Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 378

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 378
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 378
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 378
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 378

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JAMES B. DOWLING, the well-known fore- man of the Mt. Pocono Ice Company, of Goulds- boro, Wayne county, was born August 11, 1863, in Tobyhanna, Penn., and is a son of Richard and Bridget (McGrath) Dowling, who were born, reared and married in Ireland. Both his paternal grandparents, Watts and Mary Dowling, and ma- ternal grandparents, Peter and Margaret McGrath, spent their entire lives in Ireland.

The parents of our subject emigrated to Amer- ica in 1857 and first located in Hawley, Penn., and later moved to Middle Creek, Wayne county. The father, who was for some years in the employ of the Lackawanna railroad, died at Lehigh Summit, in 1863, at the age of forty years. In the following year the family came to Gouldsboro, where the mother, who was born May 1, 1828, still makes her home. The children are as follows: Margaret, now the wife of Patrick Hefler, a laborer of Goulds- boro; Mary, wife of N. Blight, of Wayne county ; Patrick, an employe of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, residing in Wayne county ; John, also a railroad employe at Tobyhanna, Mon- roe Co., Penn .; and James B., the subject of this sketch.

Until he attained the age of twenty-five years, James B. Dowling remained with his mother, and then took charge of the section on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad from Gouldsboro to Tobyhanna, continuing in that employ until he accepted the position of foreman for the Mt. Pocono Ice Co., May 25, 1897. He faithfully looks after the interests of the company, who recognize in him a most valuable employe.

In Scranton, Penn., August 27, 1885, Mr. Dowling was married, by Father McCandra, to Miss Cassie Siglin, a daughter of Henry and Mary (De Lacey) Siglin, both natives of Lackawanna county, the latter born in Scranton, where they still make their home. Mrs. Dowling was born August 21, 1865, and is fourth in the order of birth in a family

of seven children, the others being as follows: (I) John and (2) Harry are both residents of Scran- ton. (3) Mary is the wife of John Kennedy, of Brooklyn; (5) Ella is the wife of M. E. Smith, of Gouldsboro, and has four children-Bessie, born February 9, 1884, Grace, born February 22, 1886, Anna, born February 6, 1888, and Gertrude, born December 2, 1892; (6) Maggie is the wife of Mat- thew Brannan, of Scranton; and (7) Emma lives in the same city. Mrs. Dowling's paternal grand- father was William Siglin, a native of Germany, and her maternal grandfather was William De Lacey, a native of Ireland. Our subject and his wife have a family of five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Grace, August 16, 1887; Alice, May 14, 1889; Edgar, September 14, 1891 ; Anna, September 4, 1893 ; and Maurice, June 21, 1895.

Politically, Mr. Dowling is a stanch Repub- lican; socially, he is an honored member of the Improved Order of Red Men at Tobyhanna and of the Railroad Mutual Association at Scranton ; while in religious faith he is a Catholic. For the past six years he has efficiently served as school director, and in both public and private life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him.

JOSIAH FOSTER TERWILLIGER, who passed to the unseen life February II, 1898, was for many years an honored resident of Pike county. He had not quite reached the allotted term of "three- score years and ten," his birth having occurred De- cember 3, 1829. His life was so active and his inter- est in current events so wide that he was closely identified with the progress of the community from an early day.

Our subject was born at Montague, in a house which now adjoins the Reformed church, and his parents, Matthew and Phœbe (Doolittle) Terwilli- ger, were prominent among the residents of that locality. As a mere boy he went to Milford to make his home with an uncle, "Arch" Brink, re- maining several years. During this time he took advantage of the limited educational opportunities afforded by the local schools, and at an early age he began to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he became an expert, evidences of his skill being found in various places in this section to the present day. Before he attained his majority he went to Port Jervis with his father, and helped in the construc- tion of many buildings there. At that time-during the forties-Port Jervis was a wilderness and there were only six houses within its borders. An excel- lent chance was afforded Mr. Terwilliger to make a fortune, for he was offered the lands now occu- pied by that village for ten dollars an acre, but he did not embrace the opportunity, as it was then deemed impossible for a railroad to penetrate the mountainous region.

