Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 376

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 376
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 376
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 376
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 376

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).

Since becoming an American citizen, Mr. Stirk has always affiliated with the Republican party, and he and his wife are active and prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. He started out in life for himself as a poor boy in a strange land with only a knowledge of the woolen trade, but being indus- trious and enterprising he steadily worked his way upward, and is to-day the owner of one of the largest woolen-mills in the county, besides other valuable property. He owns not a dollar that he has not honestly acquired by himself, and his suc- cess should furnish both lesson and incentive, as does his life an example of honest worth and un- swerving integrity.

FREDERICK S. PRICE, a blacksmith and dealer in wagons, buggies, carriages, sleighs, tools, etc., has been in business at Tyler Hill for a third of a century, and is well-known all over Wayne county. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable business methods which he has followed have won him the support and confidence of many. He is a man of broad capabilities, carrying forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertakes, and has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property.

Mr. Price was born in Manchester township, Wayne county, June 21, 1848, and belongs to one of the old and prominent families of the county. His grandfather, Samuel Price, also a blacksmith by trade, settled here at an early day, coming from the southern part of the State. He was of Ger- man descent, and was a noted hunter. During pioneer days his wife was a prominent midwife, and assisted at the birth of many who have since become leading citizens of the county. Often at night when her services were needed she would take a light and paddle across the Delaware river in a canoe. At one time she had an encounter with a bear that was trying to secure a calf near the bank of the river, and she and her husband tasted the bitterness as well as the sweets of pioneer life. This brave couple reared four sons, three of whom died in defense of their country during the Civil war, the father of our subject being the only one to sur- vive. They were George, Job, Henry and Paul P.

Paul Price, our subject's father, was born and reared in Wayne county, and when the war of the

1613

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Rebellion broke out he joined Sherman's army, be- coming a brave and gallant soldier. For a time he served as orderly, and when finally discharged re- turned home with a war record of which he could be justly proud. As a life work he also engaged in blacksmithing, and he was a man admired and respected by all. He wedded Mary. Anne Taylor, daughter of James Taylor, a native of England, and to them were born two children: Frederick S., of this review ; and Dora, wife of George Good- rich, a railroad man of Aurora, Ill. The father died in Wayne county at the age of sixty-five years.

Reared under the parental roof, Frederick S. Price early became familiar with the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, and at the age of eight- een years he was admitted to partnership. He has since carried on operations at Tyler Hill, and is an expert workman in iron and steel. Besides his place of business he owns a valuable farm of 300 acres on the turnpike road, which is improved with a good residence, barns, etc. Financially he is re- garded as one of the solid men of the county.

In 1872 Mr. Price was united in marriage with Miss Mary Anne Thompson, a lady of intelligence, who has proved to her husband a true helpmeet. She was born, reared and educated in Sullivan county, N. Y., and is a daughter of Alexander and Jane (McGaw) Thompson, natives of Belfast, Ire- land, who were of Scotch-Irish parentage. While crossing the ocean the vessel on which her parents sailed was wrecked during a storm and they took refuge on an iceberg, from which they were sub- sequently rescued by another ship. Their son William was drowned at this time. Their children were: John, Eliza, James, William, Samuel, Mary Anne, Susan and Alexander. Both parents were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and died in Sullivan county, N. Y. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Price, four of whom are now living: Lorenzo B., who married Libby Bird Tyler, and has one child, Florence; Sidney ; Mabel and Marvin. Bertie died at the age of six years.

In politics, Mr. Price was originally a Repub- lican, but lately has cast his ballot in support of the Prohibition party, as he is a strong temperance man. Still in the prime of life, he is very strong, and is keenly alive to the pleasures of outdoor life, being a devotee of the rod and gun. He is jovial and genial with lots of Irish wit, and few men in Wayne county have a wider circle of friends than he.

JOHN J. ERVIN, a well-known and honored citizen of Rush township, Susquehanna county, is the possessor of a comfortable property which now enables him to lay aside all business cares and spend his remaining days in ease and quiet. It is to his perseverance, indomitable energy, close application and untiring industry that he owes his success in life, for at the outset of his career he was not aided by wealth or influence.

