Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 26

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 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 26
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 26

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ALBERT J. GREEN. It is not uncommon to hear a eitizen of northeastern Pennsylvania speak of the wild land which his father or grandfather a century ago helped to clear. It is rare to meet a farmer who in recent years has undergone the same experienee, endured the same hardships and toil. One naturally stops to take a second look at a man of that stamp, for it requires far more than the or- dinary energy and determination in these latter days for a man to carve out his fortune with the pioneer ax. Mr. Green, the subject of this sketeh, is per- haps the only resident of Lenox township, Susque- hanna county, who now lives upon land which he was the first to clear, who was compelled to clear away the stumps to find room for his house. The same energy which prompted Mr. Green to essay that task has not since abandoned him. He has gone right on, carving his future through whatever ob- stacles presented themselves, and he has attained a prominent place in the esteem of his fellow men.

Our subject comes of pioneer stock. His grand- father, Abel Green, was born in Pawtucket. R. I. He married Mary Whitford, and migrating to Sus- quehanna county, Penn., purchased two tracts of land, and settled on the turnpike in what is now Lathrop township. He died in Lathrop township in 1868, aged eighty-one years.

Wanton Green, son of Abel, and the father of our subject, was born in Susquehanna county in 1816. He married, in Lathrop township. Axcy Ainey, daughter of William Ainey, and through most of his subsequent life farmed in Lathrop town- ship. In politics he was a staneh Democrat. He died June 29, 1889, aged seventy-three years, and his widow, mother of our subject, is still living in Lathrop township. Their children were: George W., Jamies E., William A., Louisa J. and Albert J.

Albert J. Green, our subject, was born in Lath- rop township, July 14, 1850. Ile attended only the district schools, and in his youth was inured to the toil of an active farmer's life. At the age of twen- ty-one he began life for himself. For a time he tol- lowed carpentering, and for a short time he worked on the D. L. & W. road. In 1876 Mr. Green pur- chased a tract of 107 acres of unimproved land in Lenox township, and at once began to convert this property into a home. He erected buildings, but first he had to cut away the stumps from the ground selected. Mr. Green has since then cleared eighty

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

acres of the land, most of it by his own manual labor. Here he has since profitably engaged in general and dairy farming, keeping fourteen cows. He also sells farming implements and represents a fertilizer company.

Mr. Green was married, in Brooklyn, in 1875, to Miss Alida Lindsey, daughter of Benjamin and Laura (Goos) Lindsey, and two of them have been born tlfree children, Floy E., Clayton A., and Clara B., all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Green and their daughter are members of the Grange, of which Mr. Green is the fire insurance agent. He is also a member of. the Masonic Lodge at Hopbottom. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He has filled various local offices, including those of constable (for three years) and collector ( for four years), and is now serving as township auditor. He pos- sesses the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and in business enterprise and ability he ranks among the foremost men of the township.

S. D. THOMAS. There is particular satis- faction in reverting to the life record of this hon- ored, worthy citizen of Springville township, Sus- quehanna county, since he has been prominently identified with its agricultural and industrial inter- ests throughout life, and has attained a position of distinctive prominence in the community where he was born and where he has retained his residence up to the present time, being one of the revered patriarchs of the community.

Salmon Thomas, father of our subject, was born in November, 1776, in Claremont, N. H., and there grew to manhood. In 1800, in company with other parties, he came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and located in Springville township. where he took up 300 acres of land under the common title, but he lost the place after paying for it, as it was claimed by a Pennsylvanian. Under the Pennsylvania titlc, ., he then took up a smaller tract, which was not fully paid for when it came into the possession of our subject. This is the only family in Springville township retaining the original property taken up under the charter. Salmon Thomas followed lum- bering and farming throughout life. Politically he was a supporter of the Whig party, and he held scv- eral local offices of trust. In 1806 he married Miss Roselinda I:atlirop, who was born in Connecticut, in 1781, a daughter of Ezekicl and Polly Lathrop. He dicd. at the age of eighty-six years, she at the age of sixty-nine, honored and respected by all who knew them. In religious faith they were Episco- palians. Their children were as follows: Calista, who married M. Tuttle, and moved to Grant county,

Wis., where she died ; Reuben, who also died in that county; Benjamin, born February 9. 1811, who is now living in Nicholson, Wyoming Co., Penn. ; Denison, a resident of Dimock township. Susque- hanna county; Sarah and Clarissa, who both died in infancy; Parazina, deccased wife of Justice Smith, of Springville township; Lydia Ann, widow

of Anthony Lamb, of Grant county, Wis .; S. D., our subject : Jerusha, who lives with our subject ; Rebecca, widow of George Mitchell, of Springville township; and Edwin, a resident of Virginia City, Montana.

