Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 402

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 402
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 402
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 402
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 402

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).

He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, she to the Moravian Church, and their remains were buried in the cemeteries connected with the Churches in which they held membership. Their children were Moses K., of this review; George, who married Louisa Heberling, and is engaged in farming in Greene township, Pike county; Lavine, deceased, who married Catherine Waltz, now a resident of Greene township; Sophia, widow of Charles Waltz and a resident of the same township; Jacob, who re- sides on a part of the old homestead in Dreher township, Wayne county ; Magdelina, wife of G. L. Waltz, of Dreher township; Harriet, wife of Will- iam Doran, a railroad man of Bethlehem, Penn .; and Anna, who lives with her brother George.

Moses K. Rohrbacker remained under the par- ental roof until he attained his majority, and assisted in the improvement and cultivation of the home farm. For fifteen years he was then employed in the lumber woods, and for two years was with the firm of Waltz Brothers in Newfoundland. At the end of that time he purchased his present farm, which comprises eighty acres of rich and valuable land in Dreher township that he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings.

In December, 1865, in. Dreher township, Mr. Rohrbacker was married, by Rev. Mr. Hess, a Methodist Episcopal minister, to Miss Elizabeth Waltz, and to them have been born nine children: Arthur, Laura, Delbert, Oliver, Jennie, Horace, Harvy, Lewis and Floyd, all at home. Mrs. Rohr- backer is a native of Dreher township and a daugh- ter of George A. and Christiana (Wolf) Waltz, natives of Baden, Germany, who came with their respective parents to the United States in early life, and for many years were highly-respected cit- izens of Dreher township. Her father died Novem- ber 14, 1892, aged seventy-six years, her mother in May, 1888, aged seventy-two years, and both were laid to rest in the Evangelical cemetery at New- foundland. Their children were Charles D., de- ceased, who married Sophia Rohrbacker, now a res- ident of Greene township, Pike Co., Penn .; George L., who married Magdelina Rohrbacker, and is a prominent business man of Newfoundland; Lou- isa, wife of Charles Klein, a butcher of Scranton, Penn .; Catherine, widow of Lavine Rohrbacker, and a resident of Greene township, Pike county ; David, who married Sopnia Mack, and is engaged in farming in Lackawanna county, Penn .; Will- iam, who married Emma Heberling, and lives on the old homestead in Dreher township; John, a butcher of Forest City, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of our subject ; and Mary, wife of Lavine Frively, a farmer of Greene township, Pike county.

In September, 1864, during the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Rohrbacker enlisted in Company -, 198th P. V. I., and fortunately was never wound- ed though he participated in many engagements, including the battles of Lead Mines, Hatcher's Run, Five Forks and Appomattox, being present at the

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surrender of General Lee. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He is now serving his third term as supervisor of his township with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public.

WILLIAM J. SMITH, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Nelson Hotel" at White Mills, is one of the substantial citizens of that locality and has done much toward the improvement and devel- opment of his town. His hotel, which is well-patron- ized by the travelling public, is a commodious and attractive establishment, and in 1897 he erected a large town hall and opera house adjoining it, which has proved to be a great benefit to the community.

Mr. Smith derives his energy, thrift and per- severance from German ancestry, both his parents, John and Kate (Probst) Smith, having been na- tives of the Fatherland. They came to America at an early age, however, and were married in Albany, N. Y., where the father followed the stonemason's trade for a number of years. In 1858 he removed with his family to this section, purchasing a farm near Bethel, in Berlin township, Wayne county, where he and his estimable wife still reside. At the time of his purchase the place was covered with primitive forest, but he cleared and improved the land and later added other tracts, until he now owns 300 acres of excellent land in that vicinity. This worthy couple had ten children who lived to ma- turity and with the exception of two, Rachel and Peter, all are now living. Of the survivors (I) Maggie, who was born at the old homestead in Ber- lin township, married Anthony Fritz, who owns a farm near Honesdale, in Dyberry township, Wayne county. They have two children-Anthony and Katie. (2) Joseph grew to manhood at the old homestead and is now engaged in farming in Berlin township. He married Miss Annie Hoot, of White Mills, and has two daughters-Annie and Mamie. (3) John learned the trade of glass cutter in the Dorflinger works at White Mills where he is still employed, but he resides at Honesdale where he owns a home. He married Miss Annie Sooner, of White Mills, and has one daughter, Annie. (4) Jacob learned the glass cutter's trade but after some years engaged in business in Honesdale as a shoe dealer, and is now regarded as one of the leading young merchants of that city. He married Miss Katie Hull. (5) Frederick is employed as a glass cutter at White Mills, where he resides. He mar- ried Miss Agnes Smith, of Swamp Brook, Wayne county, and they have three children-Clotilda, Agnes, and Katie. (6) Claude follows the glass cutter's trade at White Mills but resided upon his farm in Berlin township. He married Miss Augusta Basney, of Swamp Brook, and has one son-Freder- ick. (7) Victor is not married and resides with his parents on the homestead.

