Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 25

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 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 25
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 25

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James E. Stone was born in 1819. and being the only son in the family succeeded to the old homestead, to which he added by purchase sixty- four acres. He followed farming as a vocation, and became one of the successful agriculturists in the township. He was a man of unflagging industry, made nearly all the present building improvements on the farm, and was possessed of keen business judgment which he was content to apply to the ordinary vocations of life, for he had no ambition to rise beyond the circle which he made for him- self and family among his friends. He was. more- over, a man of high moral worth, whose character was an influential force in the township and its affairs. He was fortunate in selecting as his life companion Miss Amorillis Beebe, of Choconut, Susquehanna county, whom he married in 1843. She was born May 18. 1822, daughter of Joseph ( 1785-1861) and Eunice ( 1795-1864) Beebe, granddaughter of Reuben Beche, who came from Orange county, N. Y., to Apolacon township, Susquehanna county, and granddaughter of Silas ( 1761-1820) and Catherine ( 1770-1820) ( Tread- well) Beardsley, natives of Connecticut who settled in Middltown township, where they reared a fan- ily of nine children. To Joseph and Eunice Beebe were born children: Marinda, born in ISto, mar- ried Bela Fairchild, and died in Warren, Bradford county : Lyman, born in 1812, settled in Kalkaska, Mich. : Avery, born in 1813. died in Little Meadow, Apolacon township. in 188t ; Lewis, born in 1815. is a farmer in Apolacon township: Allen, born in 1817. died aged nineteen years: Reuben, born in 1820, is a farmer of South Apalachin Creek, Penn. ; Amorillis, mother of our subject : Caroline and Catherine (twins) married respectively Samuel

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Treadwell, of Forest Lake, and Guy Wells, of . Bridgewater; Andrew died aged seven years ; Juliet, born in 1828, married Cullen Darling, of Freeville, N. Y .; Almira, born in 1830, taught school and married James F. Whalen, of Warren, Bradford county; and Burrace, born in 1833, de- ceased, was a resident of Freeville, N. Y. Amorillis Stone, the mother of our subject, was a successful teacher in her early days, and a woman of many accomplishments and social charms. To James E. and Amorillis Stone were born the following chil- dren: Adaline, who married Henry Spafford, and lives in the Stone homestead; Dimon, a farmer at Ilia, Wash .; Elmira, who married Chauncey Peck- ins, of Rochester, N. Y .; Canfield, our subject ; Horatio B., a farmer of Forest Lake; Joseph, a farmer in Rays Hill, Bradford county; and Charlotte A., a teacher, who in 1884 graduated from the Mansfield State Normal School, and now resides in Chicago, wife of J. HI. Tucker, a Baptist minister. James E. Stone died in 1860, his widow 1892.

CANFIELD STONE, the subject proper of this sketch, was born in Middletown ( now Forest Lake) township September 26, 1849. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and he received a good common-school education. At the age of seven- teen years, in 1867, he enlisted in Battery I, First United States Light Artillery, and for three years served on the Mexican frontier. It was several years after his return from military service that the genial and popular Boniface settled down to his life vocation. He began his pleasant and success- ful career in 1882, as hotel proprietor at Rush, where he conducted the hostelry in a manner pleas- ing to its many guests for eight years. Mr. Stone then purchased and for two years conducted the "Niver House," at Nicholson. Selling that proper- ty, he in 1893 bought the C. H. Killam hotel. at Hopbottom, which he has since greatly improved, introducing gas for lighting purposes, and adding other modern appliances. His business career at Hopbottom has been most successful, for Mr. Stone possesses in a high degree that combination of happy disposition and business ability which is recognized as essential to the best results. He is moreover an ardent admirer and follower of the rod and gun, and is not only recognized in the com- munity as an expert in hunting and fishing, but has that reputation well established throughout his and adjoining counties. He has been elected an honorary member of the Commercial Travelers Association. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Rush, and for twenty years has been an active mem- ber of the Masonic Fraternity in both Lodge and Chapter ; he has also been connected for some time with the I. O. O. F. In political sentiment he is a Republican, and a quiet but effective worker for his party, but he is no office seeker.

Mr. Stone was married, at Birchardsville. Penn., to Miss Ida Pickering, daughter of Fred Pickering. One son has come to them, Frederick J:,

born in 1876, who, as a corporal of Company L, Twelfth New York Vols., saw active service in Cuba during the late Spanish-American war.

