Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 383

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 383
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 383
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 383
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 383

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Our subject's paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth Walker, were born, reared and married in Berwick, Scotland, whence about 1830 they emi- grated to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, where the grandfather was employed as a saddler for three years. He then removed to Clifton, Penn., and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In his family were three children: Peter, Elizabeth and John. The elder son came to the United States at the age of twenty-one years and located in Phila- delphia, where he was married ten years later to Mary Hamilton. He was a Presbyterian in re- ligious faith, and was a member of the board of education in that city, serving as its president for many years prior to his death. Our subject's mater- nal grandparents, David and Elizabeth Cameron, spent their entire lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. They were the parents of thirteen children.

William D. Walker remained with his parents until they were called from this life, and on leaving Clifton in 1881, he came to Gouldsboro, where he has since made his home. His entire business life has been devoted to lumbering, and he has met with a well-deserved success in his chosen calling, for he

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thoroughly understands the business in every detail, and is one of Wayne county's most upright and honorable business men. Being a great reader, he is well posted on the leading questions and issues of the day, and is also familiar with the best literature. Socially he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and politically is a stalwart Republican. His pleasant home is presided over by his sister, Mrs. Margaret T. Rhodes.

Rev. George H. Rhodes, a prominent Lutheran minister (now deceased), was born near Strouds- burg, Penn., a son of Thomas W. and Mary A. (Heller) Rhodes, of Monroe county, Penn. . His father, who was a millwright, farmer and lumber- man, died in 1894, and his mother in 1852, both being buried at Cherry Valley, near Stroudsburg. They were members of the Lutheran and German Reformed Churches, respectively. The children born to them were: Sydenhan, Charles L., Marion W., Edward, George H., Martha and Johnson G. George H. Rhodes was educated at Mullenbury College, where he graduated in 1872, and three years later he completed the theological course and grad- uated from the Philadelphia Theological Seminary. For six years he successfully engaged in teaching school, and as a teacher he came to Gouldsboro in 1875. Here he established the first Lutheran Church ever organized in Wayne county, and while teach- ing he would preach in the schoolhouse on Sunday. He had charge of the congregation at Gouldsboro for two years, and was one of the most influential and highly respected citizens of the place. He died April 2, 1881, honored by all who knew him, and was buried at Gouldsboro. On December 3, 1879, he married Miss Margaret T. Walker, by whom he had one son, George H., now assistant postmaster at Gouldsboro.

WILLIAM B. KENWORTHY, M. D., of Milford, Pike county, is a talented young physician who has already made his mark in his profession, and his many friends look forward to a successful career for him.

Dr. Kenworthy comes of old English stock in the paternal line, and his grandfather, John Ken- worthy, a native of England, came to America at the age of eighteen, settling in Philadelphia, where he died. Doubtless our subject inherits from him his aptitude for medical science, as he prepared for the profession, although he did not practice. He married a Miss Randall, a native of Pennsylvania.

James Kenworthy, our subject's father, was born and reared in Philadelphia, and at the age of twenty-one was graduated from the College of Phar- macy in that city. During the last years of the Civil war he was placed in charge of a drug depart- ment, and this position he held until peace was re- stored. He then returned to Philadelphia and en- gaged in the drug business, conducting a store there for seventeen years. He died in March, 1882, at the age of forty, cutting short a most useful career. He married Miss Elizabeth Bartle, a native of

Frankfort, Penn., who is residing with our sub- ject. Her father, William T. Bartle, was a wealthy shipbuilder of Philadelphia, and was prominent in social life, being a member of various fraternal or- ders, including the I. O. O. F. He was also iden- tified with the Manufacturers' Club and the old William Penn Hose Company of Philadelphia. His wife, Emily A., was a native of Burlington, N. J.

