Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 93

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 93
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 93
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 93
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 93

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the old sugar house. To his last moments he retained a vivid recollection of the cruelties of Pro- vost-Marshal Cunningham. As the surrender of Fort Washington embarrassed the British general with the number of his prisoners, Mr. Pratt, with about one hundred and thirty others, was trans- ferred to "Thitby" prison ship. To crown his mis- ery the smallpox broke out, designedly introduced, it is said, and of the above number only eleven sur- vived. Returning to the army after his release, he was engaged in the storming of Stony Point by Gen. Wayne. After a furlough he returned to the army, and remained in the vicinity of the Highlands until 1783, when he was honorably discharged. Soon afterward he removed to Stephentown, N. Y., but a few years later he settled at Middleburg ; his last days were spent, however, at Windham (now Jewett ), N. Y. He and his wife had seven children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Eunice, September 13, 1782; Huldah, August 14, 1784; Abigail, August 3, 1786; Ezra, August 13, 1788: Zadock, October 3, 1790 (he died at the 'age of eighty ) ; Bennett, December 4, 1792; all born at Stephentown, N. Y. ; and Polly, born September 4, 179 -- at Jewett, New York.

Ezra Pratt, our subject's father, became a prosperous tanner, and resided at Jewett, N. Y., until 1849, when he retired from business and re- moved to New Milford to spend his last days. He died in August, 1878, and was buried at New Mil- ford. On June 1, 1812, he was married, at Jewett, to Miss Hannah Dickerman, who was born in Mas- sachusetts, and died August 26, 1856, her remains being interred at Jewett. This worthy couple had a large family of children, as follows: Hannah

Louisa, born September 19, 1813, married D. C. Miles, and died at Deposit, N. Y. ; Ann Elizabeth, born January 2, 1815, married Levy Bailey, and died at Great Barrington, Mass .; Cyrus Walter, born March 1, 1818, died at Jersey City ; Ezra Au- gustus, born September 20, 1819, died at New Mil- ford: Adeline, born August 23, 1821, married Eri Pond, and died at Jersey City ; Ogden, born July 25, 1823, died at New Milford February 6, 1859; Theodore, born March 3, 1825, died at Jewett, N. Y .: George is the subject of this sketch; Martha D., born March 22, 1829, married Rev. Charles Buck, and died at Peekskill, N. Y .; Francis D., born May 26, 1831, is a retired tanner at Nicholson, Penn. ; Mariett, born January 7, 1834, married Rev. Thomas F. Ward, and died at Deposit, N. Y. All of the sons are tanners by occupation, and in 1848 Ezra A. came from Jewett to New Milford, and built a tannery. In the following year his brother Ogden came, and together they operated the tan- nery many years.

George Pratt was born August 23, 1827, and as a boy became familiar with all branches of the tanner's trade under his father's instruction. For some time he was in business at Jewett, N. Y., and later he and his brother Cyrus built a tannery in Lewis county, N. Y., which they operated one year.

He then went to Nicholson, Penn., and built a tan- nery in partnership with his brother F. D., and this he conducted fourteen years, when he retired and made his home in New Milford. He is much es- teemed as a citizen, and is one of the leading work- ers in the local Republican organization, having held all the borough offices, including that of bur- gess. On August 16, 1852, he was married, at Hart Lake, Susquehanna county, to Miss Catherine F. Griffin, by whom he has had two children: Ella A., wife of John C. McConnell, a druggist at New Milford; and Miss Louise M., who is at home. Mrs. Pratt is a native of New Milford, born Au- gust 28, 1826, and her father, Harvey Griffin, was born in Guilford, Conn., while her mother, whose maiden name was Lavinia Fowler, was born in Freehold, New Jersey.

FREDERICK A. EHRHARDT. The sub- ject of this review has, through his own exertions, obtained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative business men of Wayne county, and with signal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortune, and one whose success amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed, but most expressive, title, "a self-made man." For several years he has successfully engaged in general merchandising in Newfoundland, and is to-day the owner of much valuable property.

