Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 408

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 408
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 408
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 408
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 408

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David and Susan E. (Tiel) Hoel, now of Elk county, this State. Six children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely: William, Arthur, Laura, Susie, Raymond and Merrill. Mr. Hathaway has filled the office of supervisor of Ararat township, and has been an efficient member of the school board for nine years. Politically he is a stanch Prohibitionist, and religiously is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is now one of the trustees.

H. N. KELLOGG, who is practically living retired upon his fine farm in Dimock township, Susquehanna county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wyoming county, January 4, 1826, and was throughout his active business life identified with the agricultural and industrial interests of this region.

On the paternal side his ancestors were origi- nally from New York, his grandfather, Jonathan Kellogg, being a native of Cooperstown, that State. When a young man, however, he came to Pennsyl- vania, and in Kingston married Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was a resident of the Wyoming Valley during the massacre and with the other children and old people was sent to the mountains. Both died in Auburn township, Susquehanna county.

Treadway Kellogg, our subject's father, was born and reared in Chenango county, N. Y., and when a young man became a resident of Wyoming county, Penn. He married Miss Nancy Floyd, a daughter of Thomas and Clarissa (Hopkins) Floyd, natives of Long Island, and shortly after their marriage the young couple removed from Chenango county, N. Y., to Wyoming county, Penn., where Mr. Kellogg followed farming in Washington township. He sold his place there when our subject was a lad of eight years and came to Susquehanna county, purchasing a farm in Au- burn township, on which he continued to reside until his death, May 13, 1887, when aged eighty-five years, eight months and fourteen days. His wife died in the same township in 1868. Five children were born to them, namely: Thomas Floyd ( de- ceased ), who lived throughout life in Wyoming and Susquehanna counties ; Zoroaster, who died at the age of twelve years; H. N., our subject; Horatio Porter, who died when young; and Casandana, wife of N. P. Loomis, of Springville township, Sus- quehanna county.

H. N. Kellogg spent the first eight years of his life in Washington township, Wyoming county, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Auburn township, Susquehanna county, where he grew to manhood, obtaining a good practical knowledge of agriculture by assisting his father in the work of the farm. On attaining his majority he began working out by the month and later bought property in Auburn township. He also learned the stonemason's trade in early life and successfully followed the same for some years.

Responding to the President's call for more

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volunteers during the Rebellion, young Kellogg en- listed in March, 1864, in Company H, 14Ist P. V. I., under Capt. J. L. Gile, and remained in the service until the war was over, participating in the battles of the Wilderness and the siege of Petersburg. During the Weldon railroad raid he was wounded at Poplar Grove Church, and was in the hospital when discharged. As he was unable to resume work at his trade, after his return home he purchased a farm in Dimock township, on which he made his home for fourteen years. In 1894 he traded that place for his present farm in the same township, coming into possession of 140 acres, nearly all of which is cleared and under excellent cultivation. He oversees its operation, but leaves the arduous duties of the farm to his son.

Mr. Kellogg was united in marriage, in Wyom- ing county, with Miss Rebecca Gregory, a daughter of John Gregory, and to them were born the fol- lowing children: Levi, deceased; Alma, wife of Max Davidson, of Wyoming county ; Arlitta, wife of William Youngs, of Wilkes Barre; Leslie, who married Katie Dohearty, and carries on the home farm ; and Anderson, a resident of Wyoming coun- ty. The wife and mother passed away in 1893. and her death was deeply mourned by the entire community.

In his political affiliations Mr. Kellogg is an ardent Republican, and he has served his fellow citizens on the election board and as constable of Auburn township. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army Post at Auburn Four Corners, and is one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of the township.

DR. WILLIAM J. STORM, a well-known resident of East Stroudsburg, Monroe county, is a leading veterinary surgeon of that locality, his ability and thorough professional training having won him a reputation in an unusually short time.

