USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 6
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 6
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
EDMUND OLVER. Like many of Wayne county's best and most useful citizens, this gentle- man is of English birth, born in Cornwall, October 15, 1820, and is a son of John and Sarah ( Aunger) Olver, also natives of Cornwall.
William Olver, the paternal grandfather, never left England, nor did the maternal grandfather, Edward Aunger; both were born in Cornwall. In 1831 the parents of our subject, with their eleven children, crossed the ocean, landing in the United States in June of that year, and at once proceeded to their future home in Wayne county, Penn., where three more children were added to the family, mak- ing fourteen in all, namely: Thomas and Jolin, who are now deceased ; William, a resident of Carbon- dale, Penn .; Richard. deceased; Edmund, the sub- ject of this review; Elizabeth, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Trevelton. of Berlin township; George, a resident of Beach Lake; Frances, who died in Wayne county; James, of Berlin township; Amos and Moses, both deceased; Daniel, living near Beach Lake; and Joseph. of Berlin township. On coming to the county the father purchased a tract of wild timber land, which, with the aid of his son, he converted into an excellent farm-the place on which his son Joseph now resides. For six years he made his home in Bethany, and then returned to' the farm, where he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a Republican in political sentiment, and in religious connection was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. She died at the age of eighty-eight years. They were widely and favorably known throughout the county, and had hosts of warm friends.
Edmund Olver was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the voyage across the Atlantic consuming seven weeks. In the schools of his native land he began his education, which was completed by a short attendance at the public schools of Wayne county. For some years during early life he was employed in a glass factory, but since then has given his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of a fine farm of 170 acres in Berlin township, which is improved with a good orchard, a comfortable residence, and sub- stantial outbuildings. all standing as monuments to his thrift and industry.
In 1845 Mr. Olver was married to Miss Eliza Stevens, also a native of Cornwall, England, and a daughter of Jolin and Mary Stevens, who died in New York City. Eleven children blessed this union, three of whom were daughters who died in infancy; Amos, a resident of Salem, Wayne coun- ty : Eliza Ann, wife of James Rice. of Atco. same county: Emma Louisa. wife of J. G. Williams, of Scranton, Penn .: Annger, living near the old home : Frank and Mathew. also of Scranton: Ella H., at home: and John N .. of Avoca. Penn. Mr. Olver has been called upon to mourn the death of his estimable wife, who passed from this life to the
world beyond on January 19, 1897, beloved and respected by all who knew her. She was a true Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and a most faithful wife and mother, whose "children shall rise up and call her blessed." Mr. Olver is also 'a faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which he has served as trustee for years, taking an active part in all Church and benevolent work. As a Republican, he takes an active interest in political affairs, and for some time has served in the office of township inspector. He was also a member of the school board for many years, and three of his sons have also been members of the same board, Amos serving as its president. The family is one of prominence in the community, its members occupying honorable and useful posi- tions in life.
ROYAL M. CARTER, who passed away January 8, 1875, was a lifelong farmer of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, and was in his day one of the highly-respected residents of this sec- tion. Mr. Carter was born January 11. 1835. in South Auburn, son of Daniel and Barbara ( Bens- coter ) Carter, and was one of a family of six chil- dren, the others being: Ada (Mrs. Russel), Nabby (Mrs. Harned, deceased), Griswold, Mul- ford (deceased), and Sally (Mrs. Jagger, de- ceased ).
On July 27, 1856, our subject was married, at the home of the bride, to Miss Christina Low, and their union was blessed with children as iol- lows: Anderson E., who died at the age of two years, two months; Libbie, wife of Henry Love. a retired farmer living at Mehoopany, Penn .; An- drew, who carries on farming in Auburn township, and with whom Mrs. Carter now makes her home; Daniel, a farmer of Auburn township. who mar- ried Minnie Brotzman; William M., a hardware merchant of Meshoppen, Penn., who married Mary Seely ; and Kern, who was a hardware merchant at Meshoppen, where he died at the age of twenty- eight years, and was buried at the brick chapel ( he married Libby Cole). Stephen Harned came to live with Mr. and Mrs. Carter when eleven years old, and remained until he reached the age of twenty-one. He married Hannah Taylor, and is engaged in farming. Mr. Carter's remains rest in the cemetery at Retta, Auburn township. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and politically he sympathized with the Republican party. He set- tled on the farm now owned by his son Andrew in April, 1865, and there passed the remainder of his days, devoting himself to general farming, in which he became quite prosperous.
