Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 17

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 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 17

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Mr. Racht uses his right of franchise in sup- port of the Democracy, and he has most efficiently served as school director for the past six years. He is a member of the Catholic Church of Hones- dale, and also of St. Joseph's Society. He .is surrounded by the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of char- acter.

JACOB I. BATES is a prominent representa- tive of the business interests of Dyberry township, Wayne county, where he owns and successfully operates a large gristmill. Being a man of excel- lent business ability and sound judgment, he has . prospered in his undertakings, and the success that has crowned his efforts is well merited.

John Bates ( father of our subject) was born in Cornwall, England, September 2, 1806, and at the age of twenty-one came to the New World, taking up his residence in Dyberry township, Wayne Co., Penn. He purchased land near the center of the township, and there made his home throughout the remainder of his life, dying June 11, 1887. He married Miss Emily Swingle, of South Canaan township, Wayne county, a daughter of Jacob Swin- gle ; slie passed away September 28, 1889.

In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: Elizabeth A., who still resides on the old homestead : Sarah A., wife of Peter Ran- dlall, of Hancock, N. Y .; Robert S., a resident of Lebanon township, Wayne county; Jacob I., the subject of this sketch ; John M .. who died April 28, 1882; J. Isadora, wife of Samuel B. Bryant. of Waymart, Wayne county: Amanda L .. wife of Richard Randall ; George W .. who died November 7. 1861: Edwin Spencer, who died October 28. 1861: and Eugene L., who also lives on the old homestead.

In Dyberry township Jacob I. Bates, our sub- ject, was born October 10. 1843. and in the com- mion schools of that township he gained the founda- tion of an education, to which he has added by extensive reading and observation. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in the Union army and was

Mrs. Racht, who had been an invalid for four- placed in the construction corps, where he served

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

until the close of the war. Returning to Wayne county, le purchased land in the eastern part of Dyberry township, and began farming. Soon afterward, in company with ms brother, he bought : a sawmill, and to this was added a feedmill. In 1869 Mr. Bates built a large gristmill, which he has since successfully operated, receiving from the public a liberal patronage.

On September 10, 1865, Mr. Bates was united in marriage with Miss Jerusha A. Hunter, who was born May 29, 1843, a daughter of Mathew and Phoebe Ann ( Hoel ) Hunter, the former a native of England, the latter of Texas township, Wayne county, When a mere lad her father cante to this country. To MIr. and Mrs. Bates were born seven children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Charles Spencer, August 29, 1866, mar- ried Sarah Arnold, and has one child. Horace; George L., August 24, 1868, married Genevra Scambler, and has one child, Russell; Andrew J., July 13, 1871; Chauncey E., November 21, 1873; Edmund W., June 28, 1876, married Verna Bishop, and lives in Equinunk, l'enn. ; Wesley A .. Decem- ber 16, 1879; and Ida MI., December 2, 1885. All are stilll living with the exception of Andrew J., who died October 23, 1895.

Politically, Mr. Bates is a Democrat, though at local elections he does not adhere strictly to party lines, endeavoring to support the man best qualified for the office. He has always been before the peo- ple as their representative in township matters, and has most capably and acceptably served his fellow citizens in the offices of overseer of roads, town- ship clerk eight years, school director seven years, and the present year completes his sixth year as supervisor. He is also a director in and agent for the Wayne County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. His public service is most 'exemplary, and his pri- vate life is above reproach. Mrs. Bates is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church.

COLUMBUS WASHINGTON HUBBARD, a prominent agriculturist of Lake township. Wayne county, has not only won for himself a substantial success in business life, but he bears an honorable record as a soldier, gained during the long struggle which settled forever the question of our national unity.

Our subject was born July 22, 1833, at Green- field, Luzerne Co .. Penn., a son of Columbus and Mary A. (Young) Hubbard, both of whom were natives of Rhode Island. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died while on his way to California, and the mother afterward, in 1886, re- moved to Wayne county to spend her last days at the home of our subject, her only child. She died February 4, 1895, at the advanced age of eighty- five years, and her remains now rest in the South Canaan Cemetery.

