Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 51

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 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 51

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Mr. Du Bois served with credit in every ex- pedition and engagement in which his regiment took part, notably in the campaigns for the rein- forcement and relief of the garrison at at Little Washington, in the second of which, during a

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sharp engagement, he twice crossed the firing line of the Rebel batteries with dispatches. He was slightly wounded by a fragment of shell, and severely stunned by the sudden dash of his horse between two trees standing so closely together that the rider and saddle were stripped from the ani- mal. On June 1, 1863, the regiment was ordered to the Peninsula, to take part in a demonstration against Richmond. Lee's invasion of Pennsyl- vania brought them to the Potomac near Antietam, where the entire regiment volunteered to remain in service until Lee was defeated or driven out of Penn- sylvania. The regiment was finally mustered out of service August 14, 1863, at Chambersburg. Du Bois was recommended by Major-Gen. Foster for appointment to West Point in the following terms : "For gallant, faithful, energetic and meritorious con- duct." In March, 1864, he entered the general ser- vice, United States Army, and was detailed for duty at the War Department, where he remained until October 9, 1865, when appointed second lieu- tenant, 14th United States Infantry, and ordered to California. At San Francisco he was placed in command of Company B,First Battalion,and ordered to proceed to Arizona, where after a march of over five hundred miles across the Great American Sea of sand, sage brush and cactus, he took station at Camp McDowell. Major-Gen. McDowell, on a tour of observation through his department, met the com- pany at Maricopa Wells, and kindly gave them much good advice in regard to campaign in the Indian country.

Du Bois for a time, in addition to the command of his company, acted as post adjutant and super- intendent of construction for the irrigating canal, four miles in length, for supplying water for the post farm from the Rio Verde. He took part in many expeditions, escorts and engagements with the Apache Indians and much interest attaches to his experiences and observations. In 1867 he was placed in command of Companies A and F, of the First Battalion, to construct a wagon road over the diffi- cult mountain passes of the Mazatsal range, a dis- tance of about fifty miles, for the purpose of estab- lishing a new post in the Tonto Basin, in the heart of the Apache country. Besides the duties incident to the objects of the expedition he performed those of six officers that should have formed the full com- plement of the command, while the two companies all told numbered but seventy-five men, and after the details for the supply train, camp guard and herd guard were provided he was many times limited to six men and a non-commissioned officer for his construction party, working often three to five miles in advance of camp before water and a suitable site could be reached. Overtures of peace by three sig- nal fires having been made on the surrounding mountains, three Apaches bearing a flag of truce came into the working party, then about three miles beyond camp. Having just received by messenger advice that about one hundred Gila River Indians -friendly to the whites but mortal enemies of the

Apaches-had come into camp without any respon- sible head, the chief and a larger party having gone on the warpath against the Apaches by another route, our subject detained them with his working party, knowing that certain death awaited then should they approach his camp. The three Apaches were seated on the hillside above the working party, between them and the direction of camp, when sud- denly the River Indians came dashing down the hillside on their ponies with the most terrific yells, and it was due to Mr. Du Bois' tact and caution in dealing with the savage band that the Apaches did not all meet their fate. The superstition in regard to any loss of a member of the body saved the old Indian of the truce party harmless, he having in some previous fight lost one of his eyes. The two young Apaches received terrible wounds in the head, inflicted by the heavy war clubs of their foes. They were taken into camp and cared for for some weeks, until they had recovered sufficiently to re- turn to their tribe. One incident connected with the affair is worthy of special mention. When the ap- proach of the River Indians was first noticed by the- working party, Mr. Du Bois saw the sergeant and six men preparing to come to his assistance. Fear- ing that an injudicious step on the part of some one might precipitate unforeseen disaster, he ordered the sergeant and men to stand at arms where they were, and through the exciting melee which fol- lowed they remained as commanded, and where commanded, until he saw an advantageous oppor- tunity for them to advance-an example of obedi- ence and discipline which he has always considered a monument of glory to the country and army.

