Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 389

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 389
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 389
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 389
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 389

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LEWIS W. MILLS. Life has so many sides and phases that the man who devotes his whole at- tention to any one of these becomes narrow, how- ever proficient in that one line. There are promin- ent and worthy citizens who are one sided, but the man of varied experiences and varied aims becomes on the whole the more valuable member of society. The subject of this sketch is one of the latter class. Without ostentation he is active in various relations of life. A prominent and successful farmer, he is alive not only to material affairs but to the re- ligious and educational needs of the community. Among his experiences the active service he ren- dered his country during the trying years of the Civil war are highly cherished. He participated in some of the fiercest engagements that brought to a close that memorable conflict, and the lasting bene- fits of that heroic service in the formation of charac- ter is instanced in his career as well as those of many other veterans.

The grandparents of our subject were emi- grants from Germany and became early settlers of Monroe county. They had two sons: William and John. William settled in Chestnut Hill township where he married and reared a family. John, the father of our subject, was born in Monroe county. He married Mary A. Eccert, a native of Pough- keepsie, N. Y., and lived for a time in Spragueville, N. Y., where for some years he was in the employ of Ransberry Bros. and where also he followed his trade, that of a tailor. Later moving to Mountain Home, Monroe county, he engaged for some years in farming until the death of his wife, when he re- moved to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Horace Sage, in New York State, where he died in 1891. To John and Mary A. Mills were born nine chil- dren, namely : (1) M ---- , married James Post- en, of Stroud township, and resided at Pittston, .

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where she died leaving children as follows-Daniel, Charles, John, George, Ollie Ida and May. (2) Olive J. married Horace Sage and lives in New York State. (3) James is a resident of Wisconsin. (4) William married Eliza Dubler and is now an employe of the D. L. & W. R. R. at Scranton. He has two sons-Harry and Arthur. (5) Daniel died when a young man. (6) Mary (now deceased) was the wife of William Evans, of Canadensis, and had one daughter-Edith. (7) Frank married Miss Annie Decker, of Pike county, Penn., and owns and operated a farm in Barrett. He has two children- Alice and Stanley. (8) Horace is married, has two children and lives in Chautauqua county, N. Y. (9) Lewis W. is our subject.

Lewis W. Mills was born in February, 1836, in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, and re- ceived his education in the schools of Stroud and Barrett township. Later he was employed in driv- ing team at Canadensis until his marriage, in 1862, to Miss Henrietta Bohner, of Barrett township, a daughter of Dagdel and Christiana Bohner, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America and settled in Pike county, Penn., where Mrs. Bohner died. Later Mr. Bohner removed to Canadensis, and there died. After his marriage in 1862, our subject settled in Canadensis. In 1864 he enlisted in Com- pany H, IIth P. V. C., and was mustered into the United States service at Easton, Penn., joining the regiment later near Richmond, Va. He participated in the engagement at Black Water and subsequently moved with the regiment to Camp Geddis where the command went into winter quarters. On the open- ing of the spring campaign the regiment moved to Hatcher's Run, on the left of Petersburg, and was detached to join Sherman's cavalry. From that time on until the surrender of Gen. Lee, the Elev- enth did active duty daily on the Lynchburg turn- pike. The Eleventh, it is said, made the first charge on Richmond before the surrender. It was held in service, doing guard duty on government property and assisting in the parol of prisoners until August, 1865, when it was honorably discharged at Rich- mond, Va. Among the engagements in which Mr. Mills participated were: the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864, Flat Creek Bridge, May 14, New Market, Petersburg, June 10, 1864, Stanton's Bridge, June 27, 1864, Weldon railroad, June 22-23, Ream's Sta- tion and Fishers Hill, James River and Darbytown Road, and Cedar Creek October 19, 1864, White Oak, March 31, 1865, Dinwiddie, March 31, and Five Forks, Deep Bottom and Appomatox.

Returning to Monroe county after the war, Mr. Mills purchased a home in Canadensis where he lived for three years. Selling his home in 1868, he purchased the Dan Price property in Barrett town- ship, in what is known as the "Ditch Hill" settle- ment. Here he and his sons have cleared up a good- sized farm and on this property Mr. Mills erected a good two-story house, barn and other buildings, making the property one of the best improved farms in the township.

