Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 90

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 90
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 90
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 90
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 90

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In August, 1883, Mr. Burdick wedded Miss Mary Pitcher, a native of Wayne county, and a daughter of Jonas and Mary Pitcher, honored pio- neers and prominent well-to-do citizens of the coun- ty. They reared a large family of children, all of whom are married and living in different parts of the county. One daughter, Mrs. Knapp, resides in Lake Como; Etta, one of her four children, was educated at Hancock, N. Y., and is now one of the successful teachers of Wayne county. Three chil- dren bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Burdick, namely: Howard D., born in Wayne county, De- cember 31, 1890; Hazel, born January 4, 1893; and Warner Preston, born April 8, 1896. The par- ents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lake Como, and in the exercise of his elective franchise Mr. Burdick supports the men and measures of the Republican party.

FREDERICK JAMES. It is not strange that our English-born citizens should readily as- similate American ideals, and no more loyal sup- porter of our government could be found than this well-known resident of Lanesboro, Susquehanna county, who came to the United States in boyhood, and entered the Union army at the age of seven-

teen. Two of his brothers also served in the Civil war, and all made honorable records for courageous conduct. As a business man Mr. James has won high standing, while he is a leading spirit in polit- ical movements in his section, his excellent judg- ment giving him much influence among his asso- ciates.

Mr. James was born August 9, 1844, near Gloucester, England, son of John and Annie (Phelps) James, both natives of England. In 1852 they came to America with their family and settled first in Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn., where the father was engaged in business for a few years as a butcher. He then removed to Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, and in 1854 to Salem, where he bought a farm. He died there in 1870, aged eighty-six years, and his wife lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years, her death occur- ring in 1891, at the home of a daughter in Bethany, Wayne county. Of their children, all were born in England. (I) Jane married J. V. Blake, a farmer at Bethan. (2) John, a carpenter at Honesdale, married Louisa Menner, of that place, and has one son, George F., a telegraph operator at Carbondale for the Delaware & Hudson Railroad Co. (3) Annie married John Fitze, of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, and they now reside in Taylor county, Wis., where he is engaged in lumbering. They have seven children, Anna, Frank, Kate, Clara, Ella, Howard and Fred. (4) Fannie was educated in England, and became a successful teacher in Wayne county, where she married Calvin Palmer, of Mt. Pleasant, and they now reside at Eau Claire, Wis. They have one son, Clarence. (5) William mar- ried Miss Mary Abbey, of Salem, Wayne county, and moved to Westboro, Wis., where he died. Dur- ing the Civil war he served three years with the 52nd P. V. I., in the Army of the Potomac, was taken prisoner near Richmond, and spent four months at Salisbury Prison, whence he was par- doned and sent to Annapolis for exchange. His regiment was then sent farther South, where he remained until his term expired, and he partici- pated in a number of battles, including those of Beaufort and Charleston. His wife survives him with three sons, Charles, Frank and William, all residents of Wisconsin, Charles and William being married. (6) Henry enlisted from Wayne coun- ty in Company C, 67th P. V. I., being sworn into the service at Philadelphia. He served in the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac, and for one year was stationed at Annapolis, doing garrison duty. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Winchester in 1863, and held at Richmond from June until Au- gust, when he was pardoned and sent to Annapolis, rejoining his regiment in the fall of 1863. The Third Corps was then transferred to the Sixth Corps, and his regiment took part in many engage- ments of Grant's army, and later served under Sheridan in all his raids. At the close of the war Mr. James came home, and in 1870 he went West and married Miss Mary -- , of Illinois. Later

