Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 10

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1000

USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 10
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 10

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Spencer R. Raymond was born at Hamlinton, Salem township, Wayne county. November 7, 1861, and remained with his parents until fourteen years

of age, when he went to Hawley and worked for James Murray at wagonmaking for thirty days. The following six months he was employed at the same occupation at Honesdale, and for one and a half years worked at his trade for Moon Brothers, at Carbondale, Penn. Going to Jermyn, he was then interested in the butcher business with J. D. Stocker for five years, and at the end of that time returned home with the intention of bidding good-by to his friends preparatory to starting for California, but changed his mind and for one and a half years rent- ed and operated his father's farm. He also carried on a wholesale and retail meat business, and then, in partnership with . G. C. Andrews, he purchased a butcher business at Scranton, Penn., conducting the same for one year. The following year he worked for the party to whom he sold the estab- lishment. and subsequently accepted a position with the corps of engineers on the New York, Ontario & Western railroad at Scranton, remaining with that company for six years as car wiper, foreman of re- pairs on plumbing, carpentering, ete. He next worked in a furniture factory in the Cumberland mountains of Tennessee, and on his return to Scranton engaged in coal mining for six months and operated a mine engine for one year and nine months. In December, 1896, he located upon a farm of 106 acres in Salem township, Wayne coun- ty, where he successfully engaged in general farm- ing until October 1, 1899. He then sold the farm and removed to Scranton, Penn., having previously bought a meat business in that city, which he is at present engaged in conducting.

Mr. Raymond was married in Salem township, September 6, 1886, to Miss Maud Abbey, who was born on the old homestead in that township, a daughter of Ralph Abbey. whose sketch appears elsewhere. They now have an interesting family of four children: Carl S., Albert R., Helen L., and Merle I. In politics Mr. Raymond is identified with the Republican party.

WARREN A. SHERWOOD. the popular station agent at Starlight, on the New York, On- tario & Western railroad, has always made his home in Wayne county, at present residing in Maple- wood. He was born August 18. 1867, a son of Zelotus Sherwood, an early settler of Wayne county, who married Eliza Jane Hazen. a native of the county, and a daughter of Daniel Hazen, also one of its honored pioneers. By occupation Ze- lotus Sherwood was a farmer. His death occurred May 19. 1898. Of his eight children. only three are now living: A. M., a resident of Maplewood ; Warren A. ; and Delton E., a station agent at Hoad- leys, on the Erie & Wyoming Valley railroad.

The public schools of Wayne county afforded our subject his early educational privileges. after which he pursued a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, in Buffalo. N. Y., and later a three-months' course under Prof. H. D. Saddler, of Baltimore. During his youth he also

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learned telegraphy, and subsequently graduated in stenography and typewriting at the Pernin Insti- tute, of Detroit. On November 26, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Lesher, of Maplewood, a daughter of Richard R. Lesher. She died June 28, 1891, leaving one daughter, Mabel Lillian. She was a true Christian woman, loved by all who knew her for her many virtues and kindly disposition.

After the death of his wife Mr. Sherwood traveled extensively through the South, visiting different points in North Carolina, Augusta and Macon, Ga., and for a time was located at Jones- boro, Ga., where he had charge of a telegraph station. For a time he also taught telegraphy in Mercer University, Macon, and while traveling in Florida accepted a position as station agent at Palatka. Later he visited Augusta, Ga., Atlanta, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Memphis, Cairo ( Ill.), Kansas City. Chicago and St. Louis. At the last named place he had a situation as telegraph opera- tor for six months, and from there returned to Wayne county, Penn. At Callicoon, N. Y., he was telegraph agent for a time, but since 1895 has been agent at Starlight, a position he is filling to the en- tire satisfaction of all concerned, as he is an ac- commodating and obliging gentleman. He also teaches shorthand by mail, has built up a large class, and is meeting with excellent success in this venture.

On March 1, 1893. Mr. Sherwood was again married, his second union being with Miss, Maud Marsh, a lady of culture and refinement, and a daughter of Samuel Marsh, of Callicoon, N. Y. Three children bless this union: Myrty Belle, Hurshal Rix and Fred Marsh. The parents both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and. socially, Mr. Sherwood is connected with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Ini- proved Order of Red Men, and the Order of Rail- road Telegraphers.

