USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 42
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 42
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WALTER J. KEESLER, the genial landlord of the "Hotel Lancaster," Dreher township, Wayne county, was born in Damascus, Wayne Co., Penn .. in 1856, a son of Charles D. and Sallie Keesler, and grandson of John and Clara Keesler. The grandta- ther was born on the Hudson in New York State, and on coming to Pennsylvania located near Galilee in Damascus, Wayne county, where he purchased land and engaged in farming throughout the re- mainder of his life. There both he and his wife died. In their family were seven children, namely: Eli: Charles ; Lyman ; Julia, wife of Edward Turner. of Wayne county; Melvina, wife of Harry Stocker. of Wayne county : Satira. wife of J. L. Brigham. of Damascus township : and Julius, who married Fran- ces Brigham and located in Damascus.
Charles Keesler, our subject's father, was born in Haverstraw. N. Y .. but was reared in Damascus. Wayne Co., Penn., where he continued to make his home for many years, his time and attention being given to the occupations of lumbering and farming. He died at the home of our subject in Monroe coun- ty. in 1888; but his worthy wife is still living in Dreher township, Wayne county. The children born to them were as follows: ( 1) Adaline. born on the old home farm in Damascus township, Wayne coun- ty, married Joel Potter. of the same locality. and with their family they now residein Manchester. Penn. ( 2) Levi J., who was a member of Company I, 84th P.
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V. I., served all through the Civil war and partici- pated in many important engagements. He mar- ried Lydia Marks, of Damascus, and they now reside near Drovers Home, Monroe county. Their children are: Travis ; John ; Lottie, wife of Milo MeGarger, of Monroe county ; Addison ; Grace ; and Anna. (3) Clarissa is the wife of Aaron Brigham, a farmer of Damascus township, Wayne county, and to them have been born five children : Melita, Charles, Rockwell, Musie and Cora. (4) Caroline mar- ried Orville Brigham, who died leaving one son, Jacob, and she later married John Charles, of Damascus, who was a soldier in the Civil war, and was rendered blind by being seriously wounded while in the service. They now reside in Delaware county, N. Y., and have children as follows: Sal- lie, Walter, Laura, Libbie, Grant and Joseph. (5) Peter married Lottie Stryker, of Wayne county, and they live on his farm at Galilee, that county. Their children are Grace and Maggie. (6) Harry married Annie Palmer, of Manchester, Wayne coun- ty, and with their family they live on his farm at that place. (7) Julius, a resident of South Sterling, Wayne county, married Ettie Dowling, of Mt. Po- cono, Monroe county, a daughter of Josiah Dowling, and they have one daughter, Blanch. (8) Rosanna is the wife of Richard Pierce, a veteran of the Civil war and a resident of Prompton, Wayne county. (9) Ulysses died in childhood. ( 10) Ernest was killed by accident at the age of fourteen years.
Walter J. Keesler, who completes the family, was reared in Damascus township, Wayne Co., Penn., and after attending its common schools, he completed his education at Vion Academy of Damas- cus. As a young man he worked in the lumber woods for some years, and in 1876 he embarked in the manufacture of brush handles at South Branch, Wayne county, but in this undertaking met with mis- fortune, as his entire plant was destroyed by fire. He then came to Monroe county and purchased the old Whitzel property in Coolbaugh township, which included a hotel and a tract of timber land, on which he erected a sawmill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for a number of years. He also conducted a hotel at Moscow, Penn., for one year, and another at Hawley for the same length of time. He then re- sumed lumbering in Coolbaugh township and en- gaged in merchandising at South Sterling. Later he erected a sawmill and stick factory at Barrett, Monroe county, and in connection with their oper- ation he followed merchandising at Canadensis for some time, after which he purchased mill property at Angels, Wayne county, where he continued to en- gage in business until August, 1898, when he sold his interests there and returned to Monroe county. He there successfully conducted the Drovers Home Hotel but continued his interests in other business enterprises. At present he is in charge of the Hotel Lancaster at South Sterling, Wayne county. He is a man of the strictest integrity, is straightforward and honorable in all his dealings and is worthy to be classed among the best citizens of his community.
In 1881 Mr. Keesler was united in marriage with Miss Anna Lancaster, a most estimable lady. Her parents were Hugh and Emma Lancaster, of South Sterling, who belonged to one of the old and prominent families of Wayne county, which num- bered among its members Richard Lancaster, who served as sheriff and also represented the county in the State Legislature. To our subject and his wife was born one daughter, Daisy, who died at the age of fifteen months. Religiously Mr. Keesler is a. Protestant, and politically is a Democrat.
