Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 40

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 40
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 40
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 40
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 40

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).

His family has been identified with Wayne county for many years, his great-grandfather, John Shaffer, having located in 1783 in what is now South Canaan township. This worthy pioneer came from Germany prior to the Revolutionary war, settling first in Orange county, N. Y., and he served as a soldier under Washington. While re- siding in New York State he married a Miss Forbes, and they had a numerous family of chil- dren, as follows: John, born in New York State; Moses, the first white child born in South Canaan township, Wayne county; Samuel, our subject's grandfather; Catherine, who married James Mc- Lean, a Revolutionary soldier; Susan (Mrs. Joshua Burleigh) ; Effie (Mrs. Jacob Swingle) ; Betsey (Mrs. Edward Doyle) ; and Polly (Mrs. Samuel Chumard).

Samuel Shaffer, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born March 15, 1791, in Wayne county,.

165

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and his life was spent in that locality. By occupa- tion he was a tanner, and in his day the bark was ground by means of stones brought from the moun- tains. He was a thrifty man, successful in busi- ness, and he and his wife were noted for their kind- liness of heart. He died July 28, 1864, and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Wagner, died April 12, 1851, both being buried in the old grave- yard in South Canaan township which had been donated by them to the public. Of their children, the eldest, Elizabeth, married John Spangenburg ; Moses married Priscilla Curtis; Abraham, the father of our subject, is mentioned more fully be- low; Eli married Peggie A. Quick; Amy married Daniel Evarts; Lydia married Simon Enslin, and is now deceased, as are all of the above; Barzilla was a retired farmer of Lake township, and is now also deceased; Oliver died in youth; Mary married Henry Reed, and both are now deceased ; Joseph is a successful agriculturist of South Canaan township; Alexander married (first) Martha Quick, and (second) Amanda Reed; Rachel S. married Jacob Enslin, of South Canaan township; and Martha married Francis Enslin.

Abram Shaffer was born January 20, 1815, and died in July, 1877, in South Canaan township, where he had been successfully engaged in mercan- tile business from early manhood, and was much esteemed for his excellent qualities of character. He was married January 7, 1843, in South Canaan township, to Miss Lydia Enslin, by whom he had the following children: Samuel V., a merchant at Plymouth, Penn. ; Edgar J., a contractor and farmer at Varden; Miss Helen M., who resides with her mother on the homestead at Varden; Abram J., a carpenter at Plymouth, Penn .; William R., our sub- ject ; Mahlon S., a partner of our subject's, who operates a store in Wilkes Barre; Hattie, wife of J. L. Miller, a clerk in the Wilkes Barre establish- ment; Lana, wife of Wilton S. Bloes, who con- ducts a drug store and jewelry store at Peckville, Penn .; and Anna, wife of C. A. Clayton, an elec- trician at Jersey City. Mrs. Lydia Shaffer died January 23, 1898.

The Enslin family is well known in this section, and our subject's mother is a granddaughter of George and Catherine (Swingle) Enslin, natives of Orange county, N. Y., who settled in South Canaan township in pioneer times, the grandfather being a blacksmith by trade. Jacob Enslin, the father of Mrs. Lydia Shaffer, was born in the same locality November 6, 1793, and died June 26, 1827. He was married December 29, 1821, to Miss Elizabeth Transue, who was born December 22, 1803, in Northampton county, and came to Wayne county with her parents, Melchior and Elizabeth Transte. On the paternal side she was of French descent. To Jacob and Elizabeth Enslin three children were born: Sylvester, born July 3, 1823, died June 15, 1826; Lydia, our subject's mother, born March 31, 1825; and Elizabeth, born July 31, 1827, now the widow of Asa Cobb, of Lackawanna county. The

mother died in April, 1878, and was buried in South Canaan township. She was married three times, and by her second husband, Horace Chumard, she had the following children: Simpson, a farmer of near Hollisterville, Penn .; Eliza, wife of W. R. Sax, a retired merchant at Pittston, Penn .; Martha, who died in childhood ; Edmund, a resident of Sus- quehanna county, who is engaged in the patent-right business and in the manufacture of shears; John, who died in childhood; and Delana, wife of David Dale, a merchant at Dalesville, Penn. By her third marriage, to Joseph Swingle, there was one son, John F., who married Mary Astley, and resides upon a farm in Kansas.

