Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 98

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 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 98
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2 > Part 98

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WILLIAM E. FERGUSON. Among the in- fluential and prominent citizens of Sterling town- ship, Wayne county, who are indebted for their pres- ent prosperous condition to their own industry and energy, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Throughout life hc has been interested in ag- ricultural pursuits, and in addition to general farni- ing engages in the manufacture of maple sugar and syrup. He was born March 8, 1845, on the old homestead in Sterling township, a son of Thomas and Hannah ( Severs) Ferguson.

Mr. Ferguson was reared like most farmer boys of his day, aiding in the labors of the fields and at- tending the public schools of the neighborhood. At the age of cighteen years he enlisted in his country's service, going as a substitute for his brother John. He was a member of Company D. 179th Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia, and served for ten months, being honorably discharged at Harrisburg. Penn. Returning home, he remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he purchased his present farm of fifty-five acres for $1,600. He has prospered in his undertakings, and

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is to-day one of the well-to-do and substantial citi- zens of his community.

On May 20, 1872, in Susquehanna county, Penn., Mr. Ferguson was married, by Rev. R. G. Lamb, to Miss Macrina H. Raub, and to them have been born two children: Lizzie H. and Alına E., both at home. Mrs. Ferguson was born March 25, 1846, in Warren county, N. J., where her parents, John and Elizabeth ( Swazey ) Raub, spent their en- tire lives. Her grandparents, Jacob and Catharine Raub, were also natives of New Jersey. John Raub was born January 8, 1799. and died September 2, 1866; Elizabeth, his wife, born December 20, 1806, died February 13, 1865 ; they were buried in War- ren county. In religious faith they were Presby- terians, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. In their family were the following chil- dren : Catherine, now the widow of William Hawk, lived in Sterling township, Wayne county, with her son, C. C. Hawk, who died January 28, 1900, aged thirty-eight years, six months, twenty days. Char- lotte R., deceased. was the wife of George Fer- guson, a brother of our subject. Sarah A. is the wife of Daniel L. Gregory, a farmer of Susquehanna county, Penn. Andrew R., who married Elizabeth Millroy, is an undertaker of Scranton. Penn. Caro- line is the wife of Charles Kizer, a railroad car re- pairer and machinist of Wilkes Barre, Penn. . Mar- garet E. is the wife of Emory Oakley, a farmer of New Milford, Penn. John S. is deceased. Macri- na H. is the wife of cur subject.

In his political affiliations Mr. Ferguson is a pronounced Democrat, and on his party ticket has been elected poormaster of his township. In his social relations he is identified with the Patriotic Order Sons of America. He is in hearty sympathy with every movement that will in any way add to the prosperity of his township and county, and is there- fore accounted one of the best and most useful citi- zens of his community.

JAMES ALEXANDER BIGART, one of the most successful, prosperous and reliable citizens of Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, owns and operates a valuable farm of 200 acres, in the midst of which is Sand Lake, a beautiful sheet of water covering eighty-one acres, and well stocked with fish. Upon this place he has made his home since 1871. and in addition to general farming has success- fully engaged in the dairy business.

Mr. Bigart was born in New York City, May 7, 1831. a son of Maxwell and Rebecca ( Carr ) Bigart. the former of whom was a native of the North of Ireland, and came to America with his parents at the age of twenty-one. Maxwell Bigart was married in New York City to Rebecca Carr, of Scotch descent. and in 1834 removed to Orange county, N. Y., where he engaged in farming for about nine years. In 1841 he bronght his family to South Canaan township. Wayne Co. Penn., where he purchased a tract of wild land, and in the midst of the forest cleared and developed a farm. actively engaging in its cultivation

and improvement until failing health compelled liis retirement. He then removed to Bethany. Wayne county, and lived retired until called from this life in 1875. at the age of seventy-five years. Subse- quently the mother made her home with her daugh- ter in Binghamton, N. Y., where she passed away De- cember 9, 1890, aged eighty years, and was laid be- side her husband in Honesdale cemetery. Both were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, while politically he was first a Whig and later a Re- publican. Two of Mrs. Bigart's brothers. James and Andrew, served in the Mexican war. Mr. Bigart was entirely a self-made man. and left his widow in comfortable circumstances. In the family of this worthy couple were the following children : James A., the subject of this sketch; Eliza. born July 9, 1833, a resident of Binghamton, N. Y. : John I) .. born September 12. 1835. a farmer of Lake town- ship, Wayne county ; Jane I., born March 12. 1838. widow of Col. William Tamblyn, a stock dealer of Chicago, who died December 14, 1807. at West Ba- den Springs, Ind., where he went for his health : William H., born September 9. 1840. a merchant of Hawley, Wayne county : Steven M .. born July 3, 1842, died in 1873 at Peckville. Penn .: Mary, born February 26, 1845, wife of William Bone. a butcher of Binghamton, N. Y. : Rebecca. born Sep- tember 13, 1848, wife of James H. Corrigan, who is employed as clerk in a dry-goods house in San Francisco, Cal., residing at Oakland. Cal. ; and Ma- tilda, born May 27, 1850, who died at the age of thirteen years.

