Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 27

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 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 27
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 27

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resumed on the left and center. Rain fell that night in torrents and the army was withdrawn, a cause of discouragement, and the ranks depleted.

The army then went into camp below Freder- icksburg, near the Rappahannock, doing picket duty and drilling, preparing for another movement. After a few weeks in camp, stories were rife for another movement. Orders were issued that men were to have forty rounds of ammunition and sev- cral days' rations, and ready to move at a moment's notice. Gen. Lee, with his entire army, was mak- ing up the Shenandoah Valley to invade Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Army of the Potomac was on its move toward Washington. His corps, the First, commanded by Gen. Reynolds, by long and hard marches up through Virginia and crossing the Potomac at Edward's Ferry, reached Enimetsburg June 30, by way of Frederick. Scouts reported the enemy in force at Gettysburg, eight miles away. Early on July I the corps left Emmetsburg and advanced toward Gettysburg, the weather being hot, the men jaded and worn out by long marching. They soon heard the firing of skirmishers; the column filed left of the town and came into line on Seminary ridge. The battle opened. Gen. Rey- nolds fell while riding with the advance skirmish- ers. Gen. Doubleday succeeded Gen. Reynolds in command. Batteries were gotten into position, and the firing was terrible. The enemy had a superior force in numbers. His corps fell back through the town, and escape seemed impossible. Here is where Mr. Smith was captured by the enemy, and perhaps two thousand beside. The remnant of Reynolds' corps formed in line on Cemetery Hill. Gen. Han- cock, with his corps, arrived in the nick of time, and stayed the progress of the advancing foe for the day. At the close of this day's contest Mr. Smith extracted a minie ball from his haversack. lodged among the hardtack. His colonel fell on the field mortally wounded, and many of his com- rades to rise no more. The cannonading on the second and third day was terrific. After Gen. Pickett's charge and repulse on the third day, Gen. Lee commenced his retreat the following day over the mountains into Maryland, crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, thence up the valley to Staunton, Va. In making this tramp Mr. Smith's shoes were worn out, and he marched barefoot. His pants no longer reached to his ankles. The same was true of the rest of the large number of prisoners. They arrived at Richmond, and were marched over on Belle Isle, about Angust 1. After spending two months on the island they were paroled and sent to Annapolis, where the men took a thorough scour- ing and received new clothing. Once more they were in God's country, where Old Glory waved over the land of the free and the homes of the brave. The winter was spent at Camp Parole, Annapolis. Md. The following day they were exchanged and joined their regiment, after Gen. Grant's cam- paign of the Wilderness, at Cold Harbor, on June 6, 1864. The army moved forward, marched through

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Chickahominy Swamp, crossed the James river and arrived in front of Petersburg June 18, 1864. They found the enemy in force, attacked, and pressed them back into their first line of earthworks, under the cover of darkness, formed the line, and threw up the breastworks as close to the enemy as could be got. Forts were then thrown up by large details of men nightly. In this way the line was estab- lislied for miles, and supplied with cannon. An- other important move was made to take the Weldon railroad, which resulted in a severe engagement. The next engagement was that of Hatcher's Run; then Chapin's farm; then Dayney's Mills. Winter now came on. In December Mr. Smith's corps and the cavalry made a raid nearly to the line of North Carolina for the destruction of the Weldon rail- road. The next move, in the spring of 1865, was to take the South Side railroad and Five Forks, which resulted in a hard-fought battle by the Fifth corps and cavalry. The Rebel army was routed. A forced march was made to Amelia Court House, where Gen. Lee was cut off from getting to Dan- ville. Lee then started his retreat toward Lynch- burg, and at Appomattox Court House was com- pelled to surrender, April 9, 1865. The subject of this review was an eye witness to his surrender. The Army of the Potomac considered the war brought to a close. They returned to Washington by way of Petersburg and Fredericksburg, where the comrades took part in the last grand review, and were mustered out of service a few days later. The subject was mustered out as first sergeant. They then went to Harrisburg, drew their final pay, bade each other farewell, and left for home. His regiment, the 142nd Pa. Vol., took part in twenty- four engagements. Mr. Smith did not spend one day in hospital.