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he moved to Wisconsin, where his wife died leaving two daughters, Fannie and Mamie, who were reared by our subject's sister, Mrs. Fannie Palmer, and are now teachers in the high school at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Our subject was but seven years old when the family settled in Wayne county, and his education was secured in the district schools of the home lo- cality. His studies were interrupted at the out- break of the Rebellion by his enlistment in Com- pany C, 67th P. V. I., under Capt. Urwiller, of Philadelphia. He was mustered in at Philadelphia in October, 1861, and early in the following spring was sent to Annapolis, where his regiment occu- pied the Naval Academy as a camp. They were held there during the summer to guard the railroad. from Annapolis Junction to Annapolis, and in the fall were transferred to duty at Harper's Ferry, re- maining there until the spring of 1863. Their first engagement was at Winchester, under Millroy, where the entire regiment, with the exception of about sixty men, was captured. They were taken to Richmond in cattle cars, and confined in Libby prison and Belle Isle, where they remained three months, almost starved, many, indeed, dying. Mr. James was paroled in August, and came home on a short visit before rejoining his regiment at Cul- peper Station. After his return he took part in the engagements at Mine Run and Locust Grove, and wintered at Brandy Station with the remain- der of the Sixth Corps. At Locust Grove our sub- ject was wounded in the limb, being obliged to stay in camp for some time under care of the regi- mental surgeon. In the spring of 1864 they were assigned to duty under Grant, and in the campaign of the Wilderness the regiment was fearfully cut up, only a few men being left. The remainder, . after reaching Petersburg, were sent with the di- vision to Monocacy Junction, where our forces were whipped and driven back to Baltimore. There our subject's company was ordered to protect Wash- ington, by keeping the Rebels from capturing the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, that being the only open road to the North. Sheridan then took command of the Sixth Corps, which was taken to Frederick City to take part in that General's campaign in the Valley of the Shenandoah. The brigade of which it formed a part did notable work at the battle of Winchester, breaking their lines and following the retreat to Fisher's Hill. Afterward they partici-

pated in the decisive battle of Cedar Creek against Ewell. They then marched to Strasburg and later went to Petersburg. They were discharged in January, 1865. While in service our subiect was general clerk for his company.

After his discharge Mr. James returned to his home in Wayne county and engaged in sawmill work, which he has since followed. For some time he was connected with A. G. Hollister's mills at Moscow, and later he resided at Hollisterville and then at Carbondale, where he was employed by J. R. Brownell. While there he formed a partnership with

Isaac Robins, and purchased a mill near Herrick Center, on the Jefferson Branch railroad. After nine years he bought Mr. Robins' interest in the mill and removed it to Herrick Center, where he continued four years steadily in mill work. In 1886 he purchased the Lanesboro Mills, including the grist, saw and planing mills, and a dwelling house with other property, and in 1888 he erected a fine house on this property. In 1897 his mills and a dwelling house were consumed by fire, his losses amounting to ten thousand dollars, but he has since rebuilt his saw and grist mill. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party, and he has served as school director and trustee, and was one of the first councilmen chosen after the borough was organized. In religious faith he inclines toward the Episcopal Church, of which his parents were consistent members during their lives.

In 1869 Mr. James married Miss Celestia Bid- well, daughter of Russell and Maryette Bidwell, natives of Connecticut, and early settlers at Salem, Wayne county. She was born August 27, 1847, and received an excellent education in the schools of Wayne county, where she taught successfully for some years previous to her marriage. Of the four children born to this union three are living : ( I) Louisa, born at Moscow, February 21, 1871, was a student at Mt. Pleasant Academy. She mar- ried M. L. Taylor, a merchant at Lanesboro, and has two children, Russell and Bernice. (2) Her- bert R., born at Moscow September 25, 1872, at- tended Mt. Pleasant Academy, and later graduated from Wood's Business College, Scranton. He is now associated with his father in the gristmill. He is not married. (3) Fanny died at the age of eleven years. (4) Miss Florence, born at Her- rick January 23, 1879, is a graduate of the Lanes- boro high school, and has unusual gifts as a musi- cian.

FREDERICK W. EILENBERGER needs no introduction to the business men of this section of Pennsylvania, to whom he is well known as one of the largest lumber merchants and grain dealers in Monroe county, and a man of remarkable business talent. Though yet young in years, he has placed himself in a position and gained a standing in com- mercial circles attained by few even in a long lifetime of success, and he has proved that he could distinguish himself in other lines, if inclination prompted or necessity demanded. He is a citizen whom the county may proudly claim as her own, for he was born February 25, 1866, in Middle Smith- field township, son of John M. and Kate V. (Bush) Eilenberger.

As will be seen, Mr. Eilenberger comes of an ancestry long and favorably known in Monroe coun- ty, his paternal great-grandfather, Andrew Eilen- berger, having been one of the original settlers of Middle Smithfield township, then included in North- ampton county. His son, Frederick Eilenberger, be-

RESIDENCE AND MILL, MINSI, PENN.