Overtures of peace having been renewed, and the responsibility for the success of the expedition resting with our subject, he determined to conclude a treaty with the Apaches. A delegation headed by a chief represented that many former treaties with the whites had been marked by great want of faith, citing particularly the "Pinola Treaty." The chief further informed him that many of his tribe were afraid to come into camp, and desired the as- surance of good will to them that his presence in their village would give to them. Du Bois con- sented, and on the day following, having turned over the command of camp to a recently assigned officer, set out on horseback at sunrise, and pene- trated the heart of the Apache country, without men or arms, a distance of sixty miles or more, facing a terrific storm for two hours during the lat- ter part of the journey. Before the storm, when at the highest point of the mountain range, the Indian guide signalled his people of the approach, and after sixteen hours' constant travel, save a short stop at noon, he was met and escorted to the Apache stronghold, passing through a rocky canon scarcely admitting the passage of a horse, and oblig- ing the rider to dismount and lead him up the steep ascent for some distance, where they reached a beautiful tableland well fortified by nature. Here Du Bois concluded a treaty with the representatives

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of several tribes, and returned to his camp with an escort of eight warriors, followed later by twelve hundred or more for a ratification of their treaty. The details of this unexampled expedition would require more space that the present work would admit. Suffice to. add that these Indians remained friendly and strictly fulfilled every obligation as long as Du Bois remained in command, even going long distances to gather bunch grass and packing it into camp to feed the herd during a snowstorm that shut in the command and interrupted all coom- munication with the outside world for some weeks.

The extraordinary responsibility devolving up- on Du Bois, and the onerous duties demanded by this expedition of him, for want of its complement of officers, together with the high altitude and un- usual exposure, proved so terrible a strain upon his powers of endurance that his health was greatly impaired, forcing him to seek a change of station. But after continuing to perform for two years longer every duty assigned him he was retired from active service, and has since made his residence in Washington. His eldest son, Charles F. Du Bois, served through the late Spanish-American war, be- ing one of the first to land at Guanica, Porto Rico, with Gen. Miles' expedition. The members of his family, are Isobel Lenman, James Gladwin, Mi- nerva Collette Emroy and George Bache.

CHARLES A. BUSH is one of the most prosperous and influential citizens of Price town- ship, Monroe county, who throughout life has de- voted his energies principally to farming and lumber- ing, and in all his undertakings has met with a well- deserved success. He is a man of great energy and perseverance, and has effected many improvements upon his land since taking possession. He is recog- nized as one of the valued citizens of the community -- a man possessing excellent judgment, and giving his support and encouragement to those enterprises calculated to advance the general welfare.

A native of Monroe county, Mr. Bush was born in Paradise township, November 2, 1845, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Smith) Bush. The latter was a daughter of Melchoir and Hannah Smith, natives of Germany, who on coming to the New World located in Jackson township, Monroe county, but afterward removed to Pocono township, where they bought and cleared a piece of land, mak- ing their home thereon until called from this life. The paternal grandparents of our subject, Nicholas and Hannah ( Brutzman) Bush, were among the early settlers of Monroe county, and died in Para- dise township when well advanced in years, both being over eighty. They reared a family of four sons and four daughters, namely ; Joseph, father of our subject; Jacob, who spent his last years in Bradford county, Penn .; Frederick, who married Catharine Brackly, and moved West; Henry, who married Elizabeth Heller, and settled in Paradise township, where he reared a family of four chil- dren; Mary, wife of George Smith, of Paradise

township; Susan, wife of Abram Stein, of Pocono township; Sallie, wife of Benjamin Bush, of Para- dise township; and Elizabeth, wife of David Heller, of the same township.

Joseph Bush, father of our subject, was born in Paradise township in 1805, and was reared on the old homestead there. After his marriage in 1840, he purchased a tract of wild land in the same township, cleared and developed a farm and erect- ed good buildings thereon. In 1846, however, he moved to Wisconsin and bought land near Mil- waukee, but at the end of eight months returned to Monroe county, and in Paradise township made his home until his death, which occurred in 1862. His wife survived him many years, dying on the old homestead in 1896. Both were sincere and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family were eight children, all natives of Paradise township. (I) Julia A., born in 1840, married Simon Wagoner, of Paradise town- ship, and they now reside in Elk county, Penn. Their children are Mellie, Minnie, Joseph, Malon, Walter, Carrie, Nettie, Clinton, Myrie, Harry and Edgar. (2) Melchoir, born in 1843, married Ellen Storm, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Storm, of Paradise township, where they now live, and they have two children, Nettie and Annie. (3) Charles A. is the subject proper of these lines. (4) Amanda J., born in 1847, married Richard Fritz, of Northamp- ton county, Penn., and lived in Coolbaugh town- ship, Monroe county, where she died, leaving one daughter, Anna, now the wife of Morris Bush. (5) Abram, born in 1849, still resides on the old home- stead. (6) Etna, born in 1852, married Malon Storm, of Paradise township, and died on the old homestead, leaving three children, Ida, now the wife of Peter Warner, of Paradise township; Mar- tha ; and Garrison, who married May Borrem, of the same township. (7) Sarah, born in 1853, married George Metzgar, of Paradise township, by whom she has one daughter, Bertha, and they live on the old Bush homestead. (8) Joseph G., born in 1855, married Laura Brutzman, of Pocono township, Monroe county, and is engaged in carpenter work in East Stroudsburg. They have two sons, Earl and Clarence.