Mrs. Christina ( Low) Carter was horn De- cember 15. 1833, in Hunterdon county, N. J., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth ( Robbins) Low, and granddaughter of Cornelius and Christina Low. Her parents come from New Jersey to Susquehanna county in 1836, settling in Auburn township, where they made a permanent home on Jersey Hill, the
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
father engaging in farming all his days. The place was new on their arrival here, and Mr. Low was obliged to make a clearing for even the small dwelling which he erected. He died March 13, 1875, aged sixty-three years, the mother in Octo- ber, 1839, when forty years of age, and they are buried in Jersey Hill cemetery. They were mem- bers of the M. E. Church. Of their five children, Lucy A., deceased, was the wife of Benjamin Pier- son ; Isaac is a farmer in Rush township; Christina married Royal M. Carter : Jane died young ; Kern is a resident of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
Andrew Carter was born September 6, 1862, in Auburn township, where he grew to manhood, receiving a good education at the local public schools. He was reared to farming, living with his parents until his marriage, when he purchased a farm in Auburn, and he made his home thereon until in 1891, when he purchased the farm which he now occupies. It is a handsome property, com- prising 154 acres of fertile land, devoted to general crops, and cultivated in the most careful and mod- ern manner. Everything about the place bespeaks the most watchful attention on the part of the owner, who has been well repaid for the labor and care he has bestowed upon his land, which yields him a substantial income. Though yet a young man, he occupies a foremost position among the intelligent and progressive agriculturists of the township, where he is well and favorably known. He gives his time and attention almost exclusively to his farming interests, taking little active part in public affairs, though he has served as poor director of the township since 1898. Fraternally he belongs to the I. O. O. F. lodge at Auburn Center. In November, 1881, Andrew Carter and Miss Luna A. Taylor were united in marriage, the ceremony taking place at Skinner's Eddy, and they have had three children-Virgie, Vida O. and Jay A.
WILLIAM THOMPSON GILLESPIE is a prominent resident of Harford, and his interests in Susquehanna county, both social and commercial, are extensive. He is a "Blue Lodge Mason," and a leading Democrat. For three terms he was chosen school director by the suffrages of his fellow-citi- zens, and he has been twice elected poormaster. He was born in the township of Great Bend, July 11, 1829.
As may be inferred from his name, our sub- ject is of Scottish descent, and he feels a pardonable and wholly natural pride in his lineage. His pa- ternal grandfather was John Gillespie, his mother's father James McMichael. both of Scotland, as were their wives. John Gillespie married Jeannette Hume, and was one of the comparatively carly set- tlers in Susquehanna county, making his home in Great Bend township. Both he and his wife are dead, and their remains rest in a churchyard in the home of their adoption. Their children, all of whom are now deceased, were William, Thomas, James (a sea captain who was lost with his vessel), John
(father of William Thompson ), Joseph, Jane (mar- ried to Robert Bell), Jeannette ( who became the wife of George Lock), and Margaret ( who died in childhood).
James McMichael married Mary Thompson, and they also emigrated from the "land o' cakes." to Susquehanna county, beginning a new life in Great Bend township. They are buried at Riverside, N. Y., not far from the State line. To them were born: Agnes L., who married James Broadfoot; Mary L., wife of James Carlisle ; and Jane C., mothi- er of William Thompson Gillespie.
John and Jane C. (McMichael) Gillespie, our subject's parents, were Presbyterians. Their mar- riage was blessed with seven children, of whom William T. was second in the order of birth. The others were: James Mc M., a retired farmer of Antelope county, Neb. ; Thomas L., a wagon maker of Kirkwood, N. Y., who married Miss A. Eliza- beth Terboss; Joseph, of Binghamton, N. Y., who married Mary F. Stiles ; Richard, a farmer of Great Bend, whose first wife was Venicy Simons, his sec- ond Flora A. Johnson ; and John B., also a farmer in Antelope county, Neb., who married Estelle Ter- boss.