THOMAS W. ATKINSON, one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Clifford town- ship, Susquehanna county, who is successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on the Clifford and Dundaff road, one inile east of the former village, was born in the county of Westmoreland, England, September 10. 1830, a son of William and Isabella (Wilson) Atkinson, also natives of that county.

The paternal grandparents, Robert and Jane . Atkinson, spent their entire lives in England. Their children were as follows : Robert, a farmer ; Richard, a brewer ; William, the father of our subject : Elea- nor, who died when a young woman; and James, who served fourteen years in the British army, and was in several great battles, the last one being the battle of Waterloo, soon after which he was honor- ably discharged. The mother of our subject died in England in February, 1843. at the age of fifty-one years. Subsequently the father, with three of his . children, William, Thomas and Isabella. came to America, landing in New York in June, 1849. after a voyage of fifty-one days on the "Manila." They spent a short time in that city, and then re- moved to Greenfield. Luzerne Co., Penn .. where the father engaged in business as a farmer and stone mason throughout the remainder of his life. He held a number of local public offices while in Eng- land, and was a member of the Episcopal Church. He died in 1852. at the age of seventy-two years. and was buried in Clifford Valley cemetery. In his family were the following children: Jane married Thomas Robinson, and died in England, leaving several children who now reside in the United States : Elizabeth married William Sill, and died in England; Eleanor married James Bigland, came to America in 1843, and settled in Greenfield town- ship, Luzerne Co .. Penn .; William is superintend- ent of the Delaware & Hudson lumber yard at Car- bondale: Thomas W .. our subject, is next in the order of birth : John died in England when young ; and Isabella is a resident of Clifford.

Since the age of thirteen years Thomas W. Atkinson has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, and for the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit. After coming to this country he first worked for John Spedding. in Clifford township. for four months, and later was in the eniploy of different farmers. He worked for James Hodgson for six years, and subsequently rented land in Clifford township for thirty years. At the end of that time he purchased liis present farm. and has since given his time and attention to its improvement and cultivation with good results.

On March 7, 1857, in Greenfield township, Luzerne county. Mr. Atkinson was united in mar- riage with Miss Temperance Miller, and by this naion four children were born: Adam M., who

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

married Myrtle Tinklepaw, and is engaged in farm- ing in Clifford township; Jolin E., at home; Mary C., wife of George H. Moon, bookkeeper for the Delaware & Hudson Co., at Carbondale; and Sarah C., at home. Mrs. Atkinson was born in Greenfield township, Lackawanna Co., Penn., May 4, 1828, a daughter of John and Margaret ( Coons) Miller, natives of Columbia county, N. Y., where they were married April 10, 1817. Later they removed to Hyde Park, Penn., and subsequently to Greenfield township, Lackawanna county, where the father engaged in farming and held almost all of the town- ship offices, being a man of prominence in his com- munity. He was born March 23, 1796, and died October 5, 1852; his wife was born July 11, 1799, and died July 4, 1852, and both were laid to rest in the old Clifford cemetery. With the exception of Mrs. Atkinson, all of their children are also de- ceased. In order of birth they were as follows: Barbara, wife of Clark Stewart : Eleanora, wife of Elisha Davidson ; Caroline, wife of James Hodgson ; Adamı C .; Temperance; Margaret, wife of Albert Graves; Saralı E .; and Isaac. - Mrs. Atkinson's paternal grandparents were Nicholas and Eleanor ( Person) Miller, natives of Columbia county, N. Y., the former born May 27, 1777, the latter on March 20, 1772. They were married in March, 1792, and continued their residence in Columbia county throughout life. The grandfather was a farmer. The names and dates of birth of their children were as follows: Marcia, June 7, 1792; Irena, May 30, 1795 ; John, March 23, 1796; Helen, June 24, 1798; Temperance, October 15, 1800; Catherine, July 11, 1802; Tobias, May 13, 1805; Caroline, October 9, 1807 ; Isaac, February 11, ISI0; and Lyman H., October 10, 1816. Mrs. Atkinson's maternal grandparents were Andrew and Barbara Coons, also farming people and lifelong residents of Columbia county, New York.

Mr. Atkinson is a popular and influential citi- zen of his community, and has been honored with a number of local offices, the duties of which he most capably and satisfactorily discharged, having served as township assessor twelve years, school director, auditor and judge of elections. He is a Repub- lican in politics, on his party ticket he was elected county commissioner in 1890, and at the end of a three-years' term re-elected.

