Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 23

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 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 23

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The family ranks among the pioneers of nortli- eastern Pennsylvania. John Marcy, the grandfa- ther of our subject, was a resident of Wyoming county. Simon Marcy. his father, was born in Wyoming county in 1812. He was reared on the farm, married Esther Phillips, and followed farm- ing until his death, which occurred at the age of twenty-eight years. His three children were: Olive, who died young: Angeline. wife of J. T. Bennett, of Lenox township; and Simon, our sub- jcct.

The latter was born in Lenox township May 17. 1839. He received a good common-school ed- ucation, and at the age of sixteen began working in the lumber woods in Lenox township. Three years later he came into the possession of a farm left by his father. Mr. Marey was married to Miss D. Clarinda Phillips, and has ever since engaged in farming in Lenox township. The original farm of seventy-five acres has been increased to 222 acres, about 125 acres of which is cleared, and the lumber- ing is chicfly the result of Mr. Marcy's labors. Be- sides general farming our subject is interested in dairying and in market gardening. He is not with- out his experiences in a business way, having trav- eled for several years as salesman for washing ma- chines, etc. In politics Mr. Marcy is a Republican. but has never sought office. To Mr. and Mrs.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Marcy have been born thirteen children, nine of whom survive; their names and dates of birth, etc., are as follows : Sidney, July 7, 1859; Emily, Feb- ruary 21, 1860; Fernando, March 5, 1863 (died August 5, 1863) ; Ferdinand, September 18, 1864; Nellie, March 10, 1867; James, August 13, 1868; Olive, June 12, 1870; Russel, December 8, 1872; Wellington and Walter, twins, December 21, 1874 (tlie former died March 16, 1876, the latter March 7, sanie year) ; Helen, November 12, 1877; Harry, October 14, 1879; Oscar, April 16, 1882 (died March 14, 1883).

THOMAS CAMERON. When twelve years of age the subject of this sketch came with his par- ents to Susquehanna county from his native city, Newburgh, N. Y., and here he has ever since re- mained, except when in the army during the Civil war. John Cameron, father of our subject, pur- chased the hotel property in the northeastern part of Lenox township, and the name of Cameron's Corners still clings to the place. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Scotland. and removed to the North of Ireland. There John Cameron, the father of our subject, was born. At the age of twenty-one he emigrated to America, and secured employment in Newburgh, Orange Co., N. Y., there marrying Mary Moore, who when a babe had been brought by her parents to America from Ireland, her native land. John Cameron removed from Newburgh, N. Y., to Lenox township, Sus- quehanna county, in 1852, and for many years con- ducted a hotel at Cameron's Corners. For three years prior to his death, in 1887, at the age of eighty- two years, he lived in Harford township, where he owned a farm of fifty acres. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. His widow now lives with our subject. The eight children of John and Mary Cameron were Thomas, our subject : Jolin, a carpen- ter of Wilcox, Elk county; Ellen, who married George Dun, of Lenox township, and is now de- ceased ; William, of Brooklyn township : Mary, wife of John Adams, of Kingsley; Sarah, who married G. W. Howell, of Carbondale: James, of Harford ; and Robert, a dentist of Meshoppen.

Thomas Cameron, our subject, was born in Newburgh, N. Y., November 18, 1840, and when twelve years old came with his parents to Susque- hanna county. He received a good common-school education. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Con- pany B, 177th P. V. I., serving about ten months, and after being mustered out, in August, 1863, he was in the government service for about eighteen months. At the close of the war he returned to Susquehanna county and engaged in carpenter and blacksmith work at Cameron's Corners until 1869, when he purchased a farm of eighty-one acres, about two-thirds of which was improved. He erected a home. cleared the remainder of the farm, and has since engaged successfully in general and dairy farming.

MIr. Cameron was married in South Gibson township, December 26, 1869, to Miss Sarah Wil- son, daughter of Peter Wilson, of Dallas, Luzerne county. To our subject and wife have been born the following named children: Byron T., a farmer of Lenox township : Jennie E., wife of J. E. Corey, of Lenox township; Gertrude M., at home ; and Albert J., at home. In politics Mr. Cameron is a Demo- crat. He is not an office-seeker, but for eighteen years has been postmaster at Lenox. He is a mem- ber of Capt. Lyons Post No. 85, G. A. R., and is one of the substantial and enterprising men of the township.

