Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 77

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 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 77

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Roscoe Sheridan remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age, and then removed to a farm of his own in Lenox township, where he resided until locating upon his present place, in 1893. He is an energetic and enterprising farmer, of progressive ideas, and the well-tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicate his careful supervision and good business ability. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman, who makes many friends, and has the happy faculty of being able to retain them. His political support is given to the Democratic party.

On July 27, 1873, in Clifford, Mr. Sheridan was united in marriage with Miss Arminda Wil- son, and to them have been born six children : Fred- erick, Frank, Bert, Harry, Clarence and May, all at home. Mrs. Sheridan was born in Lenox township, Susquehanna county, July 5, 1853, and is a daugh- ter of Lafayette and Nancy ( Bell) Wilson, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Lenox township. When young the father came to Susque- hanna county with his parents, and he followed farming in Lenox township throughout his active business life. He died December 9, 1895, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife passed away April 5, 1882, at the age of sixty-seven, the remains of both being interred in Clifford cemetery. In religious belief they were Baptists. Their chil- dren were Catherine, deceased wife of William Cole ; Alzina, wife of Clayton Weatherby, of Car- bondale, Penn .; Arminda, wife of our subject ; and Almira, who died young. Mrs. Sheridan's paternal grandfather, John Wilson, was a farmer by occupa- tion and an early settler of Lenox township. Her maternal grandfather was Sterling Bell.

URBANE B. LOTT. First as farmer, more recently as farmer and merchant, the subject of this sketch has made his way steadily to public recogni- tion as an enterprising, sagacious and successful business man. He began in the background. For seven years after attaining his majority he was a farm hand, working for monthly wages. Thus he hardened his sinews, and laid the foundation for a progress that has been a fitting sequel of an illus- trious ancestry. He is a native of northeastern Penn- sylvania, and his ancestors were men and women of prominence in their day and generation, inured to toil, and worthy of the rich success they attained.

Our subject was born in Lenox township, Sus- quehanna county, September 29, 1853, a son of Solo- mon and Phœbe A. (Brundage) Lott. Solomon Lott was born in Monroe township, Orange Co., N. Y., about 1812, son of Ichabod Lott, a pioneer of that county. Reared a farmer lad, the father of our subject followed that vocation through life. He married Phobe A. Brundage, daughter of John and Pollie (Waymer) Brundage, the former a na- tive of England and a pioneer of Susquehanna coun- ty. In 1865 Solomon Lott moved with his family

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to Harford township, Susquehanna county, where he died in 1877, aged sixty-five years. His wife died in 1875, aged sixty-one years ; she was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. To Solomon and Phoebe Lott were born children as follows : Angeline, widow of Eliezer Ellsworth, of Harford township; Cath- erine, of Lenoxville, widow of George Miller ; Sarah, wife of Daniel S. Robinson, a farmer of Lenox- ville; Collins, a contractor of Forest City, Penn .; Sherman, a farmer of Harford township; Jerome, a farmer of Franklin township; Mary, wife of Dan- iel P. Little, a farmer of Brooklyn township, Sus- quehanna county ; Martha, who married H. T. Lew- is, and is now deceased; Alice, wife of Ernest Ells- worth, of Harford township, Susquehanna county ; Urbane B., subject of this sketch; and Melvin, who died young.

Urbane B. Lott, our subject, was reared on the farm of his parents, where he remained until he at- tained his majority. Then for seven years he worked by the month on various farms. He was married December 24, 1881, in New Milford township, to Miss Katie A. Moore, who was born in Harford township, February 17, 1861, daughter of Joseph and Demis ( Watrous) Moore. Joseph Moore, her father, was born near the Catskill Mountains, in New York, January 23, 1814, son of Joseph Moore, Sr., a tailor by trade. In 1835, when Joseph Moore, the father of Mrs. Lott, reached the age of twenty- one, he came to Susquehanna county, Penn. He served an apprenticeship at wagon making, and was married, April 26, 1839, to Demis Watrous, who was born in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, December 15, 1819, daughter of Linus and Sarah (Luce) Watrous. Linus Watrous died in Broome county, N. Y., his wife at the home of her daughter in Harford township. After his marriage, in 1839, Joseph Moore settled in Harford township, where he farmed through life. Himself and wife were prominent members of the Congregational Church. He died September II, 1894, and his wife passed away March 25, 1873, To Joseph and De- mis Moore were born the following children : Hon. Linus W., born August 20, 1841, married Jennie A. Carpenter, for many years was engaged in the milk business at New Milford, and served in the State Legislature ; Chancey F., born September 26, 1843, was killed January 23, 1864, by a falling tree ; Sarah E., born March 6, 1851, is the widow of Edmond Tiffany, of Harford township; Amanda L., born January 19, 1853, married (first) Oscar Brewster, and (second) Rev. S. B. York, a M. E. minister ; Julia L., born March 14, 1855, lives in Harford vil- lage ; Willie, born January 27, 1857, died in infancy ; Miles J., born June 3, 1858, died in infancy; Kate A., wife of our subject, born February 17, 1861, was the youngest of the family. To our subject and wife has been born one child, Ethel J., at home.