To our subject and his wife have come eight children, namely : (I) John, born at Mountain Home in 1864, married Miss Sarah Beavers, of Luzerne county, and now lives in Wayne county. (2) Philip A., born in October, 1866, has followed lumbering in Potter, Sullivan, Mckean and Tioga counties, and is now living on the old homestead. (3) Sylvester, born in March, 1868, married Miss Ella Howell and until his death, in 1895, resided in Barrett township. (4) Charles, born in December, 1870, married Miss Bertha Huff and is now engaged in farming in New Jersey. He has one daughter- Edna H. (5) Garrison, born March 26, 1874, mar- ried Miss Tiena Shaller, of Mountain Home, and now resides in the village. (6) Ada B., born in March, 1877, is the wife of Coray Honeywell, of Dallas, Luzerne county, and has one child-Amena. (7) Floyd B., born September 9, 1879, died when a young man. (8) Carrie A., born August 2, 1885, is a student at the home schools.

In politics Mr. Mills is a Democrat and he has held many of the local offices in Barrett township. Himself and wife are members of the Moravian Church of Canadensis. He has taken an active in- terest in the Church and is now one of the trustees. He is an exemplary citizen and his wife presides in a hospitable home, where the principles of charity and good will are inculcated by word and deed.

C. H. FESSENDEN has occupied his pres- ent farm in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, since 1851, nearly half a century, and it is safe to say that no citizen of that locality is more highly esteemed than this venerable resident. He is a na- tive of the county, born July 4, 1818, in Bridge- water township, where his parents and grandpar- ents were among the early settlers, coming hither from the State of Connecticut. The family is of English origin.

Mr. Fessenden is the grandson of Samuel and Eunice (Backus) Fessenden, who came to Sus- quehanna county in an early day and here passed the remainder of their busy lives. Samuel was one of four brothers. His son Henry was born in Connecti- cut, came to Pennsylvania with the family, and in Susquehanna county met and married Patty Lath- rop, also a native of Connecticut, by whom he had children as follows : Sally E., wife of George Frink ; Eunice V. wife of Peter George; William L .; C. H .: Caroline E., wife of Billings Stroud ; Henry L. ; Samuel B. ; George ; Samuel ; Theodore ; Martha, who never married; and Edward R., who married Mary Dye (he was in the sewing machine business ; his death was the result of an accident on the rail- road, his head being cut off by the cars). C. H. is the only survivor of this large family. The mother passed away in Bridgewater township, in 1843, at the age of forty-five years, and the father subsequently married Eunice Taylor ; there were no children born to this union. Mr. Fessenden followed farming in Susquehanna county all his life, and also taught school for a number of years. His death

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occurred in March, 1847, when he was sixty-one years of age, and he and his wife are both buried in Bridgewater township.

C. H. Fessenden received the advantages af- forded by the public schools in the neighborhood of his boyhood home and obtained a good practical education, which he put to good use, in his early manhood, from the age of twenty-two to twenty- six years, engaging in school teaching during the winter season. He lived at home up to the age of twenty-six, working his father's farm, and then commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, with a neighbor, following same for about eight years. He spent four years at Montrose, Penn. Mr. Fessen- den came to Auburn township in 1850, and in 1851 settled on the farm where he has ever since made his home, by industry and judicious management gaining a comfortable competence from his land. He has been thoroughly progressive in his agricul- tural work and has won and retained the respect of all who know him for integrity and fairness in all dealings. He has faithfully done his share toward the advancement of the interests of his township, where he has a wide circle of friends and acquain- tances. In religious connection he is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, in which he has been active for years as a class-leader and at present is acting as trustee. Politically he is a Republican.

Mr. Fessenden was married, December 28, 1846, on his present farm, to Miss Polly Russell, and they are the parents of two children-Bettv, now the wife of Lemuel W. Titman, a farmer of Auburn township, and Rollin A., a graduate of the Mansfield Normal School, who followed teaching a number of years and who married Miss Ida Topin, a trained nurse of New York City. Mrs. Fessenden was born June 28, 1821, in Auburn township, daughter of Eleazer and Betty (Bronson) Russell, and granddaughter of Eleazer Russell, all of Connecti- cut. The grandfather was killed by a falling tree on Wyalusing creek. The father settled on what is now the Fessenden farm, in Auburn township, in an early day, and here passed the remainder of his life, engaged in farming. He died January 30, 1857, aged sixty-five years and eleven months, and his wife survived until 1889, attaining the advanced age of eighty-nine years and six months. Their re- mains rest in Springville township. They were de- vout members of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Russell were the parents of two children: Hannah, now deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Quick, Jr., and Polly, wife of C. H. Fessenden.

