Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 381

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 381
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 381
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 381
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 381

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Rupert P. Nilis was born July 19, 1858, at what is now the site of Jersey City Heights, and when a child came with the family to Delaware township, Pike county, where he was reared, receiving his early education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he went to New York City, where for one year he was engaged in clerking in a whole- sale tea house, and for the two years following he attended the French College at Fort Washington, N. Y., finishing his literary training in this institu- tion. He next entered the employ of John F. Pin- chot, of Milford, as clerk in his general merchan- dise establishment, continuing with him for two years, after which he went to Nevada county, Cal., where he worked for a year in a gold mine. Re- turning home, he worked with his father until 1886, when he purchased a farm in Lehman township and located thereon, making his home there until, in 1892, he purchased and removed to his present place. Mr. Nilis cultivates both farms, which comprise 250 acres of fertile river bottom land, and he is one of the most successful, extensive farmers in this section. His thorough knowledge of agriculture, coupled with industrious habits and a faculty for managing his numerous interests, has entitled him to rank among the intelligent business men of the locality, and he has an equally good reputation for integrity and uprightness in all his dealings. Mr. Nilis is recognized as a self-made man, and he com- mands the respect of all who know him, either personally or in a business way. He has taken an active part in public affairs in his township, being prominent among the local workers of the Repub- lican party, and he has served as inspector of elec- tions and clerk of the board. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership with the Blue Lodge at Milford.

On March 8, 1897, Mr. Nilis was married, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Margaret Cotterill, who was born August 1, 1863, at Camberwell, England, daughter of William H. and Margaret A. (Faith- ful) Cotterill, of that country. One child has blessed this union, Rebecca.

WILLIAM G. COUTAN, M. D. When the American Colonies determined to throw aside the oppressive yoke of the mother country, France, of all the nations on the earth, was the first to show her friendly feeling toward the struggling Colonists. The substantial aid of men and arms came from that country, and ever since then her people have been welcomed to the Western World and its new Republic, and have lent the natural love for art and literature inherent in the French race to the devel- opment of the higher culture of the hardy sons of the early settlers. This infusion of the warm artis- tic natures of the Latin race with the sturdy philo- sophical people of the Anglo-Saxon has brought about a broader culture, physical and mental, than can be found in any other nation. The quick, alert mind of the American, his versatility, his intuition and his reason, his shrewdness, his endurance, are the result of the intermingling of all races.

In 1832 there was born in Paris, France, Gus- tave Julius Coutan, a son of Charles Julius Coutan, and his wife, Agleia De Mace, the latter born in Lyons, France, of noble blood. Charles J. Coutan was a silk merchant in Lyons for many years, and in 1840 he came to New York, where he engaged in importing silks. After continuing thus for a time he became an official in the Custom House, where he continued until his death. He owned a large amount of real estate in Fifth avenue and Thirty- first street. After his death his wife opened an English and French boarding-school in Thirty-first street, where she continued several years. They had three children, ( I) Charles, was a wealthy retired gentleman of New York. He married Miss Susan Thompson, a daughter of James Thompson, for- merly of Susquehanna county, Penn., but later a restaurant keeper in New York City, where he died a millionaire. At his death, Charles Coutan left a widow (who still resides in New York) and two sons-Albert E., a merchant at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; and Leon, who married a Miss Wall, and re- sides in Brooklyn. (2) Gustave J. is mentioned be- low. (3) Susan Agleia died in New York.

Gustave Julius Coutan came to this country with his parents and was graduated from St. John's College, N. Y. After leaving school he became an employe in the Custom House, and there remained until his death, in 1865. He married Anne Fitzger- ald, who was born in Silver Lake, Susquehanna Co., Penn., in 1831, and they became the parents of three sons: (I) Gustave Joseph, born in New York City, graduated from the Law University of that city, and is now practicing there, with offices at No. 81 Broadway. (2) William G. is mentioned below. (3) George O., born in 1866, was educated

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in the New York schools, and learned the jeweler's trade.