After his marriage our subject purchased the farm of 115 acres, in Harford township, which he has since continued to operate. He began a mercan- tile busines at Harford, November 1, 1898, keep-

ing a line of groceries, confectionery, etc., and con- ducting this business successfully in addition to farming. Mr. and Mrs. Lott are members of the Congregational Church, and in politics our subject is a Republican. He is a man of force of character and of shrewd business ability, ranking as one of the prominent men of the township.

LEMUEL W. TITMAN, one of the success- ful agriculturists of Auburn township, Susque- hanna county, is a native of Warren county, N. J., born September 13, 1845, and is a son of Philip Titian and grandson of George Titman. George Titman was also a native of Warren county, N. J. Hc married Mary Teeter, and they reared a family of eight children-seven sons and one daughter.

Philip Titman was born in Blair township, Warren county, and there passed his youth and earlier manhood, marrying Miss Jane Mann, who was born in Warren county in 1823, daughter of Peter and Mary Mann. To their union were born children as follows: Mary E., who is the widow of David Voss, of Auburn Four Corners; Hon. De- witt C., living retired in Montrose, Penn., who was formerly an extensive dealer in all kinds of stock, wool and farm produce and also a prosperous mer- chant, is a director in the bank, and represented his district in the Legislature for two terms; Lemuel W., whose name introduces these lines ; Emily, wife of Andrew L. Van Gorden, who conducts a tea business in Carbondale, Penn .; Elias, a farmer and speculator of Dimock township, Susquehanna county ; John J., living on the old homestead in Dimock township; and Jerdon, who died in Buena. Vista. The father of this family come to Susque- hanna county in 1857, locating first at Elk Lake and later in the western part of Dimock township, on the farm now occupied by his son John J., where he died in March, 1889, at the age of seventy-three years. He was laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. Mr. Titman was a member of the M. E. Church, and, in politics, a stanch Democrat, and he was a man of prominence in his day, taking an active in- terest in the affairs-moral and material-of his adopted county. While in New Jersey he conduct- ed a hotel, foundry, sawmill, blacksmithing and wheelwright shop, and was also successful as a farmer and drover, proving his ability as a business. man in everything he undertook. On his arrival in the county he purchased 150 acres of land in Dimock township, where he first located, and he subsequently became the owner of other tracts. He carried on his stock speculations both in War- ren and Susquehanna counties. He and his son, Dewitt C., served in the Civil war. His widow made her home with her son John, in Dimock town- township, until her death, March 5, 1899; she was. laid to rest at Jersey Hill.

Lemuel W. Titman lived with his parents up to the age of twenty-two years, receiving his edu- cation in the local schools and a thorough training in agriculture on the home farm. He operated a.

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farm for his father-in-law for one year, and subse- quently rented different farms for a few years, finally purchasing a farm at Auburn Four Corners on which he resided for three years and which he finally traded for his present place in Auburn town- ship. He devotes his land to general crops, and has met with success throughout his career as a farmer, gaining an enviable reputation as a progressive, in- (lustrious and systematic agriculturist which he well cleserves. By steady work and good management

he has accumulated a good property and made for himself a position among the prosperous farmers of his section, where he is well known and highly respected. Mr. Titman is a zealous member of the M. E. Church, in which he has served as stew- ard for eight years, and as trustee for the past four years. His political support is given to the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Titman married, Julv 4, 1867, for his first wife, Miss Jennie S. Van Campen, the ceremony taking place at Tunkhannock, and to this union were born five children: Marshall, who is manager of a tea store in Buffalo, N. Y. (he married Etta Kerbaugh) ; Myrtle, who married L. W. Abbott, M. D., of Bridgeport, Conn., now practicing at Water- bury, Conn .; Edith B .; and Talmage and Beulah, at home. The mother of these was born in 1847 in Warren county, N. J., daughter of William Van Campen, and died in March, 1888; she sleeps her last sleep in Jersey Hill cemetery. In December, 1889, Mr. Titman was married, in Auburn township, to Miss Bettie Fessenden, who was born in Mont- rose, Penn., daughter of Charles H. and Polly (Russell) Fessenden. There are no children by the second marriage.