Mr. Hubbard's youth was mainly spent at the home of an uncle, Nicholas Young, a farmer of Luzerne county, but in April, 1851, he located in

Wayne county, being employed for some time in running cars on the Gravity railroad for the Penn- sylvania Coal Co. At first he resided at "No. 12", now known as Gravity, but he afterward made his home at different places along the road, and he re- mained in the service of the company for more than thirty years, receiving promotion from time to time. In 1857 he was appointed a conductor. but his work was interrupted in May, 1861, by his en- listment in Company B, 3rd Pa. Reserves. with which he served three years and twenty-one days, under Captains Curtis, Davenport and Warren G. Moore. He took part in a number or severe bat- tles, but was never wounded. During the famous "seven-days' fight" in Virginia, in 1862, he was in active service, and on the fifth day he was taken prisoner at Battle City Cross Roads. After spend- ing thirty-seven days in a prison at Richmond. he was exchanged at Akron Landing, on the James river, and he soon rejoined his regiment, which was then stationed near the James. Among the battles in which he participated were those of South Mountain, Antietam. Fredericksburg and second battle of Bull Run. In June, 1864, he received his discharge, and on returning home he at once took his place as conductor on his old train, and con- tinted his connection with the company until De- cember 17, 1885, when the road was abandoned. Having in the meantime made his home at his pres- ent farm, he has since given his attention to general farming, and under his able, judicious management the estate, which contains 150 acres, is regarded as one of the best in the neighborhood. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and while he is not an office seeker he takes much interest in local affairs, and has served three years as school director. He and his family are popular socially, and he is an active member of the G. A. R., Capt. George W. Daven- port Post No. 534, at Gravity.

On March 22, 1856, Mr. Hubbard was married in Lake township. Wayne county, on the farm where he now resides, by Gabriel Howell. Esq., to Miss Rachel Enslin, and eight children have blessed the union: (1) Rosatha died June 10, 1857. (2) Diana married Nicholas Croop, of Jefferson town- ship, Lackawanna county, and died July 11. 1876. ( 3) Almina married Butler B. Kizer. a railway conductor residing at Scranton, and they have two children, Cora M. and Hazel M. (4) Frank D. (lied October 31. 1879. (5) Kancy J., who mar- ried Ella Swingle, is a farmer in Lake township, Wayne county ( they have one child. Carl C). 16) Inez M. died November 6, 1879. (7) Sylvania B. married Walter Williams, operator at Scranton on the D. L. & W. R. R. (8) Fordyce Meade. who married Virgie House on May 11, 1898, is working for the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Scranton. Mrs. Hubbard was born May 9, 1837, in South Canaan township. Wayne county, a daughter of Frederick and Nancy A. (Quick ) Enslin, and is a member of a well known family of this section. Her pa- ternal grandparents, George and Katie (Swingle)

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Enslin, were natives of Pennsylvania, and settled in South Canaan township, Wayne county, at an carly day, while her maternal grandparents, Cor- nelius and Elizabeth ( Nesbit ) Quick, spent the greater portion of their lives in Luzerne county, where both were born. Her mother died in No- vember, 1860, aged fifty-eight years, and her father in the following month, aged sixty. Their children were: Julieann, deceased wife of Henry Ames, of Waymart ; Jacob, a retired farmer of South Canaan township, Wayne county; Francis; Rosella, wife of. Alexander Cornell, of Hawley; Rachel, wife of our subject ; and Joshua. deceased.

GEOGE HUMPHREY SANDERCOCK. This enterprising and successful agriculturist is the. owner of a fine farm in Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, where his family has been promi- nent for many years. He is of English descent in both paternal and maternal lines, and in his career and character he has shown the best qualities of that race.

