Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 16

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 16
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 16
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 16
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 16

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In November, 1863, while at Charleston, Mr. White was granted a furlough and returned home, where he remained for one month, rejoining his regiment at Hilton Head. They then succeeded in tearing up the Charleston & Savannah railroad, and for several days were in a number of skirmishes with the Rebels under Johnston, at Honey Hill or Grahamsville. At that place Mr. White was wounded. November 30, 1863. by a minie ball. in the right leg below the knee. All day and night he lay on the battle field. and was then taken to Hilton Head hospital, where the limb was amputated. In February, 1864, he was transferred to Davis Island, and was later taken to Elmira, N. Y., where he was finally discharged August 15, 1865. Returning to his home in Wayne county, he engaged in the manufacture of shingles for a number of years.

chester township, in 1854, is the wife of Samuel Lest- er, an engineer on the York & Erie railroad, by whom she has three children-Claud, Orie and Dotty- and they reside in Susquehanna, Penn. (2) Alwyn, born in Manchester township, married Ella Jones, of Carbondale, Penn., where they make their home, and he is employed as track foreman on the rail- road. Of their three children, Ida accidentally shot herself at the age of sixteen years; Vietor and Guy are both at home. (3) Zana, born in Manches- ter township, is the wife of Asa Lester, of Susque- lianna, Penn., and they have one son, Malcom, now a resident of Mckean county, Penn. (4) Frank, born in Wayne county, was educated in the Susquehanna Soldiers Orphans school, and mar- ried Julia Woodslater, by whom he has one daughter.

Politically Mr. White was first a Whig and is now an ardent Republican, while socially he is a member of George C. Scudder Post No. 240, G. A. R., of Equinunk. He is a man of many noble qualities, is generous to a fault, and a great favorite with the children and young people of the village on account of his kind-heartedness and generosity. They all know and recognize him as "Uncle George."

CHARLES H. SCUDDER, for about half a century a well known resident of Lebanon town- ship, and a worthy representative of one of the prominent families of Wayne county, was born April 27, 1831, at Roxbury, Delaware Co., New York.

David Scudder, our subject's father, was born in Westchester county, that State, October 2. 1783, and was married, February 17, 1823, to Mrs. Sallie ( Pattison) Yeaman, widow of Drake Yeaman. and daughter of Michael Pattison, who was a native of Ireland, and a soldier in the American Revolution. To Mr. and Mrs. Scudder were born eight chil- dren : Hellen ; Betsy Fidelia : Mary Jane. deceased ; Phoebe Marie: Frances H., deceased ; Charles H .; Abram L. ; and Sarah Arubouette. The father was a faithful defender of his country in the war of 1812. and during his business career was variously employed, being engaged in farming, conducting a store and tavern, and manufacturing potash. In 1839 he removed to Louisiana and located on Ber- wick Bay. in St. Mary's Parish, about two hundred miles from New Orleans, where he died three years later. Returning to the North, the family located in Damascus township. Wayne county, Penn .. in 1847. where they remained two years; then fin 1849) removed to Lebanon, thence (in 188) to Prompton. Pennsylvania.

The education of our subject was received in the public schools of New York and Louisiana,

Mr. White has been called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who passed away about sixteen years ago. This noble woman had most tenderly . being about nine years of age when he accompanied cared for her children while he was at the front de- his parents on their emigration to the latter State. He returned with the family to Pennsylvania, and for nearly half a century resided upon the farm of fending the flag of our glorious country, and she al- : ways proved to him a raithful helpineet and devoted wife. She left four children. (1)lda, born in Man- , 200 acres in Lebanon township. Wayne county. Ile

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made many useful improvements upon the place, thereby adding greatly to its value and attractive appearance, including the erection of a good frame residence and substantial outbuildings.