William T. Gillespie married Mary Ann Leslie, who was born in Harford township, February 15, 1837, a daughter of John and Mary A. ( Birnie) Leslie. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have been born twelve children : William L., Jane C., Margaret I .. Thomas G., Clara V., Helen M., Jessie A., Frances J., Mary E., Anna C., James R., and John. Of these, Clara V. and John have died. William L. married Emma Burlingame, and is a miller at Bing- hamton, N. Y. Jane C. married William Hunt. a farmer of Great Bend, who was at one time a rail- road fireman. Margaret I. married Clark L. Tif- fany, of Binghamton. Thomas G. married Nellie Alworth, and is a prosperous farmer in Harford township. The other daughters are unmarried and live at home.
Until he reached the age of fourteen years William T. Gillespie lived at home and attended school. During the next six years he worked as clerk for his uncle, Thomas Gillespie, who conduct- ed a store at Carbondale. Penn. Then came the discovery of the precious yellow metal in California, and his soul was fired with a longing for adventure and dreams of wealth. He went to New York and took passage on a steamer bound for California. by way of the Isthmus of Panama, to prospect and mine for gold. Ten years he spent on the Pacific slope, and then he set his face once more toward Sus- quehanna county. He married. as has been told, and for two years lived on his father's farm, when hie purchased his own valuable property. There he has since resided, with the exception of a brief period of ten months, during which time he served as a soldier in the Union army. He was drafted into the service in 1863, and mustered into Com- pany E. 177th P. V. I., at Harrisburg. and was mustered out in 1864. He took part in no engage-
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ments, his duties being chiefly confined to acting as guard and throwing up breastworks.
Mr. Gillespie has passed the "three score years and ten" allotted by the Psalmist as the average span of human life, yet his mental faculties are keen, and his physical strength but little impaired in view of his years. Life's sunset is settling upon him, but its glowing hues are not yet fading.
EDWARD B. BEARDSLEE, Justice of the Peace and merchant at Little Meadows, Susque- hanna county, is not only one of the most prominent citizens of the borough in which he resides, but represents one of the oldest and best-known pio- neer families in Susquehanna county.
Mr. Beardslee was born in Apolacon town- ship, January 15, 1836, son of Silas and Julia A. ( Barton) Beardslee. Silas Beardslee was born in Middletown Center, Susquehanna county, April 25, 1810, son of Silas and Catherine ( Treadwell) Beardslee, natives of Connecticut, who were among the early pioneer settlers. Silas Beardslee, Sr., was the son of John Beardslee, a Revolutionary soldier present at the burning of Danbury, Conn., by the British. He was born in 1726. Silas Beardslee, Sr., a clothier by trade, came to Rush township, Susquehanna county, at a very early day, and later moved further up the North Branch of Wyalusing creek, where he purchased wild land, making a home for his wife and family. He was killed by falling from a load of hay, in July, 1820, leaving his wife, Catherine, with three sons and six daughters. namely: (1) Eunice, born in 1790, married Jos- eph Beebe. (2) William, born November 22, 1792, married Abigail Whitaker, and died in May, 1852, leaving four children, William L., Asher MI., Mary A. and Maria MI. (3) Mehitabel, born in 1795, married Miner Fairchild. (4) Johanna, born April 12, .1797, married Amasa Moulton. (5) Sarah, born in February, 1800, married Austin How- ell. (6) Loraine, born in March, 1802, married Philip Peet, of Bradford county. (7) Catherine, born August 12, 1804. married Clark Whitaker, and is the only survivor of the family, now living with J. R. Hay, of Auburn township, Susque- hanna county. (8) Silas, father of our subject, was born in April, 1810. (9) John, born in June. 1812, married Adeline Darling, and settled on a farm in Warren township. Bradford county, where he reared two children-R. L .. now on the home farm: and Sarah E., wife of S. A. Pitcher, of Lit- tle Meadows. These children, settling in different parts of the county, became well-to-do citizens, identified with its best interests. After the deatlı of Silas Beardslee, Sr., in 1820, his widow moved to Apolacon township. where she purchased a farm. There her younger children were reared. receiving the advantages of a district-school education, the terms of school being three or four months in winter.
Silas Beardslee, the father of our subject, was a boy of ten or twelve years when he came to
Apolacon township, and he remained on the farm, and also worked out by the month, until grown to manhood. On March 5, 1833, he married Miss Julia A. Barton, who was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., daughter of Lewis and Mercy ( Moe) Bar- ton, who moved from Dutchess county to Little Meadows. Mr. Beardslee remained on the home farm in Apolacon until 1853, when he removed to Little Meadows, buying the Barton farm. There he resided until his death, in 1894. His wife died in 1880, leaving two sons-Edward B., our subject, and Irvin R. Politically Silas Beardslee was a Whig and, later, a Republican. He was elected assessor and school director in Apolacon township. and held other local offices. Religiously he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a liberal supporter of Church work. After coming to Little Meadows he remodeled the old homestead, erecting barns and making other general improve- ments.