Our subject was born September 3, 1852, at the old Shaffer homestead, where his boyhood was spent. In 1877 he and his brother, M. S. Shaffer, engaged in mercantile business at Varden, and the enterprise succeeded so well that they built their present commodious store in 1885 in order to ac- commodate their growing trade. In 1887 they established a branch establishment at Peckville, which M. S. Shaffer conducted for four years, but they soon sold out and opened the store at Wilkes Barre. When the postoffice was established at Varden in 1885, M. S. Shaffer was placed in charge; but since 1895 our subject has held the appointment, his able discharge of the auties of the position re- flecting much credit on him. As a business man he is both shrewd in judgment and energetic in action, and as a citizen he is prompt to give his influence to any progressive measure. Politically he affili- ates with the Prohibition party, and socially he is identified with various organizations, including the P. H. S. of Gravity. In 1877 he was married in South Canaan township to Miss Nettie Tressler, and the home is brightened by six children: Merle T., Carl, Blair, Bertha, Mabel and Emma.

Mrs. Shaffer was born December 25, 1855, in Lake township, Wayne county, a daughter of Allen and Mary ( Hafler) Tressler, natives of Bucks county, Penn., who settled in Wayne county many years ago. They now reside at Hoadley's, where her father is employed as foreman on the E. W. & V. R. R. track. Of their six children, the eldest, Emma, married Adam Brooks, a farmer of near Varden; Hattie is the wife of Abram Jaggers, a farmer in South Canaan township; Alice married Sanford Bishop, a farmer in Lake township, Wayne county ; Nettie (Mrs. Shaffer) is the fourth in order of birth ; Della married John Morgan, a miner at Scranton, Penn .; and Charles, who resides with his parents, is an operator on the E. W. & V. R. R. at that point.

HOMER C. NOBLE, M. D., is a prominent representative of the medical profession, engaged in practice in Pleasant Mount, Wayne county. He is a native of the county, born in Damascus in 1852, and is a son of Charles B. and Eliza A. ( Bedient) Noble.

The father of our subject was a native of West-

166

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

field, Mass., and a son of Alva Noble. During his boyhood he came to Wayne county, after his mar- riage locating in Damascus, where he cleared and improved a large farm, making it his home until called to his final rest, in 1897. His wife, who faithfully bore her part in all the hardships of their early married life, still resides upon the old home- stead in Damascus. In their family were the fol- lowing children: (I) Fannie A. is now the wife of Christopher Tegler, a merchant and stockman, of Damascus. (2) Martin J., born in Damascus, April 4, 1848, attended the public schools and also the Waymart Academy. When a young man he studied dentistry with Dr. Avery, of Honesdale, later graduated from the Pennsylvania University, Philadelphia, and for two years engaged in practice at Wellington, Ohio. He married Ella Van Cleft, of that place. In 1894 he removed to Washington, D. C., where he formed a partnership with Dr. Henry Noble, one of the most prominent dentists of that city, and there both he and his wife died, he surviving her only a few months. They left no children. (3) Lester, born in 1850, died in in- fancy. (4) Homer C., of this review, is next in the family. (5) Hattie, born in 1854, died at the age of ten years. (6) Wellington, born in 1858, died at the age of four years. (7) Louise, born in 1862, received a public-school education, and is now the wife of E. T. Tiffany, of Mt. Pleasant, by whom she has two children, John and Lois. (8) Mervin G., born in February, 1866, grew to man- hood upon the home farm, began his education in the local schools, and later attended the Damascus and Pleasant Mount Academies, after which he en- gaged in teaching until his marriage in 1887. He resides on the old homestead, which he operates during the summer season, his winter months be- ing still devoted to the profession of teaching. In 1896 he was elected county auditor, and is now ac- ceptably discharging the duties of that position. He wedded Elva Spencer, of Preston, Wayne coun- ty, and they have four children, Alma (born in June, 1889), Luverne, Spencer and Edna.

Reared on the home farm in Damascus, Dr. Noble began his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and later attended the academies at Prompton and Damascus, leaving school at the age of sixteen years. Three years later he went to Wellington, Ohio, where he studied or- namental painting, and subsequently engaged in that work at Honesdale until 1874. He commenced studying medicine under the direction of Dr. Charles Beach, in the fall of 1871, continued his studies under Drs. Keefer and Jones, at Honesdale, and took his first course of lectures at the University of Wooster, Ohio. He afterward took two courses at the Medical and Surgical University, Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1875, and returning to his native county he opened an office in Salem, where he engaged in practice until 1877. While there the Doctor was married, in July, 1876, to Miss Anna M. Walker, a daughter of S. T. and Malissa

Walker, old and prominent residents of Salem. Her mother died in 1896, and her father is now living in Wyoming county, Penn. In their family were seven children: Linda (who died when a young lady), Anna M., Marshall K., Joel J., Bert B., Harry J. and Ernest S.

