Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 56

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 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 56
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 56

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Michael J. Stahi lived with his parents in Honesdale until twenty-six years of age, working with his father until the latter retired. when the three sons took charge of the business. Our sub- ject boated on the Delaware & Hudson eanal until twenty-two years of age, and then changed to the Erie canal, where he remained only two months, spending the two years following on the Cham- paign eanal. He then purchased the boat "St. George," at Ithaea, on Lake Ithaca, for $4.000, and the following year, at Rochester, N. Y., bought the "Anna M. Stahl" for $4.300, while the horses for running the boats cost $1,000. With his brothers he continued to engage in business until the fol- lowing spring, when he purchased their interest in the "St. George," and continued boating on the Erie eanal until 1885, in which year he sold that vessel for $350. He brought the horses to his farm in Cherry Ridge township, which he had purchased the year previous from William Gail, for $7,500, and here owned 240 acres of rich and arable land, devoting part of his attention to agricultural pursuits.

At Honesdale, Mr. Stahl was married. April 30, 1874, by Father Francis Boothe, to Miss Louisa Baumann. She was born in Indian Orchard, Wayne county, July 12, 1854, a daughter of Henry and Theresa ( Wimer ) Baumann, natives of Ger- man . the former of whom in 1848 crossed the At- lantic, and took up his residenee in Indian Orchard. In 1858 they removed to the farm in Cherry Ridge township on which one of their sons is now living. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was born August 4. 1830, a son of Michael Baumann. who spent his entire life in Germany. The mother was born in Baden. Germany, March 3. 1836, a daughter of Joseph and Isabella ( Blous) Wimer, who in 1853 came to America, spending their re- maining days in Cherry Ridge township, Wayne Co., Penn. Henry Baumann was killed at Hones- dale October 1. 1872, his horse running away, but his daughter, Mrs. Stahl, who was in the wagon

Merchael stahl,

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with him, was fortunately uninjured. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, and his remains were interred in the Lutheran cemetery at Hones- dale. His widow now lives with her daughter in Honesdale. Of their children, Charles is a farmer in Nebraska : Barbara died at the age of twelve years ; Jacob operates the old home farin; Louisa is the widow of our subject ; Henry is a farmer in Ne- braska ; Jolin lives in Omaha. Neb .; Barbara (2) lives with her mother ; Maggie wedded John Roland, and both are now deceased: Martin is a farmer in Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county ; and Michael died in infancy.

Children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stan! as follows : George M., born in Cherry Ridge, Septein- ber 25, 1875, and Barbara, born in Buffalo, N. Y., November 15, 1876, are at home; Christian, born at Hoboken, N. J., July 14, 1878, died at Buffalo, N. Y., August 20, 1879: Maggie E., born at Cherry Ridge, March 3, 1880, died August 27, 1882 ; Charles, born at Syracuse, N. Y., May 3, 1881, died at Schenectady, that State, August 26, 1882; Henry C., born at West Point, N. Y., August 13, 1883, died at Clemo, Penn., February 19, 1895; while the others, all born at Clemo, are still at home: Frank J., born January 6, 1887; Leo M., March 3, 1889; Edward A., January 16, 1891 ; and Urban J., April 7, 1894.

Although Mr. Stahl never aspired to office, he was elected school director. and efficiently served as such for nine years. Other positions were tendered him, but he declined the honor, preferring to give his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. In 1887 he was made assistant postmaster at Clemo, under E. Rickert. and in 1891, was ap- pointed postmaster, serving creditably in that in- cumbency until his death, November 4, 1897. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and was a devout member of the Catholic Church, to which his family also belong. In his business he was encouraged and assisted by his estimable wife, who indeed proved a true helpmeet to him, and by their combined efforts they secured a comfortable competence. She still presides with dignity over the pleasant home, which is neat and tastefully furnished, containing all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

G. S. TRAVIS, M. D., a talented and success- ful young medical practitioner of East Stroudsburg. Monroe county, is a representative of a family which has long been noted for ability, enterprise and public spirit. The first ancestor in the paternai line, of whom we have a definite account, was James Travis, the Doctor's great-grandfather, who was born March 11, 1775. in Westchester county, N. Y., and died February 28, 1813, at his home in Dutchess county, N. Y., from typhus fever, contracted dur- ing his service as a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, Hannah ( Coobert ). died June 11, 1814. This worthy couple had four children : Susan Ann. born

in Dutchess county, June 9, 1806; Hiram S., our subject's grandfather ; Catherine A., born March 21, 1810; and James B., born October 10, 1812.