Charles A. Bush received the benefits of a pub- lic-school education. He early became familiar with farm work on the old homestead, and after his father's death he and his brother Abram took charge of the farm and assisted the mother in caring for the younger members of the family. In 1877 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Price, who was born in 1854, in Price township. Monroe county, and educated in the public schools of that locality ; she is a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Yetter) Price, her parents being representatives of prominent pioneer families of Price township. Her grandfather was Eleazer Price, a son of Wilk- son Price, who settled in what is now Price town- ship prior to the Revolutionary war, when the In- dians were still numerous in the county. Joseph

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Price is the only living male representative of this family. Of his children, (I) Carrie, born February 24, 1847, is the widow of Joseph Stright. She has three children-Ralph and Clarence, of Brooklyn, and Sadie, of New York. (2) Rachel, born April 13, 1848, married Louis Price, and reared a family of eight children-Jennie, who lives in Montrose, Penn .; Edgar and Martin, of Montana; and Ear- nest, May, Joseph, Tel, and Grace, all of Wilkes Barre. (3) Nathan, born October 8, 1849, married Eliza Edwards, and they have a family of seven children-Clinton, Lana, Cordy, Archie, Nina, Elby, and Bertha, all at home with their parents, who reside in Barrett township.

Mr. and Mrs. Bush have two children -- R. Clin- ton, born in 1879, a bright scholarly young man, is still attending school; Lillie, born in 1874, married Francis Cramer, of Price township, by whom she has two children, Hayden and Garrison, and they now make their home in Spragueville, Monroe county.

For two years after his marriage Mr. Bush continued to engage in agricultural pursuits in Para- dise township, and in 1880 he purchased his father- in-law's farm in Price township, upon which he has made many useful improvements which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. It is now one of the highly cultivated and most desirable farms in the township. He has purchased considerable land adjoining his home, including the Bago property. Mr. Bush has achieved success through his untiring industry and the assistance and help- ful management of his devoted wife. His farm is a model of neatness, and his home is supplied with all the comforts which make life worth the living. The inmates are numbered among the worthy and honorable citizens of the township, and have the respect and esteem of their neighbors and friends. In politics Mr. Bush is a Democrat and has always taken a prominent part in local affairs, serving as school director twelve years, overseer of the poor and auditor for the same length of time, super- visor, tax collector and school treasurer for eleven years.

JOHN W. KILSBY ( deceased ) will be remem- bered by many of the citizens of Pike county as the owner of the ferry-boat at Dingman's Ferry, which he ran for about twenty years prior to his death, in this connection becoming well acquainted among the people of the section. Mr. Kilsby was a native of Northamptonshire, England, born March 12, 1804, and grew to manhood in the land of his birth. When twenty-five years of age he concluded to try his fortune in America, and on September 21, 1829, he arrived in New York City, where he made his home for a number of years.

In New York City Mr. Kilsby married Mrs. Elizabeth ( Brewer ) Davis, a native of Lancashire, England. Three children were born to this union, namely: John W .. Elizabeth ( widow of Norman Andruss, who was a builder of Harlem, N. Y. ) and William. The mother passed away December 14,

