Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 11

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1098

USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 11
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 11

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On January 10, 1846, Mr. Bennett married Miss Rosannah M. Kinne, daughter of Alonzo Price and Polly ( Manzer) Kinne, and four children were born to their union: ( 1 ) Sarah E., born May 10, 1847, married October 6, 1867, John Felton, a farmer in Gibson township, and they have had four children, Edwin, Herbert, Mamic and Bennie. (2) Ella L., born September 5. 1851, married, on July 4. 1876, Charles Ross, a farmer and merchant at Burnwood, now serving as postmaster, and they have had three children, Bertha, Cora and Bessie. (3) Polly E., born March 28. 1854. married. on November 20, 1875, Cornelius Pickering, a well-to- do farmer. (4) Julia M., born April. 28. 1858, married. on October 10, 1877. Oscar Hines, a farmer in Ararat township. Susquehanna county, and they have had two children, Estella and Ethiel.

Mrs. Bennett, who has had charge of the homestead since the death of her husband. is a most capable business woman, and is much respected in the community. She is a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. Her father. A. P. Kinne, of whom a sketch follows, resides with her. receiving tender and devoted care in his declining years.

ALONZO PRICE KINNE. an honored pio- neer agriculturist, is now living in retirement in

Gibson township, Susquehanna county, after a life of well directed industry. Three farms in Sus- quehanna county, one in Rush and two in Gibson, have been redeemed by him from the wilderness, yet notwithstanding his years of toil he enjoys good health, and at the advanced age of ninety-three still takes an active interest in affairs. He was born April 21, 1806, at Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., and is of New England ancestry. David Kinne, his great- grandfather, was a resident of Connecticut, and David Kinne (2), his grandfather, was born and reared there, but removed to New York State, where he engaged in business as a rope manufacturer. Asa Kinne, our subject's father, was born in Rhode Island, and for some time resided in Otego, N. Y., but in 1848 he located in Bradford county, Penn., intending to follow farming and rope manufactur- ing. He was an excellent citizen, and for many years was a devout member of the Six Princi- ple Baptist Church. He died in 1848, aged sixty- six, and his wife, Elizabeth Joslin, passed away in the same year at the age of sixty-eight, their re- mains being interred in the Wyalusing cemetery. The Joslin family were also of good Connecticut stock, and Henry Joslin, our subject's maternal grandfather, was a native of that State, but became a well-known farmer and rope manufacturer at Otego, N. Y. Asa and Elizabeth Kinne had four children, as follows: Henry, who died in Brad- ford county; Jerusha, who married Samuel Steers and died at Burlington, N. Y .; Alonzo P., our sub- ject ; and Pattie, who died at Otego, N. Y., aged twenty-two years.

Our subject remained with his parents until his marriage. At the age of seventeen he began to learn the business of manufacturing cloth. serving an apprenticeship of three years at Otego. Later he was employed for several months in a factory on Soquet Creek, New York State, at $20 per month, and for one year he conducted a farmi for his father-in-law. The next two years were spent in a cloth factory at Otego, but in 1830 hie removed to Susquehanna county with his wife and infant daughter, settling in Bridgewater township, just over the line from Wyalusing township. There he remained five years, being engaged in cloth dressing and carding wool, in which work he became known as an expert, and on removing later to Rush town- ship he spent three years in clearing and improving a farm. He has since made his home in Gibson township, and until he reached the age of seventy- eight was actively engaged in farming, but his years of leisurc have been passed in thic pleasant home of his daughter, Mrs. Rosannah Bennett. As an intelligent citizen he has always been inter- ested in politics, and the casting of his ballot has been regarded by him as a duty. He is a Repub- lican, and was formerly identified with the Know Nothing Order and the Loval League, his popular- ity being shown by his frequent election to local offices. He was the first recorder in Gibson town- ship, and served nine years as school director, four

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years as township assessor, eight years as collector, three years as deputy sheriff under Sheriff E. Green during the Civil war, and for one year he was con- stable, but declined to serve longer. As long as a Six Principle Baptist Church was maintained in his locality he was an active member, and he has since attended the services of the other denomina- tions. On May 11, 1826, he was married, at Otego, N. Y., by Elder John Bostick, to Miss Polly Man- zer, and three children were born of this union : (1) Lawrence M., born May 1, 1827, died Septem- ber 8, 1828. (2) Rosannah M., born August 17, 1829, married Edwin B. Bennett, deceased, and re- sides in Gibson township. (3) Lorenzo A., born February 6, 1833, died April 2, 1862, serving in the Union army at Ironton, Mo. Mrs. Polly ( Manzer ) Kinne was born January 2, 1805, in New York State, daughter of Lawrence and Polly ( Price) Manzer. She died April 1, 1883, after fifty-seven years of happy wedded life, and her remains now rest in the cemetery at South Gibson.

