Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 31

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 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 31
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 31

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John McCormick attended the district schools during his boyhood, and received his training to agricultural work on the home place, where he con- tinued to reside until 1876, purchasing the farm at the time of his marriage. In early manhood he also engaged in lumbering in the winter season. In 1876 he sold the property in Silver Lake township, and purchased the Allen J. Sheldon farm near Sil- ver Lake, where he erected a fine home. and here he has since resided, engaged in general agriculture and dairying. He has cleared up a large portion of this tract, on which he has also made general im- provements which have materially beautified the placc. and he holds high rank among the most suc- cessful and up-to-date farmers of the section. Like his father, he has always taken special interest in the educational affairs of the community, and he has served acceptably as school director for a number of terms, but he has been progressive and 1 ublic-spirited in every respect, and his genial dis- position has won for liim hosts of friends among his neiglibors and fellow citizens. He is as highly

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respected as he is popular, and he bears an untar- nished reputation for honesty and integrity in all his dealings.

In 1859 Mr. McCormick married Miss Bridget Hannagan, daughter of John and Cath- erine (Donnelly ) Hannagan, who were well known pioneers of Liberty township, Susquehanna county, where the father engaged in farming. Twelve children have blessed this marriage, all born in Sil- ver Lake township, namely: Mary married a Mr. Kelly, of Silver Lake, where they reside on their farm; they have four children living, Matthew, Rose, Mary and Theresa. (2) Daisy received a good education in the select schools of the county, and taught school here successfully for fourteen or fifteen years. She is now the wife of John J. Mur- phy, of Silver Lake township, and they have had five children, Leo, Rachel, Charles, Vincent and Gabriel. (3) John married Miss Katie Murphy, and they have three children, Cecelia, Mary and Richard. They reside on a farm near Brackney, in Silver Lake township. (4) Ellen is the wife of Charles S. Sweeney, and has seven children, Jo- seph, James, Ellen, Rose, Edward, Annie and Mon- ica. They own a comfortable home near Quaker Lake. (5) Joseph married Miss Anna Heavey, and makes his home in Binghamton, N. Y. They have two children. Walter and Florence. (6) Rose was engaged in teaching for a number of years before her marriage to Thomas Gahagan, of Broome county, N. Y., where they reside. They have one son, Ambrose. (7) Alphonse taught school in Susquehanna county for a number of years, and is now manager of the New York State Asylum farm, proving himself in this responsible position a very capable business man. He is un- married. (8) Ambrose is engaged in the feed business in Binghamton. (9) Genevieve. (10) James, (11) William and ( 12) Paul are still under the parental roof. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick and all their children are members of the Catholic Church, to the work of which they contribute lib- erally. Politically our subject is a Democrat.

WESLEY F. ROGERS, whose sudden death on January 13, 1900, is still fresh in the minds of his fellow citizens, was at the time serving as yard engincer for the Erie Railroad Co., at Hawley, Wayne county.

Mr. Rogers was a native of Pennsylvania. born at Westfall, Pike county. July 9. 1845, a son of Augustus J. and Lucinda ( Quick ) Rogers, natives of England and New Jersey, respectively. When a lad of ten years the father emigrated with his par- ents to the United States and located .in Bingham- ton, N. Y., where they died. He was married in Pike county, Penn., and there continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. em- ployed first as foreman on the canal, and later en- gaging in farming and tending a lock at the same time. Hle was an earnest, conscientious Christian gentleman, and for many years served as a local 1

minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died in March, 1884, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife in April, 1887, at the age of sixty- six, and both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Kimble, Pike county. Their children were Mary and Russell ( twins), who both died in infancy ; Wes- ley F., the subject of this sketch; Isabella, a trained nurse, now located in Pittsburg, Penn .; Ebba. wife of Edward Calfus, station agent at Shohola, Pike . county ; and Stella, a resident of Hawley.

