Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 97

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 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 97
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 97

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George A. Smith received a good practical ed- ucation in his youth, his elementary training, which was acquired in the public schools, being supple- mented by a course in the Normal at Waymart. After leaving that institution he . commenced his career as a teacher, his winters being occupied in teaching school, while in summers he employed him- self "peeling bark." His devotion to duty in every capacity, and the facility with which he adapted himself to any condition in which he was placed, soon brought him into notice among those with whom he came into contact, and it was not long before he became recognized as a young man of sterling worth, one whose faithfulness and integrity could be relied upon under any circumstances. His first public position was that of deputy sheriff of Wayne county, to which he was appointed Jan- uary I, 1889, and in which he acquitted himself cred- itably and to the satisfaction of all concerned. After the close of his term he went to New York City, where for a time he was in the employ of T. B. Clark & Co .; but he returned to Honesdale, and in 1893 was nominated for the office of prothonotary, to which he was elected ; in 1896 he was re-elected. No higher recommendation for a man's worth and fitness can be given than his return to office, and the people have taken this way of showing their appre- ciation of Mr. Smith's services, and their confidence in his ability and trustworthiness. Personally he is universally popular in Wayne county, young and old alike respecting him for the position he has at- tained. Upon the expiration of his second term as prothonotary, January 1, 1900, not having been a candidate for re-election, he purchased an interest in the United States Knitting Mill at Hawley, Penn. Through his efforts the plant will at once be en- larged and incorporated, after which the business will be carried on with Mr. Smith as secretary, treasurer and business manager.

Capt. Smith is an active member of the dif- ferent social clubs of Honesdale, and fraternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F., and the Red Men. In religious faith he is united with the M. E. Church.

In 1889 our subject enlisted in Company E, 13th Regiment Pennsylvania National Guard, and three years later was made corporal, which posi- tion he resigned on going to New York. On his re- turn to Honesdale he was re-elected, however, and on June 24, 1895, was promoted to second lieuten- ant; on June 22, 1896, to first lieutenant; and in June, 1897, he was elected captain of his company, which rank he still retains. The 13th P. N. G. served at Hazleton in the great coal strike of Sep- tember, 1897. Upon the call for volunteers for the war with Spain, Capt. Smith enlisted with his com- pany and regiment, April 27, 1898, and served as captain of Company E, 13th Penn. Vol. Inf., until March 1I, 1899, when the regiment was mustered cut at Camp Mackenzie, Augusta, Georgia.

EDWIN RUTHVEN STEBBINS (deceased) was for several years one of the honored and highly- respected citizens of Montrose, where he died January 13, 1896. He was a native of Susquehanna county, born in Bridgewater township, September 18, 1833, and was a son of Israel J. and Sylvia (Lewis) Stebbins, the father born in Vernon, Windham Co., Vt., March 12, 1794, a son of Rol- land and Elizabeth (Eddy) Stebbins, also natives of that county, and of Scotch and English descent. Rolland Stebbins' father was a native of England. The family was represented in the Revolutionary war.

The parents of our subject were married in New York State, November 10, 1816, removed to Susquehanna county, Penn., and in 1820 located in Bridgewater township, upon what became known as the family homestead. The mother, born De- cember 13, 1798, died on the home farm, April 24, 1848, and was buried in Bridgewater township. In 1849 the father married Debby Newton, widow . of Capt. S. Williams. For fifty-two years he lived on the old homestead in Bridgewater township, and then removed to Dimock Corners, where he died on the eighty-fourth anniversary of his birth. In 1840 he united with the Bridgewater Baptist Church, and remained one of its active and faithful mem- bers until his death. The children of Israel J. and Sylvia (Lewis) Stebbins were all born in Susque- hanna county, Penn., and in order of birth were as follows: George W., born September 27, 1818, died in Auburn township, Susquehanna county ; Harriet, born November 11, 1820, married (first) John B. Sutton, and ( second) Samuel Hester, and is now deceased; Emaline A., born July 29. 1822, married Mathew T. McKeeby, now deceased, and she died February 8, 1866; Horace L., born July 28, 1825, died in Ashley, Penn. ; Orrin Dean, born March 5, 1828, married Catherine Heisley, and died January 12, 1896; Lewis J., born March 13, 1830, is a retired farmer of Blue Lake, Cal., and the only survivor of the family; Edwin R., our subject, is next in the order of birth: and Mercy Jane, born July 27, 1838, died unmarried, August 15, 1881.

