Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 35

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 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 35
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 35

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NICK GEBHART, an honored and trusted employe of the Erie Railroad Co., residing in Mat- amoras, Pike county, is a worthy representative of a good old German family. His grandfather, Ja- cob Gebhart, was born on the Rhine, in Bavaria, October 5, 1784, and by occupation was a farmer and freight carrier. He married Maria Grimm, who was also born in the Rhine province, in 1786. and both died when comparatively young. In their fam- ily were four children, all now deceased: John, a freight carrier, who died in Germany; Elizabeth, who married Valentine Bansel. of Bavaria ; Chris- tana, who married C. Schoidel, a teacher of lan- guages in Bavaria; and Jacob, the father of cur subject.

Jacob Gebhart was born on the historic Rhine, in Bavaria, Germany, in September, 1811. and was a freighter and extensive farmer. He died De- cember 24, 1857, his wife, Agnes Kreat, who was born in Bavaria. December 19, 1813, long surviv- ing him, and passing away in October, 1889. In their family were the following children: Jacob, who married and is engaged in the hotel business in Narrowsburg, N. Y .: Anna Maria, who married Frederick Haas, and died in Germany, in 1892; John, who died at the age of two years: Elizabeth, who came to America at the age of seventeen years, and married Jacob Botenz. of Narrowsburg, N. Y .; Philip, a blacksmith living at Narrowsburg : John, who died at the age of thirteen months: Agnes, wife of Joseph Cooper, an iron molder living in Bavaria, Germany ; Philipena, wife of Jacob Frank, whose home is in Holstein, Germany, where he is

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

foreman of molding works; Nick, our subject ; Margreta, who died at the age of eleven years ; Fritz, who is married, and is serving as foreman of iron molding works in Bavaria ; and Berthia, who died at the age of nine and one-half months.

Nick Gebhart was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 26, 1849, and at the age of thirteen en- tered a machine shop, where he learned the ma- chinist's trade. For three years he was a member of the German army, and participated in the French. and German war. In his native land he was mar- ried, October 25, 1873, to Miss Lena Shaffer, who was born November 25, 1851, a daughter of Martin. and Marcella ( Gunter ) Shaffer, and they have had nine children, namely: Henry, born July 22, 1874, was accidentally shot : twins, born in 1876, one of whom died unnamed when only two days old, and the other, Sophia, died September 16, 1896; Fritz, born September 29, 1877, assists his father in the hotel business ; Agnes, born December 24, 1879, is now the wife of Martin Leicht, who is represented elsewhere : Lena, born January 8, 1882, is at home ; Herman, born October 12, 1883, died in infancy ; and Herman (2), born March 26, 1885, and Emma, born July 31. 1887, are both at home.

With the hope of benefiting his financial condi- tion, Mr. Gebhart and his family sailed for the United States, landing on the shores of this country March 17, 1878. They located at Narrowsburg, N. Y., where he worked in a blacksmith shop for one and a half years, and then, as he was unable to secure work at his trade, he accepted employment as a common laborer on the Erie railroad, remaining with them six months. The following two years were spent in a stone quarry at Narrowsburg, and at the end of that time he removed to Port Jervis, N. Y., se- curing a position in the Erie railroad repair shops, where he has now been employed for seventeen years. Since 1894, however, he has made his home in Matamoras, Penn., where he at first rented prop- erty and engaged in the hotel business. Subse- quently he purchased his present home, which he · has greatly improved, and is still interested in the hotel business, leaving the management of the same to his son. while he retains his position with the Erie Company. In political affiliations he is a Dem- ocrat, and in religious connection is a German Cath- olic, as are also his children, but his wife holds membership in the German Lutheran Church. They have many friends in this community, and Mr. Geb- hart is a member of the Maennerchor.

JOHN DILLON is a representative citizen of Liberty township, Susquehanna county, where for several years he has successfully engaged in business as a general farmer and blacksmith. He is a man whose sound common sense and vigorous, able management of his affairs have been important fac- tors in leading him to wealth, and with his un- doubted, integrity of character have given him an honorable position among his fellow men.

