Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 379

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 379
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 379
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 379
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 379

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Paradise township, and had one daughter, Ethel. (4) James B., our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on. (5) Lydia A. is now the wife of Wil- liam Metcheer, of Paradise township, who is em- ployed in railroad work. They have two children- Betha, and one whose name is not given. (6) Sam- uel is single, resides with his parents on the old homestead, and by occupation is a blacksmith. (7) Charles A. married Miss Sadie Wardell, of Dales- ville, Penn., and resides in Paradise township, fol- lowing the machinist's trade, which he learned with our subject. He has four daughters-Vida, Lillie M., Emma, and one whose name is not given. (8) Josiah married Miss Dorcas Lyons, of Scranton, where they reside, he being employed as a book- keeper in a coal office in that city ; he has two chil- dren. (9) Miss Edna married Iodie Williams, of Wayne county, where he is now engaged in lum- bering and farming. (10) Arminda married Allen Nauman, of Mount Pocono, and has one daughter, Flossie. (II) Ira D. is single and resides in Mon- roe county.

Our subject grew to manhood on the old home- stead and received the benefits of a public-school education. As a young man he was apprenticed to Benjamin Hanna to learn the trade of wheelwright and blacksmith, which he has followed for the last twenty-two years. In 1880, he married Miss Lizzie Hanna, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Hanna and a member of one of the old prominent families in Monroe county. After his marriage our subject purchased real estate in Paradise Valley, where he erected a fine two-story house, good barn and made other improvements, making his farm one of the best in the Valley. In 1883 he purchased real estate in the village of Paradise, erected a shop, which he has fitted up with machinery running by water and steam power. This he used in his work as a blacksmith and wheelwright, and he also has a large press for the manufacture of cider. Polit- ically, he has always been identified with the Demo- cratic party, and at present he holds the office of school director. He is a member of the order of A. P. A., of Mt. Pocono, and he and his wife are active workers in the Evangelical Church of Para- dise township. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school for a term of eight years and trustee of the Church for three years, being ready at all times to give of his time and means to the cause of religion. He has four children, namely: Alvin. died in childhood; Lawrence W., born August 8, 1890; Verne, born in December, 1892; and James E., born in August, 1898.

JOHN S. BARTRON, who was for some years an enterprising and successful farmer and lumberman of Wayne county, is now retired from the active labors of life, and occupies a comfortable home in the town of Prompton. He is a native of the county, born in Purdytown, November 30, 1831, and is of English and French extraction. His par- ents, David and Phœbe J. (Ayres) Bartron, were

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both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born near Philadelphia, in 1802, the latter in Wayne county, in 1807. The father, who was a sawyer by trade, was among the first settlers of Wayne county, where he continued to make his home until 1850, when he emigrated to Goodhue county, Minn., dying there in 1889. His last years were spent in farm- ing, and his ballot was always cast with the Democ- racy. His widow, a faithful member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, is still living in Minnesota.

Of their children, Mary A., the eldest, is now the widow of a Mr. Longcarr, and lives in Bay City, Wis .; Jesse died in Pike county, Penn .; Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob Turner, a retired farmer of Red Wing, Minn .; John S. is next in the order of birth; William is a farmer and sawyer of Canaan township, Wayne county ; Reynolds is a farmer of Minnesota; Rebecca died unmarried; James died in Minnesota ; George is a speculator of Lake City, Minn. ; and Jennette is the deceased wife of William Riddle, of Red Wing, Minn.

Until nineteen years of age the subject of this sketch remained with his parents, assisting his father in the sawmill, and after leaving home he continued to operate sawmills and work for the Delaware & Hudson railroad until coming to Prompton in 1867. After conducting a sawmill here for ten years he purchased his present farm, which he successfully cultivated for some years, but he has now laid aside the arduous duties of business life, and is enjoying a well-earned rest. At one time he drove a stage between Bellefonte and Philipsburg, Penn., helped to build the Illinois Central railroad, and after its completion served as fireman for one year, running between La Salle and Mendota. On leaving that company he was told that if he would return within a year he would be given a position as engineer. His favorite sport is hunting, and his trusty rifle has brought down many a deer and bear.

