Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 89

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 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 89
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 89

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Before entering the German army Mr. Sharff learned the trade of a weaver, and during his mili-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tary serviee continued to work at his trade when- ever given a furlough. He was discharged when his term expired, and then enlisted in the militia, in which he served as one of the higher officers. In 1852, with his family, he crossed the Atlantic, and located with his wife's parents on a farm in Sullivan county, N. Y., but becoming dissatisfied with that life he went to Port Jervis, N. Y. Not finding employment at his trade, and having a family depending upon him for support, he ae- cepted a laborer's position on the railroad, and at this work he spent several years. In 1857 he came to Masthope, Pike Co., Penn., where he served as switchman and baggagemaster for six years and a half, and then embarked in mercantile business, which he still continues with good suceess, having by fair and honorable dealing built up an excellent trade. Besides his store he now owns five dwell- ing houses in the village.

Politically Mr. Sharff is a pronounced Demo- crat, and for five years he served as postmaster at Masthope to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has also filled the office of school director for twelve years, and supervisor for four years. So- cially he has affiliated with the Masonie fraternity for the past thirty-five years, and religiously he is a member of the German Lutheran Church.

GEORGE DAUMANN, JR., treasurer of Pike county, is a man whose sound practical judgment is valued by his fellow citizens, by whom he has frequently been chosen to offices of responsibility and trust. While he is a stanch .Demoerat, his sup- porters are to be found in all parties, showing gen- eral appreciation of his fidelity in the discharge of duty.

Mr. Daurhann comes of good old German stock, and his paternal grandparents, John H. Dau- mann and wife, were natives and life-long residents of Bavaria. The name has been variously spelled, and some members of the family who settled in New York, in the Bohner line, have changed it to Bennett. George Daumann, our subjeet's father, was born in Bavaria, and came to America in early manhood, landing; about 1844, in New York City, where he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes, his business keeping ten men employed. In 1855 he removed to Milford, Pike Co., Penn., where he continued that business, employing two workmen, and later he also followed farming. Although he began his business career without capital, he ae- quired a handsome competenee through his indus- try. Politieally he was a Demoerat, and lie took an active part in local affairs, serving for a time as tax collector and school director. He and his wife, Marie Bohner, to whom he was married in New York City, were both devout members of the Pres- byterian Church. He died June 29, 1891. aged seventy-three years, and his wife survived him a few years, passing away January 27, 1895, at the age of seventy-six. They had the following chil- dren : Margaret, Mrs. George Eschenfelder, who

died at the age of forty-five; Rosa, who marri. Edward Stichler, a carpenter in New York, a: died in 1879; George, our subject; Anna, wife . . Seth L. Faunce, a railway conductor, residing Marion, Mass .; John, who married Sarah Lair. and resides at the old homestead; and Mary 1 ... who died at the age of three years.

The Bohner family originated in Bavaria. a1: our subjeet's mother was born in that country :, 1818. Her parents, John and Margaret Boliner. eame to New York City during her childhood, an ! there spent their remaining years.

Our subject was born January 24, 1852, in New York City, and was three years old at the time of the removal to Milford, where he began his ed !:- cation at the age of four and one-half years. When he was eleven years old his father settled upon a farm two and one-half miles from Milford, ani from that time his attendanee at school was some- what irregular, as from the age of thirteen he gave much of his time to doing odd jobs at earpentering. As the business was congenial, he decided to seeure a thorough training in all its branches, and at the age of sixteen he apprenticed himself to Harry Williamson, of Milford, with whom he remained three years. At twenty-one he became a school teacher, and in this work he showed decided ability. teaching successfully for two years at Milford and one year in Dingman township, Pike county. He next spent eighteen months in farming at the home- stead on shares, but finding the venture unprofita- ble he went to New York City and found employ- ment at his trade. After seven months he was ap- pointed superintendent of the building operations of T. G. Smith, a contractor and builder, with whom he remained two years, and he then returned to Milford and engaged in the grocery business. conducting same successfully for seventeen years. In July, 1897, he disposed of his store, and at pres- ent he devotes his attention to his public duties. While in business he served as mereantile appraiser for one year, and commissioner's elerk for nine years, and in the fall of 1891, while still holding the latter office, he was elected county treasurer. He served with so much ability and fidelity that man" regretted the law which prevents a treasurer from serving more than three consecutive years, and after one term had intervened he was again elected. in the fall of 1896. Socially Mr. Daumann and family are prominent, and sinee 1873 he has been an active member of the I. O. O. F., Vandermar': Lodge No. 828, at Milford, in which he served a- secretary for many years. At present he is depit: grand master of the distriet. He is not a member of any Church, but inclines to the Presbyterian faith, and while in New York he taught a Sunday- sehool class for some time.

