Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 56

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 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 56

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Edwin Jackson Lacey, best known as "'Squire Lacey." was born May 4, 1819, in Braintrim town- ship, Wyoming Co., Penn., where he was reared to manhood, living with his parents on the home farm up to the age of nineteen years, and during his boyhood attending the public schools of the vicin-

ity. After leaving home he lived in Laceyville for six years, putting up a house and carrying on a general wagon works and repair shop. In 1844 he came to West Auburn, where he followed farming for two years, also erecting a building for a wagon manufacturing and repairing business, and in addi- tion he engaged in cabinet making, manufacturing furniture and chairs. His furniture factory is still in operation, being conducted by his son L. B., and a grandson. Mr. Lacey has been one of the most active business men in this section of the county, where he is widely and favorably known, and he has acquired a handsome competence by his own efforts, for he has been an incessant worker. At present he has an apiary at West Auburn, which he has managed with the same success that has at- tended all his enterprises. He also fills the office of justice of the peace, which he has held contin- uously for thirty-five years, an evidence of the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, and it is safe to say that no man in the county is more deeply respected for his many sterling traits of char- acter that 'Squire Lacey. He is liberal in religious matters. Politically he is a stanch Republican, orig- inally a Whig, casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. W. H. Harrison.

On December 1I, 1839, Edwin J. Lacey was united in marriage at Middletown, Susquehanna county, with Miss Sarah M. Brand, a daughter of Rev. William Brand, a minister of the Baptist Church, who came from England, his native coun- try in 1830, settling at Montrose, Penn. To this union were born two children: Mary J., who mar- ried William Peet, a farmer and dairyman of Brad- ford county, Penn., and Alonzo F., general mer- chant and postmaster at West Auburn. Mrs. Lacey passed away in June, 1842, at the early age of twen- ty-three years, and was laid to rest at Laceyville. On April 2, 1844, Mr. Lacey was married, at Lacey- ville, to Miss Ruth Ann Sage, by whom he had four children : Leroy B., an undertaker at West Auburn; A. Bradley, the subject proper of these lines; Ger- trude L., who first married E. Tenny Cogswell, and is now the wife of Henry J. Brand, a school teacher, of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Lydia H., who died at the age of nineteen. The mother of these was born in Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y., and died January 27, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine years ; her remains rest in the cemetery at West Auburn. Her parents were Connecticut people. 'Squire Lacey still makes his home at West Auburn.

A. Bradley Lacey was given the advantages of the public schools, and obtained a good education. He remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, after which he engaged on his own ac- count in the furniture business, which he had pre- viously followed with his father, continuing same successfully until 1887. He has since engaged in general merchandising, as well as farming, and he is a representative, prosperous citizen of Auburn town- ship. He is regarded as one of the substantial busi- ness men of the section, where he is well known,

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though he has always given his exclusive attention to private affairs, being no aspirant for official or other public honors. However, he has served as township clerk to the complete satisfaction of all concerned. His political sympathies are with the Republican party. All in all, he occupies an en- viable position among the best citizens of the town- ship, in whose welfare he is deeply interested, hav- ing the concern for the general advancement which every public-spirited man entertains.

On November 14, 1870, Mr. Lacey was mar- ried, in Rush township, to Miss Ettie A. Brown, who was born in 1851 at Spring Hill, Bradford . Co., Penn., a daughter of Thomas E. and Lois (Lake) Brown, and two children blessed their union : Verna D., who died in infancy, and Clarence F., who died at the age of fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Lacey are identified with the M. E. Church, in which they are active workers, Mr. Lacey at present holding the office of trustee.

Thomas E. Brown was born in 1816 in Brown- town, Bradford Co., Penn., a son of Daniel Brown, who came to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts in an early day, settling in Bradford county on the site of the village which now bears his name. He had a family of six children: Jessie, Sybil, Hamil- ton, Warren, Thomas E. and Cynthia (who was twice married). Thomas E. Brown married Miss Lois Lake, a native of Braintrim township, Wy- oming Co., Penn., and they came to Susquehanna county in 1855, taking up their home in Rush town- ship, where he died June 16, 1872, aged fifty-six years. Mrs. Brown passed away in October, 1885, at Skinners Eddy, Wyoming county, at the age of seventy-one years. Their children were: Theodore, who died young ; Lucilla, who died young ; Charles, a merchant, lumberman, real-estate dealer, etc., of Skinners Eddy ; Isadore, who married P. J. Swan, of Skinners Eddy, partner of Charles ; Ettie A. ( Mrs. Lacey) ; Eva (Mrs. R. B. Swisher), who died at the age of twenty-one years; Emma, widow of F. H. Jones, of Wilkesbarre, Penn .; and Hattie J., wife of John H. Lum, a farmer of Beaver City, Nebraska.

