grandfather, Charles Thomas, was one of the pio- neer settlers of this region, having come from Downsville, N. Y., at an early day, and cleared up a portion of the farm on which his son George W. afterward lived. The latter continued the work of improvement and cultivation, dividing his time between farming and lumbering until the place became one of the most desirable farms of the lo- cality. He married Miss Ann E. Tuttle, a native of Colesville, N. Y., and they became the parents of two children: J. B., the subject of this sketch; and Maude, now the wife of Omer Scrum, of Trout Creek, Delaware Co., N. Y. The father was an upright, honorable and industrious citizen, who commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and was an ardent Re- publican in politics. He died in 1888, at about the age of fifty-six years, and his wife passed away in 1889, aged forty-nine years.

In much the usual manner of farmer boys, J. B. Thomas passed the days of his boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the labors of the farm, and attending the local schools. He has become a thor- ough and skillful agriculturist, and is a wide-awake,

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progressive business man, of known reliability. Although a quiet, unassuming citizen, he makes many friends, and is held in high regard by all who know him.

In 1889, Mr. Thomas wedded Miss Maggie Fleming, who was born in Deposit, N. Y., and re- ceived an excellent education in the parochial schools and the Deposit Academy. She is a daughter of Michael and Betsy Fleming. Her father was for many years a locomotive engineer on the Erie Railroad.

MOSES DETRICK. This well-known resi- dent of Milford has been identified for many years with the agricultural interests of his section, and while he has relinquished to some extent the active management of his large farm in Milford town- ship, he holds a high reputation as a successful farmer. As a citizen he is much respected for his sterling qualities of character, and the following account will be read with more than usual interest :

His family originated in Holland, and his an- cestors came to Pennsylvania in colonial times, settling in Northampton county. His grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Kurtz) Detrick, who are men- tioned more fully elsewhere, removed from North- ampton county in 1821, and made their home in Monroe county. Samuel Detrick, the father of our subject, was born near Centerville, Northampton county, in 1813, but later removed to Pike county. For many years he was engaged in farming and lumbering, and at his death he left 180 acres of land in Pike county, of which our subject's present farm is a portion. His last years were spent in Milford, where he purchased a number of lots and built houses for sale. He was a man of fine in- telligence and excellent character, and his influ- ence was always given to the promotion of the best interests of the community. He was an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, and a colporteur of the Bible Society, while he was also prominent in educational affairs, serving for many years as president of the school board. He died May 14, 1876, and his estimable wife, Catherine Albert, a native of Monroe county, died October 1, 1888. Our subject was the youngest of four children, the others being: John, a resident of Milford; Bar- bara, who died in infancy ; and Colvin, a real estate dealer in Brooklyn, N. Y.

Moses Detrick was born April 15, 1840, in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, and from boyhood assisted his father in agricultural work. At the death of his parents he became the owner of his present farm, a valuable estate on the Delaware river bottoms, near Milford village. He is a successful farmer, but a large portion of the re- turns from his work has been lost through his over- confidence in people for whom he has signed bonds and other securities, for generosity is one of his leading traits. Of late years he has resided in Mil- ford and for some time he has been engaged in selling agricultural implements, having the agency

for several firms. Politically, he is a Republican, but he has never been an office seeker.

On November 15, 1863, he was married, at Mil- ford, to Miss Adelle Burleigh, and four children have blessed the union: (1) Harry D. and one other died in infancy. (3) Mary married William K. Peters, a hardware merchant in New York City. (4) Nathaniel C., who is not married, is employed as mail clerk at the Waldorf Hotel in New York. Mrs. Detrick died May 31, 1891, at the age of forty-seven years. She was a native of Boston, Mass., and her father, Captain David Bur- leigh, was the captain of an ocean vessel for many years, but in 1840 came to Milford to reside, in order to restore his failing health. After his re- moval he became interested in land speculations in that locality. He died at Milford in 1850, and his wife, Mary Hill, a native of Boston, passed away in 1883, at the age of sixty-five. They had five chil- dren : Sarah, Adelle, Octave, Elizabeth, and Mary.

