Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 24

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 24
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 24
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 24
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 24

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Religiously this entire family have been devont members of the Catholic Church. The mother was

a thorough Christian woman, justly proud of her large family of children, all of whom were an honor to lier.

Edward Gillen, our subject, was born in Brad- ford county, May 22, 18.43. He was reared on the farm and received a good education in the neighbor- ing district schools. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for eight years. He was then, in 1869, employed in a tan- nery in the Muncy Valley. For eighteen years he was superintendent of Thorn & MeFarland's tan - nery. He then accepted a responsible position with Thomas E. Proctor, the great Boston tanner. and had charge of the construction of numerous tan- neries in Clearfield, Jefferson, Mckean, Elk, and other counties. He is a natural mechanic. and a skilled one, and in whatever position he has been placed has been fully equal to the situation.

Some years ago lie retired from this active life, and since then he has settled on the old home- stead which is now managed by himself and brother. Ile is a devout member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. Mr. Gillen is quiet and unostentatious in manner, but possesses that en- ergy and force of character which proclaim the suc- cessful man. In whatever work he has undertaken thoroughness and completeness have been marked. He knows what should be done, knows how to do it, and is not satisfied with anything short of the best that is attainable. He holds the respect and high esteem of all who know him.

CHARLES GILLETT has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Salem township, Wayne county, for many years, his farm of two hundred acres being one of the best in that locality. He comes of good New England stock in both paternal and maternal lines, and his ancestors have been chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Joseph Gillett, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer in Connecticut throughout his life. Aaron Gillett, the father of our subject, was born in Con- necticut in 1800, and came to Pennsylvania in 1822. locating in Salem township, Wayne county. and after making a trip to Ohio he settled here perma- nently, engaging in business as a butcher while con- ducting a farm in Salem township. He was a man of excellent abilities, and possessed a good educa- tion for that time, being employed for a time as a teacher on his arrival in this section. He was active in local affairs, holding various township offices, and for years he was a prominent member of the Methodist Church in his neighborhood. He was married in Salem township to Miss Betsey Harford, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Samuel Harford. one of the earliest settlers at Purdytown. Wayne county. Aaron Gillett died in 1881, and his wife passed away March 17, 18ol. at the age of eighty-three, the remains of both being interved in a cemetery in Salem township. Our subject was the eklest in a family of eight children. the others being: Harvey ( deceased), who married

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Miss Emma Brooks; Philemon, who married Miss Ella Engles, and resides in Salem township; Ezra, who married Miss Jane Buch (both are now de- ceased ) ; Charlotte, who married Simon Lutz ( both are now deceased) : Diantha, wife of Columbus Delong, of Hemlock Hollow, Penn .; Sarah, de- ceased wife of Charles Delong, of Scranton, Penn. ; and Oliver, who met a soldier's death while serving in the United States army.

Mr. Gillett was born August 27. 1825, in Salem township, Wayne county, and remained at the old homestead with his parents until his mar- riage. His father gave him fifty acres of land for his home, and by his industry and judicious man- agement he secured other tracts from time to time until his farm reached its present handsome pro- portions. After residing - there about twenty-one years. he decided to retire from active work, and accordingly removed to another home near Hamil- ton, where he is quietly spending the afternoon of his life in well-earned leisure. As a citizen he is much esteemed, and although he has not sought office he has at times served in different positions, including those of poor master and tax collector, holding the latter for two years. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and for thirty years past he lias been a member of the Methodist Church near his home. On March 21. 1849, he was married in Salem township, to Miss Nancy Good- rich, and two sons have brightened this home: (1) Clayton, born January 9. 1850, died June 1, 1872. (2) George, born December 21, 1853, owns the farm on which he lives as one of the success- ful agriculturists of Salem township, while he is also engaged in business as an undertaker; he married Miss Elizabeth Benning.

