Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 34

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 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 34
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 34

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Mr. Heller commenced life a poor boy, but from early life he displayed those qualities which played so important a part in his successful career. and he rose by untiring industry and watchful economy to an enviable position among the pros- perous farmers and lumbermen of the county. He followed farming from his youth, after his mar- riage buying the Huffman farm, which he culti- vated, but he did not devote all his time to agri- cultural pursuits, following milling and lumbering and dealing largely in stock in addition to conduct- ing his farm. In his youth he learned the trade of cooper, he and his father manufacturing flour bar- rels, and at one time he was engaged quite exten- sively in the manufacture of brick and lime the burnt the brick used in the house on the old home-

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MELCHIOR HELLER

MRS. SARAH HELLER

589

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

stead ). In company with his sister's husband, John Smoyer, he bought the mill property now owned by his son-in-law. F. W. Eilenberger, which then consisted of a grist and saw mill run by water power, and they made many improvements, repaired the sawmill and put in an engine; Mr. Heller finally purchased Mr. Smoyer's interests. In these connections he became widely known throughout Monroe county, and it is safe to say that no man gained and retained a better reputation for hon- esty and integrity in all his dealings than Mr. Hel- ler, The indomitable perseverance and good judg- ment which characterized all his business transac- tions won for him the admiration of all who knew him in commercial life, and he was gifted with personal qualities which invariably inspired respect and friendship in all with whom he came in contact. At the time of his death he owned a large amount of real estate, and was a director in the First National Bank of Stroudsburg. Prosperous beyond his early hopes, he never lost an opportunity to let others benefit by his good fortune, and no one ever called on him for help in vain, his generosity re- lieving many people, especially the worthy poor. Cheerful and considerate in his treatment of all, he was highly esteemed and beloved by all classes during his life and deeply mourned at his decease, which was regarded throughout the community as an irreparable loss. He was thoroughly sincere in his personal attachments, numbering his friends by the score in and around Smithfield. where by his prominence in business, political and religious cir- cles he was widely acquainted and correspondingly popular. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party all his life, and though not a poli- tician in the sense of office-seeker he received many honors at the hands of his friends in this locality, being elected to various offices of importance in the township, all of which he filled with his customary ability and faithfulness. For three years he served Las treasurer of Monroe county.

In January, 1850, Mr. Heller was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Smith, who was born in November. 1826. daughter of John and Katie ( Huffman ) Smith, and comes from one of the pro:n- inent old families of Smithfield township. ller grandfather, Adam Smith, was born in Lehigh coun- ty, Penn., coming from good old German stock, and, removing to Monroe county, settled in Smith- field township during the pioneer dlays. He pur- chased a large amount of land here, which he di- vided among his sons, and John, the father of Mrs. Heller, settled on a tract near East Strou lsburg, where he followed farming all his days. . John Smith married Katie Huffman, the daughter of Philip and Catherine Huffman, and they became the | parents of three children, Elizabeth, Philip, and Sarah, Mrs. Ileller. Elizabeth became the wife of Daniel Bush, of Smithfield, and died there leaving three children-Catherine. Sarah ( Mrs. Detrick ). and Ettie ( Mrs. Samuel Meckley ). Philip lived and died on the old Smith homestead, where he followed

farming ; he married Katie Lee, and they had two children-Ida, who is the wife of Jacob Brutzman, and Sarah J., Mrs. Alfred LaBar, both of Smith- field. Mrs. Heller now has a Bible. published in 1765. which belonged to her grandfather, Adam Smith; it is sixteen inches long, ten inches wide, and six inches thick, bound in board, covered in leather, and has brass corners.

Mr. and Mrs. Heller had a family of ten chil- dren, of whom we have the following record : John, born in 1852 in Smithfield, married Miss Ella Trible, and resided on his tarm at Shawnee, where he died in February, 1898, leaving his wife and three children-Robert D., Melchior and Sarah. Elizabeth, born in 1854, is the wife of Hiram LaBar, of Shawnee, one of the leading men of Smithfield township. Catherine, born in 1856, married M. C. Kautz, of Smithfield, where she died ; she left no family. Sallie, born in 1858. is the widow of Jonas Nye, of Smithfield; she has one daughter, Mattie. Isabel, born in 1860, is the wife of Albert Knapp, of East Stroudsburg ; they have no children. Frank, born in 1861, grew to manhood on the Heller homestead and received a good edu- cation, attending the local public schools and the Brodheadsville high school; in 1893 he married Miss Mary Edinger, daughter of Peter R. and Eliza Edinger, who are prominent residents of Poplar Valley, Monroe county, belonging to one of the old-settled families of that section, and the young couple have made their home with Mrs. Heller, in her pleasant home at Branchville. Ber- tha, born July, 1865. is the wife of Philip Peters, of East Stroudsburg, and has three children-Bes- sie, Amy and Bernard. William, born in 1866, married Miss Viola Eilenberger, and they reside on his farm at Shawnee; they have no family. Amy, born in 1871, married Frederick W. Eilenberger. of Minsi, and has five children. Mary L., born in 1872, is the wife of Harry Cyphers, of Bethlehem, Northampton Co., Penn. ; they have one son. Earl.

