Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 422

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 422
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 422
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 422
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 422

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).

In politics Mr. Glosenger was always a stanch Democrat, and ever took an active interest in pub- lic affairs. He most acceptably served as collector for Salem township for two years, and for many years was one of the school directors in Paupack township. He was a member of the Salem branch of Odd Fellows for over forty years. To the day of his death he stood a strong man-strong in the consciousness of a well-spent life, strong to plan and to perform, strong in his credit and good name, and a worthy example for the rising genera- tion.

JOHN N. LANE, deceased. Few if any of the prominent agriculturists of Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, were more widely known or had more warm friends than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in Litch- field county, Conn., in 1823, a son of David G. and Diana (Ogden) Lane, also natives of that county, the former born in 1797, the latter in 1800. His maternal grandparents, Robert and Annie (Stewart) Ogden, were representatives of honored old fam- ilies of the Nutmeg State, and the grandfather was one of the number who lost their lives in the Wyo- ming massacre. John Lane, our subject's pater- nal grandfather, spent his entire life in Connecticut. His children were Daniel, who married and remained in Connecticut; Maria, wife of Abram Lee, of the same State; Ellen, wife of Hanford Ford, of Con- necticut ; Annie, wife of Elias Ford, of Connecticut ; Patty, wife of Allen -; Hosea, who married and located in Connecticut; and David, the father of our subject.

Coming to Susquehanna county, Penn., David G. Lane located in Great Bend township, near the New York State line, upon the farm now owned by Cicero Dixon. He cleared the land, erected build- ings thereon and made a good home for his fam- ily. He was a charcoal burner, and each summer would return to Connecticut to engage in that oc- cupation, but continued to make his home upon his farm in Great Bend township until his death, which occurred in 1873. His wife died in 1879. They were the parents of six children, all born in Connecticut, and of the number three are still liv- ing: (I) Eliza A., born in 1820, was educated in the schools of Great Bend. She married George Burleigh, a carpenter of Great Bend township, and died leaving one son, John, now conductor on the Erie railroad. (3) Mary, born in 1826, married Nelson Fox, of Great Bend township, and lived in the town of Susquehanna, where both died. Their

1811

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

four children all died of consumption. (4) Delia, born in 1829, married Lawson Stoddard, of New York State, and they are now residents of Windsor, N. Y. (5) Gary R., born in 1831, married Mar- tha Smith, of Great Bend township, and they resided for some years on the old Lane homestead, but he is now living in Union, N. Y. His first wife died in Owego, N. Y., leaving one son, Frederick, a resident of Broome county, N. Y. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Shipley, of Susquehanna, and by her had two children: Joseph, a resident of Albany, N. Y .; and Daisy, of Windsor, N. Y. (6) Caroline, born in Great Bend, in 1832, married Hiram Gay, of New York, and located in Broome county, that State, where he died. Later she wed- ded Joshua Lavere, and they now make their home in Susquehanna.

John N. Lane was the second in the order of birth in this family. He was reared upon his fa- ther's farm and educated in the district schools of the neighborhood. At the age of twenty he went to Ohio and spent one year near Cleveland. In 1844 he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Stoddard, who was born in Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, in 1828-her parents, Sheldon and Ruth Stoddard, natives of Connecticut, being pioneers of that township. For two years after his marriage Mr. Lane lived on the old homestead. In 1851 he purchased his last home, known as the Thomas Wilmot property, and upon the place he erected a fine two-story residence, a large barn and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which add to its value and attractive appearance. It is now one of the best cultivated farms in the township.

On January 5, 1899, Mr. Lane was called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife. At an early age she had united with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and was always a consistent Chris- tian woman, a devoted wife and loving mother. The six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lane were as follows : (I) Willie died in childhood. (2) Libbie died at the age of eight years. (3) George D., born in 1849, grew to manhood upon the home farm and attended school in Susquehanna and Mansfield, Penn., graduating at the latter place, after which he taught one term in a district school. While young he traveled extensively all over the world, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Canada, and every State in the Union. While a resident of Toronto, Canada, he was married, in 1891, to Miss May Furbor, of that city, and they now reside in Buffalo, N. Y .; where he is en- gaged in the manufacture of furniture. He is a man of large business experience and has met with good success in his undertakings. (4) Mary, born March 12, 1853, was educated in the higher schools of Susquehanna, and for a number of terms suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of Susquehanna county. She married Ard Bene- dict, of Starrucca, Wayne Co., Penn., who is now engaged in merchandising in Susquehanna. She

died in 1892. (5) Ida, born in December, 1855, is now the wife of Julius A. Smith, a leading boot and shoe dealer of Susquehanna, and they have two sons, George A. and Ard. (6) Katherine, born in 1868, received a good education in the schools of Susquehanna. She married Charles Perrine, of that place, a civil engineer by profession, now de- ceased.