Wesley. F. Rogers pursued his studies in the schools near his childhood home until fifteen years of age, acquiring a good practical education, and at the age of seventeen he was made lock tender at what was then known as Blue Eddy, holding that position for four years. In March, 1865, he en- listed in Company G. 2144th P. V. I., under Capt. Robert H. Ford, of Philadelphia, and proceeded to Richmond, Va., where he did guard duty until hon- orably discharged in March, 1866. Fortunately he was never wounded. On his return home he began braking on the Erie railroad, and after serving in that. capacity for two years he was made fireman. In. 1871 he was promoted to engineer, and as such con- tinued with the Erie railroad, an honored and trust- ed empioye of the company until his sudden death on January 13, 1900, from heart disease. He was on duty on his engine, on the return trip from Haw- ley to Port Jervis, and died between Lackawaxen and Rowland. His remains were interred January 17, at Kimble.

In Glen Eyre, Pike Co., Penn .. Mr. Rogers was married in 1870, to Miss Christina Mahler, a native of Baden, Germany, who when a child came to America and lived with an uncle in New York. She died April 23, 1893, and was laid to rest in Kimble cemetery, Pike county. Six children blessed this union, namely: Harry, who is now located in Yonkers, N. Y .; Ralph, deceased: and Charies, Clarence. Herbert and Mabel, who are at home. Mr. Rogers was again married, at Hawley, October 17, 1897, his second union being with Miss Laura M. Gearing. There are no children of this marriage.

Fraternally Mr. Rogers was an honored mem- ber of Pocahontas Lodge, I. O. R. M., of Haw- ley : and of the K. of H. and F. & A. M., both of Hawley. His political support was always given to the measures which he believed best culeulated to advance the public welfare, but he was not bound by party ties. He was, however, one of the inost progressive and popular citizens of Hawley, where he made many warm friends.

CHRISTOPHER W. BODIE. a well-known and prominent citizen of Dyberry township. Wayne county, belongs to a family that has for many years been identified with the industrial and business in- terests of this section of the State. His paternal grandfather, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. was born about 1788, was for many years a resident of Philadelphia, and spent his last days in Ohio.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Joseph Bodie, father of our subject, was a na- tive of Philadelphia, and when a boy learned the glass blower's trade. On first coming to Wayne county he was employed in a glass factory in Dy- berry, but later purchased land in the western part of the township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies until called from this life in February, 1888. He married Miss Caro- line, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth ( Hen- itz) Faatz, who were born, reared and married in Saxony, Germany. In 1808 Mr. Faatz and his eld- son son came to America and in Philadelphia found employment in a glass factory, as they were skilled workmen along that line. The following year they were joined by the remainder of the family, and in 1816 they all removed to Dyberry, Wayne county, where the father, with the assistance of his sons, built and operated a glass factory for many years. Suitable sand for the factory was found in large quantities with in the township of Dyberry. All of the family are now deceased, the children being Christian, Christina, Jacob, Caroline and Charles. Of these Mrs. Caroline Bodie died December 14, 1893. Our subject is fifth in the order of birth in a family of eight children, viz .: Charles F. died in 1868 or '69; Euphemia, wife of Elias Stites, died about twenty-two years ago; David, now ( 1900) aged sixty-four, is living in Honesdale: Julia A., wid- ow of John Reynolds, is living in Carbondale, aged sixty-two; Christopher W. is our subject; Ann, now aged fifty-seven, is the wife of S. W. Samp- son, of Dyberry township; Mary, deceased at the age of fifty-three, was the wife of Edward Faatz; Caroline, is the wife of George Olver, of Carbon- dale, Pennsylvania.

Christopher W. Bodie was born November II, 1841, in Dyberry township, where he still continues to make his home. He acquired his literary educa- tion in the common schools and also received a good musical education. For many years he was employed as an instructor in music, conducting the winter singing schools in Wayne county, which were so popular in the early days.

On November 11, 1862, at Bethany, Wayne county, Mr. Bodie was married to Miss Caroline E. Brink, by Rev. E. O. Ward. She was born De- cember 27. 1842, a daughter of Abraham and Julia A. (Grimer) Brink, in whose family were the fo low- ing children : David Eugene, who died in infancy; Charlotte, wife of Milton Lawrence, of Dyberry township: Caroline E., wife of our subject : War- ren, a Union soldier, who died at the age of thirty- five years ; John H., a resident of Carbondale, Penn. ; Phoebe E., wife of Charles Castle, of Tracy Creek, N. Y. ; Charles, of Binghamton, N. Y. ; Elida, also of Binghamton ; and Edward, of Syracuse. N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Bodie have three children : Effie L., born in July, 1863, is the widow of John Oliver, and is now engaged in teaching school : Roland C., born October 30, 1864, is a resident of Dyberry township ; and Ada A., born June 15, 1867, is at home.

