Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 395

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 395
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 395
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 395
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 395

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homestead of the family, in 1879, and has also re- ceived a good public-school education. In his po- litical affiliations Mr. Callahan is a Republican, and he has most efficiently served as a school director in Coolbaugh township for several terms. His aid is never withheld from any enterprise which he be- lieves calculated to prove of public benefit, and the community recognizes in him one of its most valued and useful citizens.

SMITH DORNBLAZER, a well-known resi- dent of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, where he has been engaged in farming all his life, was born July 1, 1853, on the farm which he now carries on, and is the son of Daniel and the grand- son of John Dornblazer. The last named was a native of Easton, Penn., but for many years made his home in Hamilton township, Monroe county, dying at Paradise Valley at a ripe old age. He married Polly Lauvault, who was also born in Eas- ton, and they became the parents of children as follows: Hannah. Betsy, Peter, John and Daniel.

Daniel Dornblazer was born April 26, 1812, in Hamilton township, Monroe Co., Penn., where he grew to manhood. When twenty-five years of age he migrated to Wyoming county, a year later re- moving to Auburn township, Susquehanna county, where he made a permanent settlement, buying a tract of fifty-seven acres of land in its primitive condition. This place-the fine farm which he and his son Smith now occupy-was all cleared and im- proved by his industry and toil, and he experienced all the privations and hardships which pioneers are subjected to. During the first part of his residence here he carried corn on his back to Meehoopany to have it ground. He took an active part in the work of converting what was then a wilderness into a beautiful and fertile farming country, and he is highly respected by all who know him for his indus- trious and upright life. Daniel Dornblazer was mar- ried, in Wyoming county, to Miss Rachel Miller, who was born January 9, 1814, in Hamilton township. Monroe county, and the following is a brief record of their family. John Nelson, born October 8, 1835, died January 6, 1863, while serving as a sol- dier in the Civil war; Edna, born August 10, 1839, married Joseph Klink, of Susquehanna county, and died in 1885 : George W., born November 28, 1841, is engaged in farming in Wyoming county; Naba Ann, born April 13, 1844, married Kinley Transue, and died in 1884; Warren M., born December I, 1846, is a farmer of Centermoreland, Wyoming county ; Jonas, born March 9, 1849, died in child- hood ; Jane, born January 2, 1851, died August 21, 1856; Smith is the subject proper of these lines ; Harriet, born February 24, 1856, is the wife of Levi Courtright, a farmer of Russell Hill, Wyoming county. The mother of this family passed away August 18, 1884. Daniel Dornblazer'gives his alle- giance to the Democratic party, but he has never been an active politician.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tended the public schools in the neighborhood of the home farm, obtaining a good practical education. At the age of seventeen he began to work for neighboring farmers at general agricul- ture, to which he had been trained from his early years, and after beginning farming on his own account he rented farms for several years. After his mother's death he returned to the homestead, which he has ever since conducted for his father, who makes his home with him, and in addition he cultivates rented land, in all deriving a good in- come from his chosen calling. Mr. Dornblazer has also engaged in lumbering in the township, and in the winter time in Luzerne county, and in addition to farming he has for several years operated a threshing machine. He is universally known as an industrious, worthy citizen, meriting the respect and confidence of his fellow men, wherever he goes.

Mr. Dornblazer was married in Auburn town- ship to Miss Corinna Cool, who was born Decem- ber 21, 1853, daughter of G. R. and Mary (Stowe) Cool, and they have two children, Bessie, born June 18, 1879, and Thomas J., born February 21, 1883, both at home. Our subject is a stanch Republican in political belief.

SHERMAN O. COSS, proprietor of the "Mountain Brook House" and the beautiful farm in Smithfield township on which it is located, is known as one of the most successful agriculturists and business men of this part of Monroe county, and although he is still a young man he is entitled, by reason of his ability and achievements, to rank among the most substantial citizens of the locality. He has developed a knowledge of farming and a capacity for good management which would do credit to a man with years of experience in the busi- ness world, and he is one of the native-born citi- zens of Monroe county of which she may well be proud.

