Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 57

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 57
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 57
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 57
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 57

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JAMES F. DAVALL. the well-known propri- ctor of "The Spruces," a beautiful farm in Preston township. Wayne county, is a native of the county, born October 12, 1833. at Little York, now called Winwood, and is a representative of an old and prominent family. The name was originally spelled De Valle. The first of the family to come to the New World were French Huguenots, who were obliged to leave France on account of religious per- Secution, and in this country they established a home prior to the Revolutionary war, in which they were i represented, serving under Gen. 1.a Favette. There were two brothers, one of whom went South and was killed during a Fourth of July celebration, while

the other located in northern New York, and from him our subject is descended.

William F. Davall (our subject's father) was born in New York City, a son of Franklin and Sarah (Sands) Davall, the former a native of Og- densburg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., the latter of Connecticut, belonging to the same Sands family which has its representatives near Hancock, N. Y. About 1820, when William F. Davall was eleven years of age, his father, who was a rope maker, left New York City for Preston township, Wayne Co., Penn., where the son grew to manhood. He wedded Mary J. Simpson, a native of England, who when a child of eight years was brought by her parents, James and Sarah (Stockdale ) Simpson, to America, they spending their last days in Preston township, Wayne county. Being an only son, William F. Da- vall remained on the old homestead for many years, and later lived for some years on the Stockport road in Preston township, following lumbering and farm- ing throughout his active business life. On attain- ing his majority he became a Democrat. but in 1856 voted for Fremont. and continued to support that party until called from this life at the age of seventy- six years. He attended Church, was quite liberal in his religious views, while his wife held member- ship in the Universalist Church. She died in De- cember, 1899, at the home of her daughter, Fanny McLaury, Oquaga Lake, aged eighty-eight years.

In the family of this worthy couple were twelve children : James F .; Mrs. Julia Belknap (de- ceased ) ; William H., a resident of Susquehanna county, Penn .; Mrs. Sarah J. Hays ( deceased) ; Charles O., of California; Savillian F., who during the Civil war was a member of the 56th P. V. I., and died at the age of twenty-five years ; Mrs. Eliza Parsons, of Potter county, Penn. ; John S., a member of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, during the war, and now a resident of Preston township, Wayne county: Mrs. Phoebe O. Lord, of Potter county : George L., a merchant of Winwood : Mrs. Clara L. Hartwick, of Potter county; and Fanny M. MeLaury, of Oquaga Lake, N. Y. Our subiect, two brothers, and three brothers-in-law-Hays. Par- sons and Hartwick-were all Union soldiers during the Rebellion. Two sisters, Julia and Eliza; were for a time successiul school teachers.

To a limited extent James F. Davall attended the district schools during his boyhood. but at the age of fourteen years laid aside his text books to aid his father in the mill. and to bumbering and milling he devoted his time until the outbreak of the Civil war. In August. 1801, at the first call for three years' men, lie calisted in the 5och New York En- ginger Corps, and with his command was at or near most of the great batties in which the Army of the Potomac participated. During the last year of the war he was on detached service with llanceck's corps, and was finally honorably discharged at Elmira. N. Y., after three years and thirty-one days of arduous and faithful service. Returning home, Mr. Davall resumed the occupations of farming and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lumbering, and in 1870 bought the John Stearns farm of 144 acres, which has since been his home. His beautiful residence was built in 1893, at a cost of $3,500, and good barns and other outbuildings have also been erected, making it one of the most desirable farms of Preston township. It is con- veniently located two miles from Winwood, and here he is successfully engaged in general farming and dairying.

On October 27, 1864, Mr. Davall married Miss Mary J. Carpenter, a daughter of Nathan T. and Mary (Luther) Carpenter. the latter a descendant of Martin Luther. In 1831 her parents removed from Swansea, Mass., to Preston township, Wayne coun- ty, Penn., where the father died in 1893, aged eighty- nine years, the mother when aged fifty-seven. În their family were three sons and two daughters, namely : Theopholis Luther, who was a member of the 50th New York Engineer Corps during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Jackson, Susquehanna Co., Penn. ; Mary J., wife of cur subject ; Dan, who died of measles while serving as a member of the 50th New York Engineer Corps; Hannah, who died unmarried ; and Nathan who was a member of the same regiment as his brothers and is now living in Pleasant Mount, Penn. Politically the father was first a Whig and later a Republican. In religious faith he was liberal, while his wife was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Davall are: Mary L., wife of Oscar Curtis, of Sherman, Penn. : Anna, wife of Edwin Bayless, of Glen Hazel, Elk Co., Penn. ; Phenie C., a popular and successful teacher, now the wife of T. B. Lippincott, of Elk county ; and William F. and Grace, both at home. The chil- dren have all been well educated, attending the academies at Pleasant Mount, Hancock and De- posit, N. Y. The family are all connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. Fraternally. Mr. Davall is an honored member of Capt. Oliver Mumford Post No. 373, G. A. R., of Starrucca.

