Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 79

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 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 79
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 79

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The subject of our sketch was the youngest of the family, and was born in July, 1874, at White Mills. He was educated in the public schools of that town, and as a boy learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, although he has not followed it. At an early age he entered the glass factory of Christian Dorflinger as a blower and worker, and he has now been in the employ of that firm for about sixteen years. After the death of his sister Mary he remained at the homestead with his father, giv- ing him every attention that duty and love could suggest, and on the death of the latter he became heir to the property, where he still resides. He is

a stanch Republican in politics, and in religious faith he is an Episcopalian, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. Socially he is connected with various organizations, including the Improved Order of Heptasophs, holding member- ship in Lodge No. 499, at White Mills, and his sympathies are given to any movement that promises to benefit the community in which he resides. In December, 1897, he married Miss Annie Larson, who was born in 1877, in Sweden, the daughter of Axel and Maria Larson. Her parents settled at White Mills in 1889, and are highly-respected resi- dents of that place.

GEORGE C. HILL has been a lifelong resi- dent of Silver Lake township, Susquehanna coun- ty, having been born December 17, 1843, on the farm he now owns and occupies, and he belongs to one of the oldest and most respected families of this section. The Hills are of Connecticut stock, Michael Hill, our subject's great-grandfather, hav- ing been a native of the Nutmeg State. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Ansel Hill, grandfather of George C. Hill, was born in Connecticut, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Lydia Kirtland, also a native of that State. During the year 1815 he migrated with his family to Pennsylvania, making the jour- ney by ox-team, and took up his residence in Silver Lake township, Susquehanna county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He was a hard- working man, and he did his full share in the clear- ing and opening up of this section, enduring all the hardships which pioneers in a new region must experience. He served in the war of 1812 as cap- tain of a company of militia. Ansel and Lydia Hill had a family of three children: Betsey, Ansel and Michael, all born in Connecticut. Betsey mar- ried Elijah Sturtevant, and moved to Wyoming county, Penn., where they reared their large family ; their daughter Lydia still resides on the old home in Wyoming county. Ansel settled on the old homestead in Silver Lake township; he married Betsey Briggs, and they had six children, three of whom, Alice ( widow of Thomas Rodgers), Charles and Edson, still live in the township. The parents both passed away at the home in Silver Lake town- ship.

Michael Hill was born in 1811 in Connecticut, came to Pennsylvania wnth the family in early childhood, and grew to manhood on the pioneer farm in Silver Lake township. His literary educa- tion, acquired in the primitive schools of the day, was somewhat limited, but he received a thorough training in agricultural work, which he followed all his life. After his marriage he settled on a ; tract of wild land, near the homestead, which his father had purchased, and he devoted the remain- der of his active life to its cultivation and improve- ment, becoming a successful and prosperous farmer. He cleared 180 acres, erected a comfortable dwell- ing and substantial barns and outbuildings, and

George 6 Mill

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made general improvements all about the place, which, under his careful management was con- verted into a valuable piece of property. He mar- ried Miss Diana Briggs, who was born in 1811 in Silver Lake township, and they reared a family of ten children (all born on the home farm in Silver Lake township), of whom we have the following record: (1) Betsey married William Meeker, of Silver Lake, where they resided until the time of their death, some twelve years ago; they left a large family. (2) Sallie E. married, for her first husband, Joel Hughson, and settled in Broome county, N. Y., where he died ; she is now the wife of Delos Leadbetter, of Glouster, Ohio, and has had children by both marriages. (3) Lydia is a resident of Dubuque, Iowa ; she is unmarried. (4)

Elisha K. married Miss Diana Gage, and resides in Silver Lake township; they have no family. (5) Michael G. grew to manhood on the home farm, and is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Jes- sup township, Susquehanna county ; he married Miss Maggie Flaherty, and they have two daugh- ters, Anna, wife of Arthur Hoeg, of Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county ; and Blanche, who is still unmarried. During the Civil war Michael G. Hill enlisted in Company H, 14Ist P. V. I., with which he served to the close of the conflict, taking part in numerous battles and skirmishes, all the engagements, in fact, in which his command partici- pated. (6) Oliver B. enlisted for service in Com- pany H, 14Ist P. V. I., and was killed July 2, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg. (7) George C. 1s next in the order of birth (8) Mary died in childhood. (9) Henry W. married Miss Jennie Beebe, of Franklin Forks, and they have two chil- dren, Lewis and Arthur ; they reside on his farm in Silver Lake township. (10) Lucy is the wife of Omer Somers, a farmer of Franklin Forks; they have three children, Agnes, Ora and Frank. Mich- ael Hill, the father, passed away on the old home in 1871. His worthy wife, who had so nobly shared with him the hardships of his earlier years of toil and privation, died in 1896.