Mr. Dillon was born on his present farm, in January, 1854. a son of Michacl and Ann (Mle- Verney ) Dillon, natives of Ireland, the former born in 1809, and the latter in 1813. They were mar- ried in County Clare, and continued to make their home in the Emerald Isle for some years. In 1851 the father crossed the Atlantic to New York, and the following year was joined by his family. whoni he brought to Liberty township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., where he operated rented land for a few years. His first purchase was a tract of wild land in Silver Lake township, which he transformed into a good farm, erecting thereon a house and barn, but he finally sold that place and returned to Lib- erty township, buying a farm on the road between Lawsville Center and Hallstead, near where our subject now lives. There he made his home until called from this life, in August, 1865. He was a stone mason by trade, and followed that occupation in connection with farming during his residence in Susquehanna county. He purchased a farm ad- joining his own for one of his sons. His wife sur- vived him for some years, passing away in 1887, at the age of seventy-four. Both were devout mem- bers of the Catholic Church, to which they gave liberally, and as a Democrat he took an active inter- est in political affairs.

Our subject is the second youngest in a family of eight children, all born in Ireland with the ex- ception of himself and brother Frank. (1) Mary, the eldest, born in 1837, was educated in the schools of her native land, and married John Hays. of Forest Lake township, Susquehanna county. They have a large family, and now reside in Buffalo. N. Y. (2) Michael, born in 1839, married Margaret McMahon, of Silver Lake township, where he is en- gaged in farming. (3) Margaret, born in 1842, received a district-school education in Susquehanna county, and married James Hays, of Forest Lake township. They have a large family, and make their home in Tioga county, Penn. (4) Bridget, born in 1844, marricd John Considine, of Susque- hanna, by whom she has three children, Mary, John and Elizabeth, and they reside in Ithaca. N. Y. (5) Martin, born in 1846, was reared in Sus- quehanna county, where he learned the tanner's trade. He married Maria Flanigan, of Susquehanna county, by whom he has seven children, and they reside in Warren county, Penn., where he is en- gaged in merchandising. (6) Annie, born in 1848. married Martin Dillon, a native of Canada, and lived in Waverly, N. Y., where she died leaving six children, Mary, Maggie, Willie, Thomas, Charles and Ella, all residents of Waverly. (7) Frank, born in Silver Lake township, Susquehanna county, in 1857, a bright, promising young man, died at the age of sixteen years.

John Dillon, the subject of this sketch. received a fair education in the district schools of Liberty township, and aided his father in the work of the home farm until the latter's death. He then worked

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the lumber woods of Sullivan county, Penn., for five years, and in 1875 commenced learning the blacksmith's trade with Patrick Moran, at Mont- rose, serving a four-years' apprenticeship, after which he conducted a shop of nis own at Laws- ville Center for nine years. In 1892 he purchased the farm on which he was born (known as the Truesdale farm), upon which stand a commodious brick residence, good barns and other outbuildings, and our subject has added to its improvements, making it one of the best and most desirable places of the size in Liberty township.

In 1883 Mr. Dillon was united in marriage with Miss Annie Downs, of Liberty township, a daughter of James and Susan Downs, who were born in Ireland and died in Liberty township. Mrs. Dillon was born in Susquehanna county in 1852, and died in December, 1897. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church, and was loved and respected by all who knew her. She left four chil- dren: James, born in Forest Lake township, in May, 1884; Susan, born in Liberty township, in July, 1885; Michael, born in October. 1886: and Francis, born in August, 1889. All arc attending the district schools, and are well advanced for chil- dren of their age. Mr. Dillon and his family are also communicants of the Catholic Church, and are held in high regard in the community where they make their home. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Democrat. has ever taken a deep inter- est in the success of his party, and has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of school director and inspector of elections. Though he commenced lite a poor boy, he has, through his own well-directed efforts, become one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the township.

JEROME BONSER, a leading and represen- tative farmer of Chestnut Hill township, Monroe county, is now successfully operating the old home- stead on which he was born July 25, 1862, a son of Reuben and Sabina ( Frantz) Bonser, also na- tives of Monroe county, where the father spent his entire life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Reformed Church. He departed this life in December, 1888, at the age of fifty years, and was buried in Pleasant Valley cemetery; she is still liv- ing. at the age of sixty years, and makes her home in Stroudsburg. Jerome is the eldest of their chil- dren. the others being E. Malinda, wife of Allen Marsh, a mason of Stroudsburg: and Charles F., who married Lizzie Moser, and lives in East Stroudsburg. The paternal grandparents of our subject, John and Elizabeth ( Kresge ) Bonser, both died in Chestnut Hill township. Their children were George, Elias, Jacob, Sally A., Ilannah. Jonas and Reuben.