L. H. HARRIS, an energetic, progressive and successful farmer and dairyman of Springville town- ship, is a native of Susquehanna county, his birth occurring in Auburn township, October 9. 1839. His father, Milton Harris, was born in Rhode Isl- and, January 28, 1796, and as he lost his father when quite young, he was bound out to work front early childhood until he attained his majority. Com- ing to Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1818. he first located in Dimock township, but afterward removed to Auburn township, where he purchased 500 acres of land and built two gristmills and several saw- mills. He was an enterprising, wide-awake business man, who followed farming and milling throughout life, and for ten years owned and operated a grist- mill in Meshoppen, Penn. On June 22. 1820, he was married in Auburn township, Susquehanna county, to Miss Sally F. Bennett, who was born in Chenango county, N. Y., a daughter of Amos Ben- nett, a Revolutionary soldier, and his wife, Wealthy. Of the eleven children born of this union, six are now deceased. George A. died in Susquehanna coun- ty; Abbie and Sylvia both died in infancy: Abbie ( second) married and lived in Auburn township, but is now deceased ; and Bishop I. Those still liv- ing are as follows: Paulina, born November 17, 1831, is the widow of R. H. Birch, of Auburn town- ship; John, born May 15, 1834, is a machinist of Chicago, Ill. : Revillo, born July 10, 1836, married Addie Lott, of Auburn township; L. H., our sub- ject, is the next of the family; Milton, born Octo- ber 5, 1841, lives on part of the old homestead in Auburn township. Gerana, born July 18, 1845, married C. L. Low, of Auburn township, and died July 3. 1886. The father died March 30, 1876, and the mother, who was born January 4. 1802, died October 5, 1897. Both were faithful members of the Baptist Church, and highly esteemed by all who knew them. In politics the father was a Republican. and he filled the offices of justice of the peace and school director.
In Auburn township, L. H. Harris grew to manhood, and was provided with common school advantages. There he followed both milling and farming in early life and met with fair success in his undertakings. He was married in Auburn township April 21, 1867, to Miss Mary O. Setser, a daughter of John and Euphemia ( McKean) Setser, of War- ren county, N. J. The name of the family was orig- inally spelled Setzler. Mrs. Harris' father was.
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born July 27, 1823, in Hamilton township, Monroe county, Penn., of which his father, Henry Setser, was also a native, and the former died November 23, 1890. Her mother was born in Warren coun- ty, N. J., October 9. 1827, and died May 30, 1861. The remains of both were interred in Auburn town- ship. Mr. Setser had located in that township on coming to the county, in 1841, but had previously lived for a time in Wyoming county, Penn. By occupation he was a farmer, and in political senti- ment he was a Republican. His wife's parents were Daniel and Sarah ( Angle) Mckean, both natives .of Warren county, N. J. Mrs. Harris is one of a family of nine children, the others being as follows : Sarah C., born August 16, 1843, died in infancy ; Nathan P., twin brother of Mrs. Harris, born December 16, 1847, is now deceased ; Eliza M., born April 13, 1850, is the wife of C. J. Arnts, of Wyom- ing county, Penn. ; Daniel H., born January 5, 1852, is a resident of Springville, Penn .; Frances I., born January 5, 1854, is the wife of D. C. Cool, of Hop- bottom: John W., born April 16, 1856, is engaged in mining in Aspen, Colo .; Annie E., born Decem- ber 27, 1858, is the wife of G. B. Filkins, of Au- burn township; and Lucy E., born April 24, 1861, is the wife of G. F. Ace, a Methodist Episcopal minister of Nicholson, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have a family of five children, namely : Euphemia S., born April 19, 1868, is the wife of G. W. Brooks, superintendent of a large dairy farm at De Kalb, Ill. ; John L., born October 28, 1869, is the instructor of the dairy department of Washington Agricultural College and School of Science, and has mine claims in the same State; Minnie F., born July 15, 1872, is the wife of Otis La France, a prominent farmer of Susquehanna county ; Meta, born March 9, 1876, is + the wife of Bruce Griffis, a practical creamery man of Bradford county, Penn .; and George, born Sep- tember 14, 1880, is at home.