Mr. Coss was born in June, 1866, in Middle Smithfield township, son of Daniel and grandson of Samuel Coss, who lived and died in the State of New Jersey. Samuel Coss had a family of four children : Oliver, Elias, Mary and Daniel, of whom Daniel was born in 1830, in Sussex county, N. J., where he passed his youth and early manhood. He received a good education in the public schools, and for a number of years was engaged in the teacher's profession, following the same both in his native State and in Monroe county, Penn., whither he came in 1850, locating in Middle Smithfield town- ship. Mr. Coss learned the carpenter's trade dur- ing his early life, and he followed it to some extent for a number of years, but finally settled down to agricultural pursuits on the land he had purchased in Middle Smithfield, clearing out a large farm upon which he resided for many years. After the pio- neer labor of cutting off the lumber and putting the soil in arable condition was well under way Mr. Coss made numerous improvements in the equip-

ment and beautifying of his farm, upon which he erected a good dwelling and barn and substantial outbuildings, converting the place into one of the most desirable and highly improved properties of the township. He made his home there until 1891, when he and his wife took up their residence in a home he had purchased in Marshall's Creek, where they have since lived retired. Mr. Coss married Miss Lizzie Pifer, and four children were born to them, namely: Della, Ida, Sherman O. and Sey- mour D. Della was born in 1862, received a thorough elementary and collegiate education, and for several years taught school successfully in Mon- roe county ; she is now the wife of George A. Bush, of Smithfield, and they make their home in Wilkes Barre, Penn., where Mr. Bush has been in the employ of the United States Express Co. for twelve years; they have no children. Ida attended the public schools and took her high school course in Philadelphia, where she graduated, subsequently engaging in teaching in the public schools for sev- eral terms ; she finally took up stenography, in which she became very proficient, and she held an im- portant position in a wholesale house in Philadel- phia, where she was taken sick and died in 1887. Seymour D. Coss is a graduate of the Kutztown (Penn.) State Normal School and the Wilkes Barre Business College, and has been engaged in teaching in Monroe county for the past ten years, acquiring an enviable reputation as a competent and success- ful instructor ; he is unmarried, and resides with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Coss have always been identified with the Presbyterian Church, in whose support and work they have taken an active interest. They labored faithfully for many years to provide a comfortable home for their family, and they are now living in peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of their early toil, respected and honored by their many friends and neighbors in Marshall's Creek and throughout the locality.

In his early boyhood Sherman O. Coss at- tended the public schools of Smithfield township, later studying the higher branches in the select schools of Stroudsburg, and like the other members of his family he took up teaching, in which he was engaged for a few terms in Monroe county. In 1890 Mr. Coss was married to Miss Laura Kaul, who is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Monroe county, and the daughter of Lewis and Mary Kaul, prominent residents of Smithfield town- ship, and for several years the young couple made their home on one of his father's farms, where he carried on general farming. In 1894 Mr. Coss pur- chased the Lewis Kaul homestead, the farm upon which he has since lived, a valuable tract, contain- ing 120 acres of fertile farm land, well cultivated and highly improved in every way, with a fine dwelling house and large, convenient outbuildings. This is considered one of the finest places in the township, well kept up in every respect, and for neatness is one of the characteristic features of Mr. Coss' home and surroundings. He has met with

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encouraging success in his farm work, in which he has displayed good judgment and a faculty for managing possessed by few, even of wide experi- ence. In addition to cultivating his large farm he has for the past ten years been extensively engaged in handling farm implements and vehicles of all sorts, engines, threshers, cleaners, mowers, reapers, binders, wagons, buggies, etc., Courtland goods for the most part, which are well known all over the United States.

