Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 398

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 398
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 398
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 398
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 398

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On June 20, 1870, at Dingman's Ferry, Pike Co., Penn., Mr. Bloker was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Swarthout, who was born at Bush- kill, Orange Co., N. Y., April 25, 1847. Her parents, James and Hester (Lambert) Swarthout, were of German descent, and representatives of pioneer fam- ilies of Orange county. Their other children were: Alice, who died at the age of ten years; William, who died at the age of eighteen; Alonzo, who was killed on the Erie railroad at the age of nineteen ; and Ella, wife of William Knox, of Port Jervis, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Bloker are the parents of five chil- dren, namely : Edward F., born December 28, 1871, at Port Jervis, married Elizabeth Hartz and resides in Matamoras, Penn .; Lillie F., born at Port Jer- vis, July 7, 1874, is the wife of Edward Lord, a rail- road employe residing at Matamoras ; Andrew F., born May 23, 1878, is employed on the Delaware division of the Erie railroad and lives with his par- ents ; Frank, born September 14, 1881, died February 21, 1882 ; and Sarah, born March 4, 1883, is at home.

ADAM WAGNER (deceased). In the village of Waymart, Wayne county, resides one of the pio- neer families of that region that. has ever been noted for its sterling worth, and for the potent yet unos- tentatious unlifting influences which it has wielded upon the community. In the afternoon of life Adam Wagner enjoyed the blessings which come from intelligently directed efforts. He was prominently connected with the county, and while in various

capacities he rendered signal service to its citi- zens, it may perhaps, he admitted that the chief ele- ment to his worth as a leading member of the village and county lay in unmeasurable and silent forces of example.

'The grandfather of our subject was Adam Wag- ner, a Maryland teamster, who in 1795 migrated to the wilds of Wayne county, and here carved out for himself and his worthy descendants a home and a position of prominence. The grandfather settled in Canaan township and first moved with his family into a sugar house, built of logs and covered with bark, upon the farm now owned by Ezra Wagner. He afterwards located on the farm where Jonathan Swingle lives. Here he followed farming and the various industries which were then essentially com- bined with the agricultural pursuits. He had mar- ried Mary Wheatcraft and their children were: Mary, who married Joseph Jaggers ; Sally, who mar- ried John Swingle ; Otto ; kachel, who married Sam- uel Shoffer, and John. Adam Wagner died in 1798.

Otto Wagner, the elder of the two sons, was the father of our subject. He was a boy when he came with his father to the then western home and the early years of his residence in Wayne county brought out those qualities of strength and endur- ance, essential to a success in a pioneer land. He married, in Canaan township, Margaret Emsley, a native of Pennsylvania, but the daughter of a Ger- man emigrant, George Emsley, who had settled in Wilkes Barre, Penn., and there engaged in farm- ing. Otto Wagner was a man of great force of character, a Democrat in politics, to whom was fre- quently entrusted offices of responsibility in Canaan township. He remained a lifelong resident of the township, and at his death his remains were in- terred in South Canaan cemetery. The nine children of Margaret and Otto Wagner were: Sarah (who married Ezekiel Reed), Adam, our subject, John, Susan (who married Charles Carr), George, Jacob, Fred, Ezra, a retired farmer of South Canaan town- ship, and Dorcas, wife of Rufus H. Frisby, retired, of South Canaan township. Of the nine children but two survive, Ezra and Dorcas.

Adam Wagner, the eldest son, and the subject of this sketch, was born June 3, 1815, in South Ca- naan township. His early life did not differ greatly from that of other boys in the forest home. He re- mained with his father, learning the lessons of in- dustry, patience and thrift, and attending the neigh- boring schools, until his marriage at the age of twenty-two to Miss Permelia Shaffer. Immediately after their marriage Mr. Wagner settled on a small farm in Canaan township. A few years later he sold it and purchased a larger one in the same town- ship, where he remained in active and successful life until October 1, 1894. In connection with farm- ing he followed the carpenter's trade from the age of forty-two years until he was seventy. He served no apprenticeship at the trade but learned it thoroughly by the natural gifts he had inherited, spurred by the