Dr. Kenworthy, our subject, was born Novem- ber 18, 1872, in Philadelphia, Penn., and was the only child of his parents. His education was begun in the Friends School at Philadelphia, and later he attended the public schools, graduating from the high school. He took a course in the Prichett Busi- ness College, and then spent a year as a clerk in the drug store of G. Shinn, of Philadelphia. In 1891 he entered the medical department of the Univer- sity of Philadelphia, and on graduating in 1895 he passed the prescribed examination before the State board. He then located at Dingmans Ferry, Pike county, but on February 1, 1898, he opened an office in Milford, where he has met with gratifying suc- cess in his practice. The Doctor has not married ; he is much esteemed socially, and is a member of the Episcopal Church of Milford. He belongs to the A. C. Harmon Club of Philadelphia, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

FRANCISCO C. RISLEY, a representative farmer and stock dealer of Springville township, Susquehanna county, is a native of that county, born in Rush township May 22, 1849. Throughout life his father, Benjamin Risley, followed the black- smith's trade, and from Rush township he came to Springville, spending his last days, however, in Dimock township, where he died at the age of fifty- five years. The wife and mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Johnson, and was a daughter of Benjamin Amason and Zaloma (Lins- ley) Johnson, died at the age of forty-five. Both were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father affiliated with the Republi- can party. Their children were Rinaldo, who died young ; Zaloma, deceased wife of Hudson Gregory, of Wyoming county, Penn .; Francisco C., our sub- ject; Agatha, wife of George Aldrich, of Bingham- ton, N. Y .; Permelia, wife of Landus Meeks, of Binghamton ; William, who died at the age of nine- teen years; James, a blacksmith, of Binghamton; Julia, wife of Elijah Edward, of Binghamton; and Seneca, a machinist, of the same place.

During his boyhood and youth Francisco C. Risley attended the common schools of Susque- hanna county, and he worked under his father in the blacksmith shop until he attained his majority. He began life for himself as a farmer in Springville township, where he operated rented land for some years. Soon after his marriage he purchased a farm, which he unfortunately lost. His present home, consisting of six acres, he bought in 1897, and besides this he owns forty-three acres in Spring- ville township. He is now successfully engaged in

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general farming and dairying, and also speculates in stock, which he sells at Tunkhannock. He has ten cows, and a flock of sheep.

On December 17, 1871, Mr. Risley was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Aldrich, who was born February 3, 1849, a daughter of Isaac and Matilda ( Philips) Aldrich. Her father was born in Massachusetts, and died in Susquehanna county, Penn., December 10, 1879, at the age of eighty-four years ; her mother, who is a native of Lackawanna county, Penn., is still living. In their family were seven children, namely: James K., a resident of Springville township, Susquehanna county ; Joseph- ine, wife of our subject; George, a stone-cutter of Binghamton, N. Y. ; Catherine, widow of Charles Warner, and a resident of Tunkhannock, Penn .; Byron, a farmer of Dimock township, Susque- hanna county ; Susan, wife of N. H. Sherman, of Springville township; and Aaron, who died at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. Risley have three children: Walter, born September 14, 1872, is clerking in Lynn, Penn .; Myrtle, born September 2, 1877, is a resident of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Lee, born April 4, 1881, is attending school. Mrs. Risley is an earnest member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Our subject is identified with the Republican party, but takes little interest in politics aside from voting. He gives his support, however, to those measures which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit, and is recognized as a valued citizen of his community.

RICHARD T. PIERCE, a prominent repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of Prompton, Wayne county, was born in Plymouth, Cornwall, England, January 7, 1842, a son of Thomas and Ann (Pike) Pearce, also natives of that country. The father spelled the name Pearce, but our subject changed to the present mode, as it was spelled in that way on many of his papers, including his dis- charge from the army.

In 1832 Thomas Pearce came to the United States, and took up his residence in Clinton town- ship, Wayne Co., Penn., where he made his home for about ten years while in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson railroad. He then returned to England, where he was married and continued to reside until 1847, coming to this country again in that year. As before, he located in Clinton town- ship, Wayne county, but in 1866 came to Prompton, where he made his home with our subject until called to his final rest December 9, 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother died in 1890, aged seventy-four years, and was laid by his side in the Honesdale cemetery. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and on that ticket was elected supervisor of his township.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children : Richard S., born June 1, 1839, died in England, November 10, 1840; Richard T., our subject, is next in the order of birth ; James P.,

born November 19, 1843, died in England, Novem- ber 29, 1844; James H., born May, 19, 1845, is an engineer on an elevated railroad of New York City ; George T., born August 6, 1848, died in Texas, September 17, 1897 ; Rebecca J., born December 22, 1850, is deceased ; Sarah A., born January 27, 1853, died December 9, 1867 ; and Margaret J., born May 23, 1854, is now the wife of J. J. Whitaker, a farmer of Wayne county.