George C. Hill was reared on the farm where, practically, all his life has been passed. Dur- ing his boyhood he was given the benefit of such advantages as the neighboring district schools afforded, gaining a good practical education, and his agricultural training was received under the able tuition of his father. In August, 1862, he be- came a member of Company H, 14Ist P. V. I. (to which his two brothers also belonged), Col. H. Madill, of Adams county, Penn., commanding, and served with the Army of the Potomac until Feb- ruary, 1863, when he was discharged at Washing- ton, D. C., on account of disability, having been taken sick. In August, 1864, he re-enlisted, this time joining the First New York Mounted Rifles, with which command he remained until the close of the war. He took part in the engagements at Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Petersburg, Richmond and various other places. He was detailed with

others to hold bridges until Sheridan's troops crossed the river at Whitehouse Landing, where he rejomed his regiment, marching to North Carolina on the Weldon railroad expedition, fighting and skirmishing all along the route. They then marched to Petersburg. Atter Lee's surrender Mr. Hill was mustered out, in June, 1865, at Richmond, and returned to his home in Silver Lake township.

In April, 1866, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Cornelia Hance, who was born in 1844 in Liberty township, Susquehanna county, daughter of Asher and Johanna ( Whipple) Hance, prominent resi- dents at one time of that section, and later of Broome county, N. Y. Mrs. Hill was reared in her native place, and received her education in the district schools. The young couple made their home on the Hill homestead, which our subject purchased in 1871, on the death of his father, and here he has continued to follow agricultural pursuits, meeting with a degree of success which he well deserves. He has been constantly improving the place, erect- ing new buildings, etc., and the property is now one of the most valuable and best cultivated in Silver Lake township, well-kept as it always has been, and highly productive. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have had six children, of whom Clarence, born in 1867, in Vestal, Broome Co., N. Y., is a carpenter by trade; he is unmarried. Edna, born in December, 1870, in Silver Lake township, is the wife of Tracy Carman, and has three children, Paul, Robert and George; they reside on his farm in Broome county, N. Y. Asher H., born in June, 1874, and Michael, born in 1878, on the farm, are still at home. Lou- ella D., born in 1880, is attending school, and Georgia M., born in 1885, is also at school. The family attend the Presbyterian Church, in which faith our subject was reared. Politically he has . always been identified with the Republican party, which his father joined on its organization, and he has been quite active in local affairs. Though not an office seeker, he has been honored with election to various positions of trust, and has served capably as supervisor and auditor of his township. On March 8, 1900, at the Republican convention held at Montrose, Penn., Mr. Hill was unanimously nominat- ed for the State Legislature. Socially Mr. Hill is a member of Southworth Post No. 222, G. A. R., of Franklin Forks.

WILLIAM HARRISON COURTRIGHT, a well-known resident of Milford, Pike county, is a self-made business man, and his thrift, industry and sound judgment command the respect of his fel- low citizens. His ancestors in both paternal and maternal lines came from Holland at an early period.

Cornelius Courtright, our subject's father, was born in Pike county, and became a weaver and ma- son, being engaged in the latter occupation at Ding- mans Ferry at the time of his death, July 18, 1871, at the age of seventy-three. He was much esteemed as a citizen, and took an active part in local affairs,

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serving for a number of terms as constable and school director. He married Miss Hannah Steele, a native of Pike county, and a daughter of Henry and Leah Steele. She died June 2, 1876, aged sev- enty-four, and the remains of both now rest in the cemetery at Dingmans Ferry. This worthy couple had the following children : Sarah, born December 28, 1815, widow of James Rosenkrantz ; Eleanora, born April 12, 1818, deceased, who mar- ried Henry Beehn; Maria, born August 3, 1820, deceased, who married Garret Brown; Amanda, born October 25, 1822, who married John Victor Quick, of Milford, and died in June, 1899, her hus- band preceding her to the grave; Daniel, born July 23, 1825, deceased, who never married; William H., born April 12, 1828, our subject ; Henry M., born January 24, 1831, a farmer of Delaware town- ship, Pike county, who married Amanda Van Etten ; Webb W., born September 15, 1833, a blacksmith at Matamoras, Penn. ; and Cecelia, born August 19, 1837, deceased, who married John Ritelich.