JOHN A. McCONNELL, an enterprising ag- riculturist of New Milford township, Susque- hanna county, is the first man in that locality to make a specialty- of growing berries for the mar- ket. and his success demonstrates the advantage of seeking new lines of effort instead of adhering closely to the old ways.

AIr. McConnell was born December 25, 1840, in Bangor, County Down, Ireland, and is a repre- sentative of the Scotch-Irish race which has pro- duced so many able and energetic workers in vari- ous lines. John McConnell, his grandfather, was a farmer in the North of Ireland, and he and his wife, Sarah ( McCollough), died there many years ago. David McConnell, the father of our subject, was born and reared in the North of Ireland, and was married there to Catherine McKee, daughter of John McKee, a weaver and farmer. Their chil- dren were all born in Ireland. In April, 1853, our subject's parents left the old home for America. and for a number of years they resided on a farm in Harford township, Susquehanna county. The father lost his eyesight in his later years, causing his retirement, and he passed away February 22, 1878, at the age of seventy-nine years, while on a visit to our subject. The mother died March 6, 1893, aged ninety, while visiting her daughter, MIrs. H. B. Tiffany. of Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county, and the remains of both now rest in the cemetery at New Milford. While in Ireland they united with the Presbyterian Church, and through- out their lives they commanded the respect of all who knew them by their consistent following of the Christian faith. They had a large family of chil- dren, as follows: Margaret, who married James Alexander. and died at Harford: Joseph, who died at the age of two years : Jolin A., our subject : Hugh. a farmer and blacksmith in Harford township; twin of Hugh, deceased in infancy; David. a harness maker at New Milford ; and Elizabeth, who married H. B. Tiffany, a farmer at Kingsley, Pennsylvania.

Our subject's youth was spent mainly in assist- ing his father in the work of the home farm. and at the age of twenty-five he took charge of the place for one year. He then operated the Nathan Aldrich farm, in Brooklyn township, for one year. and on March 28, 1868, he took possession of his present homestead, an attractive farm of fifty-two acres.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

As a good citizen he takes an intelligent interest in local affairs, is an active worker in the Republican organization, and has served two years as township assessor and held the office of school director for part of a term, resigning to take that of poor com- missioner, which he held for six years. Socially he and his family are prominent, and he is a leading member of the Methodist Church at New Milford, having served as trustee for many years. On Feb- ruary 14, 1866, he was married at Harford to Miss Ellen A. Aldrich, and two children have blessed the union : Nellie A. was a successful school teacher, having taught eight years prior to her marriage, June 28, 1899, to Joseph Mathews. Elmer F., resid- ing in New Milford township, married Bertha Mat- hews, and they have three children, Nelson John, Harold C., and Ellen Fay.

Mrs. Ellen A. ( Aldrich ) McConnell, to whose efficient aid much of her husband's success is due, was born March 1, 1843, in Harford township, Susquehanna county. She comes of good New England stock, her paternal grandfather, Nathan Aldrich, having been a native of New Hampshire, while his wife, Betsey Wheelock, was born in Mas- sachusetts. They came to Susquehanna county in 1814, with little or no capital, and after residing in Harford township for a few years settled in Brooklyn township, where they acquired a large estate. The grandmother died in 1869, in Susque- hanna county, and the grandfather married, for his second wife, a Mrs. Appley. Alanson Aldrich, the father of Mrs. McConnell, was born in Massa- chusetts, and came to Susquehanna county at the age of seven. He became a successful agriculturist, and died in Harford township, April 19. 1873, at the age of sixty-six. He was married in that town- ship to Miss Electa Loomis, a native of Coventry, Conn., born August 18, 1815, who when eight years old came to this section in 1823 with her parents, Eldad and Fannie (Jeffers) Loomis, to settle upon a farm in Harford township. She died March 26, 1895, her remains being interred in Harford town- ship beside those of her husband. Mrs. McCon- nell was the eldest of a large family of children. Of the others, Frank E. died in Harford township, aged twenty; Edna married Emerson C. Caperon, a farmer in Harford township: Lucy married C. A. Sterns, of Harford; Alvin, who married Emma Clark, of Sullivan county, Penn .. is a stock dealer in New Milford: Fanny married B. C. Tourje, a farmer near New Milford ; and William died at the age of three monthis.

GILES L. LEWIS. The sight of the high mountains and lofty hills naturally inspires high am- bitions, and the necessity of carving out one's own future amid such surroundings tends to build char- acters strong and simple and noble. Giles L. Lewis was born in Harford township. Susquehanna coun- ty. March 1. 1825, a son of Giles and Roxanna L. (Hammond) Lewis.