For the past few years Mr. Coss has opened his commodious home during the summer season to guests from various places seeking rest and recre- ation in this, the most beautiful and healthy locality in the State of Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountain region, 1,200 feet above tide- water. This part of Monroe county is noted far and wide for its beauty and picturesque grandeur, and "Mountain Brook House," near the famous Marshall's Creek falls, is charmingly situated, the surrounding scenery being generally considered the most attractive even in this locality of numerous and varied attractions. The air is pure and dry, malaria is unknown, there is an abundance of pure spring water, and numerous other natural allurements to those in search of health, with many well-known points of interest within easy reach-the mountains, Water Gap, Wind Gap, the Delaware Valley-for pleasure seekers in their walks or drives. The rooms in the house are large and provided with every modern convenience, well lighted and venti- lated, and newly furnished by Mr. Coss, who looks to the comfort of his guests in a most hospitable manner and leaves nothing undone which will add to their material enjoyment during their sojourn under his roof. The table is abundantly supplied with the best of everything from the city and local markets, the fruits and vegetables coming from the farm. All trains from New York on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western road and from Philadelphia on the Susquehanna line stop at Delaware Water Gap, Minsi and Stroudsburg, towns within easy driving distance, and there is no doubt that the ease with which this region may be reached from the large cities has added greatly to its popularity. Mr. Coss furnishes horses and carriages to those of his guests who desire them, and "Mountain Brook House" is well patronized by persons who desire a comfortable and quiet retreat where they can also secure the best accommodations.

Mr. Coss' first wife died in April, 1894, leav- ing two children-Harland, who was born in Sep- tember, 1892, and Laura E., born in January, 1894. In February, 1897, our subject was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna Dunn, of Stroudsburg, the daughter of Dexter Dunn, who was for many years a contractor on the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern road, continuing in that employ up to the time of his death; Mrs. Dunn is still a resident of Stroudsburg. The second union has been blessed with one son, Richard D. In religious connection Mr. Coss and his wife are members of the Lutheran

Church at Craig's Meadows. Politically he has been a lifelong Democrat, but he takes no part in public affairs except as a voter.

CHARLES E. SMITH. Wayne county has many thorough-going and enterprising business men who have attained success through individual effort, and are to-day numbered among its well-to- do citizens. Among this number is Mr. Smith, of Dreher township, who is interested in several lines of business. He is a native of the county, born in South Sterling, December 15, 1855, and is a son of Louis R. and Christina ( Baillie) Smith, well-known farming people, who are now living retired in New- foundland, Wayne county. The father was born in Palmyra township, Pike county, Penn., Decem- ber 16, 1832, the mother in Manchester, England, September 11, 1835. Our subject is the eldest of their children, the others being as follows: Horace A., Louis B., Ernest E., George A., Hugh B., David B. (More extended mention is made of this family in connection with the sketch of David B. Smith on another page of this volume.)

Charles E. Smithi was reared upon the home farm, and at the age of sixteen years began driving a stage between South Sterling and Moscow, Penn., following that occupation for three years. At the end of that time he again took up farming upon his father's place, remaining with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when on his own account he took charge of a mail line between Stoddardsville and Gouldsboro, Penn., and conducted the same for a year and a half. He then went to Muscoda, Grant Co., Wis., where he engaged in railroad work and clerking in a hotel for three years. On his return to Wayne county he followed the butcher business for seven years, and has recently again taken up that business. He is also a life and fire insurance agent, buys and sells cattle and horses, and as an auctioneer has sold all kinds of goods in different parts of Pennsylvania for the past ten years. In January, 1896, he located upon his present farm of seventy-six acres in Dreher township, and has since successfully operated the same in connection with his other business.

In Grant county, Wis., Mr. Smith was married, September 26, 1881, to Miss Theressa Stark, by whom he has four children, namely: Harry E., Charles, Hazel and Mabel. Mrs. Smith was born in Austria, October 12, 1856, and is a daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Yuza) Stark, also natives of that country, the former of German, and the latter of Bohemian extraction. In September, 1857, they emigrated to America and first located in Iowa county, Wis., where the father engaged in farming, but later they moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, and there the mother died in 1868, aged forty-five years. The father, who was born in June, 1827, is still living and now makes his home upon a farm in Grant county, Wis. By his first marriage he had the fol- lowing children: Joseph, a farmer of Muscoda; Van, deceased; Frank, a farmer of Richland Cen-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter, Wis .; John, a resident of Wisconsin; Theressa, wife of our subject; Thomas; Frederick; Jacob; Edward; and Anthony and Elizabeth, twins. The father had no children by his second and third unions. His father, Joseph Stark, was a native of Germany, but died in Austria.