A native of Germany, Mr. Ehrhardt was born in the village of Triptis, Saxony, April 18, 1835, and is a son of Gottlieb and Erdmude ( Miller ) Ehrhardt, who spent their entire lives in Saxony, where the father followed the trade of a tanner, and owned a tannery. He was born in January, 1800, and died in 1877, aged seventy-seven years, and his wife passed away five years previous. In religious faith they were Lutherans. Their chil- dren were Henrietta, who married Samuel Kueff- ner, both being now deceased; Karl, who died un- married ; Ernstina, deceased wife of Richard Wolff, a farmer of Dreher township, Wayne county ; Fred- erick A., of this sketch; Rudolph, postmaster and harnessmaker of Moscow, Penn., who married Louisa Augenstein; Frantz, who married Ida Gru- ner, both dying in Germany ; and Wilhelmina, widow of Adolph Miller, and a resident of Triptis, Ger- many.

The subject of this sketch attended school and remained with his parents until fourteen years of age, when he began learning the nailmaker's trade in Germany, serving a three-years' apprenticeship, during which time he paid his employers $30 and furnished his own bed. He worked hard from four in the morning until seven at night, and the last year was considered a good mechanic. He then worked as a journeyman in his native land for one year, and at the age of eighteen he accompanied his brother Rudolph and sister Ernstina on their emigration to America, joining their brother Karl at Newfoundland, Wayne Co., Penn., where our .

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subject worked for different farmers for a time. He then went to New York City in the hope of securing work at his trade, but not being successful in this he returned to Wayne county, and at Ham- ilton learned the harnessmaker's trade with Friend, Moss & Co., which firm dissolved partnership within two years. He then worked one year as journey- man, and saved $150, and was next for one year engaged in business with Mr. Moss. Coming to Newfoundland on a visit, he was persuaded to re- main, and here bought and lived in a little log house, engaging in harnessmaking until 1860. In that year he went to Philadelphia, where he invested his capital-only $200-in a stock of general merchandise, and on his return to Newfoundland opened up a store. From the beginning his trade rapidly grew, and he now has an elegant store, stocked with a fine grade of goods, valued at $5,000.

In April, 1857, at Newfoundland, Mr. Ehr- hardt was united in marriage with Miss Angelica Oppelt, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Jacobson, a Moravian minister from Bethlehem. She was born July 19, 1837, in Nazareth, North- ampton Co., Penn., a daughter of Francis A. and Louisa (Beitel) Oppelt, who for many years were among the most prominent and highly-respected citizens of Wayne county. The father was born March 15, 1813, and died June 22, 1897 ; the mother was born December 30, 1814, and died July 22, 1896. Mrs. Ehrhardt is the eldest of their chil- dren, the others being Caroline J., wife of Christian Lange, of Newfoundland; Lawrence V., who died at the age of nine years; Annie E., widow of Isa- dore Kastner, and a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Henry S., who resides on the old homestead in Wayne county ; Sarah A., a resident of Brooklyn, N. Y. : James B., who died in 1851 ; Mary L., wife of Emil Walter, of Newfoundland ; Edward A., of Newfoundland ; and Celia L., wife of William Heberling, of the same place.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ehrhardt are as follows: Esther E., wife of John Frey, a wheelwright and undertaker of South Sterling. Wayne county; Augusta, a resident of Scranton, Penn .: Emma, who died unmarried; Annie, wife of William H. Rommell, who is engaged in the manufacture of shoes in Carlisle, Penn. ; Fred, who married Kate Phillips, and is a harnessmaker of Newfoundland : George, who wedded Mary Gilpin, and is a farmer and butcher of Newfoundland, Wayne county : Emil, who married Clara Doebler, and is clerking in a store in Scranton; and Mary and Ella C., both at home. Mr. Ehrhardt is a stalwart Democrat in politics, and for two terms efficiently served as postmaster of Newfoundland under President Cleveland's administration. He has been delegate to county and State conventions, but has never been an office-seeker, though often urged to accept. He is an active and prominent member of the Moravian Church, of which he has served as trustee off and on for the past twenty

years. All his life he has been a hard worker, and the success that has come to him is certainly well deserved. Besides his elegant store and residence in Newfoundland, he owns some of the best farm properties in Pennsylvania, and has mortgages on many others, besides a large sum of money out at interest. While our subject has a large store, besides his other business, he has never hired a clerk outside of his family.

Mr. Ehrhardt left his native land to avoid mili- tary service, but he was given an opportunity to be- come a soldier here, being drafted during the Civil war. However, he preferred to send a substitute, paying $700.

BURNS. Throughout the nineteenth century -for a hundred years-representatives of the Burns family, descendants of Capt. Jonathan Burns through the several generations covering that period, have been substantial citizens and useful men and women in their several localities in Susquehanna county. Of the older generations such men as Capt. jona- than Burns, Henry, Ziba, Jonathan and Thomas Burns, and the sons of the latter, among them P. C. Burns, of Great Bend, and Andrew B. Burns, of Montrose, twice the honored treasurer of Susque- hanna county, have played well their parts in the civil and political history of the county.