On January 21, 1852, Mr. Scudder was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann La Tourette, daughter of John and Sallie ( Wheatcraft) La Tourette, and eight children were born of this union, five of whom are still living: Jane Metute, of Honduras, South America; David W., a resi- dent of Torrey, Penn. ; Frank J., of Lebanon town- ship; Charles G., of Chicago, Ill., where he is en- gaged in business ; and Helen, wife of Fred Ken- neay, of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county. Those deceased are Eleanor, and twins who died in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life in February, 1867, and on August 23, 1870, Mr. Scudder wedded Mrs. Emily ( Keesler ) Maffett, widow of John Maffett, who died in 1861, leaving twin daughters, one of whom died at the age of one year and eight months; the other, Ella, is now the wife of Deloss R. Boughton, of Broome county, N: Y. Mrs. Scudder's parents were Peter and Percy ( Lewis) Keesler, the former a native of Sul- livan county, N. Y., in whose family were ten chil- dren, seven still living, namely: Wallace ( who was a soldier in the Civil war ), Emily, Roxie. Joseph, Helen, Martha and Peter. To Charles and Emily Scudder have been born seven children: Mary Jane, wife of Horace Purdy, of Lebanon township; Samuel. a resident of the same place; Anna C .; L. J .; John D., who died at the age of seventeen years ; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Scudder is an earnest advocate of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and has ever been a supporter of that organization. Sincere and con- scientious Christian people, he and his wife are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is serving as elder. Their lives have ever ^ been in harmony with their profession, and their sterling worth and many excellencies of character have won the admiration and esteem of all who know them.

JOHN SHAFFER, who resides on the old homestead at Waymart, is a representative of an honored and highly respected family of Wayne county. His paternal grandfather, Jolin Shaffer, - was a native of Germany, and on coming to the New World at about the beginning of the Revolu- tionary war, located in Orange county, N. Y., where he married a Miss Forbes. In 1783. after the birth 1 of their son John, they came to Wayne county, and located on a tract of land on Middle creek below the North & South road. Here their son Moses was born, being the first white child born in South Canaan township. The grandfather had received a very favorable report of this locality from a party of hunters living in Orange county, N. Y .. and he therefore determined to make it his future home. On removing to his farm in South Canaan town- ship he was obliged to ent his own roads, and with 1

the early development and upbuilding of the county- . he was prominently identified.

In the grandfather's family were the follow- ing children: (1) John was the father of our sub- ject. (2) Moses wedded Mary Swingle, and had children, to-wit: Jacob; Fannie, wife of Aaron Cur- tis; Samuel; Jolin; Sallie, wife of Jacob Cobb: Millie, wife of Adam Wagner, of Waymart; Cati :- erine, wife of Jamies Glen; Sylvester ; and Mary. wife of Abram Jaggers. (3) Samuel married Rachel Wagner, and his children were Elizabeth, wife of John Spangenberger ; Moses, Abraham ; Eli : Lydia. wife of Simon Enslin ; Amy, wife of Daniel Everts : Mary, wife of Henry Reed; Berzilla; Joseph : Rachel; Alexander ; and Martha, wife of Francis Enslin. (4) Susan married Joshua Berleigh. 15 : Effie married Jacob Swingle. (6) Betsy mar- ried Edward Doyle, of Buckingham town- ship, Wayne county. (7) Polly married Samuel Chumard. (8) Catherine married James McLain.

During his infancy, John Shaffer ( the father of our subject ) was brought by his parents t Wayne county, and amid scenes of frontier life be grew to manhood, aiding his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing a new farm. In connection with his agricultural pursuits he also did some contracting, and our subject now has in his possession a contract, dated January 29. 1831. between the Homesdale & Clarksville Turnpike Co. and Charles Stanton, Blilander Beattys, Asa Stan- ton and John Shaffer. He also has the commissions given his father as lieutenant and captain of the State Militia, dated August 3. 1807; and a land warrant for his farm of sixty-nine acres, for which he paid $130, dated September 23, 1828. Our sub- ject now owns sixty-five acres of the original tract. having purchased the same of the other heirs Feb- ruary 26, 1876.

The father was born in Orange county. N. Y., December 25, 1783, and died in Wayne county, Penn., July 30, 1864. He was three times married. his first wife being Miss Lydia Benjermin, who was born in Orange county. N. Y., October 20, 1791. and died October 16, 1826. They were married June 9, 1811. On July 5, 1827. he married Louisa Fobes, who was born September 21. 1798, and died October 16, 1852. The following children blessed this union: ( 1) Lydia A .. born January 19. 1830, married Alexander McMillan. who died June II, 1883, and she died in October. 1891. In their family were two children, now deceased, namely : Mary R. and Winta L. The former married Charles Betz, and died leaving one daughter. Caro- line, now a resident of Honesdale. (2) Mary, born December 24, 1831, is the widow of George A. Clark, and resides with our subject. She has two daughters, Ida L .. who was born January 15. 1870. and is now the wife of Sumner Merring, a farmer of Wayne county ; and Bertha E., who was borit February 2. 1872, and is now successfully engaged in teaching, while she resides at home. (3) Amy. born October 1. 1834, lives with our subject. (4;

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

John, born February 25, 1837, is next in the family. (5) Sarah .A., born November 22, 1841, died Feb- ruary 13, 1852. The parents and the children who are now deceased are all buried at Canaan Corners, Wayne county. The family is one of the highest respectability and is widely and favorably known.