Being an accomplished violinist, Mr. Smith has often been employed to play for balls and other entertainments. Socially he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the American Protective As- sociation, and politically he is identified with the Republican party. For four years he capably filled the office of township auditor, and he has always been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, whether in public or private life.

JOHN LENZ. It would be difficult to find a more attractive building site, even in this pictur- esque region, than that occupied by the "Lamont Hotel," at Tracyville, Wayne county, now conducted by the subject of this biography. Situated upon an eminence, it commands a fine view of the Lacka- waxen river and a wide stretch of country, includ- ing the western part of the City of Honesdale. The Erie depot at Honesdale is conveniently located near by, and the house itself is commodious and well-arranged, containing every modern improve- ment. The genial proprietor is a man who is held in high esteem among all his associates, and al- though he has not long been a resident of the locality he has already made a host of friends.

Mr. Lenz is of German birth and ancestry and his parents, John and Frances (Kroll) Lenz, were lifelong residents of the Fatherland, his father fol- lowing the mason's trade there for many years. When our subject was one year old his mother died and the father married a second wife, named Fran- ces Michaels, and after her death he formed a third matrimonial union, this time with Lorena Clom. To the first marriage there were born two chil- dren-Bertha, who died in Germany at the age of eleven years, and our subject, who is mentioned more fully farther on. There were no children born to the second union, but to the third there were five, namely: Clemens is a resident of Germany ; Clarissa married William Life, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Joseph came in early manhood to New York City, where he married and engaged in business as a baker; John died in Germany in childhood; and William, a baker by trade, is unmarried and resides in New York.

Our subject was born in 1853, in Westphalia, Germany, and after the death of his mother was taken by his grandfather, Christian Lenz, with whom he remained until the age of twelve years. He received a good education in the schools of his native land, and later he learned the mason's trade, which he followed there for some years. Having determined to make his home in America, he saved his earnings, this process involving much self- denial, and in 1873 he took passage in a steamer 107

for New York, where he landed with but a small sum of money in his pocket. Work at his trade was not readily obtainable, but with characteristic energy and pluck he took the first opening and learned the baker's trade with Henry Labolt, re- maining four years. In 1878, having become acquainted with the language as well as the new trade, he engaged in business on his own account in Brooklyn, N. Y., and so well did he succeed that in 1884 he bought a piece of property at No. 92 Braman street, in that city, where he continued his business successfully until July, 1893. During the previous year he had had an attack of rheuma- tism and as he did not recover entirely he decided to try a change of climate, his choice of a new home falling upon this section. Disposing of his property in Brooklyn, he purchased his present hotel and the result has proved the wisdom of his judgment, as he and his worthy wife quickly gained the favor and esteem of the traveling public by their excellent management. Mr. Lenz is an Independent in poli- tics, and in religious faith he is a Catholic, and he his family being prominent members of the Hones- dale parish. During his long residence in Brook- lyn he joined the Boss Bakers' Society of that city, and he is also identified with the Knights of Honor, Lodge No. 2288, at Honesdale.

In April, 1877, our subject was married to his first wife, Miss Mary Sherger, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a native of Germany, who came to this country when sixteen years old. She died in Brooklyn, in 1881, and in the same year he married Miss Catherine Shelling, of that city, whose parents, Conrad and Margaret Shelling, natives of Germany, resided for many years in Brooklyn, but removed in 1893 to Honesdale. By his first marriage our subject had three children: John, who was born in Brooklyn in April, 1878, died at the age of eight years; An- tine, born in Brooklyn in 1879, attended the schools of Brooklyn and Honesdale, receiving a good clas- sical and musical education, and has now entered upon a promising career as a photographer at Honesdale ; William, born in Brooklyn in 1881, died when four months old. By his second union our subject has one daughter, Anna, born in Brooklyn in July, 1882, who is now attending school in Honesdale.

