Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 382

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 382
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 382
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 382
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 382

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).

Abraham Bush, our subject, is indebted to the

public schools of Monroe county for his educational privileges, and his business training was obtained upon the home farm, where he has spent his entire life successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. After his father's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the homestead and in its opera- tion he has prospered. Always a dutiful son, greatly loved by his parents, he ministered to their com- forts during their declining years and carefully looked after all their interests. Socially he is a member of the American Protective Association of Paradise, and politically he is a stalwart sup- porter of the Democracy. His sister, Mrs. Metzgar, who is a lady of culture and refinement, now pre- sides with gracious dignity over his home.

ALBERT S. DINGMAN, who holds a promi- nent place among the well-to-do general farmers of Delaware township, is a representative of one of the best known and most highly respected families of Pike county. He was born May 9, 1854, on the farm then occupied by his father, three miles below the place he now owns and operates, and is a son of Solomon H. and Sarah E. ( Beemer) Dingman, the former of whom was in his day a well-known citizen of this section.

Solomon H. Dingman was born September 20, 1824, in Delaware township, Pike county, son of Martin W. Dingman, who was also a native of Dela- ware township. He was married at Deckertown, N. J., to Miss Sarah E. Beemer, who was born in that town, a daughter of Jacob and Zilla (Adams) Beemer, farming people of Sussex county, and their union was blessed with three children: Jacob, who died young ; Albert S., whose name introduces these lines; and Sarah M., who died in infancy. Mrs. Dingman died in 1867, at the age of thirty-seven, and Mr. Dingman subsequently married her sister, who now makes her home with our subject. No children were born to the second marriage. For a number of years Mr. Dingman lived on the prop- erty he owned three miles below Dingman, thence removing to Milford, Pike county, where he lived retired for seven years, and in 1876 settling on the farm now owned and cultivated by his son in Dela- ware township, which he purchased of a Mr. Adams. It comprises 118 acres of valuable farm land. Mr. Dingman was in his day a man of considerable local prominence, and he was called upon to fill various offices of trust and responsibility in the township, the duties of which he discharged with the faith- fulness and thoroughness which characterized all his actions. His political support was given to the Democratic party. He died on his farm in Dela- ware township August 20, 1892, and was laid to rest in Deckertown, N. J., where his wife's remains are also interred.

Albert S. Dingman was inducted into the mys- teries of culture under his father's tuition, and he farmed with him continuously until competent to engage in that calling on his own account. His farm is a fine tract of river bottom land, well im-

1639

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

proved and under a high state of cultivation, and he is one of the most progressive and up-to-date farm- ers in this region, having a property of which he may well be proud. He devotes all his time and attention to his agricultural interests, taking no ac- tive part in public or social affairs, but he is nevertheless looked upon as one of the township's most valuable citizens, and he is respected wherever known, for his many sterling qualities of character as well as for his substantial business worth.

JAMES C. HANNA is one of the thrifty and industrious citizens of Delaware township, Pike county, and has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests for many years.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hanna was born in Bushkill, Monroe county, January 13, 1828, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brink) Hanna, the former also a native of Bushkill, the latter of Coshocton, Penn. They were married at Bushkill, where they continued to reside until 1830, when they came to Milford, Pike county, but in -the fall of 1859 removed to Leona, Mich., and there made their home until called from this life. The father, who was a mason by trade, died in September, 1881, aged eighty-three years ; the mother in March, 1885, aged seventy-nine. Their children were Abby, de- ceased wife of John Drake; James C., the subject of this sketch; Eli, who married Anna Ferguson and is now deceased; John, a farmer of Caro, Mich., who married; George, (deceased), who married Ada Pickel; William, who married, and conducted a grocery store and tavern in Leona, Mich .; and Robert, who married, and is a mason of Caro, Mich. The paternal grandparents of our subject both died at Bushkill, Pike county, Penn., where the grand- father (Robert Hanna) engaged in farming. The maternal grandparents, James and Abigail (Conk- lin) Brink, also farming people, were born in Sussex county, N. J., and died in Pike county, Penn- sylvania.