Edward B. Beardslee was educated in the home schools, and at Harford University, and was also a student of the Owego (N. Y.) schools. When a young man he taught winter school, earning money to attend school during the summer. In 1858 he engaged in mercantile business at Little Meadows. and in 1859 he married Miss Ada Louisa Esmond. of Silver Lake township, daughter of Hezekiah and Alma B. (Guerney) Esmond, of Silver Lake. Mrs. Beardslee was born at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1836. and was well educated. Mr. Beardslee continued in the mercantile business at Little Meadows for many years.
In 1870 Mr. Beardslee was elected to the State Legislature from the counties of Susquehanna and Wyoming, and during his term of service in 1871 'in the House held important positions on the vari- ous committees, such as chairman of the Library committee, secretary of the committee on Vice and Immorality, and a member of the committees of Claims and Accounts. In 1871 he was nominated and elected-leading his ticket-for a second terni, 1872, which he also filled to the eminent satisfaction of his constituents in both Susquehanna and Wyom- ing counties. During 1872 he was chairman of the committee on Vice and Immorality and of the Li- brary committee, secretary of the Counties and Townships committee, and a member of the con- mittees of both Claims and Ways and Means. As chairman of the committee on Vice and Immor- ality he presented, as originating in committee. the "Local Option Bill," and sustained the same by both voice and vote, finally securing its enactment into law. During his first term as a member of the House he presented a Bill for the repeal of the Fourth Section of a Bill, supplemental to the Mil- ford & Matamoras Railroad, which had been pre- vionsly passed, in a peculiar manner, and had been signed by the Governor through "inadvertance." not fully understanding its design or effect, which was to take from the State Treasury, for the period of ninety-nine years. the Sto.ooo annual bonus paid
EM Beardslee
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
by the New York & Eric Railroad Co. to the State for the right of way, such sums "to inure to the benefit of such Milford & Matamoras Railroad." A long and bitter struggle ensued, and the Bill was not finally reached during the session, but the fol- lowing year Mr. Beardslee again presented a Re- pealing Act, and after a protracted struggle had the satisfaction of securing its passage, allowing said "bonus" to again flow into the State Treasury, instead of being absorbed by a twelve-mile narrow- gauge railway, or lining the pockets of its pro- moters. Mr. Beardslee has always taken a warm and active interest in the common schools, and has been, almost constantly, a member of the school board since he arrived at his majority, as well as being a teacher in the earlier days. He was ap- pointed postmaster at Little Meadows during the administration of President Lincoln, and held the office for a number of years during his business life, resigning when elected to the Legislature. He has also been justice of the peace for many years. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Among the fraternal orders he holds membership in Warren Lodge, F. & A. M., at Montrose.
Since the death of his father Mr. Beardslee has continued to reside at the old home place in Little Meadows, in a fine house which he built : the property is one of the finest and most valuable in the borough, where he also owns a farm and other real estate. To him and wife have been born two children-Verna I. and Silas Esmond B.
Verna I., the elder, born at Little Meadows in 1869, received an academic and university educa- tion, and graduated in 1896 from the Eliot School of Music, Utica, N. Y .; she was secretary and as- sistant in that school for two years, and is now a -skilled and popular musical instructor of Montrose. Silas Esmond B. Beardslee, born at Little Meadows in 1872. was a student of the Montrose high school. and a graduate of the Owego high school and of the Colgate University. Hamilton, N. Y., there taking his degree. He is now principal of the LeRaysville, Bradford Co., Penn., school, is a young man of scholarly ability, standing high as a professor of learning, and is a superior teacher, commanding the respect and esteem of his asso- ciates.
