Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 387

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 387
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 387
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 387
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 387

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).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

J. Stockholm, a farmer of Franklin township, Sus- quehanna county, by whom she has two daughters, Leah G. and Mildred I. (3) Grace E., born in June, 1884, is a very bright young lady.

For one year after his marriage, Mr. Borne remained in Pittston, and then came to Auburn, Susquehanna county, where he worked at his trade for three years. In 1878 he purchased a farm in Wyoming county, Penn., but at the end of two years he traded it for a portion of his present farm in Liberty township, Susquehanna county, to which he has since added by subsequent purchase until he now has 163 acres of rich and arable land, which he has improved with good buildings after clearing a large part of the tract.

Mr. Borne received his naturalization papers in 1877, and has since been an ardent supporter of the Republican party. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs, and has served as a member of the election board and as auditor of Liberty township. He united with the Episcopal Church in England, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially he is a member of Lodge No. 905, I. O. O. F., of Auburn Center, and of the Tribe (No. 296) I. O. R. M., at Franklin Forks, in which he has filled all the offices.

JOHN W. BENSON. Success in life has been attained by the subject of this sketch through his own endeavors. Ranking to-day as one of the foremost and prosperous farmers of Jackson town- ship, Susquehanna county, his large property accumulations have been the result of his whole- souled endeavors, and his keen business sagacity and unwavering integrity also has been one of the foundation stones of his success.

Mr. Benson was born June 27, 1847, in Jack- son township, son of James and Mary A. (Durkee) Benson, and grandson of John and Margaret (Ballou) Benson. John Benson, the grandfather, was reared in New England and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Margaret (Ballou), was a native of Connecticut. The grand- father of our subject migrated to Susquehanna county, locating in Jackson township.

James Benson, the father of our subject, was reared in Jackson township, attending school during the winter months and engaged in the toil of pioneer life during the other seasons of the year. He remained on the farm of his parents in their old age and by his labor paid for the property which they had purchased. He married Mary A. Durkee, who cheerfully shared with him the priva- tions of their early life. She was a devout Christian woman, a member of the Baptist Church, and a worthy helpmeet to her husband through life. James Benson erected good substantial buildings on the old home and there died, aged fifty years. His worthy wife remained on the home, keeping the family together until they became of age, her eld- est child, Eunice, being only thirteen years of age at the death of her husband. The entire responsi-

bility of raising the family rested with her. The children of James and Mary A. Benson were as follows: Eunice, who married S. E. Moore, of Jackson, and they have two sons, Jesse and John- nie; Margaret, who married E. C. Chandler, of Jackson township, where he died, leaving her with two sons-Charles, now a resident of New Milford, and Seth, who married and settled on his mother's homestead; Otwell, who married Miss Ida Moss, of Jackson, and resided on a part of his father's old homestead until his death, in 18-, leaving two children, Edson, a well-known teacher, now princi- pal of the New Milford schools, who married Miss Louisa Moss, of New Milford, and Nina, who died in childhood; Amy, who died in childhood; Ann Eliza, who married Henry Barnard, of New Milford, and died, leaving two children-Mary, wife of James Burdeck, of Jackson, and the mother of two children, Gleason and Newell, and Nettie, wife of Edward Hendrick, of Hallstead; John W., our subject; James D., who married Miss Emma Sumner, daughter of Henry and Rosalia Sumner of New Milford, who farms part of the old home- stead and who has three sons-Ernest, Jason and Newton.

John W. Benson, our subject, grew to man- hood on the old homestead, where he remained with his mother until he obtained his majority, in 1868. In that year he married Miss Jane Perry, who was born in Jackson township, May 20, 1852, daughter of Alonzo and Phebe (Williams) Perry, pioneers of that township, and in Gibson and Jack- son townships she attended the district schools. Prior to his marriage our subject purchased 82 acres of land on the north side of his parents' old homestead for $1,515. His share of his father's estate was $500. Mr. Benson began his married life on a moderate scale of expenses, facing the necessity of obtaining his own start in life. He erected a good one-and-a-half-story house with all modern improvements, and later built a large bank barn 120 feet long, 42 feet wide, with casement under the entire structure. He has also added two large silos. He keeps 47 cows and operates an extensive dairy business at Hallstead and Susque- hanna. He has cleared up a large portion of his original farm. In 1891 he purchased the Levi Barrett farm in Jackson township, and later in partnership with his son Frank, bought the old Henry Perry farm in Jackson, joining his present home. These farms all possess good improvements and are under a high state of cultivation.

