Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 22

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 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 22

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PATRICK T. IRVING. Railway companies are jealously careful of the ability and faithfulness of their employes, and the men who rise from the ranks to positions of wide responsibility are with rare exceptions individuals who possess superior claims to promotion. "Pat" Irving, as he is famil- iarly known at Oakland borough, Susquehanna county, his home, has for many years been boiler inspector in the Susquehanna shops of the New York & Erie Railroad Co. That he deserves the promotions that have come to him is universally recognized, and few, if any, men in Oakland are better liked than he.

Our subject was born at Piermont, N. Y., in 1855, a son of Thomas and Johanna ( Foley ) Irving, who were natives of County Cork, Ireland, born in 1835 and 1837, respectively. They came when young to New York, where they married, and Thomas Irving became a brakeman on the Eastern New York Division of the Erie road. He later moved to Susquehanna, and worked on the Delaware Division for some years. He then entered the shops and learned the trade of boiler maker, which he followed until his retirement from active hfe. He purchased real estate in the town of Susque- hanna, where he and his wife still reside in happy old age. To Thomas and Johanna Irving were born twelve children, of whom our subject is the eldest. (2) Dennis, born in Susquehanna in 1857, died in boyhood. (3) John, born at Susquehanna June 27, 1863, died in Brooklyn when a boy. (4) Mary died in girlhood. (5) William J. died in boyhood. (6) Nicholas became a fireman on the Erie railroad, and died when a young man. (7) Cornelius, born in Susquehanna May 18, 1865, had the advantage of the parochial schools. When young he learned the trade of boiler maker, took up railroading, and ran on the Jefferson branch for a number of years. He died in early manhood, leav- ing many friends among his young companions. (8) Ellen died in childhood. (9) Nora, born Novem- . ber 17, 1875, in Susquehanna, was a graduate of the Laurel Hill Academy, class of '92, and then held several responsible positions with different firms in her town. Although she died in young women- hood, her short lite was filled to overflowing with love and charity for all. Iler's was truly a Chris- tian life. Her one desire was to serve her Divine Master, and how well she served Him was known by all. The sweetness of her disposition. and mod- est. unassuming manner, were the sunshine of her home, and gained friends for her everywhere. Her pleasant smile and cheery greeting will long be re- membered and sadly missed by those who knew her in life. (10) Edward died in childhood. ( II) Thomas was born in Susquehanna September 19, IS;I, was educated in the parochial schools, and when young entered the Erie store as clerk. remain- ing four years. He then entered the shops as a machinist apprentice, finishing his trade in 1895, and has since been employed in the shops, remain-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ing with his father and mother at the old home in Susquehanna. He is a young man admired for his many good qualities. (12) Agnes, born July 24, 1873, was edueated in the parochial schools, is at home, and is one of the admired young ladies of her town.

Patrick T. Irving, our subjeet. grew up in Sus- quehanna, attending the home schools. In Decem- ber, 1868, he entered the New York & Erie railroad shops, as apprentiee to the boiler trade, which he completed at the age of nineteen years. He then received full wages as a journeyman workman until 1888, when he was promoted to the position of in- spector,. which he still holds with the company.

On November 5, 1878, Mr. Irving married Johanna McCarthy, of Susquehanna, daughter of John and Catherine MIcCarthy, old and prominent residents of that city. Mrs. Irving was born in Sus- quehanna December 20, 1858, and was educated in the home schools. After his marriage our subject purchased real estate in Oakland,. where he erected one of the fine homes of that borough, having every modern improvement and convenience. To him- self and wife have been born five children, namely : Katie, born July 16, 1879, who was edueated in the Laurel Hill Academy, graduating in the class of '96, and is a young lady of culture, well advanced in musieal studies; Thomas, born February 2, 1883, a student in the high sehiool of his town ; John, born April 17, 1886; William, born July 17, 1888; and Robert, born February 3, 1892.

Politically Mr. Irving has always been identi- fied with the Demoeratie party. He has served as town councilman and as inspector of the election board. In religious connection he and his family are members of the Catholic Church, to which his parents also belong.

Patrick T. Irving is deserving of special men- tion in this work as a young man of more than ordi- nary ability. Commencing his work in the shops early in life. he made his way upward year by year, until he now fills an important position. He start- ed life a poor boy, but liis constant application and many good qualities brought him favorably to the consideration of the company. He holds the es- teem and confidence of his employers, and is asso- ciated in their business as a first-elass mechanic. His home is a model of neatness, comfort and lux- ury, and his family are esteemed and respected by all who know them.

