Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 98

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 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1 > Part 98

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As a preacher he was above the average. His sermons were eminently scriptural, highly instructive and practical in their tendency, showing not only painstaking in the prepara- tion but the impress of the Spirit of Christ. He was one of those men of whom it can be said, " Mark the perfect man and the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

To his wife, he said, a short time before he died, "I shall be so happy to all eternity." "He was esteemed and loved by all who knew him, and his cleath falls heavily on his surviving wife, daughter and son, who feel deeply their loss; yet they are assured that their loss is his infinite gain. They realize in their bereavement that a loving husband and father has gone, and the light and joy of the happy home have been dimmed by the removal of its head, yet to them is left the priceless legacy of a consistent, pure and beautiful Christian life."

At the time of his decease Mr. Varcoe was also filling an appointment at Ariel, and from a touch- ing tribute to his faithfulness in that charge we quote: "Such was his devotion to his work that he would often, in a feeble state of health, come through storms to preach when stronger men would not care to expose themselves."

On December 27, 1865, at Dyberry, Wayne county, Mr. Varcoe was married to Miss E. Amanda Doney, a successful school teacher, Rev. J. K. Peck, presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Honesdale, performing the ceremony. To this union came two children: Laura A. and Franklin R. The daughter, born September 3, 1867, was seventeen years old when her father died, and the following year attended school in Honesdale, living with her mother and maternal grandparents. The next year she commenced teaching school, and be- ing herself an accomplished musician also gave music lessons out of school hours, sometimes walk- ing long distances to do so. From that time she succeeded, solely through her own efforts, in earn- ing enough to pay her own way, clothe herself and. give freely to charitable purposes, and saved enough to buy herself a fine piano. She had a sweet, lovable disposition, winning hosts of friends wherever she went, and her death, which occurred April 9, 1892, was deeply and sincerely mourned. She was interred in Glen Dyberry cemetery, Hones- dale.

Franklin R. Varcoe was born March 21, 1872, and was but thirteen years old when his father died. The latter had left a farm of 115 acres, which had been rented for ten years, but the son being too young to work it Mrs. Varcoe's parents kindly offered her and her children a home, which they accepted. On October 4, 1886, her mother died, and the following spring her father sold his farm, and bought himself a home near Honesdale, thus throw- ing Mrs. Varcoe and her children out of a home the second time. Franklin, who was then fifteen . years of age, went on the farm with his mother, and he began to assume the cares and responsibilities of a man, the two first years working on the farm summers, taking care of a large amount of stock (cattle, sheep, horses, etc.), and attending the dis- trict school winters. After he became too far ad- vanced for the district school, he would rise at five o'clock in the morning, care for the stock, and drive four miles to Honesdale to school and four miles back again, do his work, and then study until eleven o'clock every night, Saturdays working all day on the farm. The winter of 1893, Mrs. Varcoe remained on the farm with hired help, and he went to Waymart and clerked for a Mr. Estelle, a mer- chant then living in the place. In the spring of 1894 they rented the farm and stock, moved to Waymart, and bought a half interest in the store, in the spring of 1896 buving the store property of Elsworth Ames, and Mr. Estelle's interest in the store. In the spring of 1898 the store, stock of

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goods, and household goods were all destroyed by fire, but the spring of 1899 found them built up and re-established in business in the same place, where they still continue. They have made many warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem them highly for their sterling worth, give liberally of their means toward the support of all Church and religious affairs, and have done much toward pro- moting the moral and material welfare of their community.

Mrs. Varcoe was born on Smith Hill, Wayne county, July 30, 1842, a daughter of Richard and Catherine (Pierce) Doney. The father was born in St. Pannock Parish, Cornwall, England, April 23, 1813, and in 1831 emigrated to Am- erica, locating on a farm in Dyberry township, Wayne Co., Penn., where fifty-four years of his life were spent. He also resided for two years on Smith Hill. On March 21, 1839, in Honesdale, Penn., he was married to Miss Catherine Pierce, a native of Sullivan county, N. Y., who was a school teacher prior to her marriage, and to them were born four children, of whom one died in infancy ; Franklin W. is mentioned more fully below; E. Amanda married Rev. Richard Varcoe; and Laura E. is mentioned below. The mother died October 4, 1886, aged sixty-eight years, the father March 2, 1892, aged seventy-eight years and eleven months. They belonged to that class of early settlers who, by their thrift, industry, energy and honesty, ac- complish so much for the development and pros- perity of a community. For thirty-seven long years the father held membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church of Honesdale, and for thirty-five years of that time he held some office in the Church, most of the time being either steward or class-leader. On August 26, 1872, he severed his connection with that congregation and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bethany, Wayne county, in which he retained membership until his death. He . always took an active and prominent part in all Church work, and his upright, honorable life won for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact.

