Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 405

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 405
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 405
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 405
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 405

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George Place was born September 27, 1814, in Middlesmithfield township, Monroe Co., Penn., where he grew up, and when eighteen years of age he came to Wyoming county, where he bought 106 acres of land soon after reaching his majority. He cleared up a farm and continued to cultivate the same, living on this place for seven years and later working other land in Wyoming county. On Feb- ruary 12, 1869, he bought a tract of 110 acres of improved land in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, the place on which he has since had his home, and he has made various changes which have en- hanced the value of the farm since it came into his possession. Mr. Place has engaged in general farm- ing, in which he has been very successful, and be- fore coming to Susquehanna county he also carried on lumbering in connection. He is now enjoying the fruits of his early industry, living a quiet and peaceful life in the community of which he has so long been a respected resident, honored and esteemed by all who know him for his upright and diligent life. He has never been especially active in public affairs, though he takes a deep interest in the general welfare of his town and county, and he has served as a member of the election board. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. Mr. Place has been a member of the M. E. Church for thirty-one years and has served faithfully as class- leader and steward, taking a hearty interest in Church affairs.

Mr. Place was married (first) to Miss Polly Jayne, a native of Wyoming county, who was the daughter of Daniel and Polly (Berry) Jayne, and three children were born to this union, viz .: Mary Jayne, wife of Daniel Trimble, of Auburn township; Emeline, deceased, who married Peter Ace, of Au- burn township; and Charles, who died at the age of twenty-three years. The mother passed away, and for his second wife our subject wedded Miss Elizabeth Luce, daughter of Abram and Amanda (Bunnell) Luce. Six children came to this marriage : Ann, wife .of Edgar Van Hall, of Bradford county, Penn .; Amanda, wife of Samuel McClain, of Luzerne coun- ty, Penn .; Harrison, who lives in Auburn township; Margaret, wife of Albert Jennings, of Saline coun- ty, Kans .; Theodore, of Auburn township; and Frank, who died at the age of three years. For his third wife Mr. Place married Miss Sarah E. Risley, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Newton) Risley. She died in September, 1898, aged sixty-two years, leaving one child, Lindley, who is a farmer and lives with his father in Auburn township.

H. D. TARBOX, a representative and highly respected citizen of Scott township, has from pio- neer days been identified with the lumber and agri- cultural interests of Wayne county. The difference between the past and the present can scarcely be real- ized, even by those who have been active partici- pants in the development of the county. The pres- ent generation can have no conception of what was required by the early settlers in transforming the

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wilderness into the well-settled and highly cultivated county.

Mr. Tarbox was born in November, 1825, in New York State, a son of Whipple and Permelia ( West) Tarbox. The father was a native of Rhode Island, and a son of Stephen Tarbox, a representa- tive of one of the pioneer families of that State. The grandfather was a soldier under General Washington in the Revolutionary war. After his marriage Whipple Tarbox located in Ot- sego county, N. Y., where he continued to live until 1812, when he removed to Susquehanna county, Penn. In 1824 he came to Wayne county, and with his wife and three children located in Scott township, where he purchased 150 acres of wild land. He cleared a portion of this tract, erected a good frame dwelling and barn and made many other valuable improvements upon the place, making it his home until called to his final rest in March, 1844. His wife died in 1876.

In the family of this worthy couple were five children : (1) Mary, born in Susquehanna county, in 1812, married Lee Sparks, of that coun- ty, and both died some years ago, leaving two chil- dren, Jonas and Dennis. (2) Lois, born in Susque- hanna county, in August, 1814, married John F. Smith, of Scott township, Wayne county, and now resides with her sons in that township. (3) Han- nah, also a native of Susquehanna county, mar- ried Lewis Smith, of Scott township, Wayne coun- ty, and died in 1895, in Broome county, N. Y., leav- ing a family. (4) H. D. is next in order of birth. (5) William W., born on the old homestead in Wayne county, in 1827, now lives on a farm adjoin- ing that place. He married Betsy A. Howell, of Susquehanna county, and has three children, Girard, Zelaca and Edwin.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the farm in Scott township, where he still continues to reside, and in the local schools he acquired his education. Throughout his business ca- reer he has principally engaged in lumbering, dairy- ing and general farming, and his efforts have been crowned with prosperity.