To our subject and his wife have been born three children: Frank, Fred S., and Julia. Frank was born in January, 1870. He is unmarried and for the past eight years has been in partnership with his father in their extensive dairy and general farming. Fred S., born October II, 1875, mar- ried Miss Iona Carpenter, of Preston, resides on one of his father's farms in Jackson township, and has one son, Edward, born in May, 1899. Julia, born in September, 1877, is a popular young

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lady of education and culture, and is at home with her parents.

In politics our subject is an Independent. He has recently completed a three years' term as town- ship auditor. Mrs. Benson and children are members of the Baptist Church. For sixteen years Mr. Benson was an active member of the Jackson Grange. The family is one of the recognized so- cial factors of the township and is most highly respected. Aided by his faithful and devoted wife, our subject has impressed upon the character of his children the same sterling principles of integ- rity, industry and foresight which have lighted his pathway to the ample competence of his later years.

EUGENE C. BIDWELL, a farmer of Salem township, Wayne county, traces his ancestry back to Ephraim and Dorcas Bidwell, natives of Con- necticut, who reared a large family of children, all now deceased. They were: Mrs. Prudence Pease, who made her home in what is now Lake township, Wayne Co., Penn .; Lucy, wife of Knoar Rogers, of Waymart, Penn .; Jabez, the grandfather of our sub- ject; and Luther, Louis, Orin, Elisha, William, Rachel and Sally, who all died in Salem township, Wayne county.

Jabez Bidwell was a native of Salem township, where he grew to manhood and followed farming throughout life. He married Sarah Daniels, of Hawley, Wayne county, and to them were born seven children, all now deceased, namely: Maria, who never married; Anson, a resident of Salem township; Isaac, of Hawley; Ephraim, the father of our subject; Reuben and Chauncey, both of Salem township; and Esther, who remained single.

Ephraim Bidwell was born March 4, 1823, in Salem township, Wayne county, and was there reared upon a farm. On June 3, 1847, at Canaan, Wayne county, he was married by Rev. William Griffin, a Methodist Episcopal minister, to Miss Elizabeth Davis, a daughter of Philip and Deliah (Sutton) Davis, and granddaughter of Gabriel and Polly (Acres) Davis. Ephraim Bidwell responded to his country's call for aid during the Rebellion and died July 29, 1864, at City Point, Va., soon after reaching the South. Our subject is the sec- ond in order of birth in his family of four children, the others being as follows: Wilber, born April 5, 1849, is a resident of Salem township; Ella E., born December II, 1854, is the wife of William Walker, of Salem township; and Thomas M., born July 15, 1859, lives with his mother on the old homestead.

Eugene C. Bidwell was born July 29, 1851, in Salem township, and was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys on the old homestead. On starting out in life for himself at the age of twenty- one years he turned his attention to lumbering and farming, but later was employed as a carpenter at Scranton and in Pike county, Penn. Since then he has engaged in lumbering, but at the present

time he is principally interested in general farming and dairying. About fifteen years ago he purchased the farm of thirty-six acres on which he now resides, has cleared a portion of the same, and in 1891 he erected thereon a comfortable home, and has made many other improvements upon the place.

On December 18, 1889, at Honesdale, Wayne county, Mr. Bidwell was united in marriage with Miss Marilla Bartleson, Rev. H. C. McDermot, a Methodist Episcopal minister, performing the cere- mony. She was born June 29, 1870, a daughter of Charles H. and Emma Adeline (Kimble) Bartle- son, and as her parents died when she was a child, she was reared in the family of M. D. Rollison, of Salem township. There were two other children in the family, both older than herself-Agnes and Stephen. Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell have two children: Orphia L., born October 4, 1890; and Boyd Merritt, born March 25, 1893. Politically Mr. Bidwell is identified with the Republican party, and religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES A. SHEERER was born March I, 1827, in Salem township, Wayne county, a son of John and Matilda (Nichols) Sheerer, who were born, reared and married in Dutchess county, N. Y. His grandfather, John Sheerer, a native of Scot- land, came to America at an early day, settling in Dutchess county, N. Y., where he was employed as manager of a woolen factory. Abel Nichols, our subject's maternal grandfather, was born in Ger- many, and also became a resident of Dutchess county.