Our subject was born in March, 1860, at the

old homestead in Berlin township, Wayne county, where he received a good common-school education during boyhood. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the glass cutter's trade in the Dorflinger works, being paid $3 per week for the first year; $4 for the second; $4.50 for the third; $5.50 for the fourth; $6 for the fifth, and $7 for the seventh when his apprenticeship ended. In 1889 he began work as a skilled cutter with a salary of $12 per week and two years later he was advanced to $14 per week, the day's work consisting of ten and a half hours. He continued this occupation until July, 1895, when he retired and in the same year he purchased the "Nelson Hotel," one of the finest hostelries in the village, which he has since conducted successfully. In February, 1897, he was married to Miss Susie Hull, a daughter of John and Susan Hull, natives of Germany, who came to this section early in life and were married at Honesdale, their present home. Mrs. Smith has always been a favorite in social circles, and she gives effective aid to her husband, their guests being made to feel quite at home under their cordial hospitality. They have one son, Clar- ence, born in December, 1897.

Politically Mr. Smith is identified with the Democratic party, to which his esteemed father also belongs, and in religious faith he is a Catholic, he and his wife being leading members of the Hones- dale Church. Socially he is connected with the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs, Conclave No. 499, of White Mills.

B. C. TOTTEN, a well-known citizen of Mata- moras, Pike county, has in an official capacity been prominently identified with public interests for sev- eral years, and at this writing is efficiently serving as constable and collector of Westfall township.

Mr. Totten was born in Orange county, N. Y., January 10, 1842, a son of Samuel and Johanna (Smith) Totten, who were born, reared and mar- ried in that county, the latter being a daughter of Orin Smith. The father died during the infancy of our subject, leaving several children, B. C., the youngest, being the only one now living. With our subject his mother made her home during her last years, dying there in 1883, at the age of seventy years.

B. C. Totten was thrown upon his own re- sources when a mere child, and his school privi- leges were therefore limited, but by reading and observation in later years he has become a well- informed man, and also gained a good practical knowledge of business affairs. He first worked for his board among the farmers of Orange county, and then learned the wheelwright's trade, later being employed as a carpenter in New York City and on Staten Island. At the latter place he erected a can- ning factory, and for several years served as "pro- cess man" or overseer in the canning of beans, corn, peas, etc. Subsequently for nearly twenty years he followed the carpenter's trade at Port Jer- vis, N. Y., to which place he moved in 1873. Pre-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

vious to this time he had engaged in farming in different townships of Bradford county, Penn., and on leaving Port Jervis came to Matamoras, Pike Co., Penn., where he has since made his home. After retiring from carpenter work he embarked in the coal business, which he carried on for a few years, but now gives his entire time and attention to his official duties.

Mr. Totten has been twice married, first in Bradford county, Penn., to Miss Lydia A. Brink, a native of New Jersey, and to them were born two children, both of whom died in infancy, and the wife and mother departed this life in New York. On Staten Island he wedded Miss Phoebe L. Price, a daughter of Elias Price, of New York. Having no children of their own, they adopted a girl, who died at the age of eighteen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Totten are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially he has been con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty-five years. He is president of the Mata- moras Building & Loan Association, and takes quite an active and prominent part in public affairs, giv- ing his support to all enterprises which he believes will in any way advance the general welfare. Po- litically he is a stanch Democrat, and, besides the offices he is now filling, he served as school director for fifteen years.

EDWARD V. MURRAY, the well-known proprietor of the Hawley Opera House, does not give his attention solely to its management, but is also engaged in manufacturing and repairing car- riages, wagons, etc., in Hawley, Wayne county. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and nota- bly reliable, and has met with a well-merited suc- cess in his undertakings.

