Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 23

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 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 23
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 23

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Alva W. Norton received his early instruction under Mr. Beach, a Presbyterian minister. He completed his education at the Winsted high school, where he was fitted to become a civil engineer, and after coming to Pennsylvania he did considerable surveying, locating coal lands and new roads, and was also one of the surveyors sent out to determine the boundary lines between the counties in eastern Pennsylvania. On November 21, 1816, Mr. Nor- ton married Miss Sallie Freeman, and to their union came the following children: Emily A., born Oc- tober 3, 1817; Olive A., born November 20, 1819, who died July 12, 1890; Maria S., born January 5, 1822, who died November 29, 1862; Lucius F., born February 9, 1824, who died March 12, 1890; and Harriet C., born June 13, 1827, who is now the wife of our subject. The father of these children. died July 5, 1881, and the mother November 9, 1869.

DAVID M. STALKER. The splendid farm owned by this gentleman in Manchester township, Wayne county, is a standing monument to his in- dustry, perseverance and good management.

Mr. Stalker is a native son of the county, born in Damascus township, in September, 1861, and Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, is the birthplace of his parents, David and Harriet ( Rogis) Stalker, who continued to reside there for some time after their marriage and then removed to Damascus township. In the latter place the father owned property, which he sold in 1862, purchasing an im- proved farm of 100 acres in Manchester township. to the further development and cultivation of which he has since devoted his energies with good

results. He has erected upon the place a pleasant residence and substantial outbuildings, and the well- tilled fields testify to his thrift and industry. He and his wife still live to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and in their declining years are surrounded by a loving family and many friends. To this worthy couple came six children, four sons and two daughters, all born in Wayne county: (1) Gordon S., born in 1854, learned the carpenter's trade in early life and for some time lived in the oil regions of this State, doing an extensive busi- ness in erecting derricks. He also bought a farm in Damascus township, Wayne county, upon which .he made many improvements in the way of build- ings, but later removed to Michigan, where he now owns property and is successfully engaged in farm- ing. his home being at Summit City. In 1881 he married a Miss Bush, of Wayne county, who died after a short married life, leaving one son, Royal, and for his second wife he married a Michigan lady. (2). Eugene S., born in 1858, married Mary Purdy, of Wayne county, by whom he has two chil- dren, Earl and Berthia. He moved to Arkansas, later to Indian Territory, and then back to Arkan- sas, where he now resides. (3) David M. is next in the family. (4) Amanda died at the age of six years. (5) Emma Viola. born in 1865. is with her parents. (6) Russell E., born in 1871, was married in 1896 to Ella Skinner, of Manches- ter township, by whom he has one son. Arthur R., and they now reside at Long Eddy, N. Y., where he is engaged in business.

In Manchester township David M. Stalker grew to mianhood, acquiring his education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he took charge of his father's farm while the latter was in the oil regions, and since then has engaged in business on his own account. In 1883 he purchased sixty-two acres of the old homestead, and later bought 102 acres of partially improved land known as the Weston farin, making in all 164 acres, which to-day is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. In 1891 he erected thereon a fine two- story residence, with all modern improvements, and four years later built a most convenient and substan- tian barn, so that he now owns one of the hand- somest homes and best farms in Manchester town- ship.

Mr. Stalker was married. in 1886, to Miss Zelma Braman, a daughter of Hamilton and Jane Braman, honored pioneers and prominent citizens of Manchester township. and three children have blessed this union: Reuben J., born July 21, 1887; Gale H., November 7, 1889: and Orman C., May 5. 1805. The young couple began their domestic life in the village of Braman, where our subject worked in the brush handle factory for two years, and then moved to Long Eddy. X. Y., where he engaged in quarrying stone for two and one-half years. In 18gt he located upon his farm, and has since given his attention to its operation. Through his own efforts lie has become quite well-to-do, and

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he always cheerfully gives his support to all enter- prises for the good of the community. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, has held the office of supervisor of Manchester township one term, and is a school director at the present time. Fraternally he belongs to the Improved Or- der of Red Men, the Knights of Honor, and the Farmers' Alliance of Wayne county; and in re- ligious faith he and his wife both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Equinunk. His public and private duties have always been dis- charged with fidelity, and he is worthy to be classed among the best citizens of his community.