JEROME T. STOCKER, one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of Salem township, Wayne county, was born there February 8, 1844, a son of Albert and Lydia R. ( Peet) Stock- er.' He has followed many of his kindred to the grave, and of his own family there remain only his brothers R. M. (a well-known lawyer of Hones- dale) and J. D. (a merchant of Jermyn, Penn.). Among these brothers there exists the best of feeling, no family feud having ever entered.

Mr. Stocker's boyhood was spent in helping his father clear land, and in working on the farm, during the summer, while during the winter months he pursued his studies at the East school house, where he received a good common-school educa- tion. At he age of twenty he began teaching, and successfully followed that profession in different parts of Wayne county for several winters. In 1865 he attended the graded school at Honesdale, under C. B. Shaw. and two years later was a student in the Normal School at Waymart, under Jerry E. Hawker. At the age of eighteen he had a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism, and when hc was drafted, two years later. for service in the Civil war, his father, fearing that the exposure incident to camp life would make a cripple of him, paid $900 for a substitute to take his place in the army, without asking an examination or attempting to get him clear. The son then decided to remain near his parents as long as they lived. In 1865 his fa- ther gave him a deed to fifty acres of heavily tim- bered land on the Hawley road, near the oldl home- stead, and he at once began the arduous task of clearing up a farm and making for himself a home. .

On May 14, 1868, Mr. Stocker married Miss Emmer F. Walker, a daughter of John B. and Elmira ( Tiffany) Walker. By hard work and economy they succeeded in clearing the farm, placed it under a high state of cultivation, erected good buiklings thereon, and set out an orchard.

In connection with the cultivation and improvement of his land Mr. Stocker continued to engage in teaching school for a number of years, and also fol- lowed lumbering, but later he gave his entire time and attention to farming, also buying and selling stock. In 1883 he erected a store, stocked it witlt general merchandise, and by honest, upright deal- ing built up a good trade. At his request the gov- ernment established a post office at that place, and on January 18, 1886, he was appointed postmaster, and the office given the name of Peetona. Shortly afterward he succeeded in getting a daily mail.

On December 12, 1893, there came to Mr. Stocker the greatest sorrow of his life, in the death of his estimable wife. By the aid of hired help he kept his home and carried on his business. He was again married, April 20, 1897, his second union being with Mrs. Lucy E. Walker, nec Abbey, a daughter of Anson and Clarissa Abbey, of Salem township. His stepdaughters, Blanche and Mae, live with them; the former, who is seventeen years of age, graduated from the State Normal School of East Stroudsburg in 1899; and the latter, now aged fifteen, is attending school at Hamilton, Wayne county.

Mr. Stocker is a firm believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and contributes freely of his means to the support of different denominations, while his home is open to all of God's ministers, and has often been styled the "Ministers' Hotel." His wife and daughters are members of St. John's Episcopal Church. Mr. Stocker is a strong advocate of temperance. In po- litical sentiment he is a Democrat, and believes in the free coinage of silver. In his tastes and habits he is thoroughly domestic, believing there is no place like home. He is a disciple of Izaak Walton, being fond of the rod and gun. Although com- paratively a young man, he has lived to see all of the old settlers pass away, and to see the eastern part of Salem township changed from a dense forest to happy homes and fine farms. While he has held minor offices in his township, he has never sought political honors, and the aim and ambition of his life is not to become rich, or to receive the honors of this world, but that the world shall be better for liis having had being in it. Although life has not been all sunshine, lic yet feels that "goodness and mercy" have followed him all the days of his life. [ For ancestry sec Stocker Family, elsewhere.]