FRANK G. FARNHAM, who is engaged in a manufacturing business at White Mills, Wayne county, is a resident of Honesdale, where he was born May 28, 1848. He is a son of Frederick W. Farnham, who in his day was one of the most ac- tive and well-known residents of this section of Wayne county, where he had large lumber inter- ests.

Mr. Farnham is descended from good old Rev- olutionary stock. He is a great-great-grandson of Zebediah Farnham, who during the Revolution served as first lieutenant of the 8th Connecticut regiment from July until December, 1775, when he was transferred to a similar position in the 17th Connecticut regiment, in which he remained until wounded. Through the remainder of the war he was lieutenant. of marines in the Continental ship "Providence." His son Levi (the great-grand- father of Frank G. Farnham) also belonged to the 17th Connecticut regiment, in which he was corporal, was taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island, and died of starvation on Christmas Day, 1776, on board a British prison ship. Samuel Farn- ham, son of Levi, lived in Oxford, N. Y., removing thence from New London, Conn. He was a captain of artillery in the war of 1812, stationed at Fort Niagara.

When fifteen years of age Frederick W. Farn- ham came from Oxford, N. Y., to Honesdale, Penn., with a load of goods for Alexander Farn- ham. At that time Honesdale was only a scattered village, containing two or three stores and few important interests of any kind. In 1830 the firm of Russell & Wilcox had a mercantile business in a store which stood on the present site of the Dela- ware & Hudson depot. Mr. Wilcox dying, his interest in the concern was purchased by A. H. Farnham, and the firm was Farnham & Russell, until Mr. Russell withdrew to give his attention to another branch of business, and his place in the partnership was taken by Charles Farnham, when it

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became known as Farnham Bros. Frederick W. Farnham, above mentioned, was clerk and really general manager of the business, and in addition to general merchandising, they ran a line of freight boats on the canal. Here he acquired considerable experience, and it was not long before he com- menced on his own account, at first conducting a store on the south side of Park street, east of the Honesdale mill. This store was subsequently moved across the road by Dart & Dickson, and still later to East street by John Brown, who used it as a furniture factory, and finally sold it to the Hones- dale Shoe Company ; a few years afterward it was destroyed by fire.

About the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1840, Mr. Farnham entered the employ of the Honesdale Mill Company, with which he remained until his removal to Cherry Ridge, where he lo- cated on a partly cleared farm. Here he gave his time to improving the place, and he also erected a sawmill and did a general lumbering business, in 1853 selling this property at a substantial ad- vance to the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and investing in the Hornbeck sawmill property at White Mills, whither he removed his family in 1857. He continued operations on this property for twelve years, during which time he put in the second cir- cular saw in the county. In 1869 he purchased 3,000 acres of Marcus Kellam, and some 3,000 acres more of Mr. Shouse, which included the Wilson- ville sawmills and water privileges, and he made numerous improvements in the mills and did an immense lumber business, cutting from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 feet of hemlock and pine a year. Mr. Farnham not only had control of the large prop- erty he owned, but owing to the falls at Wilson- ville, of large tracts of timberland at the head- waters of the north and south forks of the Wallen- paupack, and millions of feet of hemlock were floated down the stream to the mills every year. His operations were conducted on an enormous scale; but the great panic of 1873, which did such injury to interests everywhere, did not spare him, and the prosperity of his mills was destroyed be- yond reparation. He retired to his White Mills property, and a few years before his death re- turned to the scenes of his early manhood taking up his residence again in Honesdale, where he ended his days. Mr. Farnham had decided theories of his own on the currency question, which were strengthened by his experience in 1873, and caused him to change his party allegiance to the Green- backs, and later to the silver advocates. In 1876 he was a Presidential elector on the Greenback ticket, and he served as associate judge for a short time, having been appointed to that office. During the years of his greatest activity he took an im- portant part in the advancement of Wayne county's interests, and ranked foremost among her prominent and wealthy citizens.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 368

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