JOHN YARRICK. Nature has dealt lavishly with this favored region and no spot in the State compares in beauty with the celebrated Delaware Water Gap, whose attractions bring thither scores of tourists every summer from all parts of the Unit- ed States. The "Delaware House," recently com- pleted by the genial and enterprising gentleman whose name opens this sketch, is one of the best of hotels designed to accommodate this class of visitors and

it is safe to say that nothing has been omitted in its equipment which the most fastidious taste could de- mand. Hardwood floors, steam heat, gas, hot and cold water, bath rooms, and lavatories on each story, with other modern conveniences. are features of the place, while the comfortable beds fitted with the finest hair mattresses, and the artistic furniture show a thorough understanding of the needs of the guests. The table is supplied with all the delicacies of that city and local markets, and the bar-room is stocked with the best of wines and liquors, many of the brands being specially imported. The terms are strictly moderate, and the house is most conveniently located for the traveling public, being on the banks of the Delaware within two hundred feet of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R., where all Philadel- phia trains and all trains between New York City and Scranton stop daily.

Mr. Yarrick is an ideal landlord, his genial influ- ence pervading the hotel and adding much to the en- joyment of his visitors, and the following account of his life will be of interest. He was born in 1858, at Jackson, Columbia Co., N. Y., the son of Frank and Barbara ( Miller ) Yarrick. His parents were born and reared in Baden, Germany, and after their marriage they came to America, landing in New York City in July, 1858. They settled first in Columbia county where the father was engaged in farming six years, and in 1864 he removed to Philadelphia, being em- ployed there at his trade of stonecutting. In 1865 he returned to Columbia county, N. Y., but in 1872 he again went to Philadelphia to engage in the hotel business at 238 Jefferson street and after nine years he purchased hotel property in that city where he still resides. Our subject is the eldest of five children the others are: (2) Mary, born in 1860, in Columbia county, N. Y., was educated in a high school in that State and married Henry Lambert, of Philadelphia, who died in June, 1894, leaving one daughter-Lulu. (3) Catherine, born in 1862, in New York State, re- ceived a good education and married August Mans- seest, a milk dealer of Philadelphia. They have four sons-John, August, Albert and Frank. (4) Louise, born in 1864, in Philadelphia, attended the advanced schools of that city. She married William Summer- ville, of Philadelphia, now the bookkeeper for the Knickerbocker Co., and they have one daughter- Ethel. (5) Miss Jennie, born in 1870, in New York State, was educated in Philadelphia and her accom- plishments make her a favorite among a large circle of friends.

Our subject was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia and of his native county and at the age of fourteen years he entered the employ of Fred- erick Zeiss, a match manufacturer of Philadelphia, with whom he remained three years. He then began an apprenticeship with R. C. Purvis, a tinsmith, in the same city, and after completing his term he en- gaged in the manufacture of cigars at No. 9 North 7th street. In 1881 he married Miss Catherine Lutsch, of Philadelphia, daughter of Nicholas Lutsch, a native of Germany. Mr. Yarrick continued in the

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cigar business two years, and he also spent three and a half years as a conductor on a cable car line. Later he became general manager of his father's hotel, re- maining with him three years, and in 1889 he pur- chased the "Farmers and Drovers Home Hotel" at Teawig, Montgomery Co., Penn., which he conduct- ed successfully until the death of his wife on July 29, 1893. He disposed of the hotel soon afterward and returned to Philadelphia to engage in the hotel business there, and in September, 1897, he bought the property known as the "Delaware Hotel" site at the Water Gap. The building had been burned in January, 1897, and he replaced it with a thoroughly modern structure, worthy of its beautiful surround- ings. In February, 1895, he married Miss Augusta L. M. Siebrecht, an accomplished young lady, of Philadelphia, who is a worthy helpmate in his enter- prise. He had two children, both born in Philadel- phia, of his first marriage, namely : Frank, born June 21, 1882, and John, born July 20, 1884. They are bright boys and have had the advantage of several years of study in the grammar schools of Phila- delphia.