Mrs. Catherine (Pierce) Doney was born August 30, 1818, in Sullivan county, N. Y., young- est in the family of six children-three sons and three daughters-born to Joseph and Elisabeth Pierce. Her father died when she was fourteen months old, leaving the family in comfortable circumstances, but the mother married again, and the stepfather, through bad management, lost all the property. The mother died when Catherine was ten years old, and thus the children were left orphans, and with- out means, at a period when life should have been most joyous and happy. The eldest son, William, died at the age of forty. The other two brothers, it is worthy of note, rose from their poverty to po- sitions of affluence, and Daniel Pierce, now the only survivor, is a millionaire. John Pierce left an estate valued at seventy-five thousand dollars.

Though separation could not be avoided, the brothers and sisters helped one another all they could. Catherine ( Mrs. Doney ) was given a home bv an uncle, with whom she lived up to the age of eighteen, in 1836 coming to Wayne county, Penn., to live with her eldest sister. She taught school until her marriage, at the age of twenty, and she proved a true helpmeet to her husband. But her ambition was greater than her strength, her health failing at the early age of thirty, and from that time until her death-the long period of thirty- eight years-she never knew the blessing of health for a single day. Devoted to her family, she was able, with her powers of superior judgment and ability as a manager, to do as much, and more, for her children as many a mother in perfect health, and, ever hopeful of living, clung to the last to home and loved ones. Her many sweet traits of character, her supreme unselfishness and beautiful Christian life, all proved her trusting faith in God and how near she kept to the Savior.

Franklin W. Doney, only son of Richard and Catherine P. Doney, was born September 25, 1844, on the parental farm near Honesdale, and was reared there. At the age of seventeen years he left the old place and entered what was then known as the Hand & Kirtland store, in Honesdale, as clerk, from which position he was promoted to that of bookkeeper after two months. He was a great student, and outside of business hours would study far into the night. After remaining with the firm mentioned one year he was advised by the Doctor, on account of failing health, to seek a change of air. His mother's brother, Daniel Pierce, was a wealthy resident of Sycamore, lil. He had two daughters, Sarah P., Mrs. Wild, and Eleanor P., Mrs. Town- send, but no sons, and Franklin Doney, being a favorite of his, was invited to come West to them. For a time his uncle would not permit him to engage in any special work, hoping that rest, fresh air, rid- ing out over the prairies, etc., would go far to re- store his health. But his ambitious nature could not be satisfied thus for long, so his uncle gave him a position to write two hours a day in a grain com- mission house at fifty dollars per month, and al- though so young he applied himself so intently, and with such good results, that he worked himself up from that, with his uncle's assistance, to a partner- ship in a mercantile business in Malta, near Syca- more. He was thus engaged at the time of his decease, December 9, 1863, in Malta, at the early age of nineteen years, two months and fifteen days. That year he made a trip to Chicago, thence to New York, to buy goods, and thence to his home, his last visit being in August, 1863. On his return to the West he suffered another hemorrhage of the lungs, which proved fatal. Young Doney was the pride and comfort of his parents, and his death was a severe blow to all his relatives and many friends. He belonged to the Good Templars, and was proba- bly chaplain of his lodge, as he read a chapter in the

RICHARD DONEY

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---- ---- --

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Bible and offered prayer at the meeting a few evenings before his death. The officers of the order accompanied his body to Chicago, where it was placed in a metallic casket, and thence brought home and interred in the family lot in Glen Dyberry cemetery, Honesdale. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a society of young people, the Good Templars, sent beautiful resolutions to the family; they were unfortunately lost in the breaking up of the old home. Franklin Doney had, by his genial manner, won many warm friends, and by honesty and straightforward truthfulness established himself in a good business at an un- usually early age. He was, indeed, a "model" young man.

