Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 375

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 375
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 375
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 375
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 375

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Since attaining his majority, Mr. Conklin has always cast his ballot with the Republican party, and for a number of years he most capably and sat- isfactorily served as constable in his township. Re- ligiously his wife was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a good Christian woman, a faith- ful wife and loving mother, who like her husband was highly respected by all who knew her.

MRS. MARY ELLEN KEEN. As long ago as the time of Solomon the model woman possessed the business gifts which our later civilization is prone to consider new, and in his enumeration of the admirable qualities of the paragon, the Wise Man lays stress upon her wisdom and foresight in worldly matters. "She considereth a field and buy- eth it," he declares approvingly, and doubtless he would heartily commend the business acumen which is shown by American women of today, especially if it was accompanied by true womanly grace and refinement, as in the case of the subject of this sketch, the proprietor of the "Pasadena House" near Stroudsburg. The location of this hotel, which is well known to the traveling public, shows rare

judgment, the view from the Blue Mountains at that point being particularly attractive. As it is only one mile south of Stroudsburg it is easy of access and the house itself, which is commodious and well designed, is handsomely furnished throughout and is equipped with every modern convenience. The grounds are tastefully laid out, several rustic sum- mer houses and arbors adding to their beauty, while every detail of the management, including the ex- cellent cuisine, shows thoughtful care. The hostess is a charming entertainer, her Southern blood show- ing in her gracious and pleasing manner, and a summer spent in her home makes a bright spot in the memory.

Mrs. Keen is a native of the "Sunny South," having been born in May, 1843, in Montgomery county, Ala. Her father, John R. Thompson, was born in Alabama, and died there in 1842, before her birth. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Heckenell, was born in the Cumberland Valley, and, soon after the death of the husband and father, re- turned to that section, making her home in New- ville. Mrs. Keen was the youngest in a family of eight children, of whom three are living, and are as follows: (I) Eliza married David Heck, of Maryland, and removed to Clinton, Ohio, where they own a fine large amount of farming land. They have a numerous family. (2) Elsetta married Dan- iel Grawbaugh, inventor of a telephone similar to that patented by Bell, his claims to the patent having been in the courts for a number of years. He resides at Heverly's Mills, near Harrisburg, Penn., where he owns valuable real estate, while Mrs. Grawbaugh also owns property in Mechanicsburg, Penn. They have three children-Olive, now Mrs. Oyster, of the Cumberland Valley, and two whose names are not given. (3) Mary Ellen is our sub- ject.

After completing a public-school course, our subject entered a select school in Baltimore, Md., where her natural gifts of mind were developed un- der competent guidance. In 1867 she married Morris L. Keen, of West Philadelphia, the first to bring to perfection the art of making paper from wood pulp. He was then a wealthy man, and after their mar- riage they traveled throughout the United States and Canada for some years. In 1874 they located in Stroudsburg, where Mr. Keen built a large mill for the manufacture of both wood pulp and paper on an extensive scale. The enterprise proved suc- cessful, the paper finding a ready sale in the Phil- adelphia market and in large quantities. He also built the "Highland Grove House." where he made his home until his death, in 1882. He was a man of fine intelligence, taking an interest in all ques- tions of the day, and politically was a strong ad- herent of the principles of the Republican party. He and his wife had no children, and in 1885, Mrs. Keen decided to build a new home for the accom- modation of summer tourists, choosing a charming location near Stroudsburg. In 1892 she sold out and bought the "Pasadena House," which she has fitted

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up for the most exclusive class of summer board- ers, with which it is well filled each summer. Mrs. Keen is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church at Stroudsburg, and holds an enviable position so- cially, her talents fitting her for any sphere of life.