Politically Mr. Lane was a pronounced Repub- lican, and most capably and satisfactorily filled a number of local offices, including that of school di- rector, which he held for twelve years, and collector for a number of years. He and his family were all active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in his district, and he not only gave liberally toward its support, but his home was al- ways headquarters for the local ministers. At one time he was also a member of the Odd Fellows Fra- ternity. His life was ever above reproach, and he was highly esteemed for his many charitable acts and his sterling worth.

H. WOODMANSEE. Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity and to pursue this with a resolute purpose and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in the business circles of the community with which he is connected. Mr. Woodmansee, through such means, has attained a leading place among the representative men of Starrucca, Wayne county, and his well-spent and honorable life commands the respect of all who know him.

A native of Wayne county, Mr. Woodmansee was born April 30, 1832, in what was then Preston township, but is now a part of Buckingham town- ship. His father, James Woodmansee, was born in 1786, in Rhode Island, but was reared in Con- necticut, and as early as 1816 came to Wayne county, Penn., accompanied by his brothers, Thomas and Jeremiah, and also by their father, Gideon Wood- mansee, who died and was buried here. He had aided the Colonies in their struggle for independ- ence, and for his services as a soldier in the Rev- olutionary war he drew a pension. His son James took part in the second war against England-the war of 1812. The latter and his brother-in-law, Rufus Green, were among the first to locate in Preston township, Wayne county, their nearest neighbor at that time being four and five miles dis- tant, while wolves and other wild animals were quite numerous. James Woodmansee married Miss Polly Underwood, who was born in 1792, and they became the parents of fourteen children, namely : James M., Jedediah, Samuel, Betsy, Carlos, Caro- nine, Phœbe, Lyman, Amy Susan, Mary Jane, Huldah, Rhoda, Mahala and our subject. In polit- ical faith the father was a Whig, and in his religious views was independent, while his wife was iden- tified with the Baptist Church.

In an old log school house near his boyhood

1812

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

home Mr. Woodmansee pursued his studies, but his training in farm work was much more proficient than his literary education. He early became an ex- pert hunter, and many a deer has fallen before his rifle. For some time after starting out in life for himself he engaged in rafting on the Delaware river, making about 100 trips, and for forty years he also successfully followed the carpenter's trade, being one of the leading contractors and builders of his community. During that time he constructed many of the bridges in both wood and stone, of Wayne county, and his work, being of a substantial kind, always proved satisfactory. He is now the owner of the Woodmansee Switch stone quarry, and for the past seven years has been a successful dealer in both flag and building stone. He furnishes employ- ment to ten men, and in promoting his own inter- ests thus materially advances the general welfare of the community.

In 1853 Mr. Woodmansee was married to Miss Mercy Williams, who has proved a true helpmeet to him. She was born in Porter township, Susque- hanna Co., Penn., a daughter of S. B. and Vic- torine (Kingsbury) Williams, early settlers of that county. She is the eldest child in their family, the others being M. F., a resident of Buckingham town- ship, Wayne county; C. H., of Preston township; Mrs. Sophrona Monagh, of Lake Como, Wayne county ; Mary, wife of J. H. Taylor, of Lake Como; and Maria, wife of Mr. McAvoy, of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county. The father died in Preston town- ship, where the mother is still living at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood- mansee are as follows: (I) Polly married E. A. Sherwood, of Parksburg, Va., and died leaving two children-Ruel E., of Parksburg; and Edith May, who finds a pleasant home with her paternal grand- parents. (2) Dell is the wife of James Kelly, of Honesdale, Wayne county, and has six children- Lotta, Daisy, Minda, Ralph, Etta and Ivy Louise. (3) S. B. is married and has two children-War- ren Webster and Edith Lucinda. He operates the old home farm of 116 acres of well-improved land, on which is located High Lake. (4) John mar- ried Lena Koehler, and is engaged in the stone busi- ness with his father in Starrucca.

