Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 41

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 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 41
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 41

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For two years after his marriage Mr. Depuy made his home in Smithfield township, while em- ploved as brakeman on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, but in February, 1862. he laid aside all personal interests and enlisted in Company K, goth P. V. I., for service in the Civil war. being sworn in at Philadelphia. Under Major McDowell, of the Army of the Potomac, the troops marched to Aqua creek, where our subject was injured while unloading railroad iron. He was first taken to the regimental hospital. later to the Shenandoah Valley and from there to Philadelphia, where he was hon- orably discharged in October, 1862. In September, 1864. he re-enlisted. this time becoming a member of the 185th N. Y. V. I., First Division, Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Meade. On Oc- tober 27, 1864. he participated in the battle of Hatcher's Run, where the losses on both sides were heavy ; was in the engagement on the Weldon rail- road in February, 1865 : at Five Forks, Va., March 20; and again on the Weldon railroad, March 30.

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The regiment then engaged in skirmishing toward. Appomattox until the surrender of Lee on April 9, 1865, and on May 30, following, Mr. Depuy was honorably discharged. Returning to his home in Monroe county, he followed railroading for some time, and then removed to Lackawanna county, Penn., where he was engaged in lumbering for two years. From there he went to Scranton, Penn., where he resumed railroading in the capacity of conductor on a freight train, continuing thus until 1883. Ten years previous he had purchased a lot in Smithfield township, Monroe county, near Dela- ware Water Gap,and upon this he erected a fine home, where he and his family have lived since 1883. He has practically laid aside all business cares, his only occupation being the carrying of mail from the rail- road to the post office at Delaware Water Gap.

Fraternally Mr. Depuy is an honored member of Wadsworth Post No. 150, G. A. R., of Strouds- burg, and politically he is a Republican. For two years he held the office of school director, but he has never cared for political preferment. He and his family hold membership in the Presbyterian Church at Delaware Water Gap, and in social circles are deservedly popular. From early pioneer days the family has been an influential and prominent one in this section, and at all times has been very patriotic and loyal, being well represented in the wars of the country. Three of our subject's cousins were also de- fenders of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, and were among the men who braved so many hard- ships on the march and in the field of battle and are to-day deserving of the highest honors this govern- ment can bestow.

J. K. POLK WILSON. If experience in life counts for anything, the subject of this sketch must be ranked fortunate. He has traveled extensively ; *he follows the independent life of a farmer ; he has engaged for many years in the broadening and en- nobling occupation of a school teacher, and for nearly five years he followed the flag of his country through many desperate battles to make perfect the unity of the nation.

Mr. Wilson was born at Auburn, Susquehanna Co., Penn., in January, 1845, a son of George and Abigail (Mowry) Wilson. George Wilson was a native of New York State: his wife was born in Meshoppen, Wyoming Co., Penn., in ISTI, a daugh- ter of Ezekiel and Abigail (Alden) Mowry, natives of Rhode Island, who became carly settlers of Wyoming county, Penn. George Wilson was a farmer. He purchased a farm in Wyoming county. but later removed to Ilinois. Rerurning east, he followed railroad contracting in Virginia during the Civil war, after which he removed to Blooms- burg, Ill., and there died in 1870, leaving a widow and eleven children. The widow is now a resident of Polk county, Wis .. . and is aged eighty-eight years. The children of George and Abigail Wil- son were as follows: (1) William 11., born in Wyoming county in 1832, migrated to California