WALTER H. JACKSON is an enterprising young business man identified with the agricultural interests of Wayne county. He was born in Phil- adelphia, in July, 1874, and is a son of John and Mary (Holt) Jackson, both of whom were natives of England, where their marriage was celebrated. In 1872, bidding adieu to the land of their birth, they crossed the Atlantic and took up their resi- dence in Oregon township, Wayne county, where they remained for a year, removing thence to Phil- adelphia. After a year spent in that city they re- turned to Oregon township, where the father died in 1876, leaving three little sons to the care of the widowed mother, who still survives her husband and now resides in Beech Lake. The children are Robert, who was born in England in 1861, and died in Oregon township at the age of twenty-five years; John F., who was born in England in 1865, and came with his parents to Oregon township, where he was reared to manhood, and married Miss Ella Sampson, a daughter of Solomon and Annie Sampson, her father being one of the veterans of the Civil war. John F. Jackson now resides in Dyberry, where he follows the carpenter's trade. He has two sons: Bruce and Bary.

Walter H. Jackson spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in Oregon township, and acquired a good English education in the public schools. He remained with his mother until 1893, when he was united in marriage with Miss Florence A., daugh- ter of John and Charlotte Loveless, her father being one of the prominent lumbermen of Damascus. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson began their domestic life in Ore- gon township, where they remained for one year. In 1895 our subject purchased the Howard Love- less property, adjoining his father-in-law's farm and situated in Damascus township, two miles west of Boyd's Mills. His farm comprises sixty-six acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, the well-tilled fields yield- ing to him a golden tribute in return for his care and labor, while the modern and substantial build- ings upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. Jackson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Repub- lican party. He and his wife hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Damascus, and he is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He ranks among the energetic young dairymen and farmers of his neighborhood, and his life has been one of honest industry and well- directed effort. The father dying of consumption only a few years after coming to America, Mr. Jackson and his brother John supported the mother and a brother who was in ill health. Perseverance

and energy have ever been among his marked char- acteristics and have crowned his business efforts with success. He is certainly deserving of the pros- perity that has come to him. He and his wife are held in the highest regard throughout the commun- ity and have the warm friendship of the best citi- zens of this locality.

JOHN C. BROWN, a prominent business man of Forest City, Susquehanna county, engaged in the furniture trade, is a fine example of the Scotch- Irish type of American citizenship. He is a man of sterling integrity, whose high purpose and indi- viduality make him honored among men.

Mr. Brown was born in County Donegal, Ire- land, July 12, 1841, a son of John and Margaret (Brown) Brown. He attended the national schools of the town of Alt and received an unusually thor- ough education. At the age of eighteen years he was bound out for a term of four years to James Carr, of Cunninghamtown, County Donegal, by Castle Finn, to learn the carpenter's trade. Serving his full time, he remained a half a year longer as workman with his master. Returning home, he worked for about three years at his trade, then in 1867 he emigrated to America. For a year he worked at Hicksville, Long Island, then at New York for a year. Coming to Lake Como, Wayne Co., Penn., he was there engaged at his trade for nearly twenty years, combining it with farming and lumbering. In 1887 he disposed of his interests at Lake Como and removed to Forest City, where he at once engaged in the furniture business. Mr. Brown purchased the land upon which his block is situated and erected that substantial edifice. He has conducted the business ever since. He also owns the old homestead of 200 acres at Lake Como, which he purchased when he first moved there.

Mr. Brown was married in October, 1876, to Miss Sarah Jane Gilchrist, who was born in Done- gal, Ireland, July 20, 1843. Their children are Edith, Lettie, Mabel, and Frank, who died at the age of sixteen. In politics Mr. Brown is a Repub- lican. He has served as school director, city as- sessor and poor director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially he is con- nected with the I. O. O. F.

THOMAS BROWN, brother of John C. and an influential grocer of Forest City, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, March 28, 1844. He re- ceived a good common-school education in the Par- ish of Niney, Ireland, then in the National schools. In his native land he became a stationary engineer, and followed that occupation until he came to Amer- ica in 1868. Settling at Lake Como, Wayne Co., Penn., he remained there for a time, and then for a period of ten years he conducted a general store at Hancock, N. Y., in partnership with his brother, H. W. They opened a branch store at Forest City, which H. W. managed, while Thomas looked after the Hancock store. In October, 1888, he sold out the latter property and removed to Forest City,

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where he purchased an improved property. He erected and owns the business block in which his grocery store is located.