Since 1862 Mr. Woodmansee has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and has been hon- ored with most of the offices in Buckingham and Preston townships, as well as those of Starruca, serving as constable two years, collector three years, a member of the school board fifteen terms, and auditor of Starrucca two terms. Socially he affiliates with Lake Como Lodge No. 965, I. O. O. F.

JACOB SCHANTZ (deceased), who in his lifetime was one of the leading business men of Wayne county, having for several years successfully conducted a chair factory at Maplewood, was a na- tive of Wurtemberg, Germany, born in the year 1846.

When our subject was some five or six years old his father, John G. Schantz, brought the family to America, arriving at New York in 1852, whence they proceeded to Hunter, Greene Co., N. Y., there remaining until about 1866. In the meantime, in 1864, both father and son enlisted in the United States service, the former in Company A, 20th N. Y. State Militia, the latter being enrolled, Septem- ber 25, 1864, in Company F, 120th N. Y. V. I. At that time he was only eighteen years of age, and he remained in the service until the close of the war, when he and his father returned to their home at Hunter, N. Y. Soon afterward they moved to Brandt, Susquehanna county, and it was there that young Schantz first became interested in the manu- facture of chairs. A company was formed under the firm name of the Harmony Center Chair Co., and, being a young man of considerable push and en- ergy, he soon became the business man of the firm- in fact, it was then and there that he got his first real solid start in life. Desiring, however, to expand his business and opportunities, Mr. Schantz in 1869 or 1870 moved to Maplewood, then known as Forest Mills, and soon afterward a company was formed under the name of the Forest Mills Manufacturing Co., which later on was changed to the Maple Chair Company.

During the last ten or fifteen years of his life Mr. Schantz had the exclusive control and manage- ment of the entire business, the result being that it became one of the leading factories in the State. He passed from earth at Maplewood June 25, 1896, and by his taking off the community lost a good citizen, one who was regarded as strictly honest and straightforward, and possessed of sterling prin- ciple. He was known by his neighbors as a whole- souled man, and by his unassuming manners made many true and warm friends, His remains were interred in the M. E. cemetery, at Maplewood, the funeral services being held at the M. E. Church, Maplewood, and the Freemasons, who had charge of the burial, deposited the remains of their depart- ed brother in their last resting place according to the customary rites and ceremonies of that Fra- ternity.

Mr. Schantz in religious faith was a member of the Presbyterian Church ; in politics he was a Repub- lican, and for twenty years was school director in Wayne, most of the time president of same; so- cially he affiliated with the F. & A. M., the order of Red Men, and G. A. R.

On December 31, 1891, at Mt. Cobb, Lacka- wanna Co., Penn., by Rev. D. J. Reinhold, a min- ister of the United Evangelical Church, and a broth- er-in-law of Mrs. Schantz, our subject was mar- ried to Miss M. Louisa Mack. She is a native of Lackawanna county, Penn., and a daughter of John M. and Louise (Laiblin) Mack, of Wurtemberg, Germany, who were married in Jefferson township, Lackawanna county, where Mr. Mack followed farming and lumbering. He died October 25, 1880, aged fifty-six years, deeply mourned by all

1813

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who knew him, and much respected for his many virtues. He was very prominent in the community, prosperous in all his undertakings, and he was a consistent member of the United Evangelical Church. His widow, who was born November 19, 1828, now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Schantz. They were the parents of children as follows: M. Louisa, widow of our subject; William C .; Charles W., a farmer and justice of the peace, residing on the homestead, Jefferson township, Lackawanna county ; Lena, married Rev. D. J. Reinhold, of Weissport, Penn .; John; Joseph, cashier for the Sanguoit Silk Manufacturing Co., at Scranton, Penn. ; Augustus ; and Lillian and Harper, both de- ceased. Of these, William C., John and Augustus are partners in a carriage and wagon manufactur- ing business in Brooklyn, N. Y. To the union of Jacob Schantz and M. Louisa Mack were born two sons, Gordon, born November 16, 1892, and Mack, born June 13, 1895.

Jacob and Margaret (Kurtz) Mack, paternal grandparents of Mrs. Schantz, came from Germany to America, settling in Jefferson township, Lacka- wanna county, Penn., in 1851, and there he died November 13, 1880, aged eighty-eight years. Christian and Christiana (Reed) Laiblin passed all their lives in Germany, where he was principal of public schools, and also professor in a college. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Schantz has continued to reside in Maplewood, where she is uniformly held in the highest esteem by a wide cir- cle of relatives, friends and acquaintances.

