Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 48

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 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 48
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 48

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Alpheus F. Whipple was born December 15, 1826, on his present farm in Silver Lake township, received a good practical education in the district schools near his home, and from early boyhood as- sisted his father on the home place, becoming his mainstay after reaching manhood. During his ear- lier years he followed lumbering during the winter season, but he now gives his attention exclusively to agriculture, in which his interests are extensive. In addition to the old home farm he owns 100 acres adjoining, which he purchased, and his property is one of the finest in this section of the county, both as regards size and value. In 1878 Mr. Whipple erected a commodious dwelling, with all modern improvements, and he has also, from time to time, put up substantial outbuildings, the farm being thor- oughly equipped in every particular. He takes great pride in the appearance of his surroundings, and has spared neither labor nor pains to make his farm as attractive as it is productive, with results that have justified his every expenditure. He is thoroughly informed on every detail of his life work, being well-read as well as practically con- versant with the best methods, and his intelligent thrift and energy are visible in every department of his estate. That he has been successful far be- yond the ordinary is universally admitted by all who know him, and the fact that his success has come as the reward of persistent energy, sound judgment and capable management, gives him an enviable standing in his county. Throughout life he has maintained the reputation enjoyed by all the members of his family for integrity and honest dealing.

In 1866 Mr. Whipple was united in marriage with Miss Mary Stevens, who was born in 184I in Tioga county, N. Y., daughter of Richard and Mary ( Whitney) Stevens, prominent residents of that county. Two children have blessed this union : Fannie W., born in 1872, and Bessie, born No- vember 28, 1875. The eldest daughter received her education in the local schools and the higher schools of Binghamton, N. Y., and taught school one term previous to her marriage to James Shear- er, of Binghamton, where they reside; they have had two children, Francis and Earl. Bessie attended the same schools as her sister : she was married, in November, 1896, to Joseph Bell, of Conkling Forks, son of Joseph and Ida Bell. The family has always been identified with the M. E. Church, giving

liberally to the support of Church work, though not members. Mr. Whipple's sympathies have been given to the Republican party.

WILLIAM SNYDER, deceased. It is diffi- cult to realize that within the limits of the tisual span of man's life the entire appearance of this sec- tion has been changed, yet the memory of this well- known agriculturist of Stroud township, Monroe county, covered a period which has witnessed the clearing settlement of a large extent of country. After enduring bravely the limitations of a farmer's lot in earlier life, he gained a degree of prosperity which brought peace and comfort in his declining years, and at the time of his death he was living in retirement, surrounded by his family of children, who have been reared to lives of honor and use- fulness.

Mr. Snyder was born October 12, 1828, in Upper Mt. Bethel township, Northampton Co., Penn., and is of German ancestry in the paternal line. John Snyder, his grandfather, was among the pioneer settlers of Easton, Northampton Co., l'enn. George Snyder, our subject's father, was a weaver by trade, and was considered an expert, his work including blankets and all kinds of fancy weaves. In 1849 he removed from his old home in Northampton county to Stroud township, Mon- roe county, where he bought the farm of Jacob Houser, one mile west of Stroudsburg. He re- mained there about seventeen years, making many improvements, and then sold and purchased the property now known as the Enoch Flagler lot, where he spent his last years, his death occurring September 17, 1868. His worthy wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Emery, died Novem- ber 21, 1887. They had a large family of children, of whom seven lived to adult age. (I) John Emery, born August 5, 1827, in Northampton county, became a brick layer by trade, and is now a resident of Stroudsburg. For his first wife he married Miss Elizabeth Utt, of Northampton coun- ty, who died in 1888, and for his second wedded Miss Maggie Menauken, of Monroe county. He has a family of three children, all by the first mar- riage : Theodore A., a lawyer in Lehighton, Penn .; William A., a jeweler in Belvidere, N. Y .; and Lizzie W. (2) William, our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (3) Mary Etta, born February 5, 1835, in Northampton county, married Simpson Lee, of Monroe county, now residing in Scranton, and has eight children : Elizabeth S., Daniel, John, and Ella, living, and William, George, Steward and Jerusha, deceased. (4) Theodore Mack, born August 12, 1837, in Northampton county, married Peggy Ann Maria Rimer, of the same county, and now resides in Stroudsburg. They have no chil- dren. (5) Lavina Emery, born September 23, 1839, in Northampton county, married George Fable, of Monroe county, who died January 30, 1867; she died May 27, 1880. They have four children : Eliza- beth, Savilla and Effie, all deceased, and Alfred G.,