Mr. Bodie has always been a stanch supporter

of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has most acceptably filled the offices of consta- ble ( thirteen years ), school director ( six years ), as- sessor, and member of the election board. He is now the popular postmaster of Haines, having served in that position for twelve consecutive years, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the . public. Religiously he is one of the leading mem- bers of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, and was for some time a trustee.

SAMUEL HACKER. Many of the late de- fenders of the Union during the Civil war were of foreign birth, but their loyalty to their adopted country was never questioned, for on Southern bat- tlefields they were among the most brave and faithful soldiers. Among the boys in blue was Samuel Hacker, a prominent farmer of Mt. Pleasant town- ship, Wayne county, who was born in Devonshire, England, May 17, 1835, a son of Edward and Sarah ( Broy) Hacker. In the family were eleven children, six sons and five daughters, Thomas. John, Will- iam, Ed, Nathan, Samuel, Jane, Sarah, Mary, Anne and Diantha. The parents spent their entire lives in England, and both died at the age of seventy years. In religious belief they were Episcopalians.

In his native land Samuel Hacker spent his boyhood and youth, and acquired his literary educa- tion in its public schools. At the age of eighteen years he, in company with his brother Ed, now a resident of Cherry Ridge, Penn., came to America, taking passage at Plymouth, and arriving in this country after seven weeks spent upon the water, a broken anchor chain occasioning the delay. Our subject first located at Honesdale, Wayne county, where he worked as a carpenter and contractor for two years, and then settled on a farm in Texas town- ship, but later removed to Cherry Ridge. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted. in 1861, in Company D, 179th P. V. 1 .. and was first stationed at Yorktown, Va., where with his regi- ment he participated in several skirmishes. His eyesight being defective, and being also troubled with a chronic disease, he was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Penn., after several months' service, and returned home. In 1883 he purchased the Den- nis Baxter farm, comprising seventy-five acres of fertile and productive land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and a comfortable residence and good outbuildings are in perfect har- mony with the well-tilled fields. He has been quite sticcessful as a general farmer and stock raiser, and the prosperity which has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved, for he has made his own way in the world unaided by capital or influential friends.'

Mr. Hacker was married, March 21. 1857, to Miss Ellen Karstake, also a native of Devonshire, England. and a daughter of Rodger and Anna ( Browning ) Karstake. ller father died in Wayne county at the age of eighty-two years, after which the mother returned to England, where she passed

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away at the advanced age of ninety-one. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hacker, six are still living, namely : William, a resident of Peck- ville, Penn. ; Charlotte Ann, now the wife of S. P. Peck, of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county ; Mary. Jane; Sarah, wife of Fred Caulkins, of Mi- . lanville, Damascus township, Wayne county ; Fan- ny, wife of Bevery Sherwood, of Lackawanna, Penn. ; and George. Mr. Hacker has been called upon to mourn the death of his estimable wife, who passed to the world beyond on January 12, 1882. She was a faithful wife, a kind and affectionate mother, and a worthy member of the Methodist Church for many years.

Politically Mr. Hacker affiliates with the Re- publican party, taking a commendable interest in political affairs, but he has never been an aspirant for office. He is one of the leading farmers and popular citizens of his community, and is justly de- serving of the high regard in which he is uniformly held by all who know him.

EDWARD EVERETT JONES. This well- known citizen of Harford, Susquehanna county, has grown up among its people, having been born there November 25, 1867. Although ouly thirty-two years of age, he has already prominently identificd himself with. the public interests and general ad- vancement of the community, where he is held in high esteem for both his public spirit and genial disposition.