Giles Lewis, Sr., was born March 10, 1795, and ili early manhood became one of the soldiers in the war of 1812-a war that settled forever the inde- pendence of the United States. On January 13, 1820, Mr. Lewis was wedded to Roxanna L. Ham- mond, who was born November 30, 1804, and died in 1882. To this union came seven children : Mary A., born March 6, 1821 ; Samuel H., born April 2, 1823 ; Giles L. ; Roxanna C., born January 15, 1828; Elgiva O., born January 3, 1830; Ephraim W., born January 17, 1834; and Sally E., born June 6, 1836, all of whom except Sally are now deceased. After the death of her father Mrs. Lewis married Job Benson, who died in 1877.

Giles L. Lewis, the third child in the above- named family, received his education in the com- mon schools of the day. He remained at home until he was twenty-one, becoming a thorough ag- riculturist under the tuition of his father and the neighbors for whom he occasionally worked. He also learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it for many years. Many of the buildings in that vicinity have been the work of his hands, and the home now occupied by his widow was built for their home when they were married. He toiled faithfully in the daytime, but when the evening shadows fell, and the time was all his own, the na- ture of the man was made manifest, and he passed the time in reading and study, finally beginning the study of law. He continuing carpentering up to 1868, but early in the 'sixties he took up law and surveying as a business, and about 1868-1869 he started a general store and was appointed postmas- ter under Grant. This office he held through the changing administrations until 1884, when the Den- ocratic party came into power. In 1884 he gave up the store to his sons Charles M. and Frank W., who still continue the business. In addition to his other affairs Mr. Lewis also bought and sold land and icaned money. His position in the legal world was the natural outcome of his own efforts. For thirty- three years he held the office of justice of the peace, and in all those years he had but one decision re- versed. The same carefulness that characterized his management of his own affairs was given to all the work entrusted to him. He was the executor for a large number of estates, and served as guard- ian for several children. In the political world Giles L. Lewis was a powerful factor. He was identified with the Republican party, and was ever found a clear-headed adviser, and his uncompromis- ing integrity made him at once loyal to his party and to his manhood. He held at different times every office in the township, and after he had labored unceasingly for the erection of Thompson borough he became its first burgess. He served as delegate to county and State conventions, and constantly used his influence to the furthering of wise legisla- tion.

On April 24, 1853. Giles L. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Augusta M. Salsbury, and

G. L. Sociais

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the young couple went at once to the home built by Mr. Lewis. Four children gladdened their home: (I) James L., born March 28, 1854, died in in- fancy. (2) Charles M., born October 21, 1858, was educated in the common schools, and now, in partnership with his brother, owns the store. He married, on October 21, 1881, Bessie Leonard. In politics he is a Republican. (3) Sudie, born Jan- uary 21, 1861, died February 16, 1864. (4) Frank W., born May 21, 1870, was educated in the public schools, and also took a course in business col- lege at Binghamton, N. Y. He is now one of the partners in the store. For a time he, too, followed in the political footsteps of his father, but of late has been identified with the Prohibition party ; he is now serving as school director and auditor. On October 16, 1894, he wedded Miss Bertha Clark, a native of Green Grove, Penn., and they have become the parents of two children-Willard, born April 4, 1897, and Florence, born February 22, 1899. On July 21, 1898, Giles L. Lewis was killed by falling under a train, as he was attempting to climb over. His death was looked upon as a public calamity- and many expressions of sympathy were extended the bereaved family. A firm friend, a kind husband and father, a loyal citizen, he was a man who met every issue squarely and unflinchingly, and when the end camc, so suddenly and so swiftly, men of all classes came to pay their tribute of respect to his upright character.

Mrs. Augusta M. ( Salsbury) Lewis was born February 13, 1834, in Harmony township, Susque- hanna county, a daughter of Joel and Aurelia (Stod- dard) Salsbury, the former of whom, a farmer by occupation. was born April 9. 1807. in Great Bend township, and died December 12, 1889. . The mother was born April 23. 1814, at Great Barring- ton, Mass., and dicd February 12, 1871. They were the parents of seven children: Augusta M. was the eldest: Caroline L., born December 31, 1837, married E. E. Dow, and lives in California ; Frances E., born July 10, 1840, married Thomas Slanton, a farmer, and dicd November 15, 1892; Stanley G., born June 15. 1843, died in April, 1899; Alford O., born June 26, 1846, is a blacksmith at Thompson, Penn. ; Milo O., born October 24, 1849, died April 8, 1872: Lillie B. married Florence Silsby, and lives in Nebraska.