In early life Edwin R. Stebbins devoted his

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attention to agricultural pursuits, but in April, 1873, he removed to Montrose, and there engaged in the coal business until his death. He was mar- ried, in Binghamton, N. Y., August 24, 1859, to his cousin, Miss Almira Lewis, a native of that State, who died on the old homestead in Bridgewater township, November 16, 1860, being killed by a runaway team while returning home with her hus- band. Mr. Stebbins was again married, in Mont- rose, September 23, 1862, his second union being with Miss Angeline Harris Bolles, a native of Jes- sup township, Susquehanna county, who died No- vember 13, 1888, at the age of fifty years, and was laid to rest in the Montrose cemetery, where the other members of the family have been interred. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a most estimable lady. By his first marriage Mr. Stebbins had no children. There were four by the second union: Almira and Susan R., twins, the former of whom died at the age of two weeks, and the latter is mentioned more fully below ; Emma P., now the wife of Judson A. Bush, a farmer of Bridgewater township; and Blen- nie, wife of George R. Copeland, a farmer of Chenango Forks, N. Y. Mrs. Stebbins' parents, James S. and Susan (Heady ) Bolles, were natives of New York State and early settlers of Jessup township, Susquehanna county.

Mr. Stebbins was a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a supporter of the Republican party and its principles. He served as tax collector of Montrose, and his duties of citi- zenship were always most faithfully and conscien- tiously discharged. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and was widely and favorably known throughout the county.

MISS SUSAN R. STEBBINS is now proprietor of the leading millinery establishment of Montrose, and gives employment to three hands. Three years after embarking in business for herself fire de- stroyed her stock, but with characteristic energy she at once resumed business, and has succeeded in building up a large and profitable trade. She is a woman of more than ordinary business ability, and the course she has ever pursued has won for her the confidence and esteem of the entire community. She is an active member of the First Church of Christ, Scientists, Boston, Massachusetts.

JOHN C. STRUNK. The subject of this sketch, now a retired farmer of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, was during his active life one of the most prominent men of the county, par- ticipating largely in public affairs, and prominent in every cause contributing to the general good. Mr. Strunk possesses a rare business ability, which has not only enabled him to accumulate a com- petency individually, but which his fellow citizens ofttimes called into requisition in the management of wider interests.

The family is of German extraction. The great-grandfather of our subject, William Strunk, was a native of Germany and emigrated to America early in the eighteenth century. Henry Strunk, his son, grandfather of our subject, was an early settler of Northampton county, Penn. He mar- ried Elizabeth Ace, and migrated to Monroe coun- ty in 1798, settling on the Delaware river, in Smith- field township, near Shawnee. Later he bought wild land where Moses Strunk now lives, there cleared, and there he and his wifepassedaway. They reared a family of seven children, as follows: (I) Madeline married Jacob Olenbaugh, who kept a hotel in Northampton county, and later removed to Ohio, with his wife and two children. (2) George married a Miss Man, and died in Middle Smith- field township, leaving five children. (3) Eliza- beth became the wife of Henry Consterman, of Smithfield. (4) Jacob married Jane Merlin, and moved from Middle Smithfield township to North- ampton county, where he died leaving a family (5) Henry married Rachel Transue, and lived an. died on the old homestead in Smithfield township, where his son Moses now lives. (6) Kate married George Ace, of Smithfield township; he died from the effects of an accident, his arm being torn off by a threshing machine; four children survived him. (7) Peter was the father of our subject.