In the county of their nativity the parents of our subject continued to remain until 1820, when they took up their residence in Salem township, Wayne county, Penn., but in 1853 they moved across the line into Jefferson township, Luzerne county, where they made their home until called from this life. By occupation the father was a farmer and lumberman. He died in 1886, aged eighty-seven years, the mother in 1832, aged fifty years, and the remains of both were interred in Sterling township, Wayne county. The children born to them were: Sally A., deceased wife of Abram Bellis; Benjamin, a Methodist Episcopal minister of Luzerne county; George, who died from injuries received in the Civil war; James A., the subject of this review; Emeline, deceased wife of George Riter, of Susquehanna, Penn .; Mary, de- ceased wife of Amos Foster; Elizabeth, who mar- ried Nathan Lang, and both are now deceased; Emily, deceased wife of Jacob Snyder, of Luzerne county ; and John, Jr., who is in the employ of the E. & W. V. railroad, in Lackawanna county, Penn. For his second wife the father married Elizabeth Akers, who died in 1887, aged eighty-eight years. By this union there were no children. . Until he attained his majority, James A. Sheerer remained with his parents, and then took charge of a crew of men for the Pennsylvania Coal

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Company, clearing timber for their roadbed for two years. He then purchased a tract of 100 acres of land, and for two years engaged in lumbering on his own account, after which he run a coal train for his former employers for seven years. He next estimated lumber for that company for a time and afterward purchased 225 acres of timber land, on which he engaged in lumbering for two years, sell- ing the place at the end of that time. He continued to buy tracts of land, from which he would cut the timber, following lumbering in this way until 1888, when he was forced to lay aside active labor on ac- count of rheumatism. Mr. Sheerer has cleared more land than any man in Wayne county, having cleared seven 100-acre-tracts for himself; 3,200 on contract; 1,600 acres for the Maplewood Company, and 1,600 for the Pennsylvania Coal Company. In this way he has done much toward the improvement and de- velopment of the county, and has materially aided in its advancement and prosperity. In 1882 he re- moved from Jefferson township, Lackawanna coun- ty, to his present home in Salem township. Wayne county, and now has a good farm of sixty acres under a high state of cultivation.

On July 4, 1854, in Jefferson township, Lacka- wanna county, Mr. Sheerer was united in marriage with Miss Almira Spangenberg, who was born March II, 1830, in that township, when it formed a part of Luzerne county. Her parents, Jacob and Fidelia (Bartlow) Spangenberg, were natives of New Jersey, where they were married and con- tinued to make their home until their removal in 1820 to Jefferson township, Luzerne county. There the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1888, aged eighty-seven years, his wife in 1873, aged sixty-five, and both were buried in Kizer's ceme- tery, Lackawanna county. Their children were: Andrew, now a retired farmer of Hollisterville, Wayne county; George, a farmer of Jefferson town- ship, Lackawanna county; Henry, a shoemaker of the same township; Almira, wife of our subject; Eleanor, a resident of Jefferson township, and the widow of Daniel Schoonover, who was a soldier of the Civil war; Fidelia, widow of Henry Owens, and a resident of Jefferson township; and Lucinda, wife of William View, a retired citizen of Moscow, Penn- sylvania.

The following children constitute the family of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Sheerer: Samuel, born December 8, 1855, married Ann Sarres, and is a farmer of Salem township, Wayne county; Vic- torine, born October 20, 185-, is the widow of L. E. Merring, of Salem township, and lives with her father; Malinda A. is the widow of John Ferris, who died from fever contracted while in the marine service; Ward, born March 1, 1857, married Carrie Biesecker, now deceased, and is a farmer of Salem township; Jeremiah, born April 26, 1859, married Hattie Long, and is a farmer of the same township; Mary, born April 15, 1861, is the wife of George F. Osgood, a farmer and blacksmith of Salem town- ship; Ellen E., born November 21, 1863, is the wife

of Marcus Van Camp, a farmer of Hollisterville; and Caroline, born July 23, 1866, is the wife of Randson Swingle, of Jefferson township, Lacka- wanna county.

Hardly had the echoes from Fort Sumter's guns died away when Mr. Sheerer offered his ser- vice to the government, in May, 1861, and as a member of Capt. W. L. Curtis' company went to Washington, D. C., but he could not stand the physical examination, and was sent home. At that time he weighed 265 pounds, has always been a man of robust health, having never worn an over- coat in his life, and he now weighs 275 pounds, and is very active for one of his years. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has acceptably filled the of- fices of constable, school director and supervisor of his township. For the past fifty years he has been an earnest and consistent member of the Bap- tist Church.