RICHARD T. GILLESPIE. Among the rep- resentative leading farmers and stock raisers. of Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, who thoroughily understand their business, and pursue their chosen vocation in a methodical and work- manlike manner, is the subject of this biography. He was born in that township, June 4, 1838, and comes of a good old Scottish family.

John and Jane ( MeMichael , Gillespie, the parents of our subject, were born. reared and edu-

cated in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, where their mar- riage was celebrated. In 1828 they erossed the broad Atlantic and took up their residenee in Great Bend township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., the father for some years working for Judge Thompson, an uncle of Mrs. Gillespie, who gave to the young couple 200 acres of land in Great Bend township, near the New York State line. To the improve- ment and cultivation of this place Mr. Gillespie de- voted his time and attention until his death, in 1876. Acre after acre of the land he eleared and placed under eultivation, and erected thereon good and sub- stantial buildings. His wife died in 1854. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Chureh, with which she united in her younger days, was greatly respected and loved by her friends and neighbors, and by her death her pastor lost a firm friend. Mr. Gillespie, although not a member, at- tended the same Church as his wife, and aided in its support. As one of the early settlers of the town he was looked up to and honored in his life, and sineerely mourned at his death. This worthy couple had the following ehildren: (1) James M., born in Scotland, in 1827, was edueated in the schools of Great Bend and Harford, Penn. Dur- ing the Civil war he was a member of a govern- ment construction corps, and remained in the serv- iee until peaee was restored. He is now one of the wealthiest eitizens of Neligh, Antelope Co., Neb., owning one square mile of land, under eultiva- tion, in that county, and resides on the home farm with his daughter Josephine, who is unmarried, and makes a lovely home for her father. (2) Will- iam, born in Great Bend township, in 1829, wedded Mary A. Leslie, of Harford, Susquehanna county, where they reside, as he owns two good farms there. He was a soldier in the Civil war, and took part in a number of battles. His children are Leslie, Mag- gie, Jennie, Clara, Thomas, James, Nellie, Jessie, Francis, Elizabeth and Anna. (3) Thomas. born in 1832, learned the wagon maker's trade with Grant Trowbridge, of Great Bend, and now resides at Kirkwood, N. Y. He owns one-half of the old Gillespie farm, and a fine and convenient house on Main street, Great Bend. He married Elizabeth Terboss, of Great Bend, who died in 1891, leaving two children, William and Nina. William was in the employ of the D. L. & W. Railroad Co. and was head man in their office at Binghamton for a num- ber of years. On aeeount of failing health he re- moved to Texas, and was in the railroad service there, but as his health continued to deeline he underwent an operation for spinal trouble at one of the Philadelphia hospitals. It was not a suc- cess, however, and he died soon afterward. at Kirk- wood, N. Y. Nina is the wife of Frank Atwood, of Great Bend, who was principal of the Hacketts- town sehools for a number of years, and is now superintendent of that county. They have one son, William. (4) Joseph, born in 1835, is employed in one of the leading clothing stores of Bingham-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ton, N. Y., and owns one of the fine residences of that city. He married Franees Styles, of Gibson, Penn., but has no children. (5) Richard T. is next in the family. (6) John, the youngest son, received a district school education, and when a young man entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, advaneing to the position of engineer and later conductor. He mar- ried Stella Turboss, of Great Bend, and in 1878 they removed to Antelope county, Neb., where he purchased land adjoining that of his brother, near Clearwater, and now owns a large amount of real estate there. His children are Lizzie, Jolın, Birdie, James, Nina, Pearl, Ritchie, Frank, Charles and Harlan ; the four older ones are married, and live in central Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie, hav- ing no daughters, adopted the daughter of Mr. Gil- lespie's brother William, Isabella, who married Fletcher Simons, of Wilkes Barre, and still resides there.

Richard T. Gillespie, our subject, was reared upon the home farmi, began his literary education in the local schools, and at the age of seventeen became a student in the Wyoming Seminary. When his school days were over he assisted his father in the operation of the farm for several years. In April, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Veniea Sinions, of Great Bend, whose parents were from New Jersey. She died in 1870, leaving one ehild, Bertha M., who was born in April, 1869. and was educated in the graded schools of Great Bend, where she graduated in the elass of '85. Later she completed a course in stenography and book- keeping at the Binghamton Business College, grad- uating in 1894. and she now holds a position as bookkeeper with the Grand Union Tea Co., in Bing- hamton, N. Y. She is a lady of culture and re- finement, and a great eomfort to her father in the home.