Our subject was born at Dingmans Ferry, Pike county, and remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of seventeen. He then went to Milford to learn the wheelwright's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years with John M. Hel- ler, and after completing his term he worked for Heller & Scofield, in Port Jervis, Orange Co., N. Y. At the time of the Civil war he was engaged at his trade for the United States government at Wash- ington, D. C. Returning to Port Jervis he worked for John McAllister at wagon making, and also made tread-power machinery for that gentleman, to saw wood for the Erie Railroad Co. Thence go- ing to Milford, he engaged with George Heller, son of John M. Heller, mentioned above, and finally embarked in business on his own account, being still engaged thus in Milford, and for many years he has enjoyed a large custom. Mr: Courtright has always taken an influential part in local politics as a member of the Democratic party, and he has held numerous offices, including those of tax collector, school director, inspector of elections, and a member of the town council. In 1879 he was elected jus- tice of the peace, and he has been thrice re-elected to that position, being chosen in May, 1895, for the term of five years, and on February 20, 1900, for a similar term. Mr. Courtright is popular so- cially, and for twenty-five years has been an active member of the I. O. O. F.

On June 16, 1847, he was married at Mil- ford to Miss Louisa Stidd, and six children have blessed the union: (I) Louis C. and (2) John V. died in infancy. (3) Henry I., ex-sheriff of Pike county, is a wheelwright by trade. He married Miss Ellen Dewitt, and resides in Matamoras, Pike county. (4) Alice, widow of George W. Drake, resides with our subject. (5) William is a house painter at Matamoras. (6) Flora married Chaun- cey Watson, a house painter at Milford. Mrs. Courtright was born May 24, 1829, in Dingman township, Pike county. Her paternal grandfather,

Henry Stidd, was a resident of Orange county, N. Y., and her father, the late Owen Stidd, came to Pike county at an early day and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sally Goeble, died in 1884, aged seventy- four, and her father died at Erie, Penn., in 1888, at the age of eighty-two, while visiting a daughter. Mrs. Courtright is the youngest of a large family of children, the others being: Caton, deceased, who married (first) Sarah Eaton, and ( second) Mary Peacox; Lewis, deceased, who married Lablanch Tyler ; Oliver, a farmer at Port Jervis, N. Y., who married Jane Eaton; Edward, who married Emily Roberts, and resides in Montague, N. J .; Julia, widow of Washington Cleveland, of Erie, Penn .; Emalia, widow of Peter Rosenkrantz, of Port Jer- vis; and Jane, deceased, who never married.

HENRY WILSON TERRY is one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Rush town- ship, Susquehanna county, where throughout his active business career he has successfully engaged in general farming and lumbering, and since 1895 has also operated a sawmill. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and due success has not been denied him in any of his under- takings.

Upon the farm where he still resides Mr. Terry was born February 1, 1839, a son of Uriah and Mercy (Deuel) Terry, and there the father spent his entire life, following blacksmithing in his young- er years, and later farming. He was quite a promi- nent man in the community, and held a number of township offices. He died February 28, 1881, aged sixty-seven years, his wife March 17, 1888, aged seventy-four years and eleven months, and both were laid to rest in Vaughn cemetery, Rush township. To them were born five children, namely: Isaac, who died in that township at the age of forty-eight years ; Henry W., our subject ; Delphine, wife of Sylvester Powers, a farmer of Rush township ; Will- iam, who died young ; and John, who died at the age of thirty-eight years.