Early in 1850 Mr. Terwilliger removed to Westfall (now Rowland), and he did much for the

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development and upbuilding of that hamlet. After a brief residence there he married Roxy Brink, a daughter of the late Moses and Ann Brink, who owned several thousand acres of land between Lack- awaxen and Honesdale, extending from the turn- pike to the Delaware river. Two children, Emma and Almer, were born to them at Rowland. In 1858 Mr. Terwilliger took up a government claim near Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., and moved his small family thither. He built a log house on the claim and improved the land; but life in the West being far too dormant for his progressive nature, he in about a year returned to Rowland. Dur- ing his residence in the West a daughter, Ann, came to bless the home. The Indians, although peaceful, roamed over the lands, and many of the Redskins spent days in camp on Mr. Terwilliger's farm, en- joying his unselfish hospitalities.

On returning to Rowland, in 1859, Mr. Terwil- liger located on the farm which had been his resi- dence prior to the Western trip. Here four chil- dren were born, viz .: Kate, Hattie, Frank and Webster. About thirty years ago Mr. Terwilliger's first wife died, of consumption, and one year later he was married to Mrs. Maria Buck, of Lacka- waxen, by whom he had two children, Russell and Sila. In 1871 he removed to Hawley, where he re- sided for three years. The last twelve years of his life he spent between Narrowsburg, N. Y., and Lackawaxen, on a farm. He was engaged in build- ing the D. & H. aqueduct across the Delaware at Lackawaxen, about eighteen years ago, and he also built many dwellings in Lackawaxen and vicinity.

"Si" Terwilliger, as he was familiarly known throughout the county, was an active figure in local politics in his younger days. He was a stanch and uncompromising Democrat in his political principles, and was not infrequently honored with local offices of honor and trust. At different times he held every office in Lackawaxen township, and at one par- ticular period he was assessor, supervisor, overseer of poor, constable and collector. He made an excel- lent official, being zealous at all times for the good of the township, ever standing for that which was right and just, and fought bitterly all measures which in his judgment were harmful to the public weal. Mr. Terwilliger was an aspirant on two oc- casions for county office. He ran for sheriff against Chauncey W. Dimmick, but was defeated by a few votes, and was a candidate for county treasurer, but was defeated by Charles R. Biddis. He was a familiar figure about the courts of Pike county for many years, and his circle of friends consequently extended over the county, he being well known in every township. He was constable during the terms of President Judges Barret and Dreher, and had charge of the jury that convicted the engineer for causing the Mast Hope disaster a number of years ago. Personally, Mr. Terwilliger was a very pleas- ant gentleman. He had a great fund of humor, and his society was eagerly sought for. He was of a social nature, although very quiet, enjoyed the so-

ciety of friends as well as any person in the county, and he will be greatly missed by his host of friends. Of his children four are living: Almer, a resi- dent of Milford; Russell, who resides in Jersey City ; Webster, a resident of Dunmore, Penn .; and Sila, wife of Dr. Longstreet, of Narrowsburg. His half-brother, George, also survives him.

Almer Terwilliger has been employed as a watch-case turner in the Milford watch factory for about twenty-five years. He is much respected in the community, and has taken an active part in local affairs, his interest in educational matters being shown in several years of service as school director. At present he is holding office as con- stable and member of the board of health in Mil- ford. His son, Josiah F. Terwilliger, now twenty- one years old, is one of the youngest newspaper men in the State, and gives promise of a brilliant future. He is now foreman and assistant editor of the Milford Dispatch, and is coming to the front as an effective worker in the local Democratic or- ganization. His fellow citizens have recently demon- strated their confidence in his abilities by electing him to the office of borough auditor.

JAMES F. BREWER is entitled to an honor- able place among the best citizens of Hamilton township, Monroe county, both as a descendant of one of her early pioneer families, and as one of her most progressive and intelligent agriculturists, and he is a native of same, born July 25, 1836.

Mr. Brewer's grandfather, James Brewer, was born in New Jersey, and came to Monroe county, Penn., when a young man, locating first in Hamil- ton township, where he remained some years. He finally purchased and settled upon a tract in Pop- lar Valley, Stroud township, where he passed the rest of his busy life, and he became one of the pros- perous citizens of his neighborhood, owning a large amount of real estate. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Brewer married Miss Margaret Fel- ker, who was a native of Stroud township, Monroe county, and they reared a family of ten children, namely: George, John, Samuel, James, Christo- pher, Mary (Mrs. Jacob Heller, of Stroud), Annie (Mrs. James Dennis, of Stroud), Sallie A. (Mrs. John Stout, of Hamilton), Hannah (Mrs Henry Edinger, of Stroud), and Rachel (Mrs. John Dout, of Philadelphia). Of these four are still living --- John, who makes his home in Louisa county, Iowa (he received a good education, and at one time taught in the public schools) ; Samuel, a resident of Northampton county, Penn .; Annie, Mrs. Dennis, now over ninety-three; and Rachel, Mrs. Dout. The parents both died on the farm in Stroud town- ship.