Mr. Tarbox was married, in 1853, to Miss Mor- rilla A. Hine, of Susquehanna county, a daughter of Miles and Esther Hine, natives of Connecticut, and well-to-do farming people. Eight children grace this union : (I) Frank, born in 1854, was edu- cated in the public schools of Scott township, and is now engaged in farming in that township. He mar- ried Adelaide Meliss, of Wayne county, and has ten children. (2) Charles, born in 1856, married Lena Roberts, of Scott township, where he died leaving a widow and three children. (3) Willis, born in 1858, married Adaline Roberts, of Scott township, and is now engaged in farming in that township. He has two children, Rena and Arthur. (4) Emily, born in 1860, is the wife of Willard Travis, of Elmira, N. Y., and has five children. (5) Lewis, born in 1862, married Miss Conrow, of Sherman, Wayne coun- ty, who died in 1892, leaving one child, Lillian. (6)

Oscar H., born in 1865, married Gertrude Termliger, of Deposit, N. Y., and they live with his father. They have one daughter. (7) George, born in 1867, married Gule Roberts, of Scott township, where they now reside. They have two chil- dren, Sadie, and one whose name is not given. (8) Commodore, born in 1869, married Ber- tha Howell, of Wayne county, by whom he has one child, Leslie, and they live on the old homestead with his father.

Politically Mr. Tarbox is a Jacksonian Demo- crat, has taken a very active and prominent part in local politics, and has capably filled all of the town- ship offices. Religiously, both he and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are held in high regard by all who know them for their many excellencies of character.

ABRAM NEVILLE. For many years this gentleman was actively identified with the agricult- ural interests of Sterling township, Wayne county, but is now living retired upon the old Neville home- stead where almost his entire life has been passed. He was born in Ireland, September 7, 1839, a son of Joshua and Mary Ann (Cross) Neville, who were natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. On coming to America in 1847, the family located in Sterling town- ship, Wayne county, where the father purchased 114 acres, and in connection with its cultivation and de- velopment he also worked at the carpenter's trade, meeting with a well deserved success in his under- takings. He died February 23, 1877, aged eighty years, his wife November 22, 1886, aged eighty-sev- en, and they now sleep side by side in Zion ceme- tery, Sterling township. Their children were as fol- lows : Mary A., who died in Ireland ; Margaret, who married James Thompson and died in Ireland ; Will- iam, who died in the same country ; Edward, now a farmer of Colorado; James and Joshua, both agri- culturists of Sterling township, Wayne county ; Thomas, who was killed by a falling tree; Abram, of this sketch; and John, a farmer and carpenter of Kansas.

Abram Neville was about eight years old when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, and since then his life has been passed on the farm in Sterling township where he now makes his home. He was a thorough and skill- ful farmer, and due success was not denied him in his chosen calling, so that he is now able to lay aside the cares and responsibilities of business life and spend his last years in ease and quiet. He is an ardent Republican in politics, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office.

At Moscow, Penn., September II, 1873, Mr. Neville was married, by Rev. Lacock, an Episcopal clergyman, to Miss Harriet R. Bortree, and to them has been born a son, Floyd A., still at home. Mrs. Neville was born in Sterling township, Wayne coun- ty, October I, 1840, and is a daughter of John H. and Eliza (Simons) Bortree, natives of Philadelphia and Wayne county, respectively. Eliza (Simons)

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Bortree was a daughter of Richard Simons, who came from Tyrone, Ireland, about 1806. A year or two later he bought land in Greene township, but re- turned to Philadelphia where he worked at nail mak- ing. In 1819 he brought his family to his place in Greene township, remaining there seven years, then removing to the farm just south of Zion Church, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. Their children were Eliza, John, Annette, Lewis, George W., Frances, Catherine, Richard, William and Mary.

John H. Bortree is a son of Thomas and Ann (Hazelton) Bortree, who were born, reared and married on the Emerald Isle, whence they came to America in 1808, taking up their residence in Ster- ling township, Wayne county, where the former followed farming and shoemaking. He died in 1867, at the age of ninety-two years, and his wife in 1878, at the very advanced age of ninety-nine years and eleven months. Their children were as follows : William, born July 14, 1804, married Maria Hollister ; Simon, born April 4, 1806, married Ra- chel Cross ; Rebecca, born August 7, 1808, married A. S. Howe; Susannah, born May 2, 1811, married John R. Gilpin ; Dawson, born April 25, 1813, mar- ried Almira Gorman, of Salem township, Wayne county ; John H., born August 31, 1815, is the fa- ther of Mrs. Neville; Allen, born December 25, 1818, first married Frances Cross and after her death wedded Jane Stevens; Mary A., born October 3, 1820, married John Gilpin; Elizabeth, born April 10, 1823, was the second wife of John Gilpin, men- tioned above; and Alonzo H., born August 27, 1825, married Harriet Lee.