A native of Wayne county, Mr. Murray was born in Ledgedale, September 18, 1852, a son of James and Mary Jane ( Smith) Murray, who were born in Ireland, but became acquainted and were married in Pittston, Penn. In 1850 they removed to Ledgedale, where the father worked at black- smithing and wagon-making until coming to Haw- ley in 1862. Here he established a blacksmith shop, and also engaged in both lines of occupation. He was one of the leading members of the Demo- cratic party of his community, and served as super- visor of Palmyra township, now the borough of Hawley. Both he and his wife were devout mem- bers of the Catholic Church. The mother of our subject died in Ledgedale in 1860, aged thirty-eight years, the father in June, 1891, aged sixty-five years. In their family were the following children: Ed- ward V., the subject of this sketch; Anna, wife of Joseph Wolbach, a train flagman at Easton, Penn. ; Mary J., who died unmarried; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Doody, a laborer of Easton; Henry, de- ceased ; and Isabella, wife of Joseph Gier, a laborer of Easton. After the mother's death the father wedded Miss Mary Heintze, now a resident of .Philadelphia, and to them were born four children :

Sarah, Nellie, Cassie and Lucy, all with their mother. The early home of the paternal grand- parents of our subject, Henry and Betsy (Denver) Murray, was in the North of Ireland, near Belfast, whence in 1850 they emigrated to America, and in Wayne county, Penn., the grandfather engaged in farming for several years. His last days, however, were spent in retirement at Hawley.

Until he attained his majority, Edward V. Murray, the subject of this sketch, remained under the parental roof, and at the age of eighteen he be- gan learning the wheelwright and blacksmith's trade with Jacob Keller, at Hawley, serving a two- years' apprenticeship. His father then bought out his employer, and our subject took charge of the place, which he purchased after carrying it on for two years. Three years later he sold out and went to Dakota; but not liking the country, he returned to Hawley at the end of six weeks, and for a year and a half worked for George Baisden. He then erected a shop of his own, where he continued busi- ness until 1885, when he built the Opera House block, in the basement of which he now carries on business. He is an expert mechanic, but at pres- ent does mostly repair work, as he cannot manu- facture by hand carriages as cheap as those made by machinery.

In Hawley, September 26, 1885, Mr. Murray was married to Miss Ellen Weldon, by Father O'Malley, and they have three children: Mary A., born June 21, 1886; Joseph W., born April 29, 1888; and George L., born December 9, 1892. Mrs. Murray was born in Hawley, November 23, 1855, a daughter of James and Mary (Stanton) Wel- don, natives of County Mayo and Kings County, Ireland, respectively. Her parents became ac- quainted and were married in New York City, where they continued to make their home until 1850, when they removed to Hawley. Here the father success- fully engaged in the hotel business until his death, and the place is now conducted by the mother and her daughter, Mary A. Weldon. The former is now the widow of Edward Connel.

In his political affiliations Mr. Murray is a pro- nounced Democrat, and he has been chosen to rep- resent his ward in the city council. He takes quite an active interest in civic societies, and he is an honored member of the K. O. T. M .; N. P. L. ; A. O. H. and C. M. B. A.

PROF. JOHN FRANKLIN DOOLEY, at this writing principal of the public schools of Way- mart, is well known as one of the most successful and prominent educators of Wayne county. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born April 4, 1852, at McCall's Ferry, York county, and is a son of Hugh and Adela (Smith) Dooley, the former of Irish and the latter of German extraction. The father for a number of years was foreman on the Tide Water Canal, but died in Maryland in 1872. The mother died the year previous.

During his childhood Prof. Dooley was taken

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by his parents to Harford county, Md., where he remained until he attained the age of twenty years. When fifteen years old he entered Darlington Semi- nary, in that county, taking the five years' course and graduating in 1870. On leaving that institu- tion he engaged in teaching for three years in Mary- land. During the following three years he at- tended the Millersville State Normal, and also took a special course in pedagogy, graduating in 1876. He then taught school for two years in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Penn .; the following year he taught a Normal Institute at South Sterling, Penn., and then for a year at Upper Lehigh, Luzerne county. After one year spent at Greene, Pike county, Penn., he came to Waymart, where he has been principal of the public schools for the past eighteen or more years and has also for much of the time taught private classes. For five years he worked earnestly and untiringly for the new Normal Institute which was completed late in the nineties, and much of its success is due to his persistent labor in its behalf.