On leaving Salem Dr. Noble removed to Riley- ville, where he continued practice until 1881, and then spent the following two years in traveling over the New England States, after which he and his family removed to Clyde, Ohio, where he prac- ticed until 1885. Returning to Wayne county, he located in the village of Pleasant Mount, where he purchased a fine residence, and also bought a good farm, which he has greatly improved. He still fol- lows his profession, however, and has built up a large and lucrative practice, to which his skill and ability justly entitle him. He is a very progressive physician, and keeps thoroughly posted on the latest discoveries in the science of medicine and surgery.

Dr. and Mrs. Noble have had five children : Martin J., born August 24, 1877, at Rileyville, Wayne county, who received a fine education and is now a druggist on Long Island, N. Y .; Ray, born in Nicholson, Penn., March II, 1881; Bessie, born in Clyde, Ohio, who died there in infancy ; Homer C., born at Pleasant Mount, April 19, 1886; and Marshall, born at Pleasant Mount. June 13, 1888.

The Doctor's ancestors were identified with the Whig party, and he is a stalwart Republican in pol- itics. Socially he is member of the Masonic fra- ternity, of Freedman Lodge No. 400, I. O. O. F., and of the Knights of Honor, while in religious connection he belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife holds membership in the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He is not only one of the leading physicians of Wayne county, but is also one of the prominent and influential citizens of Pleasant Mount-one who takes an active interest in the public welfare, and gives his support to every enter- prise calculated to benefit the community. His name is a true index to his character. He is of a genial, kindly nature, is broad and liberal in his views, and he and his worthy wife are among the most refined and highly respected citizens of Pleas- ant Mount.

PIERSON B. PETERSON, M. D., a physi- tian of the Homeopathic School, located at Hones- dale, Wayne county, is rapidly coming to the front in the profession in his locality, and a promising career seems awaiting his ambition and efforts. Dr. Peterson's skill and ability are not to be wondered at when it is taken into consideration that his fa- ther is a man of learning and ability, and an honor to the same profession; and that among his ances- tors were a number of professional men who sus- tained creditably their high reputation, several be- ing physicians.

The Petersons were Protestants of the Puritan fathers of England, some of whom fled to Holland

167

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

on account of religious intolerance, and thence came to America. Among them was Cornelius Peter- son, who settled in Long Island, N. Y., and from whom the family under consideration sprang, the line of descent being through Cornelius (the immi- grant), Cornelius (2), Rulif, Jacob, and Orton W. to Pierson B. Cornelius Peterson (2), born May 7, 1738, married Hannah Parsol, of New Jersey, and they resided at Hillsboro, Somerset Co., that State. In 1796 they moved to Owasco Lake, Cay- uga Co., N. Y., where he died in 1820. Rulif Peterson was born at Canoga, N. Y., April 12, 1775, and on April 2, 1800, married Sarah Huff, who was born March 31, 1783, and died April 15, 1852; his death occurred November 30, 1850.

Jacob Peterson, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born October 23, 1806, at Canoga, N. Y., and on September 18, 1828, was married to Susan Woodruff, who was born January 7, 1806. To this marriage were born children as follows: (I)

Orton Woodruff is referred to farther on. (2) Wilson, who was born October 17, 1831, married Emeline Cobb, and died in New York City in Feb- ruary, 1898. He was a physician of the Homeo- pathic School. (3) Mariett was born September IO, 1834, and August 17, 1857, was married to Dr. J. J. Lancaster, a physician of London, Canada, who died August 19, 1884. (4) Parsol Huff and (5) Pierson Bartley, twins, were born February 2, 1837. On February 6, 1868, Parsol Huff was mar- ried to Mary A. Mason, a resident of South Cov- entry, Conn. Pierson Bartley, on the breaking out of the Civil war, entered the Union army, and served as a lieutenant in the 78th N. Y. S. V. I. He was wounded in the battle of Antietam, Md., September 17. 1862, and died there September 27, 1862. (6) Sarah Maria was born February 4, 1840, and married, December 26, 1868, William H. Beach, who is at this time superintendent of schools at Beloit, Wis. (7) Charles Ralph was born Oc- tober 9. 1842. During the Civil war he enlisted in the United States service, was captured and con- fined for a short time in prison at Andersonville, Ga., making his escape therefrom. He became a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., where he died March 25, 1880. (8) Minerva, born July 18, 1845, died March 21. 1847. (9) Walter Scott, born Decem- ber 20, 1848, became a Presbyterian minister, and is now the pastor of a Church at Brandt, Penn. He married, February 16, 1882, Helen O. Brandt.