The father of this family was from early life a faithful member of the Reformed Church. in which he was an active worker, and he gave liberally of his ample means toward its support throughout his life. In 1887 Mr. Heller's health began to fail, and he passed away in April, 1889. sincerely re- gretted by a wide circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, all of whom realized that in his death the community lost a citizen whose place could not easily be filled-a man who had always proved him- self a true friend, a good neighbor and a public- spirited worker for the general welfare and progress whenever occasion demanded. He was a member of Barger Lodge No. 325. F. & A. M .. of Strouds- burg, and was buried with Masonic honors. Mrs. Heller shared with her husband all the hardships and privations which he experienced in his early struggles, aiding him faithfully as counselor in his business affairs as well as in the precincts of home. and she also shared with him the esteem and regard which cante to hiint in his later years. She is now

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

590

living retired in the comfortable home to which they removed in 1882, when Mr. Heller gave up the farm, and she is one of the most highly respected residents of Smithfield township, where her friends are legion.

LEVI DRAKE is one of the leading business men of Stroudsburg, Monroe county, and no work which aims to present an account of the chief actors in the various activities of that thriving little city would be complete without mention of his name. · The Drake family originated in England, but as no definite records are known to exist the infor- mation concerning early generations depends upon tradition only. Levi Drake, the grandfather of our subject, was born probably in the United States, and for many years he was a farmer in Smith- field township, Northampton ( now Monroe) county. He married Elnor Van Camp, and left a family of eleven children. Of the seven sons, Daniel died at the age of eighty-seven ; Joseph W., at eighty-three; Wayne, at sixty-five; John, at sixty-six; Silas, at seventy-six; Alfred, at eighty-three; and James is now ( 1899) aged seventy-eight years. There were four daughters : Mary, Mrs. John. Lazerds; Sarah, Mrs. Melchoir Dreher ; Jane, Mrs. Ephraim Lock- ard; and Hannah, who married and died in early womanhood.

Joseph W. Drake, the father of our subject, was born August 24, 1794, in what is now Smith- field township, Monroe county, and grew to man- hood amid the surroundings of pioneer lite. His meager education was acquired mainly by private study, but his innate ability was seen in his success- ful business career, in which he accumulated a handsome competence. In his youth he learned the millwright's trade, which he followed for fifteen years, and later he became interested in farming in Stroud township, Monroe county, where his death occurred in March, 1877. He was an excellent citizen, and was active in religious work as a mem- "ber of the Baptist Church. Physically he was hardy and robust, weighing about 160 pounds, and he and his wife, who was of medium sizc. were both blondes. He was married in 1824, to Miss Mary Labar, generally known as "Pollie," who was born August 6, 1806, in Northampton county, and died January 24, 1886. They had three children : Amos, born July 17, 1828, who died at the age of fifty- seven : Levi, our subject; and Louis, who resides in Stroud township, Monroe county, on the old homestead.

Levi Drake was born October 14, 1833, in Stroud township, Monroe county, and was educated in the country schools of the day. His opportuni- ties were limited, but he made the most of them. and by his own ingenuity and industry developed a keen and accurate insight into business methods. For a number of years he was engaged in farming and general business operations, but in 1885. he re- tired aud took up his residence in Stroudsburg, own- ing, besides his home there, a fine farm. Ilis timc

is now occupied chiefly with the management of his investments and the loaning of money, and while his manner is quiet and unostentatious, any good judge of character will recognize in him the quali- ties of the typical financier ; he has been a director in the Stroudsburg National Bank for ten years. In politics he is a Republican, and he and his family are identified with the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a leading member. During the Civil war Mr. Drake was drafted, but being unable to leave his business he sent a substitute.