GEORGE WASHINGTON BROWNELL. who is practically living retired upon his farm at West Clifford, was born in Clifford township. Sus- quehanna county, May 31, 1838, and is a son of George and Amy (Arnold) Brownell. natives of Rhode Island. His paternal grandfather, George Brownell, was a native of Ireland, and his grand- mother of Long Island. The Brownell family was founded in this country by three brothers, who sep- arated after their arrival here. Our subject's mia- ternal grandfather. Joseph Arnokl, was a native of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Connecticut and an early settler of Clifford town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn. The father came alone to this region in 1818, but a year later was joined by his parents and their large family, who nrst located on the present site of Lonsdale or Royal post office, Susquehanna county, where they took up 300 acres of land, only fifteen acres of which had been cleared. In Clittord township his parents spent their last days. In connection with farming, George Brownell, father of our subject, conducted a hotel at Lonsdale ( then known as Brownellsville ) for many years. He supported the Republican party and held township offices, but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. In relig- nous faith he was a Universalist and his wife a Bap- tist. He died at Dundaff in July, 1868, at the age of sixty-eight years, and she in Lenox township, in 1892, at the age of seventy-eight. The remains of both were interred in Clifford cemetery. Their children were Joseph, a carpenter of Carbondale, Penn .; Sarah A., who first married Samuel Will- iams and second John Coyle, of Lenox township ; George W,, our subject; Emma J., deceased wife of Nelson Coleman; Emeline, who first married Dr. Olmstead, of Dundaff, and second Byron Clark, of Carbondale, Penn .; Agnes, deceased wife of Syl- vester Wells; and Lafayette, a carpenter of Dun- daff.

During his boyhood and youth George W. Brownell assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and was still under the parental roof when the Civil war broke out. He was drafted, and at Clifford, October 16, 1862, joined Company B, 177th P. V. I., under Capt. B. F. Gardner. He participated in several skirmishes, but in no regular battles. For four weeks he was confined to the hospital at Suffolk, Va., with fever, and was hon- orably discharged at Harrisburg, Penn., August 5, 1863. After another year spent upon the home farm he located on a farm at Lonsdale, which he operated for one year, and then removed to his pres- ent farm of forty acres, which he has successfully managed ever since. He takes quite an active in- terest in educational affairs and has efficiently served as school director for three years. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

On November 1, 1864, at Lenoxville, Mr. Brownell was united in marriage with Miss Maria Bennett, and they became the parents of two chil- dren: George W., born January 20, 1866, married Allie Doud ( by whom he has one daughter, Edna ), and is engaged in farming in Lenoxville : and Nel- lie, born April 4, 1868, is the wife of Andrew Chamberlain, a farmer of Clifford township. Mrs. Brownell was born in Lenox township March 12. 1846, a daughter of Benjamin and Emeline ( Payne ) Bennett. Her father, who was a blacksmith by trade, died at West Clifford, in 1893, at the age of seventy-eight years, and was buried in Clifford cemetery, but her mother, who was born in Feb- ruary, 1823, is still living with a son in Lenoxville.

Their children were Maria, wife of our subject ; Nettie, who first married Wallace Ransom and sec- ond Albert Rood; Hulda, wite of Worcester Churchill, a farmer of Clifford township; Mary, wife of Edgar Knickerbocker, a farmer ot the same township; Walter, a blacksmith of Lenoxville; and Charles, a blacksmith of Scranton, Penn. Mrs. Brownell's paternal grandparents were John and Margaret (Lott) Bennett, natives of Orange coun- ty, N. Y., and early settlers of. Susquehanna county.

MRS. IDA BRUTZMAN KORTRIGHT, a highly-esteemed resident of Stroud township, Mon- roe county, is an admirable representative of the business woman of to-day, and since the death of her lamented husband, Francis E. Kortright, she has managed her homestead with rare skill and ability. Notwithstanding her successful ventures in the world of business, she has not relinquished in any degree the wholesome activities of domestic and social life, and her excellent qualities of char- acter have won the respect of all classes in the com- munity.

Mrs. Kortright is descended from good pio- neer stock, her grandfather, Adam Brutzman, hav- ing settled in Smithfield township, Monroe county, as early as 1798, and he and his wife Susan were prominent among the old-time residents. This worthy couple had nine children, of whom George Brutzman, Mrs. Kortright's father, was the young- est ; the others were: Joseph, deceased; William, who died unmarried; Sarah; Elizabeth; Henry ; Frederick, who died in May, 1898; Julia A .; and Mary A.