Until he attained his majority James A. Bigart remained with his parents, assisting in the labors of the home farm and attending the district school of the neighborhood. On starting cut in life for him- self, he worked for five years in the lumber woods, and for thirteen years was employed on the railroad for the Pennsylvania Coal Co., serving as engineer for ten years of that time. Laying aside all personal interests, he enlisted. in September. 1864. in the 50th New York Engineers, for service in the Civil war. but was afterward transferred to the 15th New York Engineers. At one time he narrowly escaped being shot by a Rebel sharpshooter, he distinctly hearing the ball as it whizzed by his head. On receiving his discharge, May 13, 1865, he returned to the employ cf the Pennsylvania Coal Co., remaining with them until he purchased his present farm, in 1871.

At Lake Ariel. Wayne county. Mr. Bigart was married. May 8. 1850. to Miss Elizabeth stills. Rev. Mr. Swallow, a Methodist Episcopal minister. « ffici- ating. Ten children blessed this union. namely : Eliza J., deceased : Alice, wife of Frark H. Thomas. of Dunmore; William D., a conductor on the Eric & Wyoming Valley Railroad, who married Cather- ine Scacore, and has one son. Walter : Stephen, of Chicago, who died April 14, 1899: Edward 1 .. a resi- dent of Carbondale. Penn., who married Hattie Os- born, and has three children, Anna. Mand and Ray- mond ; filles, deceased : Charles, an insurance agent at Dunmore, who married Hattie Brundige. and has

James D Megart

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

one daughter, Beatrice ; Horace, an insurance agent at Binghamton, N. Y .; Agnes, wife of John M. Chapman, a farmer, who has one son, Clayton ; and Oscar S., at lionie.

Mrs. Bigart was born at Tarrytown, Westches- ter Co., N. Y., on June 16, 1841, a daughter of Dwight and Jane ( Beakman) Mills, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Westchester count, N. Y. Dwight Mills, who was for some time an engineer and superintendent for the Pennsylvania Coal Co., on the Gravity railroad, died in 1894, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was buried at Honesdale. Among the more noted work in which he was engaged was the Croton aqueduct, New York. He was a man of considerable prominence in his community, was an ardent supporter of the Re- publican party, and was called upon to fill a number of local offices. Socially he was a member of Haw- ley Lodge, F. & A. M., and in religious connection he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his widow is also a member. She is now liv- ing at Lake Ariel, at the age of seventy-seven years. Their children were : Elizabeth, Mrs. Bigart : Will- iam W., a real-estate dealer of Philadelphia ; Charles, a retired hotel man of Honesdale; Frances, dcceased wife of Jonathan Brown, a shoe merchant of Lake Ariel, Penn. ; and Clinton, who died in infancy. Mrs. Bigart's paternal grandparents were pioneer settlers of Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

While living in Salem township. Wayne county, Mr. Bigart served as school director one term, and in Cherry Ridge township he has served as supervisor three years, tax collector two years, and assessor one year. Politically he is identified with the Republican party ; socially, he is affiliated with Salem Lodge No. 330, F. & A. M., and the G. A. R., of Gravity ; and, religiously he holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is truly the architect and builder of his own fortune, his success in life being attributable to his own perseverance, industry, en- terprise and good management. He has not only secured a competence, but by liis honorable straight- forward course has gained the esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

ARTHUR E. O'CONNOR, superintendent of the J. S. O'Connor manufactory of fine cut glass in Hawley, is one of the most cnergetic, progressive and reliable business men in Wayne county, and through his able management the business of the factory has steadily grown until employment is now furnished to three hundred men. They have one of the finest cutting shops in the world, it being built of stone on the solid rock, which also forms one end of the first story. It is the only factory of the kind in America run by water power, and light is furnished by their own electric plant.