On September 10, 1859, Mr. Drake married Miss Catherine Weiss, a native of Smithfield, Mon- roe county, whose valuable counsel and assistance were potent factors in his success, as he proudly acknowledges she assisted him nobly in accumu- lating the competence which he now enjoys. Mrs. Drake passed away December 2, 1898, deeply mourned by her many friends. She, too, was a member of and active worker in the Presbyterian Church. Their only son, Stewart, born August 6, 1860, is a farmer in Stroud township, Monroe county. He married Miss Alice Swartwood, daugh- ter of Philip Swartwood, of the same township, and they have two children-Jennie C. and Garfield. The former, who now resides with her grandfather, has received an excellent education in the public schools and the State Normal School at Strouds- burg.

The Weiss family is of French origin, and Mrs. Drake's paternal grandfather, John Weiss, came from France to settle in Northampton county. Her father, the late Reuben Weiss, was born in 1807, at Betliel, and died in 1896. He married Miss Susan Myers, daughter of John Myers, a mason by trade, who died in Monroe county, and ten children were born of this union: Mary, who married (first) Robert Demont, and (second) Frank Bush, of Newark, N. J. ; Catherine, Mrs. Drake ; John, a resi- dent of Northampton county; William, who resides in Portland, Northampton county ; Louisa, who died at the age of eleven ; Enos, who died in childhood : Elizabeth, wife of S. Purdy; Jacob, a resident of Philadelphia ; Louis, who resides in Scranton ; and Ida, wife of H. Edinger.

WILLIAM GUNSAULES, cashier of the First National Bank of Stroudsburg, Monroe coun- ty, is a man of influence in his community. his honorable record as a soldier, business man and citizen having thoroughly established him in the confidence of the people. His public spirit has been shown in many ways, all worthy movements re- ceiving his sympathy.

Mr. Gunsaules is descended in the paternal line from an old Spanish family, the name appearing in history as Gonzales. Manuel Gunsaules, a native of Spain, settled at Buslikill. in Pike county. as early as 1750. This worthy pioneer had ten chil- dren, among whom were the following: Manuel, Sammel, Elizabeth, and Catherine ( wife of Samuel Turner, of Wilkes Barre. Penn.). Of these, Eliza-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

beth was captured by the Indians at the age of seven years, while she and her father were hunting for the horses on the Delaware flats in the rear of Bushkill church. The Indians started in pursuit of them, and Mr. Gunsaules escaped by jumping into a washout, where he remained concealed, but little Elizabeth ran in a different direction and was over- taken. That night, on encamping, the Indians talked of killing her, but an old man among them objected, saying that she was a smart girl, and he would take care of her. She accompanied them to Canada, where she remained thirty-two years, shar- ing the life of the tribe and marrying a chief, by whom she had two children who died before ma- turity. An old Indian who visited the former haunts of his people at Bushkill remarked to Mr. Gunsaules that if he would give him a drink he would tell where his daughter was, and on learning of her fate Mr. Gunsaules went to Canada with a neighbor and found her as described. She remem- bered that her name was Lizzie, but had forgotten her family name, and although. her husband and chief was dead she did not wish to return to her native country and abandon the mode of life she had followed so long. She was finally induced to go, however, and later married Peter Quick, of Belvi- derė, New Jersey.

Manuel Gunsaules, son of the pioneer, was born at Bushkill, where he made his home. He married Elizabeth U'tt, and they had the following named children : Samuel. Margaret, and Manuel.

Manuel Gunsaules, third child of Manuel and Elizabeth (Utt) Gunsaules, married Sarah Cort- right, daughter of William Cortright, who was taken prisoner by the Indians, he and two com- panions, a Mr. Teal and a Mr. McGinnis, being taken to the backwoods, where Mr. McGinnis was killed by his captors. The white settlers near Bush- kill afterward rescued the other two men, killing a number of Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Gunsaules settled in Smithfield township, Monroe county, a short distance below Bushkill. Their children, were: Betsy, who married Barney Decker, of Smithfield township: Anna, wife of George Kint- ner ; Margaret S., who did not marry; Susan, who married Martin Overfield; Sarah, wife of Jacob Cortright ; Emanuel Heister, father of our subject ; Wiliam, who married Mary Kirwan; James and Samuel, who settled in New York; and Mary, wife of Andrew Frutchev.