Capt. Jonathan Burns was one of the sturdy pioneers who ventured into the wilds of the terri- tory now comprising Susquehanna county about the year 1800. He and his brother David Burns came from Otsego county, N. Y., and settled, David about two miles east of the present village of Dundaff, and Capt. Burns near its site. The father of these pioneers was from the North of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. Several years after the family's re- moval to Susquehanna county Eber Burns, the only son of David Burns, was lost in the wilderness and never found, hence those of the name in this county are the posterity of Capt. Jonathan Burns. Capt. Burns was just the kind of man to assume leader- ship in a new country. He was a typical pioneer, strong and athletic, was fond of all active sports, and hunted a great deal for profit as well as pleas- ure. It is narrated that at one time late in the fall of the year he went out hunting in the Lackawanna mountains, south of the present site of Carbon- dale, and while he was busily engaged in securing game the Lackawanna became so swollen as to be- come impassable. The weather had changed from the mildness of "Indian Summer" to piercing cold. His tow-frock was almost completely frozen to his body. His companion had become so discouraged that he sat down and declared he could go no fur- ther. Burns cut a whip and applied it with such vigor to his back that he was stimulated to renewed exertions. They built a fire on the bank of the river, and the next morning the water had so far subsided that they felled trees across the river and went over safely. Burns then carried eighty pounds of bear-meat and a rifle weighing twenty pounds a

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distance of twelve miles without laying them off his shoulder.

Capt. Burns was born February 22, 1773, and his wife, Annar (Chase), November 19, 1773. To them were born the following children: ( I) Henry Burns, born June 1, 1796, married Katie Scott, and became a farmer by occupation, settling in Clifford township, where he died. (2) Orry Burns, born February 7, 1798, married, settled in Burlington township, Bradford Co., Penn., and there died. (3) Lucy M. Burns, born May 16, 1800, married Eras- tus West, moved to Lakeville, N. Y., and there died. (4) Evangelia Burns, born November 12, 1802, married a Mr. Hendrick, moved to what is now Lackawanna county, Penn., and there died. (5) Ziba Burns, born May 24, 1804, married Hepsy Burritt, was occupied as a farmer in Herrick town- ship, and there died. (6) Alexander Burns, born February 28, 1807, married Emily Reed, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits throughout life, in Clif- ford township, where he died. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and is said to have been a man of fine manners and considerable culture. (7) Jonathan Burns, born September 12, 1809, married Eliza Reed. He was also a farmer throughout life, living on a farm adjoining that of his brother Alex- ander in Clifford township, where he died. (8) Thomas Burns is mentioned farther on. (9) Ira Hale Burns, born January 6, 1815, died May 20, 1819. (10) Ellery Burns, born October 26, 1816, married Harriet Clawson.

The late Deacon Thomas Burns, whose death occurred April 10, 1897, at the home of his son, P. C. Burns, in Great Bend, Penn., was for many years one of the prominent and influential citizens of Herrick township, Susquehanna county. He was a native of that county, born December 4, 1812, in Clifford township, where the active years of his life were passed in agricultural pursuits. In early life he experienced religion and united with the Baptist Church, of which he was ever afterward a con- sistent and active member, and a deacon in the So- ciety in Herrick for about sixty years. Deacon Burns was not only a good man but a useful one, in whom everyone had confidence. He was the soul of honor, and held the esteem and respect of the community in which he so long lived.

On November 25, 1835, at Dundaff, Penn., Deacon Thomas Burns was married to Clarissa Bill, daughter of Andrew and Susanna Bill, of Bainbridge, N. Y., formerly from the State of Con- necticut, and to their union came children as fol- lows: Porter C. Burns, born December 30, 1836, married Marion Wilson, of Tunkhannock, and they reside in Great Bend. Andrew B. Burns is re- ferred to farther on. LeRoy T. Burns, born April 22, 1842, married (first) Jennie Cooper, and (sec- ond) Eliza Williams; he is a resident of Tunk- hannock, Penn. Warren J. Burns, born May 19, 1848, married Cornelia Bingham, and resides at Dunmore, Penn. The mother of these was born March 27, 1812, and died May 29, 1884, at Tunk-

hannock, where repose, in Gravel Hill cemetery, the remains of herself and husband. Mrs. Burns was converted in early life at Bainbridge, during a special work of grace in the M. E. Church. Later she united with and was baptized in the Herrick Baptist Church, and ever afterward remained with that denomination, a member of the Churches of the several localities in which she resided. She lived a Christian life, and died the death of the righteous. She was an excellent woman.