AUGUSTUS WOOD is a well-known and representative lumberman and farmer of Berlin township, who throughout life has been identified with the industrial interests of Wayne county. Upon his farmi is a good residence, flanked by a substantial barn and various other outbuildings re- quired by the progressive agriculturist. As a tiller of the soil he is thorough and skillful, and in his business ventures has met with a fair degree of success.

A native of Wayne county, Mr. Wood was born in Damascus, in September, 1844. His father was born at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., where he grew to manhood, and in Binghamton, that State, he married Miss Mary Bigsby. Subsequently he purchased a farm near Atco, in Damascus town- ship, Wayne Co., Penn., cleared the land and there reared his family of five children. Upon this place both he and his wife died some years ago.

Augustus Wood is the eldest of their children. (2) Moses A., born in Damascus township, enlisted at the President's first call for troops to aid in put- ting down the Rebellion, and, as a member of the 84th P. V. I., he participated in many important *engagements. He was taken prisoner and incar- cerated at Asbury prison for seven months, being almost starved to death. He re-enlisted as a vet- eran, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He married Betsy Ferguson, of Wayne county, and they now reside in Duck Harbor, same county. Their children are George, Edward, Alex- ander, David and Mary. (3) Elizabeth is now the widow of James Knepp, of Damascus. (4) An- geline is the wife of Walter Walford, a lumberman of Tionesta, Forest Co., Penn., and they have two daughters, Mrs. Adda Saltsgiver and Mrs. Nettie Nepp. (5) Malissa is the wife of Charles Law- son, of Pennsylvania.

In his native township Augustus Wood passed his boyhood and youth, and as he attended the local schools only for a few winters his literary education was rather limited. When a young .man, during the Civil war, he enlisted in Company A, 118th P. V. I., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under command of Gen. Grant. Ilis first engagement was the battle of the Wilderness, where the losses on both sides were heavy. IIe was then in the campaign around Petersburg, and while

tearing up the Danville railroad, in September, 1864, his left arm was pierced by a minie ball. necessi- tating amputation immediately on the battle field. He was then taken to City Point hospital and later to Washington, D. C., where he remamed until hos- tilities ceased, being honorably discharged in that city in July, 1865, after which he returned home.

. In 1866 Mr. Wood wedded Miss Barbara Hier, of New York City, and soon afterward he purchased a farm in Berlin township adjoining that of John Perkin, but subsequently sold that place and bought Mrs. Hiram Branning's farm, where he still resides. Six children have come to brighten the household : William A., born in Berlin township, married Annie White, of Milanville, Wayne county, by whom he has one child, Jessie Ruth, and they now reside in Pike county, Penn. Alfred, born in Damascus township, married Minna Skinner, of Sullivan county, N. Y., and resides in Hawley, Penn., where he is engaged in business. John, born in Damas- cus, in August, 1873, was educated in the public schools of Berlin township, and is still at home. Harry, Frank and Mabel are also under the pa- rental roof.

Fraternally, Mr. Wood is an honored niemiber of Capt. Ham Post, G. A. R., of Honesdale, and politically is a stanch Republican, taking a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He is cer- tainly deserving of honorable mention in a work of this character, for he is not only one of the highly respected citizens of the county, but was also one of the brave defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. His parents are both consistent members of the Baptist Church.

...

HENRY A. SPENCER, a highly esteemed citizen of Springville township, Susquehanna coun- ty, was born there October 21, 1824, and is de- scended from good old New England stock. Ilis great-grandfather was William Spencer. His grandfather, Jeremiah Spencer, a native of New Hampshire, was captain of a company in the Co- lonial army during the Revolutionary war, and was in Col. Ashley's regiment at the battle of Benning- ton, Vt. He married Tirzah Ashley, a sister of the Colonel. About the beginning of the nineteenth century he came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and made the first clearing in Springville township. his home being near the present site of the village of Lynn. Here this worthy pioneer died in 1825. His children, who are all now deceased, were as follows: Daniel; Usebia, wife of Squire Avery ; Susana, the first wife of Thomas Kassedy ; Eunice. wife of Abel Marcy, this being the first couple ever married in Springville township; Betsy. wife of Elijah Avery ; Annie, the second wife of Thomas Kassedy ; and Francis, the father of our subject.