JAMES CODDINGTON, a leading repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of Manchester township, Wayne county, has spent his entire life in this section of the State, his birth occurring here September 22, 1839.

Joseph Coddington, father of our subject, was a native of Susquehanna county, Penn., and a son of Thomas Coddington, one of the early settlers along the Susquehanna river, who was a noted hun- ter of wolves and panthers. Joseph Coddington was reared in this State, and throughout the greater part of his life was engaged in lumbering along the Delaware. In religious belief he was a Methodist. He married Miss Emily Lord, a daughter of James Lord, and to them were born children as follows: Sarah J .; James; Elizabeth, now the widow of Will- iam Barriger, of Manchester township, Wayne county; Nancy, deceased; and Louise Ann Cylo, a resident of Equinunk, Pennsylvania.

The subject of this sketch was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, and his education was wholly of the practical kind, as he was early inured to the arduous labors of the farm and lumber camp. Since attaining man's estate he has continued to devote his energies to those oc- cupations, and is to-day the owner of a fine farm in Manchester township, which he is successfully operating. It comprises II2 acres of rich and arable land, under a high state of cultivation, and improved with a good residence, substantial barns and outbuildings.

On September 22, 1859, Mr. Coddington was united in marriage with Miss Miranda Tegeler, a native of Manchester township, and a daughter of Anson Tegeler, who was descended from good old Revolutionary stock, and was one of the early set- tlers of Equinunk. In the Tegeler family were nine children, of whom five are still living: Esther, wife of John Ellsworth, of Little Equinunk; Minnie, widow of Charles Mogridge; Miranda, wife of our subject; Prudence, wife of Edward Houck; and Deliah, wife of Everall Reeves, of Sullivan county,

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N. Y. The father of these children, who was a farmer and lumberman on the river, died at the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Coddington have a family of ten children, namely: Joseph Charles, a resident of New York; Emily E., wife of Stephen Young, of Sullivan county, N. Y .; J. A., of the same county ; Sarah Jane, wife of Lewis Boss, of Manchester township, Wayne Co., Penn .; Frederick E., of Sullivan county, N. Y .; Edward G .; and Frank L., Thomas H., M. R. and Clarence S., all at home.

During the trying days of the Civil war Mr. Coddington responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting in August, 1862, for nine months, in Company K, 137th P. V. I. He participated in the battle of Antietam under Gen. Hooker, was in the raid at Kelley's Ford, then marched back to the Potomac, and thence to Washington, D. C. Dur- ing his service he lost the use of his right eye. He is now an honored and prominent member of Charles P. Scudder Post, G. A. R., and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Lake Como, Penn. Like most old soldiers and lumbermen, he is frank and cordial, is very popular, and in his home dispenses hospitality with a lavish hand. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and he has been called upon to serve in a number of township offices, including those of supervisor, poormaster and roadmaster, the duties of which he discharged in a prompt and able manner.

TIMOTHY KRESGE. This well known citi- zen, formerly treasurer of Monroe county, is the owner of a fine homestead near Brodheadsville, and for many years he has been identified with the best interests of that locality. He is a representative of an old and highly esteemed family, his great-grand- father having settled about 1745 at the site of Effort, purchasing a large tract of land. The descendants of this worthy pioneer are now numerous and in every generation they have been characterized by thrift, industry and sound practical judgment.

Conrad Kresge, our subject's grandfather, was born near Effort, Monroe county, and he has in- herited his father's estate. He engaged in farming at Effort and for many years kept a hotel in the village. He married Margaret Kunkel, who sur- vived him, and they had ten children, namely: Conrad, who in early manhood went to Ohio; John, who was killed and scalped by Indians one morning while working with his father on "new grounds;" Margaret, wife of Jacob Slifer; Philip; Charles; Daniel; Peter, our subject's father; Elizabeth, who married George Butz; George and Katie, both died in childhood. The mother of these children married a second husband, Abraham Kresge, and by this marriage she had three children: Melchoir, Abra- ham and a daughter who married Joseph Getz.