In 1870 Mr. Harris purchased fifty-seven acres of improved land in Springville township. for $3,- 300, and upon this place he now resides, his time being devoted to general farming and dairying. He also owns seventy-five acres of the old homestead in Auburn township, and operated the same until 1895. Upon his place he has a fine orchard which usually bears about 300 bushels of apples per year. As a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, he takes a deep interest in whatever tends to promote the welfare of the community, and accordingly joined the Grange on its organization in his town- ship, and also the Five States Milk Association. Al- though not a member, he attends and supports dif- ferent Churches. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and for three years he has most effi- ciently served as school director in his district. He is one of the honored and valued citizens of Spring- ville township, his upright and honorable career having won for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life.
ORISTES T. HULL, a prominent farmer and highly respected citizen of Dundaff, Susquehanna county, is a native of Pennsylvania. born July 9. 1847, in Hullville, Lackawanna county, when it still formed a part of Luzerne county, and is a son of William H. and Rebecca ( Parker) Hull, the former a native of Tolland, Mass., the latter of Ab- ington, Penn. The father became a prosperous farmer and lumberman of Hullville, which place was named in honor of the family. There he died in March, 1872, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother passed away in 1850, at the age of thirty-five, their remains being interred in Forest Hill cemetery, Scranton, Penn. Their children were George M., a farmer of Hullville ; William H., a retired merchant of Green Ridge, Penn .; John L., a dealer in hardware and agricultural imple- ments at that place ; Stephen P., also a retired mer- chant of Green Ridge: Rebecca, who died in in- fancy ; Alonzo L., a real estate dealer and contractor of Seattle, Wash. ; and Oristes T., our subject. For his second wife the father married Maria B. Dewey, by whom he had three children : Clara, a resident of Hullville ; Thomas H., who is living retired in New York; and Joseph, who is living retired in Hull- ville. Our subject's paternal grandfather was John Hull, a native of England, who came to America at an early day and settled in Massachusetts.
Oristes T. Hull was reared on the home farm and educated in the schools of the neighborhood. At the age of seventeen he entered the State Militia, and a year later enlisted in the Signal Corps of Pennsylvania, with which service he was connected during the war of the Rebellion for six months. be- ing discharged at Georgetown, D. C., on account of illness. He again enlisted, but was forced to return home for the same reason. He remained on the old homestead until twenty-five years of age. when he went to Pen Argyl, Penn., to take charge of a slate quarry, which he operated with his brother Alonzo for five years, selling the slate in different parts of the country. At the end of that time he went to Scranton, .where he made his home until 1881. when he took up his residence upon his pres- ent fine farm of 128 acres at Dundaff.
On November 7, 1878. at Scranton, Mr. Hull was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Wells, a daughter of Wright and Minerva A. ( Baker ) Wells, whose sketch is given in connection with that of James C. Wells. on another page of this volume. The children born of this union are Min- erva M. and Ora R. Soon after locating at Dun- daff, Mr. Hull became prominently identified with public affairs and has been honored with a number of offices, having served as president of the town council and roadmaster. while at present he is a men- ber of the council, is school director and tax collec- tor. He is an active and influential member of the Baptist Church. in which he has served as deacon for four years, and his political support is always given the men and measures of the Prohibition party. He is an upright, honorable business man of sound
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judgment and keen discrimination, and has be- come one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of his community.
WILLIAM M. VAN COTT. One of the most attractive homes in the beautiful village of New Mil- ford, Susquehanna county, is that of the subject of this biography, whose energy, thrift and sound judgment have won for him a high standing among the business men of that locality. For a number of years he has been prominent as an agriculturist, and at present he is a member of the New Milford Milk Co., a prosperous firm doing a large wholesale busi- ness with Philadelphia and New York markets.
Mr. Van Cott's ancestors settled at Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., many years ago, and his grandparents, Nicholas and Mary ( Jackson) Van Cott, removed from that locality to Sullivan county, N. Y., late in the 18th century, locating upon a farm. This worthy couple had six children, viz. : Jolin, a retired business man, residing in Unadilla, N. Y .; James, our subject's father ; Harrison, a farmer and busi- ness man at Bainbridge, N. Y .; Maria, who died in childhood; Esther, deceased, who married Henry Bradley, of Oxford, N. Y .; and Margaret Ann, de- ceased, who married Darwin Davis, and resided near Norwich, New York.