JOHN M. BUSHNELL, who is now living retired on his farm in Auburn township, Susque- hanna county, has for many years been numbered among the prominent, well-to-do citizens of this part of the county, where he passed all of his long and useful life.

Mr. Bushnell comes of good old New England stock, his grandparents, Ezra and Patience (Lord) Bushnell, having been natives of Connecticut. The grandfather died there, and the grandmother sub- sequently came to Susquehanna county to pass her declining years with her son David, the father of our subject. Capt. David Bushnell was born in Say- brook, Conn., where he passed his early life, and for nine years he followed the water, becoming a master of ocean craft. He made farming the occupation of his life, however, and in 1816 he came to Pennsyl-

vania, settling in Bridgewater township, Susque- hanna county. In 1819 he returned east as far as Greene county, N. Y., where he married Tirzah Hitchcock, a native of that county, daughter of Lemuel Hitchcock. Lemuel Hitchcock was born in Connecticut and was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war, after which he moved to Greene county, where he made a permanent home; his wife was a native of Connecticut. In 1841 Capt. Bushnell re- moved with his family to Auburn township, where he passed the remainder of his days, living in re- tirement during his later years. He died April 5, 1872, when he was eighty-six years of age, Mrs. Bushnell in September, 1890, reaching the advanced age of ninety-five, and they sleep their last sleep in Bunnell's cemetery. In religious connection they were members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as deacon many years, and he also held minor offices in the township, although he was too reserved in disposition to take a very active part in public affairs. This worthy couple had children as follows: John M., whose name introduces this sketch; Rhoena (Mrs. Floyd Kellogg), who died at the age of twenty-three years: David L., who died at Auburn; George W., a retired leather mer- chant of Scranton, Penn. ; Lemuel H., a retired far- mer of Springville township; Perry C., a merchant at Auburn Four Corners ; Phoebe A., wife of E. L. Adams, a well-known resident of Auburn town- ship; Harriet, wife of Henry Ross, a farmer of Au- burn township, and Julia G., wife of Abel Arnold, a farmer of Bradford county, Pennsylvania.

John M. Bushnell was born October 5, 1820, in Bridgewater township, received his education in the district schools in the neighborhood of his boyhood home, and was reared to farm life, living at home for the most part until he reached his ma- jority. He commenced to work for other farmers at the age of eighteen, and continued thus until about the time of his marriage, after which he purchased a farm in Auburn township which he conducted for a number of years. In 1856 he sold this place and went to Iowa, where he remained for about one month, and on his return he bought the farm on which he has since made his home, a valuable tract of 160 acres in Auburn township. He worked this place successfully for a number of years, by industry and good management winning a high rank among the prosperous farmers of this section ; but after the death of his wife he turned the active work over to his son Riley M., who has always lived with him, and he has led a quiet life for a number of years. Mr. Bushnell has always taken a loyal interest in the progress and welfare of his community, and he has several times been honored with election to va- rious local offices of trust, serving creditably as school director, and town auditor (for six years). He is well and favorably known throughout the township, and justly regarded as one of the substan- tial citizens, supporting every movement calculated to advance the locality in which he makes his home, or the welfare of the county in general. His politi-

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cal sympathies are with the Republican party. In religious connection he is identified with the Pres- byterian Church, of which he has been an active member, serving as deacon for some years.

On January 18, 1843, Mr. Bushnell was mar- ried, in Auburn township, to Miss Eliza Riley, who was born on what is now the Bushnell farm, a daughter of John and Polly (Kellogg) Riley, who were natives of Connecticut and Wyoming county, Penn., respectively. Two children blessed this un- ion : Riley M., who is mentioned below ; and Ce- celia, who is the wife of Edgar Tyler, a farmer of Bridgewater township. The mother passed away October 3, 1872, at the age of forty-nine years, and her remains rest in Bunnell's cemetery.