S. D. Thomas was born on the old homestead in Springville township, June 8, 1823, was edu- cated in the common schools of the neighborhood, and at the age of ninetcen took charge of the farm work. After attaining his majority he came into the possession of the place, and in time secured the entire purchase of 225 acres, one-half of which had then been cleared; now nearly 200 acres are im- proved and under a high state of cultivation. He engaged first in general farming, in later years be- coming interested in dairying and stock raising. In 1878, in company with A. J. Mack, he erected a sawmill, at a cost of $6,000, but it was totally de- stroycd by fire only six weeks after its completion, and was an entire loss. In 1896 Mr. Thomas built a gristmill, at a cost of $4,000, and this, with other property, he sold in 1898 to his son. He allowed two of his sons to take the old homestead in 1888, and is now living retired upon a farm in the same township, which was left to his wife by their son Salmon G., at his death. This property consists of eighty-five acres of land, mostly cleared, which Mrs. Thomas has recently sold to another son. She also owns two dwelling-houses in Springville.

Mr. Thomas was united in marriage, in Lemon township, Wyoming Co., Penn., September 19, 1850, . with Miss Rachel L. Ely, who was born November 21, 1828, a daughter of Horatio Gates and Polly (Curtis) Ely. The father was born in New Lon- don county, Conn., December 24, 1800, and died in Springville, Penn., in March, 1888, while the moth- er, born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1802, died January 11, 1888. They were married December 18, 1825, and became the parents of four children, three of whom are still living. Of these, Mrs. Thomas is the eldest. Theresa E., born August 5, 1831. was married, November 26, 1865, to Justice Smith, now deceased. Edgar C., born August 8. 1833, was married, October 3, 1861, to Sarah A. Stemple, and is now a retired farmer of Springville township. Children were born to our subject and his worthy wife as follows: Anson, who is now living on the original homestead of the family; Emily, wife of Jamcs Dugler, an engineer on the Montrose railroad ; Salmon G., who died at the age of twenty-eight years: Elmer, a fireman, living in Tunkhannock, Penn. ; Edward, who is at home with his parents; and Rosie, wife of Frederick Smales, of Springville township.

Since casting his first vote, in 1844, Mr. Thomas has never failed to support the Presiden- tial candidates of either the Whig or the Republican party, and has never missed an election. He has always taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and has most efficiently served his fel- low citizens in the capacity of supervisor, three

...

Rachel J- Thomas

S. D. Thomas

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

years; assessor, ten years; and school director, fif -. teen years, being president of the board most of the time. He has also been a member of the elec- uon board a number of times, and was constable and collector of his township from 1880 until 1896, in all the relations of life proving true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He attends and gives his support to different Churches. In August, 1883, he united with Maple Lodge No. 992, I. O. O. F., of Springville.

ANDREW B. MITCHELL, one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Liberty township, and a worthy representative of one of the prominent early families of Susquehanna county, was born in Franklin township, that coumy, mn January, 1851, a son of Lemuel B. and Annie ( Hard- ing ) Mitchell, who were born in New Milford town- ship, Susquehanna county, the former in 1818, the latter in 1815.

Our subject's maternal grandfather, Lemuel Harding, came to this region troin Orange county, N: Y., in pioneer days. His paternal grandparents, Seth and Polly Mitchell, left their old home in Andrew B. Mitchell grew to manhood upon the home farm, and pursued liis studies in the dis- trict schools of the neighborhood. When a young man he learned engineering, and for a time ran a stationary engine in a tannery. In 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Luce, a daugh- ter of Warren J. and Wealthy R. ( Webster ) Luce, prominent citizens of Liberty township. The father was born in Connecticut in 1831, and when seven years old came to Susquehanna county, Penn., with his father, Philo Luce, locating in Liberty township, upon the farm where he still resides with our subject. After his marriage Mr. Mitchell took up his residence upon a farm in Bridgewater town- Connecticut in 1790, and with an ox-team drove across the country to Susquehanna county, Penn., being among the first settlers of New Milford town- ship, where the grandfather built a log cabin and made a home for his family. Later he bought land in Franklin township, near Bridgewater, and there cleared and improved a large farm. He owned con- siderable property, which he divided among his sons on his removal to Montrose, where he spent his last days. He was known as "Squire" Mitchell. having filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. Both he and his wife were active members of the Baptist Church, and were held in high'respect by all who knew them. . Ecirinet .B. ,ship, Susquehanna county, which he operated for Mitchell, our subject's father, was one of their famaa few years. When the Delaware, Lackawanna & ily of six children, the others being as follows: Norman ; Henry : Elmira, wife of Brazila Grover ; Ophelia, wife of George Lathrop, of Montrose ; and Dr. Ellen, a highly educated lady, who was a surgeon in the army during the Civil war, and later built up a large practice at Montrose, but is now a missionary at Burmah, India.