James Brewer, father of James F. Brewer, was born in Hamilton township, and passed his early life there and in Poplar Valley, Stroud township. He married Miss Eleanor Staples, daughter of Francis J. and Annie Staples, prominent pioneers of this section, and granddaughter of John Staples,

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who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, and sub- sequently served in the Revolutionary war under Washington ; after peace was declared he settled at the Delaware Water Gap, in Monroe county, Penn., where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were born twelve children, of whom Annie, born in Hamilton township November 9, 1832, became the wife of Harrison Sebring, and had a family of sixteen chil- dren ; they resided on his farm in Barrett, where Mr. Sebring died, and his widow is still living. Cather- ine J., born in January, 1834, married Reuda Metz- gar, and they removed to Iowa, where they died, leaving five children-James, Jerome, John, Ella and . James F. is third in the order of birth. John, born in October, 1838, received a good education in the public schools, and followed teaching for thirty- five years in Monroe and Northampton counties, meanwhile studying medicine, which he has now practiced for some time; he married Miss Hester Albert, of Smithfield, and they reside in Barrett with their family of five children, Howard, James, Minerva, Sarah Ellen and Anna. Samuel, born in October, 1840, in Stroud township, was well edu- cated, and engaged successfully in teaching for a number of years in the public schools of Monroe county ; he married Miss Annie Hiney, of Monroe county, by whom he has had five children, Allie, Clinton, Gardner, David, and one who died in child- hood ; they reside in Hamilton township, where Mr. Brewer now follows general farming. George, born in 1845, died when a young man. Abram, born January 9, 1848, in Hamilton, married Miss Effie Kinney, who died leaving no children, and for his second wife he married Miss Lizzie Shaffer, of Hamilton, by whom he has eight children-James, Rebecca, Charles, Minnie and Lizzie being men- tioned ; he was at one time engaged in school teach- ing, but he is now living on his farm in Northamp- ton county, where he follows farming. Isaac, born March 18, 1850, in Hamilton, is now a resident of California ; he married Miss Alice Fulker, of Ham- ilton, and they have two children, Milo and Jennie (Mrs. John Keegan), of Stroudsburg. Sallie, Ella and Hannah died young.

The father of this family was one of the best- informed and most useful members of the commun- ity in which he resided, and, besides taking an ac- tive part in the public advancement and welfare, he was a popular man personally, enjoying the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to an un- usual degree. He was a skillful veterinary surgeon, noted all over his township for his success in that calling, and he was frequently called upon to ad- minister to his neighbors in sickness, by his kindli- ness and many sterling qualities of head and heart winning scores of friends in the vicinity of his home. In his earlier life he had learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Mr. Brewer first purchased a home in Pop- lar Valley, which he sold, intending to migrate to Ohio, but for some reason he gave up that plan and settled on a place in Cherry Valley, owned by his

son James, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1863. His faithful wife, who had shared with him all the hardships of his early strug- gles for prosperity and the comforts gained by their united efforts, still survives him, making her home with her son, James. She was born June 8, 181I, and at the advanced age of eighty-eight years is ac- tive and vigorous in both mind and body.