Mrs. Augusta Yarrick is a daughter of the late August Siebrecht, a native of Germany, who died in 1894 leaving a widow, Mrs. Marie Siebrecht, also a native of the Fatherland. This worthy couple had the following children: Hermina, born in Ger- many, married Ernest F. Ott, and Conrad, who was born in Germany, married and settled in Newark, N. J .; Bertha, born in Germany, is now the wife of Charles Schmidt, of Philadelphia; Elizabeth, born in Germany, is the wife of Charles R. Dardenna, of Philadelphia. George, born in Philadelphia, mar- ried Miss Teria Baker, of that city, where they now reside. Augusta, wife of our subject, was the sixth in order of birth. Miss Helen, who resides with her mother, is a refined young lady and a favorite among her large circle of friends.

AMBROSE DETRICK, a highly respected resident of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, is probably best known in his connection with the lumber interests of this part of Pennsylvania, with which he has been identified for over twenty years. He was born February 12, 1847, in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe Co., Penn., son of Daniel and Catherine (McCormick) Detrick.

John Detrick, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Warren county, N. J., but spent many years of his active life in Pennsylvania, in 1848 com- ing to Wyoming county, where he died in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-eight. He was a car- penter by occupation. Daniel Detrick was born in Monroe county, Penn., where he passed his earlier years, and was married there to Catherine McCor- mick, by whom he had children as follows: James, who died while serving in the Civil war ; Mary Ann, who married Abram Billings, of Wyoming county, Penn .; Lucinda, Mrs. W. L. Kinney, living on Golden Hill, Wyoming county; Jerome, living in Skinner's Eddy, who is employed on the Lehigh

Valley railroad (he was also in the Union service) ; Ambrose; Alvin, who resides at Meshoppen, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of A. G. Thayer, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Cornella and Cordella, twins, who were drowned in the creek flood when four years old; and Flora Angelia, who died at the age of twenty. Daniel Detrick was a blacksmith by trade, and followed same in Middle Smithfield for some years, remov- ing thence to Tannersville, where he opened a wheelwright shop, employing several hands con- stantly. He also acted as agent for wagons, mak- ing sales throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. From Tannersville he removed to Tunkhannock, where he tended the ferry for two years and en- gaged in farming for another year, subsequently carrying on agricultural pursuits at North Flatt for three years. The next two years he was boatman on the North Branch canal, in Wyoming county, and thence began lumbering at French's Mill, where he had resided two years when the accident occurred which caused his death. The dam gave way and carried the house, with the entire family-father, mother, three sons and three daughters-in it in the flood, the father and twin daughters being drowned. Mrs. Detrick passed away in February, 1893, when seventy-two years of age.

Ambrose Detrick attended the common schools during his early boyhod, but he began work at a very tender age and practically supported himself after his eighth year. He began farming in Sus- quehanna county with Mr. Tubbs, for whom he worked five years, and when he commenced on his own account rented land for three or four years, for one year also engaging in a stone quarry. He lived in different parts of the county until settling on his present place in Auburn, which was the home- stead of his wife's family, a well-improved tract of twenty-five acres which is now in a fine state of cultivation. He has given his principal attention to lumbering, however, and during the past twenty years he has cleared some 1,500 or 1,600 acres of timber, having rafted on the river in every month of the year at some time or other. He has taken contracts for large jobs, for the most part getting out mine supplies and sawed lumber, and it has been said that he has rafted enough lumber down the Susquehanna river to reach from his home to Wilkes Barre. He is still engaged in this business. Mr. Detrick has been one of the active citizens of the community in which he makes his home, has served as postmaster at Doolittle ever since the office was opened, in May, 1894, and for nine years held the office of school director, discharging his duties as a public servant with the same care and fidelity which he exercises in matters of personal interest. Polit- ically he supports the men and measures of the Democratic party. Mr. Detrick is well and favora- bly known throughout this part of the State, and he well deserves the prosperity which has come to him, for he has given close attention to business and worked hard to make a success in life. In fraternal connection he is a member of Lodge No. 439, I. O.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