In Cherry Valley, Monroe Co., Penn., Mr. Bar- tron was married, July 9, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Fenner, Squire Benjamin Bush performing the cere- mony. To them were born four children, namely : Mary, now the wife of Charles H. Sears, a mer- chant of Scranton, Penn .; David, who married Elizabeth Kertz, and is now a conductor on the D., L. & W. R. R., residing in Binghamton, N. Y .; Phœbe, who is with her parents; and Carrie, de- ceased.

Mrs. Bartron was born in Smithfield township, Monroe county, July 9, 1836, a daughter of David and Jemima (Bartron) Fenner, who spent their entire lives in that county, where the father engaged in farming and also in rafting on the river. Polit- ically he was a pronounced Democrat. He died in May, 1885, aged seventy-six years, his wife in Feb- ruary, 1891, aged eighty-four years, and they were buried at Water Gap, Monroe county. Their chil- dren were: Eleanora, now the wife of J. Wallace, who is engaged in raising fine poultry at Water Gap; John, a retired farmer of Stroudsburg, Mon- roe county ; Elizabeth, wife of our subject ; Samuel,

a retired railroad man at Water Gap; Mary A., wife of Jeremiah Hagerman, who was for some time engaged in the wheelwright's trade in Stroudsburg ; Caroline, a resident of Water Gap; James, a retired hotelman and engineer of Stroudsburg ; and George, who died in Monroe county. The paternal grand- parents of Mrs. Barton were John and Elizabeth (Labar) Fenner, who died at Water Gap in old age ; and the maternal grandparents were James and Sarah (Pugh) Bartron, who also died in Monroe county. They were not related to our subject.

At the polls Mr. Bartron endeavors to support the best man for the office regardless of party affilia- tions, and he has acceptably served his fellow citi- zens in the capacity of councilman, school director and collector. During the Civil war he was drafted, but on going to Philadelphia he sent a substitute. He and his wife have many warm friends through- out Wayne county, and are held in high regard by all who know them.

GILBERT S. JOHNSON, one of the most prosperous agriculturists of Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna county, as well as one of its liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens, has achieved an enviable reputation in his chosen call- ing.

Mr. Johnson is a native of the county, born December 7, 1839, in Rush township, son of Thomas Johnson, who was born in 1796, in Rhode Island. The grandfather, Allen Johnson, was a native of ·the same State and was of English descent. During his minority Thomas Johnson remained in Rhode Island, but at the age of twenty-one came to Sus- quehanna county and settled at the forks of the creek below Granville, Penn., where as foreman he had charge of the business of Jabez Hyde, a prominent citizen of that place. In Dimock town- ship he married Eliza Bolles, who proved a faithful wife and helpmeet. She was born, in 1806, in Con- necticut, a daughter of John and Betsy (Avary) Bolles, also natives of the Nutmeg State. In 1845 Mr. Johnson purchased the John Smith farm lo- cated two miles from Montrose, and there at this writing his widow resides at the advanced age of ninety-two years, being one of the oldest ladies of the county. She is still quite healthy, both in body and mind. The father died in 1872, at the age of seventy-six years. He ranked among the most hon- ored members of the Democratic party in his com- munity, and served as sheriff of the county with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. Socially he was a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously was a member of the Episcopal Church. There were three children in the family: Betsy, wife of A. J. Brewster, of Montrose ; Allen B., who taught school before the Civil war at Rollo, Mo., and entered the service of his country as lieutenant of a company of the 39th Ill. V. I., and died of vellow fever in North Carolina ; and Gilbert S., our subject.

Gilbert S. Johnson was only six years old when

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his parents removed to the farm in Bridgewater township where he now resides, and as soon as large enough to be of any assistance he began to aid in its operation, and here almost his entire life has been passed, his education being obtained in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1880 he left home and went to Waterbury, Conn., where he worked in a brass foundry three years, and in 1884 located in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he en- gaged in the manufacture of sleds and toys, sub- sequently following the same business in Oxford, that State. He then returned to the old home farm which he now owns, and has met with excellent success in its operation. It consists of 130 acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good and substantial buildings.