During his boyhood James F. Brewer received the advantages afforded by the public schools of Hamilton township, and, being a close student and naturally fond of books, he was early fitted to take up the teacher's profession, which he followed suc- cessfully for some years. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, at which he was also engaged, and for a number of years he worked besides at sawmilling, proving him- self a mechanic of great versatility and ingenuity, for he was a good workman in all his trades. In November, 1861, Mr. Brewer was married to Miss Elizabeth Felenser, of Hamilton township, of which her parents, John P. and Hannah Felenser, were early settlers; they had a family of ten children, three of whom are now living-Sallie, wife of Nathan Metzgar, of Iowa; Simon, who is married, and lives in Iowa; and Elizabeth, Mrs. Brewer. The young couple lived in Cherry Valley for about two years after their marriage, and in 1864 settled on the home which they purchased and have since occupied-the Peter Felenser homestead, lying four miles south of Stroudsburg, which is one of the finest properties in every respect in the locality. Mr. Brewer has proven himself as enterprising and capable an agriculturist as he was a tradesman, his farm, buildings and dwelling giving evidence of the progressive spirit of the owner, who has spared neither 'time nor pains to make his land as attrac- tive as it is profitable. He takes a pride in keep- ing everything in perfect order, and in doing his work in a systematic manner, employing the most modern methods whenever practicable, and the results have been more than satisfactory. Among the many improvements which have been made since he took possession of this place are a large bank barn, 40x60 feet in dimensions, and a commodious two-story brick residence, equipped with all modern conveniences, running water, bathroom, etc. Mr. Brewer's farm comprises ninety acres of land, highly cultivated, and for use in threshing, sawing wood, chopping grain and various other kinds of labor he has a stationary steam engine.

By reason of his enterprise and success Mr. Brewer deserves to be called one of the most thor- ough agriculturists in his township, and he is re- garded as such by all his neighbors, who respect him as a citizen of whom any community might be proud. He has taken an active and influential interest in the public welfare of his town, having done much toward the promotion of her industries, and always aided every project for the general ad- vancement, and his fellow townsmen have shown their appreciation of his work, and their confidence

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in his ability and trustworthiness, by electing him to various offices of trust, in which he has served with the fidelity and energy which characterizes all his undertakings. Politically, Mr. Brewer is a stanch member of the Republican party, in which he is one of the active local workers, and he has held the office of tax collector in Hamilton township with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- cerned. As a business man he has an honorable record for straight-forward dealing and sterling integrity, and his standing in Hamilton township is an enviable one. In addition to his farm Mr. Brewer owns a fine property in South Strouds- burg.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have been born four children-Ellen, in December, 1863; Ida, in April, 1867 ; Frank J., in November, 1868; and Horace G., in July, 1872. All were given the advantages for education afforded by the public schools of their native township, and grew to maturity on the home farm. Ellen married Joseph Hill, of Stroud town- ship, and they now reside at Delaware Water Gap, where Mr. Hill owns a wagon supply manufactory ; they have two daughters, Grace and Ada. Ida is the wife of Stewart Brittenbender, a merchant tailor of Stormville, Monroe county ; they have one son, Roy. Frank J. married Miss Ella George, of Jackson, Monroe county, and they have one daughter, Blanche ; they reside on the old Kemery homestead, which he bought after his marriage. Horace G. married Miss Minnie Lash, of Hamilton, and resides on his farm, which adjoins the old Brewer home- stead ; they have two daughters, Hazel and Carrie. Religiously, Mr. Brewer is identified with the new Church.

JOHN NEAL, a leading farmer and highly respected citizen of Berlin township, Wayne county, was born July 25, 1839, in Cornwall, England, a son of John and Mary (Cowling) Neal, prominent Eng- lish people, who spent their entire lives in Cornwall. In their family were seven children, of whom Rich- ard, the eldest, and John settled in this country. The other brothers and sisters of our subject- Annie, Jane, William, Emma and Charles-all re- mained in England.

Richard Neal grew to manhood in his native land, and in 1853 came to America and made pur- chase of real estate in Wayne county, Penn. He returned to England, but in May of the following year again came to the United States, bringing with him our subject. He married Betsy Ham, of Wayne county, and located upon his farm in Ber- lin township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his time and attention until his death, in 1875. His wife passed away soon after- ward. They had two daughters: Rosie, now Mrs. William H. Marshall, of Berlin ; and Mary J., wife of John Marshall, of Wayne county.

After his arrival in Wayne county, John Neal worked on a farm for William Stevens, of Bethany, for some time. In 1858 he married Miss Mary E.

Wells, of Berlin, a daughter of George and Hannah Wells. Her father was one of the large land owners and extensive lumbermen of Berlin township, and was always very prominent in Church work and all local affairs in Wayne county. He contributed liberally of his means to the support of Church and Sabbath-school, and was a class-leader in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He was a man to whom the most envious could scarcely grudge success, so well had he earned it, so admirably did he use it, and so entirely did he lack pride of purse. His children were Edward, Andrew, Frank, Stephen, George, Charles, Mary E., Susan, John, Philip, and James, all of whom reached maturity.