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necessities of the new country. In his successful efforts toward a competence he was worthily as- sisted by his brave wife, who still survives, and is active and vigorous in mind, though now failing in physical health. She, too, is the representative of an old and honored family of Wayne county. She was born August 7, 1817, in South Canaan township, daughter of Moses and Mary (Swingle) Shaffer, both natives, of that township. Moses Shaffer was the first male child born in South Ca- naan township, and by occupation became a miller. His father, John Shaffer, was a native of Germany, who came to America in an early day, and took up land in South Canaan township, when it could be purchased for six cents per acre. Moses was a man of quiet demeanor, but prominent in the offices of the township. He died in September, 1861, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1839, at the age of fifty-one years. Both are buried in South Canaan cemetery. The children of Moses and Mary Shaffer were: Sylvester; Jacob; Susan, who married Jacob Swingle, and after his death Moses Springer; Sarah, who married John Cobb ; Samuel ; Charles ; Fannie, who married Aaron Cur- tis; Permelia, wife of our subject; John; Cather- ine, who married James Glenn; Mary, widow of Abram Jaggers, of South Canaan township; and Hannah, who married G. Washington Swingle, of South Canaan. Of these twelve children the only survivors are Permelia, Mary, and Sylvester.

To Adam and Permelia Wagner were born the following children: Mary J., born September 19, 1838, wife of Robert Battan, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Charles, born August 29, 1840, residing with his parents; Elijah, born November 26, 1842, a railroadman, who married Elizabeth McCormick and resides at Rechville, Penn .; Emma J., born May 27, 1845, who married Frank Thorpe and resides at Pittston, Penn .; Sarah P., who married ( first) Palmer Stevens, and after his death Wells Benja- min, and who now lives, the widow of the latter, at Dunmore, Penn .; Susan G., born March 22, 1853, widow of Thomas D. Glenn, and lives with her par- ents ; Edward and Edgar (twins), born March 28, 1858-Edward is a railroad carpenter of Carbon- dale, Penn. ; and Edgar, who married Cora Frisbie, is a farmer of South Canaan township ; Judson, born September 13, 1860, married Mary Watson, and lived on the old homestead in South Canaan town- ship until his death July 31, 1887.

Albert Wagner was honored by his election to many offices. He served his fellow citizens credit- ably and faithfully as auditor, school, director, and in various other capacities. For many years he was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving repeatedly as steward. Like his people before him, in politics he was a lifelong Democrat. He was a self-made man in the best sense of the word, and his long and honorable career exempli- fies one of the best types of American citizenship. Held in high esteem, he commanded the respect, regard and affection of a wide circle of friends and

acquaintances. His death, on May, 27, 1898, removed one of the last faithful guards of the Past over the ever fitful Present. His remains were interred in the South Canaan Cemetery.

THOMAS W. CUNNINGHAM, formerly a well-known wholesale liquor dealer and one of the most enterprising business men of Forest City, Sus- quehanna county, was born in Cochecton, Sullivan Co., N. Y., January 8, 1864, and is a son of Francis and Mary ( Rooney ) Cunningham, natives of County Sligo, Ireland.

In early life the parents emigrated to America and were married in Sullivan county, N. Y., where they continued to make their home until 1855, when they came to Herrick Center, Susquehanna Co., Penn. For fifteen years prior to this time the father had served as track foreman on the Erie railroad, and after coming to Susquehanna county was assist- ant foreman up to within the last five years of his life, when he was engaged in the wholesale liquor business. He died October 4, 1894, aged sixty-four years, his wife in January, 1893, aged fifty-seven, and both were buried in St. Rose cemetery, Carbon- dale, Penn. They were members of St. Agnes Cath- olic Church of Forest City, and in politics the father was a Democrat. The children born to this worthy couple were John H., a resident of Forest City ; Thomas W., our subject; Mary W., wife of John H. Conally, who conducts a saloon in Susquehanna, Penn .; Frank, a general broker, real estate and in- surance agent of Newport News, Va .; Alice, wife of John H. Lumbart, a miner of Forest City ; James, a telegraph operator and station agent at Forest City ; Jennie, wife of William Murphy, a miner of the same place : Catherine, wife of Henry O'Neil, a contractor and builder of Forest City ; and Peter, a telegraph operator and freight agent for the Erie Railroad Co. Four of the family have been telegraph oper- ators. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Fran- cis Cunningham and his wife, were farming people who spent their entire lives in Ireland. The mater- nal grandparents, Thomas and Kate (Rooney), also natives of County Sligo, Ireland, came to America in 1853 and located in Cochecton, N. Y., where the grandfather followed farming throughout the re- mainder of his life, though in the Old World he had engaged in merchandising.

