Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 69

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 69
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 69
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 69
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 69

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a daughter of George and Louisa (Donney) Adams, of Dyberry township. They have one son, William F., born February 19, 1894. Mr. Riefler is unwavering in his support of the principles of the Republican party, and is at present serving as tax collector in Dyberry township. On June 2, 1898, he was a delegate to Harrisburg, to the convention to nominate State officers. He is as active in poli- tics as his personal affairs permit, and his advice is often sought after by older men. Socially he affiliates with the Royal Arcanum. In business of private life he is always a courteous, genial gentle- man, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.

SUMNER DEANS is a well known and hon- ored citizen of Dimock township, Susquehanna county. The industry and enterprise for which he is proverbial has enabled him to gradually retire from the active labors of life, and he is now spend- ing his declining years in the ease and comfort to which he is justly entitled.

The paternal grandparents of our subject, Elijah and Irene (Sumner) Deans, were both na- tives of West Woodstock, Windham Co., Conn., and his father, Elijah Deans, Jr., was born in the same county in 1798. In his native State the latter married Zilphia Shepherd, a daughter of William and Mary Shepherd; her father was born March 15, 1760, and died March 9, 1840, while her mother was born April 10, 1761, and died May 10, 1843. In their family were five sons and two daughters. In 1821, soon after his marriage, Mr. Deans came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and settled in Bridgewater township, near South Montrose, where he purchased a tract of 127 acres of land, most of which was covered with timber. In connection with general farming he was quite an extensive dealer in cattle and sheep, and in buying stock traveled throughout the New England States and Pennsylvania. He always voted the straight Democratic ticket, and in religious connection was a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife held membership in the Presbyterian Church. She was born in Windham Co., Conn., December 21, 1800, and died March 12, 1881, and his death oc- curred June 10, 1840. Sumner is the eldest of their family, the others being as follows: Mary E. mar- ried E. S. Reynolds, of Harmony, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and died in Illinois; Albert, deceased, lived on the old homestead in Bridgewater township; Jared W,, deceased, also lived in that township; and John Edward, a resident of Chicago, Ill., is general agent for a mutual life insurance company.

Sumner Deans, of this review, was born April 27, 1827, near South Montrose, Bridgewater town- ship, where he grew to manhood, assisting in the labors of the farm and attending the local schools. On leaving home, at the age of twenty-two years, he bought a sawmill in Bridgewater township, which he operated for three years, and after his marriage he rented a farm there for four years. At the end

of that time he bought eighty acres of improved land in Dimock township, in 1865 selling same and purchasing his present farm, which now comprises 174 acres of valuable land, nearly all cleared and under excellent cultivation. He has always fol- lowed farming and dairying, and for fifteen or twenty years was also engaged in stock dealing, marketing his stock first in New York City and later in Scranton, l'enn., where he also sold his farm produce. He has now retired from active labor, having already secured a comfortable competence.

In Dimock township, July 3, 1851, Mr. Deans was united in marriage with Ellen M. Rosencrants, who was born April 18, 1831, a daughter of John and Polly ( McKeeby ) Rosencrants, both natives of Sussex county, N. J., the former born March 5, 1801, and the latter March 16, 1805. They were married in Sussex county, and two years later came to Susquehanna county, locating first in Brooklyn township, but a year later removing to Dimock township, where both died, the father May 20, 1869, the mother November 9, 1876. To them were born eight children, four sons and four daugh- ters, namely: Francis, who died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war; Samuel, a farmer of Tioga county, Penn .; Ellen M., wife of our sub- ject ; Ruth A., wife of John N. Deans, a farmer of Richland, S. Dak .; Eliza J., wife of Peter Gavitt, of Sullivan county, Penn .; Theresa M., widow of Henry Garrison, of Montrose; John M., a farmer of Laporte township, Sullivan county ; and David M., a farmer of Lathrop township, Susquehanna county. Four children blessed the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Elijah S., born Oc- tober 13, 1852, and Frederick, born March 22, 1854, are both living in Dimock township, Susquehanna county ; Frank W., born March 7, 1859, died Feb- ruary 7, 1878; and Jessie E., born November 30, 1869, is the wife of James McGinnis, of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In his political views Mr. Deans is a stanch Democrat, as were also his wife's people. That his fellow citizens have the utmost confidence in his fidelity and ability is manifested by his election to several offices of trust and responsibility, and he most faithfully served as school director and super- visor for twenty years each, and as overseer of the poor for a long term of years. He has also been a member of the election board, and a trust reposed in him has never been betrayed. He attends Church and gives liberally to the support of same, and is held in high regard by all who know him.