JOHN J. TITMAN, a prosperous farmer of Dimock township, Susquehanna county, was born October 18, 1853, in Blair township, Warren Co., N. J., son of Philip and Jane ( Mann) Titman, and came with his parents to Susquehanna county when four years of age. He grew to manhood in Dimock township, obtaining a common-school education, and assisted his father in the duties of the home farm until he reached his majority, when he began life on his own account. For three years he was engaged in selling wagons, as agent, in Susque- hanna and Wyoming counties, meanwhile living on the old homestead, which he purchased after his marriage and where he has ever since resided. The property consists of 150 acres of valuable land, all cleared and under cultivation. and since the place passed to his ownership Mr. Titman has made $3,- 000 worth of improvements in buildings alone, in 1883 erecting the barn, 35x45 feet in dimensions, with 18-foot posts and basement, and in 1884 his present residence, which cost $2,000. He has spared no pains to make his home and farm complete in every detail, and he has engaged successfully in general agriculture and dairying. keeping eighteen cows. He has altogether some thirty head of cattle, sheep, etc., and forty hogs, doing an all-round agri-

cultural business, in which he has been deservedly prosperous. In 1897 he purchased 150 acres of im- proved land in Auburn township, and he also owns a house and lot in Dimock township. Like his fa- ther, Mr. Titman is a stanch supporter of the princi- ples of the Democratic party, acting independently, however, in local elections. He has been honored with election to various local offices, serving as supervisor (for three years), overseer of the poor (two terms), and school director, in an able and satisfactory manner. He attends the M. E. Church, to which he gives a liberal support.

Mr. Titman was married in Auburn township to Miss Marcella Love, daughter of Newell and Anna (Fox) Love, and they have had four chil- dren, born as follows: Guy, July 17, 1883; Lucy, December 7, 1885; Ward, January 1I, 1892 (de- ceased at the age of two y ars) ; Floyd, November 7, 1894.

MRS. RUTH ANN NEELY, residing upon a farm in Clinton township, Wayne county, is a native of that county, born February 3, 1829, in Canaan township, and is a daughter of Joseph and Deborah (Cartwright) Stanton. She is the eldest of their four children, the others being. Catherine, wife of Daniel T. Leonard, of Clinton township; Joseph, of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county ; and Franklin, of Clinton township.

At Clinton, January 4, 1852, our subject was married, by Rev. H. Curtis, to Samuel Hinds, and they became the parents of two children: Malinda Adeline, now the wife of Edmund Beckwith, by whom she has six children-Orvil Edmund, Minnie Blanche, Ward Benton, Cora Inez, Claud Samuel and Coe; and William, who is living on the old homestead with his mother. Mr. Hinds was a native of Jefferson township, and in early life pur- chased property in Clinton township, where he made his home until his death, in 1865. He was a soldier in the Civil war.

On August 22, 1868, Mrs. Hinds was united in marriage with Alexander Neely, a native of Canaan township, Wayne county, who was also one of the brave defenders of the Union during the trying days of the Civil war, being a member of the 22nd P. V. I. Being captured by the Rebels, he was confined in a prison in Florida for eight months. He was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church, to which his widow also belongs. His death occurred November 25, 1892, and since that time Mrs. Neely has made her home with her son Will- iam, on the farm in Clinton township. Wherever known she is held in high regard, and has a host of friends throughout the county.

PATRICK T. SKELLY, who is at present serving as tax collector in Texas township. Wayne county, is a well-known agriculturist of the region and a native of the county, born in September, 1854, in Waymart.