The subject of this sketch has always resided upon the old homestead at Waymart, where he was born, and now gives his entire time and attention to its management. From 1864 until 1882 he was employed as brakeman on the Gravity railroad, but with that exception he has always engaged in farm work. He is well posted on the leading puestions and issues of the day, and in politics is a stanch Democrat.

JAMES P. SIMPSON. During the trying days of the Civil war the cause of freedom found many gallant defenders among our foreign-born residents, and the subject of this sketch, an English- man by birth, proved his devotion to the principles of Magna Charta by volunteering for "three years or the war." He took part in several important en- gagements, and a serious wound, which might have been fatal except for the pure blood and sound healthi that a wholesome life had brought him, is an incon- testable evidence of his courage. Mr. Simpson has been for a number of years a resident of Salem town- ship, Wayne county, where he is held in high esteem for his excellent qualities of character, and the fol- lowing history will be of general interest to our readers. .

Our subject belongs to an old Yorkshire fam- ily, and was born in Bradford, England, February 23, 1841. His father, Thomas Simpson, who for thirty years was an overseer of a large factory at that place, owned by Wood & Walker, manufac- turers of worsted goods, died in 1891, at the age of seventy-four. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Jane Perkins, died in 1854, aged thirty-nine, and the father for his second wife mar- ried Jane Reid, who died March 8, 1886. at the age of sixty-six. By the first union there were five chil- dren : James P., our subject : John W., now a clerk in a grocery store in England ; Miss Sarah, a resi- dent of Bradford, England: Elizabeth and Samuel. who both died in infancy. By the second marriage there were four children: Hepsiba, a resident of Bradford, England ; Alfred, who is clerking at Brad- ford; Joseph, who died December 9, 1899; and . Arthur, who is a bookkeeper for one of the largest business houses in Bradford.

Our subject remained at home until he at- tained his majority, but after the age of seventeen he was employed as a clerk by John Milligan. Son & Co., his education being continued at a night school. His active and clever mind enabled him to make good use of his educational opportunities, such as they were, and after coming to America, he at- tended school for some time in Boston, Mass. In 1862 he set sail for this continent, the voyage last- ing six weeks, and after spending a few days in New

York City he went to Toronto, Canada, where he remained several weeks. He then proceeded to Bui- falo, N. Y., and worked for three months for Isaac Jones ; but as the Civil war was in progress he de- cided to enlist in the government service. He joined the 27th N. Y. Light Artillery, under Capt. John B. Eaton, now of the regular army, for the term of three years, and served until honorably discharged at Washington, May 18, 1865. Among the batties in which he participated were those of the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, Poplar Grove Church, and Cold Harbor, also Petersburg, and he was with the forces in front of the latter place from June, 1864, until Sunday, April 2, 1865. While there he was struck in the lower jaw by a piece of a shell, making it necessary to remove some of the jaw bone. but owing to his good general health the wound healed in six weeks. On receiving his discharge he went to Cambridgeport, Mass .. to visit relatives for a few weeks, and the physicians there advised him to go home to England to recuperate. fle did so. re- maining about three months, but returned to Cam- bridgeport and learned the machinist's trade which he followed there until 1871. Before settling down permanently he determined upon a prospecting tour, and after a few weeks passed in Brooklyn, Penn .. he went to Scranton, this State, and took a position in the Dickson locomotive shops. After a year he removed to Philadelphia, worked there for a few months in the Baldwin locomotive shops, and then the next four years he spent in working at his trade in Corning, N. Y. At the end of that time he went to Lawrence, Mass., and as the panic which then prevailed made work at his trade difficult to obtain, he spent seven years as a bookkeeper for the Arlington Woolen Mills. During this period he saved enough money to purchase his present home- stead, an attractive place near Hamlinton, Wayne county, consisting of forty-one acres. He acquired the title in 1882, and removed there in the follow- ing year, since which date he has given much at- tention to the management of the farm. In the fall of 1883 he was employed on a lathe in the shops of the Dickson Manufacturing Co., at Scranton, and this position he held until 1896, when failing health compelled him to discontinue the work : but he still helps his old employers occasionally if they send for him in a busy season. He is an expert machinist, and his industry has brought him a fair competence, while he also draws a pension for his services to the nation during the war. In politics he has always been a Republican, his first vote being cast for Abra- ham Lincoln, but he has not sought official honors. Socially he and his wife are much esteemed. and he is connected with various fraternal orders, includ- ing the I. O. O. F. at Cambridge, Mass., the G. . 1. R. at Salem, and the F. & A.M., in which latter he has attained the 320 degree. He first joined the fraternity in November, 1870, at East Cambridge, Mass .; on June 18, 1873. was enrolled at Corn- ing, N. Y .. as a Chapter Mason, and on November 23, 1878, he was advanced to the degree of Knight