William G. Coutan was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in September, 1861, and received his education in private schools in New York City. When a young man he went to make his home with his uncle in Silver Lake, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and while there engaged in teaching for several terms. He there began the study of medicine under Dr. Charles W. Tiffany, and later studied under Dr. E. A. Pierce, of Binghamton, N. Y., where he completed his preparatory course; he was graduated from Columbia College, New York, in medicine and sur- gery. In 1891 he began the practice of medicine in Silver Lake, remaining there until 1896, when he removed to Birchardville, and, purchasing the W. W. Strange home, established himself therein. He has built up a large practice, keeps well abreast of all the recent discoveries in his chosen profes- sion, and, with his knowledge and skill, his quick sympathy, has drawn to himself the respect and confidence of the community.

In October, 1896, Dr. Coutan wedded Miss Katherine A. Buckley, whose parents were pioneers of Silver Lake township. To gladden their home one son, Gustave Julius, was born in 1898. Politic- ally the Doctor is identified with the Republican party. In his religious belief, Dr. Coutan clings to the faith of his fathers, and is a stanch advocate of Roman Catholicism, as is also his wife. In social life the Doctor is a well-known figure. Of genial disposition, courteous bearing and scholarly at- tainments, he is a welcome guest, and his own de- lightful home, presided over by his charming wife, is the center of a choice circle of cultured friends.

THOMAS MOORE has since 1880 been prom- inently identified with the industrial interests of Prompton, Wayne county, doing a large and profitable business as a blacksmith and wagon man- ufacturer. Recently he has erected a new plant, and in connection with his other business expects to engage in the manufacture of excelsior. He is a wide-awake and reliable business man, whose great energy and perseverance has enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence.

Like a number of the leading business men of Wayne county, Mr. Moore is a native of Cornwall, England, born December 20, 1840, and is a son of John and Mary (Bishopp) Moore. His mother died in that country in 1860, aged fifty-six years, and in 1873 the father came to the United States, locating in Prompton. He passed away in 1881, at the age of seventy-six years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Aldenville, Wayne county. In religious belief he was a Methodist.

Our subject is the next to the youngest in a family of nine children, the others being as follows : Mary is still living in England; William and John are both retired blacksmiths of that country ; Grace is the wife of Elias Bellinger, a painter, of Promp- ton ; Jane married William Perry, a carpenter (now

deceased), and she died in England; George is a blacksmith of Aldenville, Wayne county ; Anna was married in England to Charles Cottel, a farmer, but afterward came to America, and she died in Wayne county ; and James is a blacksmith of Michigan.

With his father Thomas Moore learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land, remaining with him until he attained his majority, and then work- ing for others until twenty-eight years of age. Coming to the New World in that year, he took up his residence in Adenville, Wayne county, Penn., where he worked at his trade for eight months, and then removed to Prompton, renting for one year a shop where his own is now located. The following six months he spent in Denver, Colo., but not lik- ing the West, he returned to Prompton, where he has since successfully engaged in business.

On April 18, 1864, in Bodmin, England, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Pinch, a native of Cornwall, and a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Baker) Pinch, who emigrated to America and located in Chapman, Penn., where the father followed farming. Their children were Emma; Edwin, who died in England; Mary, wife of George Herr, of Pen Argyl, Penn .; Eliza, wife of our subject; Simon, who died in England; and Amelia, wife of John Palmer, of Chapman, Penn- sylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born the following children: Minnie, who in early life en- gaged in school teaching, is now the wife of Wil- liam Masters, of Northampton county, Penn., where in partnership with two brothers he engages in the stone quarry business ; Bessie is the wife of Howard Renry, a china decorator at Scranton, Penn .; Ber- tha is at home with her parents; and Thomas H., Wesley and George H. all died in childhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church of Prompton, and are held in high regard by all who know them. His political support is given the men and measures of the Re- publican party. He is now the possessor of a comfortable competence, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed.

JOHN K. ARNOLD is a general farmer of Hamilton township, Monroe county, pursuing his pleasant and profitable occupation upon the old homestead where he was born in September, 1845, a son of Abram and Elizabeth ( Kinch) Arnold.