Orton W. Peterson, M. D., our subject's father, was born August 29, 1829, at Canoga, Seneca Co., N. Y., and graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn .. in 1857, with the de- gree of M. D. He located at Canoga, where he was one of the first Homeopathic physicians, and in 1867 removed to Waterloo, N. Y., where he is still engaged in practice. He is influential in local affairs and in the Republican organization of that section, and at present holds the office of county coroner. On September 16, 1852, the Doctor was married to Miss Lydia Mandeville, a daughter of

Elijah and Hulda (Denton) Mandeville, of Canoga, N. Y., the father being at that time a miller there. To the marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Orton W. Peter- son have been born children as follows: Florence Lena, born November 13, 1856, married, June 26, 1878, Joel W. Bacon, of Waterloo, N. Y .; Denton E., born January 22, 1860, is a dentist in Shanghai, China ; Pierson Bartley is the subject of this sketch ; Mary Elizabeth, born April 8, 1869, and Nellie, born November 17, 1874, are at home.

John Mandeville, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Lydia (Mandeville) Peterson, married Sarah Drake, and their children were Samuel and Joshua. Samuel Mandeville, who was born April 6, 1778, was married, February 5, 1800, to Lydia Culver, who was born October 13, 1775. Their children were: Ann Eliza, born October 18, 1800: Elijah (father of Mrs. Lydia Peterson), born December 9, 1802, who married, May 26, 1829, Hulda Den- ton ; Aaron Culver, born August 20, 1804; Mahal, born October II, 1806; Samuel Drake, born Sep- tember 9, 1810; John, born April 8, 1813; Rachel Horton, born July 26, 1814; and Cornelius, born September 20, 1816.

Reuben Denton, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Lydia ( Mandeville) Peterson, was born June 20, 1770, married December 25, 1791, Hannah Kinne, born September 21, 1773, and their issue were: Elizabeth, born December 9, 1792; Fannie, February 20, 1795; Elijah, December 13, 1796; Hannah, February 27, 1799; Lydia, August 29, 1801; Anna, August 13, 1803; Hulda (mother of Mrs. Lydia Peterson), November 30, 1807; and Jerusha, March 24, 18II.

Dr. Pierson B. Peterson, the subject proper of this sketch, is a native of the State of New York, born August 29, 1864, at Canoga. He at- tended the public schools of Waterloo, also the academy there, and on the completion of the course at Waterloo Academy began the study of medicine under the direction of his father, later entering Pulte Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1891. For about one year thereafter he was engaged in practice in Ohio, and then came to Honesdale, Penn., succeeding Dr. Keefer. His efforts have been attended with re- ward, and he is now in the midst of a good prac- tice. He is an enterprising and public-spirited cit- izen, taking an active interest in matters pertaining to the best welfare of the people of his community. He is a member of the Northeastern Medical So- ciety of Pennsylvania, of the Inter-State Homeo- pathic Society, and of the American Institute of Homeopathy.

On October II, 1893, Dr. Peterson was mar- ried to Miss Louise Judwin, born January 22, 1869, and one son, David McKelvy, born July 2, 1894, brightens their home. The Doctor and his wife are popular socially, and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of the Masonic frater- nity, being a Master Mason. Politically his svm- pathies are with the Republican party.

168

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

JUDGE BUTLER HAMLIN, deceased. "Man is perenniallv interesting to man; nay, if we look strictly to it, there is nothing else interesting." At heart almost every one is a hero-worshiper-not nec- essarily a worshiper at the shrine of some sainted genius in the world of art or letters, but in the love and admiration for a man whose earthly influence has passed down the ages, "blending itself with the ever-living, ever-working Universe," and working ever for good throughout all time. These strong characters in history form the foundation for the higher moral and intellectual development that char- acterizes the present. Through the medium of biog- raphy their achievements are perpetuated, and for the generations yet unborn is prepared a pabulum that will fortify them against ethical deterioration. To the pioneers in the early history of the country is due much that is good to-day. From their rugged and determined natures come the physical and intel- lectual giants whose lives blend with the history of their community or of the nation. Of such came Judge Butler Hamlin, and such he became. He was born April 17, 1808, in Salem township, Wayne Co., Penn., the youngest son of Harris Hamlin and his good wife, Rue Easton.