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Templar at Lawrence, Mass. In religious faith he is a communicant of St. Luke's ( Protestant Epis- copal ) Church of Scranton, Penn., and Mrs. Smmp- son is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Salem.

On September 14. 1871, Mr. Simpson was mar- ried at Brooklyn, Susquehanna Co., Penn., by Rev. Philip Holbroker, a Methodist minister, to Miss Selina L. Blake, but no children have blessed the union. Mrs. Simpson was born at Brooklyn, Penn., June 7. 1839, a daughter of Samuel B. Blake, and granddaughter of Samuel Blake, a na- tive of England, who came to America many years ago, settling in Massachusetts, and was a Conti- mental sollier in the Revolution. Samuel B. Blake, who was born in Attleboro, Mass., August 27, 1794. settled in Brooklyn, Penn., taking up a large tract of land, which he cleared and cultivated. He was a good farmier, was intelligent and well informed, and was a teacher in the early part of his life; he was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was married December 17, 1820, at Harford, Penn., to Miss Alcemena Case, a native of Litchfield, Conn., born December 22, 1797. They were both devout mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and were much respected by their acquaintances. He died . August 25, 1867, and the wife passed away on February 9. 1864, the remains of both being interred at Brook- lyn, Penn. Of their children, the eldest, Albert, born November 26, 1821, has never married, and is a resident of Susquehanna county; Edwin E., born October 29, 1823, married Mrs. Sarah E. Woodward, a widow, now deceased. and he resides in Salem township. Wayne county; Miss Mary R., born February 22, 1833, resides in Brooklyn. Penn .; and Selina L., the wife of our subject, is the young- est in the family.

JOHN F. McFARLAND, ticket, freight and express agent, and telegraph operator at Lake Ariel, Wayne county, is one of the active native-born young business men of the county.

Born July 6, 1872. in Lake township, Wayne county, he is a son of John S. and Sarahett ( Mitch- ell ) McFarland. of Jefferson township, Lacka- wanna Co., Penn., a sketch of whom appears else- where. Their son John F., of whom we write. received a liberal education at the public schools of his native place. and at the age of fifteen left , the parental roof for Scranton, Penn., where he clerked in a grocery store a year, thence removing to Georgetown. and there serving as telegrapher at the railway station one year. His next point was at Wimmers' Station. in Lackawanna county, where he was operator also a year, afterward serving as operator at different stations between Port Jervis and Hawley until 1895. in which year we find him again in Scranton, where he "worked the ticker" three months, finally coming to Lake Ariel to till his present responsible position.

Miss Ella Philips, daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Smith ) Philips, highly respectable people of Haw- ley, Penn., where Mr. Philips is engaged in the jewelry business. Two children, Ethel Sarah, born January 31, 1897, and Ella Ruth, born Janu- ary 8, 1900, grace this union. Socially Mr. Mc- Farland is affiliated with the 1. O. O. F., and in politics he is a stanch Republican. He is bright, and popular with all classes, and embodies a rare combination of good nature with sound common sense.

EDWARD G. BELL was born in Rockland county, N. Y., June 8, 1851, and in his youth re- ceived a good training in the common English branches. He owns and operates a beautiful farm of seventy-three acres on the Delaware river. in Westfall township Pike county, only one and one- half miles from Port Jervis. N. Y., and in connection with general agriculture is engaged in keeping sum- mer boarders. He has a fine peach orchard on the place, raising fruit and vegetables for the Port Jer- vis market, and is a business man of more than ordi- nary ability, in all his undertakings meeting with most gratifying success. After his father removed to Port Jervis, he and his brother continued to oper- ate the farm together until 1807. when it was di- vided, and our subject erected a beautiful new resi- dence upon his portion of the 150 acres. He is a thorough and skillful agriculturist, and has made many improvements upon the place. which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. So- cially he is a Master Mason, and politically a strong Democrat. He and his family have been quite prominent in the community where they reside. and it is to such men that the county owes its prosperity and advancement.

