Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 60

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 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 60
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 60

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On November 9, 1879, Mr. Ace married Miss Hattie Arndt, who was born August 18, 1853, in Stroud township, daughter of Mary and Benjamin Arndt, prominent residents of that locality. After his marriage Mr. Ace made his home for a time in Snydersville, where he was then engaged in business. His wife has proved herself a worthy helpmeet in adversity as well as prosperity. and he acknowl- edges the value of her advice and encouragement with true manly pride. Three children have blessed the union: ( I) Claude B., born at Snydersville, March 17, 1881, was partially educated in the local schools, and later took a course in the East Strouds- burg State Normal School, graduating in 1898. He taught two school years in the schools of Para- dise township, and is now ( 1900) engaged in the grocery business at Easton, Penn., in partnership with E. M. Arndt, under the firm name of Arndt & Ace. (2) Cora B., born August 19. 1886, is at home; and (3) Mabel P., born May 5, 1889, is attending the local schools.

ERASTUS V. D. COOK (deceased) was a well known farmer and carpenter of Great Bend township, Susquehanna county, and one of its highly respected and honored citizens.

MIr. Cook was born in Oxford. N. Y., October 15, 1827. a son of Worthy and Polly Cook. of that place, who at an early day removed to Tunkhan- nock. Penn .. where both died. The father was a miller by trade. In their family were eight chil- dren: William married and moved West. where he died; Eliza was the wife of a Mr. Lewis, of New York State: Julia married Daniel Abbott. and now resides in Elk Lake. Susquehanna county ; Mary was the wife of Christian Shelp. of Elk Lake. where she died, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. H. Stone, of South Montrose: Derias is a resident of Tunkhannock : E. V. D. is mentioned below : Alan- son is a resident of Binghamton. N. Y .: and Jolin makes his home in Susquehanna county.

When a boy Erastus V. D. Cook came to Elk Lake, Susquehanna county, where he grew to man- hood and received a district-school education. When a young man hie learned the carpenter's and miller's trades, which he followed for some time. He was married, in March, 1849. to Miss Zipporah Mack, of Dimock. Susquehanna county, a daughter

of Henry and Abbie Mack, who were born near Wilkes Barre, Luzerne Co., Penn .. and after their marriage removed to Dimock township. Susque- hanna county, where the father purchased a farmi and engaged in its operation until 1859. He lived an earnest Christian life, was a member of the Pres- byterian Church for a number of years. and was a man who stood high in his community, having many friends. After his death his wife lived with her children until she passed away, at Hallstead. in 1883. In their family were nine children. of whom, (I) Elias, the eldest, was a carpenter by trade. He married Jane Springer, of Dimock, and they had three children-William. Ella and Elmer. He purchased a place in Binghamton, and died there in 1890." (2) Mrs. Cook was second in the order of birth. " (3) Louisa is the wife of Alfred Springer. of Susquehanna county. (4) Jethrow, born on the old homestead in Dimock township, married Caroline Lee, of New York State. and located in Hallstead, where he died in 1898, leaving two sons, Franklin and Rossell, who still reside there. (5) Ovid married Amanda Dodge, of New York State, and they now reside in Binghamton, N. Y .. where he is employed as baggage master on the D. & H. railroad. They have one daughter, Cora, now the wife of Charles Singleton, of Binghamton. (6) Lucelia was the wife of James Jeston. of Scranton, Penn .. where she died leaving two children. Henry and Mrs. Abby Brunk, of Scranton. (7) Wealthy married Henry Talmage, of Hallstead. and died leaving one son. Earl, of that place. (8) Henry married Adelaide Sweet, of Springville, Penn .. and they now reside in Carbon county, this State. Their children are Grace (wife of C. Bacon, of that county), Vernie. Harry and Finly. (9) Asa. a railroad engineer, married Jane Simpson, of Hor- nellsville, N. Y., where they reside.

For a number of years after his marriage Mr. Cook lived in Dimock township, and then moved to Broome county, N. Y., residing for a time at Willow Point Mills. and later purchasing a place at Vestal. where he made his home for several years. Selling that property, he purchased in Binghamton. where he remained some years, in 1873 trading for hotel property in Hallstead. known as the "Mit- chell House." After a few years. however. he traded for another place in Binghamton. and in 1883 he traded for the farm in Great Bend township, two miles west of Hallstead, on the Susquehanna river, where his widow now resides. There he suc- cessfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. which occurred in February. 1886. Polit- ically he was identified with the Republican party. and religiously both himself and wife were earnest members of the Baptist Church of Binghamton. For a number of years he was a member of the Ma- sonic Fraternity in Binghamton. N. Y .. and as an honest. upright man. he was well thought of in the community where he made his home. and had the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in

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contact. He was very popular, and was promi- nently identified with many interests of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born two children, namely: (1) Lottie, born in Susquehanna county, in 1851, was educated at Montrose and Binghamton, and married Henry Howard, of Broome county, N. Y. They resided in Binghamton, where she died in 1873. (2) Henry B., born in September, 1853, died in Binghamton, in April. 1871. In 1879 Mr. and Mrs. Cook adopted a son, named Byron, then two years old, whom they reared as their own. He received a good education in the schools of Bing-' hamton, N. Y., and Great Bend township, Susque- hanna county, and for several years before his death, in August, 1899, was employed as brakeman on the- Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, run- ning between Hallstead and Scranton. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen of Hallstead, and was a Republican in politics.