Mr. Smith, on returning home, resumed farm- ing in Monroe county, and carried it on success- fully until 1884, when he sold the larger part of his place. In October, 1865, he was married to Mar- garet Overfield, of Middle Smithheld township, daughter of John M. and Lydia Overfield, who had a family of five children: Sarah died in infancy. William J., who was a resident of Elma, Howard Co., Iowa, died in November, 1898, leaving a widow and five children, three sons and two daughters, One son, Elmer E., M. D., is serving his second term as representative to the lowa Legislature. William J. Overfield married Miss Maria Shoemaker, of New Jersey, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Van Campen ) Shoemaker. George M. Overfield, who resides in Bethlehem, Penn., married Elizabeth Shick, of Northampton county. They have eight surviving children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom.have graduated from the Bethlehem high school. Elizabeth Over- field became the wife of John V. Shoemaker, of New Jersey. In 1862 Mr. Shoemaker was chosen cap- tain of Company C. 178th drafted regiment of in- fantry, for nine months' service in the Civil war. JIe died in 1881. Ilis wife passed away in July,

1888, without issue; and Margaret Overfield. wife of our subject. Mrs. Smith's great-great-grand- father was Paul Overfield. He was of Dutch ori- gin, and one of the early settlers of this county; he was, according to records, assessed with 100 acres of land in Middle Smithfield township in 1786. Mrs. Margaret ( Overfield) Smith's great- grandfather on her maternal side was George Mich- ael, Sr. He, with his wife Anna Margaret and their three sons and their wives, came from Forks township, Northampton county. They were of German parentage. They settled along the Dela- ware river, four miles above Shawnee, on four tracts of land conveyed by deed of Isaac Humphrey and his wife Elizabeth to George Michael, Sr., April 23, 1794, containing about eight hundred acres, consideration £2.900. George M. Michael, a grand- son, who lived in the same house, was a son of John Michael, Sr., and died July 16, 1893, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-three years and sixteen days. The grandparents of our subject's wife were John Michael, Sr., and Elizabeth ( Schnable ) Michael ; the latter, who died in 1830, was the mother of ten children, two sons and eight daughters. One of the daughters was Lydia ( Michael ) Overfield, mother of our subject's wife. She died April 9, 1891.

To our subject and wife have come two chil- dren: Lizzie, who died in childhood, and Lucy, who was born in March, 1870, and is still living with her parents. She received her education in the pubile schools and the Kutztown ( Penn. ) State Normal School, graduating from the latter institut- tion in the class of 1890. She was successfully engaged in teaching for five years after her grad- uation, one year in Lansford, Carbon Co., Penn., and four successive years in the Stroudsburg public schools. Miss Smith is a well-informed, refined young lady, well known and liked in the locality where she lives. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled on the old Smith homestead, which he purchased after his father's death, and here he has since made his home, with the exception of three years which he spent in Middle Smithfield, along the Delaware river.

Mr. Smith is known as a frugal, industrious man, one who has made an honest living by his energy, good management and strictly temperate habits, and is ranked among the solid, respected citizens of the township. His estimable wife shares with him the good opinion of their friends and neighbors. They are noted for their kindness and hospitality, which are almost proverbial in Smith- field. Mr. Smith holds membership with the Luth- eran Church, his wife and daughter with the M. E. Church. They are regular attendants at Church services, and actively engaged in Sunday-chanel work. Mr. Smith served a number of terms as school director. Ile was appointed enumerator for Smithfield township, and took the census for iNo. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for President of the United

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States in 1860. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Wadsworth Post 150, Strouds- burg, Penn. The Smith brothers are strictly non- drinkers and anti-tobacconists, an example worthy of imitation.

PARDON T. LINDSEY. Among the old residents of Lathrop township, Susquehanna coun- ty, the subject of this sketch takes high rank. His personality is forceful and attractive, and he has exemplified the life of an earnest and public-spirited citizen. His grandfather, Amherst Lindsey, a na- tive of Scotland, migrated to America and lived for years in Vermont. Later he removed to Bridge- water township, Susquehanna county, where he purchased a farm of 105 acres and resided a num- ber of years. He later purchased another farm, near by, and he died in Dimock township, at the same residence of his son.

Myron Lindsey, the father of our subject, was born in Vermont in 1804. He was a grown boy when he came with his father to Susquehanna coun- ty. He was married in Bridgewater township to Malinda Tiffany, daughter of Noah Tiffany, who settled in Brooklyn township in 1809. [A sketch of the Tiffany family appears elsewhere.] Myron Lindsey was a man of Christian character. In pol- itics he was a Republican in his later life. He died in Bridgewater in 1857 at the age of fifty- three years, his wife in 1891, at the advanced age of ninety years. Their children were as follows: James, who died in infancy; Mary Jane, who died young ; Olney, who died young; Nancy, who mar- ried Edwin Tiffany, and lived at Sugar Notch, Lu- zerne county: Pardon T., subject of this sketch ; and Lucy, wife of Highland Bissell, of Bridgewa- ter township.