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living. (6) Joseph Chattles, born March 26, 1842, in Northampton county, married Elizabeth J. Lock- ver, of New York City, who died April 16, 1888; he died November 22, 1883. They had six children, all living, namely: Maggie, Steward, Effie, Lida, Lauretta and Thomas. (7) Effie B. married Lewis Williams, of Smithfield, Monroe county, and has had children as follows : William, George, Edward, Lizzie, Susan ( who died in childhood), Kate and Laura. George Snyder, the father of this family, was a strong Methodist in religious belief, and served as class-leader for many years; of his fam- ily, Mary, Theodore, Lavina and Joseph were also adherents of the Methodist Church, Mrs. Snyder, John and Effie uniting with the Presbyterian Church. The father and sons all gave their po- litical allegiance to the Democratic party.

William Snyder passed his early life in North- ampton county, receiving the best educational ad- vantages afforded. He accompanied his parents to Monroe county, and in August, 1851, was married there, for his first wife, to Miss Mary A. Philips, who was born May 1, 1828, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Philips, well-known pioneers of Mon- roe county. After his marriage Mr. Snyder pur- chased the homestead, on which he ever afterward made his home, one mile west of Stroudsburg, formerly the property of Jacob Kuezter. From 1854 he engaged in business as a huckster and fish dealer, in addition to the cultivation of his farm. Politically he was a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, but he never sought official honors. His first wife, who was a devout and consistent member of the Reformed Church, passed to the unseen life December 30, 1882, and in December, 1884, he married Mrs. Mary ( Miller ) Sipe. He had six children, all by the first marriage: (I) Eliza, born September 2, 1853, at the homestead, married Hampton Andress of Stroudsburg, and has six children, Edward, Emma, William, John, Clarence, and Roy. (2) George N. died at the age of eight years. (3) Lavina, born. December 20, 1857, mar- ried William Bazlor, of Oxford county, N. J., and has two children living, Meta and Eva. (4) John D., born August 13, 1860, is a salesman in Brooklyn, N. Y. He married Miss Ella Albertson, of Pocono township, Monroe county, and they have had two children, Robert, living, and Anna deceased. (5) Emma E., born June 17, 1862, married Abram Par- cell. of Morris county, N. J., and has one son, Roy. (6) Samuel, born September 15, 1868, is a resident of Stroudsburg. He married Miss Carrie Phillips, of that city, and has two children, Hazel, and Bernard. William Snyder passed away July 26, 1899, at his late residence, and was laid to rest in Shafer's cemetery, in Stroud township. His widow makes her home in Stroudsburg.

Mrs. Mary Snyder is a devout member of the Methodist Church at Stroudsburg, and has been active in the work of same. She belongs to an old Berks county family, and her parents, Samuel and Kittie Miller were prominent citizens of that sec-

tion. By her first husband, Ephraim Sipe, she had two children: (I) Cassie A. married Milton War- ner, of Stroudsburg, and has one son, Charles. (2) George Sipe, who was born in Stroudsburg, resided in that place. He married Miss Sarah Miller, of the same city, and died in March, 1899, leaving one Son.

REV. P. F. BRODERICK. As rector of St. John's Catholic Church at Susquehanna, Sus- . quehanna county, the subject of this sketch has during the past fourteen years filled a pastorate with eminent ability and success. Under the ever- changing conditions of modern life, new problems constantly present themselves in the religious as well as other worlds. The relation of the pastor to his congregation, and to the communities in which his field of labor and usefulness is set, sometimes requires delicate adjustment. Two facts have been indisputably established; Rev. Broderick in both these relations has demonstrated that he is the right man in the right place. He has won the hearts of his parishioners by his splendid educational and mental qualifications, and by his genial disposition and unswerving devotion to duty. Moreover, he has won the highest esteem and regard of the peo- ple of the city in which he lives, while between him and the Protestant ministers of the city the most cordial feelings exists.