Thomas Brown was married November 17, 1864, to Miss Jane Monteith, who was born in Ireland, March 27, 1844. To Thomas and Jane Brown have been born five children, as follows : (1) John M., editor of the Forest City News, mar- ried Miss Florence Bivins, and has one child, Mon- tieth. (2) James A., a compositor on the Forest City Newes, married Miss Hattie McGlafflin, and has two children. (3) Rebecca is the wife of W. J. Maxey, a lawyer of Forest City; they have three children, Rexford, Florence and one whose name is not given. (4) Thomas, a compositor, resides with his father. (5) Mamie J.

Thomas Brown in 1888 established the Forest City News, which he and his sons have most suc- cessfully conducted. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Methodist Church. He possesses an unusually fine library, has a decided taste for literature, and is one of the best informed citizens of Forest City.

WILLIAM GOODNOUGH is one of the younger business men of Winterdale, Scott town- ship, Wayne county, but his ability, enterprise and upright methods have already established for him an enviable reputation, and his popularity is estab- lished on a firm basis-that of his own well-tested merit.

Mr. Goodnough was born in Delaware county, N. Y., December 13, 1867, a son of H. S. and Ade- laide (Marble) Goodnough. The father was born in Stamford, same county, and in that State was mar- ried and continued to follow farming until 1883, when he removed to Winterdale, Wayne Co., Penn., where he has since followed the carpenter's trade. Our subject is the eldest of four children, the others being as follows: (2) Lula, born in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1869, is now the wife of Girard Tarvox, of Winterdale, and has two children; (3) Bell, born in Broome county, N. Y., in 1877, is the wife of Winfield Rosenkrans, of Sherman, Wayne county. (4) Walter, the youngest of the family, died in infancy.

William Goodnough obtained his education in the public schools, and at the age of twenty years began his business career as a jobber in stone and contractor to furnish wood for the chemical works of his district. In a few years, by his industry, he became the owner of a large tract of timberland, the wood from which he sold to the chemical works, where it was used in the manufacture of wood alcohol. Since 1889 he has successfully engaged in the stone quarry business on the Delaware river, and in this line has also met with excellent success. In 1893 he purchased real estate in the village of Winterdale, where he has since made his home.

In 1890 Mr. Goodnough was united in marriage with Miss Theckla Bone, of Illinois, who in 1887 came to Wayne county, Penn., with her parents.

They were natives of Germany, and on coming to the New World located in Illinois, where they made their home for some years. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Goodnough, but Walter, the eldest, died in childhood. Those still living are Bernice, Grace, Leland, and Ferda May, who was born in 1897.

Throughout his entire married life, Mr. Good- nough has made his home in Winterdale, and be- sides his property in that village, he in October, 1896, purchased 200 acres of timberland, in Buck- ingham township, Wayne county, from which he furnishes the wood to the chemical works of Balds Eddy, as previously stated. He is a wide-awake and energetic business man, of known reliability, and has the respect of all who know him. Relig- iously, he was reared in the Baptist Church, and politically has always been identified with the Re- publican party.

A. E. FOSTER, the well-known and popular station agent and telegraph operator at Starrucca, Wayne county, was born in Ararat, Penn., a son of W. S. and A. C. Foster, who now make their home in Thompson, Susquehanna county, where the father is engaged in millinery and general mercan- tile business. He is a native of that county, and is a veteran of the Civil war, having served as captain in a Michigan regiment for three years, and par- ticipating in the battles of Bull Run, the Wilder- ness, Antietam and other engagements. After his return from the army he was married and engaged in lumbering for a number of years. Four chil- dren constituted his family, namely: Edward, born in Ararat, married Cora Leonard, and died at an early age, leaving a widow and one daughter, Emma; Guy, born in Ararat, was educated in the public schools of Susquehanna county, and is still at home with his parents; Emma, born in Thomp- son, died in childhood ; and A. E.

After completing his education in the public schools of Susquehanna county, A. E. Foster, the subject of this sketch, entered the employ of the railroad company at Thompson, where he learned telegraphy. For a number of years he has now filled the position of operator at Starrucca, has gained the confidence and esteem of his employers, and is a general favorite with the traveling public, as he is kind and obliging at all times. He married Miss Bessie Carpenter, of Uniondale, Penn. They hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Starrucca, and, politically, Mr. Foster is identified with the Republican party.