ISAAC MELHUISH, one of the honorable veterans of the Civil war, and a well-known farmer and dairyman of Forest Lake township, Susque- hanna county, was born in Spring Hill, Bradford Co., Penn., February 6, 1841. Ile is a descendant of an old English family, and his grandfather, John Melhuish, came from England to Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn., in 1819. After a few years he moved to Bradford county, Penn., and there died. He was the father of seven children : Robert,who died in Cattaraugus county, N. Y. : John, who lived and died in Lycoming county, Penn. ; William, mentioned below; James, who lived in

Illinois ; Elizabetli, wife of Henry Granger, of Rush township; Mary, wife of Amos Burrows, of Bridge- water township ; and Maria, wife of Joseph Barney.

William Melhuish was born in England in 1813, and came to this country with his parents. His edu- cation was secured in Bridgewater township, Sus- quehanna county, and in Bradford county district school. After his marriage he settled for a time in Bridgewater, and then bought a farm at Spring Hill, Bradford county, where he lived until 1844, when he moved to Montrose and began farming for Judge Jessup. He continued at this until his death. In January, 1833, he wedded Miss Mary A. Robbins, who was born in New Jersey in 1816, a daughter of Ephraini and Mary Robbins, of Bridgewater, whence they had removed from New Jersey. Mr. Melhuish died in June, 1881, and his wife in July, 1879. They were the parents of ten children, as follows : ( 1) Charles D., born in Bridge- water in June, 1836, died at the age of twenty-four years. (2) Ephraim, born in April, 1838, learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed it until his death in 1861; (3) William Henry, born in September, 1843, now traveling salesinan for a furniture house, resides in Williamsport. He was a soldier in the military railroad service. He married Mollie Up- degraff, and has one daughter, Reali. (4) James, born in Bridgewater, in Septeniber, 1846, and now a merchant in Binghamton, N. Y., married Mary Weeks, of Montrose. (5) Frank D., born in Feb- ruary, 1849, married Alice Green, of Montrose, by whom he has two daughters, Florence and Rutli. They reside in Toledo, Ohio, where he is in busi- ness. (6) George L., born in 1852, is a farmer in Broome county, N. Y. He married Helen Merrill, of Auburn township, Susquehanna county, and has three children, David, Jennie and Fannie. (7) Fan- ny J., born in June, 1854, died unmarried in Mont- rose, in 1876. (S) Samuel M., born in March, 1858, married Nettie Hamlin, and has three children, Leona, Laverne and Roy. (9) Albert C., born No- vember 28, 1863, died in September, 1884. ( 10) Isaac.

Isaac Melhuish was educated in the country schools near his home, and when but a boy he learned the wagon maker's trade, which he followed until 1876. In the hour of his country's peril he responded to her call, and in 1862 he became a mem- ber of Company A, 151st P. V. I., and marched to the front. He participated in the battles of Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg, and in a number of skir- mishes. He was wounded at Gettysburg, and at the end of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged. On his return to practice the arts of peace, lie soon went to Scranton. Penn .. where he remained three years, and then went to Montrose, where he followed carriage manufacturing for sev- eral years. In 1876 he purchased the Jarred Stone farin and erected a modern house, and with his well-kept barns and out-buildings he now has one of the best cultivated farmis and also one of the best dairies in the country. There are 300 acres of ini-

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proved land, and he has a large herd of dairy cows · and much fine blooded stock.

In February, 1867, Mr. Melhuish was married to Miss E. O. Corwin, a daughter of Shultz and V'alara (Crane) Corwin, old and prominent resi- dents of New Milford, formerly of Orange county, N. Y. Seven children came to gladden their home : (1) Harry M., born in Scranton, in December, 1867, was educated in the high school at Montrose, and is now a contractor and builder in that city. He married Jennie Baxter, of Harford township,. and has two children, Lawrence and Hilbert. (2) Ernest W., born at Montrose in July, 1869, is now a farmer in Franklin township, Susquehanna coun- ty. He married Laura Baker, of Rush township, and has one son, Paul. (3) Emma A., born at Mont- rose, December 1, 1870, was educated in the home schools and at Kingston, and has been teaching with great success for several terms. (4) Corwin O., born in July, 1873, died at the age of seventeen years. (5) William B., born in 1875, now resides in Hallstead. Penn. (6) Frederick S., born in Forest Lake, in February, 1879, is a student in the Mont- rose schools. (7) Lottie R., born in 1883, is still in school at home.