JACOB D. YOUMANS, of Spragueville, Monroe county, is the proprietor of the only hos- telry in that promising village, and by his able and judicious management he has won a high reputa- tion as a landlord. Genial and affable, his manner assures a new guest of good cheer, and the expecta- tion is well met by the comfortable arrangements of the hotel and the choice, abundant food, much of which comes fresh from Mr. Youmans' farm near by. In addition to these interests he has charge of the gristmill belonging to G. B. Decker, and he ranks among the most enterprising and successful citizens of his locality.

Mr. Youmans was born in 1847, in Sussex county, N. J., a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Swarzelder) Youmans, both natives of Warren county, N. J. His father, who followed farming and surveying during his active life, died at his homestead in New Jersey in 1880; the mother sur- vived him only four years. They reared a large family of children, among whom were: (I) Mar- tin (now deceased) was a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He married (first) Miss Mary Bird, who died a few years later, and their only daughter died in childhood. He married (second) Miss Selma Fleming, who now resides in New York, and by this union he had six children, among whom were Myrtle, Frank (a physician of New York), May and Fred. (2) Samuel, a resident of Sussex coun-

ty, N. J., married Miss Jane Newbaker, and has five children. (3) George, a prominent contractor and builder in Kansas City, where he now owns a large amount of real estate, married Miss Louie Kirk, of Zanesville, Ohio, and has four children- Jesse, May, Frank and one whose name is not given. (4) Christiana married Jonah Reed, a farmer near Columbus, Ohio, and has two sons. (5) Lemuel is a resident of Licking county, Ohio. He married in Ohio a lady and has two children- Leslie and Thomas. (6) Mary is the widow of George Keen, of Newton, N. J., and has one daugh- ter, Laura, now Mrs. Frank Samson, of New Jer- sey. (7) Lottie married William Losey, of New- ton, N. J., and has three sons-John, George and Harvey.

Our subject's early life was spent in the man- ner common to country lads of his day, farm work on the homestead alternating with study in the dis- trict school. As a young man he became familiar with carpentering and gristmilling, and at the age of twenty-four he was employed by the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Co. in building bridges, depots and other structures along the line of their road. After his marriage he engaged in business as a carpenter at Pataskala, Ohio. Subsequently he returned, with his family, to New Jersey, and for several years he conducted the old homestead for his mother, and for nearly eight years he followed milling in that State. Later he removed to Kansas, where he worked at his trade a year, but he afterward re- turned to New Jersey. In 1892 he came to Monroe county and took charge of the Pace Milling Co. for two years, while for three he rented the Kestler gristmill at Tannersville. In 1897 he removed to Spragueville, purchasing a farm from G. B. Decker and a house which he has since fitted up as a hotel. His bar is a notable feature of the place, being sup- plied with fine brands of wines and liquors. He married Miss Mary Crymbee, daughter of John and Mary Crymbee, of Licking county, Ohio, where her father is still living at an advanced age. Six chil- dren have blessed this union, namely: Carl, born in Ohio, is now employed in a box factory at New- ton, N. J .; Miss Blanche, a native of New Jersey, is now residing with her parents ; John, Emmett and Ann are also at home; and Olive died at the age of nine years. Our subject and his wife were reared in the Presbyterian faith, and socially he is identified with several orders, having united, in Ohio, with the I. O. O. F., and the F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 404, at Castle, Ohio. Politically he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type.

ERNEST RIGNY, farmer of Milford, P. O. Milford, Pike county, Pennsylvania.

WILLIAM WEAVER (deceased) will be re- membered by the older residents of Honesdale as the leading contractor of the city in his day, and the former proprietor of the "National" hotel. He was one of the respected self-made men of the

1814

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

place, a thrifty German who, coming to America in the hope of making a better living, made the most of his opportunities in the New World, and by ex- ercising those habits of industry and economy char- acteristic of his race became one of the most pros- perous and valuable citizens of the community in which he settled.