On the home farm Jerome Bonser was reared and obtained a good practical knowledge of farm

work, which now enables him to so successfully manage the farm. The Democratic party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principies, and he is an active and prominent member of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as deacon for four years.

At Brodheadsville. June 13. 1885. Mr. Bonser married Miss C. Ordella Shoemaker, by whom he has one son, Stanley W. Mrs. Bonser was born in Hamilton township, Monroe county, May 16, 1861, . a daughter of Emanuel and Amelia ( Weiss ) Shoe- maker, who spent their entire lives as farming peo- ple in that township. They were faithful members of the Reformed Church, and in political sentiment Mr. Shoemaker was also a Democrat. He died April 27, 1895. aged seventy-five years, his wife, October 26, 1864, aged forty years, three months and three days, and they now sleep side by side in Mt. Zion cemetery. They were married October 16, 1842, and had children as follows: Abner, who has engaged in school teaching. but now devotes his time to farming, married Margaret Werkheiser, and lives in Saylorsburg, Monroe county, where he takes an active part in Church work; Louisa mar- ried Francis Snyder, and both are now deceased ; Ellen is the wife of Samuel Rinker, a carpenter of Saylorsburg; Milton married Hellen Miller, and is in the employ of his brother William in East Stroudsburg; William married Rachel Hobbs, and conducts a meat market ; Alice is the wife of Frank Featherman, who is engaged in the creamery busi- ness in Monroe county ; C. Ordella is the wife of our subject : and Minnic died at the age of fourteen years. For his second wife the father wedded Mrs. Mary Hulsheiser, who is now living in Phil- lipsburg, N. J., with her daughter. Mary Engle. There were no children by the second union. Mrs. Bonser's paternal grandparents were John and Lou- isa ( Trach) Shoemaker, and the maternal grand- parents George and Susan Weiss.

DAVID M. ROE. While "the race is not al- ways to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy, industry and ability a successful career. The truth of this assertion is abundantly verified in the life of David M. Roe, the well-known post- master and prominent business man of Fairdale, Susquehanna county.

Mr. Roc is a native of the county, born in Jes- sup township, December 23, 1850, and is a son of David and Sophia ( Dennis) Roe, who were natives of Sussex county, N. J., and came to Susquehanna county in 1845, locating in Jessup township, where the father carried on operations as a farmer until called from this life. in 1885. at the age of eighty years. The mother died in 1888, at the same age, and was laid to rest by his side in the Bolles cen- etery. Both were sincere Christians, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family were the following children: Elizabeth, deceased wife of Jefferson Roof; Mary, wife of Scott Bakl-

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win, a farmer of Wyoming county, Penn .; Peter D., a farmer 'of Jessup township, Susquehanna county; Catherine, wife of Edgar Bolles, a farmer of Jessup township; Sarah, widow of Paul Over- field, of Meshoppen, Penn. ; David M., our subject ; and Emma, wife of Thomas Pettitt, of Susquehanna county.

David M. Roe remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, becoming per- fectly familiar with agricultural pursuits, and then purchased a farm in Jessup township, which he suc- cessfully operated for ten years. At the end of that time he rented the place and removed to the village of Fairdale, where he bought property and has since made his home. Purchasing the store of Oscar Downer, he embarked in merchandising, and has for the past twenty-five years also done an extensive business in buying, selling and shipping stock to New York. He is a wide-awake, ener- getic business man, of known reliability, and has met with marked success in his undertakings. In political views he is a Republican, and has served as township treasurer for three terms. He was first appointed postmaster of Fairdale in 1888, un- der President Cleveland's administration, and with the exception of four years has since continuously filled that office to the entire satisfaction of its many patrons. Socially he is a member of the Red Men.