In January, 1878, Mr. Gillespie married Miss Flora A. Johnston, who was born April 6. 1843. in Hallstead, Penn., where she was educated in the higher schools. For some time she was one of the seeessful teachers in the district schools of Sus- quehanna county, and also taught in the graded schools of Montrose. She is a lady of marked in- telligence, and presides with gracious dignity over their beautiful home, so pleasantly located on the Susquehanna river. Her parents were J. B. and Phoebe Jolinston, prominent citizens of Hallstead. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have two sons, namely: Jolin, born in March. 1880, and James, born in Sep- tember. 1885, both students in the graded schools of Great Bend.

After his first marriage Mr. Gillespie had charge of the home farm until 1873, when he pur- chased the Oliver Trowbridge farm and hotel prop- erty, adjoining the village of Great Bend, where he now resides. Upon this place he has erected new buildings and remodeled others, and now has a fine two-story residence. supplied with all mod-

ern convenienees. He has also built a number of houses to rent upon this property. In connection with general farming he is quite extensively en- gaged in stoek raising and dairying, and for the latter purpose has a fine herd of mileh eows, ship- ping the milk to the New York markets. Although he is a pronounced Republican in politics, he has al- ways declined official honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. Re- ligiously he and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church, and they oeeupy an enviable position in the best social eireles of the community.

HON. GEORGE REED RESSEGUIE. This enterprising farmer and fruit grower of Harford township, Susquehanna county, was for three years a soldier in the Civil war, participating in some of the most stubbornly-contested engagements of the conflict, and was twice wounded. He made a most excellent military record.

Mr. Resseguie was born in South Gibson, Sus- quehanna county, February 1, 1839, son of Fitch and Mary ( Tewksbury) Resseguie, and grandson of Samuel Resseguie, who was the first permanent settler in South Gibson. Samuel Resseguie was a son of William Resseguie, of Fishkill, N. Y. In May, 1813, he brought his family to the wilder- ness, paying a Mr. Taylor $40 for a quit-claim deed for 400 acres. He erected a log cabin, having bark shingles held down by poles, and moved with his family into this rude dwelling. His quit-claim deed proving worthless, he bought 120 acres of land at $2 per aere, which he occupied until he passed away, in 1858, at the age of eighty-two years. He had married, at Norwalk, Conn., Freelove Disbrow, a native of Connecticut, and their children were: Fitch, Lewis. Aaron, William, Harrison, Nelson, Betsey, Cynthia and Sally.

Fitch Resseguie, the eldest child, was the fa- ther of our subject. He was born in 1804, and was reared in the backwoods home, developing the sturdy character of a pioneer and the generous hos- pitality which usually abounded in the early settle- ments. He married Mary Tewksbury, daughter of Jacob and Mary ( Reed) Tewksbury, natives of Vermont, who migrated in 1814 to Susquehanna county, settling in Brooklyn township. Fitch Res- seguie was a lifelong farmer of the Tunkhannock Valley. He was a charter member of the M. E. Church, and in the carly days his house and barn were always open for Church services. His noble wife, whose womanly and Christian graces were refining influences throughout the community, died in 1876, aged sixty-three years. Fiteh Resseguie died in 1800. aged eighty-six years. Their chil- dren were as follows: Charles W .. now deceased, , became editor of the Daily Transcript and Ledger of Susquehanna ; he married Angeline M. Wood- ward. Freeman T. was drowned at the age of sixteen years. George R. is our subject. Will- iam E., a merchant of South Gibson, married Helen

.. .

Carne Johnson Rosseque George Road Ressequie

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Denny. Mary D. is the wife of Jesse L. Holmes, an extensive farmer of South Gibson. Manly T., who married Vianna Piekering, died at the age of forty years.