SYLVESTER THOMAS, now residing in Starrucca, is one of the representative citizens of Wayne county, where he has made his home since 1851. He was born July 27, 1831, in Orange coun- ty. N. Y., and belongs to a patriotic and loyal family. which has been well represented in the wars of this country. The Thomas family is of Irish origin, and its members have been prominently identified with the history of Sullivan county, N. Y. One of them lost a leg in battle with the Indians near Lacka- wack, New York.

William G. Thomas (our subject's father), who was a soldier in the war of 1812, was born about 1796 in Orange county, N. Y., a son of John Thom- as. also a native of that county. William G. mar- ried Miss Sarah Covart, of the same county. a daughter of James Covart, who when a lad of fif- teen years joined the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, and was with Gen. Washington when he crossed the Delaware river into Trenton,

N. J. To Mr. and Mrs. William G. Thomas were born the following children: Margaret; Ira, who was killed in the battle of Fair Oaks. Virginia : Jolm, who was a Union soldier in the Civil war. and died in Kansas; Aaron; Sylvester; and Mary. Throughout his active business life the father fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, and in politics was a Jacksonian Democrat. He died in 1849: his wife, whowas a faithful member of the Methodist Church, departed this life in 1837.

In the country of his nativity Sylvester Thomas was reared and educated, and also learned the ma- son's trade, at which he continued to work until the outbreak of the Civil war. He had come to Wayne county in 1851, and in May, 1861, enlisted in the 6th Pennsylvania Reserves. under Col. Wellington H. Ent, and Capt. John S. Wright. During his three years of arduous and faithful service, he par- ticipated in many important engagements, includ- ing the battle of Drainsville. the second battle of Bull Run. Bristoe Station,. the seven-days' fight. Gainesville. Bethsaida Church. and Gettysburg. When his term of enlistment expired. in 1864. he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Berlin township. Wayne county. where he continued to reside until his removal to Melrose, Penn., in 1875. Later he lived in Scott township, Wayne county, for a time, and then located in Starrucca. where for two years he engaged in the butchering business.

Mr. Thomas married Miss Eliza J. Brown. of Berlin township, Wayne county, a daughter of Richard and Anna Brown, in whose family were two sons, Mark and William, who were soldiers in the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born six children : Mrs. Amanda Marks : George R., now a resident of Lebanon township. Wayne county; John and Frank, of Scott township: Ira. of Rotter- dam, N. Y .; and Angie I., wife of George Glover, of Starrucca. In the exercise of his elective fran- chise Mr. Thomas supports the principles of the Republican party, and takes quite an active and prominent part in political affairs. He has filled a number of local offices, being assistant burgess one term, constable three years, and assessor at the pres- ent time. Socially he is a member of Capt. Oliver Mumford Post. and in its early days was an ener- getic worker in the same.

EDGAR E. SMITH, a native of Waverly. Penn .. is now one of the most prominent and in- telligent residents of Lenox township. Susquehan- na county. The life of Mr. Smith has not been bounded wholly by the limits of his native State. He was one of the young men who heard the call to patriotism during the early years of the Civil war, and he followed the flag until peace was re- stored, being among the fortunate veterans who witnessed the memorable surrender of Lee and his army at Appomattox. It was perhaps the observations he made while tramping the forests of Virginia in his country's service that first di-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

rected his attention to the lumbering opportunities in the South. At any rate, a few years after the close of the war he became prominently identi- fied with the vast timber industries of Virginia and North Carolina, to which he gave about twen- ty years of his life. He then returned to his na- tive State, where he is now a substantial and in- fluential citizen.

Mr. Smith was born in Luzerne county. Penn., August 13, 1843, a son ot Harrison and Abigail (Colvin) Smith, and a grandson of Da- vid Smith. The latter was of French descent, and by trade a carpenter. During the war of 1812 he served in the cavalry, and the saber he carried is still in the possession of the family. David Smith was married, in Northumberland county, to Mar- garet Utt, and for many years lived in Luzerne county. He died at Waverly, Penn., in 1862. his widow in 1868. The children of David and Margaret Smith were as follows: Fannie, who married Elijah Angle and removed to Ohio; Han- rah, who married Samuel States, of Luzerne coun- ty; Sally Ann, who married Jesse Gibbs, of Luzerne county ; Jacob, who lived in Luzerne county ; Eliza, who married Israel Colvin, of Luzerne county ; Har- rison, father of our subject; Molly, who married Michael Raub, of Luzerne county ; Stinson, who was a resident of Luzerne county, and was killed on the railroad; Jackson, who lived in Luzerne county ; and Margaret (the only survivor of the family), wife of Joseph Chase, of Lackawanna county. The father of this family was a Democrat in political sentiment ; socially he was a member of the Masonic Fraternity.