ANDREW B. BURNS, son of the late Thomas Burns, and for upward of a third of a century a prominent citizen and druggist of Montrose, Sus- quehanna county, was born August 28, 1839, on his father's farm in Herrick township. His boyhood was passed in a manner not unlike the lads of the general farmer, doing chores about the farm, at- tending the neighborhood school in the winters, and working through the spring and summers. When about fifteen years of age he went to Har- ford University, a local school in Susquehanna county of celebrity, from which went forth into the world many young men who afterward wrote their names on the roll of fame. After a four-years' course at Harford he completed his studies by at- tending for one term Prof. J. F. Stoddard's Normal School, at Montrose. He then taught school him- self for three winters, holding the last winter a term of five months. After this experience he en- tered the drug store of Abel Turrell, at Montrose, to learn the drug business, remaining with him a year and a half. The Civil war had been in progress for a year and a half; the young drug clerk could no longer feel satisfied to remain at home under the existing conditions and circumstances, and in the summer of 1862 he resolved to tender his services in defense of the Union. He received the appoint- ment of hospital steward in the 134th P. V. I., of which Matthew S. Quay, since United States sena- tor, was chosen colonel. Young Burns shared the fortunes of the regiment from the date of his muster in, September 10, 1862, to the close of its term of service. The regiment was mustered into the Unit- ed States service in August, 1862, at Camp Curtin, became a part of the Fifth Corps, Army of the Po- tomac, and was at points in Virginia, Maryland and about Washington. It arrived from Mono- cacy, after a forced march, at the battlefield of An- tietam on the morning of September 17th, and stood to arms all that day. The regiment was at the bat- tle of Fredericksburg, forming a part of Hum- phrey's division and Tyler's brigade, and in the formation of the brigade for storming the heights, in the last grand struggle of the day (December 13, 1862), the 134th had the post of honor in the brigade, the right of the first line, and in the con- flict lost fourteen killed, one hundred and six wound- ed, and nineteen missing. The regiment was next at the battle of Chancellorsville, where on the morn- ing of May 3, 1863, the brigade of which the 134th formed a part was led to the menaced part of the field, on the left, and was moved by the left flank

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to a piece of woods on the Ely's Ford road. As the column approached the enemy, it was arranged in line of battle, the 9Ist on the extreme right, with no protection in flank, the 134th standing next on its left. The order to advance was given. In well- preserved lines it passed forward through the woods, driving the enemy's skirmishers, and soon reaching his line of battle. A heavy fire was at once opened, and for an hour and three-quarters the battle raged with unabated fury. The loss of the regiment in the engagement was forty-eight in killed, wounded and missing. Gen. Tyler in his official report said : "The 134th, Col. O'Brien, was second in line, and no set of men could have behaved better. The officers, one and all following the example of their colonel, who was constantly on the alert, were very active, and not a man shirked his duty." The regiment was mustered out at Harrisburg, Penn., May 26, 1863.

After being discharged from the service Mr. Burns went to Pittsburg, Penn., where he was for one year employed in a prescription drug store ; then for a year he had charge of a drug store at Rochester, Penn. In 1866 he came to Montrose and formed a partnership with Amos Nichols, in the drug business, the partnership lasting until 1875, at which time Mr. Nichols retired, Mr. Burns purchasing his interests in the stock and building. and from that time to the present he has continued the business alone. Mr. Burns is the oldest in point of service of any now in the drug business in Sus- quehanna county, and he is one of the most prom- inent and thorough druggists of the county. In 1887 he was appointed by Gov. Beaver to the State Pharmaceutical Examining Board, for one year, and on the expiration of that time was re-appointed by the same gentleman, for a term of five years.

Politically Mr. Burns has always been an ar- dent Republican,and influential in the councils of the party in Susquehanna county. In the fall of 1878 he was elected treasurer of the county, assuming the duties of the office in January, 1879. His three- years' term of service was efficiently and satisfac- torily performed. In 1893 he was again elected to that position, enjoying the distinction of be- ing the only man in the county upon whom has been conferred the honor of having been twice chosen to that office. At the time of his second candidacy one of the Montrose papers referred to him in compli- mentary terms, from which the following extract was taken:

Andrew B. Burns, for treasurer, seems to be a happy selection of the " right man for the right place." If business ability, coupled with a business training, are qualities to be desired in any of the county officers, such a man should be selected for treasurer. Mr. Burns, if elected, will not only bring these necessary qualifications to the office, but will bring the office within the reach of the people, where it ad- mittedly belongs-at the county seat. He is a member of Four Brothers Post, G. A. R., which means that he has com- rades all over the county who will give him, and the party he represents, a vote of confidence.