Mr. Jones' parents and grandparents were rcsi- dents of Harford. Austin Jones, his grandfather, was born in 1788 in Andover, Tolland Co., Conn., and was the eldest of seven sons, one of whom, Dr. Jones, became a prominent citizen of Alabama. In 1812 Austin Jones came to Harford township, Sus- quehanna Co., Penn., in 1825 settling on East Hill, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was quiet and unostentatious in all his habits, was in- dustrious and prosperous, and was regarded throughout the community as one of its most sub- stantial and valuable citizens. Ile was an influential member of the Congregational Church at Harford. and took an active part in its work. In 1824 Austin Jones married Polly T. Carpenter, who was born in 1798. and of the children born to this union Henry M., father of our subject, was the only son who reached man's estate. The only surviving daugh- ter, Sarah. was born February 18. 1828, in Harford. and died December 12, 1887. She received a good education, attending the common schools of her na- tive township, Harford Academy, and later the Ontario Female Seminary, from which she was graduated in 1852. She was engaged as teacher in the last named institution for fourteen years, and on returning to Harford continued to follow her profession, in which she met with the highest suc- cess. She also attained considerable local fame as a writer of verse, an edition of her pocms being now on the press which will be received with much favor by her large number of friends, scattered over

the whole country. Her poeins written for Rev. Adam Miller's Semi-Centennial, and the "Centen- nial Hymn" for the hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Susquehanna county, are among her best known. Many hearts have been comforted and sustained in the loss of their friends by the tender- ness and sympathy of her verse. Austin Jones and his wife passed away in 1861 and 1870, respectively.

HENRY M. JONES was born May 24, 1830, in Harford township, and gained a practical knowledge of the English branches in the schools of the home neighborhood, studying at Harford Academy, under the celebrated teacher Rev. Lyman Richardson. During his early manhood he taught successfully for several terms in the local district schools. He was rcared to farming, to which he devoted the greater part of his time until 1864, on the homestead, which he sold in that year to David Van Buskirk. In the fall of 1865 he bought the property in Har- ford village-a farm of 130 acres for.nerly owned by Deacon Joab Tyler-on which he resided dur- ing the remainder of his life, and in the spring of 1866 he purchased the store property of E. T. Tiffany, adjoining his new home, which he also retained until his death. His sound business judg- ment, combined with fair dealing, brought him suc- cess, but while his mercantile interests demanded constant attention he never entirely gave up farm- ing, supervising the cultivation of his land and tak- ing the warmest interest in agricultural affairs. Ile was one of the founders of the Harford Agricultural Society, of which he served one year as president. Mr. Jones was an all-around active citizen. con- tributing much toward the improvement of his vil- lage and township, was a warm friend to the poor, who often came to him for counsel, and the high (steem in which he was held by his fellow citizens, and all with whom he had dealings in any of the relations of life, was evidenced in the fact that he was often chosen executor and administrator. He pos- sessed the qualities which made him prosper in all he undertook, but he was equally desirous of seeing others prosper, and he contributed liberally to all worthy causes. He was always deeply interested in the general moral welfare, taking an active part in educational advancement. was an ardent advocate of the Temperance cause, and a liberal contributor to the support of the Congregational Church and its work. Naturally, he was chosen to various posi- tions of trust, filling nearly every township office, served several years as justice of the peace, and for two terms-1873-74-represented his county in the State Legislature, being elected on the Republican ticket.

On September 12. 1854. Mr. Jones married Marietta I. Blandin, who was born August 24. 1831. in IIonesdale, Wayne county, daughter of Daniel Blandin, of that place, and five children blessed their union : Mary Charlotte, William Henry and Sarah Adaline. all of whom died in infancy ; Daniel Austin. born in 1864. who died at the age of twenty-two, and Edward E., whose name introduces this sketch.

HENRY M. JONES

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

llenry M. Jones passed away at Harford September 0. 1879, leaving a vacancy in the community which was long felt. His widow now makes her home with her son. She is an active member of the Congre- gational Church, which Mr. Jones also attended and in which he held office, and her life has been one full of good works, devoted to her home and to Church and charitable enterprises. Prior to her marriage she was teacher of music for one year, . 1850, in Harford Academy, and her intelligence and high character have placed her side by side with ler honored husband in the esteem of their many friends and acquaintances in Harford.

Edward E. Jones was married. July 14, 1891, at Harford, to Miss Iattic Sweet. of whose family extended mention is made below. She died February 28, 1809. twenty-four hours after having undergone an operation at Carbondale, leaving one child, Henry S., born June 6, 1892. Her short life was one of beautiful devotion to her family and parents. Of a quiet and lovable disposition, she was supremely fond of home and friends, was an active member of the Congregational Church, being a consecrated and efficient worker in the various interests of same. Like his father Mr. Jones is a Republican in politics, and not without some fondness for public life, having served one term as county auditor and filled the of- fice of town treasurer for the past four years. He was educated at Amherst ( Mass.) High School, and at Williston Seminary, East Hampton. Mass., graduating from the latter institution in 1886. After leaving school he returned to Harford, where for a time he was employed in the store of C. H. Johnston, and in January, 1890, he purchased the establish- ment, which he has since conducted himself. He is a member of the Congregational Church. For the past seven years he has been secretary of the Har- ford Agricultural Society, which holds one of the largest and best annual fairs held in this part of the State.