Upon the home farm Richard T. Pierce grew to manhood, assisting his father until twenty years of age. In the winters of 1859-60 and 1860-61, he also worked for William Foster, at Honesdale, haul- ing bark with his own team. On July 2, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, 14Ist P. V. I., under Capt. James L. Mumford, and took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and in various skirmishes. At Gettysburg he was seriously wounded by a minie ball, which broke his jaw, knocking out all of his lower teeth and some of the upper ones. For ten months he was con- fined in hospitals in Philadelphia, and was then honorably discharged in September, 1864. He now receives a good pension as a partial compensation for his injuries. Returning to the old home in Clinton township, he there remained until 1866, when he removed to his present farm in Prompton. In 1867 he entered the employ of the railroad, but after a year gave his entire time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm until 1887, when he became connected with the Gravity railroad, being employed either as brakesman or night watchman until 1894.

On October 26, 1870, in Prompton, Mr. Pierce was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Mc- Reynolds, who died September 15, 1892, at the age of forty-five years, and was buried in Prompton. Her parents were Benjamin and Mary McReynolds, of Dyberry township, Wayne county. Mr. Pierce was again married at Prompton, this time in April, 1894, to Mrs. Rosa A. (Keesler) Carter, and to them were born two children, who died in infancy. Prior to her second marriage she was the widow of Jo- seph Carter.

The Republican party finds a stalwart sup- porter in Mr. Pierce, who has capably served as supervisor of his township, and is now school direc- tor. He is an honored member of the G. A. R. Post of Honesdate, and is a leading and active member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is now trustee. Being public-spirited, he takes great in- terest in all the moral, religious and educational matters of the township, and always lends encour- agement and support to whatever appears to be for the best interests of the community.

A. L. MILLARD, a leading citizen of Bridge- water township, Susquehanna county, was born April 23, 1845, in Lenox township, the same county, and is a son of Abiatha Millard, who was born Au- gust 19, 1809, in Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y. The grandfather, Joshua Millard, was born in Schoharie

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county, N. Y., of English ancestry, and on coming to Pennsylvania, took up his residence in Lenox township, Susquehanna county. He married Lydia McLean, who was also a native of New York, and died at the age of sixty-three years. They became the parents of the following children: Stephen, Abiatha, Mary, Elizabeth, Jerusha, Henry, Joshua, Sarah and Joseph. The parents of these children were both sincere Christians, the father a member of the Baptist Church, the mother of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he was a Demo- crat.

Abiatha Millard was quite young when the family removed to Susquehanna county, and in Lenox township he grew to manhood. On Decem- ber 31, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary R. Case, who was born in Lathrop township, Susquehanna county, March 10, 1817, and prior to her marriage was a popular teacher. Her father, Capt. Belva Case, was a music teacher by profes- sion, and was an officer in the Revolutionary war. He married Miss Rowena Moore, a native of Con- necticut, and to them were born the following chil- dren: Edith, Orson, James, Louisa, Artamesia, Ju- lia, Wellington, Mary R., and Rowena. The follow- ing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Millard: Lusetta ; Fred H .; A. L .; Durand B., a prominent artist of Scranton, Penn., who died in 1891 ; Ayer H .; Arthur M .; Solomon; Frank E .; Myrtle H .; Herbert L., a resident of Michigan; and Ed A. In early life Abiatha Millard was foreman of a quarry at Scranton for some years, and was also connected with a coal company at that place, but in 1863 he located on a farm in Bridgewater town- ship and turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat, and in religious belief both he and his wife were Meth- odists. He died at the age of fifty-three years, and she passed away at the age of seventy-three.

Reared on the farm, A. L. Millard early be- came familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and acquired his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He was married, September 17, 1872, to Miss Car- rie A. Ludington, a popular and successful teacher, and a daughter of Samuel T. Ludington. Her paternal grandfather, Harry Ludington, was one of the men who fought so bravely for the freedom of the Colonies during the Revolutionary war. Samuel T. Ludington married Jenetta Lenox, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, a daughter of James and Jane (Grey) Lenox, also natives of that country. Mr. Ludington, who was a faithful mem- ber of the Baptist Church, died in October, 1847, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving a widow, and the following children : Sarah J .; Henry J., a teacher ; Samuel A., a soldier of the Civil war ; W.T., who was also a soldier in the same war, and died in 1897; Elizabeth, and Carrie A. Mrs. Ludington was again married, her second husband being John Kinch, and she died in Tioga county, N. Y., at the age of seventy-three.