Mr. O'Connor was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 10, 1863. eldest child of John S. and Hannah ( Marrett ) O'Connor, natives of Ireland and Eng- land, respectively. The father was born in 1831, and when a lad of sixteen years came to the United 55

States, locating in New York, where he served an apprenticeship as a glass cutter. He afterward held the position of superintendent in the E. V. Hougo- naht & Co. cut glass manufactory there froin 1858 until 1862, when he resigned, and volunteercd in the 69th N. Y. S. M., under Col. Corcoran. He was never wounded. In 1865, at the close of the war, he received an honorable discharge, as first sergeant of Company F, and went to work again at his trade, as superintendent for C. Dorflinger & Sons, remain- ing with them for twenty-five years. He also en- gaged in merchandising at White Mills, and filled the office of postmaster for four years. In 1890 he came to Hawley and erected his present plant for our subject to operate, while he practically lives re- tired in Honesdale, although he is now building a very handsome residence in Hawley, where he ex- pects to make his home in the future. He is one of the oldest glass cutters in the United States, manu- factures all kinds of fine cut glassware, and has in- vented the Parisian cut, the first curve cutting done on glass, which, indeed, is admitted to be a new de- parture in the glass cutting business. He also in- vented the automatic feed up machine, and manu- factures a putty powder for polishing high-grade work. As a business man and citizen his life has been such as to win for him the confidence and es- teem of all with whom he has been brought in con- tact, and he has made many warm friends in Wayne county.

Arthur E. O'Connor was only four years old when he removed with his parents to White Mills, Wayne county, where he later attended the public schools until he was twelve. He then began work- ing under his father in the glass factory, while he at- tended night school for three months during the year. At the age of sixteen he went to Corning, N. Y., where he worked at his trade for the Corning Glass Co. two years, and was afterward similarly employed in New York City, thence returning home. On the establishment of the factory in Hawley, he took charge of the business, also going on the road to obtain orders. As the excellence of his work became known, orders increased rapidly, and he has been obliged to increase his force of workmen until he now has three hundred men under him. He has charge of every department of the work, has de- signed many beautiful patterns, and has proved an excellent salesman as well as a most competent business man.

In February, 1887, at Hawley, Mr. O'Connor was married, by Rev. Father O'Malley, to Miss Catherine Langan, and to them have been born three children : Mary E., John S. and William F. Po- litically Mr. O'Connor is now a Republican. Ile was the youngest delegate ever appointed to a count- ty convention of his party in Wayne county. While a resident of White Mills he served as school di- rector for six years, and he has been a prominent and efficient member of the town council of Hawley for five years. He has traveled extensively over the United States in the interest of his business, and in

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

this way has added greatly to the education he ac- quired in the school roon1, gaining the thorough knowledge of places and events which only travel can bring.

JOSEPH. L. TAYLOR. The motto "merit always cominands its reward" is well exemplified in the career of our subject. He eminently deserves classification among the purely self-made men of Wayne county who have distinguished themselves for their ability to master the opposing forces of life and to wrest from fate a large measure of success and an honorable name.

Mr. Taylor is a native of Wayne county, born in Oregon township, November 5, 1856, a son of John Taylor, who was born in England, and in 1839 crossed the Atlantic, locating in Philadelphia, where he was employed as overseer of machinery in large woolen mills. After ten years spent in that city he removed to Oregon township, Wayne county, where. the family still continues to reside.

Upon the home farm our subject passed his boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the labors of the field until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. He contin- ued to engage in farming for five years, but believ- ing more money was to be made in other occupations he went to Scranton, Penn., where he worked at the carpenter's trade for some years. He then entered a wholesale furniture store as shipping clerk, and afterward engaged in the shoe business for himself. Selling his interests at Scranton in 1892, he returned to Wayne county and located at Tanner's Falls, where two years previously, in company with Riefler & Sons, he had purchased considerable property. While still a resident of Scranton Mr. Taylor and John Riefler, of Honesdale, had become interested in the real-estate business, buying land, building thereon, and selling the improved property. The firm of Riefler & Sons is composed of John Riefler, of Honesdale ; William F. and John G. Riefler, of Tanner's Falls ; and Mr. Taylor. They are quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of wood alcohol, acetate, lime and charcoal, besides hard- wood lumber, and have lately entered upon the man- ufacture of parasol and umbrella handles: Our subject is superintendent of the acid business, and is also overseer of the wood-cutting department.