Lemuel B. Mitchell was educated in the district schools, and after his marriage located at his tatlı- er's old home in New Milford, where he followed farming and merchandising. Forming a partner- ship with his brother-in-law, Mr. Grover, in 1853, he erected a tannery in Franklin township, but when it burned down a few years later he returned to his farm in New Milford township. Shortly after- ward he sold that place and purchased a farm near Miller's Hill, in the same township, where he re- miained for ten years, and then bought the Capt. Ince farm, near Montrose, remaining there until a few years prior to his death, when he returned to New Milford. Here he passed away in 1888. his wife in 1889, honored and respected by all who knew them. In their family were four sons, of

whom our subject was the youngest. ( I) Charles, born in 1840, acquired a good education, and for several years engaged in teaching school in Sus- quehanna county. Later he was interested in mer- cantile trade in New Milford, and is now a book- keeper for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co. at Binghamton, N. Y., where he re- sides. He married Harriet Thomas, of Nicholson, .Penn., and they have three sons, Charles. Butler and Robert. (2) Seth, born in New Milford, in 1843, was educated in the higher schools of Mont- rose, and when a young man followed clerking in a store in that town, but is now engaged in rail- roading at Binghamton, N. Y. He first married Bessie Carpenter, and after her death wedded Sarah Grady, of Olean, N. Y. (3) George, born in 1849, received a district-school education. During his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed some years, but is now an engineer on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. He married Annie Lindsey, of Montrose, by whom he has three children, Ellen, Lemuel and Guy, and they live in Elmira, N. Y., where he has a fine home.

Western railroad was built, he obtained a position as fireman, and three years later was promoted to engineer, in which capacity he served the company for sixteen years. On account of failing health he was obliged to give up railroading, and he then purchased the Knapp farm, in Liberty township. one mile west of Brookdale, which is now one of the best and most highly cultivated places in the locality, and which is still his home. Politically he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is most efficiently filling the office of town auditor. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Farmers Alliance, and religiously both himself and wife attend and support the Baptist Church. Wherever known they are held in high regard, and their circle of friends and acquaintances in Susquehanna county is extensive.

C. WILLIAM BARNES, a well known black- smith and highly esteemed citizen of Springville, is a native of Susquehanna county, and is a representa- tive of one of its pioneer families, his paternal grand- parents being Caleb and Fannie ( Blakeslee ) Barnes,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who conducted a public house at Dimock Corners in an early day. They were the parents of five chil- dren, all now deceased, namely: Cyrus; Sarah, wife of Merwin Handrick ; Lewis ; Zopher, father of our subject ; and Clyrinda, wife of Jonathan Melvin, a Baptist minister.

Zopher Barnes was born in Dimock township, and in Susquehanna county grew to manhood. Throughout his active business life he followed the blacksmith's trade, and prior to the Civil war he conducted a general mercantile store in Springville, where his last days were passed. On April 24, 1861, he was married in Springville township, by Rev. Herman Blakeslee, of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, to Lucinda Vandusen, and the fol- lowing children came to this union: Lesley, born March 1, 1862, died in 1884: C. Anna, born March II, 1863, is now the wife of William Stephens, a blacksmith of Springville township, and they have one child, Jerry, born September 19, 1895; C. Will- iam, our subject, is next in the order of birth : Archie, born May 6, 1873. is a farmer of De Kalb, Ill .; and Alice, born March 16, 1877, is the wife of Jerry A. Lyman, of Lynn, Pennsylvania.