Emanuel H. Gunsaules was born in Middle- smithfield, near Bushkill, June 6, 1819, and died there February 13, 1897. By occupation he was a farmer. his homestead being one of the best in the township, and for many years he took a leading part in local affairs, serving in various offices, including those of county commissioner and justice of the peace. He was noted for his sound judgment and impartiality, and as magistrate he administered jus- tice alike to friend and foe. Integrity was one of his marked characteristics, luis dealings being free front duplicity, and he followed any course which he

deemed right regardless of results. As a neighbor he was always ready to lend a helping hand, and he often acted as a good Samaritan to the needy and infirm, liis kindliness winning him the esteem of all classes in the community. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, and during his long official career he made many friends among the leaders of the party. His wife, Elizabeth (Trach), who died in August, 1882, aged sixty years, was of German de- scent, and her parents, William and Elizabeth ( Michaels) Trach, were early settlers in Smithfield township, Monroe county. Ten children were born of their union, as follows: William, our subject; John M., a resident of Madisonville, Lackawanna county ; Luther, who died in infancy ; Sarah L., wife of M. D. Turn, of Middle Smithfield township; Helen, wife of Findley B. Overfield, of Bingham- ton, N. Y .; Henrietta, who married Henry T. La- Bar, of Stroudsburg : Frank, of Middle Smithfield township; Miss Susan, who cared for her father in his declining years ; George M., of Washington, N. J. ; and Charles E., of Binghamton, New York.

William Gunsaules was born March 22, 1842. and was reared a farmer boy, his education being obtained in the schools near his homestead. When sixteen years old he began his business career as clerk in a store at Dingman's, Pike county. and in 1862 he enlisted in Company I, 132nd P. V. I., being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He re- mained in the service one year, taking part in sev- eral engagements, including the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, but was not wounded. On his return to the North he was em- ployed for four years as clerk in a wholesale house at Stroudsburg, after which he took a position in the Stroudsburg Bank, remaining there six years. He then entered the First National Bank of Wash- ington, N. J., as teller, holding that position nine years. and in 1885 he accepted the post he has since occupied, that of cashier in the First National Bank of Stroudsburg.

In 1874 Mr. Gunsaules married Miss Catherine Van Vliet, who is a native of Monroe county, and a member of an old and honored family, being the daughter of Richard and Lettie (Griffin) Van Vliet, farming people. Three children have blessed this union : Jennie, who died at the age of four years; Mary, who graduated in June, 1899, from the Woman's College, at Baltimore, Md. : and Bertha. who graduated in 1899. from Pennington (N. J.) Seminary. The entire family unite with the M. E. Church. in which Mr. Gunsaules has held some of- ficial positions for the past twenty-five years. He is a strong supporter of the temperance cause. Po- litically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but he has never had any official aspirations.

HENRY TRANSUE. a well-known merchant of East Stroudsburg. Monroe county. is a man whose industry and thrift have enabled him to over- come adverse circumstances and accumulate a hand- some competence.

592

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Transue comes of good French ancestry, and his grandfather. Elias Transue, was a prominent pioneer of Smithfield township, Monroe county. When he died he left five sons: Jolin, Abrahant, Isaac, Jacob, and Anthony, our subject's father.

Anthony Transue was born in 1787, and died in 1860. He was a man of excellent character, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and polit- ically he was affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Brutz- man, was born in 1806, and died in 1865 . They had the following children: Susan, Frederick, Charles. Henry. Jacob, Caroline, Adam and Eve ( twins), Hannah, Abraham and Warren.

Our subject was born February 16, 1834. in Smithfield township. Monroe. county, and was trained to habits of industry from youth. Front daylight to dark. day after day, he labored at farm work, but he managed to save from his scanty earn- ings, and in time he bought a farm for himself in Middle Smithfield township. Monroe county, where he resided until 1896. He then purchased his pres- ent property in East Stroudsburg, where he built a combined store and residence. The products of his farm form a large portion of his stock. and their ex- cellent quality has brought him a fine class of custo- mers and a constantly increasing trade. Polit- ically he is a Democrat of the old fashioned sort, but he has not entered the race for official honors.

In 1872 Mr. Transue married Miss Elizabeth Mosier, and after her death he married Miss Fannie Gardner, of Delaware Gap. By his first marriage he had three children : Carrie A .. who died when six years old : Samuel, who died when thirteen months old, and Miss Mattie, who is at home. By the sec- ond union he has had two children : Edna and Clyde.