Laura E. Doney is the youngest of the four. children born to Richard and Catherine P. Doney. She was quite young when her sister married, and, her brother having died, she was the only child at home with her parents for twenty years, never leaving them except to attend school or visit. Hav- ing remained unmarried, she continued to live with her father after her mother's death, caring for him until he, too, passed away. She was alone with him when the end came. Miss Doney now makes her home in Waymart, living not far from her sister, Mrs. Varcoe. She is a devoted Church worker, belonging to the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination, giving generously of her means to the support of Church work and enterprises, and is an intelligent, useful member of the community in which she resides, respected by all who know her.

HENRY W. HOWARD, a representative and prominent citizen of Liberty township, Susquehanna county, was born there in March, 1828, and belongs to one of its most honored pioneer families, which was founded here in 1815 by his grandfather, Benajah Howard, a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., who located on Snake creek, near Lawsville.

Benajah Howard erected a log house upon his place, but only remained there a short time. He next purchased land at Brookdale, where he cleared and developed a farm. He was one of the first settlers at that place, and there made his home for a number of years, spending his last days, how- ever, with his son Grovener, in Bridgewater town- ship, his wife having died in Brookdale. In their family were five sons and two daughters, namely : (I) Moses married Delila Vance, and located on the west road in Liberty township, where he fol- lowed farming and lumbering for some years, and where he and his wife both died. Three of his children are still living-Mrs. Gage, of Brackney- ville, Penn. ; Charles, of Elmira, N. Y .; and Mrs. Whipple, near Elmira, N. Y. (2) Salem, born in Schoharie county, N. Y., married Sophrona Fish, and settled in Liberty township, Susquehanna county, but some time later removed to the oil fields of Mckean county, Penn., where he died. His daughter, Mrs. Caswell, is still living in Liberty township, and two daughters, Jane and Olivet, are

in the West. (3) Jotham C., born in Schoharie county, N. Y., married Olive Fish, of Liberty town- ship, where they lived for some years, thence moving to Bridgewater township, and finally to the town of Susquehanna, where he died in January, 1899, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His daughter, Mrs. McNally, lives in Susquehanna. (4) Grovener wedded Mary Holly, of Liberty township, where he engaged in farming until his death. He was killed while felling a tree. (5) Rebecca, born in Schoharie county, N. Y., married Elijah Fish, and after living in Liberty township for some years moved to Michigan, where she died soon after their arrival. Some of their children still reside in that State. (6) Chloe, born in Scho- harie county, N. Y., married George Inman, of Chemung county, that State, where she died in January, 1897, leaving a son, George, of Chemung county.

Otis Howard, our subject's father, completes the family. He was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., and was fifteen years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Pennsylvania. On reaching manhood he married Miss Sybil Fish, and located on a farm which he purchased in Liberty township. He cleared and improved the place, and the house that he erected there seventy-six yearsago is still in a good state of preservation. Later he bought property near Lawsville, on which he made the first improvements, and here he developed a fine large farm. On selling that place he purchased a tract of land near where our subject now lives, and with the assistance of his sons cleared it. His son Lewis located upon this farm and cared for his parents during their declining years, the father dy- ing there in 1888; the mother's death occurred in Binghamton, N. Y., in 1890. In their family were four sons and three daughters, all born in Liberty township. (1) Chloe married D. C. Marvin, of Liberty township, where he died some years ago; she is still living in that township with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Leonard Bailey. (2) Annetta married Jacob Drake, and moved to New Jersey, where her death occurred. (3) Mary wedded Wilmot Wan- dall, a farmer of Liberty township, where she died, leaving one daughter, Estella, who died when a young lady. (4) Rufus married Sarah Barnes, of Liberty township, and located on a part of his fa- ther's last farm. Some years later he sold his place, and moved to Conkling Forks, N. Y., where he now follows farming. He has three children- George, who is married and lives at the same place ; Alice, wife of George Marvin, of Binghamton, N. Y. ; and Omer ,also a resident of Binghamton. (5) Lewis married Jennie Coffin, and now makes his home in Binghamton. Of their children, Effie is the wife of George Lazier, of Liberty township; Ellery is married, and lives in Binghamton ; and Nellie died September 7. 1899. (6) Edwin died when a young man. (7) Henry W., our subject, completes the family.