F. W. EILENBERGER FAMILY GROUP

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came one of the most prominent citizens of Middle Smithfield, where as justice of the peace he served for a number of years, and he was noted for the justice of his decisions, which were in most cases satis- factory to all concerned. He married Miss Sarah Michaels, and they became the parents of four chil- dren, of whom three are now living, viz .: Cath- erine, John M. and Louisa. The eldest daughter was born in Middle Smithfield, and is now the widow of Jacob Angle, of Stroudsburg, where she yet resides ; they had a family of three children- Rev. Charles Angle, who is pastor of the First Bap- tist Church of East Stroudsburg; and Chester and Cora B., both living at home. All are unmarried. Louisa Eilenberger was born in Middle Smithfield, married Rev. John E. Switzer, of Bethany, North- ampton Co., Penn., and has two children-Walter and Carrie, who reside in Bergen county, N. J., where Walter is an extensive dealer in stock and real estate. Mr. Eilenberger passed away in about 1862, at the old home in Middle Smithfield.

John M. Eilenberger was born in 1830 in Mid- dle Smithfield, and married Miss Kate V. Bush, a native of the same town; they reside in Lower Smithfield. After his marriage he followed agri- cultural pursuits for a number of years, but in 1874 he retired from the farm to take up the teacher's profession, which he followed for sixteen years in various parts of Monroe county. Mr. Eilenberger is a man of unusual intelligence, well educated, and is one of the oldest and most successful educators in this part of the country. Since 1892 he has been engaged in looking after his farm interests. To him and his wife were born five children: (I) Frederick W., (2) William B., (3) Louis D., (4) Clarence W. and (5) Clinton B. The eldest son, the subject proper of this sketch, will be mentioned more fully below. (2) William B. Eilenberger was born in 1868, in Middle Smithfield, and after receiving his elementary education entered the Kutztown State Normal School, in Berks county, Penn., from which he graduated. He subsequently took a scientific course in Lebanon (Ohio) College, and a two-years' course in the Pennsylvania State University at Philadelphia, studied law under John B. Storm, of Stroudsburg, where he was admitted to the bar, and is now a member of the law firm of Eilenberger & Hoffman, of Stroudsburg. He mar- ried Miss Clara Rhodes, of East Stroudsburg, in which town they reside. They have one daughter, Catherine. (3) Louis D. Eilenberger, born in Smithfield in 1870, received his education in the public schools of Monroe county and became a suc- cessful teacher here, following the profession for five years. For the past six years he has been en- gaged by his brother Frederick as bookkeeper in his extensive business. In 1892 he married Miss Minerva Heller, of Stroudsburg, who belongs to one of the old and prominent families of Monroe coun- ty, and they have two children, one son and one daughter. They make their home in East Strouds- burg. (4) Clarence W. Eilenberger was born in

1872 in Smithfield, received his early education in the common schools, and later took a course at the State Normal in East Stroudsburg, and the Drexel Institute of Architecture in Philadelphia ; he is now successfully engaged as a contractor. He is un- married, and resides with his parents. (5) Clin- ton B. Eilenberger, born in 1875, also attended the public schools, and graduated from the Normal at East Stroudsburg, and he has won recognition as an intelligent, scholarly young man, and one of the successful teachers of Monroe county. Politically John M. Eilenberger has been identified all his life with the Democratic party, and he was one of its influential organizers in Monroe county; after the Civil war he held a number of offices in the township and county, and he was a popular man in political circles for many years. Religiously he and his wife have been consistent members of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and they have always given liberally . of their influence and means toward the promotion of religious interests and the support of Church work.

