Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 423

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 423
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 423
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 423
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 423

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).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

wife but no children. (6) Louisa, born in Lebanon township, Wayne county, in 1850, was educated in the schools of that locality, and is now the wife of Peter Alfes, a farmer of Damascus township, Wayne county, by whom she has had eleven chil- dren, among whom were Lizzie, Katie, Mary, Nel- son, Charles, Naomi, and Stacy (who died in child- hood).

Louis Schweighöfer began his education in the schools of his native land, and after coming to the United States, at the age of fourteen years, pursued his studies for a time in the schools of Wayne coun- ty. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Gilland, of Halifax county, Va., who has proved a true helpmeet to him, patiently sharing all the trials and vicissitudes that have come to them in their efforts to secure a home and competence. Her father, Johnson Gilland, belonged to one of the old and distinguished families of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Schweighöfer have become the parents of eight children, namely: Joseph, born in Virginia, in 1861, still resides with his parents on the old home- stead. Emmet. born in Wayne county, in 1867, is also at home. Alice, born in 1870, is now the wife of Edward Goodenough, of Lebanon township, and has one child, Merle. Frederick, born in 1872, mar- ried Lulu Holgate, of Damascus, by whom he has one son, and they reside on his farm in Damascus township, Wayne county. Richard, born in 1874, died at the age of nineteen years. Burton, born in 1877, Calvin, born in 1879, and Edna, born in 1882, are all at home, and the last named is still attending school.

Prior to his marriage Mr. Schweighöfer was engaged in canal and railroad building in Virginia, and there met and married Miss Mary Gilland. From 1861 until 1863 he was employed as section foreman on the Richmond & Danville railroad, but in March of the latter year he was made a con- script in the Confederate army under Gen. Lee, being a member of Company E, 23rd V. V. I. His first engagement was the battle of Gettysburg, which was followed by that of Brandy Station, and in the spring of 1865 he took part in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. In June of that year he was transferred to Early's command, which was engaged in battle with Hunter, near Lynch- burg, and later at Port Republic. Crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry they met the Union army in battle, and then marched to Silver Springs, later retreating into Virginia. After the engagement with Sheridan at Winchester they fell back to Fisher's Hill and surprised the Northern army, capturing all the accoutrements. Subsequently Gen. Sheri- dan captured Early's entire army, and our subject with fifty companies retreated to Waynesboro, Va., where they reorganized. Marching to Richmond, they joined Lee's command, with which they served tintil that General surrendered. On April 5, 1865, Mr. Schweighöfer was paroled at Appomattox Court House, receiving no pay for his four years' service.

For two years after the war Mr. Schweighöfer remained in Virginia, and then returned to his old home in Lebanon township, Wayne county, where he has since continued to reside, his parents living with him until their deaths. In 1882 he purchased I20 acres of timber land, which he has cleared, im- proved and placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, and now gives his entire time and attention to his agricultural pursuits. As a Democrat he takes an active interest in political affairs, and is now creditably filling the office of supervisor of his town- ship, being elected for a three-years' term. With the Methodist Episcopal Church he and his wife hold membership, and in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens they occupy an enviable posi- tion.

C. E. WOODMANSEE, a prominent general merchant of Starlight, Wayne county, is one of that county's native sons and a representative of one of her most distinguished and honored families, whose identification with her history dates from an early period in the development of the county. His fa- ther, Hon. J. E. Woodmansee ( whose sketch appears elsewhere), is one of the leading citizens of the coun- ty, has served as county treasurer and member of the State Legislature, and was a soldier of the Civil war, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Miss Lavina Underwood, is a representative of a prominent family, being a sister of Hon. N. F. Un- derwood, of Lake Como.

The subject of this sketch was born May 27, 1863, in Buckingham township, Wayne county, where he obtained a good common-school education, which was supplemented by a course in Pleasant Mount Academy. In 1885, he went to Lawrence, Kans., where he was engaged in business for one year, and then traveled extensively through the South and West, visiting Salt Lake City, Denver, San Francisco, old Mexico, Texas, Indian Terri- tory and other places. On his return to Wayne coun- ty, he embarked in business at Equinunk, where he successfully carried on operations until coming to Starlight in 1893. Here he has a good store build- ing, 24x80 feet, the lower floor of which is used for his business, while the upper story makes a con- venient and comfortable home for his family. He carries a fine line of dry goods, boots, shoes, groceries-in fact everything found in a first-class general store-and enjoys an excellent trade, which is certainly well deserved. Honorable in all his deal- ings, he has not only gained the confidence of his patrons, but has the respect of all who know him.