On May 29, 1876. Mr. Daumann married, for his first wife, Miss Sarah E. Ellenwein, who was born in Milford, daughter of John Ellenwein. a un- tive of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to. mer- ica in early manhood and settled in Pike county.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mrs. Sarah E. Daumann died December 14, 1888. at the age of thirty-one, and on December 3, 1889, our subject married Miss Agnes Gumble, a native of Palmyra township, Pike county, born October 23, 1860. Her father, Herman Gumble, a tailor by trade, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America at the age of twenty-one, in 1858 settling in Palmyra township, Pike county, where he followed farming. He was a member of the Moravian Church in New York City. His death occurred December 13, 1897, when he was aged seventy-four, and his second wife, Maria, Mrs. Daumann's mother, died in 1866, aged thirty-five. By his first wife, also named Maria, he had two children : Charles C., a farmer at the old home- stead in Palmyra township, Pike county; and Ger- trude, wife of Frederick Krieger, a farmer in Greene township, Pike county. By his second mar- riage he had four children: Mary, wife of Williain Gesner, of Scranton, Penn .; Agnes, Mrs. Daumann ; Alice, wife of Frank Sommers, a stonemason and merchant at Newfoundland, Penn .; and Emma. who married Charles Graser, a farmer in Dreher township, Wayne county.

DAVID ULMER has for a number of years been one of the most highly-esteemed and valued citizens of South Canaan township, Wayne county. He is of foreign birth, but his duties of citizenship are performed with a loyalty equal to that of any native son of America, and during the dark days of the Civil war he went to the defense of the Union and protected the cause of his adopted country on many a Southern battlefield.

Mr. Ulmer was born in Wittenberg, Germany, July 15, 1830, and in 1851 came to America with his parents, Michael and Eva (Iseman) Ulmer, reaching the shores of the New World after a voy- age of five weeks, and locating in Carbondale, Penn. The father, who was lame, engaged in farming in his native country, but here lived re- tired. He died in Carbondale, in 1871, aged eighty-two years, his wife two years later, aged sixty-seven. In their family were the follow- ing children : (1) Christina married Christian Spaeth, and both are now deceased; they were the parents of thirteen children, but three of whom are yet living-Julius, Poliana and Elizabeth (2) David is next in the order of birth. (3) Jolin, who was also a soldier in the Civil war, is now a watch- man for a foundry in Carbondale ; he married Ber- tha Miller and has two children-Anna and Milla. (4) Louisa is the wife of Nieliolas Moorhs, a shoe merchant of Carbondale, and has two daugh- ters, Frances and Anna. (5) Frederick was also in the military service of luis adopted country, and lost a leg, dying from the effects of his injuries soon after his return home. (6) Catherine is the wife of Anthony Kenbeek. a furniture dealer of Archbald, Penn .; their children are: Anthony, John, Frederick, Albert, Catherine, William and Nicholas. The father was twice married, his first

union being with a Miss Kensley, by whom he had . seven children: Jacob, who died in Carbondale; Gottlieb, who died in Germany; and five who died in infancy.

At the age of fifteen David Ulmier commenced to serve an apprenticeship to the baker's trade in his native land, and at the age of nineteen started out as a journeyman, traveling over the country. During the year he attained his majority he emi- grated with his parents to the United States and located in Carbondale, Penn., where lie worked in the coal mines for five years, and in the foundry of Venbergen & Co. for eight years. In 1862 he en- · listed, for three months, in Company C, 13th P. V. I., and during his term of enlistment was in active service, participating in the battle of Antietam. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company M. 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Captain Alford Dart, was made corporal, and among the engagements in which he participated were those at St. Mary's Church and Spottsylvania, with Sheridan at Win- chester, and many others. At Dinwiddie Court House, Va., March 30, 1865, he was shot through the left arm, near the shoulder, and on his arrival at Washington the arm was so swollen that it had to be amputated. He was first confined in the Mt. Pleasant Armory Hospital, and, later, in the Harwood Hospital, being in these from March 30 until September 4, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Carbon- dale. On January 1, 1866, he removed to Scran- ton, Penn., where he was employed as watchman at the First National Bank for over eight years. On account of his wife's health he resigned his position and removed to his present farm in South Canaan township. Wayne county to the cultiva- tion of which he has since devoted his attention.