On April 1, 1879, in South Sterling, Wayne county, Prof. Dooley was married, by Rev. J. F. Warner, to Miss Almira E. Wolf, and they have one son, Ralph E. The parents are leading mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Way- mart, with which the Professor has held various official relations, and is now serving as steward and class leader. He is an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, and was a prominent member of the Good Templars Society until it disbanded, and now gives an unwavering support to the men and measures of the Prohibition party. As an educator and citizen he deserves the unqualified regard so freely accorded him by the entire community in which he lives.

Hugh Edward Dooley, a younger brother of Prof. Dooley, lives at Delta, York county, Penn. He is successfully engaged as a coal dealer, and also carries a stock of general merchandise. He married Eliza Proctor and has two children, Ina and Edward, both of whom are in school.

ELISHA KINGSBURY, an industrious and thrifty farmer of Scott township, Wayne county, was born in Buckingham township, June 22, 1848, and is a worthy representative of one of the promi- nent pioneer families of the county. His father, Jabez Kingsbury, of English descent, married Miss Sarah Travis, who was born on the Delaware river, in Buckingham township, and they became the par- ents of the following children: Benjamin; Asen- ath; Elias; Rachel; Jasper (deceased) ; Jabez ; Maria ; Elisha ; Lennie; Charles ; Mary and Martha (twins) ; two who died in infancy; and Maria. Upon the old homestead in Buckingham township the mother died of typhoid fever, at the age of fifty years, the father passing away at the age of sixty-six. He was a stalwart Democrat in his po- litical views, took an active part in promoting the interests of his party, and was an earnest member of the Baptist Church.

In the public schools near his childhood home Elisha Kingsbury pursued his literary studies, and upon the home farm he early became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. For many seasons during his early life he engaged in lumbering and rafting on the Delaware river, but now devotes his time and attention principally to farming. At the age of twenty-five he married Miss Ann Eliza Stren, and they now live upon the farm in Scott township where she was reared. It comprises sixty-five acres of fertile and productive land, under a high state of cultivation, and improved with good and substantial buildings, including a comfortable residence where the many friends of the family delight to gather.

Charles Stren (the father of Mrs. Kingsbury) was a native of Norway, and was a highly educated man, being able to speak several languages. He was shipwrecked on the ocean, and was picked up by a vessel which brought him to New York City, being at that time nineteen years of age. In this country he married Miss Sarah Thomas, a native of Hancock, Delaware Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Elijah Thomas, a Revolutionary soldier, whose discharge from the service was in General Wash- ington's own handwriting. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Stren was Mrs. Kingsbury. The father was a Democrat in politics, and a Baptist in religious belief, serving as deacon of his Church, while the mother held membership in the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He died at the age of sixty- two, she at the age of sixty-eight, honored and esteemed by all who knew them.

Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury have four children : Olive M., now the wife of George B. Holbert, of Starlight, Wayne county ; Jennie, wife of Everette Lewis, of East Branch, Penn .; Vere; and Ella M. In his political affiliations Mr. Kingsbury is an un- swerving Democrat, and, being one of the popular and influential citizens of his township, he has been called upon to serve as supervisor for three terms. Socially he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men.

LUTHER C. LORING, a well-known and prominent farmer of Sterling township, Wayne county, is a representative of one of the old and highly respected families of New England, his grandparents, Samuel and Hannah (Goff) Loring, both being natives of Massachusetts. They spent their last days, however, in Sullivan county, New York.

'Squire Loring was also born in Massachusetts, where during early life he engaged in carpentering and farming, but at the age of thirty years he re- moved to Sullivan county, N. Y., and devoted his entire time and attention to the former pursuit. He was married in Vermont to Miss Alvira, daugh- ter of Thomas Winchester, and they became the parents of the following children: Amelia, now the widow of Capt. Skinner, of Clark's Green, Lackawanna Co., Penn .; Luther C., the subject of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

this sketch; Sally, who married Uriah Baldwin and died in Wayne county in 1849; Cynthia, deceased wife of John Duncan, of Sullivan county, N. Y .; Hannah, a resident of Syracuse, N. Y .; Benjamin, of Monticello, N. Y .; Jonathan, who died at that place; Charles, who died in Williamsport, Penn. ; Maria, who is married and lives in Wayne county ; and Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Storey, of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Luther C. Loring was born in Sullivan county, N. Y., June 17, 1819, and at the age of twenty-one years started out in life for himself as a lumberman. For twenty years he was employed as sawyer in a mill, and at the same time gave considerable atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. In Sterling township, Wayne county, he still follows general farming, and is also engaged in the manufacture of mapie sugar.