In the schools of his native township Henry

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

W. Howard acquired his literary education, and during his youth he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for thirty years. in 1849 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Webster, a daughter of Joseph E. and Samantha Webster, early settlers of Liberty township. They began housekeeping in Lawsville, where he worked at his trade until 1876, and then traded his property in the village for the Webster farm, in Liberty township. He has remodeled the house, erected a large barn, and made many other improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place.

Mr. Howard has been called upon to mourn the decease of his estimable wife, who departed this life in 1872. Four children were born to them, namely: (I) Evelyn is the wife of Judson Van- hoten, now of Binghamton, N. Y., where they own a home. They have one son, Frederick. (2) Hettie is the wife of Morgan Williams, of Owego, N. Y., and has seven children, Dimon, Mary, Ern- est, Annie, Henry, Lizzie and Charles. (3) Willis died at the age of fourteen years. (4) Edgar, born in Liberty township, married lda Chapman, of Owego, N. Y., where he is working in a wagon shop; they have one daughter, Iva, and one son, Albert. Mr. Howard was again married, in 1873, his second union being with Mrs. Addie Bolles, a daughter of Daniel and Parmelia Blowers, of Franklin Forks, Susquehanna county, who during their last days found a pleasant home with our sub- ject, and there died. The only daughter born of this union, Daisy, was educated in the local schools. and was married, January 2, 1900, to B. J. Luce.

In early life Mr. Howard was identified with the Democratic party, but, believing the temper- ance question the most important issue before the people, he now casts his ballot with the Prohibition party. He has been a member of the election board, supervisor and auditor of his township, and school director, and his official duties have always been most capably and conscientiously performed. At the age of fourteen years he united with the Baptist Church; for over half a century has served as secretary of the Church, and has always taken an active and prominent part in Church and Sab- bath-school work, serving as superintendent and teacher for over thirty years. His influence is great, and always for good, and his upright, hon- orable life has gained for him the esteem and friendship of his fellow citizens.

COL. JAMES WEST, whose name is familiar as a breeder of high-class horses, was born April 30, 1839, in Philadelphia, Penn., and is a descend- ant of an old American family of Irish origin.

William and Ann (Osborn) West, the great- great-grandparents of our subject, lived at Clover Hill, near Sligo, Ireland. Their sons William (2) (the Colonel's great-grandfather) and Francis, and a daughter of the latter, came to America about 1755, William settling in Philadelphia. Francis be-

came Colonial judge of Cumberland county, Penn., and his remains are interred at Carlisle, that coun- ty. He died in 1786. His daughter Ann married Col. George Gibson, and they were the parents of Chief Justice Gibson. William West (2) was born in 1724 in Sligo, Ireland, and after coming to the United States lived at Philadelphia and White- marsh, Penn., conducting a mercantile business in the former city for many years; he was succeeded by his sons Francis (2) and John. He married Mary Hodge, daughter of William Hodge. Will- iam West was one of the original members of the First City Troop of Philadelphia, a cavalry organ- ization, and took an active part in the Revolution- ary war, serving as quartermaster in the American army. He was one of the original members of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, an Hibernian society, of which he served as vice-president from 1773 to . 1774, and as president from 1774 to 1776. Fran- cis West (2), the Colonel's grandfather, was born in 1761, and died in June, 1843. He was a man of considerable prominence in Philadelphia, and served as a member of the city council from 1793 to 1796. He was a member of the First City Troop, Hiber- nian Fire Company. Francis West married Mary Davis Nixon, daughter of Col. John Nixon, who served as an officer in the Revolutionary war and was the first man to read the Declaration of Inde- pendence in public, the event taking place July 8, 1776. Francis and Mary D. West had nine chil- dren, viz .: Mary O., Elizabeth, William, John, Ann, James ( father of our subject), Helen, Francis and Caroline. John became an officer in the navy ; William settled in Virginia ; Francis became a noted physician of Philadelphia, and attended John Ran- dolph in his last illness.