Our subject is a representative of an old, highly-esteemed family of this section, of which a more extended account is given elsewhere. The first of the line in America, John Storm, came from Germany about 1750, and located in Northampton county, Penn., later settling on a farm at the pres- ent site of South Stroudsburg. This worthy pio- neer left three sons, John, Andrew and Frederick. Andrew Storm, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, had three children, among whom was a son, John Teel, our subject's great-grandfather. John Teel Storm married Rachel Learn, and they had the following named children: Jacob, An- drew, Peter, Samuel, Charles, John and Elizabeth. Andrew Storm, our subject's grandfather, lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years. He had a large family of children, as follows: Sallie, who married Burnett Nisson, of Scranton, and now re- sides in Binghamton, N. Y .; William, our subject's father ; Peter ; one whose name is not given ; Maria, wife of Charles Rowe, of Paradise township, Mon- roe county ; John, who died in Paradise township;

Rachel, Mrs. William Biesecker ; Andrew ; Amanda, wife of Augustus Biesecker; Katie, who married J. N. Hilgert; Jacob, now a resident of Jackson township, Monroe county ; Joshua, a merchant of Pocono township, Monroe county; Mahlon; and Ellen, wife of Melchoir Busch, of Pocono town- ship.

William Storm was born August 13, 1829, and was educated in the public schools. By occupation he was a farmer, butcher and drover. He married Lizzie McCordy, who was born June 24, 1844, in New York City, and is still living; Mr. Storm passed away in 1891. They had seven children : Anna, deceased; William J., our subject ; Walter, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who is now practicing medicine at St. Augustine, Fla .; Edward, a resident of Mt. Pocono, Monroe county ; Frank, who resides in Scranton; Daniel, a farmer at the old homestead; and Mabel, at home.

Dr. Storm was born October 28, 1867, in Para- dise township, Monroe county, and his education was begun in the district schools of that section. Later he attended a polytechnic institution and the Normal School at Kutztown, on leaving which he taught five terms in Monroe county. In the fall of 1893 he entered the University of Penn- sylvania, graduating from the veterinary depart- ment in 1897, since when he has been in active prac- tice at East Stroudsburg, meeting with success from the start. He is popular among his circle of friends and acquaintances. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and although not an office-seeker he takes an active interest in all the issues of the day. He is unmarried.

A. D. WHITING. Industrial advancement implies hard work. It is the common experience that the sturdy and successful men in the various manufacturing trades have won their way upward by the hard and persistent blows of labor. The well-known wagonmaker and blacksmith of West Lenox, Susquehanna county, whose name appears above, is no exception to this rule. He is an indus- trious and skillful artisan, and by his application and ability has built up a most flourishing trade in general repair work. His busy shop is the center of industrial activity in the village where it is now located.

John T. Whiting, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Massachusetts. He there married Eliza H- and with his wife and family migrated to Harford township, Susquehanna county, where until his death he followed farming in connection with his trade as a rake-maker. His family consisted of nine children.

Josiah Whiting, the father of our subject, was born in 1824, in Massachusetts, and when a small boy was brought by his parents to Susquehanna county. He married Malinda Walker, who was born in Gibson township, daughter of Willard Walker. Josiah Whiting first bought the property in Herrick township, where for some years he fol-

11,

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lowed farming. He then purchased twenty-four acres of improved land in Lenox township, and fol- lowed farming until he died, in April, 1898, when aged seventy-four years. His wife died at the age of fifty-two years. In politics Josiah Whiting was a Re- publican ; both he and his wife were members of the Free Will Baptist Church. Their children were as follows: A. D., subject of this sketch ; John T., employed in the car shops at Scranton ; William E., a farmer on the old homestead in Lenox township; Nancy Jane, who married Lewis Decker, of Car- bondale, Penn., and is now deceased; and Eugene, who died in infancy.

A. D. Whiting, our subject, was born in Lenox township, October 30, 1852. He grew up on the farm and his educational advantages were slight. He early in life became intimately acquainted with hard work and has ever since maintained that friendship. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Kirkwood, N. Y., and there worked in the repair shops, receiving the foundation for his trade, wagonmaking and blacksmithing. At Kirkwood he remained two years, then went to Lenoxville, where for a year and a half he was engaged in shoe- making and wagon work. He then came to West Lenox, purchased three and one-half acres of land, and in 1892 built his house and shops, and now conducts a very successful business as wagonmaker and blacksmith.