Mr. Weaver was born March 15, 1823, in the Grand Duchy of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, son of Leonard Weaver, who lived in his native country until he reached an advanced age, and passed his declining years in America. William Weaver grew to manhood in his birthplace, and in early life com- menced to learn the trade of mason, which he fol- lowed until his death. In 1846 he set sail for the United States, and during the nine weeks' voyage met his future wife, Miss Mary Dag, who, like him- self, was a native of Germany, born October 24, 1824, in Wurtemberg. She was coming to America with her parents, John and Mary Margaret Dag, who not long after their arrival settled in Seelyville, Wayne Co., Penn., where they passed the remainder of their lives. the father dying at the age of seventy years, the mother at seventy-six. Mr. Weaver lo- cated in New York City, after a short residence there going to Boston, and thence coming to Hones- dale, Wayne Co .. Penn., making the journey via New York. He followed his trade at these places, and finally took up contracting putting up a number of the business buildings of Honesdale which stand to this day as monuments to his skill. Among others we mention the Keystone block, the German Catholic school house, the postoffice, the "National" hotel, in Honesdale, all of which were decided im- provements to the city. Besides attending to the details of his contracting business he conducted the "National" hotel, which he owned for several years, being its proprietor at the time of his death, which came somewhat suddenly, in the midst of a rush of business. As will be seen, Mr. Weaver soon after his removal to Honesdale became iden- tified thoroughly with her interests, established a good business, and, as a large property owner and the employer of a good force of men, was recog- nized as one of the substantial men of the town. When he commenced his career in this country he had nothing to build his fortune .on but confidence in his own skill as the master of a good trade, and the persevering energy which marks the Teutonic race wherever found, but he progressed steadily in a financial way, and enjoyed a snug competence for many years before his decease, on December 9, 1873

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were married in New York City, in July, 1847, and they reared a family of eight children, a brief record of whom is as follows : George Peter, born November 26, 1848, lives in Philadelphia, Penn. ; he is married and has five chil- dren-Frank (who is married and had one child, now deceased), Harry George, Charles and Etta. John is engaged in the hotel business in Honesdale. William, born August 18, 1854, is a mason and build-

er ; he is married and has four children-Barbara, Lottie, Mamie and Florence. Elizabeth, born March 30, 1857, is the wife of Frederick Schelling, of New York, and has three children-Frederick, Willie and Emily. Otto, born August 5, 1859, married and had two children-Willie and Otto; he is deceased. Charles Jacob, born September 28, 1861, is the pro- prietor of a restaurant in Honesdale. Emma, born February 5, 1865, is the wife of John P. Mackert, and has one child, Grace. Barbara, the youngest, is unmarried and devotes herself to the care of her aged mother. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver trained their children to the habits of industry and sobriety which played so important a part in their own success and made them esteemed by their neighbors and friends everywhere, and the family is one of which any par- ents might feel proud, for they are all respected and useful members of society, filling their respective stations in life in a most creditable manner. The father was a member of the German Lutheran Church, to which the mother also belongs. Mrs. Weaver is a remarkably well-preserved woman. She lives in a beautiful residence in the north part of Honesdale, and it is the wish of all that she may be spared many years to enjoy the wealth which she did her share toward accumulating.

LOUIS SCHWEIGHÖFER. There is no element which has entered into our composite na- tional fabric which has been of more practical strength, value and utility than that furnished by the sturdy, persevering and honorable sons of Ger- many. Among the prominent citizens of Wayne county who claim the Fatherland as their birth- place is Mr. Schweighöfer, one of the leading dairy- men and farmers of Lebanon township.

Mr. Schweighöfer was born in Nassau, Ger- many, in October, 1834, and in 1848 accompanied his parents, Christian and Mary (Stinemaker) Schweighöfer, on their emigration to America. Locating in Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn., the fa- ther worked on the railroad for one year, and then moved to Lebanon township, where he purchased from D. B. Smith forty-eight acres of woodland. He devoted his energies to clearing and improving the farm, on which he built a comfortable dwelling and good barn, making his home there until called to his final rest in 1889. His estimable wife had died two years previously. Their children were as follows: (I) August, born in Germany, in 1831, grew to manhood in Wayne county, and married Elizabeth Brill, of that county, by whom he has fourteen children. They now reside on his farm in Lebanon township. (2) Louis is next in order of birth. (3) Fred, born in Germany, in 1835, and (4) Charles, born in 1837, both died in childhood. (5) Christopher, born in Germany, in 1839, was a member of a Pennsylvania regiment in the Union army during the Civil war, and was wounded in the seven days' fight at Richmond. He married Katie Brown, of Lebanon, and located in Dunmore, Lu- zerne Co., Penn., where he died in 1877, leaving a

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 422

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