HON. HUMPHREY J. MILLARD. Men of marked ability, forceful character and culture leave their impress upon the world written in such indel'- ble characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after they have passed from the scene of their earthly careers. Mr. Millard is one of the strongest characters who have become an integral part of the business, political and religious life of Susquehanna county, and by the exercise of his powers has not only advance 1 his individual prosperity but has contributed in no small degree to the welfare of the county.

This worthy citizen of Rush township is a na- tive of Susquehanna county, born in Lenox town- ship. December 24. 1843, and is a son of Stephen S. and Sallie E. (Tower) Millard. The father was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, oper- ating sawmills in this region. In politics he was

first a Democrat, and later a Republican. Both he and his wife were carnest and faithful members of the Baptist Church. He was born in Clifford township, Susquehanna county, December 7, 1818, and died in Rush township, April 27, 18So, being laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery, Auburn town- ship. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born in Harford township, October 28, 1823, andl died in Lenox township, February 28, 1850, being buried there. The children born to them were: Mary, deceased wife of Samuel D. Janes, of Great Bend; Humphrey J., our subject ; Freeman T., who was killed on the railroad while working as brake- man ; and Rosanna P., deceased wife of Oscar C. Tallman. For his second wife the father married Ann Kennedy, a daughter of Ezra Kennedy, of New Jersey. She died August 18, 1873, and was buried in Jersey Hill cemetery. The following children were born of this union :. Libby wife of William Terry, of Brooklyn township, Susquehanna Co., Penn .; Martha, wife of David Patterson, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Fremont, also a resident of Binghamton ; Amanda, wife of Adelbert Allen, of South Montrose, Penn .: Norman, a farmer of Owego, N. Y. ; Alice, wife of Charles Flummerfelt, a hotel man, of Springville, Penn .; Arthur, a stone mason, of Rome, Penn. The father's third mar- riage was with Sylvia Maxy, by whom he had no children. Our subject's paternal grandparents, John T. and Sallie ( Buck) Millard, were of Irish and Dutch extraction, respectively, and died in Jackson county, Wis. He was a farmer and manu- facturer of shingles. Their children were : Andrew, Stephen S., John, Margaret (wife of Benjamin Carr ), Clarissa ( wife of William Hamilton ), Nel- son, David, Ebenezer, Sarah ( wife of Allen Mc- Donald), and Lydia. The maternal grandparents were Rial and Betsy ( Carr) Tower, natives of Ver- mont who removed to Susquehanna county. Penn., in a sleigh. They were quite literary people.

Humphrey J. Millard was only seven years old when his mother died. He remained with his father tintil seventeen, when he entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com- pany, serving as brakeman for eight months. Not liking that occupation he sought employment in the lumber woods. and, by peeling bark and doing similar work for six months of the year, he was able to pay his own expenses while attending school during the remainder of the year. His time was thus occupied until after the opening of the Re- bellion. On August 12, 1862. he enlisted. becoming a private, in Company H. 14Ist Regiment. P. V. I .. under Capt. Casper Tyler, and was in active ser- vice until April 9, 1865. participating in the battles of Fredericksburg: Gettysburg, where the regi- ment lost 200 out of 240 mich; the Wilderness; Spottsylvania : Cold Harbor: North Anna ; and a.l of the engagements and skirmishes in front of Petersburg. During the battle of Chancellorsville he was ill and off duty for two weeks, and at the · beginning of his army career was sick with malarial fever. Ile was honorably discharged at Bailey's

Do.g. Hilland

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Cross Roads, Va., May 28, 1865, with the rank of corporal, and on his return home resumed work in the lumber woods. His father was a member of the same company, and received a wound at the battle of Spottsylvania from the effects of which he never fully recovered, his back being injured while climb- ing over breastworks in obedience to orders. He was discharged from Emory Hospital.