FRANK M. GRAY, the well-known postmas- ter at East Rush, Susquehanna county, and one of its most public-spirited citizens, is engaged in gen- eral merchandising at that place, and has built up a large and profitable business by his own energy and enterprise, gaining a most enviable reputation for his financial ability and honorable, straightforward dealings.

Mr. Gray was born in East Rush, August 20,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1851, and is a son of Abisha W. and Mary (Green) Gray, natives of Litchfield, Conn., and Rhode Island, respectively, who were married in Dimock (then Springville) township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and in 1846 became residents of Rush township. In early life the father was a boat builder, and later engaged in farming and carpentering, erecting as many buildings during his time in Susquehanna county as any other one man. He was an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of East Rush, in which he always held some office, including those of steward, class-leader and Sunday-school superintendent. He was born in 1809 and died in 1876, and his wife passed away in 1896, at the ripe old age of eighty-three years, the remains of both being interred in East Rush cemetery. The children born to them were as fol- lows: Jonas, Emily and Francis H., all of whom died young ; John W., a farmer and carpenter of Rush township; Amy E., deceased wife of Dyer Williams; Alice D., wife of G. L. Bullard, a mer- chant of Meshoppen, Penn .; Frank M., our subject ; and Priscilla M., deceased wife of Cyrus Roberts. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Jonas Gray, was a native of Scotland, and on coming to this country located in Connecticut, but when the father of our subject was eight years old he removed to Susquehanna county, Penn. He died in Dimock township in 1840, at the age of seventy years. The maternal grandfather, Abel Green, was also a na- tive of Scotland, and on his emigration to Amer- ica settled in Rhode Island, becoming a resident of Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1828. He was a farmer by occupation.

During his minority Frank M. Gray remained under the parental roof, and then operated a rented farm in East Rush for four years, after which he engaged in peddling groceries for a time. He was next on the road for a newspaper company, and later engaged in farming and handling agricult- ural implements. He also worked at the carpen- ter's trade at intervals for seven years, retiring from that occupation in 1894. Two years later he embarked in merchandising in East Rush, and is now doing a successful business along that line. In business affairs he is courteous, obliging and reliable, and has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Besides his property in the village, he still owns a good farm in Rush township. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and in October, 1898, was appointed postmaster of East Rush, which position he is now acceptably filling. At Rush, Susquehanna county, in January, 1872, Mr. Gray wedded Miss Mary La Rue, and to them have been born three children, namely : Gertrude, who died at the age of eighteen years ; and Homer A. and Blanche, both at home.

William Armstrong La Rue, Mrs. Gray's fa- ther, was born in Warren county, N. J., and died in Susquehanna county, Penn., March 21, 1886, aged sixty-four years, his remains being interred

in Rush Center cemetery. His parents, Isaac and Martha (Craig) La Rue, spent their entire lives as agriculturists in New Jersey. In their family were six children: Sally, who married William John- son, and died in Minnesota ; James, a retired farmer of Hope, N. J .; Jane, widow of Abraham Lanter- man, and a resident of Decatur, Ill .; William Arm- strong, Mrs. Gray's father; Charles, who died in Minnesota ; and John, who died in New York State. In Hainesburg, Warren Co., N. J., January 18, 1854, William A. La Rue married Martha Nyce, a native of that county, born April 10, 1825, and a daughter of John P. and Mary ( Bruggler ) Nyce, who were agriculturists and lifelong residents of New Jersey. Her father died in 1855, at the age of sixty-four years, her mother in 1827, at an early age. Mrs. La Rue was the youngest of their three children, the others being Henry, who died in New Jersey ; and Margaret, who married Reed Robb, and died in Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. La Rue were born the following children: Charles, a farm- er of Rush township, Susquehanna county, who married Mahala Ciphers; John, a farmer of Au- burn township, who married Sarah Kinney; Mary, wife of our subject; William, a farmer of Rush township, who married Abby Hibbard ; Isaac, a res- ident of Owego, N. Y., who married Ella Terrill; Emma, at home with her mother; and Frank, a farmer of Auburn township, who married Ella Hate. In 1856 Mr. La Rue came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and located on a place in Dimock township, where he spent five years, thence moving to another farm in the same township, and he re- sided at different places in Susquehanna county until 1868, when he located upon the farm of 100 acres in Rush township which was occupied by his widow until her death, on October 25, 1899; her remains were interred in Rush Center cemetery. Mr. La Rue was for many years a huckster as well as farmer, and in all the relations of life command- ed the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Politically he was a Republican, and in religious connection a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN G. WILLIAMS. This well-known ag- riculturist is one of the most highly respected res- idents of Salem township, Wayne county, and as a self-made man his history furnishes much to en- courage others to effort. Coming of good New England ancestry, he displays the industry and thrift which characterize that stock, while as a cit- izen he is prompt to aid in any movement that prom- ises to benefit his community.