In his political affiliations Mr. Melhuish has ever been an earnest Republican. His neighbors have well recognized his worth as an upright citi- zen and business man, and have asked his services in the local offices many times. For some fifteen years he has held the office of school director, and has been supervisor, judge of elections, etc., always giving satisfaction. He is a member and master of the Rising Sun Grange, and was delegate to the State Grange at Williamsport in 1898, and at Loek Haven in 1899. Socially he belongs to the Four Brothers Post, G. A. R., at Montrose. Mrs. Melhuish and daughters are members of the Meth- odist Church, and while not a member himself, Mr. Melhuish contributes liberally to the support of the Church, and uses his influence to advance the cause of religion. Public-spirited and progressive, he is of the highest type of a good citizen.

MARTIN R. BARRETT is one of the self- made prosperous men of Hawley. Wayne county, where he has carried on a mercantile business for several years past, and he is a native of the place, born July 11, 1861, son of Alexander Barrett, who has resided here for almost a half century.

Alexander Barrett was born October 31. 1826. in County Mayo, Ireland, where his father, Richard Barrett, carried on farming. His first ancestor in that country was Louis Barrett. a native of France, who settled in Ireland, and there reared his family of seven sons, who scattered throughout the coun- try. He was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. One of the sons, Richard, was a Latin teacher, and was a noted poet in his day, Great- grandfather Patrick Barrett, his brother, remained in County Mayo, where his father had settled, and carried on farming all his life. Ifis son, Richard

Barrett, married a Miss MeDonald, and they re- mained in County Mayo until 1847, in which year they took up their residence in Warrington, Ing- land, where they ended their days, the father dy- ing in 1848 at the age of seventy-one, the mother two years later at the age of seventy. He fought in the Rebellion of 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett had eight children, of whom, Rossmore P. died young ; Alexander comes next; Richard, Catherine and Ellen died young; Thomas died at Hawley, at the age of forty years; Louis died in Ireland at the age of tewnty-one; John died in Ireland when twenty years old. The parents were members of the Catholic Church.

Alexander Barrett grew to manhood in his native country. living with his parents and assisting his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to the United States, The first two years of his life in this country he passed in Pike county, Penn., near Lackawaxen, and there he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed afterward during his active years. From Pike county he went west to Ohio, and thence by steamboat to St. Louis, Mo .; but as the boat was tied up at the latter city on account of the cholera he returned to Pennsylvania, settling at Hawley, Wayne county, in 1849, and commencing work at his trade in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Coal Co. He continued to work for them for thirty-seven years, until he retired from active la- bor. He died May 19, 1898, a member of the Catholic Church, and a Democrat in politics. He served nine years as school director, part of the time acting as treasurer of the board.

On October 31, 1850, Alexander Barrett was married, at Hawley, to Miss Hannah O. Quinn, Rev. Father Maloney performing the ceremony, and they became the parents of four children : Mary A., Bridget, Louis and Martin R. Mary A. married James Reilly, who is a railroad conductor, and they live at Dunmore, Penn. ; they have had seven children, four of whom are deceased. Bridg- et married Edward McAndrew, a machinist of Seranton, Penn., and they have five children. Louis died when four and one-half years old. Mrs. Hannah O. (Quinn) Barrett, was, like her husband born in County Mayo, Ireland, where her parents, Martin and Mary (Clark) Quinn, were farming people. The father died in 1845, aged seventy years, the mother in 1872, at the age of seventy- six. They were Catholics in religious faith. Their family consisted of four children, Sarah, who mar- ried Anthony Welch (both died at Hawley) ; llannah; Martin. living in Seranton, Penn., who is a car repairer : and Mary ( Mrs. Michael Narry), living at Scranton. Mr. Quinn had three children by his first wife. a Miss Duffy, namely : Owen, who died in Scranton. Penn .; Michael, who died in Llawley; and Catherine, who married Edward Cafferty (both died at Hawley). Mrs. Barrett is a devout member of the Catholic Church.