Harrison Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Northumberland county, Penn., March 23. 1816. When a young man he moved to Luzerne county, where he married Abigail Colvin, who was born April 18, 1822. a daughter of James Colvin, a native of Rhode Island. Harrison Smith was a carpenter by trade, and followed same for many years in Luzerne county. He died September 28, 1888. his wife on October 20. 1861. Their children were as follows: Margaret, who married (first) Adelburt Thomas, and who is now the wife of Hugh Williams, of Wyoming county, Penn .; Edgar E .. the subject of this sketch; Maria, born November 16, 1845. wife of William Coon, of Luzerne coun- ty : Mary, who married Jesse Clifford, of Scranton, Penn., and is now deceased: Sarah E., wife of A. Briggs, of Wyoming county: George, of Lacka- wanna county: James B., of Wyoming county, an engineer on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad: Fannie, a resident of Philadelphia; and Abigail, who died in infancy. Like his father, Har- rison Smith was a Democrat and quite an active party worker. Ile was also a Free Mason.

Edgar E. Smith, our subject, received his edu- cation in the common schools and at Madison Acad- emy. Waverly. He was a boy of nineteen years when in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K. Eleventh P. V. C., and he remained in service until

the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of corporal. Mr. Smith participated in a number of sharp engagements. This regiment was attached to the Army of the James under Butler, doing scouting duty in Virginia and North Carolina, and after being stationed some six or eight months at Suffolk, Va., moved thence to Whitehouse Land- ing. They were in the Virginia campaign before Richmond and Petersburg, in the spring of 1865 joining Sheridan in his pursuit of Lee. He was pres- ent at the surrender at Appomattox C. H. Mr. Smith was fortunate enough never to receive a wound, and he was always able to present himself for duty throughout his term of service.

Returning home, our subject learned the trade of a carpenter and millwight, which he followed in Luzerne county for some years. In 1879 he went to Norfolk, Va., and for five years was engaged in lumbering. at the end of that time receiving the ap- pointment of superintendent of the Greenleaf John- son Lumber Co., which he successfully held in Bertie county, N. C., for fifteen years. Returning to Penn- sylvania, Mr. Smith purchased ninety-seven acres of land in Lenox. township, Susquehanna county, where he has since resided, and he has erected a commodious dwelling, and made other extensive im- provements to the property.

Mr. Smith was married, January 1, 1869. to Della L. Titus, who was born in Susquehanna coun- tv, daughter of Otis B. and Mary ( Jeffers ) Titus. Mrs. Smith died October 29, 1871, and for his sec- ond wife our subject married, on June 22, 1874, Miss Levina Conrad, who was born April 22, 1852, a daughter of Martin and Eliza ( Clark) Conrad. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Episcopal Church. For more than thirty years Mr. Smith has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having united in 1868 with Warren Lodge, at Montrose. Penn. He is a business man of more than ordinary ability, possesses executive force to a marked degree, and contributes in generous measure to the social and civic life of the community in which he lives. He deserves to be called a self-made man in the best sense of the term. Mr. Smith is independent in politics, and never votes at a National election.

WILLIAM COLWILL, a successiul and well- to-do citizen of Berlin township. Wayne county, as well as one of its most honest and reliable busi- ness mien, was born May 16, 1839. in the parish of Weeks, St. Mary, Cornwall, England. of which par- ish his parents. William and Phillippi ( Jose , Colwill. were also natives, and where they spent their entire lives. The father was a carpenter by trade. was a good workman, and an honest and industrions man. In the family were six children, namely : Mary Am. Elizabeth. Ann Jose (deceased ). Thomas. John and William.