Mr. Burns has served his fellow-citizens in the borough in various local offices, and always effi-

ciently and with credit to himself. He is identified with the Episcopal Church of Montrose ; is a Master Mason, being a member of Warren Lodge No. 240, of Montrose, and also belongs to Four Brothers Post No. 453, G. A. R., of Montrose.

On February 8, 1866, Mr. Burns was married to Miss Augusta Cobb, daughter of Zipron and Sarah M. (Crane) Cobb, of Montrose, and their marriage has been blessed with the following named children : George C., Hattie A. and Bessie. The son, born December 17, 1866, received his schooling in Montrose and Binghamton, and studied Latin and German under private tutors. He has always been associated with his father in the store. On August 29, 1888, he married Miss Minnie A. Pope, daughter of E. P. Pope, and they have had two children-Ruth and Helen. Hattie A. Burns mar- ried Clarence E. Fitzworth, an insurance man of Susquehanna. Bessie Burns is the wife of George M. Bostwick, of Montrose, and has one son-Robert Burns.

EDGAR L. HANDRICK, M. D., has for thir- ty-six years been an active practitioner at Friends- ville, Susquehanna county. He possesses those rare genial qualities so essential to the physician, than whose relation to the family circle none is closer. Kindly in disposition, sympathetic, thor- oughly versed in the progress of his profession, his visitations and ministrations have brought comfort and good cheer throughout a wide stretch of country surrounding his home.

Dr. Handrick is a representative of an old pioneer family. His paternal grandparents, Will- iam G. and Betsey ( Carrington) Handrick, descend- ants of old Revolutionary families of Connecticut, of Holland extraction, migrated from Litchfield coun- ty, Conn., to Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county, as early as 1820, and settled on a tract of wild land, where William Handrick made a clearing and built a little home. Having some knowledge of tanning, he erected a tannery on Stone creek, Forest Lake township, which he conducted for some vears and then sold to his son William B. William G. Handrick ended his days in Forest Lake town- ship. To him and his wife were born thirteen chil- dren, namely : William B., who removed to Spring- ville; Wakeman C., father of our subject ; Henry F., who lived and died in Forest Lake township; Daniel T., who lived in Dimock township; David C., the only survivor of the family, a carpenter of Montrose, who has one son; Walter Van Ness, a resident of Scranton; Walter Van Ness, who died in youth; Merwin S., deceased, who was for many years manager of a tannery at Wellsville, N. Y., where he died ; Annice, wife of I. P. Baker, of Dim- ock township; Fannie, who married William Small, a farmer of Forest Lake township; Lucinda, who married Henry Miles, of Jackson township; Aurelia, who married Charles Burchard, and died leaving no children; Eliza, who married William Miles, of Dimock, and died leaving a son and a daughter.

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Wakeman C. Handrick, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in 1812. He was reared to manhood in Forest Lake town- ship, where he learned from his father the trade of tanner, following same for many years. In 1837 he bought land in Jessup, on which property he built a small tannery. He married Miss Urania S. Stone, daughter of Judson and Polly ( Turrell) Stone, of Forest Lake. Wakeman C. Handrick died in 1889, his worthy Christian wife surviving him until 1895, when she passed away, aged seventy- seven years. To Wakeman C. and Urania S. Hand- rick came five children, namely : George J., born in Jessup township in 1838, taught school in early life, married Miss Maria Tilden, of Forest Lake, and en- gaged in farming until his death in 1888; he left no children. Edgar L., subject of this sketch, was born June 9, 1840. Elmina J., born in January, 1842, married William F. Clark, of Bradford coun- ty, and has one son, Henry Clark; she lives on the old Handrick homestead. Sophrona, born in 1843, married Lester Turrell, a farmer of Forest Lake, and has one daughter, Lorena, now wife of William Turrell, of Forest Lake. Oscar S., born in 1845, married Lila Turrell, a native of Litchfield county, Conn., and has two children-Ernest and Myrtie ; he is now a large stock and cattle dealer near Clark's. Summit.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 93

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