Mr. Williams was born August 8, 1858, in Pau- pack township, Wayne county, a son of George and Abigail (Pellet) Williams. His great-grandfa- ther, Jacob F. Williams, was a resident of Connecti- cut, and Uriah Williams, the grandfather, was born in that State August 19, 1796, but came to Wayne county about 1830, locating at Hawley, where he fol- lowed farming in addition to his trade of stone ma-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

son. He took a prominent part in local politics, hold- ing various township offices, and was much esteemed among his associates. He was married March 25, 1818, at Greenfield, Luzerne Co., Penn., by Elder John Miller, to Miss Elizabeth Hewitt, daughter of Isaac and Mary Hewitt, of Connecticut. He died at Hawley in 1859, and his wife, who was born Sep- tember 15, 1800, survived him only one week, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Purdy- town, Wayne county. Of their children, the eldest, Sallie A., born July 21, 1819, died February 15, 1825; Frances, born November II, 1820, married John P. Mitchell, and is now deceased; John H., born December 20, 1822, died in 1894; George, the father of our subject, is mentioned more fully be- low; Lucy, born July 26, 1827, is the wife of Peter Bishop, of Hawley ; Mary J., born October 31, 1828, married Harvey Bishop, a farmer in Lake town- ship, Wayne county, and is now deceased; Nancy, born August 31, 1831, married John McFarland, of Hollisterville, Penn., and died February 20, 1857 ; Angeline, born March 20, 1833, died May 28, 1849; Sanford, born December 22, 1834, married (first) Harriet Edwards, and after her death wedded Ange- line Mitchell, and now resides at Hamlinton, Wayne county ; Mahala A., born March 22, 1840, died Au- gust 13, 1842; and Charles P., born February 13, 1843, died November 7, 1848.

George Williams, our subject's father, was born July 3, 1825, in Paupack township, Wayne county, and in early manhood engaged in farming in that township, but in 1893 he gave up that pursuit and removed to Simon, Wayne county, to engage in business as a merchant. He now holds the office of postmaster at that place, and is a leading citizen, being especially active in religious work as a mem- ber of the Methodist Church. His first wife, Abi- gail (Pellet), died in 1882, aged forty-seven years, and he has since married Miss Addie Davey. By his first marriage he had the following children: Laura, who died in childhood; Charles. P., who married Miss Frankie Treasler, and resides at Scranton, Penn., where he follows the carpenter's trade ; Merilla, wife of Wilmer Clark; Hiram, who married Miss Myra Osburn, and died in August, 1893 ; John G., our subject; Clara, wife of Charles Loring, a carpenter at Hamlinton ; Newell D., who married Miss Nellie Olendorf, and is now a hotel keeper at Nineveh Junction, N. Y .; Hattie, wife of Frank Lamberton, a carpenter at Scranton; Hud- son B., a clerk in a store in Sterling township, Wayne county ; Lyman V., a stone mason, residing in Paupack township, Wayne county ; and Nettie C., wife of Daniel Olendorf, a decorator at Nineveh, N. Y. By the second marriage our subject's father has had one son, Friend, who is at home.

Our subject remained on the old homestead until he reached the age of thirteen, when he went to Ster- ling township, Wayne county, and spent two years in the employ of Squire Lee. The next two years were passed at home, and after spending a year and a half with a brother-in-law, Wilmer Clark, in Pike