In Carbondale Mr. Ulmer was married, on January 26, 1856, to Miss Mary Fielding, daugh- ter of Christopher Fielding, and to them was born one son, George, now of Miles City, Mont., who married Flora Brown and has one child. George F. Mrs. Ulmer died July 25, 1889, aged fifty-five years, and was buried in Canaan township. Our subjeet was again married. August 9. 1890 at Scranton, Penn., this time to Mrs. Jane E. (Cobb) Bell. a na- tive of Greenfield. Penn .. where her parents, Ziprion and Sallie (Yarns) Cobb, spent their entire lives. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1883. at the age of sixty-three years, her mother in January, 1872. at the age of fifty-seven. Their eliildren were: Mahala, wife of Nelson Speding. a farmer of Clifford, Penn .; Eunice, deceased wife of Anson A. Tingley, a miller and retired farmer of Uniondale. Penn. : Elizabeth, who married W. WV. Wallace, and both are now deceased : James Z., a farmer of Greenfield. Penn .; Jane E .. Mrs. Uliner; Tamer, deceased wife of Melvin Pierce. a farmer of Greenfield: Sallie A., who died un- married : Nathan, a resident of Waymart, Wayne county ; Caroline, deceased wife of George Snyder, who is living retired in Carbondale; and Armanda

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A., wife of Andrew Miller, a farmer of Clifford, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Ulmer was first married to John Bell, Jr., who died in Greenfield, Penn., in March, 1887, at the age of thirty-two years, eleven months and seven days. By this union she had the following children: Ziprion, proprietor of the "Forest House," of Carbondale, married Minnie Coyle, and after her death married Mary Smiley; Nelson J., blacksmith of Carbondale, married Hattie Reed ; William P., a farmer of Greenfield, marricd Mat- tie Cobb; and James A., who operates the old Cobb . homestead at Greenfield, married Sarah Edwards.

Mr. Ulmer uses his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has most creditably served as school director in South Canaan township for nine years. Socially he affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republie, belonging to the post at Carbondale, and with the I. O. O. F. He has made many warm friends in Wayne county, and has the respect and confidence of all who know him. He attends the Protestant M. E. Church, and Mrs. Ulmer is a member of the Baptist Church.

OTTO ZOELLNER, the well-known propri- etor of the "Walker Lake House," in Shohola town- ship, Pike county, was born in Berlin, Germany, July 15, 1862, and is the only child of Emil and Dor- othy ( Ulrich) Zoellner, who were natives of Saxony, Germany, the former born June 10, 1833, the latter April 10, 1839. In 1881 they emigrated to America and located in New York City, where the father fol- lowed his trade, that of a mason, for some time, but they now. make their home with our subject in Shohola township.

The subject of this sketch received a good prac- tical education in the public and high schools of his native land, and at the age of fourteen years his business training commenced, as an employe in a picture-frame factory. During his spare hours, however, he continued to devote his time to study. He came with his parents to the United States at the age of nineteen, and in New York City secured em- ployment as a picture frame gilder, a trade at which he is an expert. After his marriage he was with a street-car manufacturer for three years, and then learned the trade of a clothing cutter, which he followed for two years. Coming to Shohola township, Pike Co., Penn., in 1888, he purchased 125 acres of land, fifty of which are tillable, and hc has since engaged in general farming and in keeping summer boarders. In 1895 his home was destroyed by fire, but it was soon replaced by the" Walker Lake House," a summer hotel valued at $5,000, and large enough to accommodate sixty guests. The sur- roundings are most attractive, and city boarders keep the house well filled during the summer months. In his political affiliations Mr. Zoellner is a Demo- crat, and on April 15. 1897, he was appointed the first postmaster at Walker Lake postoffice, a position he is now acceptably filling. Religiously he is a

member of the German Lutheran Church, and i. is both widely and favorably known through .:: Pike county.

Mr. Zoellner has been twice married, first ti :- in New York, November 18, 1883, to Lottie Ber nius. She died in 1892, and in New York, 1 . cember 27, 1894, he wedded his present wife, Mi-, Rosa Forst, a daughter of A. Forst, a native vi Austria.