The late Mrs. Edward E. Jones ( nee Sweet ) was the second and youngest child of Horace Sweet and Sarah MI. Ketcham. Horace Sweet was born in Harford township March 24, 1834, son of Stephen and Polly ( Seymour ) Sweet. His parents were na- tives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, and were among the early settlers of Susquehanna county. Stephen Swcet was a farmer, and at vari- ous times held all the township offices. He died February 7, 1860. aged fifty-three years, and his wife in 1878, at the age of sixty-nine. Both are buried in Ilarford cemetery. Horace and Sarah M. ( Ketch- am) Sweet were married at Montrose in March, 1867, and to their union were born two children- Charles W., who died at the age of twenty-five years, and IIattie, who has been already mentioned. Sarah M. ( Ketcham) Sweet, mother of Mrs. E. E. Jones, is the daughter of Robert and Catherine ( U'tt ) Ketcli . am, and was born Angust 17, 1844. Iler parents came from Northampton county to Montrose not long after their marriage. and there Mr. Ketcham operated the first foundry ever started in Montrose.

He died in 1846, at the age of thirty-two years, and his widow subsequently married Daniel Stuart, of Bridgewater, a farmer, who died at Hop Bottom, Penn. She died in 1877 in the sixty-fourth year of her age, and is buried at Montrose.

Horace Sweet received his education under Rev. Lyman Richardson, at Franklin Academy, and pos- sessed what so many of these students did, a fluency in speech and readiness in debate. He began teach- ing school in Harford at the age of sixteen, and was subsequently engaged in Schuylkill, Luzerne, Colum- · bia and other points, following this vocation for eight years. On reaching liis twenty-fourth year he became a farmer, and in 1891 he retired and took up his residence in Harford village. In politics he is a Democrat. He has held all the township offices, having been for many years auditor and assessor, and for nine years school director, has always been public-spirited. and interested in all the good enter- prises of his town.

MRS. ZUBA C. BORCHERS, one of the highly-esteemed residents of Dyberry township, is a representative of an honored pioneer family of Wayne county whose members have been import- ant factors in its growth and development. Her paternal grandfather, Simcon Kimble, Sr., was a native of Indian Orchard, Texas township, Wayne county, as was also her father, Simeon Kimble, Jr., who was born in 1804. The latter married Miss Margaret Bishop, a native of Texas township. and a daughter of Hiram and Ann ( Walton) Bishop, Mr. Kimble dicd in 1882, honored and respected by all who knew him. In his family were the following children : Maximilla, now the wife of George Will- iams, of Kingston, Penn .; Alfred, a resident of Honesdale, Wayne county ; Ann, wife of Chauncey Shoemaker, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; John, who died in Honesdale, November 5, 1890, at the age of forty- two years ; Zuba C., our subject ; George, a contrac- tor and builder, of Warren county, Penn. : William, a resident of Kane, Mckean Co., Penn .; Charles. a resident of Honesdale; and Frank, a carpenter of Kingston.

Zuba C. Kimble was born August 4. 1848. at Indian Orchard, and at the age of fourteen removed to Honesdale, where she remained until her inar- riage to James W. Borchers, the ceremony being per- formed in Dyberry, by Rev. E. O. Ward. Mr. Bor- chers, who was a blacksmith by trade, was born April 2. 1840, in New York City, of which place his parents, Henry and Margaret ( Scofield ) Borchers, were also natives, coming to Wayne county. Penn .. when their son James was ten years of age. The father died January 21. 1884, aged seventy-three years, the mother December 14. 1883, aged sixty- seven. Our subject has been called upon to mourn the deccase of her husband, who passed away July 23, 1801. He was widely and favorably known throughout Wayne county, and had many warm friends who appreciated his sterling worth.

To Mr. and Mrs. Borchers were born four

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 31

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