Until sixteen years of age Thomas W. Cunning- ham, the subject of this sketch, attended school, and then for two years engaged in clerking for Alden & Patterson at Herrick Center, Susquehanna coun- ty. During the following fifteen years he was em- ployed as telegraph operator and freight agent by the Erie Railroad Co., and on the death of his father succeeded to the business. He is a practical, ener- getic business man of progressive ideas, and car- ries forward to successful completion whatever he becomes interested in. At Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn., October 6, 1897, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Winifred Flinn, who was born in that county in 1880, a daughter of Patrick and

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Mary Flinn. Mr. Cunningham is an ardent support- er of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Catholic Church. He is widely and favorably known, and is quite popular with his associates.

S. L. DIX, an enterprising agriculturist of New Milford township, Susquehanna county, is a typical self-made man in whose life the qualities of industry and perseverance are well exemplified.

A native of Jackson township, Susquehanna county, Mr. Dix was born April 25, 1845, a son of John A. and Emaline R. (Williams) Dix. His paternal grandparents were early settlers in Wayne county, and his father was born and reared there, and was employed for some time in a sawmill, but later removed to Susquehanna county and settled upon a farm in New Milford township. He also spent two years in Jackson township, and in 1849 he went to California where he was engaged in mining about three years. On his return he re- sumed agricultural work in New Milford township, where he was held in high esteem as a citizen. He died in August, 1894, aged seventy-four years, and his wife died August 30, 1896, aged seventy-one years, both being buried in New Milford township. They had five children: (I) S. L., our subject. (2) Hannah married Peter W. Robinson, now deceased. (3) Emeretta (deceased) married James Crandall. (4) John E. (deceased) married Ida Rice, and had one child. (5) Miss Jennie resided at Foster, Penn.

Our subject's mother was a devout member of the Baptist Church, and belonged to a well-known family of Susquehanna county, her parents, Gerdon and Betsey (Cottrell) Williams, being prominent residents thereof. She was the eldest in a family of five children, the others being Phoebe, who married Olonzo Perry, of Jackson township; Walter, de- ceased; Orlando, deceased ; and Lucinda, who mar- ried John Claflan.

Our subject was nine years old when his par- ents removed to his present farm, where he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty he rented a farm, in Harford township, Susquehanna county, Penn., and then he took a position as finisher in a tannery at Great Bend, remaining twelve years. He then purchased the old homestead from his father, and engaged in general farming. In politics he is a Democrat, and although he does not seek official responsibilities his influence is recognized in the community. On July 4, 1865, he was married at New Milford to Miss Aurelia E. Tennant. They have no children, but have adopted a daughter, Miss Adie B., whose mother was a sister of Mrs. Dix. She has been with them since she was two years old, and is now an accomplished musician and prominent in social circles.

Mrs. Aurelia (Tennant) Dix, whose active and efficient aid has done much to promote her hus- band's success in life, was born in New Milford township April 15, 1847, a daughter of Thomas B. Tennant, and a granddaughter of Allen Tennant, a

native of Connecticut. Her father was born in 1815, and was a boy when the family came to Sus- quehanna county, settling upon a farm in New Mil- ford township. He was reared to farm work, and followed it many years before his retirement. In 1867 he removed to Roseburg, Mich., where he now resides. His wife, Eliza (Watson), a native of Long Island, died at Roseburg in 1895, aged eighty- one years, and her remains were buried there. They had a family of children, those besides Mrs. Dix being as follows: Alice B. (deceased) married Daniel Miller, and became the mother of our sub- ject's adopted daugnter ; Osco died in infancy ; Osco (2) is a carpenter at Roseburg, Mich .; Elbridge re- sides in Michigan ; Dallas met a soldier's death in the Civil war; Walter, a traveling salesman, resides in Michigan; Henry resides in Roseburg, Mich., and cares for his aged father.

F. E. PLACE. The world judges the char- acter of a community by those of its representa- tive citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the rec- ord of a State's prosperity and pride; and it is this record that offers for our consideration the history of men who are ever affording the young worthy examples for their regard and emulation. There- fore it is proper that a just celebrity should be given to those men who are distinguished in their day and generation, that the living may enjoy the approba- tion of their contemporaries, as well as that of a grateful posterity.