Francis Spencer was born in Claremont, N. II .. January 2, 1787, and was twelve years old when he came with his parents to Susquehanna county. Penn. For many years he followed farming in Springville township, and was one of the most in-

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iluential and prominent citizens of that locality. He served as county surveyor for some years ; was the first postmaster of the village of Springville; was also assessor for a number of terms; and a member of the election board. Politically he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. In Susque- hanna county he married Naomi Lyman, a daugh- ter of Gideon and Dolly ( Spencer ) Lyman. She was born in Weathersfield, Vt., June 22, 1789, and died August 20, 1859. Mr. Spencer died in Ab- ington, Lackawanna Co., Penn., January 1, 1869,- They had. a large family of children, namely : Naomi, deceased wife of Frederick MI. Hepburn, of Tunkhannock, Penn .; Eunicc, who died unmar- ried May 11, 1840; Benjamin N. ( deceased ), who was a shoemaker by trade and lived in Pennsylva- nia, later in Wisconsin; Francis, a Methodist Epis- copal minister, who died in Lanesboro, Penn .; Mary Ann (deceased), who married ( first) B. H. Cogswell, of Springville, and ( second) H. M. Whitney; Henry A., our subject; Lyman C., a farmer of Susquehanna county, who died in Albany, N. Y .; Hume, who died in infancy; Eveline, who married ( first) Ashley Brooks, and ( second) Jonas Stanton, of Brooklyn, Penn .; and Caroline, Eve- line's twin sister, who married Elia's Reynolds, of Factoryville, Penn., and is now matron of Bucknell University.

Henry A. Spencer, our subject, spent his boyhood and youth in Susquehanna and Wyoming counties, and received a common-school education. At the age of six years he went to live with an aunt and uncle, where he remained until attaining his majority, and then started out in life for himself as a farm hand. In 1881 he located tipon his pres- ent farm in Springville township, where his son had purchased forty-three acres of land, nearly all of which was under cultivation. For five weeks dur- ing the Civil war he was in the employ of the gov- ernment, building barracks at Washington, D. C., but with that exception he has always engaged in farming and painting in Springville township.

On November 19, 1852, in New Brunswick, N. J., Mr. Spencer married Miss Sarah R. Smith, whom he had never met until the day of their mar- riage. She was born December 10, 1824. in Bloom- ingdale. N. Y., a daughter of William and Eliza- beth ( Storey ) Smith, natives of Scotland, and died December 18. 1890. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and a most cstima- ble lady. To our subject and his wife were born eight children, as follows: David Smith, born January 31, 1854, is now a Methodist Episcopal missionary in Japan; Sarah died in infancy; John O. is also a missionary of the same denomination in Japan ; George C. died in Houstonville, Wash- ington Co., Penn., January 2, 1802: Mary Jenette, born August 21, 1861, died at the age of three years: William E., who resides with his father, married Emma Eggleston, of Wyoming county, Penn .. and is engaged in teaching school in Lynn; Alice I. is the wife of Rev. W. S. Wilcox, of

Cherry Ridge, Wayne Co., Penn. ; and the youngest died in infancy.

In his political views, Mr. Spencer is a stanch Republican, and he has been honored with a num- ber of local offices, serving as a member of the election board, auditor of his township, constable and assessor for one year each. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and religiously he has been a sincere and faithful member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for over half a century, dur- ing which time he has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and is now trustee of the Church. Upright and honorable in all things, he has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow men, and has always been willing to assist those less fortunate than himself.

JOIIN W. VAN VLIET. Among the first settlers on the Delaware river near Stroudsburg, Monroe county, was Dyrick Van Vliet, a native of Holland, who passed his remaining years in that locality, and died in 1744, his remains being in- terred at Stroudsburg. He was twice married, and had three sons, Joseph, Derick and Charrick. Charrick Van Vliet, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born near Stroudsburg, and resided at the present homestead in Stroud township, which he purchased from William Penn. He was a Revo- lutionary soldier, as was also his brother Joseph.

Derick Van Vliet ( son of Charrick), our sub- ject's grandfather, passed his entire life at the old homestead, and built the stone house now occupied by our subject. He married Rachel Staples. daugh- ter of Jolin Staples, a Revolutionary soldier, and had eight children. of whom our subject's father, Charrick Van Vliet, was the youngest. Marion, born on the present homestead, married a Mr. Bow- man, of Wayne county; Amanda is the widow of Rufus Bennett, who died in Wayne county; Anna is the wife of John Randsburry, of Stroud township, where they both died; Rebecca married John Van Vliet, of Stroud township, and both are now de- ceased ; Elizabeth married Major Berry, and moved to Kansas. where they both died: John S. married Susan LaBar, of Stroud township, and settled upon a farm in that township, where he spent his last days; Richard married Jane Griffin, of Stroud township, where he followed farming for some years, later removing to Stroudsburg, where he died.