county, he returned to his native township and worked two years for Henry Clark, and the same length of time for Marcus Kellam. He then went to the oil fields and spent two years in teaming for Henry Clark in the lumber business, and on his re- turn to Paupack township he worked two years for Sylvenus Purdy. The following year he spent near Waymart, where he worked in the woods for Frank Hollenbeck, and for two years he was em- ployed by Harvey Bishop, of Lake Ariel. During the latter period he returned home, and was mar- ried to Miss Sophia Jensen, and after a few months he located at Hamlinton, Wayne county, remain- ing two years. His first year there he spent in the employ of George Simons, but during the second he held the office of supervisor, the duties connected with which occupied his time. On leaving the po- sition he rented his present farm from L. G. Clear- water, and three years later he purchased the place. His management of the farm is thoroughly scien- tific, as might be expected from his long and varied experience in assisting others in agricultural work, and it is regarded as one of the best farms of its size in the locality. In politics Mr. Williams is a Repub- lican, and he takes an active part in local affairs, his interest in educational advancement being shown by his service for two years past as school director. His home is a pleasant one, and he and his wife have three children : Florence, born April 24, 1886; Ethel, born August 29, 1887; and Lewis Otis, born July 16, 1899.

The marriage of our subject occurred at Hones- dale, June 24, 1885, and he has found, like many another, that a good wife is the best helper that a man can have. Mrs. Williams was born September 20, 1867, at Beach Pond, Wayne county, a daughter of Louis Jensen, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, who settled at Beach Pond in early manhood and fol- lowed the carpenter's trade. He was married there to Miss Anna M. Lehman, a native of Germany, whose father, Christian Lehman, located at Beach Pond on his arrival from the old country many years ago. Louis Jensen died in 1880 at the age of sixty-three, and his widow now resides at the old home at Beach Pond, at the age of fifty-seven. Both parents united with the Methodist Church in that place, and their children were reared in that faith. The eldest son, John, born in 1865, resides at Lake Como; Sophia J., wife of our subject, was second in the order of birth; Louisa, born in 1869, died in childhood ; and William, born December 6, 1881, resides at Beach Lake, Wayne county.

FRANCIS MITCHELL, a well-to-do young farmer of Springville township, Susquehanna coun- ty, has through his own unaided efforts become the possessor of a comfortable home and com- petence. He is a native of the county where he still resides, his birth having occurred in Rush town- ship, August 28, 1870.

W. M. Mitchell, father of our subject, was born in Ireland and on coming to America, when a young

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man, he located in Warren county, N. J., where he married Julia A. Titman. After their marriage they came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and took up their residence in Rush township, where the fa- ther bought property, including a blacksmith shop. After following the blacksmith's trade there for eight years he removed to Bridgewater township, same county, carrying on operations along the same line at that place. His last days, however, were spent in Springville township, where he departed this life June 17, 1898, at the age of seventy years. He only survived his wife a few days, she having passed away May 24, 1898, at the age of sixty years. In political sentiment he was a Democrat. Their children were as follows: Sarah, deceased wife of H. H. Tyler, of Dimock township, Susque- hanna county ; Andrew and Georgie, deceased ; one who died in infancy; John, who died in Spring- ville township; Alice, deceased wife of G. A. Dun- more, of Springville township; W. M., a resident of the same township; Francis, our subject; and Mertie, wife of C. H. Conrad, of Auburn township, Susquehanna county.

Reared in Susquehanna county, Mr. Mitchell obtained his education in its common schools, and at the age of eleven years he commenced earning his own livelihood by working as a farm hand by the month. Ten years ago he located upon his present farm, where he owns ninety-five acres of land, most of which is under cultivation and well improved. In connection with general farming he is engaged in dairying, and keeps eight cows, be- sides young stock and a flock of sheep.

In Auburn township, Susquehanna county, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Lathrop, a daughter of Dyer and Ursula (Lemon) Lathrop, and granddaughter of John and Polly (Cooley ) Lathrop. Mrs. Mitchell was born June 23, 1876, and is the eldest in a family of seven chil- dren, the others being Benton, a resident of Dimock township, Susquehanna county ; Lesley and Eddie, both at home; Lewis, a resident of Auburn town- ship; and Lela and Grace, both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have had four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Lloyd, August II, 1894; Dana, October 13, 1895; May, October 6, 1896; and Mertie, September 13, 1898. All are living with the exception of May, who died in in- fancy. By his ballot Mr. Mitchell usually supports the Democratic party. He and his wife are held in high regard by all who know them.

JOSEPH P. MAHER is rightfully prominent among the younger farmers of Lenox township, Sus- quehanna county, possessing as he does an innate force of character that is making his career one of success.