James Van Cott was born November 9, 1811. near Bloomingburg, N. Y., where he secured an academical education. He learned the wagonmak- er's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years and followed it about two years, but as the work did not agree with his health he gave it up and en- gaged in farming. In 1837 he came to Susquehanna county, and bought a farm just south of New Mil- ford borough, and in 1872 he settled upon another farm in that vicinity, where he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred November 28, 1886, at the age of seventy-five. Although he was never robust he was industrious and painstaking, and his hard work was rewarded by a comfortable compet- ence. His integrity and public spirit made him a valued citizen, and he was often called upon to serve in local offices and give advice on matters of general interest. In 1835 he was married in Sullivan coun- ty, N. Y., to Miss Samantha Harding, who sur- vives him and now resides on the farm where they spent their last years. William M. was the younger of two children ; Harrison H., the elder, born February 4, 1842, became a successful farmer and stock dealer of New Milford township, where he died June 1, 1892. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Amanda Moore, daughter of Robert Moore, of Bridgewater, and they had two sons, Will- iam H. and Louis A.
Mrs. Samantha ( Harding) Van Cott. whose womanly character and useful life won her lasting honor and affection, was born June 5, 1813. Her paternal grandfather, Abraham Harding, came from Nova Scotia to New York at an early day, settling near Bloomingburg. Her father, Abraham Hard- ing, Jr. ( 1779-1856), married Deborah Newman
(1779-1846), and had the following children: Ly- dia (1801-1840), who married Robert Comfort. of Sullivan county, N. Y .; Daniel W. and James E., who died in infancy; Henry O. ( 1807-1806), who followed farming in Sullivan county, N. Y .. during the greater portion of his life; Abigail M., born in 1809, married Thomas Wilson, of New Milford township, and died October 1, 1888; Temperance A. ( 1811-1881) married Hiram Decker, of Middle- town, N. Y., and later of Buffalo; Samantha. Mrs. Van Cott, was next in the order of birth ; and Har- rison ( 1819-1856), was a farmer in Sullivan coun- ty, New York.
Our subject was born in New Milford township, March 27, 1844, and remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-seven. He then began farming on his own account in his native township, and after one year returned to the old homestead. In March, 1892, he removed to the village of New Milford, his work in connection with the manage- ment of the New Milford Milk Co. making the change advisable. He is a member of the local Grange, and is one of the leading Democrats of his locality, having served three terms as assessor. one as school director and two as auditor. Socially he and his family are much esteemed, and he is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church of New Milford.
On October 6, 1872, he was married, at Bing- hampton, N. Y., to Miss Adah Wilson. They have no children, but an adopted daughter. Louise, was reared in their home from the age of three years. and is now the wife of David W. Shay, of Peckville, Penn. Mrs. Adah ( Wilson ) Van Cott is a native of Port Jervis, N. Y., and a daughter of William Y. and Rebecca ( Ketcham) Wilson, who were both born in Orange county, N. Y. In 1859 her parents came to Susquehanna county, locating in New Mil- ford township, but in 1871 they removed to Bing- hamton, N. Y., where they spent twelve years, and where the mother died April 13, 1886, at the age of sixty-eight years, and was buried at Port Jervis. N. Y. The father, a farmer by occupation. then came to live with his daughter, Mrs. Van Cott, remaining until his death, January 20, 1889, aged seventy-nine. and was buried at Port Jervis. Mrs. Van Cott is the youngest of three children, the others being Mary E., wife of Dayton T. Cox, an insurance agent at Port Jervis, and George M., station agent at Downs, Kansas.
CHARLES L. FLUMERFELT, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Springville Hotel." of Springville, is a native of Susquehanna county, born in Auburn township December 31, 1865, and is a son of Charles Green Flumerfelt, now a retired farmer of Rush township. The latter was born in Warren county, N. J., August 5, 1820. a son of Samuel T. and Saralı ( Decker) Flumerfelt, also na- tives of that county, who in 1849 removed to Wyom- ing county, Penn. The grandfather followed the blacksmith's trade in early life, but later engaged in farming. He died in Wyoming county, in Sep-
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tember, 1869, aged sixty-five years, his wife at the home of her son, Charles G., in Susquehanna coun- ty, December 14, 1874, aged sixty-five, and both were buried in the former county. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children were Priscilla D., now the widow of Martin A. Gardner, of Wyoming county; Charles G., the father of our subject ; Jacob D., who died in Wyoming county ; John, a farmer of that county ; Samuel, who died in Wyoming county; Sarah, wife of D. W. McCain, a farmer of the same county; Gilbert S., who died in Wyoming county at the age of six years ; Daniel A., a farmer of that county ; Anna, who died young in New Jersey ; and George, who died in infancy in that State. Samuel T. Flumerfelt was a son of Andrew Flumerfelt, who was born in New Jersey, of German ancestry, and spent his last days as a farmer in Sandusky county, Ohio. Our subject's paternal grandmother was a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Adamis) Decker, farming people, who spent their entire lives in Warren county, N. J. Her grandfather, Jacob Decker, Sr., was a native of Germany, and on com- ing to America at an early day located in Warren county, New Jersey.