M. HENRY, a well-to-do and highly esteemed citizen of Paradise township, Monroe county, was born in April, 1843, in Pocono township, and is a representative of an old and prominent family of the county, whose members have been men of broad and liberal views, enterprising and energetic, and of good business ability. His grandfather, Arthur Henry, was born and reared in Bucks county, Penn.,

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but at an early day came to Monroe county, being among the pioneer settlers of Pocono township. He married Sallie Posten and reared a family.

Jacob Henry, our subject's father, was a native of Monroe county, and on reaching man's estate married Miss Maria Price, a daughter of Eleazer Price. He purchased a large amount of land in Pocono township and engaged in lumbering and farming, rafting his lumber down Brodhead creek to Delaware Water Gap, and then down the Dela- ware river to Philadelphia, where it was marketed. After clearing away the timber he developed a good large farm from this land and made many improve- ments thereon. For many years he was one of the leading lumbermen of the county, and was promi- nently identified with public interests. He was a man of fine business qualifications, gave liberally to the support of churches and schools, and he was highly honored and respected by the entire com- munity in which he lived. He died on his farm in Pocono township, in October, 1867, and his worthy wife passed away in 1875.

In their family were the following children : (I) James married Mary A. Plattenburg, of Stroud township, Monroe county, and engaged in farming in Pocono township until July, 1898, when called from this life. He left five children, namely : Samuel; John; Eliza, wife of Timothy Crossman, of Monroe county ; Allina, wife of Frank Marter, of Pocono township; and Nettie, wife of Harvey Detrick, of Stroud township, Monroe county. (2) Melissa, born in Pocono township, married Joseph Smith, of the same township, and they moved to Battle Creek, Mich., where she died, leaving two children-Samuel and Annie, who are still resi- dents of Michigan. (3) Addison, born and reared in Pocono township, married Violet Seebring, of the same township and engaged in farming there until his death, in 1893. He left a widow, and five children-Jacob, Effie, Charles, Frank and Harry. (4) Joseph, who was born and reared on the old homestead, married Shook, of Stroudsburg, and they moved to Kansas, where he followed farm- ing near Topeka until his death in 1892. His wife died a few years later, leaving a family who still reside in that State. (5) Subject of this review is referred to farther on. (6) Jasper moved to Mich- igan on reaching manhood, and was there married and continued for a time to reside, but when last heard from was living on the Pacific coast. (7)

Annie married Joshua Berry, of Pocono township, and with their family they now reside in California.

Reared on the home farm in Pocono township, our subject assisted his father in his farming and lumber operations, and attended the neighboring schools during the winter months. War having been declared between the North and South, he enlisted in October, 1862, at the age of nineteen years, in Company C, 176th P. V. I., under Col. A. A. Leckley, and Major Schoonover, of Pike county, and was sworn into the United States ser- vice at Philadelphia. As a part of the Army of the

Potomac the regiment was under the command of Gens. Peck and McClelland, but it was later trans- ferred to the Army of the South, under Gen. Gil- more. On the expiration of the nine months of his enlistment our subject was mustered out August 2, 1863, Soon after his return home he went to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he enlisted as guard for a colony crossing the plains to California, but the company was soon disbanded and he re-enlisted in the United States service for the remainder of the war. With his regiment he went to Nashville, Tenn., then on to Chattanooga, where an engage- ment was brought on. With the Army of the Ten- nessee under command of Gen. Sherman he took part in the battle of Savage Station and later in the battle of Atlanta, where Gen. McPherson was killed, and where both armies lost heavily. After the evacuation of that city they went on the cele- brated march to the sea, then marched to Savannah and on to Columbia, S. C. From Newark, N. C., they were transported to Washington, D. C., where they participated in the Grand Review. Returning to Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Henry was honorably dis- charged May 1, 1865, and in October of that year he was again in Monroe county.