Peter Strunk was born in Northampton coun- ty in 1772. He married Betsy Cooper, also born in 1772, daughter of John and Polly (Grove) Cooper, early settlers of Northampton county. In 1798 he came with his father to Monroe county, and later moved from Middle Smithfield township to Wayne county, where he cleared up a large farm, and where he remained until the death of his wife, in February, 1832. Later he married a Miss Canadey. His last years were passed on the farm of his son John C. He died in 1866. To Peter and Betsy (Cooper) Strunk were born twelve children, as follows: (I) Jacob, who married Nellie Biles, and lived at Wyalusing, Bradford county. (2) Polly, who married Philip Noack, of Smithfield township, and died leaving a family, of whom two are now living, namely, Matilda, wife of Fred Transue, of Smithfield township; and Wash Noack, of Monroe county. (3) Peter, who died in childhood. (4) John C., subject of this sketch. (5) George, who died when a boy. (6) Betsy, who married Jonas Hanna, of Mountain Home, and died leaving a family. (7) Eleanor, who married Leonard Courtright, of Middle Smithfield town- ship, and died leaving a large family. (8) Henry, who married Elizabeth Transue, settled in Smith- field township, and was drowned while rafting on the Delaware river near Port Jervis (he left two children, John and Jane, the former of whom died in the army during the Civil war). (9) Katie, who died when a child. (10) Julia, who married Adam Bogert, and lived in Monroe county. (II) Benjamin, who married Caroline Yetter, settled in Smithfield township, and now resides with his

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daughter, Mrs. James P. Overfield. (12) Lu- cinda, who married Samuel Courtright, of Smith- field, and died leaving four children.

John C. Strunk, subject of this sketch, was born in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe coun- ty, in 1806. He was reared on his father's farm, and was early inured to hard labor. The educa- tional advantages of the region were limited, and in all he received about one year's schooling. When a young man he learned the trade of weaver, which he followed for some years, weaving flax and linen for all kinds of wear. In April, 1826, he married Miss Eleanor Hanna, the estimable daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Tock) Hanna. In 1828 he purchased some land near Mosier's Knob, in Smithfield, and built a little home. Later he bought and built where John Mosier now lives, clearing up a farm. Selling that property to Daniel Court- right, he purchased land from Jeffrey Wells, near Resca, where his son Moses now lives. A water : sawmill stood on this property, and there Mr. 1) Strunk engaged in lumbering, and also in clearing the land and making extensive improvements. Later he bought the property near Marshall's Creek, where his son Peter now resides. Here he erected a house and barn and cleared up a farm. Mr. Strunk's next real-estate transaction was the pur- chase of 400 acres of timber land. He also bought the Hull property, of 200 acres, all in Smithfield township.

Mr. Strunk has always been identified with the Democratic party. In 1831 he was elected con- stable in Northampton county, serving four years, and also served as tax collector. He was elected and served as captain of a company of State Volun- teer Independent Rifles. In 1852 he was elected commissioner of Monroe county, and re-elected in 1855. In 1857 he was appointed, by Act of Assem- bly, to run the county lines between Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties, duties which he performed in a most satisfactory manner to all concerned. In 1870 he was again elected a commissioner of the county, thus serving in a most capable manner through three terms. Mr. Strunk was reared under the influence of the Presbyterian Church, of which denomination his parents were members. He now lives in the peaceful retirement of old age, after a life that has been abundantly crowned with stic- cess. His good wife died in 1866. Their ten chil- dren were as follows: Benjamin H., who married Rebecca Transue, and lives at Tobyhanna Mills ; Elizabeth, wife of William Miller, of Smithfield township, one of the present commissioners of Mon- roe county ; Hannah, wife of Charles Albert, of Middle Smithfield township; Eleanor, who died in childhood; Mary, who married Andrew J. Fish, of Middle Smithfield township, and died leaving a large family; Sarah, deceased wife of John Van Why, of East Stroudsburg; Peter, who married Sarah J. Kramer, has a fam- ily of fifteen children, and now lives on his father's old home in Smithfield township; Moses

C., a sketch of whom follows; James S., who mar- ried Maggie Coleman, and has a family of seven children ( he is now station agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co. in New York City) ; and John, who died in childhood.

Moses C. Strunk, third son of John C. and Eleanor (Hanna) Strunk, and now a prominent lumberman and farmer of Smithfield township, was born in April, 1842. In the district schools of Middle Smithfield township he received a good common-school education, and in his youth he taught several terms of school near his home. He was married, in April, 1867, to Miss Maggie Treible, daughter of Peter and Mary (Quigly) Treible. After his marriage Mr. Strunk settled at Mountain Home. For a year he worked for Shaf- fer & Reinhart, then engaged in farming and lum- bering on the old homestead. In 1890 he purchased the property in Middle Smithfield which had been owned and cleared by his father, and here he erected a fine home for the Bushkill Rod and Gun Club, of which he is general manager, and in the stock of which he holds many shares. He also owns a 200-acre tract of land on Marshall's Creek, and another tract in Smithfield township.