STROUD BURSON (deceased) was for many years a prominent resident of Monroe coun- ty, and his name will always be associated with the development of East Stroudsburg. the village having been built upon the farm once owned and occu- pied by him. Although he spent his later years in retirement he never lost his interest in the welfare of the community, and his death, on November 16. 1891, caused sincere griet among his large circle of acquaintances.

The Burson family is of Bucks county stock. and our subject's father. James Burson, who was born in that county March 27. 1777; came to this section early in life, locating in the vicinity of Stroudsburg .. He engaged in farming and mill- ing, which he followed many years, his death oc- curring February 18, 1855. On April o. 3801. he married Miss Deborah Stroud, who was born January 25. 1782, and died August 4. 1866. Of their nine children, the eldest. Miss Danelia S .. born February 25. 1802. died September 2. 1882: Caro- line, born November 15. 1803. was married June 20, 1842. to William Hollinshead, and immediately went to Wisconsin where her death occurred Feb- ruary II. 1800; Jacob, born April 1, 1806, died

December 12, 1828; Miss Elizabeth S., born Feb- ruary 2. 1808, died November 27. 1872 : Isaac, born May 28, 1810, settled at Elkhorn, Wis., where he died March 5. 1881: Miss Emily, born December 11, 1812, died December 5, 1872; Stroud, our sub- ject, is mentioned more fully below; Louis. born November 7. 1820, died in infancy; and Louis MI., born July 28, 1822, died October 21, 1892.

Stroud Burson was born July 28, 1816, at the old homestead in Stroud township, Monroe county, and during boyhood he attended the academy at Stroudsburg for some time. He then pursued a higher course of study at Newton, N. J .. and on leaving school spent a year or two in teaching in Virginia. Returning home, he engaged in farm- ing, continuing that occupation a number of years, until his land came into demand for building pur- poses owing to the rapid growth of East Strouds- burg. Mr. Burson was keenly interested in the questions of the day, and while he was a Republi- can in early manhood he became an ardent Pro- hibitionist in later years. In religious faith he was a Methodist. On August 23. 1871, he married Miss Charlotte A. Miller, who survives him and still resides at Stroudsburg.

ALVIN SLUTTER is the popular and genial proprietor of "The Elvin." one of the favorite sum- mer boarding houses of Paradise township. Mon- roe county. He has spent his entire life in Monroe county, his birth occurring in Hamilton township, in September, 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Annie ( Arnold) Slutter. The father was born in Ham- ilton township, Monroe county, in 1809, and was a son of George Slutter. a native of Germantown, Philadelphia, Penn .. who died in Hamilton town- ship. ITis other children were George, who mar- ried and settled in Hamilton township, where his wife still resides : and John. who has made his home in Missouri since early manhood.

After his marriage Jacob Slutter began domes- tic lite on the old Slutter homestead in Hamilton township, where he and his wife remained until called to the world beyond. the former dying in 1885. the latter in 1877. In their family were twelve children-eight sons and four daughters-all born on the old homestead. Joseph and John are un- married and are still living on the old home farm in llamilton township: Jacob married Martha Will- iams, of Hamilton township, where they live with their five children : George and Andrew, twins, died when young: Charles is unmarried and lives in Northampton county. Penn. ; Stewart is unmarried and is a resident of Towa : Lydia .A., who was a de- vout Christian, died on the old homestead a few years ago; Mary is the wife of David Kahlor, of Northampton county : Sarah married Edwin Bower. of Northampton county, and died leaving five chil- dren-Edwin, Robert. Asher, Laura and Annic.

Alvin Slutter was reared to habits of industry upon the old home farm and received his literary education in the public schools of Hamilton town-

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Stroud Burson

surson

593

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship. When a young man he learned the trade of painter, which he followed for some years before luis marriage. In March, 1894, he wedded Miss Sarah Ellen Jolinson, the accomplished daughter of Amos and Lizzie Johnson, of Pocono township, Monroe county, the former a native of Northamp- ton county, the latter of Carbon county, Penn. Mrs. Slutter was born in Plainfield, Northampton county, in October, 1866, and was reared and educated in Tannersville, Monroe county. She is third in the order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: Joseph, who is single and resides in Northampton county; Eugene, who is married and makes his home in Scranton, Penn .; Augusta, wife of Edward Babp, of Northampton county ; Lillie, Peter S., and Edwin, who are still with their parents.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 34

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