On September 12, 1866, at New Milford, Penn., Mr. Millard married Miss Eudora M. Baldwin, and to them have been born four children, Harvey E., who died young ; Ernest S., at home; Mary R., wife of James L. Grow, who also lives with our subject ; and Judson C., at home. Mrs. Millard was born in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna coun- ty, July 12, 1847, a daughter of Jeremiah and Nan- cy M. ( Tinker) Baldwin, the former also a native of Bridgewater township, the latter of Connecticut. Both died in that township, the father August 6, 1889, aged seventy-one years, the mother May 28, 1897, aged seventy-four years, and were buried there. They were faithful members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and the father was a farmer by occupation. Their children were Albert J., a merchant of Groton, N. Y .; Edwin C., a resident of Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county ; Eudora M., wife of our subject; Irving, who is en- gaged in the creamery business in Tully, N. Y .; James, who is engaged in the same business in Baldwinsville, N. Y .: George, who conducts a creamery in Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county ; and Ella and Della, who both died young. Mrs. Millard's paternal grandparents, Mathew and Betsy (Vaughn') Baldwin, were natives of Connecti- cut, but from an early day made their home in Sus- quehanna county. The maternal grandparents. William and Eliza Tinker, were also natives of Connecticut, and early settlers of New Milford, Susquehanna county, where the former engaged in farming.

After his marriage, in the fall of 1866, Mr. Millard went to La Crosse, Jackson Co., Wis., where he was engaged in the lumber business until 1869. and on his return to this State entered the Keystone Academy, for three years pursuing Ins studies under the direction of Dr. Harris, now president of Buck- nell University. He then entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, and his first charge was at Benton Center, Lackawanna Co., Penn., where he was ordained, and he remained for three years, also having charge of the congregation at Dalton for the two last years. Having contracted spotted fever, he was obliged to give up his work the fol- lowing three years, and his next Church was at Hyde Park, Scranton, where he also remained for three years. Owing to ill health he was again forced to retire, at this time purchasing his pres- ent farm in Rush township, Susquehanna county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has since devoted much of his energies with most grat- ifying results, and is still successfully engaged in general farming and dairying. He has also en-

gaged in his chosen calling much of the time, being pastor of the Church at Rush two years, Birchard- ville two years, Warren Center seven years, and Olyphant two and one-half years, and he has de- voted considerable time to evangelistic work in New York State. He has labored most faithfully in the Master's cause as his health would permit, and lie is beloved by all who know himt.

Politically Mr. Millard is a stanch Republican. and in 1893 and 1895 most ably and satisfactorils represented his district in the State Legislatinic. He was one of the members who first introduced and secured the passage of the Erie Bonus Bil !. He is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, conficence and high regard of all who know him.

WILLIAM CORTRIGHT (deceased) was a native of Pike county, born in Delaware town- ship in September, 1823, and was a worthy repre- sentative of one of the prominent old pioneer fami- lies of the county, being a son of Abram P. and Mary (Haines) Cortright. The father was born in Pike county, and both parents spent their entire lives here, Abram P. Cortright dying in Delaware township, in 1852, at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife in Westfall township, in 1862, at the age of eighty-four. Both were buried in Delaware ceme- tery. Of their children, Mary (now deceased) married John Dickerson; Benjamin (deceased) married Eliza Dickerson: Susan (deceased) mar- ried George Heater; Isaac ( deceased) married Susan Cole; Milla is the widow of Abram Rosen- crans, of Port Jervis, N. Y .: Joseph died unmar- ried : William, our subject, was the next in the family: Angeline ( deceased) married Thomas Friedenberg : Jacob married Lettie Whitmore, and resides in Hawley, Penn. ; and John, a farmer of Lehman township, Pike county, married Sarah Williams. The father was a farmer by occupation, and, being a man of prominence in his community, he was called upon to serve in several township offices. He enlisted during the war of 1812, but never saw active service, the struggle ending before he reached the front. His mother was killed by the Indians in an early day.