Capt. Hiram S. Travis, the grandfather of our subject, was born October 25, 1808. in Dutchess county, N. Y., and on October 23, 1827, enlisted, at West Point, N. Y., in Company A. 2nd C. S. Artillery, for the term of five years. Soon after- ward the regiment was sent to Savannah, Ga., and quartered at Oglethorpe barracks, remaining until May, 1828, when they went to Fortress Monroe, Va., as a school of practice. In the spring of 1829, they were transferred to Fort Moultrie, S. C .. where they remained until, in the summer of 1831, they were sent to the Cherokee Nation to quell some of the disturbances between the Indians and the squat- ters ( the Cherokee Nation then embraced Tennes- see, North Carolina and Georgia, and was claimed by the Cherokee Indians ). In the fall of the same year they marched back to Fort Moultrie. and later the command was removed to Charleston, N. C., to remain until the spring of 1832. when they were ordered back to the Cherokee Nation in Tennessee and Georgia to keep peace at the gold mines between the gold diggers and the Indians, Capt. Travis re- maining until October 23, 1832, when he was dis- charged by reason of expiration of term. On go- ing to Augusta, Ga., he followed the carpen- ter's trade until the following January, when his old company came thither on account of the Nulli- fication Act of North Carolina, and Capt. Travis re-entered the service for another term of five years. Gen. Jackson, who was President at the time the Nullification Ordinance of North Carolina was passed. manned all the forts of the South, and the Captain was in the army at the time that President Jackson said lie would "Hang Governor Calhoun higher than Haman if he did not come to terms in six days." The company remained at Augusta un- til fall, and was then ordered to the Creek Nation, Alabama, going to Fort Michael, on the Chatta- hoochee, thence to Apalachee Bay by steam, and thence to Fort Wood, seventeen miles from New Orleans, where they remained until December 18, 1835. They then took ship for Florida, and on ar- rival at Tampa Bay, December 28, 1835, were or- (lered to march to Fort King. On the evening of December 29, however, one of the survivors of Major Dade's command, which had been massacred by the Seminoles, came in-this changed the plans and they fortified against the Indians and awaited re-enforcements. On January 3. 1836, Capt. Travis, with twelve men, went four miles out on the Fort King road, to see if they could see any Indians, and finding another of Dade's command, who had been wounded on the shoulder, they carried him into camp; he fortunately recovered. Re-enforcements arrived on February 10, 1836, and the little army removed to the sad but famous Dade's battle ground. encountering Indians on the way and engaging them in battle. On reaching the battle ground they found shocking evidence of the struggle. In the

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words of our hero, "Oh, God! What a sight and stench!" One hundred and six dead bodies were lying putrifying in the sun. They had to use their spades in order to remove the bodies, as they were so putrified. The company then went to Fort King, but were soon on the march again, and met and fought the Indians on the Chattahoochee, Capt. Travis doing hicroic work as a gunner. They were here surrounded by ten thousand Indians, and in his memoir the Captain says: "You had better think we had a hot time." The soldiers repelled the charges of the ten thousand Indians, but many were killed, and the Captain was wounded in the hand. The Indians then tried to starve the soldiers out, and at one time a quarter of a dog sold for ten dollars. They were surrounded from late in Feb- ruary until the 11th of March, but Gen. Clinch finally relieved them with five hundred men and ra- tions. They then rested until the 12th of April, and in the fall of 1836 Capt. Travis was put in charge of the wagon train, spending the winter of 1836-37 in that duty.

Capt. Travis' term expired in 1837, and he re- ceived a discharge, but in a short time he again en- tered the service, in the same company. His com- pany was sent to Tennessee and Arkansas, and in 1838 received orders to go to Buffalo, N. Y., to remain until the spring of 1840, when they were transferred to Trenton, N. J. While there the company was appointed "flying artillery" and sent up North river, returning later to Buffalo to guard the Canadian lines, Capt. Travis remaining until the winter of 1841, when his third term expired. He entered the service as a private, was promoted, and was honorably discharged as an officer. When the Rebellion broke out he raised seventy-seven men, and on April 23, 1861, entered the service for three months, as captain of Company B. 8th P. V. I. On his return he commenced to raise a company of cavalry, and took ninety-three men to Camp Cameron, at Harrisburg, Penn., but could . not complete the company because he did not have the money. He and his men remained at the camp until November, he serving as an offi- cer, and he then returned hom. In August. 1862, he went to Camp Luzerne, and enlisted in Company D, 14th P. V. I., as fifth sergeant, and was soon made lieutenant. He was with the Army of the Potomac until December, 1863, when, his health having failed, he was discharged on doctor's certificate at Moscow, Penn. Capt. Travis married Miss Emily Ann Coglizer (or Colckglasier), and they had the following children : Charles H .. Sam- nel. Alicc. Esther Mary, Vangildern. Zaidee, Nelly, Susan and William.