For two years Mr. Henry engaged in lumber- ing in Elk county, Penn., and from there went to Johnsonburg, Mckean county, where he worked for Gen. Kain as a contractor in road building, and in this undertaking he was remarkably successful. He continued in the lumber business throughout the western part of the State until 1870, when he re- turned to Monroe county. On the 14th of Septem- ber, of that year, he married Miss Elizabeth La Bar, daughter of Robert and Mary A. La Bar, repre- sentative of one of the old and prominent families of the county. Soon after his marriage he pur- chased 150 acres of land in Paradise township, which he has transformed into one of the well culti- vated and highly improved farms of the locality, it being supplied with good buildings and all the accessories found on a model farm of the nineteenth century.

To Mr. and Mrs. Henry have been born five daughters, as follows: Annie is now the wife of Theodore Berry, of Stroud township, Monroe county, and among their children are named Thomas, Mertie, and Nettie. (2) May is the wife of David Hallett, a farmer of Smithfield township, Monroe county, and they have two children-Thomas and one whose name is not given. (3) Susan was edu- cated in the local schools and is now at home. (4) Mellie, and (5) Blanch, born in 1885, are still under the parental roof, and are attending the district schools.

In his political affiliations Mr. Henry is an un- compromising Republican, and in his social rela- tions he is a member of Wadsworth Post, No. 150, G. A. R., of Stroudsburg, and also the Patriotic Order Sons of America. As a citizen and neighbor he is respected and esteemed by all, his genial, kindly disposition making him a favorite among the

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people of the community, while as an honorable and upright man, as well as a brave soldier, he has no superiors in Monroe county.

JAMES STIRK. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is pos- sible to accomplish when perseverance and deter- mination form the keynote to a man's life. Depend- ing upon his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, Mr. Stirk has achieved success in his chosen calling, and is to-day one of the sub- stantial citizens of Sherman, Wayne county, where he successfully operates both a woolen factory and sawmill.

Mr. Stirk was born in Bradford, England, in 1834, a son of Henry and Alice (Herd) Stirk, who spent their entire lives in that country. In their family were nine children, the others being William, Samuel, Sarah, Henry, Thomas, John, Joseph and Frederick, all of whom remained in England. Our subject attended the schools of his native land to a limited extent, and in that country learned the trade of manufacturing woolen goods. In 1853 he came to America, and in Lawrence, Mass., erected and put in operation the Pacific Mills, the ma- chinery for which he had brought from England, it being the first manufactory of the kind in the country. At the end of three years he severed his connection with that mill and went to Philadelphia, where he started the mills for the McCalmus Com- pany. Subsequently he worked for Yudels, of Phil- adelphia, for seven years, and was next in the employ of Manual Hay & Co., owners of worsted mills near that city. In 1869 he began buying and selling wool, and was thus employed for a number of years.

In 1872 Mr. Stirk was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Jane McDowell, of Massachusetts, a daughter of Francis McDowell, who was born in Scotland and belonged to an old and highly re- spected family of that country. Her maternal grandfather was a relative of Sir Isaac Newton. On coming to the New World Mr. McDowell first located in New York, and from there removed to Massachusetts, where he spent the remainder of his life. In that State Mrs. Stirk was reared, edu- cated and married to our subject. They have be- come the parents of two children: (1) John, born in Providence, R. I., was educated in the schools of Windsor, N. Y., and is now connected with his father in the operation of the woolen-mill at Sher- man, Wayne county. He married Carrie Jacobs, of Sherman, and has two children. (2) Alice, born in Lawrence, Mass., in 1876, completed her educa- tion in the high school of Windsor, N. Y. She mar- ried Edward Miller, of Walton, that State, who is now attending medical lectures in Baltimore, Md., but makes his home in Windsor, N. Y. They have three children, Ethel, Alice and Hannah.

After his marriage, Mr. Stirk located in Provi- dence, R. I., where he continued the business of buying and selling wool for three years, and then was similarly employed by A. Sprague & Co., in Cincinnati and other western cities. Later he erected a woolen-mill in Montgomery, N. Y., for Edward Acres, and afterward was employed in a woolen factory at Great Bend, Susquehanna Co., Penn., for three years, during which time he erected a factory at Windsor, N. Y., remaining there five years. On selling out he came to Sherman, Wayne Co., Penn., in 1892, and erected his present woolen factory, which he has since run in connection with the operation of a sawmill.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 375

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