Our subject's maternal ancestors bore an hon- ored part in the early history of Monroe county. His great-grandfather, Henry Bush, Sr., was born in 1754, in Holland, and emigrated to America in 1774. In 1775 he enlisted in the Continental army, serving throughout the Revolutionary war, and he was at Long Island, Trenton and Monmouth, a relic taken at the battle of Monmouth being now in the possession of our subject. After the war Mr. Bush settled at Easton, Northampton Co., Penn.,' which county then included part of Monroe county. He served as one of the first sheriffs of Northamp- ton county, having been appointed to the office by the governor of the State, and Mr. Eilenberger now has the seal which he used while in that incumbency, and afterward used by his son Jacob Bush, grand- father of our subject, who was the first treasurer of Monroe county. About 1805 Henry Bush, Sr., moved to Monroe county, settling near Marshall's Creek. He married Eva Hoffman, born in 1762, and children were born to them as follows: Sarah, 1781; Georg, 1786; John, 1788; Henry, Jr., 1790; Jacob, 1794; Mary, 1796; Charles, 1799: Michael, 1802: Daniel, 1805; Elizabeth, 1807. This family took an active part in the early settlement of Monroe county, and the greater number subsequent- ly removed to Ohio and Iowa. Henry Bush, Jr., born in 1790, at Easton, Penn., enlisted for service in the war of 1812, and was with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans.

Frederick W. Eilenberger has passed the greater part of his life in his native county. He commenced work at the early age of ten years as a farm hand in Hamilton township, where he remained for one year, and the following five years he was engaged on a large truck farm near Paterson, N. J. When eighteen he commenced teaching, following that calling for five years in the winter seasons; in the summer time, for four years, he was engaged at the "Liberty House," owned by his uncle, S. D.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Bush, and in the spring of 1888 he removed to his present location, becoming clerk in the store of D. M. Ace. In 1889, in company with his wife's brother, he bought his present business. In June, 1887, Mr. Eilenberger had married Miss Amy Hel- ler, the accomplished daughter of Melchoir and Sarah Heller, prominent residents of Smithfield, the former of whom was in his lifetime one of the leading business men of Monroe county, and also closely identified with public affairs here, serving at one time as county treasurer. He was a director of the First National Bank of Stroudsburg. Mr. Heller died in 1889, and it was in that year that Mr. Eilenberger, in partnership with Frank Heller, com- menced the manufacture of lumber at his father-in- law's place of business, in 1892 purchasing his part- ner's interest in the grist and sawmill and opening up a lumber yard. He has also erected a planing- mill and steam cider-mill on the old Heller property, and he has continued to do business here up to the present time, with what success may be judged from the fact that he now ranks among the largest grain and lumber dealers of this section. He furnishes the railroad company largely with ties and all grades of heavy building lumber, and his business interests are widening each successive year. Mr. Eilenberger is possessed of business ability of a high order, and this, coupled with the spirit of progress character- istic of the family, and the energy of young man- hood, has enabled him to take his place among the most experienced and capable business men of the county, among whom he is thoroughly respected and liked. His transactions in any line have al- ways been marked by integrity and square dealing, and he is highly esteemed by those in his employ, whom he has endeavored to treat with a fairness and consideration which could not fail to win their regard and admiration.

Politically Mr. Eilenberger has followed in his father's footsteps, working with the Democratic party, in whose success he has taken a deep interest. His business affairs, however, have demanded his constant time and attention, and he has never been an office-seeker, though in 1893 he received the nomination for the position of county treasurer and was elected to that incumbency. He entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1894, and for three years held the position with credit to himself and to his constituents, making an enviable record as a public servant. After the expiration of his term as treasurer Mr. Eilenberger devoted himself to his private business interests. In 1899, after one of the hardest political fights the county ever knew, he was re-elected to that office for a term of four years. commencing January 1, 1900. Mr. Eilenberger also served as delegate to the State convention that nominated the Superior Court Judges of the Wil- liamsport District, in company with C. B. Staples and the Hon. R. S. Swarts. He is one of the orig- inal stockholders of the State Normal School at Stroudsburg, and he served as one of the trus- tees of that institution from its commencement until

1897. In May of that year, through a strife of two factions in the school, he was counted out of his seat as trustee by the opposing faction after he had re- ceived a majority of more than fifty votes of the stockholders. Mr. Eilenberger's friends carried the matter to the courts, and won in two trials in lower courts, but the opposing party carried it to the Su- preme Court, which, in March, 1899, decided in our subject's favor, confirming the decision of the home court, and placed him in his seat as trustee in May, 1899. He still holds the position. The trial was the first of the kind held in Pennsylvania, and was watched with interest by all normal schools, the question of accumulating of stock votes being the great legal point. The attorneys engaged by our subject's friends were Hon. R. L. Burnett and Ray Brittian, both of Stroudsburg.