On May 5, 1881, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Emma Elizabeth Ricfler, the ceremony being performed at Bethany, Wayne county, by Rev. Joseph Burall. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of John and Catherine (Vollmer) Riefler, of Hones- dale. Three children have blessed the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Lester E., born April 29, 1884, who died December 4, 1898, of appendicitis ; a child, born December 24, 1895, who died un- named ; and Edna Muriel, who was born November II, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were sadly be- reaved in the death of their only son. He was a bright, manly little fellow, a diligent student, and a universal favorite with his companions. He had

been a student of the Honesdale High School, and some thirty of his classmates attended the funeral, six of them serving as pall-bearers, and four of his young friends of Tanner's Falls as flower bcarers. Rev. William H. Swift officiated, delivering a most feeling and touching discourse. The interment was in Glen Dyberry, a large number of friends and rela- tives attending the remains to their last resting place.

Politically Mr. Taylor has always been identified with the Republican party, and he is now serving as school dicrector in Dyberry township. Socially he affiliates with the Royal Arcanum. His wife belongs to the Methodist Church. Their honie is noted for its hospitality, and their friends are many through- out Wayne county.

WILLIAM PROWER BUDD, the well-known proprietor of the "West Shore House," one of the most beautiful summer resorts in Wayne county, situated on the west bank of Beach Lake, has been identified with the business interests of Berlin township since an early age, and is numbered among its most progressive and enterprising citi- zcns.

A native of Cornwall, England, Mr. Budd was born February 26, 1839, a son of Jolin and Eliza- beth (Rogers ) Budd, and he was quite a small boy when his mother died, leaving children as follows : Thomas, who still lives in Cornwall; William P .: Samuel, now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of George Bond, of Honesdale, Penn .; John R., of Forest City, Penn .; Edward, of New York; Susanna, wife of W. T. Budd, of Peckville, Penn., and Mary, wife of Chancy Van Gorder, a prominent revivalist of the Methodist Church in Pennsylvania. In 1858 the father with six of his children crossed the At- lantic and took up his residence on the east side of Beach Lake, in Wayne county, Penn., where for some years he carried on a wagon shop, and also operated a sawmill and engaged in carpentering. He died there. honored and respected by all wlio knew him. For his second wife he had married Clarity Branning, who is still living at Bcacli Lake.

During his youth William P. Budd becanie quite familiar with carpenter work under his father's able direction, and for many years he was interested in the sawmill business on Beach Lake, clearing about 250 acres of hemlock timber. which lie converted into lumber, floating the same down the Delaware river and selling it at Philadelphia. During the twenty-five years he was engaged in this business he became quite well known to all the old river men. He is still the owner of the 250- acre tract of land on the west shore of the lake, an'l upon his place las erected an elegant residence. furnished in modern style, showing taste and refine- ment, while everything about the place is in kecp- ing with the dwelling. It makes a most desirable home for summer boarders. and is liberally patron- ized by people from the city wishing rest, retire-

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Inent and beautiful scenery, as well as wholesome food and comfortable quarters.

On October 17, 1861, Mr. Budd was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Lathrop, a native of Berlin township, Wayne county, and a daugliter of Halsey Lathrop, wlio was born in Connecticut, and for many years was engaged in the foundry busi- ness in Bethany, Penn., and died in Peckville, this State. To Mr. and Mrs. Budd were born two children, namely: Jennie is the wife of Will Wilder, of Gloversville, N. Y., by whom she has one son, William Halsey; Joseph died at the age of eighteen years. The mother of these children de- parted this life in 1863, and Mr. Budd was again married, September 12, 1868, his second union being with Mary Ham, a woman of intelligence and good family, who has proved a true helpmeet to him, and to her is due much of his success. Her parents were John and Mary ( Wickett ) Ham, the. former a prominent citizen of Berlin township, Wayne county ; the latter is now deceased. By his second marriage Mr. Budd has four children: (I) Julia, who in early life was a successful school teacher, married C. H. Hiller, of Berlin township, and has three children, Floyd, Conrad and Fran- ces. (2) Nettie is the wife of Thomas Olver, of Scranton, Penn., and has four children, Mabel F., Emmett, Gilbert L. and Mildred M. (3) J. Fran- ces is a successful and popular teacher. (4) Hor- ace, now sixteen years of age, is at home. Mrs. Budd is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Prior to the Civil war Mr. Budd was one of the organizers of the Beach Lake Band, which took an active part in the Lincoln eampaign of 1860, and at the present time he and his son are both members of the organization. He is a lover of music, and is quite well informed in that art. .He is a man of fine physique, being six feet in height and weighing 210 pounds, and in manner is frank, genial and obliging, thus easily winning friends and as easily retaining them. His political support is given the men and measures of the Re- publican party. On purchasing his present farm, thirty-five years ago, the land was all wild and un- improved, and at first he lived on the opposite side of the lake, while his cows were kept on the western shore. His daughter, now Mrs. Hiller, when a girl of eight, would row across the lake in a boat and bring the milk home.