Charrick Van Vliet (2), our subject's father, was born at the present homestead in 1806. and after receiving a good common-school education he engaged in farming and lumbering. The farm was left him by his father's will, and he always resided there. Ile also owned large tracts of land in l'al- myra township, Wayne county, and for many years lie rafted lumber down the Lackawaxen to the Delaware for the Eastern markets, while the lum- ber from his lands in Monroe county was rafted down the Analomink creek to the Delaware, and sent to Philadelphia. In 1831 he married Miss

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Hannah Berry. He died in IS44, his wife in March, 1897, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.

Our subject was the eldest in a family of seven children. (2) Warren, born in 1833, grew to manhood at the old farm, and now resides in East Stroudsburg. He married ( first ) Miss Sarah Dunlap, of Monroe county, and ( second ) Miss Ellen Kelly, of Stroud township, Monroe county. By the first union he had one child, Elizabeth, and by the second there were two sons, Edward, a resi- dent of Stroudsburg, and Charrick, who is married and resides in Carbon county, Penn. (3) Sarah J., born in 1835, married J. G. Angle, of Stroud township, and died leaving two children, (a) Lulu, who married Eugene Kinney, of Southfield town- ship, Monroe county, and later of Pike county, and has one daughter; and (b) George Angle, who resides with his father. '(4) Milton, who did not marry, was a soldier in the Union army, but returned home with his health undermined, and died in 1864. (5) Martin is a bricklayer in Louisa county, Iowa. He married Miss Susanna Stewart, of Pike county. and has several children. (6) Mary married Jacob Shuper, of Hamilton township, Monroe county, and they now reside on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa. They have two sons, Daniel and John. (7) Lydia A. married Wiliam M. Lader, of Albion, Calhoun Co., Michigan.

John W. Van Vliet, the subject proper of this sketch, was born in May; 1832, in the old. stone house in which he now resides. He was educated in the public schools of the locality, and at the age of fifteen entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. as a conductor. He ran the first coal train from Port Beanchard to Hawley over the Gravity road, and later on, in 1854, he was em- ployed on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. from Scranton to the junction of the Jersey Central, remaining one year. In 1858 he con- tracted for building a portion of the Bloomsburg road, grading the road and laying the ties and rails. He also built several miles of the Lackawanna road, where he had large investments. For a number of years he was one of the leading contractors in railroad work. and he made and lost a large amount of money in his ventures. In 1861 he bought the old family homestead, where he has since resided. and he recently built a fine new dwelling house there for his son Harry, who is of the fifth genera- tion of the family to occupy the estate. After tak- ing possession of the homestead Mr. Van Vliet erected a number of hot-houses, and at present he supplies Stroudsburg and adjoining towns with choice varieties of plants of all kinds. He also has an extensive business in canning fruits raised on his farm. For years he has been a leading member of the local Grange. and in religion he inclines to the Baptist Church, in which he was reared. and of which his wife is a devout member. Politically he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type. and at

times he has held local offices, having served fifteen consecutive years as township auditor. In 1853 he married Miss Henrietta Rau, daughter of Valen- tine and Elizabeth Rau, well known residents of Pittston, Luzerne county. Two children came of this union: ( 1) Martha, born in 1853, at the homestead, received a public-school education. and was married to Charles L. Tobey, a jeweler in Scranton; they have one daughter, l'earl. 121 Harry, born in 1855, was educated in the schools of Stroud township, and after teaching success- fully for some time engaged in business with his father ; he married Miss Laura Detrick, of Stroud township, and has three children, Myrtle, May and Stanley.

EDWARD GILLEN. Those lives are often deepest which run with a smooth, unruffled surface. The subject of this sketch is a man of quiet and un- ostentatious manner, yet he has accomplished more work than falls to the lot of the average citizen. He has won a lasting place in the hearts of his many friends, who appreciate his abilities and sterling worth. As millwright and as farmer, he is now a resident of Middletown township, Susquehanna county.