On October 12, 1887, Mr. Woodmansee was united in marriage with Miss Rose R. Holbert, a well educated young lady, who was for some time a popular and successful teacher in Wayne and Sus- quehanna counties, for one year being principal of the Forest City high school. She was born and reared in Wayne county, and is a daughter of Jef- ferson Holbert (deceased), who for many years was superintendent of a tannery. Mr. and Mrs. Wood-

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mansee have one son, Lou E., and have lost two, Ralph Emerson, who died in infancy; and Harold E., who died at the age of two years. Mrs. Wood- mansee is a worthy member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and is now serving as superintendant of the Union Sunday-school at Starlight. Fratern- ally, Mr. Woodmansee affiliates with the Odd Fel- lows Lodge at Lake Como.

WILLIAM F. SHERWOOD was in his life- time a leading representative of the agricultural in- terests of Manchester township, Wayne county, where from 1875 until the time of his death he owned and operated a fine farm of 180 acres, pleas- antly located one and a half miles from Equinunk. For some years he successfully ran the sawmill standing upon the place, and converted much of his. timber into sawed lumber. Upon the farm are a comfortable residence, good barns and other out- buildings, surrounded by well tilled fields and rich meadows.

Mr. Sherwood was born September 7, 1843, in Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county. Amos O. Sherwood, his paternal grandfather, was born in Connecticut, of English ancestry, and married Betsy Burr, a relative of Aaron Burr. They became the parents of ten children-six sons and four daughters. The father of our subject, Eben Sher- wood, was also a native of Connecticut, born near Bridgeport, and was a schoolmate and friend of P. T. Barnum, the great showman. He was reared in Bridgeport, receiving a fair education, and for a number of years conducted a hotel on the Bowery, in New York City, it being a very popular resort with theatrical people. At that time he knew most of the prominent men of the metropolis. Subse- quently he engaged in business in Elmira, N. Y., and afterward was a coal dealer and merchant of Scran- ton, Penn. He married Miss Emeline Maria Van Meter, daughter of Charles Van Meter, of Holland descent, and they became the parents of five children, namely : Augusta, Mrs. Spencer ; William F., the subject of this sketch; Eben Burr, a resident of Scranton, Penn .; Emeline, deceased; and Charles E., who died in Des Moines, Iowa. The mother of these children died in Elmira, N. Y., at the age of thirty years, after which the father married Kate Gerard, a lady of French extraction, who is still a resident of Scranton. Two children were born of this union, John and Kate. The father departed this life at the age of fifty-nine. He was a man of broad and liberal views, was well informed on topics of general interest, and was a Democrat in politics. His friends were many, and he had the con- fidence and esteem of all who knew him.

William F. Sherwood spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Hampden county, Mass., and there received a good common-school educa- tion, to which he added valuable knowledge ob- tained through travel and experience. During the Civil war ne was in the government railroad em- ploy, with headquarters at Alexandria, Va., and in

1866 he went to Canada, where for one year he bought wheat for a grain firm. From 1868 until his death he was a resident of Wayne county, Penn., and in 1875 he purchased the property known as the Arthur Lloyd farm and sawmill.

On March 26, 1871, Mr. Sherwood was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Teeple, who was born, reared and educated in Wayne county, and is a daughter of Robert Teeple, also a native of the county, and a representative of one of its prominent old families. He died in 1865, while in the govern- ment employ at Washington, D. C. Throughout the greater part of his life he followed the occupa- tion of lumbering and farming. In politics he was a Republican. His mother, Mrs. Eliza (Depew) Teeple, was descended from a French Huguenot family, and was a relative of Hon. Chauncy Depew. Robert Teeple married Miss Sallie M. Snyder, and to them were born seven children, namely: Levi, who was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Manchester township, Wayne county ; Harriette, wife of Charles Layton; Mary Ann, wife of Charles Graham, of Phillips, Wis .; Peter E., who died in Binghamton, N. Y .; Eliza- beth, wife of our subject ; Eveline, wife of J. Bishop, of Binghamton ; and Dora, who married C. A. Sher- wood, and after his death became the wife of Ira Travis.

Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood had two children : Grace, who was for a time a popular and successful teacher of Manchester township, Wayne county, and is now the wife of M. D. Hall ; and Eben Frank, who was born June 13, 1889. Mr. Sherwood, as a business man, won success by his well-directed, energetic efforts, and the prosperity that came to him is certainly well deserved. He was well versed on the leading questions and issues of the day, and gave his unwavering support to the principles of the Republican party

GEORGE BEEHN, a resident of Dreher town- ship, Wayne county, was born on his present home- stead, March 16, 1843, and is a son of Charles M. and Elizabeth (Reitz) Beehn, natives of Baden, Germany, who came to the New World in Septem- ber, 1828. His paternal grandparents were Charles and Magdelina (Fisher) Beehn, of Baden. The grandfather started for the United States in 1818 and is supposed to have been shipwrecked and lost near New Orleans. In 1828, his wife, with her three sons, crossed the Atlantic and first located at East- on, Penn., but two years later came to what is now Dreher township, Wayne county, with a colony, which purchased a tract of 2,000 acres of land. When the property was divided our subject's grand- mother received 100 acres. Her children were John, Charles M. and Adam, of whom all died in Dreher township.

Charles M. Beehn was a farmer by occupation. In 1841 he married Elizabeth Reitz, who was born December 12, 1814, and now makes her home with our subject, who was the only child born to them.

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Her parents, Charles F. and Christiann H. (Keene) Reitz, were also natives of Baden, Germany, and on coming to America in 1828 located on the farm where she now resides, spending the remainder of their lives here. Their children were George; Eliz- abeth ; Charles F., a resident of Wilkes Barre, Penn. ; Louisa, of Mansfield, Penn. The father of these children died October 21, 1891, at the age of sev- enty-seven years and eleven months, and was buried in the Moravian cemetery.

Reared on his present farm, George Beehn re- mained there until 1868, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Winchester, Va., but not liking the place, which had suffered severely during the Civil war, he returned to Pennsylvania and spent two years in Tioga county. He then returned to the old homestead, where his land is now under a high state of cultivation and well improved.

On December 20, 1887, in New York, Mr. Beehn was married to Miss Caroline W. Pasold, by whom she has had three children, Charles H., Em- ma L. and Mary E., all at home. Mrs. Beehn was born in Greene township, Pike Co., Penn., January 31, 1861, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Grimm) Pasold, natives of Germany, who now re- side on a farm in Barrett township, Monroe county. In their family were the following children : Emma, wife of Peter Mash, of Greene township, Pike coun- ty; Caroline W., wife of our subject; Louisa, who died unmarried; Esther, wife of George Ould, a farmer of Greene township, Pike county ; Ella, wife of William Monroe, of Philadelphia; Edith, wife of Herbert Stiff, a farmer of Monroe county ; Henry, deceased ; and Christian, a farmer of Monroe county.

During the Civil war, Mr. Beehn was drafted and it cost him $700 to secure a substitute. In po- litical sentiment he is a pronounced Democrat, and for the long period of twenty years he has most effi- ciently filled the office of poormaster in his town- ship. Religiously he is a consistent member of the Moravian Church.

MRS. IDA VON AUER, now residing in New York State, was born in Marseilles, France, June 12, 1842, a daughter of Jacob Charles and Caroline (Shirmageher) Flegge, and was one of a family of six children, all daughters, of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others are: Johanna Antonio, who is married to a Mr. Tarch and lives in Germany ; Bertha, the widow of Louis Size, a railroad inspec- tor of Germany, by whom she had two sons and one daughter ; Ida Henriette, the subject of this sketch ; Augusta, wife of William Wilkey, of Washington, D. C .; and Caroline, who is unmarried and makes her home in Berlin, Germany.

When ten years old Ida Henrietta Flegge ac- companied her parents on their removal to Germany, where, July 6, 1858, she was married to William Er- nest Emil von Auer, whose family well deserves hon- orable mention in history. Their coat of arms is still preserved as a token of the nobility of this old time family. They owned a magnificent place in Straus-

burg, where for generations they took a leading part in public affairs, but owing to the reckless extrava- gance of the father-in-law of Mrs. von Auer, the place was sold and converted into a seminary. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. von Auer locat- ed in Elbing, where he operated an iron and steel factory until his plant was destroyed by fire, which proved a total loss as there was no insurance upon it. After remaining for some time in Germany, the young couple decided to try their fortunes in Amer- ica. They landed here in 1861, and the following year Mr. von Auer enlisted as corporal of an en- gineer corps, but after serving ten months was dis- charged on account of heart trouble.