Politically he is a stanch Republican. In ISto he married Miss Elvira Gilliland, a native of. New York City, born October 3, 1850, and they have six children : G. S. (our subject ), Maude ( wife of V. L. Smith, of Nicholson), Grace, Orrin, Eli and Dorothy.

G. S. Travis, the subject proper of this sketch, was born November 18, 1870, in Lackawanna coun- ty, Penn., and during his boyhood attended the schools of the locality and the State Normal School in Tioga county. He then began the study of medi- cine with a preceptor, and after three years of pre- paratory work entered Baltimore Medical College, where he was graduated in 1896, having made his own way. On July 15, of the same year, he lo- cated at East Stroudsburg, meeting with success from the start, and he now has an extensive prac- tice, especially in surgery, in which he has shown rare ability and skill. He possesses a commanding presence, being of large build and fine proportions, and his robust constitution enables him to meet the exacting duties of his calling with ease. In December, 1896, he married Miss Ella Pelton, who was born August 18, 1870, in Salem, Wayne county, and they have one son, Reed.

Mrs. Emily Ann (Coglizer) Travis. our sub- ject's grandmother, was a member of a well-known family of Lackawanna county, Penn., the name be- ing also spelled Colckglasier in the early days. Her father, Samuel Colckglasier, was born June 15, 1799, and made his home in Scranton. where he fol- lowed the mason's trade, helping to built the first iron furnace erected at that place. He died June 27, 1872. His widow, Anna ( Biesecker), who is still living, was born in Pennsylvania. July 26, 1805, the daughter of Conrad Biesecker ( Janu- ary 20, 1781 -- April 5, 1863) and his wife Mar- garet Swarts ( November 13, 1782 -- November 24, 1862), who had sixteen children, all but one of whom lived to adult age and married. Samuel Colckglasier and his wife had the following named children : Emily Ann, born April 11, 1826: Jurah, December 5. 1827; Sarah, September 1, 1829: Jel- dia. October 11, 1831 ; Nancy Jane. September 9, 1833 : Charles, November 19. 1836; Caroline, April 17, 1839; Sanford, September 22. 1841 : George, December 1, 1843; Martha. December 2, 1845 : and John W., September 20, 1849.

ELIAS WESTGATE, deceased. was for sex- eral years one of the most progressive and public- spirited citizens of Uniondale: his support was cheerfully given to those enterprises that tend to public development and, with hardly an exception. he was connected with every interest that promoted general weliarc. His name was a synonym for hon- orable business dealing, and he was always men- tioned as one of the invaluable citizens of his com- munity.

Charles H. Travis, the father of our subject, was born May 4, 1846, and now resides in Moscow, Penn. In 1880 hic became a railroad fireman, and in 1887 he was promoted to the position of locomo- tive engineer which he still holds. He is a man of A native of Susquehanna county. Mr. Westgate was born in Clifford township. December 18. 1823. fine physique, and is much estcemed among his associates for his excellent qualities of character. . and was a son of John and Eliza Westgate. His

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boyhood was spent upon the home farm until six- teen years of age, when he commenced working for neighboring farmers, as his parents were in rather limited circumstances, and he was thus employed until after his first marriage. On November I, 1852, in Clifford township, he wedded Miss Fran- ces Crandall, who was born in Susquehanna coun- ty, October 25, 1835, and died October S, 1864, being laid to rest in the old Burdick cemetery. By that union he had four children : Mary, deceased ; Rosetta, wife of F. E. Wilcox, a farmer of Pleas- ant Mount, Penn .; Lura, wife of Edward Morgan, of Providence, Penn. ; and Frank, who married Vica Griffin, of Dakota, and resides in Uniondale.