CYRUS HOYLE, who lives two miles west of Honesdale, in Texas township, Wayne county, has been in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., at that point for fifty-three years. With the exception of his first few years his entire life has been spent here, and he is one of the respected resi- dents of this neighborhood.

Mr. Hoyle is a native of Cornwall, England, born in 1830, and his parents, Arthur and Margaret (Hicks) Hoyle, were born, reared and married in that county. In 1832 the father came to America, soon afterward settling in Wayne county, Penn., and the following year he sent for his family, who embarked from England in the sailing vessel "May- flower," which landed them in Quebec, Canada. Thence they came by canal to Honesdale, where they afterward had their home, Mr. Hoyle dying here in 1888, his wife preceding him to the grave in 1886. About the time the Delaware & Hudson canal was first built he entered the employ of the company for some time running lime boats on different sec- tions, and later working as engineer, and he con- tinued in their service for the remainder of his life. His family consisted of seven children, namely : (I) William, born in England, grew to manhood in Wayne county, and like the rest of the family received his education in the public schools. For

over fifty years he followed railroading in the em- ploy of the Delaware & Hudson Co., and he is now living retired in Prompton, Wayne county. His first wife was Elizabeth Smith, of Wayne county, who died in 1853, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Albert Steels, of Carbondale. His sec- ond wife was Melissa Hutchon, of this county, by whom he has had five children-Samuel, Robert (both living) and Mary, William, and Grace (who died young. (2) John was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, married Miss Annie Lee, of Wayne county, and resided in Seelyville, where he died. He left a wife and three children-William, Maggie and Arthur, who died some years ago. (3) Richard was born in England, was reared in Honesdale, and was killed on the railroad in early manhood. (4) Cyrus is our subject. (5) Henry, born in Honesdale, was a railroad man all his life. He died unmarried at the age of forty. (6) Millicent, born in Honesdale, became the wife of Thomas Potter, of that place,

where they have continued to reside. They have four children-Owen Potter, Emma, William and one whose name is not given. (7) Emeline, born in Honesdale, married William Goodman, of the same place, and died some thirty years ago, leaving two children-Edmund, who lives in Scranton, Penn., and Emeline, Mrs. William Brown, of Hones- dale. The parents of this family were members of the Episcopal Church.

Cyrus Hoyle received a good common-school education in Honesdale, and was but fifteen years of age when he commenced work for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., at first in the capacity of con- ductor on the Gravity road. He is now stationary engineer on this road, on which he has been em- ployed continuously for fifty-three years, and it is needless to say that he has given entire satisfaction in his long career of service with one company. Steady habits and faithful attention to duty have marked him as one of the reliable men of the road, and he is justly respected for the industrious and useful life which he has led. In 1854 he married Miss Julia Hudson, a daughter of Oscar and Mar- garet Hudson, who were well-known citizens of Waymart, Wayne county, and the young couple passed the first year or two of married life in that town, after which they settled on the property which has since been their home, and which is situated two miles west of Honesdale, on the Gravity road. Mr. Hoyle also purchased real estate near the town of Seelyville, which he still owns. Nine children came to Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle, six of whom are liv- ing, viz. : Hattie, Silas and Emma died in childhood. Edith, born at Waymart, became the wife of Albert Simons, of Wayne county, who is now engaged in business in Coquette, Minn., where they reside; they have two sons-Albert and one whose name is not given. Vera, born in Honesdale, married Chaun- cey F. Walters, of Wayne county, and they live in Prompton with their family of four children-Pearl, Edmondson, Effel and Julia. Carrie, Mrs. Lewis Walters, of Carbondale, Lackawanna Co., Penn.,

İ- 1.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

has two children-Eva and one whose name is not given. Horace is fireman on a stationary engine and resides near his parents; he married a lady of Bethany, Wayne county, and they have three chil- dren-Mabel, Harry and Clarence. Ambrose is also a railroad man, living in Boston ; he is unmar- ried. R. Wellington is brakeman on a railroad in New York State. Our subject is a Republican in his political views. In his religious connection he supports the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a faithful member, and though not particularly active in outside affairs he is loyal and public- spirited in advancing every interest of his town, where he is regarded as a good, reliable citizen in the fullest sense of the term.