J. J. HELLER, an enterprising and successi :! agriculturist of Paradise township, Monroe county. ranks among the leading citizens of that localin. His industry and thrift have brought him prosperit .. his fine farm near Swiftwater showing careful ani judicious management, and he also finds tiinc for active participation in local affairs.

Mr. Heller was born December 18, 1859, i :: Paradise township, Monroe county, and is of good pioneer stock. James Heller, his grandfather, was for some years a resident of Hamilton township .. Monroe county, but moved to Paradise townshi" to spend his last days. He married Rachel Keller. and had several children, of whom our subject's father, William C. Heller, was the eldest.

. William C. Heller was born August 17, 1836. in Hamilton township, and was reared by his grand- father Keller. He married Miss Julia A. Learn !. and settled upon a farm in Paradise township, but in 1866 he purchased the old Setzer estate in the same township. He cleared and improved a large portion of the place, making a fine homestead, and the present buildings were erected by him. In 1883 he removed to Tobyhanna, and later he settled at Mt. Pocono, where he purchased property and is at present engaged in business as an undertaker. He has always taken a prominent part in local af- fairs wherever he has made his home, and as a citizen he is much esteemed for his excellent quali- ties of character. He and his wife have had fivc children, our subject being the eldest. (2) Mahlon. born June 16, 1861, married Miss Blanch Jones. of Monroe county, and settled in Binghamton. N. Y., where he was engaged in business for a short time. He died in 1888, and his wife survives him : there are no children. (3) Sarah A. died in child- hood. (4) Emma L., born May 17, 1866. is the wife of William J. Hamblin, a farmer of Pocono township, and has a family of five children, Earl. Anieta. Ralph, Esther and Clinton. (5) Alta. horn August 15, 1874, married George Dowling, of Mt. Pocono, Coolbaugh township, who served as a sol- dier in the war with Spain. They have one daugh- ter, Madaline.

Our subject grew to manhood on the present homestead which he purchased from his father in 1895. He received a public-school education, and remained at home until his marriage in 1879 to Miss Mary J. Setzer. daughter of David and Sarah Setzer. of Paradise township. She was born in that town- ship in 1859. and was educated in the common schools of Lackawanna county. After his marriage

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Mr. Heller settled at Houser Mills, where he re- sided some time, but in 1881 he removed to Toby- hanna and purchased a home. He followed dray- ing there for thirteen years, and then went to Wyom- ing county, where he purchased property and engaged in business as a baker. In 1895 he bought his pres- ent farm of 51 acres, where he has made general iin- provements, making it a first-class farm. Two sons, both born in Tobyhanna, Coolbaugh township, Mon- roe county, are growing to manhood under his watchful care: William D., born October 13, 1881 ; and Harry O., born August 25, 1883, both at pres- ent attending the local schools.

Politically Mr. Heller is a sound Democrat, and he has always been interested in the local work of his party. At present he is serving acceptably as auditor and school director. In religion le inelines to the German Reformed Church, in which he was reared.

JOSEPH HAYNES, who for thirty-eight years has been prominently identified with the agri- cultural interests of Manchester township, Wayne county, is a native of New York, born near Still- water, Ulster county, May 1, 1820. His parents, Judson and Elizabeth (Craipo) Haynes, were also natives of the Empire State, the former of English descent, the latter born in Stillwater, of French an- cestry. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Derrick, Grant. Seneca, Anderson, Joseph, Ansel, Charlotta, Dorcas and Luey Ann. The par- ents spent their entire lives in their native State, where both died when past the age of seventy years. By occupation the father was a farmer, and in poli- ties he was a Democrat.

Reared upon the home farm, Joseph Haynes early became familiar with hard work, but his liter- ary training was rather limited. He was married at Dry Brook, in what is now Livingston township, Ulster Co., N. Y., to Miss Amelia Kent, who was born and reared in that county, a daughter of Na- thaniel and Sarah (Tyler ) Kent, the former born on the ocean while his parents were coming to America ; he was of English descent. Mrs. Haynes' mother was a native of Connecticut, and her maternal grand- father, Timothy Tyler, was a representative of an old and prominent Connecticut family. Mr. and Mrs. Kent had children as follows: Andrew, Anna, Mary. Charles, Louisa and Lavisa (twins), Henry, Amelia, Nathaniel and Sarah. When a lad of fifteen years Na- thaniel Kent set out from home one morning with his dog. to look after some traps he had set on the mountainside. and as he failed to return the parents, becoming alarmed. instituted a search. He had to cross the Beaverkill, which was at the foot of the mountain. It was the first day of February, there had been a rain,and the stream was swelling.and although perhaps hundreds of people searched the woods and streams, there was no trace of the boy until July, when his body. and that of the dog, were found sev- cral miles farther up the stream, where he had evi- dently gone in the hope of finding a crossing.