George Sandercock, Sr., our subject's grand- father, was a lifelong resident of Pondstock, Eng- land, where he was engaged in farming. George Sandercock (2), the father of our subject. was born in Cornwall, England, in 1819, and was married there to Miss Mary Bellamy, daughter of Ilum- phrey H. and Grace Bellamy. For some time after their marriage they resided in Cornwall. but in 1844 they came to America, their first home being made at Berlin, Wayne county, where the father engaged in farming and lumbering. In 1854 he removed to Cherry Ridge township, having pur- chased one hundred acres of land for a homestead. Three years later he bought another tract of one hundred acres, and for many years he operated the entire estate. He was extensively engaged in lui- bering, owning at one time about 1.000 acres of timber land at Paupac, Wayne county, and in all his enterprises he met with uniform success. As a citizen he was much respected. and he was fre- quently called upon to fill township offices. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party, and he was active in religious work as a member of the Methodist Church, giving liberally to its sup- port. He died August 18, 1887, at the age of sixty- four ; his widow, who was born November 1. 1819. now makes her home with her children. His mor- tal remains now repose in the cemetery at Hones- dale. Of the children of this worthy couple, the eldest, Elizabeth, married John Schenk. of Lara- mie City, Wyoming ; Thomas is deceased : John W. is a prominent merchant at Lake Ariel. Penn. ; William, a railway conductor, resides in St. Louis, Mo .; Julia married Isaac Male, the foreman of a coalyard at Hawley, Wayne county: George II., our subject, is mentioned more fully below: Mary died April 5, 1865 ; Amos Mead resides upon a por- tion of the old homestead; and Augusta died in 1864.

Our subject was born December 11. 1854, at

the present homestead, and during his youth he enjoyed the usual experiences of a country lad. In 1887 he began working in an axe factory at Tracy- ville, Wayne county, where he remained about two and one-half years, but after the death of his father he was obliged to give his attention to the care of the home farm. For a few years the estate was left undivided, but later Mr. Sandercock took the one hundred acres comprising the original purchase, while his brother Amos M. took the remaining half. Mr. Sandercock raises general crops, and manages his farin in a thoroughly scientific manner. His sound judgment is recognized by his neighbors, and for the past ten years he has been a director in the Wayne County Agricultural Association, a position formerly held by his lamented father. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but he has no inclina- tion to enter official life, having refused to allow his name to be presented as a candidate when urged to do so. Socially he is identified with the Order of Red Men, Honesdale Lodge, and while he is not a member of any Church he inclines toward the Methodist faith. On October 6, 1880, he was mar- ried in Cherry Ridge township, by Rev. A. J. Van Cliff, a Methodist minister, to Miss Anna E. Bonear, and their home is brightened by three chil- dren, Isaac B., George and Morrell Ray.

Mrs. Sandercock belongs to one of the most prominent families in Cherry Ridge township, and is a leader in the best social circles of the locality. She was born August 15, 1857, at the Bonear home- stead in Cherry Ridge township. a beautiful estate which has been improved of late years at great ex- pense, the residence being one of the finest in Wayne county. Her father, Isaac Bonear, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1827, and came to America when about nine years old with his par- ents, Moses and Catherine ( May) Bonear. He has always been prominent in local affairs, and at times has been chosen to township offices on the Repub- lican ticket, while he and his wife are leading mem- bers of the Methodist Church near their home. His wife was born in 1831 in Pike county, Penn., but her parents came to Wayne county during her child- hood. They had the following children: Cather- ine J., who died in infancy ; Sarah ( deceased), who married George Van Winkle, a machinist in New Jersey ; Anna E., wife of our subject ; and Ada R., wife of Amos Mead Sandercock, who occupies part of the Sandercock homestead.

JOHN BEEMER, the present efficient and popular street commissioner of Hawley, Wayne county, was born in Indian Orchard, same county, March 14, 1836, a son of Frederick and Laura (Dexter) Beemer.

The paternal grandparents were of German origin, and were lifelong residents of Beemersville. N. J. The father was by occupation a farmer and lumberman, politically was a Democrat, and in re- ligious belief was a Baptist. He died in 1844, at the age of thirty-five years, honored and respected

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

by all who knew him. His children were: John, the subject of this review; and Nancy, now the wife of Cornelius Brown, foreman of the Delaware shipyard at Newburg, N. Y. The mother was twice married, her second husband being G. W. Daniels, who now resides at White Mills, Wayne county. By this union she had five children : Cyn- thia, who first married David Bishop, and after his death wedded a Mr. Hedglin, a stationary engineer at Lake Ariel, Wayne county; Laura, who married Joel Fish, of Wisconsin, and both are now de- ceased; Amanda, who lives with her father at White Mills; and Emma and Edith, who both died unmarried. The mother passed away in 1892, at the age of sixty-seven years.