Mr. Westgate was again married, at Pleasant Mount, Penn., January 7, 1866, his second union being with Miss Sarah A. Ryder, by whom he had no children. She was born in Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn., and is a daughter of Peter and Mary (Redgert ) Ryder, the former a native of Newburg. N. Y., the latter of Connecticut. When young they moved with their respective parents to Wayne coun- ty, where the father followed farming throughout life and also held township offices. He died in 1866, aged sixty-seven years, his wife in 1879, aged seventy-nine, and both were buried in Sherwood cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. They were earnest mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and highly respected by all who knew them. Their children were Aman- da E., who died at the age of four years; Girden, who died in infancy ; Miranda E., who married Al- bert Thomas and died in March, 1887 ; Sarah A. and Ira W., the latter of whom was postmaster and a merchant at Uniondale at the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1896.

.Mr. Westgate's first purchase consisted of a small farm in Herrick township, Susquehanna county, on which stood a dilapidated house, and there he lived for a few years. His father had given him a yoke of steers, which he used in cul- tivating his land. On selling that place he bought a larger farm in the same township, and on dispos- ing of that property, in 1873, he removed to the present home of his widow in Uniondale. Here he and his brother Robert engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, in connection with farming until the later's death, after which our subject car- ried on the business alone until 1894, when he sold out and devoted the remainder of his life to agricult- ural pursuits. He prospered in his undertakings and became the owner of four good farms. His property was all acquired through his own unaided efforts. as he started out in life for himself empty- handed and the success that he achieved was due entirely to his industry, enterprise and good man- agement. On the day of his death-August 7, 1899- lie had gone to a field to repair a fence, and was apparently in good health. but was taken with apoplexy. His funeral was conducted at his home. Rev. H. J. Crane officiating. and his remains were interred in the old Burdick cemetery, Clifford town- slip. He was a Democrat in politics and prior to

his removal to Uniondale held several township offices. He served as school director both before and after his removal, and was councilman and poor commissioner in Uniondale. His official duties were always most faithfully and satisfactorily per- fornred and won for him the commendation of the public. As a citizen he was progressive and enter- prising, aiding in many ways to build up the bor- ough; as a business man he was recognized as frank, honest and honorable ; as a friend he was true and steadfast. Socially he was genial and affable, and possessed that natural tact that ever harmonizes discordant elements. His neighbors found him accommodating, and the sick and distressed were relieved by his aid and comfort. In his own home he was kind and affectionate, and the memory of his pleasant smile and kindly voice will linger in the minds and hearts of his loved ones so long as life itself shall last.

SAMUEL FREEMAN LANE, a well-known attorney and prominent citizen of Montrose, has throughout life been identified with the interests of Susquehanna county, his birth occurring in Dim- ock township, in 1834. His father, George W. Lane, was born in Wethersfield, Vt., September 26. 1786, a son of Gersham Flagg Lane, also a native of Ver- mont and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The latter became one of the early settlers of Dimock township, Susquehanna county, but died in Spring- ville, the same county. His wife, Sally Thomas, was a native of Rhode Island. George W. Lane was reared in Vermont and on coming to Pennsyl- vania took up his residence in Dimock township, Susquehanna county. In 1808, in Wyoming coun- ty, this State, he married Miss Sally Ousterhout, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Dimock township about 1815. She left two children: Stil- man, who died in Tunkhannock, Penn., at the age of twenty-one years ; and Olive, who married Eze- kiel H. Gage, and died in 1896. at the age of eighty years. The father was again married, in 1820, in Vermont, to Miss Olive Newton, a native of that State, and a daughter of Jason and Submit ( Alex- ander) Newton, who were born in Vermont and came to Susquehanna county in 1832. spending their last days in Dimock township. George W. Lane opened up a farm in that township and continued its operation throughout life. He was one of the leading and prominent citizens of his community and a Whig in politics. He died in New Milford townshp, Susquehanna county, September 26. 1873. and his second wife in Franklin township. June 7. 1864. To them were born eight children. nameix: Eveline, who died in infancy; Mary. Mrs. D. L. North, who died in Liberty township. in January, 1804: Newton A., who enlisted in the same con- pany and regiment as our subject. was honorably discharged from a hospital March 15. 1863. as ser- geant. and died in Thomas county. Kan .. in 1888: Loretta, who married Caleb Alexander. a native of Boston, Mass., a soldier of the Civil war and a mu-

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sician, who died in New York City, and she is now living in Susquehanna county; Otis, who died in April, 1838, at the age of eight years; H. J., Mrs. Thomas Rogers, who lived in Silver Lake township, Susquehanna county, and died in October, 1893 (of her four children two are now living) ; Samuel F., our subject ; Emma J., who is a teacher of note, now engaged in the Syracuse University, and is the widow of Rev. D. C. Olm- sted, a Methodist minister, who was presiding elder of the Wyalusing district for four years, the Hones- dale district for the same length of time and had other charges in the same conference, dying at Nanticoke, Penn., in 1888.