with the Argonauts in 18449, when a boy of sixteen, and has never since been heard from by his friends. (2) Marion and (3) Mary Jane (twins) ; Marion married Rice Webb, of Polk county, Wis., and died in South Dakota, leaving two children, Edith and George; Mary Jane married James Kent, of Polk county, Wis., is now a widow with four children,' and resides in Chicago, Ill. (4) George, born in 1836, migrated to Wisconsin in 1856, married Rose Fisk, and now resides at Osceola, Wis., where he is engaged in hotel and mercantile trade. He was elected register and recorder of Polk county, Wis., and has three children-Burton, a civil engineer at New Orleans, La. ; Carrie, who married a physician of Polk county, Wis., and Nelson, proprietor of a music store at Chicago. (5) Alden MI., born in 1838, enlisted in October, 1861, in Company B. 52nd P. V. I., Gov. Hoyt's regiment. He was wounded at Fair Oaks, the bullet entering his head and pass- ing out of his mouth. He remained at Baltimore hospital until discharged, when he enlisted, in 1864, in his old company, serving until the close of the war. He then lived successively in Wyoming county, Penn., in Wisconsin, Colorado, and. Los Angeles, Cal., where he died unmarried at the Sol- diers' Home in 1892. (6) Adelia, born in Sus- quehanna county in 1841, married Abram Gillespie, now a lumberman of Osceola Mills, Wis .: they have two children, Alma and Hattie. (7) Fannie, born in Wyoming county in 1843, married Henry Barnes, of Osceola Mills, and moved to Dakota, where she now lives, a widow with her children. (8) J. K. Polk, subject of this sketch. (9) Hat- tie, born in 1847, married Capt. Webb Seavy, of Osceola Mills, Wis., where they now reside with their family. (10) Noble E., born in 1850, a lum- berman of Wisconsin, unmarried. (II) Herbert MI., born in 1852. who is also engaged in lumbering in Wisconsin, and is unmarried.

J. K. Polk Wilson, our subject, was educated in the schools of Wyoming county, Penn .. and in his youth followed boating on the canal until Octo- ber, 1861, when, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in Company B, 52nd Regiment P. V. I., under Capt. Jayne, of Wyoming county. He was mustered in at Camp Curtin. The regiment was attached to the 5th Corps, Gen. Key's army of the Potomac. It was engaged at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chick- ahominy Swamp, Fair Oaks and Seven Pines ( May, 1862), then was engaged in skirmishing until within three miles of Richmond. After the battle of Fair Oaks the army crossed the Chickahominy and retired to Harrison's Landing. The regiment wintered at Yorktown, until December 29. 1862: then it embarked for Ililton Ilead and on trans- ports to Beaufort. S. C. Proceeding to Folly Is- land. it encountered the enemy at James Island. and for three nights was under fire. Marching to Fort Wagner, the regiment took part in the siege of Charleston until Sherman took the city. The 52nd was under fire almost every day during the cam- paign. At Fort Gregg, Morris Island. Mr. Wilson

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was given charge of a mortar and siege gun, and while there was wounded by the bursting of a shell. For five months he lingered in hospital No. 12, Beaufort, S. C. Rejoining his regiment, he was mustered out at Harrisburg in November, 1864. Returning to Wyoming county, he attended school until February, 1865, when he went to Philadelphia and enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Volunteers. They were taken to Washington, and there held in reserve until Lee's surrender in April, 1865. Mr. Wilson was at Washington during the grand re- view. He remained with the army, and was sta- tioncd at Camp Butler, near Springfield. Ill., guard- ing army property. In December, 1865, he was promoted to second lieutenant for gallant service. Lieutenant Wilson holds three army discharges, dated respectively, November 5, 1864, December, 1865, and March, 1866.

After finally mustered out, Lieutenant Wilson attended school at Chicago, Ill. He then engaged in railroading work for a time. Rejoining his father's family in Wisconsin, he again attended school and became a clerk on a Mississippi boat for a lumber firm. He was engaged for a time in mer- cantile business with his brother-in-law, Rice Webb. Returning to Wyoming county, Penn., he a little later engaged in distributing winter-green oil for a firm1. During the winter of 1868-69 he taught school in Barrett township, Monroe county, and while there he became acquainted with and married Miss Emma L. Zabriskie, daughter of Gar- ritt and Mary ( Palmer ) Zabriskie, one of the old families of Barrett township. Garritt Zabriskie was born in New York in 1821, his wife in Lon- don. England, in the same year. They had four children : James, Ida, Jennie, and Emma, wife of our subject.

After his marriage, Mr. Wilson settled in Wyoming county. Moving to Pittston, Luzerne county, he remained there until 1872. when he pur- chased part of the old Palmer homestead in Barrett township, Monroe county, and erected a handsome homestead. Mr. Wilson has remained here ever since. In addition to farming he has been one of the prominent school teachers of the township, teaching eight terms in one school. He has been elected to local offices, is now town auditor, and is also a school director. He was married in the Methodist Church, and now gives that Church Itis support. He is a member of Stroudsburg Post No. 150, G. A. R., and of Lodge No. 684, I. O. O. F., of Mountain Home, and is an honorary member of the P. O. S. of .A. He is also a member of the 52nd Regimental Association of Pennsylvania. Mr. and, Mrs. Wilson are among the people of the township whom it is a pleasure to know. Their influence is widely and beneficially felt in all causes which promote the general welfare.