Rev. Broderick was born at Archbald, Penn., in 1856. He pursued his studies so diligently at the public schools of Archbald, and under private instruction in the classics, that entering St. Charles' College of Ellicott City in 1872 he was able to graduate therefrom in two years. In 1874 he entered St. Charles Theological Seminary, at Overbrook, near Philadelphia, Penn., from which he graduated in June, 1879, and was ordained. He celebrated his first mass at Archbald, June 29, 1879, and the next month he was appointed to his first mission at Dunmore, Penn. That mission included six places where services were held, be- tween Moscow and the Delaware Water Gap, and these places he regularly visited and at them cele- brated mass. In December, 1882, he was trans- ferred to St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton, Penn. In 1883 he spent a number of months at Susque- hanna, while Father Slattery, then the pastor of St. John's, was in Europe for his health, and in July, 1885, Father Slattery being no longer able to ad- minister to the Church at that place, Father Brod- erick was transferred from Scranton to Susque- hanna and appointed its irremovable rector. Im- mediately upon his arrival he took active steps to clear off the debt upon the new church, which was over $10,000. This he accomplished to the grati- fication of all. Gifted with rare powers as a speaker, supplemented by a finished education, he is one of the most pleasing and popular of speak- ers, and always commands the closest attention of his audience. St. John's Church, of which he is pastor, has a connected history of more than half

MEN. . . Broderick

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a century. The Catholic Church of Susquehanna had its origin at Lanesboro in 1874. At that time all of this part of the country was embraced in Silver Lane parish, with Very Rev. John V. ()'Reilly as pastor. In the beginning of the year Father O'Reilly frequently visited this locality and celebrated mass in several private houses, namely : Dennis McDonald's, Henry Williams' and John Larkin's. Stephen Maroney, a young man then in the employ of the railroad company, assisted in serving mass at these places. A little later in the vear a church was erected. It was two stories high, the upper part being used for a school, and stood on the upper side of the road, nearly oppo- site the present site of the graded school building in Lanesboro. In 1858 this building was taken down, moved to Susquehanna, put up again where the parsonage now stands, and until about 1876 used for school purposes. At the latter date it was again taken down as the new brick parsonage was to occupy the ground where it stood. Yet, before this building was removed from Lanesboro, a frame church was erected in Susquehanna, in 1853. This church would seat about eight hun- dred people, but in a few years the congregation was altogether too large for its accommodation ; hence, after consideration, in 1872. it was deemed expedient by the pastor that another building should be erected, one having a capacity adequate to the needs of the congregation and so substantial as to endure for centuries, and in architecture and finish consonant with the dignity of the Church. This structure was begun in 1875. The corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies by Bishop O'Hara, on Sunday, June 3, 1876, and Sun- day, November 7. 1880, the edifice was completed and opened for service. The cost of the building was $42,000. The gentlemen performing the re- sponsible duties of the building committee were Rev. John Slattery, Thomas McDonald, John C. Kane, and Morris Prendergast. The first church at Lanesboro was dedicated by Father O'Reilly, under a special dispensation from Bishop Newman, and the present brick building by Bishop O'Hara.

In 1853, when the church was built at Sus- quehanna, a new parish was created, called the Susquehanna parish. This was taken from the Silver Lake parish, and Great Bend, New Milford and Nicholson. About 1872 Great Bend, New Milford and Nicholson were set off. and Starrucca was annexed. From the origin of the Church at this place until 1868 this parish was in the Phila- delphia diocese. and since that date it has been in the Scranton diocese.

Laurel Hill Academy was inaugurated in 1857, and was chartered in 1860. Its reputation now as an advanced educational institution has become well known. Sister M. Casimir is the present Mother in charge. Sixteen Sisters are now in- gaged in the work, and during the past seven years over 125 pupils have been graduated, from eighteen to twenty per year. In the parochial schools, when

Father Broderick assumed charge, there were about 250 pupils; now they contain 525 pupils. From the toddler going to the first forms to the graduate at the "Academy," every child, rich or poor, finds his path to knowledge made easy and plain. Their progress is watched over by Father Broderick him- self, who places only the most competent teachers in every department, and is ever vigilant to aid every improvement of system in imparting knowl- eage. During its long and prosperous history St. John's Church has had but three pastors, namely : Very Rev. John V. O'Reilly, 1847-73; Rev. John Slattery, 1873-85; Rev. P. F. Broderick, 1885 to the present time. Sketches of the former pastors in this connection are of interest.