Mr. Ervin was born in Warren county, N. J., June 7, 1833, a son of James and Mary A. (Angle)

Ervin, also natives of that county, where the mother died in October, 1849, at the age of fifty years, being laid to rest in Delaware cemetery, Warren county. In 1865, the father accompanied our sub- ject and family on their removal to Susquehanna county, Penn., but ten years later he returned to his native county, where he died in 1887, at the age of eighty-six years, and his remains were interred be- side those of his wife. Both were consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were held in high regard by all who knew them. Their children were: William, a cooper, of Warren coun- ty, N. J .; Margaret, who died young; Ann M., . widow of John Beck, of Warren county ; John J., our subject ; James, who died in Ohio; Elsa, widow of Edward Bean, of Ohio; and Mary E., wife of James Van Kirk, of Warren county, New Jersey.

In early life John J. Ervin attended the dis- trict schools near his boyhood home and at the age of eight years entered his father's cooper shop, where he learned the trade, working there unin- terruptedly until he attained his majority. The fol- lowing four years he was employed as a farm hand, and then conducted a cooper shop of his own in Warren county, N. J., for seven years. As pre- viously stated he came to Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1865, and after renting a farm in Auburn township for six years, he purchased his present farm of 1613 acres in Rush township, known as the Redding farm. Although but seventy-five acres had been cleared at that time, now the entire tract with the exception of thirty acres is under a high state of cultivation. In connection with farming, he carried on operations as a huckster for some years, hauling his produce to Scranton, but in 1885 he retired from that business, and has since de- voted his attention solely to agricultural pursuits. Success has crowned his well-directed efforts, and he is now one of the well-to-do and prosperous farmers of the community, owning one of the most beautiful and desirable places in Rush township. He is now sixty-six years of age, but is well pre- served and enjoys remarkably good health, having never but once been confined to his bed by sickness, that being January 1, 1899.

On July 2, 1859, in Warren county, N. J., Mr. Ervin married Miss Ann M. Henry, and they have become the parents of five children: Jabez, who married Merilla Titman, and is engaged in farming in Warren county, N. J .; Mary E., wife of George Hibbard, a farmer of Auburn township, Susque- hanna county ; John M., who married Augusta Brotzman and is engaged in farming in Rush town- ship, Susquehanna county ; Warren, a clerk in Rush, Penn .; and Luvern, a fur dealer residing at home. Mrs. Ervin, who is a most estimable lady, was born in Warren county, N. J., July 10, 1842, and is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Cawl) Henry, also natives of that county, whence they removed to Sus- quehanna county, Penn., locating first in Auburn township. Later they went to Bradford county, Penn., where the father died in October, 1868, after

1614

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

which the mother returned to Susquehanna county and made her home with a son in Bridgewater town- ship, where she passed away in April, 1878. The remains of both were interred in Jersey Hill ceme- tery. They were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. In their family were the fol- lowing children: Elizabeth (deceased), who mar- ried (first) David Kitchen, and (second) Isaac Brown; George, who died in Bridgewater township; Margaret, widow of Isaac Kitchen, and a resident of Warren county, N. J .; Alfred, who died in War- ren county ; Hester, wife of John Ralston, a farmer of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county ; Joseph, a farmer of Liberty township, Susquehanna county ; Mathias, a farmer of Kansas; David, a farmer of Bedford county, Penn. ; and Ann M., wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are also con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and occupy an enviable position in the esteem of their neighbors and many friends. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and has served as poor director for three years, but has never aspired to office.

T. J. CARR, a leading and representative citi- zen of New Milford, Susquehanna county, was born in Wilkesbarre, Penn., in February, 1837, a son of Edward and Susan (Kepple) Carr.

The father was born July 4, 1804, in Philadel- phia, where he was reared and married, it being about 1832 when the family removed to Wilkes- barre, where he engaged in the harness business throughout the remainder of his life, dying there in 1889, at the age of eighty-five years. The mother died in the same city in 1854. In their family were children as follows: William, a harness maker by trade, died in Harford, Susquehanna county, in 1863; George is engaged in the same business in Independence, Iowa ; Charles, also a harness maker, died in Factoryville, Wyoming Co., Penn., in 1870; T. J. is next in order of birth ; Sarah is the wife of Riley Loomis, of Wyoming county ; Margaret died in Wilkesbarre at the age of twenty-two; Emma married Dennison Large, and died in Lenox town- ship, Susquehanna county, in 1872; Edward makes his home in Iowa ; and John, also a resident of Iowa, was married in Trenton, N. J., and is a farmer by occupation.