To Mr. and Mrs. von Auer were born three children, namely : Charles, born June 14, 1860, died at the age of nine years and ten months. Max died at the age of two years and ten months. Emily Antonio, born June 29, 1869, married Charles F. Eden, by whom she has one child, Ida Atelka Guer- eta. Her second husband is John T. Henning, and to them have been born three children-Paul, Fran- cisco and Leroy. Mr. Henning was employed for eighteen years by the Brooklyn Furniture Co. At the death of his mother he inherited considerable property, and embarked in business for himself at Croton, N. Y., but failed, losing everything. He is now in the employ of the Blooming Grove. Park Co., a syndicate of wealthy New York people, who keep a large tract of land for their own private hunting ground.

After leaving the army, Mr. von Auer worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn, and assisted in building the boilers for the "Great Eastern" steamer. He was very ingenius in mental work and designed several valuable articles, but in most cases his too ready be- lief in the honesty of his associates led to their be- coming the owners of his patents. He patented doorlocks which he manufactured for some time, and on selling out his business in 1892, removed to Westchester county, New York.

Being of an independent nature, and desirous of assisting in earning a livelihood, Mrs. von Auer originated a novel idea in the educational world. Through the influence of the superintendent of edu- cation, she was allowed to introduce the teaching of embroidery in the public schools, and it proved very successful, even the lady teachers themselves becom- ing her pupils. At an art exhibition she was award- ed a large gold medal as first prize in needle work, and this she has tastefully mounted and framed, it now occupying a conspicuous place in the home of this worthy lady. Mrs. von Auer opened embroid- ery and art parlors in Brooklyn, imported all her goods and successfully engaged in business. On ac- count of her extensive business she was forced to remain in the city most of the time although her home was at Flatbush, L. I. For one season she conducted a branch store at Saratoga and for two seasons at Asbury Park. In 1891 she disposed of her business interests and purchased Woodlake Cot- tage, a beautiful place on the Hudson river between

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Croton and Sing Sing, and sold eleven months later at a profit of $4,000. Shortly afterward she bought property in Paupack township, Wayne Co., Penn., and immediately took possession of the place, and spending considerable money in making improve- ments thereon. Like many other energetic people, Mrs. von Auer speculated in gas stocks, and in a single day lost $25,000. Of late she has made her home in Minisink, N. Y. Throughout her career she has displayed excellent ability as a business wom- an and has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom she has come in contact. She belongs to the Order of Pocohontas, and is a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.

PAUL E. V. BILLE, a highly respected citi- zen of Greene township, Pike county, is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Neufchatel, July 3, 1842, and is a son of Onesime Vuille and Rosine ( Perrenond ) Bille, who were also born in the beau- tiful land of the Alps, the former in Neufchatel, in 1806, the latter in 1803. In their family were three children : Guinel, a widow now living in the town of Neufchatel; Paul E. V., of this sketch; and Elise, who is married and lives in New York. Our sub- ject's paternal grandfather was David Louis Bille.

Reared in his native land, Mr. Bille, of this re- view, received a good education in the French lan- guage, and from his father also learned the trade of watchmaking. There he married Emma Girard, and to them were born the following children: Paul Emile, who married Sadie Smith and is now engaged in farming in Greene township, Pike Co., Penn .; Rose Emelia, wife of Paul Heine, who lives near New York City ; Louisa Emma, wife of Albert Price, of Laanna, Pike county ; and Charles August, who was for some time engaged in the photographic busi- ness at Sterling, Wayne Co., Penn., and is now at- tending the Illinois College of Photography at Ef- fingham, Ill. The wife and mother died in Novem- ber, 1881.

Subsequently Mr. Bille was married, in New York City, to Miss Perret Gentil, who was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, January 21, 1837, and is a daughter of August and Euphrosine (Juil- liard) Gentil, and granddaughter of David Henry Gentil. Both the father and grandfather were born in Switzerland and died in that country. With her parents, Mrs. Bille lived for twenty years in St. Petersburg, Russia, while she was employed as a French teacher at the royal palace, instructing the children of high officials. At the age of forty-five years she came to America and located in New York City, where she later married.

In 1878 Mr. Bille, with his family, came to America, his first home in this country being at Fort Howard, Wis., but he only remained there a short time. Returning to the East, he lived for fourteen years at Hoboken, N. J., and during this time found employment in New York City. Later he again went to Wisconsin and resided for one year in Watertown, but his wife being dissatisfied with the West, he

again turned his face eastward, and on reaching Pennsylvania located upon the farm which he had previously purchased in Greene township, Pike coun- ty. His place consists of fifty-three acres, a large portion of which is wild land, but he has already cleared fifteen acres and erected thereon a fine resi- dence. Here he is now engaged in general farming, poultry raising and watch repairing, and has secured the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life. Po- litically he is a Republican, and religiously is a mem- ber of the French Evangelical Church of New York City.