Fraternally, our subject belongs to East Stroudsburg Lodge No. 946, I. O. O. F .; to East Stroudsburg Lodge No. 319, B. P. O. E .; to the I. O. R. M., of East Stroudsburg (of which he is a charter member) ; to the Knights of Malta, Twelfth degree, and to the Knights of Pythias.

Mrs. Eilenberger completed her schooling at the Moravian Ladies' Seminary, Bethlehem, Penn., where she took a two-years' course, and previous to her marriage taught what is known as the Houser Mill school, near Dr. Hurd's Sanitarium, in Smith- field township. Mr. and Mrs. Eilenberger com- menced housekeeping at Craig's Meadows, near Marshall's Creek, in Smithfield township, the fol- lowing spring removing to their present home. They have a family of five children: Willie, Frank, Melchoir, Vera and Cleo, all of whom are at home with their parents.

EDWARD L. FRINK. Sound judgment, combined with fine ability in mechanical lines and in agricultural pursuits, has enabled the subject of this biography, a well-known resident of Bridge- water township, Susquehanna county, to obtain a substantial success in life, and his history is of special interest. He was born at Montrose, that county, January 16, 1848, and comes of a prominent old family of the county.

Our subject's father, Avary Frink, a son of Rufus Frink, was for several years a leading con- tractor and builder at Montrose, erecting many of the principal buildings of that city, including the bank, jail, leading business houses and many fine residences. He met with excellent success in his operations, became quite well-to-do, and was one of the prominent and honored citizens of the county seat. In early manhood he married Emily Leonard, who was a faithful wife and helpmeet to him, as well as a loving mother to her children, and a kind neighbor to those around her. She died in March, 1888, at the age of seventy-one years, and he passed away in July, 1896, at the age of eighty-two years. In politics he was a strong Republican, and in re- ligious faith a Baptist. The children of the family were Charles, who served as a soldier in the Civil

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war, and is now a resident of Montrose; Edward L., our subject ; John R., who is in the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Mitchell, S. Dak. ; Frederick S .; and Mary G., who married Arthur Head, of Towanda, Penn., and died at the age of thirty-one years.

Edward L. Frink is indebted to the public schools of Montrose for his educational privileges, for in that city he passed his boyhood and youth. In 1869 he went to Page county, Iowa, when that section of the country was still new and wild, and there he worked at the carpenter's trade for some years and also carried on farming. Since his re- turn to Susquehanna county he has followed the same occupations, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres, two miles from Montrose, in Bridgewater township, on which is a good resi- dence, a substantial barn, a windmill, good fences, and in fact all the accessories found upon a model nineteenth-century farm.

In 1877 Mr. Frink married Miss Nelly Carney, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Carney, and to them have been born two children: James and Bessie A. Mrs. Frink is a most estimable lady, and a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He is of a very social and genial nature, and has many friends who esteem him highly for his genu- ine worth. Physically he weighs about 200 pounds.

ALBERT POST HINDS. Among the enter- prising and representative citizens of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, there is perhaps none who is looked upon with more respect than the subject of this review, who was born on the old Hinds homestead, September 26, 1847, and is a son of W. B. Hinds, also a native of the county, and a grandson of Conrad Hinds, a deacon in the Bap- tist Church, and one of its most prominent and active workers. The great-grandfather. Capt. Bartlett Hinds, served with distinction as an officer in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the first settlers of Montrose, Susquehanna county, having engaged in the manufacture of maple sugar on the present site of the Montrose cemetery over a cen- tury ago.

W. B. Hinds grew to manhood in Susquehanna county, and married Miss Betsy Ann Backus, a native of the county, and a daughter of Samuel and Eunice Backus. Four children were born of this union, as follows: Asa; Albert Post. our subject ( who is the only survivor of the family) ; Samuel ; and Mrs. Hattie Horton. The mother died at the age of sixty, the father at the age of seventy years. Throughout life he followed the occupation of a farmer, and in his political affiliations was a Re- publican. Both he and his wife were earnest and faithful members of the Baptist Church, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew them.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 90

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