T. J. Carr was reared and educated in his na- tive city, where he also learned the harness maker's trade with W. W. Loomis, and on coming to Sus- quehanna county, in 1857, he engaged in that busi- ness in Harford for eight years. He was then in- terested in merchandising for seventeen years at the same place, and in 1888 came to New Milford and purchased the general store of Mr. Van Bus- kirk, which he conducted for three years and a half. He has since been interested in farming and the real estate business, and is now the owner of three valu- able farms in New Milford township; one of 250 acres, which is one of the best dairy farms in the township, being well improved and well stocked

with a high grade of cattle; another of 166 acres; and the third of 122 acres. He also owns property in the village which he rents, and has two farms in Harford township, one of fifty acres, the other of 100 acres.

In 1858, Mr. Carr was married in Harford to Miss Eleanora Very, who was born in that place, a daughter of Zerah and Lavina ( Richardson) Very, natives of Vermont and pioneers of Harford town- ship. Four children were born of this union: Mrs. Lavina Hollard, now a resident of Los Angeles, Cal .; Ida, deceased; Anna, wife of William B. Mil- ler, of Moscow, Penn .; and Clarence, who died in Harford. The wife and mother departed this life at the same place in October, 1869, and there in 1870 Mr. Carr was again married, his second union being with Miss Evaline Sweet, a native of Sus- quehanna county, and a daughter of Stephen Sweet. She died in Harford, in 1874, leaving one child, William S., now a resident of New Orleans. In New Milford Mr. Carr wedded Miss Mary Adelia Phillips, who was born in that village, a daughter of William and Mary J. (Campbell) Phillips, both now deceased, the former dying in 1883, the latter in 1888. By this marriage Mr. Carr has four chil- dren: Frank, who is married and lives in New Milford; Leo; Harry and Ella.

In his political affiliations Mr. Carr is a Demo- crat, and he has served his fellow-citizens as con- stable of his township. Socially he is a member of New Milford Camp, No. 589, P. O. S. of A., and merits and receives the respect and esteem of all who know him, for his career has been an honorable and upright one.

ELIAS T. TITMAN, one of the most promi- nent and influential agriculturists of Springville township, Susquehanna county, is a native of New Jersey, born in Blairstown township, Warren coun- ty, March 15, 1838, and is a representative of one of the old and honored families of that county, where his grandparents, George and Mary Titman, farming people, spent their entire lives. They reared a large family of children, namely: Elias, father of our subject; Baldus, who died on the old homestead in Warren county; John, who died in the same county ; Philip, who died in Auburn town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn .; William, who died in Michigan; George, who died in Warren county, N. J .; Isaac, who died in Montana; Mary Ann, widow of Lemuel Wilson, of Warren county, N. J .; Abraham, who died in that county; and Jacob, a resident of Montrose, Pennsylvania.

Elias Titman, father of our subject, was a life- long resident of Warren county, N. J., and followed the occupation of farming, owning and operating a fine farm of 250 acres adjoining the old homestead, which comprised 300 acres. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, and he served on the election board. He married Miss Phoebe Harris, aiso a na- tive of Warren county, and a daughter of John Harris. He died May 3, 1884, aged seventy-six

1615

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years, and she passed away January 23, 1891, in Susquehanna county, Penn., at the age of eighty-six. To this worthy couple were born the following chil- dren : George, a carpenter of Blairstown, N. J .; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Elijah Crane, of Auburn township, Susquehanna Co., Penn .; Jacob, who died in New Jersey ; Mary, wife of A. N. Stone, a farmer of Springville township, Susquehanna county ; John, who was in Kansas when last heard from; Alex- ander, a machinist of Scranton, Penn .; Elias T., our subject; Lucy Jane, deceased wife of Marshall Reed, of Blairstown, N. J .; Lemuel, who died of smallpox at Columbus, Ohio, while serving in the regular army during the Civil war ; and Elijah, who died at the age of two years.