MACKEY. For three-quarters of a century the Mackey family has been identified with the growth and development of Susquehanna county, and left their impress upon the communities in which they have resided. Of the earlier generations George W. Mackey, Deacon David Mackey and Zophar Mackey, all farmers, were men of integrity and honor and aided in clearing up the forests of the county, and their descendants are now active and influential in Susquehanna and adjoining counties. Notably in the professions are George Mackey of the Lackawanna Bar, Charles D. Mackey, M. D., of Montrose, and Nathan C. Mackey, M. D., of Waver- ly, Penn., all substantial citizens of their several localities.

George W. Mackey, a native of the State of New York, born in 1789, married Elizabeth Samuels, who was born in the same year. They lived at Rensselaerville, Albany Co., N. Y., from whence in about 1824 the family removed to Susquehanna county, Penn., settling on what was then known as the Harding farm, near Clifford Corners. Mr. Mackey was a hatter by trade and followed this busi- ness in connection with farming. He died in 1845, and his widow survived him many years, dying in 1864. They were upright people and held the es- teem and respect of the community in which they lived. Among their children were: (1) Rhoda. (2) Parmelia married William Bolton. (3) David is referred to farther on, (4) Zophar Mackey, born in Albany, N. Y., came to Susquehanna county, Penn., with his parents in about 1824. In 1849 he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in the vicinity of the old Truesdell school house. This he sold in 1856 and removed to Lathrop town- ship, where he had purchased one hundred and fifty acres on which there was a small log cabin into which he moved his family. He aided in clearing up the land in Lathrop, became identified with its interests and was numbered among the township's substantial farmers and citizens. In his political views prior to the Civil war he was a Democrat, was what was known as a war Democrat, through that struggle being fully in sympathy with Greenback party into which all of his sons followed him. He married and the union was blessed with ten children, viz .: Francis, Joshua D., George S., Jared, John B., Mina M., Nellie, Nelson, Manly and Frank.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The father of these died in 1884; but his widow is still living.

Deacon David Mackey, son of George W. Mackey and the father of Dr. Charles D. Mackey, of Montrose, was born in Albany county, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. He accom- panied his father's family to Susquehanna county, Penn., in about 1824. Later he became a resident of Harford township and in 1852 removed to a farm in the vicinity of the village of New Milford. He was a farmer by occupation, a quiet unassuming man who lived a God-fearing life, correct and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen. He was active in Church work, identified with the Baptist Church in which he was a deacon for many years. He was in sympathy with the slave and in the days of the Abolition movement was an Abolitionist. Later he became a Republican. Deacon Mackey was in sym- pathy with all movements having for their object the elevation of mankind. He married Miss Miranda C., daughter of Joseph Griggs of Susquehanna county. Deacon Mackey died in 1869, and she in 18 -. They reared a number of children, all becom- ing useful men and women, among the number three of the boys-George, Nathan C. and Charles D .- are now adorning the professions, legal and medical, they adopted.

Nathan Callender Mackey, M. D., son of the late Deacon David Mackey, of New Milford, is a native of Harford, Susquehanna Co., Penn., born September 7, 1848. He was reared on his father's farm in the vicinity of New Milford, and there at- tended the schools of the neighborhood. Later he furthered his studies at the New Milford Academy. Following this, when eighteen years of age, he for a time taught in the district schools and subsequently pursued a course of study in the State Normal school. In 1871 he commenced the study of medi- cine under the direction of Dr. A. C. Blakeslee, of Nicholson, Penn., continuing his studies until 1873. During those two years in addition to the prosecu- tion of his medical preparation he taught the graded school of the village. In 1873 he entered the Yale Medical school where he took two courses of lect- ures. He was graduated in 1875 from the Univer- sity of New York City and soon thereafter began the practice at Foster, Penn. In July, 1876, he re- moved to Springville and that year became a member of the Susquehanna County Medical Society. Later he located in Lackawanna county. He married (first), in 1875, Nellie J. Marcex, of Nicholson, who died in 1879. He married (second), in 1883, Anna M., daughter of Miles W. Bliss, of Waverly, Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 423

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