Mrs. Millard was provided with excellent edu- cational privileges, attending school in Delhi and Andes, N. Y., and for fifteen terms she successfully followed the teacher's profession. By her marriage to our subject she has become the mother of four children : Raymond A., who has also become a suc- cessful teacher of Susquahanna county; Jessie L., a graduate of the Montrose High School; Mary Agnes; and Bertha K. In his political affiliations Mr. Millard is a Democrat, and he gives his sup- port to all measures which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.

JOHN H. COOK is one of the enterprising citizens of Bushkill, Pike county, where various business affairs engross his attention. His business ability is by no means limited to one line, and he is now successfully engaged in general farming, in the plumbing and tinsmith business, and in the con- duct of a large boarding-house, in which he can accommodate twenty-five people. His capable man- agement, sound judgment and industry are bringing him well-deserved success.

Mr. Cook was born in Hope, N. J., November 3, 1855, and his parents, Mark L. and Emma ( Rus- ling) Cook, were also natives of that State, the former born in Sussex county, the latter in Warren county. For many years the father was engaged in the hotel business, carrying on operations for some time at Allamuchy. There the mother died in 1889, at the age of fifty-two years, her remains being in- terred at Hope, N. J., and the father has since re- tired from business, now, at the age of nearly eighty years, residing in Andover, N. J. Their children are John H., subject of this review ; Sarah Adelaide, of Hope, N. J .; and Frank E., who married Susie Washer, and is engaged in the creamery business in Andover, N. J. The Cook family has long been identified with that State. The paternal grand- parents of our subject, Timothy H. and Sarah (Drake) Cook, were natives of Morris and Sussex counties, respectively, and their last days were passed in Lincoln, N. J. He was a carpenter by oc- cupation. The maternal grandparents, John and Margaret (Bennett) Rusling, were natives of War- ren county, and the former served as postmaster of Belvidere. He was also Internal Revenue Assessor during the Civil war, and was very prominent in public affairs. He engaged in conducting a hotel at Hope and at Blairstown, N. J., and also followed merchandising at Hackettstown, that State.

When seventeen years of age John H. Cook entered upon his business career as an apprentice in a plumbing establishment and tinshop in Blairs- town, N. J., where he remained one year. He then went to Hampton Junction, where he followed his trade for a year, on the expiration of that period removing to Flatbrook, N. J., where he carried on business on his own account for five years. For two years he was engaged in that line of business in Bushkill, Penn., where he also operated a farm. His next place of residence was Hackettstown, N. J.,

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where he remained one year, afterward spending a similar period in Allamuchy. He then removed to Summit, N. J., where he carried on business until, in 1884, he came to his present farm in Lehman township, Pike Co., Penn. Here he owns a rich and valuable tract of 150 acres, which is crossed by Bushkill creek. The well-cultivated fields indicate his careful supervision, and the neat appearance of the place attests his thrift and industry. In 1890 he began keeping boarders, and, with accommoda- tions for twenty-five people, is doing a good business in that line. He also follows the trade which he learned in his youth, and his capable services in that direction materially increase his income.

On December 28, 1878, in Branchville, N. J., Mr. Cook married Miss Lottie E. Wallace, who was born in Bushkill, Penn., September 1, 1858, and is a daughter of Webb and Mary A. (Sandford) Wal- lace. They have three children: Helen R., Will- iam G. and Mary W.

In his political convictions Mr. Cook is a Demo- crat, and he has acceptably served his township in the office of auditor, but his energies are chiefly given to his business interests, which, capably di- rected, are bringing to him a comfortable compe- tence. He is popular with his many friends, and his social qualities and upright life have won him the regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

EDWARD R. SHEPHERD has for a number of years occupied a prominent place among the representative prosperous farmers of Delaware township, Pike county, where he has passed almost his entire life. Pennsylvania numbers many of the sons of Ireland among her most valuable citizens, and it is to this class that our subject belongs, for he was born March 14, 1838, in the North of Ire- land, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Thomas and Margaret ( Robinson) Shepherd.