ALFORD B. LINABERRY, one of the most active, prominent and enterprising citizens of Ruslı township, Susquchanna county, with whose agricul- tural interests he is closely identified, was born in Warren county, N. J .. February 15, 1841, a son of Joseph D. and Mary C. ( Gardner ) Linaberry, also natives of Warren county. the former born September 9. 1811, the latter June 8. 1812. They were married April 27, 1833, and continued to make their home in the county of their nativity until coming to Susque- hanna county, Penn., in 1851, locating on the farm in Auburn township where their son William B. 35

now resides. There the mother dicd May 23, 1853, and was buried in Jersey Hill cemetery. In con- nection with farming and dairying, the father con- ducted a hotel at Auburn Four Corners for three years, from 1878 to 1881, and in 1886 came to Rush township, where he passed away in April, 1891 ; his remains were interred in Jerscy Hill cemetery, Auburn township. By his first marriage he had ten children, as follows: Emma . E., born January 31, 1834, lives with her brother William B. in Auburn township; John L., born April 4, 1836, dicd in that township at the age of fifty-eight years; William B., born December 16, 1837, was formerly engaged in the gristmill business for thirteen years, but now owns and operates a farm of 165 acres in Auburn township; Mark G., born December 24, 1839, died young : Alford B., our subject, is next in the order of birth; Theodore C., born February 4, 1844, is a retired farmer of Auburn township ; Alson Marshall, born September 22, 1846, is a farmer of Rush town- ship; Mary C., born May 12, 1848, is the wife of Baltus Titman, a grocer of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Josephus, born May 2, 1850, is a farmer of Auburn township; Letitia, born September II. 1852, mar- ried Marvin Bennett, of Auburn township, and died in 1898. On August 28, 1838, the father married for his second wife Mrs. Mary ( Hay) Hibbard, who died in 1865, leaving three children : Merilda, born October 9, 1859, is the wife of John Bennett, a grocer and restaurant man of Wilkes Barre, Philip B., born March 6, 1862, is a farmer of Dimock township, Susquehanna county ; and Evaline, born January 10, 1864, is the wife of Miner Manning, of Rush township. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Elisabeth ( Kishipaugh) Lina- berry, spent their entire lives engaged in farming in Warren county. N. J. The maternal grandpar- ents, David and Mary Gardner, were natives of Connecticut, of which State they were lifelong resi- dents. They were also agriculturists.

Alford B. Linaberry was a lad of ten years when he came with his parents to Susquehanna county. With the exception of one year spent in Oakland county, Mich., when twenty-one years of age, he remained on the home farm until his mar- riage, on November 2, 1867, at the home of the bride in Auburn township, to Miss Sarah C. L. Lott. They have become the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Preston, born November 10, 1868, married Agnes Lehman, and lives in Rush town- ship: they have one child, Clark E., born January 30. 1892. Lelia, born December 25, 1870, is thic wife of Augustus Crissman, a farmer of Auburn township, and has two children, Beatrice A., born January 16, 1896; and Myron H., born May 7, 1897. Lovina, born December 25. 1872, is the wife of Charles Roberts, a farmer of Bridgewater township. Susquehanna county. Mrs. Linaberry was born in Auburn township. May 22, 1844. a daughter of John W. and Lovina ( Hallock ) Lott, the former also a native of Auburn township, the latter of Dutchess county, N. Y. The father, who was born

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May 5, 1818, is now living retired on the old home- stead in Auburn township, honored and respected by all who know him. The mother died April 19, 1888, aged sixty-four years, and was laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. Their children were Leander L., who also lived on the old homestead, but is now county treasurer and resides at Montrose; Sarah C. L., wife of our subject : Adelbert, who died Scp- tember 16, 1879, aged thirty-one years; Emma, born October 19, 1853, whodied in infancy ; George, born July 8, 1863, who is now a farmer of Broome county, N. Y .; and Alford, born July 2, 1868, a farmer and paper-hanger of Broome county. Mrs. Linaberry's paternal grandparents, Abraham and Sarah L. (Heverly ) Lott, were natives of Connecti- cut, and in 1826 became residents of Auburn town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn., where the former engaged in business as a farmer and speculator. The maternal grandparents, Peter and Lovina Hal- lock, were natives of Dutchess county, N. Y., and early settlers of Luzerne county, Penn., where the former carried on operations as a farmer and hotel man.