Until he attained his majority James C. Hanna assisted in the operation of his father's farm, and the following three years engaged in teaming for the New York & Erie Railroad Co. during the con- struction of their road. For two years he was employed in building the Scranton railroad, and then he and his uncle, Nicholas Brink, rented a farm in Dingman township, Pike county, which they operated together until our subject's marriage, when he became sole manager, remaining there un- til 1861. Subsequently he lived on several different farms in Pike county, but in 1878 purchased his present place, which at one time consisted of 226 acres, but having sold 50 acres, he now has 176 acres. The neat and thrifty appearance of the farm indicates his careful supervision, and shows that he thoroughly understands his chosen calling. In his political views he is a Democrat, and though he has never aspired to office, he most efficiently served as supervisor of his township for one year.

On January 2, 1858, in Delaware township,

Pike county, Mr. Hanna was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Drake, and to them have been born the following children : Allen, at home ; John, who married Jennie Reigney, and is engaged in farming in Delaware township; Mary, wife of Au- gust Mercer, who is engaged in farming and the sawmill business in Porter township, Pike county ; William, who married Martha Kerns, and follows farming in Delaware township; and Emily, Bertha and James, all at home.

Mrs. Hanna was born in Dingman township, Pike county, July 25, 1830, and is a daughter of Stephen and Susan (White) Drake, who spent their entire lives in that township. Her father was one of the most prominent farmers and influential citizens of his community, and at one time served as treasurer of Pike county. He died in 1857 at the age of seventy years, his wife in 1888, at the extreme old age of ninety-three. Their children were Redman (deceased), who married Tabitha Watson ; Ella, deceased wife of Richmond Compton ; Susan A., widow of Jacob Dwin, of Scranton, Penn .; John (deceased), who married Alla Hanna ; Emily J., deceased wife of John Whiticker, of Ding- man's Ferry; and Elizabeth, wife of our subject. Mrs. Hanna's paternal grandparents were Joshua and Nellie (Hagerty) Drake, who died in Dingman township, and her maternal grandfather was Adam White.

CHARLES H. SMITH, who makes his home in Seelyville, is one of the wealthy influential citi- zens of Wayne county, and is a representative illustration of the thrifty German who, coming to this country in the hope of bettering his condition, financially and otherwise, makes a substantial for- tune and good position for himself, and at the same time becomes a valuable member of the community in which he settles.

Mr. Smith is a native of the Fatherland, born in February, 1845, in the Kingdom of Wurtem- berg. He is a son of John Frederick Smith and a grandson of John Jacob Smith, both of whom were dyers by trade and followed that occupation in Germany. The grandfather was born in 1781, and died in 1855. His first wife died before Charles H. Smith was born, leaving three children, namely : John Frederick; Elizabeth, who married in Ger- many and died there, leaving a family of children ; and Mary (Mrs. Heldmeier), who died in April 1892. For his second wife John J. Smith married Hannah Herter, by whom he had four children: Andrew, who died when nineteen years old; Louis, who is a butcher in Germany; Emily, who died the same year she was born; and Wilhelmina, who lives in Germany.

John Frederick Smith was born April 1, 1810, in Calw, Wurtemberg, and in Germany married Louisa Kerner, who was born December 5, 1814. In 1847 they came to this country, and the follow- ing year settled in Wayne county, Penn., living first at Honesdale, and in 1853 taking up their home in

1640

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Seelyville; they spent the latter years of their life on a farm near that town. After coming to the United States, Mr. Smith did not follow his trade, but worked in various capacities for the Delaware & Hudson Co. He was the father of seven children, the eldest of whom, Mary, died in Germany when about thirteen years old; Gustave is the senior member of the mercantile firm of Smith & Son at Seelyville; Emily died in Germany in infancy ; Frederick died in Honesdale, Penn., when eleven years old; Charles H. is the subject proper of this sketch ; Fredrica is deceased; the youngest, Emily, born in this country, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Lutheran Church. They celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on February 7, 1887, and lived several years afterward, the mother passing away Septem- ber 26, 1891, the father February 26, 1892.