Reared in Dimock township, Samuel F. Lane obtained his early education in its district schools, in 1857 attended the Montrose Academy, and the following year was a student in the Normal Sehool at Montrose. He then engaged in farm- ing and sehool teaching in the county, and prior to entering the service of his country during the Re- bellion, he read law with Nahum Newton, of Mont- rose . In July, 1861, he laid aside all personal in- terests and enlisted at Harrisburg, as a private in Company A, Ist Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry, for three years or during the war. He was mustered into the State service at that place, and into the United States service at Washingon, D. C., where the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac. He participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station, seeond battle of Bull Run, the engagement at Bristow Station, Fremont's raid up the valley after Stonewall Jackson. Our subjeet led the advance guard following General Lee the Sunday morning after the battle of Gettys- burg, and participated in many battles and skir- mislies. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in February, 1864, was transferred to the United States Signal Corps, being stationed at Gen. Grant's headquarters, He took part in the Wilderness cam- paign and was honorably discharged at the head- quarters of the signal corps near the Weldon rail- road, Va., August 1, 1864, but remained with the army until it was disbanded, participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., and returned to Susquehanna county in the fall of 1865, with a war record, of which he may be justly proud.

Mr. Lane then resumed the study of law and was admitted to the Bar at the January term of eourt in 1879, since which time he has engaged in the practice of his profession. In politics he was a Republiean until 1878. since which time he has been independent. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1866, and most ereditably and acceptably filled that office for three years. In 1870 he purchased a farm in New Milford township, to which lie re- moved in 1873, but in August. 1877, returned to Montrose, where he has since engaged in practice and other business. On September 7, 1800, at the State convention of the People's party, Mr. Lane was nominated for justiee of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

In Benton township, Lackawanna Co., Penn., November 14, 1866, Mr. Lane was united in mar- riage with Miss Kate A. Wells, a native of Lu- zerne county, Penn., and a daughter of John Wells, an extensive farmer of that county. Ot this union seven children were born, namely: Grace A. ; Olm- sted, who was killed by a horse December 24. 1878; Jesse; Bruce, who died at the age of eight months ; Enima May; Walter F., and Pauline.

Mr. Lane is a charter member of Four Brothers Post No. 453, G. A. R .; is librarian of the Susque- hanna County Historical Society ; president of the Equitable Aid Union Insurance Co., and also presi- dent of the Montrose Farmers Alliance & Industrial Union. It will thus be seen that he is quite popular socially and has the confidenee and respeet of his fel- low citizens. When Mr. Lane was discharged from the service, he was presented, unsolicited, with a very strong letter, signed by all his regimental offic- ers, and addressed to Gov. Curtin, recommending him as eminently qualified to have an important com- mission in the military service of his country, which was never presented to the Governor on account of the sickness of his brother. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school and as trustee of the Church, and has taken an active and leading part in all church work. He has mani- fested the same loyalty in days of peace as in time of war and a trust reposed in him has never been misplaced.

ELDER WILLIAM SPANGENBERG, re- tired farmer and local minister, whose residence is in Lake township, Wayne county, comes of an old and honored German family in this country, and first known in the State of New Jersey.

A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born January 7, 1828, in Jefferson township, Luzerne county, 'a great-grandson of William Spangenberg, who was a wealthy man, for several years proprietor of a meat market in Hanover, Germany. He never eame to this country. Frederick Spangenberg, son of the above, and the grandfather of our subject, was born in Hanover, whenee in an early day he came to this country, settling on a farm in Sussex coun- ty. N. J. John Spangenberg, son of Frederiek, and the father of our subject, was born in Sussex coun- ty, and was there twice married. first time to Mary Fargo, by whom he had six children: Henry. Thomas, Abbie ( who married Alonzo Collins. now deceased), Susan (who married Daniel Osgood, now deceascd), John, and Abner ( retired farmer of Jefferson township, Lackawanna county), all now deceased except the last named. The mother of these dying. John Spangenberg for his second wife wedded Mary Bronson, of Schoharie county, N. Y., and they not long afterward came to Wayne county. Children were born to this marriage as follows : George, Eunice (who married Philip Merringer ). Amos, Phoebe ( who married Ephraim Swingle, now deeeased ), Hannah (wife of Mareus Day, a retired

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 56

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