CHARLES TAYLOR, who owns and operates a well-improved farm in Herrick township, Susque- hanna county, is a native of that county, born in Gibson township, September II, 1840, and is a son of William and Mary E. (Kelly) Taylor, who were also born in Susquehanna county. The father died in New York State, in 1886, at the age of seventy- five years, and was buried there, but the mother is still living at the age of eighty-five years, and now makes her home with a son in Gibson township. In their family were eleven children, namely: John F., now a contractor and builder of Scranton, Penn .; Sarah J., deceased; Charles, our subject ; Josiah, a farmer of Gibson township; Freeman, a

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

railroad man ; Leslie, deceased ; Lafayette, a promi- nent and wealthy merchant and lumberman of Ohio; L. Eugene, foreman of a coal breaker at Scranton ; William, a carpenter residing in Kansas; Volena, a resident of Ohio; and Wesley, who died in Texas.

Charles Taylor remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and then worked as a farm hand until his marriage. On September 19, 1871, in Thompson, Susquehanna county, he wedded Miss Frances P. Chandler, a native of the county, born in Clifford township, January 16, 1845, and a daughter of Thomas and Arminda M. (Lewis) Chandler, also natives of Susquehanna county.

During the Civil war Mr. Taylor manifested his patriotism by enlisting in Gibson township, in 1862, for nine months, as a member of Company C, 15Ist P. V. I., which was first commanded by Capt. Crandall and later by Capt. Jameson. He partici- pated in the battle of Gettysburg, and was with his regiment until taken ill and sent to the brigade hos- pital, where he remained one month. At the end of that time he rejoined his company and was in the service until his term of enlistment expired. For three years after his return home he was un- fitted for work and has never regained his former health. At the age of twenty-five he purchased a farm on East Mountain, Gibson township, in company with his brother Josiah, to whom he sold his interest five years later. He then bought his present farm, upon which he has since lived with the exception of five years spent in retirement from active labor in Forest City, Penn. In 1896 he re- turned to his farm and has since devoted his time and attention to its cultivation. Besides this fine farm of 106 acres, he owns property in Forest City. Politically, he is identified with the Peoples party. He and his wife have a good library, are fond of literature, and keep well informed on current events.

JOSEPH BUCHANAN, who for many years has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Scott township, Wayne county, was born October 19, 1843, in Luzerne county, Penn., a son of James A. Buchanan, who was also born in Luzerne county, of Scotch parentage, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Lorinda Reynolds, was a native of Brooklyn township, Sus- quehanna Co., Pennsylvania.

Coming to Wayne county, the father made his home in Preston township until called from this life at the age of seventy-six years. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, having enlisted at the beginning of that struggle in the 56th Pennsylvania Reserves. Politically he was identified with the Republican party, while religiously he was con- nected with the Preston Centre Baptist Church. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1895. In the family of this worthy couple were the fol- lowing children: Israel, who enlisted in Company A, 56th Pennsylvania Reserves, and died in a hos-

pital at Philadelphia; Henry, who was wounded while serving in the same company, and is now a resident of Preston township, Wayne county ; Jos- eph, the subject of this sketch; Hiram, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness while aiding in defense of the Union; Elizabeth, who married Hugh Sampson, and died in 1896; and William and Daniel, both residents of Preston.

Joseph Buchanan was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Luzerne county to Preston, Wayne county, where he grew to manhood and gained the rudiments of his education in the common schools. He, too, served in the Civil war, entering the service in 1861 and remaining at the front until hostilites ceased. when he was honorably discharged in July, 1865. He participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Rappahannock Station, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, Groveton, second bat- tle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, first and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Hatcher's Run. After the war Mr. Buchanan first located in Preston township, Wayne conuty, but later re- moved to Scott township, where he still continues to reside, his farm being situated on one of the main thoroughfares of the township, three miles from Sherman and four miles from Starrucca, on the Jefferson branch of the Erie railroad. He has about seventy-five acres of well-improved land, which yields bountiful harvests in return for the labor bestowed upon it, and he also owns 118 acres of woodland.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 395

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