At an early age John Beemer commenced work- ing in the woods for Russell Daniels, and on leav- ing home at the age of seventeen followed lumber- ing in the employ of others. For thirteen years he served as foreman for Collingwood & Co., lum- ber merchants of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., looking after their business in Pike county, Penn. In 1883 he embarked in business on his own account as a general contractor in timber and sawed lumber, and was thus employed until the spring of 1896, when elected street commissioner of Hawley, to which place he had removed in 1882 from Pike county. In connection with the duties of that office, which he most capably discharges, he still carries on business as a lumber contractor. The Repub- lican party finds in him an ardent supporter of its principles, and he has done much to promote its welfare in his community. He is an energetic, in- dustrious and enterprising business man, and the success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts and excellent management.

Mr. Beemer was married November 1, 1856, . at White Mills, Wayne county, to Miss Caroline Morrow, Rev. C. L. Rice, a Methodist minister, officiating. Five children have been born to them, namely: Amanda, now the wife of Seth Downs, a teanister at White Mills, by whom she has two children ; Ada, at home; Anna, wife of George Pal- lott, a traveling salesman living in Scranton, Penn .; Frederick B., who is employed as shipping clerk in the glass works in Ilawley and resides at home ; and Harry R., who also lives at home and is em- ployed at the glass works.

Mrs. Beemer was born in 1838, at what is now Hawley, but at that time was known as Paupack Eddy, a daughter of Elias and Anna ( Kellam) Morrow, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pike county, Penn. The father, who was a lumberman by occupation, died in Palmyra town- ship, Pike county, in 1877. the mother in Indian Orchard, Wayne county, in 1867, at the age of fifty-two years. Both were consistent members of the Baptist Church, and he was a Democrat in poli- tics. Of their children. Caroline is the wife of our subject : William, Louis and Amanda all died when young; and Brown died at the age of eighteen years.

HARVEY A. WILLIAMS, the well-known proprietor of the Williams brush handle manufac- tory, at Lake Como, has resided in Wayne county for over twenty years, and his name is inseparably connected with its industrial interests. His thor- oughly American spirit and great energy have en- abled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and com- plete system, and the habit of giving careful atten- tion to details, without which success in any under- taking is never an assured fact.

Mr. Williams was born in Verona, Essex Co., N. J., in April, 1854, and is a son of Zadoc and Mary (Langdon) Williams, the former born in Orange, .N. J .. the latter in Ireland, in 1817. They were married in New Jersey, where the father followed the butcher business throughout life, dying in that State in 1859. Our subject is the fourth in a fan- ily of six children, the others being as follows: ( I) George, born in 1846, attended the public schools during boyhood, and on reaching man's estate mar- ried Minnie Sherry, of Verona, N. J., by whom he has five children. He lives in Verona, and is em- ployed as engineer at the Newark City Home. (2) Catherine, born in 1848, married John Garretson, of Long Island. N. Y., by whom she had two chil- dren, and all died in Verona, her death occurring in 1887. (3) John, born in 1851, married Martha Keifer, of Verona, where he engaged in the gro- cery business until his death, in 1804. He left a widow and six children who are still living in that city. (5) Louisa, born in 1856, is the wife of Hiram Handville, and lives on her father's old homestead. She has two children, Ruth and Russell. (6) Sarah, born in 1858. died in 1878.

During his boyhood and youth Harvey A. Will- iams attended the public schools of Verona, in which village he was reared, and there learned the tool-making trade, becoming an accomplished work- man during the three years he devoted to that occu- pation. Subsequently he learned wood-turning, and was employed in that work in Parkersburg. W. Va., for fifteen months, after which he returned to New- ark. N. J. Coming to Lake Como. Wayne Co., Penn .. in 1876, he accepted a position in the wood- turning establishment of Jacob R. Lawshe: six months later was appointed foreman of the works, and at the end of the first year purchased the plant. which he has since successfully operated. Having put in new machinery and otherwise improved his manufactory, he is now enabled to do first-class work. and his brush handles are used in almost every State in the Union, his trade being very large and quite profitable. When he became owner of the plant the business was yet in its infancy, but to-day, through his energy and careful management, it has assumed extensive proportions. Besides his buisiness property he owns a fine home in Lake Como, and 500 acres of valuable timber land in Wayne county.