IION. JOEL G. HILL, who has been promi- nent among the successful business men of Damas- cis. Wayne county, as a prosperous lumberman and

dairyman, has passed the greater part of his life in this region, having come here in 1849 with his par- ents. A. C. and Elmira ( Gillette ) Hill.

Mr. Hill was born August 1. 1845. in Otsego county, N. Y., where his grandparents, Josiah and Sophia ( Bigsbee ) Hill, settled in an early day. They were natives of Massachusetts, where they were married, and removed thence in 1812 to New York State, locating for a time in Herkimer coun- ty, and, later, in Otsego county, where they died well advanced in years. Their family consisted of five children, two daughters and three sons.

A. C. Hill was born in 1812 in Herkimer coun- ty, N. Y., grew to manhood in Otsego county. N. Y., and married Miss Eimira Gillette, of that coun- ty, by whom he had three sons. Abner G. : George, who died in childhood, and Joel G. The eldest was born in 1840 in Otsego county, and there re- ceived a good cducation in the common schools. He enlisted at Equinunk in 1861. and re-enlisted in 1863, serving four years in the army: he was sergeant, and had been recommended for a com- mission when the war closed. After his marriage A. C. Hill purchased a farm in Otsego county, seven miles north of Cherry Valley. and after living there four years sold the place and moved to the town of Hartwick, same county, where he bought an improved tract on which he also made his home four years: In 1845 he disposed of this property, and for one year afterward conducted a public- house at Jacksonville, Otsego county, at the same time embarking in another new undertaking. the raising of hops, in which he was very unfortunate, losing his entire crop by fire in the drying-house. In 1848 he began railroad contracting. his first work in this line being between Hancock and De- posit for the New York & Erie Railway Co. The following year he moved his family to Equinunk, Wayne Co., Penn., where they resided for sixteen years, and until 1854 he continued to engage in contracting and lumbering, building the public road from Equinunk to Union. Manchester township. and others. In the fall of 1854 he bought what was then known as the Chapman farm ( now the Thomas Tyner farmi), at Equinunk, where he lived until 1864, in which year he went to Idaho and com- menced mining. His first venture was in the mines of Farwell's Gulch. where he was located for one year, and thence he migrated by way of the Columbia river to Oregon, in which State he fol- lowed staging for about a year on the Oregon & Canyon City line. As his life in that business was in constant danger from the Indians he abandoned it, and in 1866 drifted to Honey Lake, Cal .. where he made a purchase of a tract of farmi land, on which he remained four years, in 1870 selling the place and removing to Reno, Nev .. there continu- ing to farm for one year. During the next two years he carried on a livery busines-, and then sold out to give his attention to the managing and train- ing of horses for the race course, being engaged thus until, in 1870. he went to Oakland, Cal. In

Goal Is. Hill -

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the fall of 1880 his son Joel visited him there, and Mr. Hill returned with him to Wayne county, where he has since lived retired, making his home in Damascus with the son just mentioned. Dur- ing his residence in Equinunk, when he was in the prime of life, Mr. Hill took an active part in its public affairs, and held a number of offices in his township, where he was widely known and re -- spected. In political faith he is a Democrat of the old Jacksonian stripe. Mrs. Hill passed away in September, 1869.