In 1873 Mr. Roc was united in marriage with Miss Susan A. Dimon, by whom he had three chil- dren. namely: Pearl, who married Edwin Adams, of New Milford, June 6, 1899'; Nina, who is en- gaged in teaching school; and Madge, at home. The wife and mother, who was a native of Sussex, N. J., born in 1851, died in 1888, and was buried in Bolles cemetery. Her parents, John and Cath- erine Ann (Sheets) Dimon, were married in Sus- sex county, . N. J., and there continued to make their home until the spring of 1861, when they came to Susquehanna county, Penn., locating on the farm in Jessup township where their son Jacob S. now resides. Here the father followed farming and dairying ; previously, however, he had worked at the carpenter's trade. He was born May 15, 1818. and died May 18, 1868; his wife, born September I. 1824, died May 16, 1898, the remains of both being interred in the Fairdale cemetery. There were only two children in their family: Jacob S., and Susan Amelia, wife of our subject.

, Mr. Roe was again married in 1892, his sec- ond union being with Miss Susan Sheets, a native of New Jersey and a most estimable lady. Her parents, Cyrus and Sarah (Gunn) Sheets, removed from that State to Susquehanna county in 1851, and took up their residence in Jessup township. where the father followed the occupation of farm- ing. Both were active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he served as trustee of the same. He was a self-made man. became one of the prosperous and influential citi- zens of the county, and left his family in com- fortable circumstances. He died April 18, 1895.

at the age of seventy-three years, the mother April 2, 1878, at the age of fifty-three, and both were buried in Bolles cemetery. Their children were Mary, who lives on the old homestead ; Susan, wife of our subject ; Margaret R., wife of Darius Cris- man, of Binghamton, N. Y .; Jennie, wife of Fre- mont Hamlin, of Forest Lake township, Susque- hanna county; and Bertha, wife of Dayton Sheets, who is also living on the old homestead. Mrs. Roe's paternal grandfather, Jacob Sheets, spent his entire life in Sussex county, N. J .; her maternal grandfather, Samuel Gunn, removed from that county to Ohio, where he spent his last days with a daughter.

PETER BENNETT, a retired blacksmith and honored citizen of Clifford, Susquehanna county, is a native of that county, born in Gibson township, November 16, 1817.

Mr. Bennett's parents, John and Margaret ( Lott) Bennett, were born in 1789 and 1794, re- spectively, in Orange county, N. Y., where they were reared and married, and came to Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn .. in 1810. They made their home in Gib- son township for fourteen years, and then removed to Clifford township, where the father followed farming until his death, in 1828; the mother died in 1856, their remains being interred in a private burying-ground in Clifford township. Their chil- dren were Henry, Benjamin and Wines, all now deceased : Peter, our subject; Mary A., widow of Mark Dale, and a resident of Scranton, Penn .; Abigail, widow of Joseph Halstead, and a resident of Lenox township, Susquehanna county; Sarah. who has been married three times, and resides in the West: John, who died young; and Hulda, who married William Bell, and lives in the West. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Ben- nett, was a farmer by occupation, and a lifelong res -. ident of Orange county, N. Y. ; the maternal grand- father, Ichabod Lott, was a native of Orange county and an early settler of Susquehanna county, Penn., where he died in Clifford township.

Peter Bennett remained with his mother until seventeen years of age, and then served a four- years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade in Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county. He next spent three years in Luzerne county, and during the following five years worked at his trade in Brad- ford county. Penn., being afterward similarly em- ployed in different parts of Susquehanna county until 1861. when he rented a shop in Clifford and engaged in blacksmithing on his own account for three years. Subsequently he followed farming in Clifford township, and then returned to the village. where he successfully engaged in his chosen calling until he retired from active business, in 1889.

At Orwell, Penn .. in 1839, Mr. Bennett wedded Miss Mary Dimock, a native of Schoharie county. N. Y .. and daughter of Cicero and Mary Dimock, of that State. She died in June. 1872. at the age of sixty-two years, and was buried in Clifford

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PETER BENNETT

MRS. ANN BENNETT

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

township. By that union our subject had three children, namely : Elizabethi, who died young; Sarah Emaline, wife of G. H. Stevens, a prominent auctioneer and street commissioner of Peckville, Penn .: and Benjamin F., a leading merchant and postmaster at Clifford. Mr. Bennett was again married, in 1872, his second union being with Mrs. Ann ( Stage) Stewart, who was a native of Clifford, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Schoonover) Stage, the former of whom was a shoemaker by trade. She passed away in November, 1896. To . this marriage was born one child, who died in in- fancy. Mrs. Bennett had one child by her first marriage, Ella Maud Stewart, who now makes her home with our subject.