Charles G. Flumerfelt, our subject's father, en- tered his father's blacksmith shop at the age of four- teen and there worked for seven years. He ac- companied his parents on their removal to Wyo- ming county, Penn., where he owned two farms, the first for two years, and the second for six years. After selling the latter he came to Auburn town- ship, Susquehanna county, in 1860, but in 1866 he returned to Wyoming county and bought back his farm, remaining there three years. In 1869 he pur- chased his father-in-law's farm in Rush township, Susquehanna county, upon which he lived for eight years, and then bought his present farm in the same township. For seven years he rented the place while he lived in Binghamton, N. Y., from 1887 until 1894, and there worked in a cigar-box factory, but he is now living retired upon his farm. He is a faithful member of the Free Methodist Church, and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Rush. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and he has most creditably filled the offices of constable and col- lector in Rush township; clerk in Auburn town- ship; and school director for three years in Wyo- ming county. On March 20, 1852. in Rush town- ship, he married Miss Eliza R. Shove, who was born in that township October 11, 1834, daughter of Levi and Catherine ( Dalton) Shove, natives of Connecticut and New Jersey, respectively. Her father came to Susquehanna county at the age of seventeen years and located in Rush township, chop- ping down the first tree on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Flumerfelt now live. He died April 1, 1869, aged seventy-nine years, his wife in May, 1867, aged seventy-two. and both were laid to rest in Snyder cemetery, Rush township. Their children were Eliza R., now Mrs. Flumerfelt ; Sarah, de-
ceased wife of Charles Knox; Abigail, deceased wife of George W. Lung; Edwin, who died in Ne- braska; Seth, who was killed in the battle of Get- tysburg during the Civil war ; Nancy, deceased wife of David Jane; and William, a farmer of Hum- boldt county, Iowa. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Flumerfelt are as follows: Samuel T., who married Ida Cobb, and is engaged in farming near Montrose; Sarah C., who died young; Anna D., who died at the age of five years; Emma C., wife of J. W. Lacey, a cigar-box manufacturer of Bing- hamton, N. Y .; Edwin M., who married Sarah J. France and is engaged in farming in Ararat town- ship, Susquehanna county ; Charles .L., our subject ; and Gilbert S., a cigar-box manufacturer of Bing- hamton, N. Y., who married Jennie A. Cobb.
During his infancy Charles L. Flumerfelt was taken by his parents to Wyoming county, but re- turned with them to Susquehanna county at the age of four years, being reared in Rush township. He had the advantages of a good common-school education and at the age of fifteen he began life for himself as a farm hand. Later he did rough car- penter and bridge work, being employed on the con- struction of the cantalever bridge over the Niagara river in 1883, and also a bridge at Auburn, N. Y. He worked for several years on different farms in Rush and Auburn townships, Susquehanna coun- ty; followed the carpenter's trade for two years in Binghamton, N. Y .; and in 1895 opened a butcher shop in Rush, Penn., which he conducted until tak- ing possession of his hotel in Springville on January I, 1899. It is a new building, well fitted up, and he is already securing a liberal patronage from the traveling public.
On February 10, 1886, Mr. Flumerfelt was united in marriage with Miss Alice Millard, who was born in Rush township December 2, 1865, daughter of Stephen and Ann ( Kennedy ) Millard, and they now have one son, Earl, born July 18, 1888. Polit- ically Mr. Flumerfelt is a supporter of the Repub- lican party and its principles, and socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 471, with which he united in 1897.
ANDREW BLANK, senior member of the well-known firm of the Harmony Brick Co., of Brandt Susquehanna county, is a self-made man, whose history is of unusual interest, as he came to this country a young boy and has made his way to substantial success. The firm of which lie is the head does an extensive business as manufacturers and dealers in brick and stone, and owns one of the largest clay banks in the country. the material being also of a superior quality. They have a large amount of real estate, including a number of tene- ment houses, and their enterprisc and foresight have done much to develop the locality.
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