Reared on a farm, our subject carly became fa- miliar with the care of cattle, sheep and horses. and at an early age was considered an excellent farm hand, being industrious, energetic and relia-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ble. At the age of twenty-three he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Collins, who was born, reared and educated in Cornwall, and to her he attributes much of his financial success, as she has ably assisted him in many ways. In 1863 they sailed from England for the United States, and after a voyage of two weeks landed safely on the shores of this country. Since then their home has always been in Wayne county, Penn. Mrs. Colwill's par- ents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Ashton) Collins, also came to the New World, and both died in this State, the father in Carbondale, the mother in Wayne county. They had a family of seven children : Ann, John, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, William, Maria and Samuel. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Colwill three are still living: ( 1) William Henry, of Oregon township, Wayne county, married Aman- da Ham, and has four children, Florence Elizabeth, Edna Mary, Lester John, and Clarence William. (2) Lillie Maria is the wife of Nevel Arthur, a Union soldier of the Civil war, who now lives at Forest City, Penn., and they have four children, Mabel Freelove, George Ellsworth, Nellie Maud and Salona Elizabeth. (3) Nellie Maud is at home. Lizzie May, who was the third in order of birth, died at the age of four years.

For some years after his arrival in this coun- try Mr. Colwill lived near Seelyville, Wayne coun- ty, where he worked for the Delaware & Hudson Co., receiving good wages, as his work was excellent and was appreciated by his employers. In 1866 he purchased what was known as the Walter Spry farm, in Berlin township, comprising eighty-six acres of excellent land, which he has converted into highly-cultivated fields, good meadows and rich pastures. A good dwelling and barns are upon the place, and Mr. Colwill has made many excellent improvements. In connection with general farming he is interested in stock raising, having a fine grade of horses, cows and sheep upon his place. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and in religious connection both he and his wife are active and leading members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Beach Lake, to which they contrib- ute liberally.

PATRICK GIBBONS, an honored and high- ly-respected citizen of Hawley, Wayne county, was called from earth in the midst of his usefulness, dying November 8, 1895, at the age of forty-seven years. He was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and a son of Patrick and Bridget (Cassey) Gib- bons. After the death of the father, the mother with five sons left the Emerald Isle. crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of Hawley, Penn. Her children were John, who is entployed as "walk- ing boss" on the canal at Hawley; Michael. who died at that place ; James, who was killed by being crushed between two boats on the canal; Patrick, the subject of this sketch; and William, who died of diphtheria.

Patrick Gibbons boated on the canal froin early

boyhood until 1862, and was then employed as brake- man on the New York & Lake Erie railroad. At Port Jervis, N. Y., November 6, 1895, he had just received orders to proceed to Hawley, and was in the act of stepping on his engine, when he was struck by another engine, which passed over hin, cutting off both legs. He died at the Port Jervis hospital two days later. He was a man of exem- plary habits, never using intoxicants of any kind, and he had the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. Politically he was iden- tified with the Democratic party, in religious faith was a member of the Catholic Church, and socially affiliated with the C. M. B. A. and the N. P. L.

At Hawley Mr. Gibbons was married to Miss Bridget Golden, Father O'Malley officiating, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Catherine is now engaged in teaching school and re- sides at home ; she is a leading member of the C. W. B. L., holding a responsible office in same since its organization, and is also connected with Church and literary associations ; William, living at home, holds a position in the Hawley Glass Works, and is a young man of exemplary habits ; he is a men- ber of the A. O. H .; Joseph died at the age of three years ; James lives at home, and is employed as clerk in the M. R. Barretts grocery store in the town. Ambrose died at the age of three years ; and Thomas is at home. The family is one of the highest respect- ability, and is the center of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Socially Mrs. Gibbons affiliates with the L. C. B. A.

Mrs. Gibbons was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, February 22, 1858, a daughter of John and Cather- ine (Cunningham) Golden, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, the former born in 1820, the latter in 1808. In 1852 they emigrated to the New World, and spent the first seven years after their arrival in Cincin- nati. They then removed to Hawley, Penn., and from 1895 found a pleasant home with Mrs. Gib- bons, where the father died September 13, 1898; his faithful wife followed him to the grave two months later, her death occurring November 12, of the same year. Both were communicants of the Catholic Church, and in politics the father was a Democrat. He served as supervisor of his town- ship for one term, and for many years was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. In the Golden family were four children, namely : Mary, who died in Syracuse, N. Y., in early womanhood ; Patrick, who died in Hawley: John, who entered the Union army during the Civil yar, and has never been heard from since; and Bridget, widow of our subject.