Mr. Arnold's parents were also natives of Mon- roe county, and died on the old farm; the father in 1878, at the age of sixty-five years, the mother in 1888, at the age of seventy, being laid to rest in Hamilton township. Of their children, Abram, the eldest, died at the age of fifteen years ; Mary is the widow of Linford Shoemaker, of Hamilton town- ship; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of William McCormick; Christiana, deceased, was the wife of Frank Gorman ; Louisa, deceased, was the wife of Jonas Murphy ; James lives with our subject ; Han- nah is the wife of Isaac Saunt, of Hamilton town-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship; Henry married and lives in Ross township, Monroe county ; John K., our subject, is next in the family; David married Christiann Bowman, and is engaged in farming in Hamilton township; and Harriet is the wife of Nath. Kesky, and a resident of Pennsylvania.

John K. Arnold remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, and then served a three years' apprenticeship to the miller's trade with Joseph Heller, at Sciota, Hamilton township, receiving the first year $25, the second $50, and the third $75. The following year he engaged in business on his own account in Cherry Valley, Monroe county, but during the next six years was in the employ of mil- lers at different places. For five years he followed farming at Saylorsburg; and in April, 1883, re- turned to the old home farm, which he has since successfully operated. He is a thorough and sys- tematic farmer, and the air of neatness and thrift which pervades the place testifies to his careful su- pervision. He is public-spirited and liberal, and there are few men more popular among the people in whose midst he has spent the greater part of his life. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and religiously is a member of the Reformed Church.

In May, 1872, in Hamilton township, Mr. Ar- nold was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Snyder, a native of the township, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Putz) Snyder. Her pa- rents spent their entire lives in Hamilton town- ship, where the father carried on operations as a millwright. To our subject and his wife have been born four children, namely: Nettie, who died when one year old ; and George, Hattie and Norton, all at home.

BYRON MOOD, a well-known citizen of Mid- dle Smithfield, Monroe county, was one of the Union soldiers during the Civil war, and for almost five years he remained in the service of his coun- try.

Mr. Mood was born in Middle Smithfield town- ship, in May, 1843, and was well educated in the public and select schools of Monroe county. In Sep- tember, 1861, when eighteen years old, he enlisted in Company I, IIth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was mustered in at Philadelphia and ordered to Wash- ington, D. C., where the regiment was organized and assigned to the Army of the James, being sta- tioned at Fortress Monroe during the first year. Here Mr. Mood was taken ill, and after some time spent in the regimental hospital, he was sent to Cliff Burn hospital, where he did considerable work as a nurse after his recovery. In the latter part of 1862 he rejoined his regiment at Suffolk, Va., and soon afterward they were stationed along the Black Wa- ter creek, where they took part in a skirmish every few days. Our subject participated in all engage- ments with his regiment, and while at Suffolk they were surrounded by the enemy, who besieged the place for two weeks. The time of his first enlist-

ment expired in 1864, but the following year he re- enlisted in the First Veteran Army Corps, known as Hancock's army, and with that command served for one year, being honorably discharged in March, 1866, at Washington, D. C. Returning to his home in Monroe county, he commenced teaching winter school, and for a period of twenty-eight years suc- cessfully followed that profession here and in New Jersey.

In 1866 Mr. Mood was united in marriage with Miss Phœbe Place, who was born in Middle Smithfield township in 1844, a daughter of Benja- min and Elizabeth (Kerrick) Place, representatives of old and prominent Monroe county families. Her parents were born in Middle Smithfield township in 1813, and there their marriage was celebrated. The father was well known throughout the entire eastern section of the county, and held a high place in the esteem and respect of his neighbors and ac- quaintances. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil, and all his dealings were marked by candor and sterling honesty. He died in 1897; his wife passed away two years previously. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children-four sons and five daughters-namely: John K., James, Benja- min, Jr., Frederick, Mrs. Byron Mood, Mrs. God- frey Transue, Mrs. Andrew Pipher, Mrs. William Cruver, and Mrs. Rebecca Slocum, of East Strouds- burg.

To Mr. and Mrs. Mood have been born five children : (1) Effie, born in Middle Smithfield township, in 1867, is now the wife of Edward Car- penter, a telegraph operator for the Western rail- road at Dunfield, N. J., and they have four chil- dren, Lloyd, Esther, Iva and Byron. (2) Willis, born in 1870, was reared on the home farm and re- ceived a public school education. In 1898 he married Maggie Transue, the accomplished daugh- ter of Ananias and Sarah Transue, residents of Smithfield township, Monroe county; her father is a veteran of the Civil war. (3) Gilbert, born in 1875, was drowned in the Delaware river while out skating for pleasure. He was a young man of great promise, at that time serving as telegraph operator in New Jersey, and was beloved and respected by all of his acquaintances. (4) James P. and (5) John Stock, both died in childhood.