Among the most distinguished of Monroe coun- ty's citizens is F E. Place, of Coolbaugh township, who is a native son of the county, born in Middle- Smithfield township, in 1859. His father, James Place, was born in the same township, in 1813, and was a son of Jacob and Mary Place, prominent and leading citizens of that locality, where they reared a large family of children. In the public schools of that township James Place obtained his literary education, and during his younger years he fol- lowed farming and lumbering. He married Miss Sarah Overfield, and after residing upon his farm in Middle Smithfield township for some years, they removed, in 1838, to Stroudsburg, where he had charge of the Indian Queen for five years. Return- ing to his farm he opened a hotel on the Milford road and continued to successfully conduct the same until his death. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens in his community, a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic party, and in 1867 and 1868 most ably represented Monroe and Carbon counties in the State Legislature. He also served as justice of the peace, school director and tax collector in Middle Smithfield township for a num- ber of years, and was identified with all interests calculated to advance the welfare of his township or county. Religiously both he and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died in 1868, and the father subsequently mar-

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ried Miss Elizabeth Dreher, of Stroudsburg, by whom she had one son, Charles, now a leading chemist of Chicago, Ill. The children by the first marriage are as follows: (I) Nathaniel E., born in Stroudsburg, in 1838, married Elizabeth Eilen- berger, of Smithfield township, Monroe county, where they resided unut his death. He left a wife and one daughter, Flora, who died a few years later. (2) Mary A., born in Stroudsburg, in 1840, began her education in the home schools, and later gradu- ated from the schools of Pennington, N. J. For twelve years she was one of the successful teachers of Monroe county, and is now the wife of Josiah S. Coleman, of Middle Smithfield township. (3) Su- san, born in 1843, is now the wife of Aaron O. Ball, of Newark, N. J., who is connected with the Apple- ton Publishing Company. (4) Hannah W., born in Middle Smithfield township in 1845 received a good high school education in New Jersey and now makes her home with our subject and Mrs. Coleman. (5) Henry, born in 1847, was educated in the home schools and married Hannah Herman, of Wyoming county, Penn. They now reside in Boston, Mass., where he follows farming. (6) James N., born in 1849, married Ella Wolf, of Middle Smithfield township, and they reside in East Stroudsburg, where he is proprietor of the Crystal Springs Ho- tel. They have three children. (7) F. E. is next in order of birth. (8) George M., born in 1861, be- came a soldier in one of the Minnesota regiments stationed at Camp Mead, Penn., in the Spanish- American war. He married Fannie Keller, of Bar- rett township, Monroe county, who is now serving as assistant postmistress at Mt. Pocono, where she and her daughter Nita reside. (9) Seymour, born in 1863, obtained his education in the home schools, and now holds a position in the custom house at Philadelphia. He married Anna Herman, of Wy- oming county, Pennsylvania.

F. E. Place is indebted to the public schools for his early educational privileges, and in 1878 he en- tered the Keystone State Normal, at Kutztown, Penn., where he was graduated in the class of 1882. The same year he was made principal of the high school at Delaware Water Gap, and in the spring of 1883 embarked in merchandising at Cresco, Penn., where he remained for three years. Selling out to his brothers, he was employed for one year as travel- ing salesman for the firm of Thomas Miller & Co., of Easton, Penn., and then came to Mt. Pocono, where he purchased the store of the late Frank Smith, and carried on operations there as a merchant until 1888, when he disposed of the business. In the meantime he had purchased real estate in the village and still owns one of the fine cottages there. For eight years he engaged in the hotel business at that place, being proprietor of the Fair View House. While thus employed Mr. Place was married in March, 1887, to Miss Alice E. Dowling, a daughter of Josiah and Emeline Dowling, representatives of prominent pioneer families of Monroe county. After his marriage our subject brought his bride to the

hotel, where they remained until 1897. One son, born in 1888, at Mt. Pocono, blesses this union, and is now attending school in the village.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Place has been an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and in 1892, under President Cleveland's adminis- tration, he was appointed postmaster of Mt. Pocono, a position he held until elected to the State Legisla- ture in the fall of 1896. He entered the legislative halls in January of the following year, and his term expired in January, 1899. His course there received the highest commendation from his constituents and the people in his county, as he did all in his power to advance their interests, and he made many warm friends among the leading members of the House. He is an enterprising, energetic and reliable business man, who has already met with marked success in his undertakings, and as a citizen he merits and re- ceives the respect and confidence of all who know him. Socially he is a member of Mountain Home Lodge No. 684, I. O. O. F., Wiscasset Lodge No. 354, I. O. R. M .; and Scranton Lodge No. 123, B. & P. O. E .; while religiously his wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