1858, in New York City, aged fifty-six years, and was laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery. While in New York Mr. Kilsby followed his trade, carpenter- ing, and conducted a restaurant, but having made up his mind to have a farm he in 1856 joined with his son John in purchasing a place near Conashaugh creek, in Delaware township, Pike Co., Penn., at which he passed much of his time. On May 3. 1864, at Dingman's Ferry, he wedded, for his sec- ond wife, Miss Mary D. Dingman, by whom he had two children, namely: Caroline D., Mrs. Lafayette W. Quick ; and Victoria W., wife of John J. Fields. Jr., of Brooklyn, N. Y., one of the partners in the New Jersey Car Spring & Rubber Co. In 1864 Mr. Kilsby purchased a farm about one and one- half miles from Dingman's Ferry, to which he subsequently added an adjoining farm known as the Fairchild place, and here he resided until 1872, when he became the owner of the farm and ferry at Dingman's Ferry, living on that place until his death, July 28, 1893. He was also the owner of a valuable property in New York City. He was one of the well-to-do, respected men of the place, witli whose interests he became prominently identified. An active member of the Episcopal Church, he gave the ground for the church edifice, was the first to break the ground for the same, and assisted ma- terially otherwise. Mrs. Kilsby has, since her hus- band's death, made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Quick. She is a native of Delaware town- ship, and belongs to a family well known here, be- ing the daughter of Andrew and Caroline ( Savers ) Dingman, who in their day were prominent citizens of this vicinity.

WILLIAM KILSBY, the present owner of the ferry, was born in New York City, where he lived with his parents, continuing with them when they removed to Pike county and on the different farms, and coming with them in 1872 to the present home, which he has since occupied. He has really been the active operator of the ferry for the past quarter of a century, and at his father's death he inherited the same. The ferry is a flat-boat, attached to an overhead cable, and is carried across the Delaware river by the current and shoved with a pole. Mr. Kilsby does a good business here, and like his fa- ther he has become widely acquainted among the residents of Delaware and adjoining townships in his capacity of ferryman. He is unmarried, he and his brother John residing together on the property above mentioned, and he is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Delaware township, where he has the respect of all who know him. In po- litical sentiment he is a Republican.

JOHN W. KILSBY, JR., has been living retired since 1896 at Dingman's Ferry with his brother William, with whom he operates the ferry. He was born in New York City in 1834, in the part then called Greenwich, the ninth ward, and there grew to manhood. In 1845 he went with his father to England on a visit to his relatives, going and returning in a packet ship,

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there being very few steamers in those days. In 1856, concluding to try farming, he joined with his father in purchasing the farm at Conashaugh creek, Pike Co., Penn., first occupied by the Kilsby family on their removal from the metropolis. On April 22, 1863, he was united in marriage, at Mil- ford, with Miss Nancy E. Drake, daughter of Ephraim and Rachel (Van Etten) Drake, of the adjoining township of Dingman, who were natives of New Jersey and Pike county, Penn., respective- ly: Mrs. Kilsby was the eldest in their family of five children, viz .: Nancy E .; Daniel, of Milford, Penn. : Sarah E., who married Charles M. Partridge of Jamestown, N. Y .; Charles, who died while serving in the Civil war; and Mary J., deceased wife of Fred W. Kemp, of Trenton, N. J. Mr. Drake was a farmer by occupation, an influential, popular, and highly respected citizen.

On November 12. 1864, Mr. Kilsby was draft- ed into the Union service, becoming a member of Company D, 67th P. V. I., under Capt. Frank A. Hubbells, with which he served until his discharge, July 14, 1865, at Hall's Hill, Va. He was in active battle in front of Petersburg, at Sailor's Run, Appomattox and in various other engagements, but he was not wounded. On leaving the army he re- turned to his farm in Delaware township. In 1871 he bought the old homestead of his wife's parents and removed thither, living there until after the death of his wife, which occurred October 18, 1896, when she was in her fifty-eighth year. She was laid to rest in Milford cemetery. He then came to Dingman's Ferry, making his home with his broth- er William. Mr. Kilsby taught four terms of school in Pike county, and has been quite active in local public affairs, held several offices of trust and re- sponsibility in Dingman township, and in 1889 was honored with election to the position of County Auditor, which he filled for three years, giving uni- versal satisfaction. Mr. Kilsby is a Master Mason, and he is a popular member of the local G. A. R. He is well and favorably known throughout this part of Pike county as one of the intelligent, worthy men of Delaware township, and he is held in the highest esteem by his friends and neighbors every- where.

STEPHEN L. CALLENDER. proprietor of a good farm pleasantly located in Thompson town- ship, Susquehanna county, is a man of high standing in business circles, and one of the most progressive agriculturists of his community.