Harris Hamlin was of English blood, and was born in Connecticut, April 27, 1767. On August 22, 1787, he married Rue Easton, who was born in the same State, February 28, 1770. In 1801 Mr. Ham- lin, accompanied by his wife and their nine children, came westward and founded a new home about one and one-quarter miles west of Salem Corners, in Salem township, Wayne Co., Penn. They built a log house, which for eight years or more was their home, and then Mr. Hamlin erected a frame house, the first one in that locality. By farming and brick manufac- turing he supported his large family, the boys as they grew to manhood assisting in the cultivation of the land. Both he and his wife were true Christians at heart, and practiced that broad charity that loveth one's neighbor as one's self ; they were members of the Methodist Church, and were liberal contributors to its support. He died August 4, 1854, and his wife passed away December 5, 1833. Their children were: Rue, Sarah ( who married John Bonham, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years), Catherine (who married Horace Lee, of Canaan, where her son, John F. Lee, now carries on farm- ing), Rue (2) (who married Daniel Baldwin, and moved to Minnesota), Oliver, Amanda (who be- came Mrs. John Andrews), Harris, Ephraim W., Almira, Butler, and Philena ( who married Volney Cortright).

Butler Hamlin early found hard work a prac- tical and ever-present reality. Like other boys of his locality in the early days of the country, he had little opportunity for schooling, their education being all obtained during a few months' attendance in the winter. But Mr. Hamlin had slightly superior ad- vantages, inasmuch as his father allowed him this privilege until he was sixteen years of age. The literary training may have been meagre, but the

noble Christian mother at home instilled in him those character-building lessons that made him the man he was, devoted to principle, honest of purpose, a man whose lofty ideals were never debased by worldly love or self-aggrandizement. From 1825 to 1827 he worked at the hatter's trade with a brother- in-law in Montrose, Penn., for thirty dollars per year, and by close economy he was able to save one- half of his salary. The following two years he clerked in the store of his brother Oliver, who was also postmaster at Salem, where he received ten dol- lars a month. He then became a partner in the busi- ness, and so continued until 1837, when he became sole owner. His appointment as postmaster fol- lowed, and, with but two brief interruptions, he so continued through all the administrations and polit- ical changes until his retirement from business. The interruptions mentioned were, first, in 1861, when he was appointed associate judge on the bench with Judge Barrett. The incompatibility of the two of- fices caused him to resign the postmastership, to which he was later reinstated ; and, second, during the time James Buchanan was President of the Uni- ted States, when he was removed for political rea- sons, but after a year, through the petition of the patrons of the office, he was again reinstated.

Mr. Hamlin's political belief made him first a Whig and then a Republican. While loyal to his party he could in no sense be called a blind partisan, for it was the principles of reform, and not the men, that he supported. A wise counselor, the party leaders could ' safely turn to him for advice. Throughout the half century of his business career he maintained the same just and honest relations with his fellow men, and old and young accorded him the respect and esteem merited by such sterling characteristics.

In October, 1838, Judge Hamlin was united in marriage with Miss Sallinda Rathbone, a daughter of Abel and Alice Rathbone, and seven children, of whom five grew to maturity, blessed their home: Lenora F. became the wife of George A. Clearwater, a retired coal and lumber merchant of Scranton, Penn. Florence B., who died in 1875, married Alice Curtis, and they had one daughter, Gertrude, now the wife of Dr. J. A. McKee, of Massachusetts. Della P. and Benjamin Franklin · (better known as B. Frank) reside at Hamilton ; he married Emma Kennedy. Charles E. married Cora B. Moss, and is a retired shoe merchant. Lillie died young. Abel R. died in infancy. Mrs. Sallinda ( Rathbone) Ham- lin was a cultured and well-educated lady. The summer before her marriage she came to Wayne county to visit friends, and during the summer taught school in the neighborhood, and then it was she met Judge Hamlin, whose faithful and devoted helpmeet she became. Judge Hamlin never united with any Church organization, but he was a firm be- liever in the efficacy of prayer, and was a careful stu- dent of the Bible. The various Churches of the vicinity found in him a willing and liberal contrib- utor to all their worthy enterprises. Broad-minded

Butler Hamlin

169

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and progressive, the town of Salem owes more to him than to any other one man-not only did he ad- vise, but he himself labored unceasingly for the good and for the advancement of the community, and the result of his work will be to coming genera- tions a monument to his undying fame. On Decem- ber 10, 1883, he was called to his last home, and in December, 1887, the soul of his beloved wife went forth to join nim in that land where the "weary are at rest.'

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 40

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