On the paternal side our subject traces his an- cestry back to Uriah Terry, who was of English ex- traction, and who was in the Wyoming massacre. The next in direct line were Uriah and Abigail Terry, natives of Orange county, N. Y., who were the founders of the family in Susquehanna county, Penn., where they ended their lives. Their son, Ichobud Terry, was born in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., and in Rush township, Susquehanna county, married Lucy Metcalf, a native of Salisbury, Litch- field Co., Conn. He came to the county when about twenty-four years of age, and after his marriage located upon his father-in-law's farm in Rush town- ship, a part of which our subject now owns. Throughout life he followed the occupation of farm- ing. He died May 5, 1849, at the age of sixty-six years. his wife February 24, 1882, at the extreme old age of ninety-four years, and their remains were interred in Vaughn cemetery. In religious

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

faith they were Baptists. Their children were: Lucy A., deceased wife of Alexander Dougherty ; Isaac, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Uriah, who died in infancy; Uriah, father of our subject ; Daniel, who died in infancy; Daniel, de- ceased, who married Sarah A. Deuel; Mehitable, deceased wife of Levi Van Gorden; Charles, de- ceased, who married Agnes Angle; Jonathan C., 'a retired farmer of Rush township; Henrietta, a resident of Fairdale, Susquehanna county, who (first ) married Horace Southwell, ( second) Sam- uel Robinson, and (third) Dr. Nathaniel Cornell ; George F., who has not been heard from since go- ing West in 1858; and Abigail, wife of Ira Bennett, of Colorado.

Our subject's maternal grandparents, Ira and Sophia ( Stoddart ) Deuel, were natives of Cam- bridge. Washington Co., N. Y., whence they came to Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1812, and located in Forest Lake township. Their last days, how- ever, were passed in Carroll county, Ill., where the grandfather, a farmer by occupation, died at the age of eighty-five years, his wife eight years pre- viously, at the age of seventy-two. Their children were Mary, wife of John Birge; Mercy, mother of our subject ; Gideon; Isaac; Sophia, who (first) married David Baker, and ( second ) Augustus Bix- by; Sarah A., wife of Daniel Terry: Ira; Horace; Hannah, wife of Parker Devine. There was not a death in this family until the youngest was twenty- eight years of age.

The boyhood and youth of Henry W. Terry were passed on the old homestead, and as soon as large enough to be of any assistance he began to aid in its operation. He now owns the place and also has another farm, the two aggregating 300 acres of valuable land, and in connection with their cultivation he operates the sawmill purchased by him in 1895, being principally engaged in the manufac- ture of shingles and lumber. During the Civil war he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting February 14, 1862, in Company A, 57th P. V. I., under Capt. Sides. Later Capt. Jerome Lyons com- manded the company. Mr. Terry participated in the battle of Fair Oaks under Gen. McClellan, and was also in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, at the latter place being shot through the hips and sent to the corps hospital. Later he was transferred to the Mt. Pleasant hospital, from there to McKinus, Baltimore, and subsequently to Point Lookout, where he was finally discharged, February 28, 1865.

Mr. Terry was married, at Owego, N. Y., May 15, 1865, to Miss Agnes Terry, who was born in Rush township. Susquehanna county, October 4, 1848. Her parents were Charles and Agnes (An- gle) Terry, the former also a native of Rush town- ship, the latter of Herrick, Bradford Co .. Penn. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and the father was a prominent farmer and public official of Rush township, where they made their home. He died in 1893, at the age of seventy-three years, the mother February 5, 1899, at the same age, and both

were buried in Snyder cemetery. To them were born two daughters: Agnes, wife of our subject; and Mary E., wife of Pearly Clink, a farmer of Sus- quehanna county. Mrs. Terry's paternal grandpar- ents were also Ichobud and Lucy ( Metcalf) Terry, previously mentioned. Her maternal grandparents were Martin and Agnes ( Casebeer ) Angle, farm- ing people of Bradford county. The children born to our subject and his wife are Lewis, a farmer of Rush township; Horace, who died at the age of twenty-two years, from lockjaw caused by a gun exploding ; Delphine, wife of Frank Deuel, a farmer of Roberts, S. Dak. ; Adelaide, at home ; Leroy, who died young ; Vivian, who died young; and Cyrus, Grace, Ira and Ray, all at home.

In political sentiment Mr. Terry is a Republi- can, and his fellow citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, have often called upon him to serve in official positions of honor and trust. He has been constable of his township seven years ; collector the same length of time; assessor one year; school di- rector two terms; auditor one term; clerk three terms; and inspector of elections several times ; and the duties of these various offices he has most efficiently performed.