Mr. and Mrs. Neal have become the parents of four children: (1) George, born in Berlin, in 1860, married Hattie Ferris, of Hine's Corners, Wayne county, and they reside in Binghamton, N. Y., where he follows the trade of a bricklayer. They have four children, Edna R., Althea, William J. and Georgia. (2) John, born in Berlin in 1861, mar- ried Nettie Fielding, of South Canaan, Wayne county, and they make their home in Carbondale, Penn. Their children are Charles E., Leonard and Lewis. (3) Elsworth, born at the present home of our subject in 1864, is now a successful business man of New York City. (4) Mamie I., born in Berlin in October, 1873, began her education in the public schools near her childhood home, and later gradu- ated from the Wilkesbarre high school. On June 14, 1893, she married William Ives, of Lackawanna county, Penn., and they live at Moosic, though they own a home in the village of Beach Lake, Wayne county. They have two sons, G. R. Elwood and William McKinley, the latter born on the day Mckinley was elected President of the United States.

After his marriage Mr. Neal bought property in the village of Beach Lake, where he made his home for five years, in the spring of 1861 selling his residence there and purchasing the George Wells homestead, of 150 acres, near that village. He has cleared and improved the farm, erected good and substantial buildings thereon, and now has one of the best and most highly cultivated places in the locality. In April, 1865, on the day Lee surren- dered, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, be- coming a member of Company E, 73d N. Y. V. I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was soon afterward taken sick at Arlington Heights and was removed to the hospital, being dis- charged July 8, 1865, when he had sufficiently re- covered. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and he has ever since been a stal- wart Republican. He has held the office of school director several terms and treasurer of the school board for five years, and has always taken an active and prominent part in local political affairs.

Religiously, Mrs. Neal is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Beach Lake. She has always taken an active part in Church and evangelistic work, and is an influential member of1625

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the Women's Christian Temperance Union, hav- ing served as county superintendent on Sabbath desecration. She is a lady of culture and refinement, has been prominently identified with many moral reforms both at home and abroad, and too much cannot be said in her praise. Her lovely social Christian character is worthy of emulation, and those who have been associated with her cannot but feel the true Christian spirit in which she lives. The cause of temperance has no more earnest advocate or stanch supporter.

JAMES B. NAUMAN. In our rural com- munities is found a high type of citizenship, and the subject of this sketch, a prominent resident of Para- dise township, Monroe county, is a man whose sterl- ing qualities of character command respect and con- fidence. He is a first-class mechanic, being the leading blacksmith and wheelwright of his locality, and by his reliable and upright methods of business he dignifies his calling.

Mr. Nauman was born in October, 1856, in Paradise township, Monroe county, where his family has been prominent from pioneer times. His grand- parents, Michael and Katie Nauman, were among the early settlers of Paradise township, having made their home there in the wilderness. This worthy couple had six sons, namely : George W. is our sub- ject's father; John married and settled in Michi- gan ; Daniel married, and went to Nebraska ; Isaiah married, and removed to Wisconsin; Frederick, a resident of Williamsport, Penn., married a daughter . of Charles Transue and has one daughter; and Reuben.

George W. Nauman, the father of our subject, was born in Paradise township, Monroe county, and in his youth learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some years, but at present he makes use of his skill only in the work of the farm. In early manhood he devoted much attention to lum- bering, and he also cleared and improved his home- stead in Paradise township, where he now resides at the advanced age of seventy years. He married Miss Wilhelmina Konner, daughter of George J. Konner, a native of Germany, who settled in Mon- roe county many years ago. Eleven children blessed the union of George W. and Wilhelmina Nauman, all of whom were born at the present homestead : (I) Elizabeth married Joseph Williams, of Para- dise township, Monroe county, and has had six children-Horace, Amsey, Clinton, William, Mary and Sadie. (2) Theodore resides in Scranton, and is employed as a conductor on the Delaware, Ľacka- wanna & Western R. R. He married Miss Tillie Wintermark, of Wilkesbarre, and has two children -Jessie and Walter. (3) William H. died in Para- dise township. For fifteen years he was a conductor on the Buffalo & Elmira R. R., and held the con- fidence and esteem of his employers in a marked degree. He was a consistent member of the Meth- odist Church and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He married Miss Carrie Tranty, of

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 378

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