After his marriage Mr. Linaberry located upon his present fine farm in Rush township, and he has since successfully engaged in its cultivation and improvement, making it one of the most desirable places of the community. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and for three years he has most creditably served as school director. He is also a director of the East Rush Creamery, and is recognized as one of the most reliable and conscientious business men of the township. For the past twenty years he has been an earnest and consistent member of the Mcth- odist Episcopal Church in East Rush, of which he has been steward and trustee the entire time. Both he and his wife are highly cstcemed and respected by their neighbors and many friends, and enjoy the confidence and regard of all who know them.

MRS. AUGUSTA LEACH. Among the most attractive rural homes of Harmony township, Sus- quehanna county, is that of this highly-estcemed lady, widow of the late Charles Leach, and her able and successful management of the estate indicates unusual business acumen. Her interest in religious work and other progressive movements has been shown in many ways, but throughout her life she has made her home the center of her thought and effort.

Vermont, and later removed to Susquehanna coun- ty, where shedied someyears ago. By her first mar- riage she had nine children, of whom Mrs. Leach was the youngest. ( 1) Joseph married Miss Martha Litchfield, and removed to New Hampshire, where he still resides. (2) Hannah married Lewis North, of Canada, where she died. (3) Divexa married George Banfort, of Vermont, and died leaving scv- cral children. (4) Eliza, deceased, married Christ- opher Morgan, of Massachusetts,, where her four children still reside. (5) Ezra married a New Hampshire lady, and settled in that State. He has two children, Charles and Frank. (6) Emily died at the age of fourteen. (7) Frank served during the Civil war in a Pennsylvania regiment, enlisting at Scranton. At Gettysburg he was wounded and captured, and for three months endured the horrors of Libby prison. After the war closed he settled in Susquehanna, where he was employed in the rail- road shops until his death, in 1894. He married Miss Mary J. Stamback, of Susquehanna, and had two children, Frank and Lila, who reside with their mother in Susquehanna. (8) Lafayette was killed at Norfolk, Va., at the age of sixteen, while on a sailing vessel.

Mrs. Leach was educated in the district schools of Vermont, and during her girlhood made her home with her married sisters. In 1848 she married Mr. Leach, then a successful farmer in New Milford township, Susquehanna county, where he was born and reared. His parents, Samuel and Betsey Leach, came from Connecticut at an early day, and were among the pioneers of New Milford township. For some years after his marriage Mr. Leach continued to occupy his old homestead, but in 1873 he pur- chased the present farm in Harmony township, comprising one hundred acres. The land was under cultivation, but he made many improvements, being known as one of the enterprising agriculturists of the locality. As a citizen he was held in high es- tecm. and although he never sought political hon- ors he was an ardent believer in the principles and policy of the Democratic party. In religious faith he was a Methodist, and he and his estimable wife became known as liberal supporters of the work of the Church wherever they resided. He died at the homestead in 1800, leaving three children: ( I) Laura, born in 1861, in New Milford, married Ellis Slocum, of Harmony township, who afterward settled in Potter county, Penn., where his death occurred. They had five children, Stella. Rufus, Nina. Scott and Harry, all living with their grand- mother. Mrs. Leach. (2) Lillie, born in 1871 in New Milford, married Edwin Turner, of Broome county, N. Y .. and they now reside in Harmony township. They have seven children. Oliver, Della, Dora. Edna. Agnes, Roy, and Annic A. (3) Harry, born in April. 1878, on the present homestead. re- ceived a district-school education, and now assists in the management of his mother's interests, being

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Mrs. Leach is a native of the northern part of Vermont, and comes of good New England an- cestry. Stephen Howard, her father, was born in Concord, N. H., and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. By trade he was a carpenter, and for some years he was engaged in business as a contractor and builder in Vermont, where his death occurred when Mrs. Leach was but four years oldl. His wife. Laura Eastman, was born in Danville, Vt., daughi- ter of Dr. Eastman, a well-known physician. She married for her second husband Jacob Brady, of : regarded as a bright young business man.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

OLIVER W. CHANDLER, an enterprising and progressive young farmer residing on Elk Hill, Clifford township, Susquehanna county, is a na- tive of the county, born in Herrick township, Feb- ruary 12, 1872, the only child of Alvin and Abby (Churehill) Chandler. The father was born in Chenango county, N. Y., in 1810, and was a son of Oliver Chandler, who conducted a hotel in that county, and was a lifelong resident of the Empire State.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 23

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