Thomas Shepherd grew to manhood and mar- ried in his native county, remaining there until 1837, in which year he came to the United States, locat- ing first in New York City. Here for ten years he was engaged in masonry, for building ranges, at the end of that time coming to Pike county, Penn., and settling on a farm of 106 acres, which he pur- chased from Judge Dingman in what was then the woods at Silver Lake, Delaware township. Here he passed the remainder of his days, engaged suc- cessfully in agricultural pursuits, and as the passing years brought increase of prosperity he added to his original possessions until he was the owner, at his death, of 250 acres of land, all acquired by the labor of his own hands. He died on his farm June 16, 1888, aged seventy-eight years, six months, thir- teen days, his wife in November, 1890, when nearly ninety years of age. His father, also named Thomas, was a drover in Ireland, where he passed all his days. Mrs. Shepherd's parents, William and Mary A. (Nealing) Robinson, were also natives of the Emerald Isle, where the father died ; the mother

came to live with her daughter in America, and passed away on the Shepherd homestead in Dela- ware township November 28, 1873, being over one hundred years old at the time of her decease. To Thomas and Margaret ( Robinson) Shepherd were born children as follows : John and Thomas (twins), the former a farmer of Delaware town- ship ; he married Eliza Foster. Thomas, who mar- ried Mary Stewart, is a machinist in Avondale, N. J. William, a machinist, died in Pike county at the age of twenty-four years; his wife was Jane Bowers. Edward R. is the subject proper of this sketch. Robinson is engaged in farming on the old homestead at Silver Lake, in Delaware township; he married Blanche Broadhead.

Edward R. Shepherd grew to manhood under the parental roof, and received his education in the district schools of Delaware township. He lived with his parents, while in Delaware township, up to the time of his marriage, but for a number of years previous to that event he was in New York City, where he had first gone at the age of eighteen years, at which time he obtained employment in a look- ing-glass and picture-frame factory in the city. After remaining in this place for three years he com- menced business on his own account at No. 454 Canal street, as an auctioneer, and he continued in that line for fourteen years, at the end of that period returning to Pike county and taking up his resi- dence with his parents. On May 14, 1870, he was married to Miss Ellen R. Ferguson, the wedding taking place on the farm they now occupy, and for several years the young couple made their home on a farm at Beaver Dam, in Delaware township, which Mr. Shepherd had purchased and which he sold on buying his present place. The property is a valuable one, well kept up in every respect, and Mr. Shepherd has taken rank with the foremost agriculturists of Delaware township, for he has proved himself a thoroughly competent farmer in the management of his land, which gives every evi- dence of the care he has bestowed upon it. He has also been quite active in public affairs in the town- ship, and he has held several offices with credit and ability, having served for many years as poor- master, for one year as collector and two terms as school director. His political connection is with the Democratic party.

It will not be out of place here to make some mention of Mrs. Shepherd's family. Her grand- parents, James and Sarah J. (Cummins) Ferguson, were natives of Warren county, N. J., whence in 1828 they came to the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd in Delaware township, which at that time was a wilderness. Two apple trees, the first planted in Pike county, and which were put out by him, are still standing. James Ferguson died in 1855, at the age of seventy-two, his wife a few years previously. Their family consisted of seven children, five of whom were born prior to their location in Pike county, viz .: Mathias, who married Betsy -; Hugh, who married Maria

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Striker; John, married to Mary Armstrong; Ed- ward, father of Mrs. Shepherd; Ellen, Mrs. Philip Reeser ; Susan, Mrs. Daniel Burrow ; and Jane, Mrs. Joseph Walker. Edward Ferguson was born in Ramseysburg, Warren county, N. J., and died De- cember 31, 1897, aged eighty-four years, nine months, six days. He was a prominent man in his day in Delaware township, and held a number of minor offices here, being held in high esteem in this section. He married Sarah A. Broadhead, who was born October 25, 1816, in Pike county, and died December 5, 1875 ; she was interred in the Delaware cemetery. We give a brief record of their children : Mathias died in infancy. Daniel W. died at the age of twenty-three years. Ellen R. (Mrs. Shepherd) was born October 22, 1843, on the farm she now resides on. James enlisted for service in the Civil war and died in hospital in Washington, D. C., as the result of injuries received in the battle of Fred- ericksburg. Maria married Thomas Williamson, a farmer of Orange county, N. Y. Hughie (de- ceased) married a Miss Pritchet. Edward is a resi- dent of New York City. Sarah A. is the wife of Eli Hanna, of Cairo, Mich. John died in infancy. Mabel died young.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 383

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