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James Skelly, father of the gentleman whose name introduces these lines, was born in 1828 in Longford, Ireland, and was' one of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, viz .: Pat- rick, Edward, John, James, Mary, Catherine and Bridget, all of whom came to the United States and settled in Wayne county, Penn. James Skelly left County Longford in 1847, and made the journey to the New World with his sister Cather- ine, who was married here to William Kelly, of Mt. Pleasant, and died in 1869, leaving a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters. After his arrival in Wayne county James Skelly decided to settle in Texas township, where for a few years he worked on the canal. In 1851 he married Eliza- beth McDermott, and the young couple made their home in Waymart, Mr. Skelly engaging in railroad work with the Delaware & Hudson Co., with whom he continued until his death, May 18, 1861. He was killed while uncoupling a car at Waymart, and he was laid to rest at Honesdale. The following year Mrs. Skelly moved to Tracyville, and there re- sided until she passed away, February 24, 1894, occupying the home which her son Patrick now owns and lives in. After her husband's death she experienced many struggles, and made many sacri- fices to keep her little family together until they were able to earn a living for themselves, but she succeeded in rearing them in comfort, gave them good practical educations, and lived to see them all respected citizens and useful men and women, who reflected credit on their early training. She and her husband were earnest members of the Catholic Church, and she was a zealous worker in Church and charitable interests. Of the children, Michael, born September II, 1852, at Honesdale, was edu- cated in the schools of Tracyville, and now resides in Sidney, N. Y., where he is engaged as a glass manufacturer ; in 1889 he married Miss Katie O'Malley, of Hawley, and they have one son, James. Mary Skelly, born in August, 1856, in Waymart, is now the wife of L. W. Willard, who is engaged in business in New York City; they have two children, Dorsey and Gertrude. Susan Skelly, born at Waymart November 24, 1859, mar- ried Frederick Berg, of New York City, and now resides in San Francisco, Cal., Mr. Berg being clerk in a hotel in Karney street ; they have no children.

Patrick J. Skelly attended the Tracyville schools in his boyhood, and commenced work at an early age with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., slating coal on the dock. In 1873, while engaged in railroad work, he had the misfortune to break a limb, but he recovered. In 1876 he begun boating on the Delaware & Hudson canal, and he continued in that line until 1893, running from Honesdale to Rondout, a distance of 108 miles. Since abandon- ing this business he has been engaged in farming, and after his mother's death he purchased the in- terests of the other heirs in the Skelly homestead, in Tracyville, which he now occupies. His home is one of the most comfortable and pleasant in the

neighborhood, and Mr. Skelly has exerted himself to improve his property in a way which enhances both its value and appearance. He has been quite prominent in public affairs in the township, and in February, 1897, he was elected tax collector, in which office he has since served with satisfaction to all concerned, having been re-elected February 20, 1900, by a large majority. His political sympa- thies are with the Democratic party, in whose in- terests he is an active worker, and his fellow citi- zens have shown their appreciation of his efforts by sending him as delegate to convention a number of times.

MILTON HARRIS, JR., who is engaged in general farming and dairying on his farm of sixty acres in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, which is part of the old Harris homestead, has been one of the most active business men of this section for years, prior to his father's death attending to his interests, which were extensive.

Our subject was born in Auburn township, on part of his present farm, on October 15, 1841, son of Milton and Sally F. (Bennett) Harris, who were natives of Rhode Island, the father born Janu- ary 28, 1796, the mother January 4, 1802. They met and married in Auburn, whither the father came in an early day, taking up land in what was at that time a wilderness and eventually acquiring a valuable property. At his death he owned 214 acres) and he had previously sold 180 acres, though at the time of his arrival in Auburn township he had only capital enough to buy an ax. However, he had plenty of determination and perseverance, and he commenced lumbering, cleared off his land, put it under cultivation, and in connection with farming operated several sawmills. He lost con- siderable in his later years through the failure of the W. H. Cooper bank at Montrose. Mr. Harris was a good manager, thrifty and progressive, and he be- came prominent in the county of his adoption, winning his own way to a foremost rank among the prosperous business men and large landowners. He passed away March 30, 1876, his wife October 5, 1897.

Milton Harris, Jr., remained under the par- ental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, gaining a thorough knowledge of farming and business methods while assisting his father in his various interests. He received his education in the public schools of the locality. On commencing life for himself he engaged in huckstering for three years, and he subsequently operated his father's farms and mills until the death of the latter, since which time he has lived on his present farm, which comprises sixty acres of productive and valuable land. He carries on general farming and dairying, and gives careful attention to all the details of his work, meeting with the success he deserves. Mr. Harris has taken a deep interest in township affairs, and his public-spiritedness has been recognized by his fellow citizens, who have placed him in various

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positions of trust, the duties of which he has dis- charged to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, laboring as faithfully for the public welfare as he does for the advancement of his private affairs. He has served ably as school director (for six years), auditor (three years), and director of the asylum for the poor of Rush and Auburn townships (for three years). His political affiliation is with the Republican party. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Auburn Center.