During his boyhood and youth William Cort- right remained with his parents, but at the age of eighteen he began the battle of life for himself, and until he attained the age of twenty-four worked by the year at farming and lumbering. For the following thirteen years he rented his late farm, and then he purchased the same, which is now a highly cultivated tract of seventy-six acres, well improved with good and substantial buildings. At all times he cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and he was called upon to serve in several local offices, including those of supervisor and school director. Religiously he was a member of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the Dutch Reformed Church, and he was eminently worthy of the trust and high regard in which he was held by his fellow citizens. In the fall of 1864 he was drafted for service in the Civil war, but he sent a substitute at an expense of $Soo.

At Stroudsburg, Penn., January 2, 1852, Mr. Cortright was united in marriage with Miss Sally Ann Collins, a native of Northampton county, Penn., who died in March, 1889, at the age of sixty- two years, and was laid to rest in Delaware ceme- tery. Her parents, John and Catherine (Hunt) Collins, spent their entire lives in Northampton county. To our subject and his wife were born eight children, as follows: Irvin, who died young ; Mary, now the wife of Stephen Cole, a clerk of Bangor, Penn., who has had three children-Mabel (deceased) ; Beatrice and Elston C. ; Maria, at home ; Sarah Ann, who died young; Cornelia, wife of Moses Briscoe, who is mentioned elsewhere; Will- iam, at home; Alva, who married Isabelle Green, now deceased, and is a resident of Staten Island, N. Y. (he had one son, William) ; and Philip, who married Anna Swartwood, and is a farmer of Leh- man township, Pike county. William Cortright, the father of this family, died December 4, 1899, and was laid to rest in Delaware cemetery.

F. W. CLAUSON, who has the leading black- smith business in Texas township, Wayne county, is one of the prosperous self-made men of this sec- tion, and though he is one of the younger element in business circles he is classed among the solid and reliable citizens of the vicinity, where he has estab- lished himself and made so signal a success. Mr. Clauson is a native of Sullivan county, N. Y., and was born in 1865, son of Nicholas and Louisa (Melich ) Clauson.

Nicholas Clauson was born in Denmark, and was a young man when he came to New York City. At this time he was engaged in sailing, holding the position of steward on one of the sailing vessels of the old Cunard Line, which traded all over the western hemisphere. In New York City he was united in marriage with Louisa Melich, a native of Germany, and she accompanied him on many of his voyages, visiting a number of ports. He finally made a home for his family in New York, where they lived until failing health compelled him to leave the water, after which they resided for several years in Sullivan county, N. Y. Mr. Clauson died in 1868, in New York City, and in 1871 the widow moved to Damascus, Wayne Co., Penn., and bought a farm, where she still makes her home. They erected a fine home, she and her four sons working and improving the place, which they converted into a most valuable property. The boys all received the advantages of the neighboring public schools during their early years, but they were inured to farm work when very young, and showed more than ordinary ability and ambition in helping their mother to make a comfortable living from the home place. They were all eager to strike out for themselves and take

their place in the active world of business, and when the time came they proved equal to it, for they have all prospered in life. The family consists of four sons, of whom the eldest, Charles M .. is engaged in business in Hawley; George L. is a sergeant in the Sixth Cavalry, belonging to the regular army and stationed at Fort Myer, W. Va .; Nicholas P. is one of the leading young merchants in Scranton.

F. W. Clauson received his training in Sullivan and Wayne counties, obtaining his schooling for the most part in Damascus. When eighteen years old he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he completed under Prof. George G. Rich, of Tioga county, Penn., one of the most skillful professional horseshoers of the day, who is famous throughout Pennsylvania and neighboring States. In 1888 Mr. Clauson built a shop of liis own at the old homestead in Damascus, and carried on business there until IS96, when, feeling that his experience and skill would have better chance for development in a wider field, he moved to Honesdale and established him- self in business in that town, purchasing a fine prop- erty on Maple avenue. He now commands the lead- ing trade in this section, and he well deserves the success which has come to him, for he has won it all by hard work and faithful attention to the details of his business. His reputation for honesty and in- tegrity is unquestioned.

In 1894 Mr. Clauson wedded Miss Jennie Irene Teeple, daughter of Elijah and Sylvia Teeple, of Lookout, Manchester township, Wayne county, where her father is one of the leading merchants and a prominent citizen. They lived on the Clauson homestead until their removal to their present home in 1896. No children have been born to this union. Mr. Clauson is a Republican in political preference, differing in this respect from his father, who sup- ported the other great party. He has always taken a deep interest in the welfare and progress of his community, but he has never taken any particular part in public or political affairs. Religiously he attends and supports the AI. E. society.