Since coming to Clifford township Mr. Ben- nett has been almost continually in office, having served as township supervisor, auditor, school director. poormaster, etc. He is a supporter of the Republican party, and, in religious connection, a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During his long residence in Susquehanna county he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every en- terprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. After such a useful and hon- orable career he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement.

WILLIAM J. RHINEVAULT, a well-known blacksmith and highly respected citizen of Fairdale, is a native of Susquehanna county, born in Forest Lake township, June 28, 1850, a son of John and Mahala (Strickland) Rhinevault, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Susquehanna county. Both died in Forest Lake township and were buried in Fair Hill cemetery. The father, who was by occupation a farmer and mason, was born June 27, 1785, and died April 7, 1856; the mother, born May 22, 1803, died March 26, 1885. Both were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was the only child born of their union, but both parents had other children by previous marriages. The father first married Anna Gray, and the children born to them were as follows: Eunice, deceased, first married a MIr. Thorp, and second John Strange; Jolin G. is deceased ; Mary A., born August 1, 1812, is now the widow of Charles Trobridge. and a resident of Vestal. N. Y. : Sally is deceased ; Rev. Seamour, a Methodist Episcopal minister, is also deceased ; Alfred S. was one of the boys in blue during the Civil war, was captured, and starved to death in Andersonville prison : Orman B. is also deceased ; Anna, deceased, married Nathan Weston; Men- ville is a resident of Allegany county, N. Y .; Syl- vester P. was shot through the head at the battle of the Wilderness; Ezra, deceased, was also a sol- dier in the Civil war: Andrew J. is a resident of Nunda. Livingston Co., N. Y .; and Myron P., Al-

mira and Chester D. are all deceased. The mother of our subject first married James Ball, by whom she had six children, namely: Rebecca, Lavina, Julia, Clarinda, Hiram and Edward (a soldier of the Union army). Her second husband was the father of our subject, and the third was Jeremiah Rosenkrantz; she had no children by the last mar- riage.

At the age of fourteen years William J. Rhine- vault began the battle of life for himself, first work- ing as a farm hand for different people. When eighteen lie commenced learning the blacksmith's trade in Rush township, Susquehanna county, with Bela Giffin, with whom he remained for six months, and the same length of time was employed in the blacksmith shop of Jack Brewster, in Montrose. He then engaged in farming and lumbering until 1883, when he resumed work at his trade, opening a shop of his own at Fair Hill, in Forest Lake township, where he carried on farming operations in connection with his trade until coming to Fair- dale in April, 1897. He has since devoted his at- tention to blacksmithing. He is an expert mechanic and a good workman, and has met with a well- deserved success in his undertakings. Fraternally he is a member of the Grange, and politically is identified with the Democratic party. For six years he efficiently served as school director in For- est Lake, and a trust reposed in him has never been misplaced.

On December 22, 1870, in Forest Lake, Mr. Rhinevault was married to Miss Sarah Warner, and they have become the parents of two children : Mahala E., at home; and Fred E., who during the war with Spain enlisted in Company G, 13th P. V. I., and was stationed at Camp Mckenzie. Mrs. Rhinevault was born in Pike township, Bradford Co., Penn., July 24, 1849. and is a daughter of Samuel A. and Betsey A. ( Marsh) Warner, also natives of Bradford county. Her father entered the Union service during the war of the Rebellion, and was starved to death in Andersonville prison, dying at the age of forty-five years; her mother is still living, at the age of seventy-six years. and now makes her home in Herrickville, Penn. The chil- dren born to them were as follows: Jolin, a resi- dent of Herrickville; Sarah, wife of our subject ; Oscar, a resident of Welcome. Minn .; Flaville, a resident of Maple Works, Wis .; Josephine, wife of Charles S. Wells, of Herrickville : and Samuel E., who was drowned at the age of twelve years.

HENRY C. SPAFFORD, one of the worthy citizens of Susquehanna county, and well known as a dairy farmer, was born in Middletown town- ship, that county, November 20. 1844. a son of Milton R. and Lucy ( Sheldon ) Spafford, both natives of New Hampshire.

Milton R. Spafford was a son of Samuel Spat- ford. who came from the old Granite State in the early days of Susquehanna county, and became one of the pioneers of Middletown township. Samuel

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 35

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