Riley M. Bushnell was born January 7, 1844, on the farm in Auburn township, where he has passed his entire life, and where he is now engaged as a general farmer and dairyman. He received his education in the public schools, which he attended during boyhood, and afterward studied for two terms at the State Normal at Mansfield, Penn. When twenty-one years of age he clerked for a year in a store at Springville. Mr. Bushnell is a thoroughly systematic farmer, also a business man of acknowledged judgment and acumen, and he oc- cupies a high standing among the up-to-date farm- ers of this section. He has taken a deep interest in the affairs of his township, where he has served as school director for nine years. Politically he unites with the Republican party.

, On September 14, 1872, Riley M. Bushnell was united in marriage, at New Milford, Penn., with Miss Edith Frink, who was born July 24, 1852, in Auburn township, a daughter of Tracy and Harriet (Griffis) Frink, who were farming people of Sus- quehanna county. Five children have been born to this union : Eliza H. (who is the wife of G. M. Dar- row, of Bridgewater township), Bertha (who died when six months old), George W., Jessie B. and Tracy J. Socially Mr. Bushnell belongs to the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 905, of Auburn Center.

CHRISTOPHER C. SHELP is a worthy representative of one of the most honored and high- ly esteemed old families of Susquehanna county. On the paternal side he is of German origin, his great-grandfather. Christian Shelp, being a native of Germany, who on coming to America at an early day took up his residence in Montgomery county, N. Y. He had three sons: Henry. Frederick and Christian.

The last named was the grandfather of our sub- ject. He was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., and came to Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1812, locating upon the farm where our subject now re- sides. Here he took up 400 acres of land, and en- gaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life. He died in June, 1825, aged sixty-five years, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Freeman, died February, 1841, aged eighty years, both being laid to rest in Fairhill cemetery. Their

children were as follows: John married Abby Wal- bridge; Nathaniel married Margaret Pettinggale ; Christian was the father of our subject; Henry married Betsy Maine; Stephen died unmarried ; Elizabeth married Charles Davis; Sally married Proctor Risely; Jane married Andrew V. Stout; Nancy married Henry Walbridge; and Catherine married Ezekiel Maine. All are now deceased.

Christian Shelp was a native of Montgomery county, N. Y., and there married Miss Hannah Pruyne, who was born in the same county. Her parents, Henry and Rachel Pruyne, of Charleston, Montgomery county, also came to Suequehanna county, Penn., in 1812. Christian Shelp and his young wife located on the old homestead in Jessup township, with his parents. This region at that time was also an unbroken wilderness, and he and his brother Henry cut the first bridle path between the farm and Fairdale. He aided in the arduous work of clearing the land and transforming it into highly cultivated fields, and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits throughout life. He was a Democrat in politics, and was one of the most promi- nent and influential citizens of his community. He died August 1, 1881, at the age of eighty-five years ; his wife, who was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died September 9, 1882, at the age of eighty-three, the remains of both being in- terred in Fairhill cemetery. In their family were the following children : Maria J., deceased wife of Charles Reisley : Henry C., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased. who married (first) Jeremiah Martin, (second) John Siphers, and (third) Benjamin Porter ; Margaret, who died at the age of twenty- five years ; Rosanna A., deceased wife of George L. Lewis, a farmer of Jessup township; Benjamin D., who died at the age of twenty-five; Christopher C., our subject; and Charles M., a merchant of New Milford.

In an old log house upon the homestead where he still continues to reside, Christopher C. Shelp was born September 26, 1839, and throughout life he has been prominently identified with the farming interests of Jessup township. He was a most de- voted son, ever remaining with his parents and tenderly caring for them until they were called to the world beyond. He was married at Montrose, September 18, 1883, to Miss Frances J. Holbrook, and though they have had no children of their own, they have reared two. Mrs. Shelp was born in Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Hinds) Hol- brook, the former a native of New York State, the latter of Susquehanna county. When a young man the father took up his residence in the county, and was here engaged in farming throughout the re- mainder of his life. Both he and his wife died in Bridgewater township, the former in 1873, aged fifty-five years, the latter in 1885, aged seventy, and both were buried in the Montrose cemetery. They were earnest and faithful members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he was Democrat. Of their

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children, Conrad is a farmer of Bridgewater town- ship ; Frances J. is the wife of our subject ; Susanna is the wife of Enoch Blockridge, a farmer of Bridgewater township; Ruth died young; Charles is also an agriculturist of Bridgewater township; and Frederick died young. Mrs. Shelp's paternal grandparents, Darlin and Sarah (Giles) Holbrook, were farming people and lifelong residents of New York State. Her maternal grandparents, Conrad and Hulda (Harris) Hinds, were natives of Middle- bury, Mass., and Long Island, N. Y., respectively, and came to Susquehanna county when Mrs. Hol- brook was a child of ten years.