Mr. Williams was married, in 1877. to Miss

If a Milliauer

Ada Mentenett Williams

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Ada Menhennett, of Lake Como, a daughter of James C. and Julia ( Martin) Menhennett. Her father was a native of England, the son of a Method- ist minister, and when a young man came to the United States, locating in Wayne county, where he was married. In his family were the following children: Julia; Ada L .; Ela, now Mrs. J. F. Bridges, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Etta, now Mrs. Miller, of Binghamton ; Jamies, deceased in infancy ; William, a railroad man, who lived at Great Bend, N. Y., but was killed in an accident ; and Olive, now the wife of Fayette Littelle. Mr. Menhennet, who was a mason by trade, died December 5, 1897. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, name- ly : Leona died at the age of eight years; May, who was born in 1879, is a graduate of the high school at Hancock, N. Y., being an accomplished young lady, of high musical and literary talent; Grace died in infancy ; Willma was born in August, 1890; and Harley was born in 1892. The parents are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lake Como, take an active and prominent part in its work, and do all within their power to pro- mote the moral welfare of the community, Mrs. Williams obtained her literary education in the pub- lie schools, while her musical training was secured under private instruction ; she became an accom- plished musician, and taught both before and after her marriage. For twenty years she has served as organist in the Como Church, where her father for a like period was chorister. Mr. Williams' political views coincide with the principles of the old Jack- sonian Democracy, but he has kept out of politics. His genial, pleasant manner has made hint quite popular in both business and social circles, and as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen he is recognized as one of the valuable members of the community.

CHARLES H. SPENCER. The State of Pennsylvania owes its high standing, among the sovereign Commonwealths that make up the United States, to the high character and dauntless spirit of the settlers who made their home within her borders during the early days. To their inspira- tion and work is due her wonderful progress in agriculture, manufacturing and the arts. They opened the mines and cleared awav the forests, transforming the wilderness into fertile farms; they established Churches and schools in the savage wilds, laying the foundation for the grand institu- tions of philanthropy and learning which are the glory of the State at the present day. Connecticut has furnished to Pennsylvania many of its worthy pioneers, and among these the Spencer family of Wayne county are deserving of honorable men- tion.

Charles II. Spencer was born November 18. 1847, on the farm in Mt. Pleasant township where he still resides. ITis father, Ezra Spencer, now one of the oldest men living in Wayne county, being born November 17, 1806, is a son of Ezra Spencer. Sr., a native of Saybrooke, Conn., who, with his

father, Joseph Spencer, of English ancestry, came to Wayne county, Penn., when it was almost an unbroken wilderness, and after cutting the logs erected their dwelling in the midst of the forest. Joseph Spencer's brother Peter had located here about two or three years previous, being among the very first settlers of this region. Ezra Spencer, Sr., married Miss Mehitable Bushnell, a native of Connecticut, who died when quite young, leaving two children, Ezra, Jr., the father of our subject ; and Hettie, wife of John Knight. For his second wife he married Miss Ellett Clark, and to them were born four sons, all now ( 1898) living: Philo, George, Orson and William. The father of these, who was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, died at the age of eighty-four years, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him.

Ezra Spencer, Jr., was a lad of ten years when brought by his parents to Wayne county, where he grew to manhood surrounded by scenes familiar to frontier life. When abotit twenty-two he bought a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Mt. Pleas- ant township for $too, and upon the partially im- proved tract he erected a log house. Having secured a home he wished some one to preside over it, and soon afterward wedded Miss Mary B. Moore, a daughter of James and Mary ( Terrell ) Moore, and a native of New Jersey. The eleven children born of this union are as follows: James M .. a resident of Wayne county; Eliza, deceased wife of James Partridge; Juliet, who married Will- iam Kerr (both are now deceased ) ; Norman, a soldier of the Civil war, who died at Starrucca, Penn .; Adaline, deceased wife of II. L. Butler, of Lake township, Wayne county ; Clark, who lives on his grandfather's old homestead; Keziah, wife of Theodore La Barre, of Starrueca, Penn .; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; Kate, wife of Mat- thew Clemo, of Bethany; Olive B., wife of James Watson, of Lake Como, Penn .; and Hettie MI .. de- ceased wife of Frank Clough, of Rushsylvania, Ohio. The mother, who was a good, kind, and affectionate woman, died in January, 1859; the father died Oc- tober 23, 1899, aged ninety-two years, eleven monthis, six days. He was one of the most esteemed citi- zens of the community.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 17

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