L. D. PRENTICE. The natural advantages of this section attracted at an early day a superior class of settlers, thrifty, industrious, progressive, and law-abiding, whose influence gave permanent direction to the development of the locality. Among those worthy pioneers of Scott township, Wayne county, the Prentice family hold a prominent place.

Upon the farm where he still lives the subject of this sketch was born December 26, 1841, a son of Asher and Polly (Terry) Prentice, the former a na- tive of Connecticut (born in 1799), the latter in Massachusetts. At Long Meadow, in the latter State, they were married, and soon afterward mi- grated to Wayne county, Penn., locating in Scott township, a mile and a half from the New York State line, near the Delaware river, where the father purchased 100 acres of government land. He built a log house and barn and made other improvements upon the place, and in connection with its cultiva- tion he engaged in lumbering on the Delaware river. He died there in 1865, his wife in November, 1878, honored and respected by all who knew him.

Eight children constituted their family, and all were born on the old homestead in Scott township: (!) Cyrus, born in 1823, married Lydia Lee, who bore him four children, Jennie, Lewis, George and Emma. He died in February, 1892. (2) Sally W., born in 1825, is the wife of Charles Lee, of Sus- quehanna county, Penn. (3) William E., born in October, 1827, married Eunice Walker, of Balds Eddy, Wayne county, and has a large family. They now live in Susquehanna county. (4) Mary L., born in 1830, married George P. Dow, of Preston township, Wayne county, and died in 1864, leaving a large family. (5) Jane A., born in June, 1833, married H. Squires, of Georgetown, N. Y., and after his death wedded John Hand, of Melrose, Wayne county, where she now lives. She has a family. (6) Ethan S., born in September, 1837, died at the age of four years. (7) L. D. is next in order of birth. (8) Joseph G., born in May, 1844, married Phobe Way- mond, of New Milford, Susquehanna county, who. died leaving two children, and he later wedded Betsy Stemrod. They make their home in Scott township, Wayne county.

On the old homestead L. D. Prentice was reared

like most boys of his day, assisting in the arduous tasks of clearing and developing the farm, and at- tending public schools when his services were not needed at home. The lumber industry has claimed much of his attention, and as a steersman he has taken rafts of both logs and sawed lumber down the Delaware river to the Trenton markets, making 175 trips in all, and as many of four trips some seasons. He has always lived upon the old home farm, to which he added 120 acres after his father's death, and has cleared a large portion of the land. In 1861 he built a fine residence which he still uses, and since then has built another house upon the place, it being occupied by his son, George A.

Mr. Prentice was married January 31, 1861, to Miss Mary L. Gordon, who was born in Clifford, Penn., in 1846, a daughter of Russel and Permelia (Lee) Gordon, of Scott township. Her parents are now deceased, the father dying at the home of our subject in 1885. To Mr. and Mrs. Prentice have been born children as follows: (I) George A., born in April, 1862, lives on a part of his father's farm. He married Annie Gillan, of Deposit, N. Y., and has two children, George E. and Edna M. (2) Horace B., born February 21, 1866, died in childhood. (3) Erwin D., born September 14, 1867, is now located in Orange, Penn., where he is now serving as pastor of the Free Methodist Church. He married Lottie Sutton, of Vernon, Penn., and has one son, Harry. (4) Mary L., born November 12, 1869, is the wife of Abijah Green, of Trout Creek, N. Y., and has one daughter, Mattie. (5) Eugene, born in February, 1873, is now a barber at Deposit, N. Y. (6) Frederick O., born February 10, 1878, is at home. (7) Nel- lie M., born March 6, 1881, died March 10, 1889.

In his political affiliations Mr. Prentice is a Democrat, and he has been called upon to serve as supervisor of his township three years, and as a member of the board of election. In his life work he has achieved success through his own exertions and the assistance of his estimable wife, so that he is now numbered among the prosperous and substan- tial citizens. No man in Scott township is more honored or highly respected.

JAMES MATTHEWS. The subject of this sketch is one of the prominent and influential busi- ness men of Cresco, Monroe county. He is the owner and proprietor of the "Cresco Hotel," and since he has taken charge of it, a few years ago, he has made many improvements in it.