On October 8, 1865, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Julia Stone, a daughter of Truman and Rachel Stone. She died March 23, 1873, leaving one son, Homer B., who was born March 30, 1867, and was married September 20, 1888, to Miss Grace, daughter of Oscar and Eliza Bunnell. On March 30, 1875, our subject was again married, his second union being with Clara M. Page, a daughter of Elihu and Eunice Page. She, too, has been called to her final rest, dying in March, 1896.

Mr. Johnson is a man of fine physique, in man- ner is pleasant and genial, so that he is popular in social as well as business circles, and it is safe to say that no man in the community has more friends than he. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and he has most creditably and satisfactorily served as justice of the peace.

CHARLES JACOB WEAVER, the well- known restaurant man of Honesdale, Wayne county, is a native of the place, born September 28, 1861. He is a son of William and Mary (Dag) Weaver, the former of whom was in his lifetime oneof the well-known citizens and a leading contractor of Honesdale.

Mr. Weaver was educated in the schools of his birthplace, and received a good practical training which well fitted him to take up the battle of life on his own account. When a youth he served an apprenticeship to the cigarmaker's trade in Hones- dale, finishing in Philadelphia, after which he re- turned home and opened a cigar factory of his own. After a time he took a partner in the business, to whom he finally sold out, and removing to Nar- rowsburg, Sullivan Co., N. Y., he bought a hotel, which he conducted successfully for a period of eight years. Mr. Weaver's genial disposition and courteous attention to his guests, combined with a genuine regard for their comfort, made him a gen- eral favorite with the traveling public, and he was no less popular among his fellow citizens in Nar- rowsburg, who showed their good will toward him in many ways. He was honored with election to more than one important municipal office, serving as member of the city council, as town clerk several

years, and for one year was 'sole trustee of the graded school. About six years ago he returned to Honesdale and embarked in the restaurant busi- ness, which he has since carried on, and here, as in the hotel business, his good nature and obliging ways have had much to do with his prosperity. His place is a popular resort for many of Hones- dale's best citizens, who feel the influence of the good cheer and sociability always manifested by the proprietor, and he has made many friends among his patrons. Mr. Weaver's parents trained their children to habits of industry and economy, and their example was not lost on our subject, who is classed among the reliable, substantial men of the community as a result of his adherence to their teachings. He has the hearty good wishes of all who know him, and has borne an excellent reputation wherever his lot has been cast.

On June 3, 1882, Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Mary A. Uch, who was born October 31, 1861, in Narrowsburg, Sullivan Co., N. Y. Three chil- dren have been born to them: Millie, Otto and Walter. Our subject is a Democrat in his political faith, and is a loyal member of his party. He is at present serving as first assistant-chief of the Fire Department in Honesdale.

GEORGE WEGST. No foreign element has become a more important part in American citizen- ship than that furnished by Germany. The emi- grants from that land have brought with them to the New World the stability, enterprise and perse- verance characteristic of their people, and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of the West. Mr. Wegst is a representative of this class. He came to America poor, hoping to benefit his financial condition, and his dreams have been more than realized, for he is now a prosperous farmer of Berlin township, Wayne county.

Mr. Wegst is a native of Laichingen, Germany, and a son of Paul and Annie Wegst, who spent their entire lives in that country. He had three brothers and one sister, who remained in Germany, and two are still living-Jonathan and Annie C. (wife of Jacob Anderle, of Wittenberg, Germany).

In 1872 our subject came to America and settled in Wayne county, Penn., where he worked in the tannery of Horace Drake, at Beach Lake, for three years. In February, 1875, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Christina Herr, of Beach Lake, a daughter of John and Catharine (Smith) Herr, also natives of the Fatherland, who in 1853 emigrated to this country, first locating in Luzerne county, Penn. There Mr. Herr worked in the coal mines for some years, but he finally purchased (of Mr. Drake) fifty acres of land in Berlin township, Wayne county, one-half mile south of Beach Lake, on which he erected a good home for his family. There he died in 1887, leaving a wife and one daughter, the wife of our subject. After his mar- riage Mr. Wegst located on the Herr homestead.