Pardon T. Lindsey was born in Dimock town- ship, August 21, 1841. He was rearcd to manhood in Bridgewater township, and at the age of seven- teen years began farm work. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 14Ist P. V. I., and served until discharged on surgeon's certificate in Novem- ber of the same year. Mr. Lindsey, when his health was recovered, worked for a time as a car- penter and later in a sawmill. Ile was married, in 1867, in Brooklyn township, to Mary Goss, daugh- ter of Edward and Sarah (Gard) Goss. Edward Goss was married in Dimock township in 1822, and died December 25, 1868. His wife was born in Susquehanna county March 6, 1825. and is now living at Glenwood. Penn. The family of Edward and Sarah Goss consisted of the following children : John Milan, who died young; Jane Ann, who also died young: Mary, wife of our subject, born June 10, 1849: Susan Emeline, born in 1851. wife of Carmon Sprague, of Lenox township: Edgar Fre- mont, who died in early childhood; Julietta, wife of E. W. Lord, of Hopbottom; and Minnie Au- gusta, wife of A. G. Wheeler, of Tompkinsville. Pennsylvania.

To our subject and wife have been born two

sons: Edwin, born in 1869, a carpenter of Peck- ville, Penn., and Ernest, born in 1873, a carpen- ter of Ashley, Penn. Mr. Lindsey located in Hop- bottom in 1868, and for nine years was employed by the D. L. & W. R. R. Co. Later he followed car- penter work in Lenox township. In 1884 he bought a farm of eleven acres in Lathrop township. and erected his present residence, doing all the work himself. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Himself and wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church at Brooklyn, of which for the past five years he has been a trustee. He is a member of Licut. Rogers Post, G. A. R., No. 143. of Brooklyn, Penn. He now follows his trade of carpentering in connection with farming, and for his many sterling qualities is most highly regarded throughout the community in which he lives.

H. C. JACKSON. a prominent and influential farmer residing in Damascus township. Wayne county, was born on the old homestead there. May 12, 1848, and was one of the six children constitut- ing the family of John and Abbie W. (Appley) Jackson.

Reared under the parental roof, Mr. Jackson began his education in the public schools of the locality, later attending the Union Academy at Da- mascus, Penn., for several terms. After teaching for two terms in Fremont, Sullivan, Co., N. Y., he accepted a position as clerk for Fortnam & Smith, who conducted a general store at Tyler Hill, Wayne county, remaining with them for ten years. . Subsequently he went to Dyberry town- ship, and entered the employ of Menner & Co .. and conducted a branch store for that firm for eight years at Tanners Falls. In 1887 he located upon his present farm, known as the Monington farm, on which he has erected a model $2,000 residence, with broad piazza and bay windows. He has also built good barns, a spring house for milk, and made many other excellent improvements which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place. In connection with general farming he is engaged in stock raising and dairying. He is interested in all the new and progressive meth- ods of farming, and in 1896 was elected vice-presi- dent of the Wayne County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co., which was organized in 1891.

Mr. Jackson was married. in 1872, to Miss Josephine Anderson, a successful teacher, who was a native of Sullivan county, N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph and Hannah Anderson, both now de- ceased. She is a sister of Capt. Anderson, of Cal- licoon Depot. N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have four children: R. E., who as a veterinary sur- geon graduated from the Toronto (Canada) Vet- erinary College in 1896; Julia 11., a competent and successful teacher in Wayne county : Edna Blanche ; and Harry G., at home. Politically Mr. Jackson affiliates with the Republican party, and he is a prominent member of the Methodist Church, in which he is serving as superintendent of the Sab-

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bath school at Tyler Hill. He is a director and vice-president of the Wayne County Agricultural Society, and is one of the most intelligent and pro- gressive men of his community. He is also sec- retary of the school board, and takes a deep inter- est in everything that tends to the advancement of the moral and educational welfare of his township and county.

CHARLES H. WOOD. Among the residents of Pike county who may be considered self-made men, who have within them those sterling traits that rise superior to circumstances, and who are not only instances of individual success but exam- ples of guidance for the young and ambitious, must be mentioned the subject of this sketch. A keynote to this character may be noted here. When a lad of thirteen years, during the final year of the great struggle between the North and South, he sought to enlist as a drummer boy in the service of his country ; but against this patriotic resolve his par- ents entered a vigorous and successful veto.