Charles H. Smith came to America with his parents in 1847, and was reared to manhood in Wayne county, receiving his schooling in the public institutions of Honesdale and Seelyville. He commenced work in the woolen-mills at Seelyville, where he was employed steadily for about eight years, during which time by economy and frugal living he managed to save enough to warrant him in starting out in business on his own account. In partnership with his older brother Gustave he em- barked in the sawmill business in Seelyville, where they later established a general mercantile store, which they conducted together for twenty years, at the same time carrying on a creamery and two sawmills. They prospered beyond their highest expectations, but their success was deserved, for they continued as they had begun, adhering to the principles of honesty and never-ceasing industry which had been instilled into their minds from their · earliest years, and maintaining a reputation for in- tegrity unsullied by doubtful transactions. After opening the merchandise business in Seelyville they succeeded in having the post office located at that place. During the years the brothers were in partnership Charles H. Smith had charge of the sawmills, and he finally sold out his interest in the mercantile branch and turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber, which at the present day occupies the greater part of his time and is his chief care. Mr. Smith recently suffered the loss of a mill by fire, but he continues to buy and manufac- ture for the trade, and does an extensive and profit- able business. Mr. Smith should be given great credit for his continuous advancement along the road to prosperity, for when he began working in the woolen-mills he received a mere pittance, out of which he laid by, with true German thrift, as much as possible, in order to branch out on his own account. His progress has been sure and steady and at the present day he ranks among the best and most substantial citizens of the county, and has a competence which enables him to live in comfort and even luxury, and which it is hoped he may long be permitted to enjoy.

On January 19, 1869, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Zelland, a native of Wayne county, Penn., and they have had two chil- dren, William, who owns a shirt factory at Hones- dale, and Almeda, unmarried, who lives with her parents.

SYLVESTER L. SCHOONOVER, present assessor of Lehman township, Pike county, is one of the best-known and most successful of the younger agriculturists of this section of the county. He is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Lehman township, being a great-great-grandson of Nicholas Schoonover, and here he has also passed his entire life, having been born in Lehman town- ship April 8, 1865, son of Ezekiel R. and Hannah D. ( Heller) Schoonover.

Ezekiel and Barbara (Garris) Schoonover, the great-grandparents of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, were farming people in Pike county, and Mr. Schoonover was one of the active citizens of his neighborhood, holding a number of local offices, and taking a prominent part in the affairs of his community. They were the parents of four children: Ira; Leonard, who died unmar- ried; Hannah, Mrs. Peter Walter, deceased; and Jonathan, now deceased, who married Mary A. Pos- ten, and, after her death, Mary A. Staples.

Ira Schoonover was born in Lehman township, grew to manhood in his native place, and followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a farmer by occupation. He was one of the most respected men of his day in the township, being a leader in public, social and religious circles, and he was a fine example of the Christian citizen-honorable in his dealings with all, and esteemed accordingly. He held a number of minor public offices, and for years was a class-leader in the M. E. Church, of which he was a devout member, also, at different times, serving as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school in that Society. His political sym- pathies were with the Democratic party. Ira Schoonover married Miss Sarah Ladle, who was born in 1809 in Lehman township, and four children came to their union, as follows: Chauncey D., born in 1840; Ezekiel R., December 1, 1842 ; Cather- ine, in 1844; Austin, in 1849. The eldest son is a carpenter, and resides in Stroudsburg, Penn .; he . married Maria Dickerson. Catherine is the wife of Charles Kinney, a farmer of Monroe county. Austin is engaged in milling in East Stroudsburg, Penn .; he married Lizzie Fellenger. The father died in May, 1885, at the age of seventy-three years, and was laid to rest in the Swartwood cemetery. The mother passed away in March, 1862.

Ezekiel R. Schoonover was born December I, 1842, in Lehman township, where he received his early training. He remained at home until he reached his majority, helping his father with the work about the farm, and for the three years follow- ing was engaged in helping other farmers, finally going to Tobyhanna, Monroe county, where he

1641

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

commenced lumbering. After nine years at that vocation he returned to Pike county, and located upon the farm in Lehman township, which he has since occupied, renting the place for twelve years, after which he purchased it. Here he has carried on general farming, with the exception of two years, during which he conducted a boarding-house at Peck's Mill, and he has succeeded in bringing his land into a most productive state, acquiring a com- fortable competence in the years of toil which he has spent upon it. Mr. Schoonover has at various times been honored with election to local office by his fellow-citizens in Lehman township, and he has served four years as school director and eight years as supervisor, to which latter incumbency he was again called in 1898. He has taken a public-spirited interest in the welfare of his township, but he has nevertheless devoted the greater part of his time and attention to his private affairs, and he has never sought office. Politically he is a loyal Democrat.