JAMES MI. GILPIN, a successful agricultur- ist of Dreher township, and a leading business man of South Sterling, Wayne county, is an honored member of a well-known highly respected family of this section of the great State of Pennsylvania. Energetic and industrious, straightforward and pro- gressive. he well merits prominent mention among the representative citizens of Wayne county.

Mr. Gilpin is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born at his present place March 10, 1850, a son of Richard and Eliza B. ( Bennett) Gilpin, natives of County AArmagh, Ireland, and the State of Connecticut, respectively, the former born May 15, 1800, died February 25, 1870. and the latter born February 3. ISOS, died November 20, 1886. The remains of this honored pioneer couple now rest in Pine Grove cemetery, Wayne county.

Richard and Mary ( Bortree ) Gilpin, paternal grandparents of our subject, were both natives of the

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

691

North of Ireland, whence with their family of chil- dren, they in ISIo emigrated to the United States, settling in 1811 at Sterling, Wayne Co., Penn., where they became prosperous farmers. They had children as follows: William married a Miss Bor- tree; Richard, father of James M., comes next in the order of birth; Thomas was married twice, first time to a Miss Dobson, and ( second) to Elizabeth Lee ; John R. married Susanna Bortree; Mary mar- ricd Jesse Kansberry ; Eliza married Edward Bor- tree, and Ann married John Bortree (a brother of Edward).

Jeremiah and Lyda ( Brown) Bennett, the ma- ternal grandparents, were natives of Connecticut, whence they migrated to Wayne county at an early day (the grandfather coming with his parents when a boy), and were among the first settlers of this section of the State. Their children were: Eliza, B. (mother of James M.) and Lucina. Jeremiah Bennett married for his second wife Elizabeth Clem- ens, and they had two children; Perry, married to Margaret Madden, and Phineas, who died unmar- ried, at the age of twenty-two years.

Richard Gilpin, the father of our subject proper, as will be seen, was about eleven years old when he accompanied his parents in their emigra- tion from the North of Ireland, and settled in Wayne county. He received a good common-school edu- cation, for a time taught school, and was reared on the home farm to agricultural pursuits, which, in connection with lumbering, he made his life work. Promintent and active in political and social circles, he was called to fill various offices of responsibility and trust, at one time serving as commissioner of Wayne county ; was a justice of the peace for many years, and also a school director. In religious faith he was a member of the M. E. Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard were married at South Sterling, Wayne county, December 28, 1824, and ten children were born to them, a brief record of them being as follows : ( 1) Charles W., born October 1.4, 1825 (died March 24, 1893), married Margaret Lan- caster ; (2) Richard J., born October 12, 1827 ( died April 2, 1886), married Mary A. Bortree ; (3) Jere- miah, born May 16, 1830, a farmer of Sterling town- ship, Wayne county, married Catherine Buckley; (4) Thomas, born December 19, 1832, died unmar- ried, at the age of twenty-three years; (5) William R., born January 25, 1836, a farmer in Pike county, Penn., has been twice married, first to Elizabeth Wallace, second to Mary Huguenin; (6) Robert E., born May 19, 1839, also a farmer of Pike county, residing at Laanna, married Amanda Houck; (7) Lydia A., born August 18, 1840 ( died in 1800), mar- ried Isaac M. Barnes, of Dreher township: (8) Fletcher, born July 2. 1843, a physician in Dreher township, married Elizabeth Houck; (9) George A., born April 25, 1846, died unmarried at the age of twenty-four years; ( 10) James M. is the gentle- man, whose name introduces this sketch.

James M. Gilpin was reared on the home farm in Dreher township, receiving a liberal education

at the public schools, and since the death of his father in 1870 has conducted the homestead with the same skill, care and zeal that have characterized liis entire life. In 1889, desiring to embark in mer- cantile pursuits as well, he formed a partnership with his nephew, Alvin E. Barnes, in general mer- chandising, and they opened their present place of business in South Sterling, where, by close attention to business, strict integrity and courteous treatment of their customers, they have succeeded in sccur- ing a liberal trade, which is continually expanding.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 57

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