Republican party and he was frequently chosen to township offices, while he was prominent in re- ligious work as a member of the Methodist Church. On Sunday, September 14, 1814. he was married by Rev. Lorenzo Dow to Miss Eunice Andrews, the ceremony being performed at Bidwell Hill, in a barn belonging to Mr. Hamlin. In those days large gatherings were often held in commodious barns, and although there were no costly presents or fash- ionable garments to display, the occasion was doubtless a joyous one. The Andrews family is well-known in this section, and the ancestors of Mrs. Goodrich, who were of old Connecticut stock, settled in Wayne county at an carly date. She died in 1854 at the age of fifty-four, and her remains repose beside those of her husband in Salem ceme- tery. A large family of children blessed this union, the names with dates of birth being as follows : Julia, January 21, 1816, married Stephen Clark (now deceased), and resides in Salem township; George L., December 26, 1818, died some years ago. leav- ing a widow ( formerly Miss Louise Russell), who resides at Abington. Penn .: Mary, September 14, 1820, married Horace Bell ( now deceased), and resides in Salem township: Lucy E .. December 8. 1822, is the wife of L. W. Rohne, a retired resident of Minneapolis, Minn .; Sallie, September 10, 1824. married Charles Pelton, and both are now deceased : Nancy M., January 13, 1828. is the wife of our subject : Hiram B., June 13. 1830, married Miss Phoebe Quick, and is now living in retirement upon a farm in Salem township: Angeline. January 13, 1833. married John Bell (now deceased). and re- sides at Hawley. Wayne county; Ermina and Ar- menia (twins). born October 25. 1835. died un- married : and Miss Martha,, December 22, 1840, resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mrs. . Nancy (Goodrich) Gillett. who has proved herself a true helpmeet to her husband. is *of Scotch descent in the paternal line. her great- GEORGE OLVER. Wayne county has been i the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example grandfather, Enos Goodrich, who settled in Con- necticut at an early day, having been a native of Scotland. Seth Goodrich, the grandfather of Mrs. ; to those who come after them, but have also been Gillett. was born in Connecticut, and in 1803 re- moved to this section. locating in Salem township, ! of important service to the community through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named George Olver, one of the leading citizens Wayne county, where he died in 1844. aged seventy years. His wife was Polly ( Grover ) . a native of Con- t of Berlin township. necticut, also now deceased, and their remains now Mr. Olver was born December 28. 1824. in Cornwall. England, where his parents. John and Sarah ( Aunger) Olver. were born. reared and mar- ried. Both bis paternal and maternal grandfathers, William Olver and Edward Aunger, spent their entire lives in that country. John Oliver, with his wife and eleven children, sailed for the New World, arriving on these shores in June. 1831, and locating in Wayne county. Penn., where the family circle was increased by the birth of three children. In order of birth they are as follows: Thomas and John. now deceased : William, who is now eighty years of age, and makes his home in Carbondale. Penn. ; Richard, deceased : Edmond, a resident of Berlin township: Elizabeth, deceased wife of William rest in the cemetery at Salem Corners. This worthy couple had the following children : Anson, father of Mrs. Gillett; George, who married Naby Moore; Phineas, who married Lucy Rathbone: Dwight, who never married; Nancy (Mrs. Zenius Nichol- son ) : Sallie ( Mrs. Lansing Hollister) : and Re- becca ( Mrs. Joseph Moore). Anson Goodrich was born in Middletown. Com., and in 1803 accom- panied his parents to Salem township, Wayne conn- ty, where his father purchased from Dr. Collins a small farm consisting of meadow land. As a boy he assisted in the work of the farm, and later lie engaged in agricultural work on his own account. continuing until his death in 1861 at the age of sixty-nine. Politically he gave his support to the ! Deckover, of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; Sarah, widow

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MRS. KEZIAH OLVER

GEORGE OLVER

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of Charles Treverton, of Beach Lake; George, the subject of this sketch ; Frances, who died in Dy- berry township, Wayne county; James, a promi- nent citizen of Berlin township; Amos, who died young ; Daniel, a resident of Berlin township; Moses, who died in that township; and Joseph, who still lives on the old farm in the same township. This place the father purchased on coming to the coun- ty, converting the wild wooded tract into rich and productive fields. For six years he made his liome in Bethany, and they returned to the home farm, where he died at the age of seventy-seven vears, honored and respected by all who knew him. In carly life he was identified with the Episcopal Church, but later joined the Methodist denomina- tion. while in politics he was a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. His estimable wife lived to the ripe old age of eighty- eight years, and died in 1874.

Reared upon the home farm. George Olver carly became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and for twenty-three years during his early life he successfully engaged in farming and lumbering. He then went to Beach Lake, where, in connection with his brother James, he embarked in mechandising. subsequently buying out the latter and conducting the business alone un- til 1802. when he sold his store to William Dunn. During the entire time he was engaged in business as a merchant he never sold any tobacco, it being against his principles to deal in that weed, let alone use it.