George R. Resseguie, our subjeet, remained on the home farm until he attained his majority, as- sisting his father and receiving the education which the neighboring schools afforded. For one year he worked on a farm. On August 22, 1862, at New Milford, he enlisted in Company F, 141st Regiment P. V. I., Capt. H. F. Beardsley, for three years' service or during the war. He participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Cul- peper, Centerville, the Wilderness, etc. At Chan- cellorsville, May 3, 1863, he was severely wounded in the right hand with a minie ball, was taken to Harwood hospital, and thenee transferred to Mc- Clellan Hospital, Philadelphia, where he remained three months. Rejoining his regiment at Warren- ton, Va., he remained with his company until the final musterout, June 7, 1865, at Falls Church, Va., except a few days lost in consequence of a wound in the right shoulder received in the battle of the Wil- derness. He was promoted from the ranks to the office of sergeant, and on February 14, 1865, be- came first sergeant.

· After his discharge from the army our subject returned to his old home. He was married, in Jackson township, October 22, 1866, to Harriet M. Ehrgood, and to them were born four children: Graeie B., who died aged eleven years; Daisy D., who married Norman N. Howard, a bookkeeper of Scranton, Penn. ; Mary MI., wife of Fred E. Moore, a farmer and milk dealer of Harford; and Leo E., at home. On August 22, 1899, MIr. Resseguie mar- ried, for his second wife, Mrs. Carrie (Johnson) Briggs (widow of William J. Briggs), who was born July 29, 1860, in West Burlington, Bradford Co., Penn., daughter of Henry L. and Mary ( More- house) Johnson. Her father served in the Civil war as a member of the 207th P. V. I. Mrs. Res- seguie is an accomplished musieian, both vocal and instrumental, possessing a fine voice which has been thoroughly trained under various teachers of high standing. She pursued her earlier studies under Prof. Marsh, of Elmira, N. Y., where she formerly resided, and later was a pupil of Prof. Courtney, Mrs. Hattie Clapper Morris, and J. Harry Wheeler, in New York City, and of Campanari, in Boston. For several years she sang frequently in the Elmira Churches, subsequently for a time in St. Steven's Church, Washington, D. C., and filled various im- portant engagements, acquiring special reputation for lier fine powers of interpretation. She taught music for a number of years, being located for three years at Harford, Susquehanna county, where she had charge of the musical instruction in the State Soldiers' Orphans' School, and in this connection the Elmira Advertiser says: "The success which lias attended her efforts is another proof of her abil- ity as an instructor in vocal and instrumental music.

Her abilities as a vocalist are well known to many outside of Pennsylvania, and the management is to be congratulated in securing the serviees of such an accomplished musician and instruetor." Mrs. Resseguie had two children by her first marriage : M. Edna, who died when two years old; and Henry Jack, who lives with his mother.

Mr. Resseguie purchased and for four years operated the old Resseguie homestead in Gibson township. He then sold it to his brother Charles W. and in 1871 moved to his present farm of 163 aeres in Harford township, where in addition to general farming he is largely interested in fruit raising and dairy work; he has six hundred fruit trees on his fertile farm, and is an extensive grower of small fruits. Our subjeet is an agrieulturist of progres- sive ideas, and by his wide-awake methods has not only brought prosperity to himself, but has been a potent influence for advanced and improved methods throughout the community.

In 1885 Mr. Resseguie was elected a member of the State Legislature, serving with credit to himself and to the full satisfaction of his constitu- ents. He is a man of wide popularity, and has held almost all the local offices, including that of sehool director for six years. He is a prominent member of A. J. Ropper Post No. 452, G. A. R., at South Gibson. In politics he is a strong Re- publiean, in religious affiliation an active member of the M. E. Church of South Gibson. He has been especially active in the Harford Agricultural Soei- ety, of which he has served sixteen years as general superintendent, four years as vice-president, and two years as president.

NORMAN E. TRAVIS stands prominent among the well-to-do agrieulturists of Auburn town- ship, Susquehanna county, where he has had his home for a number of years. He was born Oeto- ber 7, 1846, at Meshoppen, Wyoming county, this State, son of James B. and Catherine (Wilcox) Travis, who were natives of Abington. Penn., and New York State, respectively.