C. William Barnes was born in Springville township, January 24, 1866, and was reared in the village of Springville, pursuing his studies in the common schools. Leaving home during boyhood, he began to earn his own livelihood at farm work, being thus employed in Bradford county, Penn., for seven years. In Le Raysville, that county, he learned the blacksmith's trade, and in April. 1894. opened a shop of his own in Springville, Susque- hanna county, where he has since successfully en- gaged in business as a general blacksmith and as agent for farm implements. He is a good me- chanic and an upright, reliable business man, com- manding the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contract. At Birchardville, Forest Lake township. Susquehanna county, he was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Ada Baxter, daughter of George W. and Julic Baxter, and they now have two children: Lcsley, born July 25, 1892; and Christine, born January 11, 1895. Politically Mr. Barnes Is identified with the Republican party ; so- cially he is affiliated with Maple Lodge No. 992, I. O. O. F., since 1890, and is also a member of the Encampment, of the same order. at Lynn. Although he started out in lite for himself empty-handed and is still comparatively a young man, he has already achieved success, and besides his property in the village he owns a good farm of sixty-five acres.

JAMES E. COREY. When the subject of this sketchi was two years old his father, James H. Corcy, returned home after a confinement of nine months and twenty-seven days in Belle Isle and Libby prisons, wasted in muscle and weakened in strength to the point of death. The end came soon afterward. The father had enlisted, in 1862. in Company D, 50th P. V. I., and gave to his country

three years of his life, which terminated in the sac- rifice. The father was a wagon maker and car- penter. He was born January 5, 1838, in New York, son of Rufus and Sarah ( Bennett ) Corey, the former of whom was a miller by trade ; he was a man of deep religious convictions, and was a local Methodist preacher. James H. Corey, the father of our subject, was married in Jessup township October 9, 1861, to Eliza A. Resseguie, who was born February 20, 1838, and died January 18, 1886. They had two children: Eugene H., who died in infancy ; and James E., the subject of this sketch.

James E. Corey was born in Gibson township, Susquehanna county, and was educated in the com- mon schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began farm work, which he has since continued successfully in Lenox township, owning fifty acres of well improved land, and is engaged in general and dairy farming. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and socially is a member of Russell Phillips Post No. 189, Sous of Veterans, now serving as quartermaster of the Post. Mr. Corey was mar- ried, October 7. 1888, to Miss Jennie Cameron, who was born June 8, 1864, in Lenox township, daugh- ter of Thomas Cameron, of that township, and to our subject and wife have come three children : J. Burton, born January 15, 1890; Bessie May, born April 16, 1892; and William T., born June 1, 1894.

HARRY WEBSTER BEEBE, a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Frank- lin township, Susquehanna county, residing on the old Beebe homestead, was born in Surry county, Va., June 9, 1874, and is a son of Walter L. and Elmira (Eastman) Beebe. His paternal grandpar- ents were Lyman and Phoebe ( MIcrritt ) Beebe. and his maternal grandparents were Nathaniel and Mary ( Cook) Eastman. natives of Connecticut who at an early day came to Susquehanna county, Penn., where Mr. Eastman engaged in farming.

Walter L. Beebe was born in Franklin town- ship, January 28, 1841, and followed farming throughout life. For three years he was one of the gallant defenders of the Union during the Civil war, being a member of Company D. of a Pennsyl- vania volunteer regiment, and a bullet received in the service remained in his body up to the time of his death. Soon after the war he married and moved to Surry county, Va .. where he engaged in farming for ten years. On his return to Susque- hanna county he purchased the present farm of our subject from the old Beebe cstate, and located there- on in 1880, but three years later removed to Frank- lin Forks, where his death occurred January 28. 1890, his remains being interred in the cemetery at that place. In his political affiliations he was a Re- publican. His widow, who was born in Maine. N. Y., in 1844, now makes her home in Binghamton, N. Y. To this worthy couple were born three sons. namely: Lyman E. has just returned from the Klondyke, where he met with good success, and is now in business in Seattle, Wash .; Harry W. is

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

next in the order of birth ; and Phineas W. is with his mother in Binghamton.

Harry W. Beebe was a lad of seven years when his parents located upon his present farm, and two years later lie accompanied them on their removal to Franklin Forks, where he was reared and edu- cated, returning to the farm in IS95. He has shown good business ability and sound judgment in its man- agement, and is meeting with excellent success in his farming operations. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with the Sons of Veterans. He is a worthy represent- ative of one of the most prominent families in this section, and is held in high regard by all who know him.