VERY REV. JOHN V. O'REILLY, better known as Father O'Reilly, was born at Drumhalry, County Longford, Ireland, October 20, 1796. Little is known of his early history before coming to Amer- ica, further than that he received a classical educa- tion preparatory to his entering the ministry. He was orained a priest at Philadelphia in 1830, by the Right Rev. Bishop Kendrick. He was soon afterward assigned to missionary work in north- ern Pennsylvania and southern New York, and es- tablished Churches in different parts of Susque- hanna and adjoining counties, among others the Church of St. Joseph, in Choconut ; was pastor of many, and exercised a supervision over all within his jurisdiction. In 1847 a church was erected in Lanesboro, where he officiated as pastor, but in 1853 he organized a society at Susquehanna, which in- cluded the one at Lanesboro, and when the church was completed the one at Lanesboro was discon- tinued. He still had supervision of the Churches in Susquehanna county, but from that time until his death he made Susquehanna his home. About this time he was appointed, by Bishop Newman, of Philadelphia, vicar-general of the diocese. Soon afterward he erected a Catholic College at Cho- conut, known as St. Joseph's College, of which he was appointed president. He also built the con- vent at St. Joseph, which was under the supervi- sion of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart.

About 1860 Father O'Reilly established the Laurel Hill Academy, at Susquehanna, and shortly afterward erected the churches at Great Bend, New Milford and Nicholson, and attended them as pas- tor. He obtained from the Erie Railroad Co. a grant of six acres of land, and converted it into the cemetery known as Laurel Hill Cemetery, at Sus- quehanna. On October 4, 1873, he returned from Great Bend, where he had been upon official busi- ness, and after alighting from the train at Sus- quehanna he was struck by a passing locomotive and instantly killed. He was greatly beloved by his people, and he had the esteem and respect of all who knew him. In the circular plot, reserved for the remains of members of the priesthood in Laurel Hill cemetery, he was laid to rest, and a beautiful and expensive monument of Italian mar- ble, erected by members of his flock, with material

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aid from the leading business men of Susquehanna, marks his resting place.

REV. JOHN SLATTERY was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1842, and died in Susquehanna, Penn., in May, 1887. At fourteen years of age he entered a Jesuit school at Limerick, and completed his classical studies at Castle College, in Dublin. He came to America in 1863 and entered a theological college in Philadelphia, was ordained in 1867, and appointed curate to Rev. M. F. Martin, of St.

James' Church, of Philadelphia. Six months thereafter he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, in Susquehanna county, which then includ- ed Montrose and Silver Lake. During his five- years' pastorate there he built a church at Silver Lake and a parsonage at St. Joseph's. In 1873 he was appointed pastor of St. John's Church, to succeed Father O'Reilly, deceased. He immedi- ately took steps to erect a new church and parson- age. With remarkable energy and perseverance these projects were successfully executed. The buildings stand as a monument to Father Slattery, and are ornaments to the town. About five years before his death the germs of disease became mani- fest in a slightly impaired condition of his health, but as time elapsed the dread disease consumption took a firm hold upon him, and it became evident that he must resign his work to one better able to perform it, whereupon, in 1885, Father P. F. Brod- erick was appointed to succeed him. Father Slat- tery, however, remained in the parsonage he built until his death. His funeral was attended by thirty-five priests and a large concourse of people ; all of the public places in town were closed and solemn high mass was celebrated, followed by an eloquent and impressive eulogium by Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Hara, of this diocese.

REV. J. P. MALONE, who in 1895 was appointed as assistant to Rev. Broderick, is a native of Car- bondale, Penn. He studied at Niagara Univer- sity, and was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Hara. He served three years at mission work, when he was appointed assistant to Father Brod- erick. Father Malone is a priest of profound and varied learning, and as a preacher is instructive and forcible. His labors are fruitful of much good at Susquehanna.

JOSEPH BUSKIRK, one of the most genial and whole-souled men of Jackson township, Monroe county, owns and operates a good farm of sixty- one acres, of which thirty-five acres are cleared and under a high state of cultivation. His tastes have always inclined him to agricultural pursuits, and the success that he has achieved in life is due to his own thrift and industry.

The family name was originally Van Buskirk. Our subject's father, John Buskirk, was born in Hamilton township, Monroe county, where he grew to manhood, but his entire married life was passed in Jackson township, where he carried on operations as a lumberman and cooper. Here he married Cath-

erine Smith, a native of Jackson township, and a daughter of Abraham and Susan ( Possinger ) Smith. He died in October, 1890, at the age of sixty-five years, and she passed away in February, 1891, at the age of seventy-three. Their children were Aaron, a lumberman, living at Houser Mill, Monroe county ; Elizabeth, wife of William Stump, of Hous- er Mill; Abraham, who was born February 29, 1852, and died April 13, 1857; Joseph, our subject ; Robert, a land owner of Jackson township; Eleanor, deceased wife of Jacob Stump; Lydia, deceased wife of Charles Heater, of Pocono Summit; and Thomas, who was born in Jackson township, March 31, 1863, and works with our subject in Jackson township (he is a Democrat in politics).