EDGAR J. SHAFFER, a well-known con- tractor and builder residing at Varden, Wayne county, has won a substantial success in life, and his career shows that he possesses energy combined with the sound judgment to direct it to good pur- pose.

Mr. Shaffer comes of excellent ancestry. His great-grandfather, John Shaffer. who came from Germany in Colonial times, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army. In 1783 this worthy patriot removed from his first home, in Orange

county, N. Y., to this section, locating in what is now known as South Canaan township, Wayne county. At that time his family consisted of his wife, formerly a Miss Forbes, of New York State, and one son, John, and after their removal to Wayne county, the following children were born: Moses, who was the first white child born in the locality ; Samuel; Catherine, wife of James Mc- Bean, a Revolutionary soldier; Susan, wife of Joshua Borleigh; Effie, Mrs. Jacob Swingle; Bet- sey, Mrs. Edward Doyle; and Polly, wife of Samuel Chumard.

Samuel Shaffer, our subject's grandfather, was born March 15, 1791, and became a tanner by occupation, carrying on his business in a primitive way, which would seem almost amusing if con- trasted with the elaborate methods of the present time. He died July 28, 1864, and his wife, Rachel, Wagner, who was born April 14, 18-, died April 12, 1851. They had the following children: Elizabeth, who married John Spangenburg (both are now deceased ) ; Moses, who married Priscilla Curtis (both are deceased) ; Abraham, who is men- tioned below ; Eli, who married Peggy A. Quick (botli are deceased) ; Amy, wife of Daniel Everts (both are deceased) ; Lydia, who married Simon Enslin (both are deceased) ; Barsilla, a retired farmer of Lake township. Wayne county -; Oliver, who died in childhood; Mary, who married Henry Reed (both are deceased) ; Joseph, a resident of South Canaan township: Alexander, who married (first) Martha Quick, and ( second) Amanda Reed; Kachel S., who married Jacob Enslin ; and Martha, wife of Francis Enslin.

Abraham Shaffer, the father of our subject, was born January 20, 1815, and for many years fol- lowed farming and merchandising in South Canaan township, his death occurring there in July. 1877. He was much esteemed among his associates and in the community generally. but he did not seek prominence in public life, though he served as jus- tice of the peace for a number of years. On Janu- ary 7, 1843, he was married to Miss Lydia Enslin. a member of another well-known family of that locality, and the children of this union were: Sam- uel, a merchant at Plymouth, Penn .; Edgar J., our subject : Miss Helen F .. deceased, who resided with her mother on the old homestead near Varden : Abraham J., of Plymouth, Penn .; William R .. a merchant at Varden ; Mahlon S .. who is engaged in mercantile business at Varden and Wilkes Barre. Penn. ; Hattie, wife of J. L. Miller. of Wilkes Barre ; Lana, wife of Wilton S. Bloes, of Peckville, Penn. : and Anna, wife of C. A. Clayton. of Jersey City.

Our subject was born December 23. 1845. at the old homestead, and at the age of seven years went to Salem township. Wayne county. to spend two years with an uncle. Daniel Everts. Later after a short sojourn at home, he remained eight months with another uncle. Asa Cobb, who resided in Jefferson, Lackawanna county. The next threc years were spent at home, and he then went to

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Plymouth, where he remained about three years al- together ( from 1858 to 1862). At the age of six- teen years he began to learn the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years with Amond Quick, of Gravity, Penn. About 1877 he passed a few months at home and then went West, where he remained for three years, most of the time being spent on a cattle ranch in Colorado, al- though he was also employed at his trade for a while. In 1880 he came back to Wayne county, having decided that there was "no place like home," and he has ever since been engaged in busi- ness at Varden. In the same year he purchased the old mill property there, on which he built his resi- dence, but at present he rents the land attached for farming purposes. His skill as a builder has brought him many important contracts at different places, some of the best buildings in the section being of his construction. Although he is not a member of any Church or social order, he and his family are prominent in the community. He is not affiliated with any political party, and seldom or never votes.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 2, Part 98

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