George Brutzman was born July 22, 1831, in Smithfield township, where he grew to manhood. In 1854 he married Miss Louise Brown, daughter of John and Jane ( Posten) Brown, the latter a descendant of a Revolutionary soldier by the name of Posten, who was among the first settlers of Mon- roe county. After his marriage Mr. Brutzman purchased his father's old homestead, where he still resides. He has made many improvements upon the property, and has always been regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of his locality. In politics he is a Democrat and he is active in relig- ious work as a member of the Methodist Church. His estimable wife died April 26, 1898. mourned by a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Kortright, the only child, was born in 1856, and received an excellent education in the public schools near the homestead and the more ad- vanced schools of Stroudsburg. In 1882 she mar- ried Francis E. Kortright, who was born in Mon- roe county in 1849, near Bushkill, the son of Daniel and Mary Kortright, natives of New Jersey, and carly settlers near the junction of the Bushkill and the Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Kortright made their home in Stroud township, where his father had purchased a farm in 1866, for fourteen years. Mr. Kortright's death occurring there in 1896. He was a mian of excellent character and was much respected

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in the community. While he never aspired to offi- cial honors he was a stanch Democrat throughout his life, and in a quiet way worked for the success of his party. He left one son, Chester B., who was born July 25, 1885, and is now attending the local schools.

PICKERING FAMILY. Few if any families in Susquehanna county are more truly representa- tive of the early pioneer years than the Pickerings. In 1795 two brothers, Jotham and Phineas Pick- ering, left their home in Mendon, Mass., and set- tled in the wilderness in what is now New Milford township. In 1796 they removed to what is now Gibson township.

Jotham Pickering, with his wife, Alsie, and family, located in the wilderness on a 100-acre tract now known as the Ira Washburn farm, between Smiley and Kennedy Hill, and Phineas settled at Gelatt Hollow. Jotham changed his location in order to be near the family of Capt. Potter, the only other settler in the locality at the time, who had lo- cated near Kennedy Hill -- the first portion of the township to be occupied, in order that by uniting the two families school advantages for the children might be obtained. There were no mills nearer than Wilkes Barre. Wolves at night filled the sur- rounding forests with echoing howls, and the pierc- ing screeches of the prowling panther were often heard. Jotham Pickering had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. By trade he was a car- penter. After his migration to Gibson township he remained there until his death, which occurred in 1809, when he was about fifty years of age, and he was buried in a private cemetery in Gibson town- ship. He had five sons and four daughters, as fol- lows: Henry, who migrated to New Hope, Brown Co., Ohio; John, a farmer and sawmill owner of Nicholson township; Preserved, who is mentioned below; Corbet, born in 1797, who married Tamar Dermy, and died in Gibson township, in 1876; Pot- ter, who died in Glenwood; Leah, wife of William Tripp, of Gibson ; Mrs. Aden Cramer, of Clifford township; Nabby Ann, wife of Henry Miller, of Gibson; and Polly, wife of James Waterman, of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county.

Phineas Pickering. the brother of Jotham, set- tled in Gelatt Hollow, where he died. He had three sons-Augustus. Jotham ( who died at Star- rucca November 24. 1899), and John B. : and three daughters-Flora, wife of Jones Isabell; Sophia, wife of Henry Barriger : and Almira Ann, Mrs. George Jenning.

Preserved Pickering, son of Jotham and Alsie Pickering, was born at Mendon, Mass .. August 29. 1795, was brought by his parents to Susquehanna county in infancy, and was reared in Gibson town- ship, becoming a farmer and carpenter: his farm was situated not far from the present home of George H. Pickering. On December 24, 1818. he married Miss Anna Whitney. and they began mar- ried life on the old farm, in 1829 moving to the farm

now owned by his grandson, Henry D. Pickering. He died March 24, 1866, aged seventy-one years : his wife, who was born July 26, 1796. died in 1876. aged eighty years, their remains being interred in Union Hill cemetery, Gibson township. Both were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pickering was a Republican in political senti- ment. To Preserved and Anna Pickering were born seven children, namely: William, born De- cember 27, 1819, married Mary Tiffany, and died in Gibson township, September 20, 1883; he served in the Union army during the Civil war. George H., born December 17, 1823, is mentioned below. Frederick L., born September 20, 1826, married Frances Wellman, and died at Susquehanna De- cember 8, 1855. Eliza Ann, born April 29, 1831, died aged two years. Charles F., born April 23. 1833, married . Vilena Gelatt, and died March 8, 1878, in Thompson. Eliza Ann (2), born May 7. 1835, died January 1, 1861, in Gibson township. Sarah J., born December 27, 1837, died at Uniondale November 25, 1872; she married James F. Craft. of Oneonta, N. Y., who served four years and two months in Battery A, First Pennsylvania Light Ar- tillery. [The Whitney family to which Mrs. Anna Pickering belonged is mentioned elsewhere.] .