In the county of his nativity the subject of this sketch remained until twenty-one years of age, acquiring his education in the common schools. He then came to Auburn township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., where he first worked for $5 per month. During the war of the Rebellion he manifested his patriotism by enlisting, September 15, 1862, in Com- pany A, 15Ist P. V. I., under Capt. G. L. Stone, and was discharged July 29, 1863. Going to Iowa, he enlisted, March 14, 1865, in Company H, 58th Ill. V. I., and was honorably discharged February 3, 1866, with the rank of corporal. He was on duty in Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia, was on the skirmish line much of the time, and partici- pated in the battle of Chancellorsville. He was ill in the hospital at Montgomery, Ala., for a time.

Returning to Susquehanna county at the close of the war, Mr. Titman resumed farming. In 1862 he had purchased a partially improved farm of fifty acres, which he sold a year later, buying 100 acres in Auburn township, which he owned for two years. His next purchase consisted of fifty acres in the same township, and on disposing of that at the end of two years, he bought 120 acres in Auburn town- ship, which he operated for ten years. Subsequently he owned a tract of 100 acres there for seventeen years, and when he sold that place he came, in 1888, to Springville township, and purchased his present fine farm, consisting of 312 acres, of which only seventy-five acres are now covered with timber. Here he has a fine maple grove of 1,000 trees, from which he manufactures 300 gallons of syrup each year, and he could make three times as much if more help was available. He is engaged in general farm- ing, raising corn, oats and buckwheat, and also gives considerable attention to sheep raising (hav- ing upon his place thirty-five head). and dairying, keeping thirty milch cows. Besides these he has fifteen head of young stock. There are two fine residences upon his farm, commodious and sub- stantial barns and outbuildings, and he intends to erect a hotel, at a cost of $2,500, upon a tract of ten acres in Springville township. He is an enterpris- ing, progressive citizen, of more than ordinary busi- ness ability, and carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes.

On May 12, 1861, Mr. Titman was united in

marriage with Miss Almira Lowe, a daughter of Cornelius and Elsie H. (Brown) Lowe, who lived in Auburn township for many years, dying there. Her paternal grandparents, Cornelius and Mary Lowe, were residents of Blairstown township, Warren Co., N. J., as were also her maternal grandparents, Nich- olas and Keturah Brown. Mrs. Titman was born January 12, 1845, and is one of a large family of children, in order of birth as follows: Josiah, de- ceased; Margaret, deceased wife of Nathan Ber- dick, of Dimock township, Susquehanna county ; Keturah, deceased wife of James Kynion, of Rush township, Susquehanna county ; Harrison B., who died in Auburn township; George T., a resident of Elk Lake, Dimock township; Mary A., who mar- ried Horace Dewel (both are now deceased) ; Sarah, wife of Amos Bennett, of Sayre, Penn .; Leander, a huckster of Auburn township; Almira, wife of our subject; Benjamin B., a farmer of Auburn township; and Emma, wife of Jeremiah Hyde, of Auburn township. To Mr. and Mrs. Titman have been born six children, namely: Leander, who died at the age of twenty-two years; George F., who died on a ranch in New Mexico, at the age of twen- ty-eight; Orvilla, wife of Henry Love, of Auburn township; Elsie, wife of Frederick Yates, of Pitts- ton, Penn., who has one daughter, Rhea; John R., who married Cora Smith, and has two children, Harold Lee and Raymond Miles; and Nicholas, a farmer, who married Lilly Johnson.

The Republican party always finds in Mr. Tit- man a stanch supporter of its principles, and for six years he has most capably and satisfactorily served as supervisor of Auburn township. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and his sons belong to the Five States Milk Association. He is a courteous, genial gentleman, one who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in con- tact, in either business or social life, and is justly deserving of the high regard in which he is held.

N. O. MAJOR, proprietor of the "Major Hotel," at Hallstead, Susquehanna county, is promi- nent in business life and as a citizen has proved him- self public-spirited and progressive. His genial nature has won him many friends and it would be difficult to find a better known and more popular man in private life in this section.

Mr. Major belongs to a well known family of this section, his grandfather, Wilson Major, having been a native of Monroe county, born in 1805, and became a farmer and miller by occupation. He took a leading part in the affairs of his locality, serving as supervisor and for forty years as poor- master. In politics he was a Democrat, and he was active in religious work as a member of the Baptist Church. He died in 1889. Among his children were: Helen, who married Henry Wilsey, and died some years ago at Tyler Hill; Hiram; Ger- trude, who married M. Fredenburg, of St. Paul, Minn. ; William ; Anna is the wife of a Mr. Wheeler, of Dakota ; and Milton, who died in Honesdale.