James West was born in 1802, at No. 108 Front street, Philadelphia. He went to sea when quite young, his first voyage being to China, and followed that calling for many years, becoming cap- tain of merchant vessels plying between Philadel- phia and various foreign ports. He commanded one of Cope's packet ships, sailing between Phila- delphia and Liverpool, and later was captain of the steamer "Atlantic," of the Collins Line, the first American steamship line to Liverpool; he went to Washington and obtained the appropriation to carry the mail-the first under the American flag. He made over two hundred voyages, but lived retired for some time prior to his decease, which occurred in 1883. On November 16, 1835, he married Miss Ann Bell Welsh, who was born in 1804, in Phila- delphia, and preceded him to the grave, passing away at their home in Philadelphia. She was a woman of many virtues and fine character, and a .devout member of the Episcopal Church, where she and her husband worshiped for many years. Their family consisted of two children-Elizabeth and James (our subject ). Elizabeth West was born in 1837, in Philadelphia, and received a thorough edu- cation, after her graduation from the Philadelphia private schools finishing her literary training in

COL. JAMES WEST

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

London, England. On October 1, 1863, she mar- ried Cooper Smith, of Philadelphia, who died De- cember 8, 1893, and they had a family of three chil- dren, viz .: Mary Nixon, Mrs. J. Somers Smith ; Anna Curry, Mrs. Henry Paul Bailey ; and Wikoff Smith, unmarried.

James West obtained his elementary education in the private schools of Philadelphia. When a young man he entered the dry-goods house of David S. Brown & Co., as clerk, in 1860 transferring to the importing house of P. Brady & Co. When the Civil war broke out he answered the first call for three-months' men, with the City Troop of Phila- delphia, of which he was a member before the opening of hostilities. He afterward went to Port Royal, and was present at the taking of Fort Pulaski. In 1891 our subject became one of Gov. Pattison's staff officers, retiring in 1895, with the rank of colonel. After the close of the war he returned to Philadelphia for a time, in 1866 engaging in the dry-goods business in New York City, on his own account, and continuing same successfully until 1878. After his marriage, in 1884, to Mrs. Anna B. Rose, he settled on the property in Silver Lake township, Susquehanna county, where he has ever since resided. Their home is near the lake. Col. West has made numerous improvements on this tract, which comprises some twelve hundred acres, a large portion of which is under cultivation, has erected fine barns and other outbuildings, and de- votes himself to the pleasures of his farm and breed- ing. He is represented by the American Trotting Register as owning one of the best studs of trotting horses and colts in America, a reputation he has well earned, for he has, for a number of years, spared neither time nor money in the purchase and breed- ing of the best stock of American trotting horses. He now owns twenty-three head of fine stock. The Colonel's home and surroundings are replete with evidences of refined and cultured tastes. His wife is a lady well fitted to grace such a home, and they are held in high esteem among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. In religious connection Mrs. West is a member of the Baptist Church. The Colonel is an Episcopalian, having been reared in that faith, and he has always given liberally to Church work and religious enterprises. In politics he has always been identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a Freemason, holding membership with Philadelphia Lodge No. 506; he is a member of Four Brothers Post, G. A. R., of Montrose, Penn. ; and of the Sons of the Revolu- tion, his ancestors having served in that struggle.

Mrs. Anna B. West belongs to one of the prom- inent and early settled families of Silver Lake town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn., her grandparents, Zenas and Mary (Wright) Bliss, having migrated hither with their family in 1804, from Columbia, Tolland Co., Conn. They endured all the hardships and privations incident to life in an unsettled re- gion, doing their full share in opening up and im- 27

proving the section, and took an active part in the moral as well as the material welfare of the com- munity, living in Silver Lake until 1841, when they removed to Leroy, Bradford county. Zenas and Mary ( Wright) Bliss were the parents of eight chil- dren, and all the members of their family were noble men and women, filling worthily their respective stations in life. We have the following record of them: (I) Gordon, the eldest, died in New Ha- ven, Conn. (2) Horace was the father of Mrs. West. (3) Edwin settled at Waverly, Penn., near Scranton, where he died. (4) Chester studied medicine, he and his brother graduating in New York, and became an eminent physician at Leroy, Penn., afterward at Rochester, N. Y. (5) Clark, who also studied medicine, died at Elmira, N. Y., in early manhood, soon after he commenced prac- tice ; he was a man of high character. (6) Ange- line and (7) Mary died unmarried at the home of their father in Leroy, Penn. The father of this family passed away January 26, 1861, in Leroy, Penn., in the ninety-fourth year of his age, and we quote the following from the Bradford Argus, which bears testimony to the esteem in which he was held :

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 1, Part 98

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