By his ballot Mr. Shelp always supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has most capably filled the offices of school director and school treasurer. He is a prominent member of the Grange, in which he is now serving as treasurer. He is well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day, and as a public-spirited and pro- gressive citizen gives his support to all measures which he believes will prove of public benefit.

EZRA AUGUSTUS PRATT, deceased. Few citizens of New Milford, Susquehanna county, have worked as assiduously for the best interests of the town as did the honored subject of this memoir, and his death brought a sense of personal loss sel- dom felt in the community. His personal influence and financial aid were freely given to any worthy cause, and many an enterprise of lasting benefit to the locality owed its success to his timely action. As long ago as 1849 he helped to organize the New Milford Improvement Club, serving as its first president, and successfully carried through a pro- ject for securing a public park, while among the benefactions which furnish lasting monuments to his memory are the Pratt Public Library, founded by him many years ago, and the Opera House, which he purchased from the original company and deeded to the borough. The following biography will be read with interest, not only by the present generation, but by many in future days to whom his thoughtful benevolence will have made his name familiar.

Mr. Pratt was born September 20, 1819, at Jewett, Greene Co., N. Y., and was descended in the paternal line from an old and honorable English family. The first ancestor to whom direct descent is traced was Thomas Pratt, of Baldock, Hertford- shire, England, who died in February, 1539. Rev. William Pratt, a grandson of Thomas Pratt, was also a resident of Hertfordshire. He had a large family, his sixth child being a son named William.

William Pratt, son of Rev. William Pratt, came to America about 1632, locating first at Cam- bridge, Mass. In 1636 he accompanied Hooker's Company to Hartford, Conn., and about 1645 he removed to Saybrook, in the same Colony. In 1661 he "was established lieutenant of the Saybrook band" having taken, previously, part in the destruction of the Pepuod Indian fort at Mystic, and other battles

which broke their power as a tribe. He was a man of influence in the Colony, owning large tracts of land in Saybrook and Hebron, and for thirteen years before his death, which occurred in 1678, he repre- sented Saybrook in the General Assembly. He married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of John Clark, and had eight children, among whom was a son William.

Capt. William Pratt, the fifth child of Lieut. William Pratt, was born in 1653, and died in 1718. He married Hannah Kirtland, and had a son Ben- jamin.

Benjamin Pratt, the next in the line of descent, was born in 1681. He married Anna Bates, and had a son Zephaniah.

Zephaniah Pratt was born in 1712, and died in 1758. He and his wife, Abigail, had two chil- dren, one of whom, Zadock, was our subject's grandfather.

Zadock Pratt was born in 1755, and died in 1828. During the Revolutionary war he served in the American army, and at the battle of Long Island he was taken prisoner by the British. In 1783 he removed .to New York State, and finally settled at Windham, now Jewett, in Greene county. He married Hannah Pickett, born in 1755, and they had seven children, among whom was Col. Zadock Pratt, founder of Prattsville, N. Y., and a noted business man, being the owner of the largest tan- nery in the county in his time. He was also promi- nent in politics, serving in Congress for five ses- sions. His son, Col. George W. Pratt, met a sol- dier's death while leading lis men in a gallant charge at the second battle of Manassas.