Martin R. Barrett lived with his parents at

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. Hawley until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he went to Sranton, at which place he served one year as sexton of the Cathedral. For three vcars following he was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Hawley, transferring coal from the pockets, and worked thus until the pock- ets were dispensed with, after which he was en- gaged for another year at Scranton, repairing cars in the shops. Returning to Hawley he was engaged in different occupations for two years, and in 1889 he again went to Scranton, this time embarking in the mercantile business there, which he continued for one year, at the end of that period selling out and establishing himself in the same line at Hawley, where he has since remained. Mr. Barrett has now a thriving trade, which he has won by fair dealing and strict attention to his business, and he has made a creditable success in his line as a result of continuous hard work and thrifty management. Hle is well and favorably known in Hawley and the surrounding country, and is respected as a de- servedly prosperous man and a substantial citizen. In 1888 he served as tax collector there, but he gives little time to public affairs. Politically he is a Democrat.

On April 25, 1894, Mr. Barrett was married, by Father Judge, to Miss Elizabeth C. Sheridan, and three children were born to them, John L., who died when five months old ; Joseph ; and Alexander. Jr., born January 5, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett are members of the Catholic Church, and frater- nially, he unites with the Ancient Order of. Hiber- nians.

Mrs. Elizabeth C. (Sheridan) Barrett is a na- tive of Hawley, Penn., and her parents, Michael and Ann (Lennon) Sheridan, were born in Williamsport and Honesdale, Penn., respectively. Mr. Sheridan was a merchant at Hawley. where he also had a teaming business, owning several wag- ons, and since his deatlı, on September 19, 1894, his widow has conducted the store. He was cross- ing the Paupac creek on a wagon heavily loaded with stones when the bridge gave way, and he was killed: he was fifty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan had nine children: Catherine (who died at the age of sixteen), Elizabeth C. (Mrs. Barrett ), Michael, Mary A. and Jennie (all three living with their mother), William (deceased), Edward (at home). Jolin (deceased). and Anna (deceased ). On July 8, 1897, as the result of an accident which occurred while he was unloading some stone, Michael had the misfortune to lose one of his limbs. The entire family are Catholics in religious faith. Mr. Sheridan was a member of the C. M. B. A. Hle was a Democrat in his po- litical preferences.

P. R. JOHNSON, proprietor of the "Glen- wood House," a popular hotel at Delaware Water Gap, is a man of marked ability and force of char- acter, and while making his way to success in basi- ness life has taken an active part in public affairs

in his community. At present he holds the office of burgess of his borough, having been elected in February, 1897, and he is regarded as one of the in- fuential Democrats of his locality.

Our subject is a member of an old Pennsylvania family of Dutch stock, and his great-grandfather, Jacob Johnson, and grandfather Jacob (2), were residents of Northampton county. Jesse John- son, the father of our subject, was born in North- ampton county, and made his home in Portland village, where he engaged in business as a farmer and stock dealer, his death occurring about nine years ago, when he was fifty-nine years of age. He married Miss Marietta Long, daughter of John A. Long, of Northampton county, a descendant of Scottish ancestry, who is now residing with our subject. This estimable couple had six children : J. I., proprietor of the "Portland House," at Port- land, Penn .; P. R., our subject ; Frances, wife of Thomas Chamberlain, of Bangor. Penn. ; Ella. wife of John C. Miller, of Bangor; Nettie, who married E. S. Albert, of Portland; and Josie, wife of Frank S. Knerr.

P. R. Johnson was born January 7, 1855, at the old home in Portland, and was educated in the schools of that town, He learned the trade of lo- comotive engineer, which he followed about ten years, being in the West for some time with Lin- coln, Neb., as his headquarters. For about three years he was employed as hotel clerk, and in April, 1892, he settled at Delaware Water Gap, taking charge of his present hotel. He is most esteemed so- cially, and is identified with various organizations including the P. O. S. of A., the Brotherhood of Lo- comotive Engineers, and is a Royal Arch Mason. He is not married.

JONATHAN GILLESPIE. One of the most attractive farmis in Susquehanna county is that of our subjcet, a prominent agriculturist and lumber- man of New Milford township. It comprises about 160 acres of excellent land, and a beautiful lake, sixty acres in extent furnishes water power for a sawmill on the estate. The water of the lake, though not deep, is abundantly stocked with fish of many kinds, including pickerel, sunfish, and bull- heads, and its advantages are well known to sports- men.

Mr. Gillespie is of Scotch descent in the paternal line, and his grandparents, James and Margaret Gillespie, were both natives of Scotland. The grand- father was a man of superior ability and education, and after coming to this country taught school snc- cessfully for many years. He died at Rosendale. N. Y., and his wife's death occurred in New York City.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 25

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