FRANK L. MUZZY, an energetic and enter- prising farmer and dairyman of Dimock township. Susquehanna county, is a representative of an old and highly-respected Massachusetts family, his great-grandfather being Nathan Muzzy, a native of the old Bay State. The grandfather, Thomas H. Muzzy, was born in Massachusetts, January 14, 1793, and at an early day came to Susquehanna county, where he was married April 23, 1820, to Miss Harriette Bronson, a native of Connecticut, born April 2, 1795. He died in Dimock township, October 28, 1876, and she passed away February 17, 1874. To them were born seven children, name- ly : Julia A., deceased wife of Thomas Jackson, of Joliet, Ill. ; Ellen M., deceased wife of George Bax- ter, of the same place ; Jenette A .. deceased wife of L. G. Stark, of Pittston, Penn .; F. A., father of our subject; H. Mary, deceased wife of A. E. Tewksbury, of Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county ; Hattie L., widow of G. A. Richardson, of Joliet. Ill. ; and Annie L., also a resident of Joliet.

F. A. Muzzy was born in Montrose, May 10, 1827. and spent his entire life in Susquehanna coun- ty. When eight years old he located upon the pres- ent Muzzy farm, now the home of our subject, and there he continued to reside throughout life, his time and attention being devoted to agricultural pursuits. His death occurred February 28, 1885. In Springville township, Susquehanna county, he was married, March 5. 1856, to Miss Roxanna Prichard, a daughter of A. B. and Malinda ( Coop- er) Prichard. Her paternal grandparents were Amos and Lemira (Lownsbury) Prichard, of Con- necticut, and her maternal grandparents were Jos- eph and Phœbe ( Eastman) Cooper, of Waterbury, Conn. Our subject is third in the order of birth

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in a family of four children, the others being Orrin L., who died at the age of seven years; Jessie M. and Nettie E., both at home.

On the old homestead in Dimock township, where he now resides, Frank L. Muzzy was born February 1, 1866, and there he grew to manhood, his literary education being acquired in the common schools of the neighborhood. He early obtained a thorough knowledge of farm work in its various departments, and at the age of nineteen years, after the death of his father, he took charge of the place, which he has since so successfully managed. It comprises eighty-eight acres, nearly all cleared and under cultivation, and besides this he owns fifty acres of improved land. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, and for the latter purpose keeps twenty-four cows, besides young stock, sheep, hogs, etc. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and politically he is identified with the Re- publican party.

In Springville township, Susquehanna county, Mr. Muzzy was united in marriage with Miss Flor- ence Maryott. Her father, Preston T. Maryott, is a native of the county, born in Brooklyn township, April 21, 1826, and is still living, an honored resi- dent of Springville township. With the exception of nine years spent in Bradford county, Penn., his entire life has been passed in the county of his na- tivity. He has always followed general farming, and still looks after the work upon his place. He was married in Springville township to Miss Ruth A. Strickland, who was born January 6, 1828, a daughter of Sylvester and Rachel (Taylor) Strick- land, and the following children were born of this union: Calvin is a farmer and miner, living in Madison, Mont .; Hattie is the wife of S. I. Gaskill, of Butte, Mont .; Clifford B. is an undertaker of Towanda, Bradford Co., Penn .; Frederick is a farmer of Salesville, Mont .; Philander is a farmer and ranchman of Oklahoma: Rachel is at home; Vernia is the wife of J. M. Riddy, a lawyer of Wel- lington, Kans .; and Florence, born in Springville township, March 25, 1868, is the wife of our sub- ject.

WRIGHT. For a third of a century the fam- ily of Wrights who settled at Hickory Grove, in Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, has stood second to none in the county for true man- hood and citizenship. Among them were the late Samuel Wright, who for only a little less than a half century was among the leading and most suc- cessful educators in New England and the East, and his son, Samuel S. Wright, the efficient and popular Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court in Susquehanna coun- ty, now nominated for the fifth consecutive time.

The Wright family is of English origin, but for generations they have dwelt in Massachusetts, where William Wright, the grandfather of the late Sam- uel Wright, was born, and where also was born Hon. William Wright, the father of the late Samuel

Wright, of Susquehanna county. Hon. William Wright was occupied for years as a farmer and lum- berman in Berkshire county. He married Harriet Norton. Mr. Wright was a man of capacity in busi- ness matters, and influential and successful in public affairs. He was several times chosen as representa- tive of his town in the State Legislature. He died in 1867, greatly esteemed and highly respected. His children were: Samuel, who is referred to farther on ; William, who was a resident of Berkshire coun- ty, Mass., and Columbia county, N. Y., now de- ceased ; and Eunice, who married Luther Patterson, and is now a resident of Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 79

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