Mr. Maher is of Irish extraction. He is a son of Michael J. Maher, who in 1862, at the age of twenty years, emigrated from Ireland to America. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was Michael Maher, a tenant farmer of Clonmore Par-

ish, County Tipperary, Ireland, who married Mar- garet Doughan, and who died in Ireland September II, 1852, aged eighty-four years. His son, John Maher, who was born in County Tipperary, in De- cember, 1806, married Mary Tracy, born in Janu- ary, 1807, daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Cooper ) Tracy, natives of Tipperary, Ireland. John Maher was a farmer in Ireland, where he died March 10, 1866; his wife survived him until the spring of 1882. Their children were as follows: Margaret, who married William Gaunt, of Perth, Ontario, and is now deceased ; Catherine, who mar- ried James Casey, of Lenox township, Susquehanna county, and died May 1, 1899; Patrick, who died at the age of twelve years ; Mary, wife of Patrick Har- rington, of Ireland; Johanna, widow of Edward Maher, of County Tipperary, Ireland; Ann, wife of O. McNulty, of Lenox township; Michael J., the father of our subject; Sarah, a sister in the convent at Convent Station, N. J. ; and Bridget, wife of John Maher, of Ireland.

Michael J. Maher, the father of our subject, was born in County Tipperary January 1, 1842. He had fair educational advantages, and when twenty years of age came to America, first settling in Nicholson, Wyoming Co., Penn., where he ob- tained employment in a tannery. After spending some months in Canada he returned to Pennsylva- nia and secured work in the tannery at Glenwood, Lenox township, continuing in that employment until the tannery was discontinued in 1883. In the meantime, in 1871, he had bought a farm in Lenox township, which he subsequently sold, purchasing his present farm of 213 acres, about forty of which are unimproved. He engages in general farm- ing and dairying, and is an industrious and leading farmer of his township. In politics he is a Demo- crat. On November 21, 1864, in Lenox township, Mr. Maher married Margaret Boyce, a native of County Donegal, Ireland, daughter of Tolle and Sarah Ann ( Magill) Boyce. To Michael J. and Margaret Maher were born children as follows: Sarah K., wife of D. F. McAloon, of Lenox town- ship; John J., at home; Joseph P., subject of this sketch ; Michael A., Thomas F., Mary Agnes, Cath- erine T., Lizzie F. and Margaret, all at home.

Joseph P. Maher, our subject, was born in Lenox township, June 5, 1869. He remained on the home farm during his early boyhood, receiving a common-school education, and at the age of six- teen years became a regular hand on the farm. At Ridgway, Penn., April 14, 1896, he married Mar- garet Kerner, who was born May 20, 1874, daugh- ter of Thomas and Theresa (Staller) Kerner, and granddaughter of Thomas Kerner and Florian Staller. Her grandparents were natives of Ger- many. The family of Thomas and Theresa Kerner consisted of the following children: Thomas, a resident of Potter county, S. Dak .; John, of Potter county, S. Dak .; Charles, deceased; Mary, wife of Joseph Jacob, of Elk county, Penn .; Martin, de- ceased ; Alois, Charles and Philip, all of Elk coun-

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ty; Elizabeth, wife of Walter Anderson; Julia, widow of Henry Wiehtoff ; Edward, of Elk county ; Margaret, wife of our subject; and Barbara, at home.

To our subject and wife have been born two (laughters, Elizabeth M., July 16, 1897, and Agnes R., August 30, 1899. Mr. Maher was for some time employed in Elk county, by the Schultz Tan- ning Co., of New York. In 1896 he came to Lenox township, buying a farm of one hundred acres, two- thirds of which is improved. He is engaged in general agriculture and in dairying, and is quite suc- cessful. In politics he is a Democrat.

THOMAS H. JENNINGS. The Jennings family has been prominently identified with the agricultural and lumbering interests of this section from an early day, and the subject of this sketch, a leading citizen of Harmony township, Susquehanna county, fully maintains the reputation for enter- prise and thrift which was gained by his pioneer ancestors. The family originated in England, but Stephen Jennings, our subject's great-grandfather, was born and reared in Connecticut, and made his home at an early date on an island in the Delaware river, near Equinunk, Wayne county.

George Jennings, our subject's grandfather, was born at the old homestead on the island, and as a young man settled near Equinunk. He died in 1819, and is buried at Hale Eddy, Delaware Co., N. Y. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Dickinson, was born at Hale Eddy. After his death she married Thomas Wright, a farmer in Harmony township, Susquehanna county. He had three children, of whom Stephen, our subject's

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 69

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