Mr. Callender was born in Scott township. Lackawanna Co., Penn., April 16, 1852. a son of Nelson and Samantha ( Clark) Callender, also na- tives of that county, the latter born at Clark's Greer Lackawanna county was also the birthplace of the grandfather, Stephen Callender, but his father, Samuel Callender, who was born in Virginia, was one of Washington's body guard during the Revo- lutionary war. The father of our subject was one of a family of four children, the others being as

follows: (1) Nathan was for many years a Bap- tist minister in New Milford, Susquehanna county, but died in Scranton, leaving four children-Au- gustus, a resident of Scranton; Jessie, of Philadel- phia ; Stephen N., of Thompson, Susquehanna coun- ty ; and Lucy, wife of Albert Smith, of Scranton. (2) Horton, deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war. (3) Charlotte, the only daughter, married Robert Tennant, and settled in Preston, Penn., where she died. Her children were Lucy, wife of Earl Finn, of Susquehanna county ; Henrietta, wife of Edwin Lloyd, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Josephine, wife of Oscar Finn, of Clifford, Susquehanna coun- ty ; Adelbert, a resident of Binghamton; Edwin, of Scranton; Flora, wife of Lewis Wrighter, of Thompson, Susquehanna county ; Ida, wife of Ed- win Cole, of Preston, Wayne Co., Penn .; Robert, of Uniondale, Susquehanna county ; Earle, of Seran- ton ; and Frank, who died young.

On leaving Lackawanna county, Nelson Cal- lender, father of our subject, came to Susquehanna county, and in Thompson township purchased 100 acres of wild land, on the Wayne county line, two miles south of Starrucca, which with the assistance of our subject he converted into an excellent farm. He erected thereon a commodious residence, a good barn and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. There he died in 1896. His first wife, who was a daughter of Samuel and Re .. becca (Stone) Clark, departed this life in 1852, leaving three children, of whom our subject is the youngest. The eldest died in infancy. Maria, born in Lackawanna county, in 1846, is now the wife of Henry Wheeler, a native of Jermyn, Lackawanna county, and a merchant of Lackawanna, and they have five children-Lucy, Eva, Ralph, Martin and Vernie. Hannah, born in Lackawanna county, in 1848, is the wife of Stephen Tucker, of Jackson, Susquehanna county, and they have a family of nine children-Lewis, James, Elsie. William, Nellie, Mabel, Raymond, Beatrice and Read. For his second wife the father married Ruth Benedict, of Starrucca, Wayne Co., Penn., and by that union he had one daughter, Emma, who is now the wife of Frank Wilcox, of Scranton, and has five chil- dren-Ethel, Dean, Albert, Harold and Ruth. Mr. Callender was an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist Church, as is also our subject, and was a stalwart Republican in politics.

The early life of our subject was passed in Luzerne and Susquehanna counties, and his educa tion was obtained in their common schools. He remained with his father until he was married, Jan- tiary 5. 1876, to Miss Kate King, a representative of a prominent family, and a most successful teach- er. Her father, Robert King, is now deceased, but her mother, who bore the maiden name of Minerva Tallman, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Callender were born seven children: Nelson R., Everette O., LeRoy S., Archie B., Ora, Vida M. ( who died at the age of twelve years), and Blanche; the first

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three were born in Preston, Wayne county, the others in Thompson. The mother of these children died December 26, 1889, and her death was widely and deeply mourned, for she was beloved and respected by all who knew her. In 1891 Mr. Callender mar- ried Lovita King, who was reared and educated in Wayne county, a daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Dix) King, both now deceased. To this union have been born two sons, Benjamin King and Julian Dean.

After his marriage Mr. Callender located in Preston, where he followed lumbering for four years, and in 1880 located upon his present farm in Thomp- son township, the old homestead, comprising 100 acres of rich and arable land, improved with good and substantial buildings. In connection with gen- eral farming he is engaged in stock raising and dairying, and was for some time interested in a mercantile establishment in Starrucca. In 1894 he took the agency for the Page Woven Wire Fence Co., of Adrian, Mich., one of the best known firms of the kind in the world. Their fences are the best and most reliable on the market, and are used in every State in the Union, while the door mats are also very popular and have a large sale. Mr. Cal- lender has now charge of their interests in Wayne and Susquehanna counties, and is doing an extensive and profitable business. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and is widely and favorably known throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, while socially he affiliates with the Knights of Honor and the Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 866, of Thompson, in which he has filled all the chairs, and which he has also represented in the Grand Lodge.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 51

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