Mr. Wood was born in New York City, Sep- tember 2, 1849, a son of Thomas and Matilda L. ( French) Wood, and a grandson of William Wood. The latter was an Englishman of considerable prom- inence, and lived at Canterbury, England. He had a family of five sons and two daughters. the latter being named Charity and Susan. Thomas, one of the sons and the father of our subject, was born at Canterbury in March, 1808. When a young man he left home and friends for America. He mar- ried Matilda L. French, who was born in Lon- don, England, in 1824, a daughter of Dr. French, who had served in the English army, was taken prisoner by the French and held for some time. Returning to England, he resumed his practice, and died of blood poisoning, caused by a cut in perform- ing an operation. The mother of Matilda died when the latter was nine days old. Matilda had one sister, Mary Ann, and they were reared by an aunt.

After his arrival in America, Thomas Wood carried on, in New York City, a soap-manufactur- ing business until 1865, when he removed to Mil- ford, Penn. There he rented a farm for a time, and later conducted a painting business. Return- ing to New York in 1870, he conducted a news stand until 1884. Again taking up his residence at Milford, he lived a retired life until his death. Feb- ruary 16, 1887. Ile was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Episcopal Church. His wife died at Port Jervis, N. Y., June 17, 1897, and was buried at Milford. Thomas and Matilda Wood had eleven children, as follows: George W., of New York City : Charles H., subject of this sketch ; Winnie M. : Tillie I .. : Frank M .. a druggist at Port Tervis, N. Y. : Ernest C., a painter at Milford : Lil- lie ; and William, Durand, Walter and Thomas, all four being deceased.

Charles H. in his boyhood days began the bat- tle of life. He received a common-school educa-

tion, but his mental development has been largely practical in its nature, and very valuable. At the age of nine years he began to earn his own living by working on a farm in New York State, and later he was employed by a florist in New York City. Hle removed with his parents to Milford, and there worked on a farm. Next he was a salesman for five years in the general store of C. C. Pinshot. Mr. Wood then learned the painter's trade, which he has carried on ever since, although his active mind sought supplementary avenues of labor and busi- ness. For seven years he was steward of the "Bluff House." In 1883 he entered the service of II. S. Mott as a funeral director. Ile afterward bought a one-third interest, later increased to one- half interest, in the undertaking business, the firm name becoming Horton & Wood. Mr. Wood con- ducted the first funeral in the New Milford cem- etery, and also the first at which the vault was used.

In politics Mr. Wood is a Democrat. For three years he has been tax collector at Milford, and for the past fifteen years he has served as court crier. He has served in the town council two years, and for the same period was treasurer. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., being a charter member of the lodge at Milford.

Mr. Wood was married January 7, 1874. to Miss Josephine Aldrich, of Westfall township, Pike county. She was born January 1, 1853. a daughter of Adna T. and Nancy Jane (Lutes) Aldrich. and a granddaughter of Jacob O. and May (Youngs) Aldrich, natives of Germany, who became early and prominent residents of Pike county, Penn. Adna T. Aldrich was a native of Pike county, and was a school teacher by profession. He died in 1850. leaving a widow and four children, John M .. a farmer; Mary E. (deceased) ; Levi. a leading farmer of Orange county, N. Y .; and Josephine, wife of our subject. . The eldest of the family, John M. Aldrich, is a leading farmer of Westfall township, Pike county, owning a fine farm of 134 acres, 100 of which are under a high state of culti- vation. The place is adorned with fine buildings. Mr. Aldrich uses the latest improved machinery ; He was the first man to build a silo in Pike county. Mrs. A. T. Aldrich, mother of Mrs. Wood. for her second husband married Henry Hall, a farmer of English birth, who died December 9. 1879. Ile came of a good family, and early in life had been butler for Queen Victoria. On coming to America he was in business in New York City for some ten years, and then came to Pike county and purchased a fine farm, becoming a man of prominence and one of the leading farmers of the county. He was a Dem- ocrat in political faith, though no office seeker. . By this marriage there was one child, Henry Hall. who died at the age of two years.

To Charles H. and Josephine Wood were born two children. Blanche A. and Charles G. Blanche is a graduate from the Milford high school class of 1893, and of the State Normal of Stroudsburg ; she has received a fine musical education. and is

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now engaged in teaching. For eight years she has been organist in the Episcopal Church. Charles G. is also a graduate of the Milford high school, and of Packard's Business College, New York. He is a graduate from the United States School of Embalming, passing the State board of examination of Pennsylvania successfully in the same, and has secured a one-third interest in the undertaking business, the firm name being Ilorton, Wood & Son.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wood is one of the brightest and cultured and hospitable in Mil- ford. The wife and mother represents one of the oldest families of Pike county, is highly esteemed and possesses those traits of grace, dignity and womanliness, which give life and beauty to home. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are prominent members of the Episcopal Church, and the mother and daughter are active in Sunday-school and Church work.