On October 2. 1850, Mr. Olver was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Spry, who is also a native of Cornwall. England. whence when a child of eleven years she was brought to the United States by her parents. Walter and Patience ( Kinsman) Spry. natives of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Spry made their home in Berlin township, where the father died at the age of sixty-six years, the mother at the age of forty-two. Both were earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church : the father was a Republican in politics and a farmer by occupation. Their children were: Charles, who was a Union soldier during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Berlin township; Keziah, the wife of our subject: Walter; James ; Frederick : Tomson. deceased : Daniel; Mrs. Anna Budd : and Richard, a resident of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Olver have two daughters. the elder be- ing Martha. now the wife of Rev. J. W. Tamblyn, a Free Methodist minister of Brooklyn. N. Y., by whom she has ten children-Rev. William, also a preacher : Anna : George Olver : Albert : Arminta : Luella : Jeremiah 1) .: Eva; Bessie; and Edson. Phoebe P., the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Olver. is the wife of George C. Oliver, of Berlin township, and has five children-Edna Rena, Grant George, Emmons J., Merritt Richard, and an infant unnamed.

Since the organization of the Republican party. Mr. Olver has been one of its stanch supporters, and

he most capably filled the office of township treas- urer, also that of postmaster at Beach Lake for years. Although his life has been a busy one, he has never neglected the holier duties, for as an earnest, con- scientious Christian gentleman he has taken an act- ive part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which organization he is a licensed ex- horter ; for twenty years he has served as superin- tendent of the Sabbath-school, and has also been an exhorter and class leader in his Church, being at all times an active and zealous worker in the Mas- ter's cause or for the good of his fellow-men. The cause of temperance has also found in him a stanch supporter, and he has probably done more along these two lines for the good of the community than any other man in Berlin township. Time and money are as nothing to him if by their use he can further the cause of Christ, and better the individual or the community by aiding the downfall of the liquor traffic.

WILLIAM SEARFASS, who is now suc- cessfully engaged in farming at Brodheadsville, Monroe county, was born on the old Searfass home- stead in Chestnut Hill township, Monroe Co., Penn., March 12, 1841, and is a worthy representa- tive.of one of the old and honored families of that locality.

William and Catherine ( Bond) Searfass, par- ents of our subject, were natives of the same town- ship, the former born August 13, 1813, the latter on March 12, 1814. The paternal grandparents, William and Margaret (Everitt) Searfass, spent their entire lives in the same township, where the grandfather, who was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation. owned a very large tract of land which included most of the present site of Brodheadsville, and gave to each of his children a farm. The chil- dren were Juliann, who married Abraham Shiffer ; Catharine, who married Peter Fraley: Mary, who married Michael Getz: Margaret, who married Jacob Dorsheimer : Daniel, who married Lucinda Seigle: Charles, who married Hannah Kresge ; William, father of our subject: Samuel, who died unmarried : Sallyann, who married Peter Burger ; Elizabeth. who married ( first) Peter Shupp. and ( second) John Swartz. The paternal grandpar- ents, George and Christianna ( Hoodmaker ) Bond. were also lifelong residents of Chestnut Hill town- ship, where the former engaged in farming and coopering. In their family were nine children: Christianna. wife of John Shifter : Catherine, moth- er of our subject: George: Sarah: Mary ..; Charles, married to Sally A. Krutz: Jacob. married to Levina Metzgar: Joseph, married to Sarah Stainer: and Simon. married to Annie Frey.

Throughout life the father of our sub- jeet carried on farming in his native township, and as one of its leading and influential citizens he was called upon to fill many local offices of honor and trust. In the Reformed Church both he and his wife held membership. He died May 28, 1883, and