GEORGE E. QUICK, a representative go- ahead and wide-awake citizen of Lake township. Wayne county, is a practical general farmer, at the same time carryng on a prosperous butchering business.

Mr. Quick is a native of Pike county, Penn., born February 28, 1858. a son of John T. and Cath- erine (Vanetten) Quick, natives, respectively, of

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Sullivan county, N. Y., and Milford, Pike Co., Penn., in which latter place they were married. The father was born August 14, 1835, and is sup- posed to be dead, as he has never been heard from since leaving home, ostensibly in search of work, when our subject was a child. The mother, who was born June 12, 1837, now resides at Saleni Cor- ners, Wayne Co., Penn. Two children were born to Mr. and. Mrs. John T. Quick, George E. being the younger and the only one living, the elder, also a son, having died in infancy.

Our subject up to the age of ten years re- mained for the most part with his mother, who then gave him to Squire T. J. Dickson, a farmer of Greene township, Pike Co., Penn., to bring up and educate until he should be twenty-one years old. At the age of fifteen, however, the ambitious and independent lad thought that he was old enough to care for himself and so "ran away ', to use his own expression, and returning to Pike county worked in the woods, peeling bark, etc., in which line of labor he continued until 1878. In that year he moved to Salem township. Wayne county, where he re- mained a few months, in the meantime taking unto himself a life partner, after which we find him in Scranton, Penn., where he worked in a foundry some five years. On account of impaired health, however, he once more inoved to Salem township, for three years farming on shares at Salen Corners, and connected with different farms until 1890, when he came to his present place, which he subsequently, January 15, 1894, purchased. In 1889 he embarked in the butchering business, buying, selling, etc., and in all his undertakings he has met with uni- form and well-merited success.

On September 8, 1878, at Newfoundland, Wayne Co., Penn., George E. Quick was married, by Rev. E. F. Rommel, a minister of the Moravian Church, to Miss Ruey E. Glosenger, and eight children have been born to them, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Walter E., April 2, 1880; Maude, June 18, 1882; Alva, May 1, 1886; Mabel, November 19, 1887; Alice, May 7, 1890; George W., October 15, 1894; Charles V., October 10, 1896; and Frank L., January 13, 1900.

Mrs. George E. Quick was born in Salem township, Wayne county, Penn .. February 22, 1858, a daughter of William and Mary A. ( Fowler) Glosenger, natives of Salem township and Con- necticut, respectively, who were married in the lo- cality ; there the father followed farming. He was born October 8, 1828, and died January 30, 1894; the mother, born May 12, 1836, died in July, 1886, and they sleep their last sleep in the Salem burying- ground. They were members of the M. E. Church. To this honored couple came children as follows : George D., born in February, 1856, is deceased ; Ruey A., our subject's wife, comes next : Alice A., born in February, 1860, married Emerson D. Conk- lin, a railroad fireman, with residence at Scranton ; Angelo, born December 29, 1862, is a farmer at Gravity, Penn .; and Florence, born September 23,

1878, is living with our subject and his wife. The fatlier was thrice married, first time to Miss Lavira Sampson, who died childless about one year later ; his second wife was Miss Mary A. Fowler, as above recorded; and for his third wife Mr. Glosenger, three years after the death of his second, wedded Miss Florence Barclay, who now resides in Wayne county ; she became the mother of two children, one of whom resides with her; Belma died April 17, 1893. Mrs. Quick's paternal grandparents were Jolin and Mary ( Brown) Glosenger. Her maternal grandparents, Harmon and Mary Fowler, were na- tives of England, whence they emigrated to this country in 1830, settling in Connecticut.

Mr. Quick is a self-made man in the literal. " sense of the term, one whose advancement has come through his own efforts, and who by industry and honest toil has won for himself an enviable place among the representative agriculturists and busi- ness men of Wayne county.

JOHN WESLEY CHAPMAN. More than sixty-six years have passed since this gentleman arrived in Wayne county, and he is justly r.11 n1- bered among the honored pioneers and leading cit- izens. He has been prominently identified with her lumbering and farming interests, and is still actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Buck- ingham township, where for thirty years he has owned and operated his present farm of 159 acres. The well-tilled fields and neat and thrifty appear- ance of the place indicate the industrious habits and progressive spirit of the owner.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 10

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1000

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1000