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In 1875 he purchased eight acres of John Williams, in 1883 bought fifty acres adjoining, of the Wright heirs, and later thirty-three acres, of John Trout. He now has 148 acres, about sixty of which are under a high state of cultivation, and well improved with good buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. and Mrs. Wegst have a family of eight children, all born in Berlin township, at the present home of the family. Annie C., born in 1876, a young lady of scholarly tastes, was educated in the schools of Waymart and Honesdale, and is now suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in Berlin. Mary E., born in 1878, attended school for a time at Narrows- burg, N. Y., and later graduated from the Waymart high school ; she is also one of the popular teachers in Berlin, and is a refined and cultured young lady. The other children are John H., born in 1879; Paul J., in 1882; Emma C., in 1884; George F., in 1886; Leda B., in 1888; and Frederick A., in 1893. The parents and children are identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Beach Lake, and the family is one of prominence in social circles.

At one time Mr. Wegst engaged in rafting sawed lumber down the Delaware river, but he now gives his entire time and attention to the operation of his fine farm. He supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and most acceptably filled the office of township collector for two terms of two years each. It is safe to say that Berlin township has no more honored or highly-respected citizen than George Wegst.

W. F. GARDNER is one of the most reliable and prosperous citizens of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, with whose agricultural in- terests he has been prominently identified through- out life.

Mr. Gardner was born December 1, 1852, on the old homestead, where he now lives, and is the youngest child of William and Margaret A. ( Wag- ner) Gardner, who are represented elsewhere. Reared on the home farm to a life of industry and honesty, he obtained a good practical education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and also an excellent knowledge of business methods. He is now the owner of one of the best farms in the township; the fields are well tilled and surrounded by good fences ; the farm buildings are models of neatness and thrift ; and everything about the place denotes the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner.

In 1877, Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Eva Foot, a native of Bridgewater township, and a daughter of Chauncy and Catherine ( Ayers) Foot. To them were born four children: Madge, John W., S. Eva, and one who died in infancy. The estimable wife of Mr. Gardner died in February, 1894. She was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor, and was loved and respected by all who knew her.

The Democratic party has always found in Mr.

Gardner a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has ever taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics. He has efficiently served as a mem- ber of the school board in his district, and has al- ways been found true to every trust reposed in him. He was one of the most progressive and enterpris- ing men of Bridgewater township, and is very popular with a wide circle of friends and acquaint- ances.

JOHN JACOB SCHNEARLE, a thrifty and industrious farmer of Delaware township, Pike county, comes from over the sea, having been born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 10, 1839. His parents spent their entire lives in the Fatherland, where the father (Adam Schnearle) engaged in business as an attorney and farmer. He died in 1847, aged fifty years, his wife in 1892. Their children were: Adam, who married a Miss Desh- ler, and died in Thayer county, Neb .; Ulrick, who came to this country; John Jacob, our subject ; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Rentschler, a farmer of Deshler, Thayer Co., Neb .; Honsert and another whose name is not given, who both died in Ger- many. (The family name is sometimes spelled Snearley. )

The subject of this sketch remained under the parental roof until fifteen years of age, but at that time ran away from home and came to America, as his parents intended to apprentice him to a baker, and he did not wish to learn that trade. He first located at Sparrowbush, Orange Co., N. Y., where he worked for a wagon maker for a time; but as he did not like that occupation he came to Dingman township, Pike Co., Penn., and found employment with Mr. Geyer, a Frenchman and a farmer, with whom he remained for three years. The following four years he worked in the brewery of Remy Loreaux in Dingman township, and for the same length of time was employed on the farm of Mr. Utter. For the long period of seventeen years he worked on the farm of Col. Henry S. Mott, and then purchased his present place in Delaware township, from John Rosenkrans. It comprises ninety acres, most of which is under a high state of culti- vation and well improved, and in its operation he is meeting with excellent success. At the polls he always supports the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Schnearle was married at Milford, Pike county, April 18, 1861, to Miss Martha C. Roloson, and to them have been born two sons: Samuel is with his parents ; and Charles, a farmer of Delaware township, married Susie Doety and has one child, Edna. Mrs. Schnearle was born in Chucktown, Pike county, April 13, 1844, and is a daughter of Eli and Jane ( McCarty) Roloson, of Chucktown, Dingman township, where they always made their home. The father, who was a carpenter by occupa- tion, died in 1854, at the age of fifty years, the mother in 1858, at the age of thirty-five, and the remains of both were interred in a private burying

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ground in Dingman township, two miles from Mil- ford. In their family were the following children : Amanda, wife of Lewis Harding, of New York; Martha C., wife of our subject; Andrew J., who married Catherine Bossler, and operates a stone quarry at Lordville, Penn. ; Tyler L., a stone cutter, who married and lives in Steuben county, N. Y .; Eli, who married, and is employed in an acid factory in Lordville, Penn .; Rose, deceased wife of Alford Spencer; Sarah A., who died when young; and Barbara, wife of Henry Canne, of Dingman town- ship.