On October 18, 1862, Mr. Schoonover was united in marriage with Miss Hannah D. Heller, who is also a native of Lehman township, born January 23, 1837, daughter of John D. and Cather- ine (Labar) Heller. Mr. Heller was engaged in farming in the township, and also followed the trade of harness maker. Hannah D. was third in a family of seven children, viz .: Amanda, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Flint; Mary, Mrs. George Nick- son, deceased ; Hannah D., Mrs. Schoonover ; Oli- ver, a farmer of Lehman township; Jane, who was twice married, her first husband being Daniel Bazett; Maria, Mrs. William Barns, of Susque- hanna, Penn .; and Maggie, Mrs. James Smith, de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Schoonover came eleven children, viz .: Chauncey D., born January 25, 1864. died in 1875. Sylvester L. is the subject proper of these lines. Jennie, born July 29, 1867, is the wife of Romain Whittaker, of Lehman township, who is outside manager for the Forest Park Association. John I., born in 1869, is engaged in lumbering in McKean county, Penn .; he married Lizzie Beck. Maggie, born in 1872, became the wife of Conrad Kensley; she is deceased. Minnie, born in 1873, is the wife of Philip Slaffer, who carries on a bakery in Scranton, Penn. William was born in .1875. Walter, born in 1877, is now in Mckean county, Penn. Van, born in 1879, is in Branchville, N. J. James, born in 1881, and Edward, born in 1883, are living at home.

Sylvester L. Schoonover was reared and edu- cated in Lehman township, and remained under the parental roof up to the age of twenty-one years, learning agriculture in all its branches with his father. For three years after commencing life on his own account he worked among farmers, and, off and on, with his father, and when twenty-four years old he went to Williamsport, Penn., where he was engaged in lumbering for one season with Coch- ran & Co. The next year he was employed in lumbering in Pike county, and he subsequently spent three years in Sullivan county, and worked in dif-

ferent parts of New York and Pennsylvania. On March 12, 1892, he settled on the farm in Lehman township, which he still occupies, and which he pur- chased, and here he carries on general farming. He is thrifty and up-to-date in his agricultural work, and by steady industry and good management has increased the value and fertility of his property materially, now occupying an enviable standing among the prosperous farmers of the locality. He is well and favorably known to the residents of Leh- man township, and in 1898 he was elected to the office of assessor, which he is now filling in a most capable manner. In politics, like his father and grandfather before him, he is a stanch Democrat.

In June, 1892, Sylvester L. Schoonover was married, at Jersey, to Miss Mary Staples, and two children have blessed their union, Leanna and Willie. Mrs. Schoonover was born February 3, 1857, in Priceburg, Monroe Co., Penn., daughter of Moses P. and Ellen ( Posten) Staples, of Monroe county, who had five children, viz .: Richard E., who is employed in the railroad office at Scranton, Penn .; Frank, residing in Scranton; Jeremiah, of Minnesota; Moses, in the employ of the railway company at Scranton ; and Mary, Mrs. Schoonover. The father enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, and was not heard from after going to the front. The mother subsequently married Peter Albert, who is now deceased, and they had one daughter, Blanche, who lives with her mother in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

CHARLES HALLET, one of the representa- tive and prominent citizens of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, with whose agricultural interests he has been identified for many years, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Mt. Bethel, North- ampton county, in September, 1830, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (La Bar) Hallet, the latter a daughter of Joseph and Margaret La Bar, early settlers of Northampton county. Our subject's father was born in 1797 in Orange county, N. Y., where his father, Isaac Hallet, spent his entire life, engaged in farming. In the latter's family were six children, namely: James, who became a resi- dent of Monroe county, Penn .; Daniel, who mar- ried and settled on the old homestead in Orange county, N. Y., where his death occurred; William, father of our subject; Charles, who engaged in the practice of law in New York City, and there died ; Abby, wife of Thomas DeCoby, of New York City ; and Phœbe, wife of Horace Peck, a business man of the same place. At an early day William Hallet removed to Northampton county, Penn., and lo- cated upon a farm, where he died in 1865. His wife, who was born in 1800, was called to her final rest in 1881.