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

she passed away February 12, 1893. the remains of both being interred in the Brodheadsville cemetery. In their family were the following children : Chris- tianna, born September 11, 1832, marrried John Andrews, and died in May, 1875; Margaret, born January 18, 1834, is now the widow of L. Over- peck; Mary, born November 15, 1835, married William Adams, and died July 23, 1881; Jacob. born November 14, 1837, died in 1840; George, born November 9. 1839, is a farmer of Ross town- ship, Monroe county ; William, our subject, is next in the order of birth ; Maria, born March 19, 1843, married Daniel Andrew, and died March 10, 1881 (Daniel Andrew was born January 16. 1835. and- died March 31, 1885) ; Charles, born March 19, 1845, is a resident of Scranton, Penn. (he married America. L. Krese) : Simon, born March 15, 1847, was a soldier of the Civil war, and died November 5, 1866; Sally A., born June 29. 1849. married Amos Rhodes, and died in August, 1886; Joseph, born February 15. 1852, is a resident of Hamilton township: Franklin, born September 3, 1854, is a farmer of Chestnut Hill township; and Catherine, born August 8, 1857, is still living on the old home- stead.

William Searfass passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm, and in 1856 began learn- ing the shoemaker's trade with 'Thomas Evans, serving a two-years' apprenticeship. He then worked as a journeyman for a few months. At Tobyhanna, Penn., March 20, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, 51st P. V. I., under Capt. Daniel Nicholas, and remained in the service until hostil- ities ceased, being honorably discharged at Alex- andria, Va .. August 15, 1865. He participated in the battles of the Wilderness ( May 6 and 7, '64), Spottsylvania ( May 12), Cold Harbor ( two days, June 1 and 3), Petersburg ( three days, June 17, 18 and July 30), Weldon Railroad (August 19 and 21), South Side Railroad ( August 27) and Hatch- er's Run. On April 1, 1865, his regiment was en- gaged in the battle at Petersburg; on the morning of the 3rd it entered Petersburg, and on the 9th Gen. Lee surrendered. When he found time, our subject was engaged in shocmaking, but at times was forced to throw away his tools, and afterward was compelled to make new ones. During the ex- plosion at Petersburg he was sligthly wounded. and at Cold Harbor came nearly losing his life. While lying down in the act of firing, a ball fell at his side, passing under his limbs. In the same en- gagement his colonel was killed. On his return home he worked for Mr. Evans another year and then went to Tobyhanna, where he followed his trade for a few months, later working in the lumber woods. In 1870 he embarked in business on his own account as a shocmaker, carrying on operations at Brodheadsville, for three years. He then located on his present farm, where he continued to follow his trade for a few years, and subsequently worked at carpentering until 1894, when ill health caused his retirement from that occupation. Since then he

has devoted his time and attention exclusively to agricultural pusuits.

In August, 1869, in Chestnut Hill township, Mr. Searfass was united in marriage with Miss Ann M. Kresge, a native of Ross township and a daughter of Joseph and Lucinda ( Andrews) Kresge. in whose sketch may be found the history of the family. The children born of this union are Lu- cinda, born May 27, 1870, wife of Edward Jones, of Carbon county; Augusta, born February 15, 1872, died May 24, 1873; Nathan, born July 2, 1873, died September 6, 1873: Eugene, born Janu- ary 31, 1875. who is engaged in school teaching and resides at home; Catherine J .. born December 4, 1876. a resident of Philadelphia ; and Mary .1., born 20. 1878, Carrie, born July 29, 1880, Emma, born August 29, 1884, Joseph, born Janu- ary 9, 1887, and Pearl M., born January 29. 1890, are all at home.

Fraternally Mr. Searfass is an honored mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. the Patriotic Order Sons of America and the Grand Army Post of Sciota, while religiously he holds membership in the Reformed Church. His political support is always given the Democracy, and he has most creditably filled the offices of constable three years and school director two terms. In day's of peace as in days of war he has always been found a patriotic and loyal citizen willing to support every measure for the public good.

FRANKLIN J. TINGLEY. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Tingley family. an extended sketch of which appears elsewhere. Our subject is one of its most worthy representatives of the present generation. Under different circum- stances from those- which surrounded his ancestors in the pioneer history of Susquehanna county, he has aggressively and successfully fought the battle of life, displayed business ability of a high order, proved the versatility and tenacity of his talents, and withal made conspicuous in achievement his innate mental force. As a farmer he has clung to the traditions of his forefathers, and prospered : as a railroad fire- man he has persistently retained employment : as owner of grist and saw mills, as postmaster and courageous man of affairs, he has given his time to the village of Tingley, where he now resides.