Peter Kresge, the father of our subject, was born in October, 1807, at the old homestead, and died in 1892 at Kresgeville, his remains being in- terred in Pleasant Valley Church cemetery. By

occupation he was a farmer, and as a citizen he was active and influential, taking a prominent part in the work of the local Democratic organization and serving at times in township offices. He was a member of the Reformed Church, in which he held office as elder and deacon. His wife, Elizabeth (Brong), who died at the age of fifty-nine years, was a native of Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, and a daughter of John Brong, a leading farmer and lumberman, who married Mary Gilbert. Our subject was one of a family of eleven children, viz .: Amelia N., born June 26, 1831, married J. J. Barthold, and died in 1895; Mary Ann, born De- cember 19, 1833, died April 20, 1836; Timothy is our subject; Sebastian, born July 31, 1838, married Catherine Kunkle and resides upon a farm in Ross township, Monroe county; Peter, born February 2, 1841, who during the Civil war held the rank of first lieutenant in Company K, IIth Penn. Cavalry, married Miss Hattie Beisicker and settled in Ten- nessee; Elizabeth, born February 8, 1843, mar- ried James Kunkel, a merchant, farmer and miller at Kresgeville; Owen is mentioned more fully fur- ther on; Spearing, born October 31, 1847, married Miss Ellen Fryanan, and is engaged in farming in Kansas; Nathan H., born August 7, 1850, married and settled upon a farm in Indian Territory; Su- sannah, born November 25, 1853, married John Graver, superintendent of the Y.M.C.A., at Mauch Chunk, Penn .; and Amanda, born May 19, 1855, died April 24, 1856.

Timothy Kresge, our subject, was born April 18, 1832, at the old homestead and was reared to farm work under his father's direction. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to Peter Gilbert, a carpenter in Chestnut Hill township, but failing health soon compelled him to give up the work. After resting a year he spent two years at the trade with a cousin, Simon G. Kresge, and later he started in business on his own account. In 1862 he was drafted as a soldier and joined Company E, 176th P. V. I., under Joseph Nicholas. During his term of service he was never wounded, but the hardships of army life brought on severe illness and in 1863 he was discharged at Philadelphia. For some time his illness detained him at home, but on his re- covery he resumed his business as a carpenter, con- tinuing it until 1894, with the exception of three years he served as county treasurer from 1879 to 1882. For some time he was carpenter foreman for the Lehigh Valley road, receiving $3.50 per day. Since 1894 his health has not permitted him to en- gage actively in any enterprise, but he is interested in lumbering to some extent, while the management of his farm has occupied much of his time. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and he is prominent in re- ligious work as a member of the Reformed Church, in which he has served ten years as elder. Socially he and his family are much esteemed and he belongs to the G. A. R., and the F. & A. M., Blue Lodge, No. 325 at Stroudsburg.

On May 2, 1858, Mr. Kresge was married, at

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Hamilton Square, Monroe county, to Miss Julia Ann Shiffer, and four children have blessed the union, namely: Willis H., who married Miss Della Bowter, is a teacher at Lecanto, Fla .; Howard died while on a visit to South Dakota; Mary E. died at the age of fourteen years; and Emma L. married William H. Gregory, a farmer in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county. Mrs. Kresge, who has been a true helpmeet to her husband, was born March 21, 1836, and she is a member of an old pioneer family of Chestnut Hill township. Conrad Shiffer, her grandfather, was a farmer there, and he and his wife, Susannah (Teel), died at the Shiffer homestead many years ago. They had seven chil- dren, as follows: George, John, Jacob, Conrad, Charles, Abram and Sally, wife of John Kresge. George Shiffer, Mrs. Kresge's father, was born in the township and was engaged in agriculture, his death occurring in 1849, at the age of forty-two years. He was a member of the Reformed Church, and was active in local politics, serving as con- stable for a time. He married Miss Mary M. Sox, and had the following children: John, of Chestnut Hill township, now deceased, married Miss Amanda Altermose; Julia Ann is the wife of our subject; Freeman, a farmer in Chestnut Hill township, mar- ried Miss Mary J. Gregory; Peter died of typhoid fever while serving as a soldier in the Union army; William H. died in childhood; James, a Methodist minister, now stationed at Wald's City, Iowa, mar- ried (first) Miss Ella Barlows, and (second) Miss Ella Gutton. Mrs. Kresge's mother, who died Feb- ruary 27, 1871, aged sixty-four, was a daughter of John Sox, a native of New Jersey, who came to Monroe county in early manhood and engaged in farming and lumbering. He and his wife, Catherine Kresge, a native of Chestnut Hill township, had the following children, all of whom lived to adult age: George married Elizabeth Miller; John mar- ried Mary A. Detrich; Catherine married Nicholas Altemose; Elizabeth married George Weiss; Sally married George Shupp; Julia married John Siglin; William; Barnett married Lida Everett; Nellie mar- ried Joseph Shupp; and Mary M. married George Shiffer.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 387

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