1616

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Our subject's father was born in Wyoming county, Penn., and for some years followed farming in Wayne county, but in 1890 he sold his farm there and removed to his present home in Broome county, N. Y. He is a Republican in politics, and as a citizen is held in high esteem. In November, 1861, he enlisted in a company of Pennsylvania volun- teers, but after serving for a time in the defence of the Union the hardships of army life brought on inflammatory rheumatism, which so crippled him that he was discharged. He married and to the union were born children as follows: Sarah is the wife of George W. Burnside, of Alton, Ill. ; N. O. is our subject ; Ida is the wife of E. E. Brown, of Tyler Hill; William, a glass blower, is located at Binghamton, N. Y .; Gertrude is the wife of Jacob Wallace, of Schoharie, N. Y .; George and Louis are both residents of Lestershire, N. Y.

N. O. Major, our subject, was born January 29, 1862, in Damascus township, Wayne county, and his education was completed in the academy in Damascus village. As a young man he spent two years in the oil fields of Bedford county, Penn., where he carried on a profitable business as a dealer in oil, and then, after three months at Tyler Hill, Wayne county, he went to Great Bend as a clerk in the "Central House," where he remained eleven years. For some time he rented the house and con- ducted it on his own account, but in 1892 he located at Hallstead, purchasing property and erecting the "Major House." On September 25, 1889, he was married to Miss Anna Reinhart, who was born March 25, 1868, at Tannersville, Monroe county, and three children have blessed the union, namely : Charles, Helen, and Franklin. Mr. Major and his wife are prominent in the best social circles of their locality, and he is a leading worker in the Masonic fraternity, being an active member of Great Bend Lodge, No. 338, F. & A. M .; he is also a member of Chapter No. 210 at the same place, and of a Commandery of K. T., and at the various meetings and conventions of the order he is an honored visitor. Politically he is a Republican, but his allegiance does not depend on official rewards as he prefers to devote his attention to other interests.

SAMUEL S. DEUEL, a well-known and prominent business man of Rush, Susquehanna county, is successfully engaged in general black- smithing and wagonmaking, receiving a liberal patronage from the people of the village and sur- rounding country. Being a skilled workman and an upright and reliable business man, his success is well merited. A native of the county, Mr. Deuel was born in Friendsville, July 28, 1866, and is a son of William H. and Elizabeth A. ( Zeli) Deuel, whose sketch appears elsewhere.

The first fourteen years of his life Samuel S. Deuel spent in much the usual manner of farmer boys, assisting in the labor of the farm and attending the local schools. After that he worked for neigh- boring farmers until he attained his majority and

then entered the blacksmith shop of F. W. Strange, at Birchardville, where he spent two years in learn- ing the trade. During the following six months he was in the employ of Asa Hickok at Rush, and then built his present shop at that place, where he has since successfully carried on operations as a general blacksmith and wagonmaker. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.

On May 19, 1888, at Tracy Creek, N. Y., Mr. Deuel married Miss Ella Snell, who has been a true helpmeet to her husband, and has successfully con- ducted a dressmaking and millinery establishment in Rush for the past fourteen years. They have two children : Edith M. and Floyd S. Mrs. Deuel was born in Wyalusing, Bradford Co., Penn., a daugh- ter of Sylvanius and Elizabeth (Franklin) Snell, the former a native of New York State, the latter of Wyoming county, Penn. The father, who was a sawyer and millwright by trade, resided in Rush, Susquehanna county, for eighteen years, and there died June 5, 1897, aged seventy-three years. The mother passed away in Milwaukee, Wis., January 3, 1892, aged fifty-five years. To them were born two children: Orand, a blacksmith of Fulton county, N. Y .; and Ella, wife of our subject. The father was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Bald- win, by whom he had five children: Libby, Polly, John, Lafayette and Charles.

JOHN P. CARMER, who has been closely identified with the business interests of Bossardsville for over twenty years, is prominent among the en- ergetic, wide-awake and successful business men of Monroe county. His career proves that true success in life is that which is attained by personal effort and consecutive industry, and it also proves that the road to success is open to all young men who have the courage to tread its pathway. The life record of such a man should prove an inspira- tion to the young of this and future generations, and teach by incontrovertible facts that success is am- bition's answer.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 376

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