For more than a half century the family have . been grafted to the soil of that fertile locality. and in numerous ways he has proved its inherent strength and vitality. Our subject was one in a family of fourteen children. His father, after whom he is named, was born in 1810 in Londonderry. Ireland. He was educated in the schools of his native coun- try, and when a young man emigrated to America. Locating first in Philadelphia, he there married Miss Margaret McGargle, of that city. In 1840 he moved to Bradford county, Penn., where he lived for about eight years. He then purchased the Rexford farm in Middletown township, where he remained through life. He erected a good house and barns on this place, cleared up a large portion of the land. and made one of the fine homes in that vicinity. He died on this home in 1886, his worthy Christian wife surviving him three years. They were con- sistent members of the Catholic Church. In politics Edward Gillen was a Democrat.

The fourteen children born to them were as follows : ( 1 ) James Gillen was born in 1835. in P'hila- delphia. He was well educated. and for many years was one of the leading teachers in Susquehanna and Wayne counties. He married Miss Almira Wood, of Bradford county, and first settled at Hall- stead, where he taught the higher schools. He also followed teaching at Honesdale and other cities. He died at Honesdale in 1807. leaving a widow and three children, Mattie, Melissa and Rebecca. all residents of Wayne county. ( 2) Robert Gillen. born in Philadelphia, married Miss Mary Cooney, i Mid- dletown, daughter of James and Lenora Corner. He now resides in Friendsville. where he is most- master. He has two daughters, Catherine and Mar- garet. (3) Mary Gillen, twin sister of Robert, mar-

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ried James Delhanty, clerk in a dry-goods store at Hallstead, who died in 1870, leaving a widow and five children, Mary, wife of John McCormick, of Hallstead; Edward Delhanty; Sarah, wife of Bar- ney Degnam, of Middletown; Margaret, at home; Katie, wife of Samuel Carmondy, who died in Feb- ruary, 1891 ; and Edward, who was an employe of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Co., and was killed in a wreck near Binghamton. N. Y., in November, 1896. (4) Benjamin Gillen, born at Philadelphia, died at the home when a young man of twenty years. (5) Elizabeth Gillen, twin sister of Benjamin, married John McCovey, of Bradford, and they settled at Elmira, N. Y. He died in 1885, leaving a widow, who still resides in Elmira. Mrs. McCovey has always been devoted to the work of the Catholic Church. She is a lady of culture, and has led a useful Christian life. (6) Edward Gillen, our subject, comes next. (7) John Gillen, born in Bradford county, married Sarah Powers, of Susquehanna county. They reside in Binghamton, N. Y., and eleven children were born to them : Anna, who married George A. Printice, of Deposit ; Abbie, who married Oliver L. Huntington, also of Deposit ; and George, Charlie, Frank, Mary, Jay, Veronica, Bell, Agnes and Hazel. (8 Cath- erine Gillen, born in Bradford, entered the Friends- ville schools, where she prepared for the Sisters School, at Lockport, N. Y. She is now Sister Mary Frances of the Lockport Convent. (9) Margaret Gillen prepared for the convent at Owego, N. Y., and is now Sister Veronica of the Niagara Con- vent. (10) Joanna Gillen, born at the old home in Middletown, remained with her parents until their death. She then became manager of the home, where she lived, a devout Christian, until her death in April, 1899. She was greatly missed. Her life was spent in doing charitable work, and she was much loved by her people. ( II) Sarah Gillen, born in Middletown, resided at the old home during her life, dying in April, 1887. She was greatly beloved and respected for her charitable work. ( 12) Charles Gillen, born in Middletown, now resides in Bing- hamton, where he follows farming. ( 13) Sylvester Gillen, born at the old home farm in Middletown. is a graduate of the Riley Business College at Bing- hamton. He has followed teaching in Middletown district, and for two years taught in the Black Hills country and in Ohio. He remained with his par- ents during the latter part of their lives, and now has charge of the homestead. He is an intelligent man. and very highly respected in his community. (14) Agnes A. Gillen, born in Middletown at the old home, married John Redding, of Rush, Sus- quehanna county. They resided at Binghamton, where she died leaving four children, Mary, who was educated in the parochial schools of Bingham- ton, and is a very bright, scholarly young lady ; and Sarah, Francis and Leo, all students of the Bing- hamton schools.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 23

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