On December 23, 1866, Mr. Harris was mar- ried, at Laceyville, Penn., to Miss Susanna L. Pier- son, and they have had one child, Emma T., who is now the wife of T. S. James, a farmer of East Rush township, and has four children. Mrs. Harris was born August 8, 1845, in Auburn township, daughter of Joseph and Mary ( White) Pierson, who settled in Auburn township in the spring of 1841, coming from Warren county, N. J. They lived on the farm now owned and occupied by Charles W. Pierson. Joseph Pierson became quite prominent in local affairs, and took an active part in religious matters, helping to erect the first M. P. church in the township, in which he served as trus- tee until his death, which occurred August 22, 1865. His wife survived until September 28, 1886.

H. I. COURTRIGHT, a well-known black- smith of Matamoras, Pike county, is a man whose sound judgment, combined with fine ability in me- chanical lines, has enabled him to attain a substan- tial success in life. He belongs to a highly-respect- ed pioneer family of the county.

Mr. Courtright's grandfather, Cornelius Court- right, was a native of Delaware township, Pike county, and throughout his eventful career was engaged as a school teacher, farmer and cloth weaver. He married Hannah Steele, also a native of Pike county, and both were of Dutch descent. Their children were as follows: Sarah became the wife of James Rosenkrans, of Minnesota, and reared a large family. Eleanor, born April 12, 1818, married Henry Beehn, a resident of Milford, Penn., and died in 1887. Maria married Garret Brown, who lived at Dingman's Ferry, Penn., and died in 1893. Amanda married John Victor Quick, and died in June, 1899, her husband preceding her to the grave. Daniel never married. W. H. was the father of our subject. Henry M., a farmer of Delaware township, Pike county, married Amanda Van Etten. Cecelia married John Ritelich, of Dela- ware township, and died in 1886. W. W., born September 15, 1833, married Hannah Van Inwig- gen, daughter of Benjamin and Phœbe (Van Aken ) Van Inwiggen, and their children are Emeline, Annie, Charles P. and Margaret.

W. H. Courtright, our subject's father, was born in Delaware township, April 12, 1828, and when a young man learned the wagon maker's trade. He worked for Heller & Scofield, in Port Jervis, Orange Co., N. Y., and at the time of the Civil war worked at his trade for the United States

government in Washington, D. C. Returning to Port Jervis, he worked for John McAllister at wagonmaking, and also made tread-power ma- chines for that gentleman to saw wood for the Erie Railroad Co. Thence going to Milford he engaged with George Heller, son of John M. Heller, under whom he learned his trade, and finally embarked in business on his own account, being still engaged thus in Milford. He has held various minor offices, serving as tax collector, etc., and on February 20, 1900, was re-elected justice of the peace for a term of five years. He was married at Milford, in June, 1847, to Miss Louisa Stidd, who was born May 24, 1829, a daughter of Jonathan and Sally ( Goble ) Stidd. They became the parents of six children, namely: Louis Cass, born in 1849, died in 1852; Victor, born in 1852, died the same year; H. I. is next in the family ; Alice, born February 14, 1855, is the widow of George W. Drake, once associate judge, and resides in Milford, Penn .; W. C., born December 25, 1857, married Eliza Walkest, and is a painter in Matamoras; and Flora, born January 8, 1868, is the wife of Chauncey Watson, and resides in Milford.

H. I. Courtright was born June 17, 1853, in Deerpark town, Orange Co., N. Y., and when a mere boy entered his father's shop, where he was employed for seven years, losing but one month during the entire time. He thoroughly mastered the business in its various departments, and for thirteen years worked at the manufacturing of wagon spokes for Jacob Klaer, Sr., and Jacob Klaer, Jr., in Milford, Penn. At different times he has been engaged in various enterprises, being a stage driver in Pike county for one and a half years. He was also interested in the lumber business at Milford, and was a builder and repairer of cabs, etc., for the Erie Railroad Co., for seven years. On coming to Matamoras he opened a blacksmith and wagon mak- ing shop, which he has since successfully conduct- ed, besides being official repairman for the League of American Wheelmen of Pennsylvania. He is an ex- pert mechanic and reliable business man, and has met with well deserved success in his operations.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 77

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