Mr. Whiting was married (first), in Auburn township, to Florence Welch. After her death he married, in Lenox township, Lorinda Decker, daughter of John C. Decker. His third and pres- ent wife was formerly Miss Louisa Tanner, daugh- ter of M. Tanner, of Harford township. He has three children: Glenn, born in 1886; Luther; and Stella. In politics Mr. Whiting is a Republican. He is an attendant and supporter of the Church and is interested in all matters of public improve- ment. He ranks as a progressive, earnest and suc- cessful citizen, and possesses the esteem and respect of a wide circle of acquaintances.

GEORGE SHAEFF, at this writing the able and popular postmaster at Susquehanna, is a suc- cessful business man and an influential citizen, his sound judgment in political affairs making him a valued worker in the local Republican organiza- tion.

Mr. Shaeff was born December 14, 1854, at Philadelphia, and belongs to a highly respected family. His father, the late M. F. Shaeff, was born in 1821, in Philadelphia, where he grew to man- hood, and for some years followed the machinist's trade. In 1856 he removed to Susquehanna to take a position as foreman of a gang of workmen in the Erie railroad shops, a position he held many years. In 1863 he entered the U. S. Navy, being assigned to service on the "Dictator," where he remained one year, but on his return home resumed his work with the Erie company and continued with it until his retirement. Politically he was a Republican,

and he was active in fraternal society work as a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic order. His death occurred in 1894, and his wife, Eliza H. Harvey, who was born in 1823, died in 1890. They had three children, namely: Hiram, Elizabeth (wife of Oscar Thompson) and George.

Our subject was educated in the public schools of Susquehanna, and as a young man he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed from 1875 to 1879. He then engaged in the manufacturing busi- ness, and later he carried on a bakery in addition to the other enterprise. On April 1, 1898, he was appointed postmaster, and he has since devoted his attention to the duties of that position, relinquish- ing his private business. His wife, formerly Miss Kate O'Connell, is a native of Susquehanna, born in 1868, and they are prominent in social life in the city, Mr. Shaeff being identified with various fra- ternal orders, including the Knights Templar.

JOHN SMITH. There is probably no man in Jessup township, Susquehanna county, wider or more favorably known than Mr. Smith, who has spent almost his entire life there, and is recognized as one of the important factors in its progress and development.

A native of Sussex county, N. J., our subject was born April 16, 1827, a son of William and Leona (Kittle) Smith. The father was born in Germany, and in 1803, when a lad of six years. was brought to the New World by his parents, Jonas and Mary Smith, who first located in Bethel, Penn., but later removed to Sussex county, N. J., where they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives. By occupation the grand- father was a farmer. The mother of our subject was a native of Sussex county, and died there in 1833. The same year the father left that State, coming to Susquehanna county, Penn., and taking up 280 acres of wild land in Jessup township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he de- voted his time and attention until he laid aside busi- ness cares. There he died October 4, 1867, at the age of eighty years, honored and respected by all who knew him. With the exception of our subject, all his children are now deceased. They were as follows: Sarah, wife of Richard Harris; Rachel, wife of Harmon Harris; Jonas, who laid down his life on the altar of his country during the Civil war; Mary, wife of Andrew Canfield; Barbara, who never married; John, our subject; and Daniel, who married and reared a family.

John Smith, of this review, was six years old when the family located upon his present farm, and during his boyhood and youth he aided in the ardu- ous task of clearing the wild land and transforming it into highly cultivated fields. With the exception of two years, when working for neighboring farm- ers, he continued to aid in the work of the old homestead until his marriage. For many years thereafter he was actively engaged in its operation, but is now practically living retired, leaving the

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more arduous labors to younger hands. He has always been a supporter of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never aspired to office, though he served for two terms as school director, and has been a member of the election board. His duties of citizenship, however, have always been most faithfully performed, and he is justly regarded as one of the most useful and valuable citizens of the township.