JONATHAN FREDERICK GARDNER. one of the most public-spirited and progressive citi- zens of Bridgewater township, is a native of Sus- quehanna county, born October 19, 1836. and is a son of William Gardner, one of the prominent and high- ly respected citizens of his community.

During early life the father followed the trade of a mason, and while thus engaged worked on the construction of the locks on the north branch of the canal. At this time he became acquainted with Miss Margaret Ann. daughter of Frederick Wagner, a farmer on the plains near Wilkes Barre, and subsequently they were married. In 1832 they located on the farm where their son William Frank- lin now resides, and by subsequent purchase be- came the owner of 200 acres of land. The house still standing upon the place was erected in 1846. Mr. Gardner was a man of untiring industry, great courage, correct habits and. fine motives, and never sought political preferment, but exercised his right of suffrage according to his own will. Both he and ! his wife are now deceased, and sleep in the cemetery at East Bridgewater near the church. The children born to them are as follows: Eunice, born in 1835, is the wife of Matthew J. Harrington, of East 1 Bridgewater ; Jonathan F., our subject, is next in the order of birth : James S. is a farmer living near the old homestead; Mary died in 1871, at the age of twenty-six years ; Lidia is the wife of Major J. W. Young, of Minneapolis, Kans., who raised a company in Susquehanna county during the Civil war, and served with distinction In that struggle; Ziba, born in 1850, was accidentally killed at Alma, Colo. ; and William Franklin resides on a part of the old home- stead.

When he was only eighteen years of age Jona- than F. Gardner took the management of the farm into his own hands. upon the death of his father. His previous training had well prepared him for his task, and he met with marked success in the under- taking. Throughout his active business career he has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits,

and is now the owner of 300 acres, which are under a high state of cultivation and well improved. In 1883 he purchased the sawmill, known as the Keep property, at New Milford, which he has continued to operate in connection with farming. He is a thoroughgoing and intellectual farnier, and by tin- tiring industry and judicious management has aeeu- miulated a fair competence. Hle manifested his loy- alty and love of country by enlisting in October, 1862, in Company C, 151st P. V. I., under Capt. Young, and at the end of nine months, when illness compelled him to resign, he held rank as second lieutenant. At all times and under all circumstances he has been found to be a useful and valued citizen of the community in which he lives. Politically he is a Democrat, and socially he belongs to Blue Lodge at Montrose. llis wife and sons belong to the M. E. Church.

In 1866, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Elizabeth Jewett. who was born September 23, 1842, and they have become the par- ents of four children, two of whom are now deceased : Annie M., who died in 1875, at the age of seven years ; and Benson, who died the same year, at the age of two. Those living are William Jewett and Jonathan Frederick, Jr. Mrs. Gardner is a daugh- ter of Rodney and Sally Maria ( Bailey) Jewett. of Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county, whose farm property was just on the line between that township and Bridgewater. In order of birth their children were as follows: Mary Electa, wife of Rev Charles Blake, a Methodist minister, now of Rome, Penn. : Nathan Rodney, who occupies the old home- stead once owned by his grandfather Jewett : Jen nie A., wife of Benson Wood, a lawyer of Effing- ham, 111. : Harriet E., wite of our subject : Gertrude Eliza, wife of H. W. Bardwell. of Tunkhannock. Penn. ; Lavina A., wife of W. H. Stark, a farmer of East Bridgewater: and Frederick Bailey, who re- sides on the homestead formerly owned by his father, adjoining the property of his brother Nathan. Mrs Gardner's paternal grandparents, Nathan and Electa ( Fox ) Jewett, were from Connecticut and came to Susquehanna county in ISto. They'erected one of the first frame houses in their locality. The grand- father died in 1860. Her maternal grandparents. Col. Frederick and Mary ( Witter ) Bailey. settled in Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county, in 1807. and there reared their family of ten children-six sons and four daughters. The Colonel was a dis- tinguished officer in the war of 1812. and was the younger brother of Capt. Amos Bailey, who came from Groton, Conn., and located in Brooklyn town- ship as early as 1801. In religious faith the Baileys . were Universalists, while the Jewetts were Method- ists.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 27

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