Mr. Tingley was born in Lenox township. Sus- quehanna county, September 11. 1860, son of War- ren and Cornelia ( Avery) Tingley, grandson of Hon. Charles and Sally ( Wilmarth ) Tingley, and great-grandson of Elkanah Tingley, the pioneer of the family in Susquehanna county. Warren Tingley, the father of our subject. was born April 24. 1820, in Harford township. In earlier life he engaged in farming in Lenox township, but became a man of great prominence. In 1868, two years after the death of his wife, he removed from his farm at Hopbottom. He became a successful mer- chant, continuing in that business until his death August 15, 1802. lle was a justice of the peace,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

and for many years was a surveyor. He married Cornelia Avery, who was born in Harford town- ship, September 15, 1821, daughter of Franklin and Rosanna ( Brush ) Avery, and who died August 5, 1866, in Lenox township. To Warren and Cor- nelia Tingley were born the following children : Morris, born February 8, 1845, married Libby Jack- son, and lives on the old homestead in Lenox town- ship; Alice H., born June 9, 1846, married E. Al- bert Shook, a farmer of Randolph county, Ind .; Burt, born April 27, 1849, is a railroad engineer at Binghamton, N. Y. ; Kate J., born March 3. 1851, married George W. Smith, reared three children, and now lives at the home of her brother : Julius P. A., born October 30, 1854, is a druggist at Car- bondale, Penn .; Charles W., born June 10. 1857, is a railroad engineer -at Great Bend: Franklin J., subject of this sketch, comes next ; Gaylord N., born March 21, 1863, was a gardener, and died at Day- ton, Tenn .; Rosa M., born May 27, 1866. married Bloomfield H. Howard, formerly a school teacher and now government gauger in the vicinity of Pitts- burg, Penn. Both parents were devout members of the Baptist Church.

Our subject was reared on the old homestead, received a good education in the common schools, and at the age of nineteen years began teaching school, teaching five terms. At the age of twenty- three he became a fireman on the D. L. & W. rail- road, a position which he ever since continually filled. In 1886 he removed to a farm in New Mil- ford, and six years later, in 1892, he purchased from Mrs. P. I. Shoemaker and removed to his present residence in Tingley. In 1893 he was appointed the first postmaster at Tingley. He there conducts a general store, and operated grist and saw mills.

Mr. Tingley was married at Great Bend, Penn .. March 27, 1884. to Miss Nellie M. Jackson, who was born in Franklin township. December 15. 1866. the only child of John and Jane Jackson, farmers of Susquehanna county. To our subject and wife has been born one child, Bruce H., born July 1. 1888. The home of our subject was saddened October 16, 1894. by the death of his estimable wife. In politics Mr. Tingley is a Republican. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Broth- erhood of Locomotive Firemen. Ile is a man of keen intelligence and of thrifty and energetic hab- its. He has prospered in life, and ranks as one of the most successful of the younger citizens of Sus- quehanna county.

CANFIELD STONE. In Forest Lake town- ship, Susquehanna county, no family is better known, none more prominent in the carly history and development of that locality, than the Stone family. The name has been perpetuated in Stone street, a highway extending from the old Snider place to Friendsville, so named because the princi- pal landowners along the street were members of that family, the descendants of which at one time formed a considerable proportion of the popula-

tion. They were the descendants of four brothers, whose father, Canfield Stone, the great-grandfa- ther of our subject, was a wealthy landowner in Litchfield, Conn., where he lived and died. Gar- rad Stone, his son, migrated with his wife from Litchfield, Conn., in 1800, and settled on a farm of 300 acres in Forest Lake township. Judson, his brother, came in 1813, and located on 280 acres adjoining. Canfield Stone, another brother and the grandfather of our subject, came in 1821 and settled on a woodland tract of 150 acres, where he spent the remainder of his life, clearing the land and engaging in farming. In 1829 the widow of Walker Stone, another brother who had died in Connecticut, brought her family of five children to Forest Lake township.

Canfield Stone. grandfather of our subject, married Almira Bostwick, daughter of Dimon and Mary ( Olmstead ), Bostwick, natives of Connecti- cut. To Canfield and Almira Stone were born three children : James E., the father of our subject ; Eliza, who was born in 1822 and married Robert Cooley, a mechanic of Binghamton, N. Y .: and Arabella, born in 1824, who married Calvin Leet, son of Dr. Calvin Leet, a physician of Friendsville who later moved to Minnesota.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 24

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