At Kirkwood, N. Y., May 15, 1895, Mr. Beebe was united in marriage with Miss Kate Vailes, a native of New Milford, Susquehanna county, and a daughter of Jesse and Emma ( Kittle) Vailes, resi- dents of New Milford, where the father operates a gristmill. He was born in New Milford in May, 1844, son of Ralph and Phoebe ( Smith ) Vailes. He has ever taken quite a prominent and influen- tial part in local politics, served as postmaster for four years under President Harrison, has been tax collector, was constable eight years, and filled other offices in a most creditable manner. His wife was born near Port Jervis, in September, 1845, a daugh- ter of Richard and Deborah ( Westbrooke) Kittle, natives of Pike county, Penn. Mrs. Beebe is the second youngest in a family of four children, the others being as follows: Letta M .. wife of Harry Bartlett, a traveling agent, residing at Bingham- ton, N. Y .; Vinnie L., wife of Eugene Osborne, who conducts a tonsorial parlor at Harford. Sus- quehanna county; and Ruth, at home with her parents.

SYLVANUS P. PECK, one of the represen- tative citizens of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, was born May 19, 1858, on the farm where he still resides, and belongs to one of the old and prominent families of Wayne county, whose iden- tification with her history dates from an early period in the development of this section of the State. His paternal grandfather was Rev. Elijah Peck, a pioneer Baptist minister of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Hiram Peck, our subject's father, was also born on the old homestead in Mt. Pleasant township, Au- gust II, 1819, and there grew to manhood amidst pioneer scones. He was married. September 27, 1848, to Miss Maria Perham, who was born and reared in Mt. Pleasant township, a daughter of Aaron Perham, one of the first settlers of Wayne county. Seven children were born of this union, namely: Chloe, Mrs. Kennedy : George : Hiram E .; Sylvanus P .; Charles and Fred, both deccased ; and Francis A. The father died in February, 1889, at the age of nearly seventy years; the mother is still living. Both were consistent members of the

Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a Demo- crat in politics. Throughout his business career he engaged in stage driving and farming, and he most creditably and satisfactorily filled the offices of collector and constable in his township.

Under the parental roof Sylvanus P. Peck passed his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmers' sons of that day. On April 7, ISSo, he married Miss Lottie Hacker, a daughter of Samuel Hacker, and to them have been born seven children: William Frederick, Mabel Ellen, Elizabeth Perham, Samuel Reese, Anna May, Charles Egbert and Harold Sylvanus. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the social circles of the community occupy an enviable position. Mr. Peck is a thorough and systematic farmer, and is meeting with success in the operation of the farm, which comprises 160 acres of rich and arable land, under a high state of cultivation and well improved. His comfortable and convenient residence was erected in 1897, at a cost of $1.500. In the exercise of his elective franchise he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he always takes a deep and commendable inter- est in publis affairs.

HENRY B. WILLIAMS. Industry has been the highway by which the subject of this sketch, now a prosperous and prominent citizen of Hop- bottom, Susquehanna county, has attained his suc- cess in life. As farmer and stone mason he has spent many years in the community in which he now lives. They have been years of patient toil, cheerfully given. and followed by the reward that has been their due. As a young man our subject worked with an ox-team in the labor of the farm. He has never since then outgrown the nobility of labor. As a youth, too, he enlisted under his coun- try's flag when the national life was assailed. He has ever been a conscientious and a forceful char- acter in the history and growth of Susquehanna county.

Mr. Williams' grandfather. Latham Williams, about the opening of the present century migrated with his young wife from New England and set- tled in Brooklyn township, where he passed the re- mainder of his life, engaged in farming. He died in Springville township, in the spring of 1864, aged cighty-four years. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Lucy Stanton, had two sons and five daughters, viz .: Nelson, who died August 4, 1864: Angeline, deceased in infancy: Betsy E., wife of Otis Boss, of Middletown. Penn .; Luke, who died September 6, 1820: Thankful, wife of Charles Miles, of Carbondale. Penn. ; Amanda, wife of Will- iam Giles. of Brooklyn. Penn. ; and Lucy, wife of Henry Giles, also of Brooklyn. By his second wife. Lucy Dix, Latham Williams had one child. John S., father of our subject, born June 11, 1817.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 26

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