Joel G. Hill was reared in Equinunk, and re- ceived his education in the public schools there. The first event of real importance in his life was his enlistment, in September, 1863, in the 15th N. Y. V. E., under Col. Spalding, with which regi- ment he served faithfully until the close of the war, participating in a number of important engage- ments, among others those of Petersburg, Yellow Tavern, Fort Stedman, Hatcher's Run. Five Forks, Berksville Junction and Appomattox C. H. After Lee's surrender the regiment was retained to do duty on the Danville road, building the entire rail- road bridge across the Staunton river. destroyed by the Rebel forces, and from there they went to Washington, and thence home, Mr. Hill receiving his discharge at Elmira, N. Y., in July, 1865. On his return home he entered the employ of Holbert & Brauning, general merchants ,in the capacity of clerk, and remained with them four years, after which he entered the employ of Isaac Young, in Damascus, and continued with him until a short time after his marriage, which occurred in 1873. He then took up his home on his present place in Damascus township, having invested here in 2,100 acres of timber land, which he purchased from Isaac Young & Co., and whereon he erected a saw- mill, the lumber he manufactured being run down the Delaware river and disposed of in Philadelphia "and New York markets. Later he put up a grist- mill, which he still operates in connection with his other enterprises, and in 1876 he opened a general merchandise store, which he carried on profitably until 1895. During these years Mr. Hill has cleared much of his land and placed it in a good state of cultivation, raising 100 tons of hay alone each season. Numerous improvements in the way of fences, buildings, etc., have been made, his handsome modern residence and two fine barns be- ing worthy of notice, and one of his barns is used exclusively for his fine herd of cows, which is one of the largest and best in this section. His dairy business has assumed large proportions, and adds 110 small amount annually to his income, being con- ducted with the same success which has attended all of his undertakings. Our subject's interest in the lumbering, milling, agricultural and dairy line gave him a foremost position among the wealthy and active business men of the county, and in his shrewd management of his different concerns he 1 has won a reputation as one of the ablest and most } reliable. He manages the various branches of his

business personally, and has made an honorable and enviable record as a man of strict integrity, and worthy the confidence and trust of his employees and business associates alike.

Mr. Hill has naturally taken a deep interest in the progress and improvement of the community where his personal affairs and undertakings have centered, but he steadfastly refused office until 1893, when the Democrats of Wayne county, Penn., nomi- nated and elected liim to the office of county cont- missioner, the duties of which he discharged with such universal satisfaction that he was re-elected in 1896, and is still serving. Here at least is an instace of the office seeking the man. Mr. Hill's friends and acquaintances have long recognized the fact that a citizen of his ability and standing would be particularly suited to public office could he be prevailed upon to accept. Democrats of Da- mascus, Manchester and Berlin determined to nomi- nate him for county commissioner, feeling certain of his election, and he has not disappointed his con- stituents in any respect, bringing the same soundi principles and judgment into his public service as he has exercised so successfully in his commercial life. After serving two terms as commissioner, he declined nomination for a third term, and was nomi- nated by acclamation for the office of associate judge. In the fall of 1899 he was elected to the office, receiving the largest vote of any candidate in the county, and defeating his opponent by the hand- some majority of 1, 134 votes.

On June 17, 1873, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Mary J. Flynn, of Wayne county, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Flynn, of Manchester township, who were formerly residents of Greene county, N. Y. Four children have blessed this union : Lewis, John, Harris and Myra. all of whom are still under the parental roof, a roof which has a reputation throughout this section of Wayne county for bounteous and kindly hospitality. Lewis G., the eldest son, enlisted May 1, 1898. in Company E. 13th P. V. I., for service in the Spanish -- Ameri- can war. Mr. and Mrs. Hill number their friends by the score, and it is the wish of all that this esti- mable couple may live to enjoy the esteem of their fellow citizens for many years to come. Mrs. Hill is a devout member of the Methodist Church, and Mr. Hill contributes liberally to its support. Fra- ternally he is a member in good standing of Lodge No. 552, F. & A. M .. and of Capt. James Ila: Post No. 198, Grand Army of the Republic.

NATHAN PERKINS, who was for many years a leading representative citizen of Canaan township, Wayne county, died December 30, 1874. on the farm where his widow and children contini- ued to live. Ile was a native of that township. born of the old Perkins homestead, January 20. 1829. a son of Harvey and Caroline ( Fobes) Perkins. The father was born November 6. 1797, in New llaven county, Conn., in which State his parents. David and Nancy ( Todd) Perkins, spent their en-

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tire lives, being numbered among the wealthy and influential citizens of their community. The father of David Perkins, accompanied by his brothers, came from England to America at an early day, and took up his residence in the Nutmeg State. Our subject's father was the eldest in a family of six children, the others being Seymour, a farmer, who died in New York State; Willis, who died in New Haven. Conn .; Emily, who married David Lonsberry, and died in Connecticut ; Alvin, a mier- chant, who also died in that State; and David A., who died in childhood, in Connecticut.