In August, 1848, in Rush township, Susque- hanna county, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Arminda Cronk, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., where her parents, William and Sally (Myers) Cronk, were also born. They came to Susquehanna county at an early day, and here the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy-five years, the mother at the ad- vanced age of ninety. He was one of the defend- ers of the country in the war of 1812. Their chil- dren were: Smith, Rensselaer and John, all de- ceased ; Jacob, a resident of Rush township; Har- riet (widow of William Cronk), now a resident of Union, N. Y .; Arminda, wife of our subject; Mary A. (deceased), who married (first) M. Laford, and (second) H. Osburn; and Samuel E., deceased. Mrs. Smith's grandfather was Jacob Cronk. Her great-grandfather was Jacob Cronkite (as the name was then spelled), a native of Holland, and the founder of the family in this country. Her mater- nal grandparents were John and Mary (Smith) Myers, who were lifelong residents of Dutchess county, New York.

ISAAC BONEAR. The fertile soil of this section has attracted an enterprising class of agri- culturists among whom a high type of citizenship prevails, and the history of this well-known resi- dent of Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, is deserving of a prominent place in a volume which will preserve for future generations an account of its leading men. Mr. Bonear for many years has de- voted his attention to the science of agriculture, and his farm near Cherry Ridge is the largest estate in that township. His residence, the only brick dwelling-house in the locality, is a handsome and commodious one, two stories and a half in height, and its elegant furnishings indicate artistic taste as well as wealth.

Mr. Bonear was born March 9, 1824, in Corn- wall, England, the home of his ancestors for gener- ations past. Thomas Bonear, the grandfather of our subject, was a highly respected resident of that locality, and throughout his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Moses Bonear, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Cornwall, and was married there to Miss Catherine May, a native of the same neighborhood, born October 9, 1796. In 1832 they came to America, and in June of that year arrived at Honesdale, where Moses Bonear died two weeks later, on July 1, 1832, at the age of thirty-three. He had been extensively engaged in farming in England and it was his intention to

locate permanently in Ohio, but his early death cut short a most promising career. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and was held in high es- teem by all who knew him. His remains now rest in the cemetery at Honesdale. His widow mar- ried a second husband, Richard Varcoe, and her death occurred at Cherry Ridge, May 20, 1854.

Moses and Catherine Bonear had the follow- ing children: Jane, born January 18, 1811, died June 20, 1831; Francis, born December 24, 1817, is a farmer in Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county ; Thomas, born March 22, 1820, died Sep- tember 17, 1888, in Cherry Ridge township; Will- iam, born March 20, 1822, died in England ; Isaac, our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on ; Ann, born February 22, 1826, married Joel Miller, both now deceased; Elizabeth, born May 22, 1828, married Henry French, of Jersey City, both now deceased; and Rebecca S., born November 4, 1830, is the widow of I. R. Schenck, of Honesdale.

As our subject was but a child when his par- ents came to this country his youth was mainly spent in Wayne county. His management of his extensive estate, consisting of 190 acres adjoining the old homestead, has been most successful, and he is now the wealthiest man in his township. In 1847 he cut away the timber to build his first home, which was on the opposite side of the road from his present elegant residence, which was built in 1867. He obtained only the common-school education of that day, but his ability and sound judgment are appreciated by his fellow citizens, who have fre- quently chosen him to township offices, and he is an influential worker in the local Republican or- ganization. On October 6, 1847, he was married, in Cherry Ridge township, to Miss Cordelia Rob- erts, and four children have blessed the union: (1) Maria C., born September 22, 1848, died in infancy. (2) Sarah D., born April 4, 1850, married George Van Winkle, a resident of Jersey City, and died June 30, 1896, leaving two children-Cordelia Jane and George Isaac. (3) Ann Elizabeth, born Au- gust 15, 1857, married George H. Sandercock, an agriculturist of Cherry Ridge township, and has three sons-Isaac Bonear, George S., and Ray. (4) Rose Ada, born July 9, 1866, married Mead Sandercock, brother of the above, and both brothers now occupy portions of the old Sandercock home- stead in Cherry Ridge township.