In July, 1893. at Port Jervis. N. Y .. Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Treible, who was born in Bushkill. Pike Co., Penn .. July 15. 1875, a daughter of Samuel H. and Julia A. ( Ace) Treible, also natives of that county, where the mother died in 1883. The father was born in 1853. a son of Henry and Katie Treible. and is still engaged in farming at Bushkill. His chil- dren are Henry, a resident of Monroe county : Mag- gie, wife of our subject : and Edith, wife of Floyd Lyon, freight agent for the Chas. W. Davis Trans- portation Line. in New York City. [Mr. Bell is a son of the late William J. Bell. a sketch of whom appears at page 636.]

JOIN RACHT. Among the more prominent and enterprising farmers of Sonth Canaan town- ship. Wayne county, who are of alien birth. is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Like others of his countrymen he has brought to the New World the habits of economy and irtt- gality which are inherent characteristics of his na- tive land, and the exercise of which, accompanied by industry and good management, have secured -

On December 24. 1803. at Hawley, Penn .. John F. MeFarland was united in marriage with . for him a comfortable competence.

Edward &, Belli

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Mr. Racht was born in Prussia, Germany, Oc- tober 26, 1832, a son of Michael and Catherine ( Andres) Racht, who in 1857 joined our subject and his brother in Honesdale, where the mother died a year after hier arrival from a lingering ill- ness contracted on the voyage. The father, who was blind for several years, died at the home of a daughter in Honesdale, in 1862, aged sixty-one years. In early life he had worked as a general laborer and later as a farmer in Germany, accumu- lating in this way some money, which was invested in a farm on coming to America. The land was purchased in his name, and he made the first pay- ment, but the balance was paid by our subject and liis brother. The family remained together for many years, and as four of the children were mar- ried, they bought the farm on which our subject now resides in order to have more room. Work- ing together, they at length paid off the indebted- ness on the place, and converted the land into a valuable and productive farm. The parents were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at Honesdale. In their family were the following children: Se- bastian, a prominent farmer, who died in South Canaan township in 1894; Jacob, a farmer of the same township; Michael, a teamster of Syracuse, N. Y. ; William, who died in Germany during child- hood: Jolin, the subject of this sketch ; and Anna, who married Andrew Stein ( both died in Hones- dale).

During his youth John Racht learned the shoe- maker's trade, at which he continued to work in Germany until 1852, when he and his brother Jacob sailed for the United States. From April until July they spent in New York City, where he worked at his trade, while his brother engaged in tailoring, and then went to Rondout, N. Y. After following their trades for some time, they spent two years in boating on the canal for others, and subsequently purchased a boat which they ran between Rondout and Honesdale for three years. After sending for their parents, they bought the farm in South Canaan township. Wayne county, which they operated to- gether for nine years. Our subject then took his present farm as his share of the property, and since locating on the same in 1867 has devoted his ener- gies to its cultivation and improvement with most satisfactory results.

In Honesdale. Mr. Racht was married Decem- ber 12. 1855. to Miss Elizabeth Trice. and to them were born the following children: Mary A. is now the wife of Anthony Burkert, who is connected with the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Honesdale ; Mag- gie died at the age of seventeen years; William, a carpenter of Carbondale. Pen., married Nora Shaf- fer; Anna is the wife of John Doyle, a iumberman of Mckean county. Penn. : Andrew married Agnes Doyle, and is engaged in lumbering in MeKean county : John is also a lumberman of that county ; Susan died in childhood ; and Charles, Jacob and Elizabeth are still with their parents.

teen years, died June 7, 1899, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Honesdale, Penn. She was born July 10, 1835, in Prussia, Germany, where her parents, Mathew and Catherine ( Bollis) Trice, con- tinued to make their home until 1852, when they emigrated to America and located in Honesdale, Penn. The father, who was employed by the Penn- sylvania Coal Co., died August 15, 1878, aged sev- enty-five years, the mother in September, 1864, aged fifty-five, and both were buried at Honesdale. Of their children, Susan is the wife of Martin Pellance, who is employed on the coal docks at Honesdale ; Elizabeth was the wife of our subject; Mary wed- ded Charles Storr ( now deceased), and she died in January, 1871 ; and William is a resident of Ron- dout, New York.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 16

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