IRVIN R. BEARDSLEE, the younger son of Silas Beardslee, was born in Apolacon in 1848. He grew up at the old home in Apolacon. where he received a district-school education, but came with the fam- ily to Little Meadows. He attended the State Nor- mial School at Mansfield. Tioga Co., Penn., and for some years followed teaching in the district schools in winter, working on the farm in summer. On October 12, 1871, he married Miss Mary E. Fox. of Little Meadows, daughter of Amsel and Anna ( Hickey) Fox, one of the old and prominent pio- necr families of Susquehanna county. Mrs. Beards- lee was born August 3, 1847, and was educated in
the schools of Owego, and in a private school taught by Belva Lockwood, of political fame; she was then a Miss McNaul. After his marriage Irvin R. Beardslee settled at the old homestead, where he has resided until the present, the home- stead now being divided between the two sons. Mr. Beardslee has mainly followed farming and dairy work. He and his wife have adopted a daughter, Jennie M. Whitaker, of Kansas, whom they have brought up; she was educated in the Mansfield State Normal, of Tioga county, Pennsylvania.
Politically Mr. Beardslee is a Republican. He has held the office of town councilman and school director, and is now secretary of the town council. He has also held various local offices in the borough. Religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Little Meadows.
These two brothers have been eminently suc- cessful in business affairs. While the elder has given his attention mainly to business. Irvin has been 110 less successful as an agriculturist. They rank among the most influential men of the county.
WILLIAM PETHICK CLIFT, a most genial and companionable gentleman now engaged in gen- eral farming in Canaan township, Wayne county, was born June 1, 1833, in Cornwall, England, of which place his parents, James and Mary ( Pethick) Clift, were also natives. The grandparents never left that country, but in 1842 the parents, with their family, sailed for the New World, and spent the first three months in Honesdale, Wayne Co., Penn., where the father worked at his trade as a mason and plasterer. They continued residents of Wayne county, living at Bethany two years. and for the remainder of their lives at Mt. Pleasant, where the father followed farming. He died in 1888, aged seventy-three years, the mother in 1848. aged thirty. He was a Democrat in politics. and both were earn- est members of the Episcopal Church, taking an act- ive and prominent part in its work.
Our subject is the eldest of their children. the others being Jane, the wife of Myron Rude, a farmer of Mt. Pleasant township. Wayne county ; Thomas, who died at the age of four years: Sam- uel. a farmer of Mt. Pleasant township: Ezra. a retired implement dealer living in Buffalo, N. Y .; James, a contractor and builder of Stanhope. N. J .; and Russell, a railroad man of Savanna. Ill. After the mother's death, the father of these children mar- ried Ann Fitz, a native of Wayne county, and to them were born three children : George and Henry, who live on the old homestead in Mt. Pleasant town- ship: and Martha, wife of Emerson Miller, of the same township. Reared upon the home farm. Will- iam P. Clift remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, and then started out in life for himself, working by the month on farins and in the lumber woods at peeling bark. In 1864 he en- tered the service of the Gravity railroad as brake- man and later was promoted to conductor, and was thus employed until 1893. when he retired from the
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road and has since devoted his energies to agri- cultural pursuits. In 1864 he purchased his home farm in Canaan township, near Prompton, and is now the owner of two valuable farms, which are well improved and under a high state of cuitiva- tion.
In November, 1869, at Keens Pond. Wayne county, Mr. Clift was married to Mrs. Jane Ann Hudson, by Rev. George E. Hart, a Methodist Episcopal minister, and to them have been born two sons : William R., who is in the employ of the Grav- ity railroad and resides at Carbondale, Penn .; and Louis, a railroad man residing at home. Mrs. Clift was born in Canaan township, Wayne county, No- vember 29, 1833, and first married Oscar V. Hud- son, who died in 1868, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Canaan Corners. By that union she has one daughter, Lillie, now the wife of John Eaton, foreman on the railroad at Carbondale.
Louis H. and Phoebe ( Jaggers) Buckland (the parents of Mrs. Clift) were natives of Connecticut and Wayne county, Penn., respectively, and both died in Canaan township, where her father car- ried on farming for many years. They were con- sistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Buckland was Republican. Of their children, Jane A. is the wife of our subject ; George is employed in the Erie railroad shops at Carbon- dale ; Warren is living retired at Carbondale; Daniel and Thomas are both deceased; Margaret is the wife of Frederick Gallard, a farmer of Aldenville, Penn .; and Louise is the deceased wife of Richard S Evans, a merchant of Hawley, Wayne county. Mrs. Clift's paternal grandparents were Chester and Sarah (Hills) Buckland.
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