George H. Pickering, a well-known resi- dent of Gibson township, Susquehanna county, and one of its native-born citizens, has been identi- fied for many years with the business interests of the locality; he is at present living in retirement upon his pleasant homestead. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two and when eighteen began working at carpentering with his father. On leaving home he settled upon his present farm, and, with the exception of ten years ( 1861 to 1871) spent in Gelatt Hollow, oper- ating a gristmill, has been engaged in agriculture ever since, devoting some time, also, to lumbering. He resided on the homestead ten years, but returned to his present place in 1874. As a good citizen he has taken an active part in local affairs, for eleven years held the office of assessor, and for two years that of constable. In politics he is a Republican. On January 30, 1847, he was married, by Rev. George N. Tood, to Elvira M. Payne, who was born April 10, 1815. in Greenfield. Lackawanna county, and they had two children : (1) Henry D. is men- tioned below. (2) Elizabeth R., born March 26. 1849, was married May 9. 1866, to William W. Pope. a furniture manufacturer of Gibson town- ship, and has two children, Bertha and Gracie. Mrs. Elvira M. (Payne) Pickering resides in Gibson township. Susquehanna county, with her son, Henry D. On April 29. 1877. the father formed a second union. with Mrs. Elizabeth ( Hincs) Howell.

HENRY D. PICKERING, a successful business man of South Gibson, son of George II. and Elvira M. Pickering, was born near Johnson Bridge, Gib- son township. December 17, 1847. He remained on the home farm until sixteen years old, and at that age enlisted at Binghamton, N. Y., January 11,

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1864, in Company F, 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served to the close of the war, participating in many of the most stubbornly contested engagements that were fought during that period. He was in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Beth- esda Church, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Fort Steadman, and at the siege of Petersburg; his was the first regiment directly in front of the explosion. He was discharged at Fort Reno, D. C., June 22, 1865. Returning home, he attended school to the age of nineteen years, then taught school one win- ter on East Mountain and worked on the farm in summer. At the age of twenty-one he taught one winter at Gelatt.

Our subject was married, in Gibson, February 9, 1869, by Rev. G. R. Hair, a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, to Miss Estella M. Howell, who was born in Gibson township, September 22, 1853, daughter of Curtis and Julia A. ( Steenback ) How- ell. Curtis Howell, now a retired farmer of South Gibson, was born in Wayne county, Penn., May 4, 1819, and .in 1824 came with his parents, Israel and Olive ( Madison) Howell, natives of Long Island and Vermont, respectively, to Smiley's Hol- low, Gibson. Israel Howell was a hatter by trade, which he followed in connection with farming. . He died in 1874. His children were Henry, deceased ; Curtis; Harriet, Mrs. Charles Fuller, of Sullivan county, Penn .; Freelove, who died young ; Rebecca, who married Alfred Hincs, and is now deceased ; Betsy A., Mrs. William Tarbox, of Wayne coun- ty; Silas, a farmer of Gibson township; Nevin, de- ceased; Elizabeth, who married George Potter, and is now deceased; David, who is deceased; and Charles, a resident of Gibson township. Curtis Howell married in Gibson township, June 15, 1841, Julia A. Steenback, who was born in Gibson township, July 5, 1825, daughter of Silas and Fanny (Denny) Steenback, of Orange county, N. Y., and to them were born four children, namely: Lucy A., wife of C. W. Davis, a farmer of Gibson town- ship; John S., a farmer of Gibson township; Edwin N., a farmer of Gibson township; and Estella M., wife of our subject.

To Henry D. and Estella M. Pickering have been born two children: Jennie M., born January 4, 1870, is the wife of J. H. Pritchard, of Gibson township. Ben B., born December 3, 1872, mar- ried Hattie M. Ball; they live on the Preserved Pickering homestead, and have three children- Charles E., Marian and Howard.

After his marriage, in 1869, our subject en- gaged in farming for one year in Gibson township. He then rented, and for six months opcrated, a gristmill at Gelatt. Going on the road as a sales- man for silverware and jewelry, he continued in . that employment until 1875, when he returned home and purchased his father's homestead. This hc left in charge of his family, and continued to travel until 1886. In that ycar he purchased, in partner- ship with T. C. Manzer, the Eymicr stick factory, which they operated for six months. Selling out in the spring of 1887 our subject came to Southi

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 11

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1098

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1098