Mr. Travis' grandfather, Zebulon Travis, was a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by oceupation. He died at Abington, Luzerne Co., Penn. His ta- ther. James B. Travis, born October 6, 1810, was also a farmer, and in an early day settled in Wyo- ming county, where he died March 26. 1859. He was buried near the West Nicholson church. For his first wife he married Phoebe Featherby, by whom he had three children: Eliza A., who mar- ried Jonas Stanton ; Elizabeth, who did not marry; and Phoebe C., wife of John Kaufman. all now deceased. llis second wife was Mrs. Catherine ( Wilcox) Palmatier, widow of Jolin Palmatier, who had four children by her first marriage: Rebecca, deceased: Henry, a farmer of Chenango county, N. Y. ; Isaac, of Scranton, Penn. : and Cal- ista, Mrs. Jacob Palmer, deecased. Her parents, Isaac and Freelove Wilcox, came from New York State

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

to Pennsylvania, settling at Peckville, Luzerne coun- ty. To James B. and Catherine Travis were born three children: Norman E .; Benjamin F., a miner, who was killed in IS98 in a rock cut at Scranton, Penn. ; and Freelove A., wife of Norman S. Brown, a farmer and beeman of Springville township ( he has 105 colonics of bees). The parents were act- ive members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Travis came to Susquehanna county with her son Norman E. in the spring of 1877, and remained here until her death, which occurred April 10, 1889; she was laid to rest in Newton cemetery, in Dimock town- ship. She was born March 30, 1809.

Norman E. Travis received his education in the public schools in the neighborhood of his boy- hood home, but he spent the greater part of his time on the farm, becoming skilled in agricultural work of all kinds at an early age. When fourteen years of age he began to support himself, working for farmers and on public works, and during the winter time in the lumber woods, continuing thus until his marriage, since when he has devoted him- self exclusively to farming. He rented land for nineteen years, and in the spring of 1877 came to Susquehanna county, for nine years residing in Dimock township. On January 1, 1889, he pur- chásed his present property in Auburn township, 'which comprises eighty-eight and one-half acres, and he has become well known in the neighborhood for his progress and thrift, deriving a good income from his farm as a result of judicious and capable management. Mr. Travis has always been identi- fied with the best interests of the community, and while in Dimock township he served for six ycars as school director, during five years of that time acting as secretary of the board. However, he has given strict attention to his private affairs. and is not an office-seeker. His political support is given to the Democratic party.

On April 1, 1871, Mr. Travis was married, in Auburn township, to Miss Lucy B. Robbins, and they have had two children. Harry J. and Lena M .. both of whom are still with their parents. The family are prominent members and workers of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Travis has been stew- ard for four terms. at different times. While in Dimock he was class-leader for four years.

Mrs. Lucy B. ( Robbins) Travis was born Oc- tober 11, 1850, in Montrose, Penn. Her grand- parents, Ephraim and Jane ( Wright ) Robbins, were natives of New Jersey and Philadelphia, Penn .. respectively, and came to Susquehanna county in 1830, passing the remainder of their days here. They were farming people. They located three miles east of Montrose, where she died in 1852, and Ephraim Robbins subsequently remoyed to Jessup township, where his death occurred in 1865. when lie was sixty-seven years of age. They had a tam- ily of four children : Mary, Mrs. William Melmish. deceased : Isaac W., father of Mrs. Travis: Elisha, deceased ; and Henry, living retired in Bridgewa-

ter township. Isaac W. Robbins was born in Tren- ton, N. J., September 20, 1818, came to Susquehanna county with his parents, and here married Miss Lucy A. Day, a native of the county, daughter of Robert and Lucy ( Bush ) Day; they were born in Rhode Island and Susquehanna county, Penn., re- spectively, and both died in Susquehanna county, where Mr. Day was engaged in farming. To Isaac W. and Lucy A. Robbins were born three children : Frank, who is a railroad engineer of Susquehanna, Penn. : Lucy B., Mrs. Travis; and Charles F .. de- ceased, of Susquehanna county. The mother passed away in Auburn township in August, 1870, at the age of fifty-two years, and her remains rest in the Bunnell cemetery. The father, who is now retired. makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Travis. He was a farmer and stone mason by occupation, and he is highly respected by all who know him.

SIMON MARCY. The man who possesses strong convictions, and lives up to them, not only gets more out of life than the individual of looser principles, but his influence in the community in which he lives is infinitely superior. Simon Marey. the subject of this sketch, evidently believes in well- doing, both in conduct and in the practical duties of life. Even a cursory inspection of his well-tilled acres reveals the presence of the principle that what- cver is worth doing is worth doing well. He has built miles of wall, he has greatly increased and im- proved his possessions, he has exemplified in a miost admirable manner the advantages of thoroughness as applied to farming.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 22

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