After his marriage Mr. Mood engaged in teaching school in Sussex county, N. J., for a time, but in 1869 he returned to Monroe county and pur- chased his father-in-law's old homestead, four miles east of Shawnee on the road leading to Bushkill. Upon the place he has erected a comfortable resi- dence and made many other useful and valuable improvements, which make it one of the best and most attractive farms in Middle Smithfield town- ship. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has been called upon to serve as school director and town clerk for one term each. Fraternally he is a promi- nent member of Wadsworth Post, No. 150, G. A. R., while his wife is a member of the Woman's Relief, an auxiliary of the post, and his son Willis is a

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member of the Sons of Veterans. Religiously they are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family is one of prominence socially. A man of strong individuality and indubitable probity, one who has attained a fair measure of success in life, and whose influence is always felt on the side of right, this honored veteran of the Civil war assuredly demands representation in this volume.

ROMAIN WHITTAKER, who since 1894 has been one of the trusted employes at Forest Park, in Lehman township, Pike county, is one of the well- known and well-liked citizens of his locality, worthy in every way of the honored name he bears, which has for years been a highly respected one in Leh- man township. Mr. Whittaker was born August 13, 1864, at Dingman's Ferry, son of Luke and Sarah E. (Bensley) Whittaker, who now reside in Porter township, and grandson of William Whit- taker, whose parents, Rev. John and Sarah (Kase) Whittaker, were the first of this family to come to America from the mother country, England.

Luke Whittaker was born February 19, 1836, in Delaware township, Pike county, and he has car- ried on farming and lumbering all his life. For six years he also conducted a sawmill. On May 19, 1858, he was married, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Sarah E. Bensley, who was born in Lehman township, October 18, 1834, daughter of Jacob and Sallie A. (Clifford) Bensley, and six children came to them, namely : William H., born October 8, 1859, is a lumberman in Sullivan county, Penn; he mar- ried Maggie Wagner. Ella, born May 5, 1861, is married to Robert Gurley, and resides in New York City. John T., born in 1863, died young. Ro- main, born August 13, 1864, is the subject of this sketch. Jennie, now deceased, was married to Wil- liam J. Reinhart. Edward R., born October 1, 1870, is a lumberman in Sullivan county; he is unmar- ried. Mr. Whittaker is one of the respected, in- telligent citizens of Porter township, where he owns a fine farm of fifty-five acres.

Romain Whittaker acquired his education in the common schools of the home neighborhood and lived with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he commenced lumbering. For a time he was employed on the Paupac river, thence going to Sul- livan county, where he continued until 1890, and for the succeeding four years he was again under the parental roof, living with the family in Porter township. During this time he was engaged in managing a sawmill for Joseph Campbell. In 1894 Mr. Whittaker came to Forest Park and accepted the responsible position which he has held there ever since, at first in the employ of Jacob Otten- heimer, and after his decease, with E. V. Skinner and Max Strauss, who bought the place and have conducted it up to the present writing. The park, which is located seventeen miles from Stroudsburg and four miles from Bushkill, comprises in all over 17,000 acres of land, on the improvement and beau- tifying of which Mr. Ottenheimer spent about

$200,000, and it is an ideal resort, with every facil- ity for the comfort and convenience of guests, being equipped in the most modern manner. Mr. Whit- taker is foreman of the watchmen on this property, and during the winter season he cares for the place and acts as outside manager. He is necessarily a hard worker, the duties of his incumbency demand- ing constant attention, but he has proved thoroughly capable and reliable in this capacity, and has won the respect and confidence of his employers and all with whom he has come in contact. He is one of the substantial citizens of the community in which he makes his home, and has a wide acquaintance throughout Lehman township.