In Pike county, Penn., Mr. Loring was united in marriage with Miss Maria Crone, daughter of Louis and Mercy (Young) Crone, and the follow- ing children were born to this union: Eldridge, who died at the age of six years; Adelia, wife of John W. Bidwell, of Salem township, Wayne coun- ty ; Josephine, who died at the age of three years ; Charles, a resident of Hamlinton, Penn .; Lucy, who died in infancy; Mary, deceased wife of Lafayette Ammerman, of Salem township; George, who died at the age of six years; and Ulysses, who died at the age of two years.

For his second wife Mr. Loring married Miss Jane Lee, a daughter of Thomas Lee, and to them has been born a daughter, Josephine, living at home.

Feeling that his country needed his services, Mr. Loring enlisted August 18, 1862, for nine months, in Company A, 137th P. V. I., and with the Army of the Potomac participated in the battle of Chancellorsville. On March 1, 1864, he re- enlisted for three years or during the war, as a member of Battery M, Penn. Heavy Artillery. For several months he was under fire in front of Peters- burg, and then proceeded north of the James river. Being a skilled lumberman, he was put on special duty at Fort Harrison, where he remained until the close of the war, being mustered out January 31, 1866, at City Point, Va. Mr. Loring is a well- read man, especially on the best literature, and finds his chief delight in reading. He is a stanch Re- publican in politics and gives a liberal support to all measures which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit.

C. H. CONRAD, a resident of Auburn town- ship, Susquehanna county, is one of the younger agriculturists of this region, but he has already made a good start on the road to success and pros- perity, and is making a substantial place for himself among the progressive farmers of his community.

Mr. Conrad was born April 14, 1866, in Au- burn township, son of Alexander and grandson of Philip Conrad, who settled in Auburn township at

an early day, following farming here up to the time of his death, which occurred when his son Alexander was about sixteen years of age. He married Margaret Bennett, and their children were: Sally Ann, wife of Horace Gyle, of Auburn town- ship; William Henry ; Nelson, of Auburn township; Hannah, wife of A. Alden, of Montrose, Penn .; Ithamar, residing in Lynn, Susquehanna county ; Alexander ; John, of Springville township, who died in 1897 ; Horace, deceased, of Auburn ; and Louisa, widow of a Mr. Ruger, of Wyoming county.

Alexander Conrad was born August 29, 1835, in Auburn township, where he grew to manhood. He married Miss Julia Ann Trible, daughter of Henry Trible, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Frank, who died at the age of twenty-five years; C. H .; Van, a farmer, who lives in Wallsville, Lackawanna Co., Penn .; and Henry, a resident of Factoryville, Wyoming county, where the mother now makes her home. The father passed away April 15, 1891, at the age of fifty-five years. He was a farmer and mason by occupation, working in Auburn township all his life. His polit- cal allegiance was given the Republican party, but aside from casting his vote he gave no attention to public affairs.

C. H. Conrad, our subject, attended the common schools of Auburn township, where he grew to manhood, and when sixteen years of age he began to support himself, engaging at various kinds of work. When twenty he began railroading on the Jersey Central, at Wilkes Barre, Penn., continuing thus for two years, after which he went to Colorado, where he worked for wages for three years, engag- ing in mining at Breckenridge, Summit county. On his return East he bought a piece of land in Auburn township, and at present he owns seventy- five acres, lying in Auburn and Springville town- ships, the greater part of which is improved and under cultivation, Mr. Conrad devoting himself to general farming. He has also engaged in dairy- ing, keeping eight cows at present, and this branch of his business promises to be as profitable as the other. He is a stockholder in the local creamery. Mr. Conrad has met with encouraging success as a result of energy and enterprising industry, and he bids fair to become one of the well-to-do farmers of this section, where he is highly respected by all who know him as a young man of good habits and sterling honesty' of character. He was married in Montrose, Penn., to Miss Myrtie Mitchell, who was born November 11, 1871, in Springville township, daughter of William and Julia (Titman) Mitchell. Mr. Conrad is a stanch Republican in politics and takes a deep interest in the welfare of his locality, though he has not given much time to public affairs, his farm interests occupying him fully. Socially he is a member of the Grange.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 402

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