Throughout his active business life the father en- gaged in farming, worked at the carpenter's trade, or operated a sawmill. His political support was given to the men and measures of the Republican party, and religiously both he and his wife were early members of the Methodist Episcopal Chureli. Both died in Ulster county.

Mr. and Mrs. Haynes are the parents of eight children, as follows: Gritman Russell, the eldest, died at the age of seventeen; William Sherwood is a railroad employe living in Austin, Potter Co., Penn .; George Henry is a farmer of Larabee, Me- Kean Co., Penn .; Artemus Ward is a resident of Walton, Grand Traverse Co., Mich .; Malissa is the wife of Warner Lord, of Manchester township, Wayne county; Walter Joseph is a farmer of Me- Kean county, Penn. ; Charles D. is mentioned more fully below ; U. S. Grant is also an agriculturist of Mckean county. Of this family, Charles D. Haynes has spent his entire life upon the old homestead in Manchester township, Wayne county, which he now successfully operates. In April, 1893, he married Miss Julia Blaes, a native of Sullivan county, N. Y., who was reared and educated in Equinunk, Wayne Co., Penn. Her father, Peter Blaes, was born in France, served for seven years in the French army, and died in this country at the age of fifty-nine years, Her mother, now seventy-seven years of age, is a resident of Manchester township, Wayne county. Charles D. Haynes and wife have two children, Amelia and Madaline.

After his marriage Joseph Haynes located in Middletown, Delaware Co., N. Y., where he contin- ued to live until coming to Wayne county, Penn., in 1852. On Hankin's creek, in Manchester town- ship, he conducted a sawmill for a time, and then removed to hiis present farm, consisting of ninety- six acres of valuable and well-improved land. which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. The buildings are all good substantial structures, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm plainly indicates the industrious habits and progress- ive spirit of the owner. Although past the allotted age of three score years and ten, Mr. Haynes is still · hale and hearty ; he is nearly six feet in height. and weighs 200 pounds. He and his family are all faitli- ful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while politically he and his son are identified with the Republican party. Upright and honorable citi- zens, they command the respect of all with whom they come in contact. and have many friends in the communities where they reside.

JOSEPH D. SCHMALE. The career of this enterprising and prominent citizen of Monroe coun- ty has been varied and interesting. The selon of one of the oldest and best known families of that county, he enlisted in his youth in the service of his coun- try, and after a dashing military experience of less than a year he was seriously wounded in the most memorable and decisive battle of the Rebellion. The humbler interests of the country next received

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his attention for a few years, requiring as they did men of muscular strength and activity. Then turn- ing to farming, which was necessarily the permanent occupation of the county, Mr. Schmale became one of the conspicuous agriculturists. He may be called a man of action, one who delights in attainment, whether by himself or others, one of those whose lives may properly be considered as typical of a high standard. His mental growth has been continuous, and in the political and social affairs of the com- munity he holds high rank.

The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was Joseph Schmale, who when a young man left Germany, and with his two brothers came to Amer- ica. Joseph settled in Eldred township as one of its earliest pioneers. Here was born William Schmale, the grandfather of our subject, who married Bar- bara Seilfece, and through life followed farming in Eldred township. His son David, father of our subject, was born in 1818, and married Barbara Ser- fass, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Kunkle) Serfass, prominent farmers of Polk township, Mon- roe county. David Schmale, who was also a farmer, died March 16, 1866, at the age of forty-seven years, eleven months, and two days. His wife survived him until April, 1892, passing away at the age of sixty-nine years. Both are buried in Kunkletown church cemetery, Eldred township. The children born to. David and Barbara Schmale were as fol- lows : David, a farmer of Polk township; Joseph D., subject of this sketch ; Charles, who served his coun- try as a soldier during the Civil war, and is now engaged in the meat-market business at Lehighton, Penn. ; William, who wasalsoa soldier in the Civil war, and now resides at Kunklctown; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Trable, of Eldred township; Paul D., a farmer of Eldred township; Reuben, of Northampton county, Penn .; Adam, of Luzerne county, Penn .; Henry, deceased ; Nathan, dcceased ; and Thomas, a salesman in a storc in Clearfield county.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 89

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