Mrs. Bonear was born March 19, 1820, at Milford, Pike Co., Penn., and is descended from an old Colonial family, her great-grandfather, Hugh Roberts, a Quaker, having come to America with William Penn. He was a brave man, and notwith- standing the peaceful tendencies of his religious sect, he did so much notable service as a messenger of General Washington that a price was set upon his head by the English government, and his war record cost him his standing as a speaker in Quaker meeting. At one time a large party of searchers came to his house to find him and his wife, who was evidently as courageous as he; she insisted upon

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hiding him in an old-fashioned brick oven, and with ready sagacity started a small fire under the oven in order to deceive the pursuers, and the plan hap- pily succeeded. This worthy couple had a son, Mordica Roberts (2), Mrs. Bonear's grandfather, who was a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. William Roberts, Mrs. Bonear's father, was born and reared in Pike county, Penn., and followed farming there until his death, which occurred in 1833, at the early age of thirty-five, his remains being interred at Miltord. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Hornbeck, was born in 1800, in Pike county, Penn., and died in that county, in 1857, being buried at Lackawaxen. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and their excellent qualities of character won the esteem of their associates. The Hornbeck family became identified with New Jersey at an early date, and Tobias and Catherine Hornbeck, Mrs. Bonear's grandparents on the maternal side, were early set- tlers at Milford, Penn. To William and Maria Roberts six children were born, as follows: Lucy A., died at Purdytown, Penn .; Cordelia, wife of our subject ; James, who died in infancy ; William, a farmer at Narrowsburg, N. Y .; John and Mor- dica, both deceased, are buried at Cherry Ridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Bonear are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have traveled ex- tensively through the East, visiting Washington, Philadelphia and New York City. Although at the advanced age of seventy-four, Mr. Bonear is bright and active, still superintending his estate and doing a share of the labor himself.

FRANKLIN PIERCE BLAKESLEE, one of the most popular and influential citizens of Toby- hanna township, Monroe county, is an important fac- tor in business circles, and his popularity is well de- served, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabated energy and indus- try that never flags. As a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen of the community, he is thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote its moral, intellectual and material welfare.

The Blakeslee family in America was founded during Colonial times by three brothers, one of whom located in Virginia, and another in Vermont, while Austin, from whom the Monroe county branch is descended, took up his residence in Con- necticut. Jacob Blakeslee, our subject's grand- father, was born near Litchfield, Conn., and when a young man came to Pennsylvania, locating in the Susquehanna Valley. In Wilkes Barre he married Rachel White, a native of New Jersey and a daugh- ter of John White, an Irishman, who was pressed into the English service during the Revolutionary war, but deserted and joined Washington's troops. At a very early day Jacob Blakeslee came to Monroe county and settled in Tobyhanna township, where he took up a tract of land and followed lumbering and farming. Here both he and his wife died.

Jacob Blakeslee, Jr., our subject's father, was

born in Tobyhanna township, and there spent his entire life engaged in farming and lumbering. He owned several thousand acres of timber land, of which he cleared and improved about 300 acres, and, in connection with his other business, con- ducted a country store at Blakeslee, which place was named in his honor. He was the first postmaster at that place, and also served as justice of the peace for a great many years, continuing in both offices until his death. For a number of years he was also interested in the lumber business, at White Haven, Penn., but during his last days lived re- tired from active pursuits, giving his attention to his official duties and to the management of his farm. He married Miss Clarissa Winter, a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth ( Sanders) Winter. Both were earnest, consistent Christians, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Tobyhanna town- ship, of which Mr. Blakeslee was a trustee and a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of the house of worship. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his community, was a supporter of the Democratic party, and held all of the minor offices in the town- ship. He died June 25, 1896, at the age of seventy- four years.

The subject of this review is the eldest of the family of eleven children; Austin is superintendent of the Jefferson Coal Company and resides in Jeff- erson county, Penn. ; Malville is deceased ; Howard is also deceased ; Emily resides in Tobyhanna town- ship; Harriette is the wife of A. O. Williams, a Methodist Episcopal minister, now located at Clif- ford, Penn .; Stewart is engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Jefferson county; Cora F. is the wife of James F. Warner, a merchant and postmaster at Blakeslee; Rachel, a resident of Philadelphia; Al- bert, who died at the age of seven years; and Josephine, who has been a teacher for several years, is now employed in Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 408

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