Mr. Whittaker was married at Milford, Pike county, on December 29, 1884, to Miss Jennie Schoonover, and they have had seven children, namely: Luke, Harrison, John, George, Brentley, Frank and Raferty. Mr. Whittaker is a Republican in political connection. Mrs. Whittaker was born in Lehman township July 29, 1867, one of the eleven children of Ezekiel R. and Hannah D. (Heller) Schoonover, the former of whom was a son of Ira and Sarah (Ladle) Schoonover, and a grandson of Ezekiel and Barbara (Garris) Schoonover; the mother was a daughter of John D. and Catherine (Labar) Heller. Mr. and Mrs. Schoonover reside on their farm in Lehman township, where he is a prominent citizen, having held various local offices ; at present he is serving as supervisor, in which in- cumbency he has been retained a number of years. Of their children, Chauncey D., born January 25, 1864, died in 1875. Sylvester L., born April 8, 1865, is a farmer in Lehman township. Jennie is the wife of our subject. John I., born in 1869, married Liz- zie Beck, and is a lumberman in Mckean county, Penn. Maggie, born in 1872, married Conrad Kensley; she is now deceased. Minnie, born in 1873, is the wife of Philip Slaffer, who conducts a bakery in Scranton, Penn. William was born in 1875. Walter, born in 1877, is in Mckean county. Van, born in 1879, is in Branchville, N. J. James, born in 1881, and Edward, born in 1883, are with their parents.

ABRAHAM BUSH, a leading agriculturist and one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Paradise township, Monroe county, was born in November, 1849, on the farm where he still resides, a son of Joseph and Catherine (Smith) Bush. The father was born in the same township, in 1809, his parents, Nicholas and Hannah (Brutzman) Bush, being early settlers of the county. The grandfather, who was a native of Bucks county, Penn., cleared and developed a farm in Paradise township, on which both he and his wife spent their last days. Their children were: Jacob, Henry, Joseph, Fred- erick, Sallie (wife of Benjamin Bush, of Paradise township), Betsy (wife of David Heller, of the same township), Susan (wife of Abram Steen, of Pocono township, Monroe county), and Christina (who died unmarried).

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Joseph Bush, our subject's father, was reared in Paradise township and received a limited educa- tion in the schools of Pocono township. In 1840 he was married and located in the former town- ship, where he bought a tract of wild land, which he cleared and cultivated. This small farm he finally sold and then moved to Zanesville, Ohio, but remained there only a short time. On his return he purchased the present homestead of the family, which at that time was still in its primitive condition, but to the work of improvement and cultivation he at once turned his attention and it was not long before he had a good farm, on which he had erected a pleasant residence, substantial barns and outbuild- ings. Here he passed away in June, 1871, and his wife, who survived him many years, died in 1896. Both were earnest, consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, gave liberally to its support, and were instrumental in building the church in Pocono township, where they worshiped. Their lives were ever in harmony with their professions, and they justly merited the high esteem in which they were uniformly held. Politically the father was a stanch supporter of the Republican party.

In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, as follows: (I) Julia A., born in 1841 in Paradise township, married Simon Wagoner, of the same township, and they now reside in Elk county, Penn. They have thirteen children. (2) Melchoir, born in September, 1843, on the old home- stead, married Ellen Storm and lives in Paradise township. (3) Charles A., a resident of Price township, Monroe county, is represented elsewhere. (4) Amanda J., born in November, 1849, married Richard Fritz, of Bucks county, Penn., and they made their home in Paradise township, Monroe county, where she died, leaving one daughter, An- nie M., now the wife of Morris Bush, of Pocono township. (5) Abraham is mentioned further on. (6) Mary E., born in March, 1854, married Mah- lon Storm, of Paradise township, and died leaving three children-Gamion, Ida (wife of Peter War- ner), and Martha. (7) Sarah, born in June, 1857, was educated in the schools of Paradise township and in 1878 married George Metzgar, of that town- ship. For eighteen years they made their home in Scranton, Penn., where he worked for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, but since November, 1897, have lived on the old home- stead with her brother. Two children were born to them, but the elder, Edward, died in childhood. Bertha M., born in October, 1880, is a bright schol- arly young lady, who was educated in the high school of Scranton. (8) Joseph, born in Decem- ber, 1864, married Laura Brutzman, of East Stroudsburg, and they have two sons, Earl and Clarence. The children were reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all have be- come honored and useful members of society, highly respected in the various communities in which they reside.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 381

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