At the age of fourteen years Harvey Perkins began learning the cabinet maker's trade, but after working at that occupation for five years he served a two-years' apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. and later became quite a prominent contractor and builder, erecting the Methodist Episcopal church in Honesdale, and also two hotels in Carbondale, Penn. In 1854 he practically retired from carpen- tering, but when past the age of eighty years built a large barn for John Shaffer. Coming to Wayne county in 1821, he ever afterward made his home in Canaan township, In 1822 he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Fobes, who was born January 21, 1802, a daugliter of John and Lida (Baldwin) Fobes, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, who were among the earliest settlers of Wayne county, Penn., having located in Canaan township in 180S. After building a log cabin, her father began to clear and improve his land. For many years in early life he engaged in school teaching. Later, as a contractor, he built one mile of the Belmont & Easton turnpike, for which he received $1,000, and three miles of the Milford & Owego turnpike, for which he received $3.000. He invested $500 in the stock of the latter road, but lost it all. For the long period of thirty- five years he most creditably served as justice of the peace in Canaan township, Wayne county.

The subject of this sketch was third in the order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: Thomas C .. born July 3. 1826, was a jeweler by trade, and died on the old homestead in Canaan township in 1866. Emily, born in 1828, married Lafayette Davis. a farmer of Kansas, and died in 1851. Alvin, born in 1834, died in 1852. Anna E., born in 1837, died in 1877. George E., born January 7, 1842. is a resident of Waymart, Wayne county, employed on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad. Lucretia, born April 9. 1847, is the wife of Dwight Buckland. a brakeman on the Gravity railroad. residing in Canaan township, and a veteran of the Civil war. The mother of these children died May 14, 1884, the father October 4. 1887. and both were laid to rest in the Canaan Cor- ners cemetery. In early days he was a member of the State Militia, and later held several local offices of honor and trust.

For five years after starting out in life for him- self. Nathan Perkins worked as a carpenter for the Gravity railroad, but with that exception his entire

life was devoted to lumbering and farming. A short time after his marriage lie removed to the farm on which his widow lived until her death, and there spent his remaining days. He was a thorough and skillful farmer, and met with a well-deserved success in his undertakings. He was one of the most prominent representatives of the Republican party in his community, and was often called upon to fill local official positions. Honored and respected by all who knew him, no man in Wayne county is more worthy of representation in a work of this kind, and there is none whose name is held in more grateful remembrance.

In Mckean county, Penn., Mr. Perkins was married, September 16, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Lasher, Rev. A. Roberts, a Methodist Episcopal minister, officiating. She was born in that county June 20. 1834. a daughter of Henry and Lyda ( Maker ) Lasher, who were born, reared and mar- ried in New York State, whence they removed to McKean county, Penn., where the father followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He died in May, 1869, at about the age of sixty-nine years, his wife in February, 1850, at the age of forty- five, and both were laid to rest in the Smethport cemetery, Mckean county. They were earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church, and he was a stanch Republican in politics. Their children were Elizabeth S., who married Henry Barrett, and both are now deceased : Eunice, who married Orrin Haven, and both are deceased ; Mary A., widow of our subject, who died April 7, 1899; Laura J., who married Henry French, and both are deceased ; Cas- sie E., wife of George Leonard, a retired farmer of Waymart, Wayne county ; Lydia A., deceased wife of Charles Rice. who is living retired in Steubenville, N. Y. ; and Charlotte, who married George Perkins. a railroad man of Waymart, and died January 9. 1900.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Perkins were born five children, namely: Delazean HI. died at the age of thirty-one years: Merton A. is a school teacher. living at home: Minnie L. was for a time success- fully engaged in school teaching, and is now the wife of D. C. Elliott. a farmer of Cherry Ridge. Wayne county: Herbert died at the age of six years; and Cora. an accomplished musician, now engaged in teaching that art. resides at home. The family is one of prominence in social circles, and at their hos- pitable home they delight to entertain their many friends.

CHARLES W. AKERS, a well-known black- smith and farmer of Dreher township. Wayne coun- ty. is an excellent mechanic and one of the best agriculturists of the community, having thoroughly mastered both occupations. Ile was born in that township. November 27. 1848. and is a son of Jehu and Mary A. (Nevin, Akers, natives of Monroe an! Wayne counties. Penn .. respectively. His paternal grandparents. John and Rebecca Akers. came to this country from Ireland, and were among

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 41

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