O. F., and of the K. of P., both of Laceyville, having passed through all the chairs in the last named.

Mr. Detrick was married in Auburn township to Miss Harriet E. Chase, and they have had three children : Albert N., born October 23, 1869, who died August 16, 1878; W. Le Roy, born March 10, 1873, who died July 13, 1889; and John F., born June 4, 1875, is engaged in farming in Wyoming county. Mrs. Detrick is of English descent on the paternal side, and her grandparents, Stephen and Polly (Meeker) Chase, were natives of Connecticut. Her father, Nathan Chase, was born in Litchfield coun- ty, that State, and came to Susquehanna county in an early day. Here he married Miss Lucinda Car- rier, who was born July 13, 1816, in Bridgewater township, daughter of Thomas and Melinda (Ty- ler) Carrier, and they became the parents of three children, viz .: William J., born July 24, 1842, died May 21, 1880, was a mason by trade; he served as a veteran in the Civil war. Harriet E., Mrs. Det- rick, was born December 4, 1845. John F., born October 18, 1850, died June 14, 1889, was a quar- ryman. The mother passed away November 8, 1885. Her father, Thomas Carrier, was born De- cember 16, 1779, in Connecticut, and died March 21, 1856, in Wyoming county, Penn. On July 8, 18II, he was married in Montrose, Penn., to Miss Melinda Tyler, who was born September 17, 1792, in Massachusetts, and died May 20, 1860, in Sus- quehanna county, Pennsylvania.

FRANK ORCE, JR., a popular railway con- ductor residing at Matamoras, Pike county, was born in Port Jervis, N. Y., August 13; 1856, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Kelley) Orce, the for- mer a native of Palermo, Italy, the latter of Ireland. In the family were five sons, the two eldest dying in infancy ; Frank is next in the order of birth; Ste- phen is now a railroad engineer in New York State; and Henry is a merchant of Uniondale, Pennsyl- vania.

Our subject remained with his parents at Port Jervis, N. Y., until he was twenty-two years old, and at the age of eighteen entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Co., with which he is still connected. In 1877 he was promoted to conductor, and is still holding that position as an honored and trusted em- ploye of the same road. He is a member of the Or- der of Railway Conductors, and also belongs to the Legion of Honor, in which he has served as secre- tary for several years. In his political views he is independent, but always takes a deep and com- mendable interest in public affairs, and is both widely and favorably known.

At Port Jervis, September 28, 1881, Mr. Orce was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Breen, by whom he has had two children: Angela, at home; and Willis, deceased. Mrs. Orce was born at Long Island City, N. Y., December 5, 1864, a daughter of James and Mary E. (O'Connor) Breen, natives of Thurles, Ireland, and Reading, Conn., respectively. Her paternal grandparents, James

and Mary (Ryan) Breen, were also natives of Ire- land, and came to America in 1853, locating in New York City, where the grandfather became a dry- goods merchant. Before his emigration to this coun- try he had engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in England. On disposing of his business in New York he accepted a position as bookkeeper for the New England Car Spring Co., which was held by his son after the former's death. Mrs. Orce's maternal grandparents were John and Mary (Jackson) O'Connor, the former a native of Coun- ty Limerick, Ireland, the latter of New York City. The grandfather was engaged in the confectionery business in New York at the time of his death. The children born to James and Mary E. (O'Con- nor) Breen were: William, James and Angelia, deceased; and Elizabeth, wife of our subject. The father died November 29, 1866, at the age of thirty- eight years, and the mother, who was born Decem- ber 15, 1840, now finds a pleasant home with Mr. and Mrs. Orce.

WILLIAM KRUMMELL. Some individu- als acquire prominence and prosperity with appar- ent ease. To others the heights are attained only after manly struggle. The early life of William Krummell was passed beneath labor clouds, through which the sun only occasionally shot its rays of glad- dening warmth and light. He was the youngest child of an industrious German emigrant who came to America to improve his condition, but who died soon after his arrival, leaving a widow and four small children without adequate means of support. Happily a benevolent circle extended a helping hand and through generous assistance the family was placed upon the highway of success.

Mr. Krummell was born in November, 1851, in Greene township, Pike Co., Penn., son of Francis A. and Nancy ( Bornhoeft) Krummell. The par- ents were natives of Germany, in which country they were reared, married and lived until 1849. In that year with their three children they came to America. Remaining in New York for a short time, the family removed to Greene township, Pike county, settling at Goose Pond, where Francis Krummell died in 1851. John Bornhoeft, the brother of Mrs. Krummell, had settled in Pike coun- ty some years earlier. He at once assumed the care and protection of the bereaved family. He was a piano-maker by trade and was established in busi- ness in New York, at the same time owning prop- erty in Pike county, Penn. The Krummell family he removed to his New York residence and there gave the four children-Sophia, Frederick, John and William-each a liberal education. Sophia Krum- mell, born in Germany, in 1838, married, in New York, Michael Ross, a native of Germany, and now a prominent blacksmith and wheelwright in West- chester county, N. Y., and they have four children- John, Annie (now Mrs. Buckman), Lillie and Sophia. Frederick Krummell, born in 1841, died at the age of twenty years. John Krummell, born

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 389

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