In the family of this worthy couple were chil- dren as follows, all born in Northampton county : Joseph, born in 1822, is now a resident of Sprague- ville, Penn .; John, born in 1837, is married and re- sides near Honesdale, Penn., where he is employed

1642

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

as walking boss on the railroad; Benjamin resides on the old homestead in Northampton county ; Mar- garet is the widow of James La Bar, and lives near Spragueville, Monroe county; Susanna, born in 1839, is the wife of Barnet Lambert, who lives at Delaware Water Gap, Smithfield township, Monroe county, and they have a large family ; and Charles is our subject.

In much the usual manner of farm boys Charles Hallet passed his early life upon the old home farm in Northampton county, receiving the benefits of a public-school education. When a young man he was employed as foreman for Ryman & Bros., and also for the Boston State Co. for eighteen years, and as workman twelve years. After his first mar- riage he purchased a home at Portland, Northamp- ton county, where he resided until 1866, when he bought a farm in Stroud township, Monroe county, living thereon for twenty years while engaged in agricultural pursuits.

In 1852 Mr. Hallet wedded Miss Catherine Neff, of Lehigh county, Penn., a daughter of George and Mary Neff, prominent early settlers of that county. Mrs. Hallet, who was a consistent Chris- tian woman, died on the farm in Stroud township, leaving eight children-six sons and two daugh- ters: (1) William, now engaged in railroading at Scranton, Penn., married Florence Carson and has two children. (2) Edward, born in Northamp- ton county, is also living in Scranton, where he is in the employ of the railroad company ; he married Susan Brown, of Pocono, Monroe county, and they have three children. (3) Frank, born in North- ampton county, married Amanda Plattenburg, of Stroud township, Monroe county, is a railroad man of Scranton, where he resides with his wife and two children : Laura and Stanley. (4) Lewis, born in Stroud township, Monroe county, is also a rail- road employe living in Scranton. (5) Daniel, a resident of Glenwood, Sussex Co., N. J., married Teressa Kishpaugh, of that State, and they have one daughter, Mabel. (6) Chester is still with his father on the home farm. (7) Elizabeth, born in Northampton county, is now the wife of Jackson Utt, chief of police at Slatington, Lehigh Co., Penn., and they have four children. (8) Isabel, born in Northampton county, is the wife of Mahlon Brish, of Stroud township, Monroe county, a son of Michael Brish.

In 1885, Mr. Hallet married his second wife, Miss Lavina Huffman, who was born in Middle Smithfield township, in February, 1841, a daughter of Abram and Mary R. Huffman. After the death of her father in July, 1884, she purchased the farm on which she and her husband now reside. She is an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes an active and promi- nent part in its work. Politically Mr. Hallet is a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and while a resident of Stroud township was elected to the of- fice of supervisor, which he filled with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of the general public for

two terms. He also served as school director two terms. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Lehigh county. For the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit, for he has made his own way in the world unaided, overcoming all obstacles in his path by his perseverance and untiring industry.

WILLIAM D. WALKER, a well-known lum- berman, is one of the strong characters who have become an integral part of the business life of Gouldsboro, Wayne county, and by the exercise of his powers he has not only advanced his individual prosperity, but has contributed to the welfare of his community.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Walker was born in Clifton, Lackawanna county, November 26, 1848, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Cam- eron) Walker, both natives of Scotland. The father was born in Berwick, July 19, 1810, and died March 2, 1878; the mother was born in Glasgow, August 13, 1818, and died March 28, 1897, the remains of both being interred in the cemetery at Clifton, Penn. They were highly respected by all who knew them, and were consistent members of the Lutheran Church. Their children were as follows: Mary A., born July 19, 1839, at Philadelphia, Penn., married Rudolph Grass and died at the age of twenty-five years ; Peter, born December 6, 1840, married Sarah Hess, of New Jersey, and is now a carpenter and farmer of Belvidere, that State ; Elizabeth, born Jan- uary 3, 1843, is the wife of Albert Drinker, a brick manufacturer of Wisconsin; Jessie, born August 18, 1845, and Lydia, born in August, 1846, both died in infancy ; William D. is next in the family ; Mar- garet T., born October 5, 1852, is mentioned more fully below; and Ellen R., born January 12, 1854, died August 6, 1862.

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 382

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