Of the thirteen children born to Moses and Maggie Strunk eleven survive, Eva and Clara M. having died in early life. The living are as fol- lows: (1) Samuel A., born in 1870, married Nancy Van Why, of Smithfield, and has two chil- dren, Clara and Maggie; he resides at Resca, Mid- dle Smithfield township. (2) Laura, born in 1874, is the wife of Philip Fish, of Resca, and has three children, Peter, Hannah and Moses. (3) John C., born in 1876, married Hannah Albert, and lives on part of the father's farm. (4) Mary E., born in 1879, is the wife of Walter S. Howe, a telegraph operator on a branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, at Branchville, N. J. (5) Lizzie is now living at the home of Judge Edinger, of Stroudsburg. (6) Moses was born in 1884; (7) Violet, in 1886; (8) Burson, in 1888; (9) Alonzo, in 1890; (10) Ruth, in 1892; (II) Naomi, in 1894.

Politically Mr. Strunk is a stanch Democrat, and has filled several important public offices. For fifteen years he has served as a justice of the peace in Monroe county. He was one of the county auditors for three years, and served three times as assessor of Middle Smithfield township. He is now filling the office of supervisor, and is mercan- tile appraiser of Monroe county, appointed by the county commissioners for the year 1900. Mr. Strunk is an attendant and supporter of the Meth- odist Church, and is one of the most substantial and highly-respected citizens of Monroe county.

JOSEPH POWERS. A useful life makes a bright retrospect for old age, and the subject of this biography, a venerable and highly respected resident of New Milford township, Susquehanna county, has laid up a pleasing store of memories

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during his eighty years. As a teacher, farmer and manufacturer he made a decided success, and the afternoon of his life is cheered by well-deserved comfort.

Mr. Powers was born February 10, 1819, in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, being the second male child born in that town, and is of pioneer stock in both paternal and maternal lines. Capt. Hazard Powers, our subject's grandfather, was a captain on merchant craft for many years, sailing from New York and New London to the West Indies, and from New York to Europe. His vessel was the "Hope." While following the water he was three times taken prisoner, twice by the British and once by the French. In Waterford, Conn., on March 30, 1788, he married Hannah Rogers, and in 1812 they came from Windham, Conn., to Susquehanna county, Penn., locating in Gibson township, where he died in February, 1831, she in February, 1845.

Joseph Powers, Sr., our subject's father, was born in Connecticut, came to Susquehanna county in early life, and engaged in farming. He was married, in New Milford township, to Miss Eunice Moxley, also a native of Connecticut, who came to Susquehanna county in 1816 with her parents, Jonathan and. Sally ( Woodmansie) Moxley, and they soon afterward settled in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, where he died April 3, 1864, aged seventy-five years. Mrs. Powers, who was a devout Baptist, died August 28, 1863, aged sev- enty-two, and their remains were interred at Jack- son. They had five children: Eliza, widow of Elder H. H. Gray, a Baptist minister, in Rush town- ship, Susquehanna county ; Joseph, our subject ; Miss Eunice, who resides at the old homestead ; William, who is unmarried, and resides at the homestead ; and Esther, deceased, who married Deacon George Pease. When Mr. and Mrs. Powers settled in Jackson this section was almost an unbroken wilderness, and they endured many hardships to which the present generation are strangers. But soon afterward other men and women came from the East, seeking homes among the hills of northern Pennsylvania, and before long the wilderness was made to "blossom as the rose." They were for the most part people of stern in- tegrity and high Christian principle, and their in- fluence is still felt among their children and chil- dren's children.

When our subject was about twenty-one years old he had a severe attack of rheumatism, which lasted two years, and on his recovery he engaged in teaching. In this work he was very successful, being employed for nine terms in Jackson, Harford and Gibson townships, while his summer vacations were spent in farm work. About 1848 he settled upon a farm in South Harford, where he remained forty years, in 1888 locating at his present home- stead. While residing in South Harford he was engaged in wagon-making for fifteen years, in con- nection with his farming business, and from 1883

to 1887 he was interested in the manufacture of spring beds, known as the "Rest for the Weary." At present he does but little work, having retained but thirty acres of his farm, and the active man- agement of the estate devolves upon his son-in- law. He has always felt keen interest in educa- tional matters, and has served many years as school director, while he was clerk of the school board at Jackson for two years, and examiner of teachers for the same length of time. Politically he affiliates with no particular party at present ; he is active in religious work as a member of the Baptist Church, in which he held the office of deacon for thirty years.