S. U. STANTON, a well-to-do and prosperous young farmer of Scott township, Wayne county, thoroughly understands the business he is pursuing, and has therefore met with a well-merited success. He was born in 1866, on the farm where he now lives, a son of J. W. and A. C. (Campbell) Stanton, who have spent their entire lives in Preston town- ship, Wayne county, where the father developed and improved a fine farm. The paternal grandfather was John Stanton.

Our subject is one of a family of twelve chil- dren, the others being as follows: Adda married Frank McKane, of Starrucca, Wayne county, and died at the age of nineteen years. Eleanor is the wife of Lewis Haynes, a farmer of Scott township, and has three children, Guy, Osten and Tressie. Tillie is the wife of William Stanton, of Preston township, and has three children, Walter, Orvar and Iva. Lovene, now a resident of New York State, married Leone Hill, of Wayne county. Lila is at home. Bert is engaged in farming in New York. Nora is the wife of Frederick Skellet, of Scott township. May and Josie live with their parents in Preston township. One whose name is not given died in childhood. Lizzie is at home.

The common schools near his childhood home afforded S. U. Stanton his educational privileges, and upon the old homestead he continued to follow farming and dairying until his marriage. In 1890 he wedded Miss Cora Dix, of Wayne county, a daugh- ter of A. W. and Julia Dix, well-to-do agriculturists of Scott township. Two children bless this union : Ruby, born in November, 1891, and Vera L., born in Scott township, in October, 1893.

After his marriage, Mr. Stanton bought what was known as the H. P. Stanton farm, of 130 acres in Scott township, and there carried on his chosen

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occupations of farming and dairying until 1897, when he purchased the old homestead in Preston township, where he is now living. He has never let his private affairs interfere with his duties of citizenship, but has always taken a deep and com- mendable interest in public matters, especially those pertaining to the welfare of his fellowmen. Being a strong temperance man, he does all in his power to destroy the liquor traffic, and is one of the most active and prominent members of the Prohibition party in his community. He and his wife are num- bered among the leading members of the Tell Metho- dist Episcopal Church of Island Pond, contribute liberally of their means to its support, and take an active part in its work. As citizens, friends and neighbors they are true to every duty, and justly merit the esteem in which they are held.

N. P. DUNLAP has been a resident of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, for over thirty years, and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his locality. He is a native of the county, born June 29, 1834, son of Ellis Dunlap, and grandson of Rob- ert Dunlap.

Robert Dunlap was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and when a young man was impressed into the British navy. Escaping from his ship he took refuge in America and for a number of years worked along the Great Lakes, finally making a permanent home in Wyoming county, Penn., During his later years he engaged in farming on his own account, on a small scale. He was married here to Miss Phœbe Ellis, a native of Wyoming county, and they had a large family, viz .: Obadiah, Thomas, John, Peter, Ellis, William, Joseph, Robert, and Sal- lie. The father passed away in 1857, at the advanced age of ninety-six years.

Ellis Dunlap was born in 1810 in Wyoming coun- ty, Penn., where he passed the greater part of his life, living for a time in Susquehanna county. He was al- ways engaged in farming. He was married in his na- tive county to Miss Mary Betron, who was born June 23, 1815, daughter of Moses and Rebecca (Bunnell) Betron, and was of French descent,, and we have the following record of their fam- ily : Sarah A. became the wife of James Carter, of Morrison, Ill .; N. P. is the subject proper of this sketch ; Levina married Solomon Chappie, of Lacey- ville, Penn. ; Emaunel died in 1896; Mary Etta mar- ried Joseph Elzoff, of Wyoming county ; Benjamin is a farmer in Susquehanna county ; Lydia became the wife of L. LaFrance, of Wyoming county ; Tem- perance is the wife of Lyman Winans, of Wyoming county ; Electa is also a resident of Wyoming coun- ty. The father of this family died in 1880, the mother surviving until September, 1898. In re- ligious connection they were earnest members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Dunlap was a Democrat in po- litical faith and he took a lively interest in local affairs, for several years holding the office of assessor and in various other ways showing himself a valua- ble public servant.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 398

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