Joseph Buskirk, of this review, was born Oc- tober 19, 1854, in Jackson township, and there grew to manhood, starting out in life for himself at the age of twenty-one. In Pocono township, Monroe county, he married Miss Maria Gantzhorn, who died leaving one child, Maranda, born July 23, 1878; she is now the wife of Clinton H. Kautz, of Stroudsburg, and they have one son, Harold B., born November 25, 1899. Mr. Buskirk again married, his second union being with Miss Susanna Fellenser, a daughter of Peter and Mary ( Marsh) Fellenser. Her grandfather, Peter Fellenser,, was a native of Hamilton township, Monroe county, where he was married and made his home. Peter Fellenser, Jr., was born in that town- ship March 22, 1808, and on attaining to man's estate was there united in marriage with Miss Mary Marsh, also a native of the township, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Cress) Marsh. Children were born to them as follows: Joseph, born September 14, 1840, a resident of Jackson township; Cather- ine J., born January 27, 1842, deceased wife of John Miller; Samuel, born January 28, 1844, also of Jackson township; Hannah, born November 14, 1846, wife of Jeremiah Miller, of Wind Gap, Penn .; Susanna, born March 14, 1848, who is now the wife of our subject ; Elizabeth, born August 14, 1850, wife of Edward Singer, of East Stroudsburg, Penn. ; Sarah C., born November 15, 1852, wife of John Nixon, of Stroudsburg ; Lydia, born February 17, 1854, wife of John B. Elliott, of Stroudsburg; and Peter E., born July 21, 1857, a resident of Ban- gor, Penn., who married Alta, daughter of John A. Singer, of Jackson township.

In his political views Mr. Buskirk is an ardent Democrat, and he gives his support to every meas- ure which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and occupy an enviable place in the esteem and confidence of their fellow citizens.

REV. FRANKLIN W. SMITH. The higher life of any community is reached chiefly by two influences-religious and educational. Some minds capable of leading and inspiring are gifted in the one direction, some in the other. Happy is he whose contributions to the weal of his fellowmen

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. embrace both intellectual and religious training. The subject of this sketch has been eminent both as minister and teacher. He keeps close to the people, knows their daily life and needs, and by his help- fulness and devotion has conferred inestimable bene- fits upon those among whom his influential life has been passed.

Rev. Smith was born at Germansville, Lehigh Co., Penn., February 4, 1853, son of S. David and Angeline ( Wehr) Smith, of Lehigh county, Penn., and grandson of John and Catherine ( Miller ) Smith, who were life-long residents of Lehigh coun- ty. S. David Smith, the father, a prominent resi- dent of Lehigh county, was born in 1825. He has held many local offices, and is a leading member of the Reformed Church. His wife, Angeline, was born in 1831, daughter of Daniel Wehr, who was a life-long resident of Lehigh county. He was an ex- emplary man, his strong Christian character, his wisdom in giving counsel, and his readiness in fur- nishing means being an inspiration to our subject in gaining his profession. To S. David and Ange- line Smith were born the following children : Frank- lin W., the subject of this sketch; Louis, who died at the age of eighteen years; William, a shoemaker of Germansville, Penn., who married Sarah Wert ; Mary, who married Willoughby Wert, and lives near Pleasant Corners, Penn .; Lucetta. widow of Alfred Krum, who was a drover of Allentown, Penn .; Moses, who married Julian Smith, a farmer of Ohio; Angeline, wife of William Hawk, a farmer and mechanic of Lehigh county, Penn .; Amanda, who married Albert Hamm, a carpenter and farmer ; and two children who died in infancy.

Franklin W. Smith was reared on his father's farm, and there remained until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when a desire to obtain an education led him to an institution of learning be- yond the immediate vicinity of his father's farm. For a year he attended a select school at Germans- ville and Jordan Valley, and then attended for one term the Normal school at Millersville. For the next seven years the young aspirant for a higher life alternately taught and attended school until he had thoroughly fitted himself for a theological course. He first taught school at Mahoning Valley, Carbon county, and continued to teach for seven terms in Carbon and Schuylkill counties during the winter months, attending the Kurtztown State Normal during the summer. He assisted in organizing a select school at Normal, Carbon county, and at- tended under the tutorship of Thomas M. Balliat, an educator of national reputation, of Springfield, Mass., attending and teaching in this school four terms. His vacations were spent upon Judge Seid- le's farm, where he assisted in the work, at times also clerking in his store.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 48

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