Mr. Matthews is a native of England, born in Cornwall May 20, 1839, the son of John and Mary (Nicholas) Matthews, who were natives and life- long residents of Cornwall. John Matthews was a miner and died in 1858. His widow survived until 1891. They reared five children namely : (1) Mary A., born in 1837, married William Hoper, by whom she had four children-Mary, Emma, Jane and Will- iam. The mother after the death of her husband came to America, married Richard Powell, a na- tive of Wales, and now both are residents of Morris

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county, N. J. (2) James is the subject of this sketch. (3) John, born in 1842, is married and re- sides in Cornwall, England. Some of his children came to America. (4) Honor, born in 1845, is the wife of Jacob Allen, of Cornwall, England. Mem- bers of the family reside in Australia, and one son, William, came to this country and is now a resi- dent of Colorado. (5) Henry, born in 1848, re- mained with his mother in England until 1870, then came to America. For a year he worked in the iron mines of New Jersey, then removed to Colorado, where he was engaged in mining for a few years, and also in the saloon and butchering business. Subsequently he returned to Cornwall, England, and married Miss Johanna Ellis. They came to Colorado, and after amassing considerable property recrossed the ocean and now live with their family in their native town.

James Matthews, our subject, when a boy worked in the china clay mines until eighteen years of age, then commenced work in the tin mines of Cornwall. In 1864 he came to this country, and became employed in the Hiberian Iron mines of Morris county, N. J., remaining six years. He was then for some years engaged in the saloon business: In 1875 he became proprietor of a hotel at Port Oram, N. J., continuing in charge for fifteen years. Selling out in 1890, Mr. Matthews, in April, 1891, came to Barrett township, Monroe Co., Penn., and purchased the "John Yetters hotel" at Cresco. He has been its proprietor ever since and by many improvements and his happy and energetic manner as a host he has made it one of the famed and popular hostelries of Monroe county.

In 1865, Mr. Matthews was married, in Morris county, N. J., to Miss Elizabeth Ellis, daughter of William and Elizabeth Ellis, natives of England. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis came to America, thence to the New Jersey home of her son John, who had migrated thither some years earlier. The children of William and Elizabeth Ellis were William, John, Elizabeth, and Peter. Of these children William Ellis came to America and to Tennessee before the Civil war and in that war served as a soldier in the Confederate army. After the war he worked in the mines in Alabama until his death. He left one son, William, who is now a resident of Alabama. John Ellis moved from his New Jersey home to Colorado where he died. Peter Ellis, the youngest child, died in New Jersey leav- ing Elizabeth, the wife of our subject, the only sur- viving child, and with her the mother lived until her death.

To our subject and wife have come two children : Peter E. and Henry. Peter E. was born in 1865, in New Jersey, and when a boy through scarlet fever he was deprived of speech and hearing. He was educated in the mute schools of New York and of Trenton, N. J., receiving a fine edcuation in the mute language. He is unmarried and resides with his parents. Henry, the second son, was born in New Jersey in 1873 and was educated in the schools

of New Jersey. He married Miss Bessie Williams, of Morris county, N. J., daughter of Joseph R. Will- iams, a native of England. To Henry Matthews and his wife one child, Henrietta, has been born. The youngest son of our subject has always re- mained with his father, assisting in the manage- ment of the hotel.

In politics James Matthews is a Republican. He was reared under the influence of the Metho- dist Church and his family attended the services of that denomination. He is a member of the Ran- dolph (N. J.), Lodge of I. O. O. F., and of En- campment Lodge, of Dover, N. J. He is also a member of the lodge of Red Men at Port Oram, N. J. He is popular with the traveling public, and is highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors.

CHARLES S. SAMPSON, a leading resident of Matamoras, Pike county, is a representative of one of the old and highly esteemed families of this section of the State.

Henry Sampson, grandfather of our subject, was born in New England, February 23, 1767, and was probably married there to Sarah Whitaker, whose birth occurred April 26, 1768. Soon after their marriage they emigrated to Wayne county, Penn., locating at Starrucca, where he engaged extensively in lumbering. In their family were twelve children whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Elizabeth, December 6, 1787; Squire, September 6, 1789; John Northrope, our subject's father, Septem- ber 8, 1791 ; Rachel, September 3, 1793 ; Stephen W., October 13, 1795; Henry, January 8, 1798; Ben- jamin W., July 1, 1800; Hapadyer, August 26, 1802 ; Mary, September 2, 1804; William, September 14, 1807 ; Sarah, February 4, 1810; and Margaret, June 22, 1813. All of the children remained in Starrucca until they reached years of maturity, but later, with the exception of one or two all went west, locating in Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. Squire remained in Pennsylvania, assisted in the construction of the Lehigh canal, and for many years served as over- seer of the same.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 405

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