Ezra Pratt, our subject's father, was the eldest son of Zadock and Hannah Pratt, and was born in 1788, at Stephentown, N. Y. For many years he en- gaged in business as a tanner at Jewett, N. Y. He died in 1875, and his wife, Hanna (Dickerman), who was born in 1790, died in 1856. They had the following children : Hannah Louise (1813-86) was the wife of Benjamin C. Miles, a retired tanner at Deposit, N. Y .; Ann Elizabeth ( 1815-79) married Levi Bailey, a farmer at Great Barrington, Mass .; Cyrus Walter (1818-66) was a tanner in Lewis county, N. Y., and a hide and leather merchant in New York City; Ezra Augustus is referred to farther on; Adaline, born in 1821, is the widow of Eri D. Pond, formerly a commission merchant of New York City, and resides at Bergen Heights, N. J .; Ogden (1823-59) was formerly in partnership with his brother, Ezra A., at New Milford; Theo- dore ( 1825-47) was a school teacher ; George, born in 1827, a retired tanner, lives at New Milford; Martha Dickerman ( 1829-71) was the wife of Rev. Dr. C. D. Buck, of the Dutch Reformed Church of Middletown, N. J .; Francis D., born in 1831, a re- tired tanner and merchant, was formerly engaged in business at Nicholson, Penn .; Mariatta ( 1834- 64) married Rev. Thomas S. Ward, the Presby- terian pastor at Carbondale, Penn., and with her husband died within a year of their marriage.

ElPrat

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Our subject's ability and energy were demons- trated early in life, as he took a responsible position in connection with his father's business when most other boys of his age were in school. While yet too young to load and unload hides he was placed in charge of a team employed in hauling the product of the tannery at Catskill, N. Y., to be shipped to market. As soon as he was tall enough to reach over the bark mill he was put to work grinding bark, and starting in this way, at the very bottom, he learned by practical experience every branch of the tanning business. Being handicapped for want of capital with which to utilize his experience in the business, he went to North Blenheim, N. Y., to en- gage in merchandising as a clerk. His salary for the first year was $100, and of this amount he re- turned to his father at the end of the year $39. At twenty-one he became a partner in the store, and in 1848, having saved a few hundred dollars, he formed a partnership with his brother Ogden for the pur- pose of establishing a tannery. The vicinity of Snake Creek, Susquehanna county, having been mentioned as a good locality, he started on a pros- pecting tour in that region, but when passing through New Milford he noticed the large quantity of bark in that section, and finding other conditions favorable he sent for his brother, and made arrangements for building a plant. The first site selected was upon the farm of William Van Cott, and they proposed 'to run the tannery by water obtained by damming across the ravine. Hearing of the projected rail- road they abandoned that place, and built their tannery near where Whitney's store house now stands. The night before the first shipment of their first car of leather the tannery was completely destroyed by fire. This loss left them nearly dis- couraged, as their entire capital was swept away, and they were left heavily in debt with no apparent means of continuing business. At this time, when trouble weighed heavily upon them, Michael Mylert, one of the early and more prominent pioneers of this vicinity, who lived at the foot of what is now known as Mott Hill, circulated a subscription paper and raised several hundred dollars, which he tendered to them for the purpose of rebuilding the tannery.

Although this would have been of great assist- ance, Mr. Pratt, with his characteristic independ- ence, declined the proffered aid. He had, however, unlimited credit, and borrowing the necessary amount the tannery was rebuilt, with a capacity of 30,000 hides annually, hemlock sole leather being a specialty. In 1855 the brothers started an ex- tensive tannery at Nicholson, and on the death of Ogden Pratt, in 1859, this plant was taken in charge by George and Francis. D. Pratt, while our subject continued the business at New Milford. In 1869 he sold out to A. Corbin & Co., and retired. But a man of his standing in the business world could hardly be permitted to remain absolutely discon- nected from financial movements, and his advice was often sought in imporant transactions.

The last years of his life Mr. Pratt spent very quietly at his home here. He loved the peace of his own fireside, and the joy and comfort in the knowledge and love of his family was all the pleas- ure he longed for. He sought to do good, and he succeeded wisely and well. No worthy scheme of charity ever found him deaf to its pleading. God blessed him bounteously with wealth, and he gave of that wealth with prayerful consideration to alleviate the distress of his less fortunate fellow creatures. Of a modest and retiring nature, he shrank from worldly show, and many a needy one has blessed the unknown hand that extended succor at a time of distress. For forty years he was treasurer of the Presbyterian Church, which he attended regularly, and his benefactions to religious and educational work were especially large. His death occurred November 30, 1898, when he was aged seventy- nine years, and the funeral services, which were conducted at his beautiful home in the village, were attended by a large assembly of people who desired to thus express their respect and affection.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 56

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