F. X. SOETE carries on a well-patronized and thriving restaurant in Honesdale, Wayne coun- ty, of which place he is a well-known resident. He is a German by birth, and is a son of F. X. and Mary (Wübbeke) Soete, the former of whom was born July 12, 1812, in Westphalia, Germany, and was a shoemaker by trade. He was married in his native country to Mary Wübbeke, who was born there in 1820, and in 1852 they came with their family to America, making their home in Hones- dale. Mr. Soete carried on his trade until advancing age compelled him to retire, and the parents were supported in their declining years by their son F. X. The father died March 27, 1876, the mother in 1875. They had a family of five children, as follows: Bernada is the wife of William Hartman, and lives on Union Hill, Honesdale; F. X. is the subject proper of this sketch; Francisco is a car- penter by trade and resides in Honesdale ; Joseph is also a carpenter of Honesdale; Henry died at the age of twenty-eight years (he was a cigar maker by trade ).

F. X. Soete was born April 19, 1849, in West- phalia, Germany, whence in 1852 he was brought with the rest of the family to the United States. He attended school at Honesdale, and after his school days were over commenced work as tow-boy on the Delaware and Hudson canal, on which he was employed for ten years. He also learned a trade, but in 1878, having decided that he could do better by working on his own account, he opened a restaurant and saloon in Honesdale, in which he has been successful from the start. His patronage has been constantly increasing, and he now enjoys a comfortable competence as a result of close atten- tion to the wants of his customers and shrewd man- agement in every detail of his affairs. He is a self- made man in every way, and he is respected by all who know him for the position he now holds among the thrifty, prosperous business men of the place. Mr. Soete takes a public-spirited interest in the municipal affairs of Honesdale, and is always ready to support any measure which he believes will pro- mote the general welfare or advancement of the community.

Mr. Soete was married to Miss Mary Kerl, who was born in 1859, and six children have blessed their home: Mary B., Theresa B., Francisca, F. X., Jr., Florence and Henry. The family are Roman

Catholics in religious faith. In political sentiment Mr. Soete is a loyal member of the Democratic party.

GEORGE J. SIMONS, a progressive and en- terprising farmer of Gouldsboro, Wayne county, was born December 7, 1861, in the old "Simons Hotel" at that place, and is a son of John L. and Eliza J. (Compton) Simons, natives of New York State, who were married in Tobyhanna, Pennsyl- vania.

Coming to Gouldsboro in 1856, the father built the "Simons Hotel," which he conducted until 1870, and then rented the same to his step-son, Stephen H. Haley, and removed to Clifton, Lackawanna Co., Penn., where he owned 365 acres of land, on which he engaged in lumbering and farming. In the spring of 1875 he returned to his hotel, but after conducting it for seven years he laid aside business cares and lived retired. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and during the Civil war he served as postmaster of Gouldsboro, having the office in his hotel. He was quite prominent, and filled other local offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public. He died January 1, 1894, aged seventy-two years, and the mother of our subject passed away December 29, 1893, at the same age, the remains of both being interred at Gouldsboro. George J. is the only child born of this union. His parents were both married twice. The mother's first husband was Stephen Haley, by whom she had two children: Stephen, now a resident of Philadelphia ; and Mary J., widow of Stephen Garrigan, and a resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

George J. Simons remained with his parents until their deaths, being never away from home with the exception of three months he was engaged in mining at Scranton. His education was obtained in the district schools, and on July 7, 1887, he en- tered the employ of the D. L. & W. railroad as brakeman, which position he continued to fill until 1894, when he removed to his present farm. He has erected a good residence upon his place, and is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is independent in politics, and has most credit- ably and satisfactorily filled the offices of super- visor and school director in Lehigh township. Socially he is identified with the Mutual Aid.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 379

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