On October 5, 1843, Mr. Powers was married, in Harford township, Susquehanna county, to Miss H. Malisa Peck, and two children blessed the union : George A. died at the age of fifteen years. Lodelia L. married C. C. Keeney, who is engaged in farin- ing at the homestead, and they have three children, George A., Clara E. and Jesse W.

Mrs. H. Malisa (Peck) Powers, whose wifely sympathy and affection have brightened our sub- ject's life for more than half a century, was born May 8, 1819, at Columbia, Conn., a daughter of Joseph and Polly (Collins) Peck. Her father served in the American navy during the war of 1812 under Commodore Decatur, and was also with that officer during the famous expedition to Mo- rocco. In 1820 he came to Susquehanna county, settling in Harford township, where he engaged in business as a wagonmaker in connection with farm- : ing. He was a member of the Congregational Church, and died in that faith November 26, 1867, aged eighty-six years. His estimable wife died in November, 1853, aged seventy-two years, and both were buried at Harford. They had five children, namely: Philura, widow of James C. Powers, of Gibson township, Susquehanna county ; H. Malisa, wife of our subject; Darius, a farmer in Wiscon- sin; Mary M., who died unmarried; and Collins, who occupies the old homestead in Harford town- ship. Mrs. Powers' mother and our subject's mother were both weavers in their younger years, and wove cotton cloth and plaid dress ginghams at their houses for the merchants of New London and Norwich, Conn., before the days of cotton factories in the United States.

REV. RICHARD VARCOE. "Excellence encourages us about life in general," says that thoughtful observer, George Eliot. This saying is true even in the case of that careful discharge of duty which leads to well-doing in worldly enter- prises, but the life which reveals religious ardor and suggests the uplifting force of consecrated pur- pose does indeed demonstrate to humanity new and lofty possibilities. The life of the late Rev. Richard Varcoe, of Waymart, Wayne county, was a constant inspiration to those who saw his zealous and self- sacrificing work in the advancement of the cause of religion.

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Mr. Varcoe was a native of Lincolnshire, Eng- land, and at the age of eighteen became a minister of the Gospel, preaching for the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he held membership. In his native land he married Miss Elizabeth Condon (the daughter of a retired sea captain), who died in England leaving three children, all now deceased, namely : Richard, Montgomery and Fanny E. After the mother's death, her father and sister claimed the youngest child, Richard, and educated him, and after his education was completed his uncle, John Condon, took him for a trip around the world; the vessel was never heard of again. With his two chil- dren Mr. Varcoe came to America in October, 1864, and in this country engaged in preaching, being a member of the Wyoming Conference, which he joined in 1866. He had charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canaan, Wayne Co., Penn., at the time of his death, on April 9, 1885, when he was sixty years of age, and his remains were in- terred in the family lot in Glen Dyberry cemetery, at Honesdale. He was an earnest, consistent Christian, an untiring and faithful worker in the Master's vineyard. He passed away at the parson- age in South Canaan.

We excerpt the following from an obituary written by one of his fellow members in the Wyom- ing Conference :

In the spring of 1866 he united with the Wyoming Conference in full connection, as an elder, on his credentials from the Reform Church, of which he had been a traveling preacher. He remained a worthy, faithful and highly esteemed member of the Wyoming Annual Conference until the morning of his entrance into life eternal. He preached on the last Sabbath before Conference, and on Monday pre- pared his annual reports, packed his valise to be in readi- ness to start on the following morning for the seat of Con- ference. On Tuesday he did not feel very well, but still hoped to meet his brethren at the annual session, but God ordered otherwise. On Wednesday his strength began to fail, and on Thursday morning, just one hour before the Con- ference met in its first regular session, the Bishop of Bishops transferred him from the Church militant to the Church of the first born in Heaven. Brother Varcoe was exemplary in life, faithful in all Christian duties, cheerful under trials, ever maintaining a bright, happy experience. and evincing to the last a great love for the Church of his choice. With a naturally cheerful disposition, and Christian courtesy of a high order, his life was joyous, in harmony with the will of God and in sympathy with mankind.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 97

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