J. B. CHALKER, a worthy and honored cit- izen of Liberty township, Susquehanna county, who has throughout his active business life been iden- "tified with its agricultural and industrial interests, was born in that township, in 1816, a son of Sam- uel and Mercy ( Webster ) Chalker.

Samuel Chalker was born in Saybrook, Conn., in 1768, and was one of a family of four sons, the others being Daniel, Joseph and Charles, all of whom came to Susquehanna county and made their home in Choconut township until called from this life. Before coming to Pennsylvania Samuel Chalk- er married Miss Mercy Webster, and they began their life in Susquehanna county upon a wild tract of land in Franklin township, which he commenced to clear and improve. Later he removed to Chalker Hill, where he lived for some time, but he spent his last days in Brookdale, where he died in 1843; his wife survived him a few years, passing away in 1849. To this worthy couple were born thirteen children, of whom eleven grew to maturity, namely : Sarah, born in Franklin township, Susquehanna county, married Lewis Trudesdale, a farmer of Broome county, N. Y., where both died. Polly mar- ried Dr. Daniel Adams, and located near Brook- dale, Susquehanna county, where they died leaving a family. Joseph married and located in Liberty township, where he still resides with his daugh- ter, MIrs. Charles Butts. Betsy was the wife of William Minkler, of Silver Lake. Susquehanna county, where both died, leaving one daughter, now a resident of Idaho. Samnel married a Miss Web- ster, and both died at Silver Lake, leaving three children, Mercy married James Travis, a farmer of Liberty township, where they died leaving three sons, one of whom, Melon, is still- a resident of that township. Harriet was the wife of Ebenezer Carter, who settled near Brookdale. Susquehanna county, where they died leaving one son and one daughter, now residents of Binghamton, N. Y. Catherine, born in Liberty township, married Isaac

Travis, and located on a farm near Brookdale, where he died in 1876, and where she still resides ; their three children are also residents of the county. J. B., our subject, is next in the order of birth. Cru- cia married Alfred Ross, and located on a farm in Liberty township, where they died leaving two chil- dren, one of whom, Frank, is still a resident of the county. Alanson married Hannah Hinchman, and lived for some time in Brookdale, but later made their home in Broome county, N. Y., where they reared a family of eight children. Maria and Ealy both died young.

The father of this family was a great hunter, .fearless and courageous, and would often lie out all night, alone in the unbroken wilderness, when in search of wild game, hunting all kinds then found in this region. He killed as many as one hundred bears, and two panthers. In 1805. while living in Franklin township, 'he had an exciting adventure with a bear. He had cleared and put in about two acres of corn, when he was taken sick with the ague. and after recovering from that he suffered from a nervous fever which lasted all summer. About the Ist of August his wife, thinking the corn was advanced enough to be eaten, went down to the field to get some for dinner. On her return she reported that the coons and squirrels were mak- ing sad havoc with the corn, pulling it down and tearing off the ears, and Mr. Chalker said if she would get a shotgun of a neighbor, he being still very weak, he would try and get a squirrel. Mrs. Chalker having procured a gun, he went to the field, and had just stepped over a fallen tree when Bruin made his appearance. The animal raised himself on his haunches, and made for Mr. Chalker with "open arms" and mouth, but he had the pres- ence of mind to thrust the barrel of the gun down the bear's mouth and pull the trigger. The animal dropped dead, a hole blown through the top of its head. Mrs. Chalker got two of the neighbors to draw the bear home and dress it, giving them half of the meat for their trouble, and the balance was used by the Chalkers and given to other neighbors.

Samuel Chalker was also instrumental in cap- turing the perpetrator of the first robbery in Sus- quehanna county. In the year 1819 or 1820 a man living in or near Montrose was robbed of $400 and left for dead. A passer-by, hearing groans, found him lying insensible. by a log, and atter he had been cared for the neighbors turned out to look for the criminal. He was overtaken by a Mr. Lyons. who in the struggle that followed had his arm cut. the robber, who was named Roberts, escaping. No- tices of the robbery and escape of the robber were posted in many public places, and Mr. Chalker saw one at Great Bend. The evening of the same day a man came to his house and called for his supper. throwing down two shillings to pay for same. Mr. Chalker, who was at work at his shoemaker's benchi. was led to suspect the man by his guilty appearance, and John Holmes, one of the neiglibors, coming in,

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he set a chair for him against the door, making him a sign to sit there and hold the door. Roberts walked across the room two or three times, and finally ordered Holmes out of his way, threatening to stab him. He was very angry, and as Mr. Holmes did not move he made a thrust at him, but struck a button. Mr. Chalker jumped and threw Roberts, and Mrs. Chalker, running for the bridle, made a slip noose which she slipped over his head, drawing it as hard as she could (and she was a very strong woman). With the help of their daughter Betsy they soon had the man securely tied ( Holmes being told not to leave the door for fear a confeder- ate might be near), and the next morning he was taken to jail. His trial came off soon after- ward, and he was sentenced to forty years' impris- onment in State Prison; but he lived only two years.

J. B. Chalker, the subject of this review, passed his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, assist- ing his father in its operation as soon as old enough, and acquiring his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1840 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Hinchman, of Liberty township, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Bartin and Polly Hinchman, who removed from that State to Brookdale, Susquehanna county, in 1839. After his marriage Mr. Chalker located on land which he owned, at Brookdale, Liberty town- ship, living there until 1853, when he purchased his present farm near Lawsville. In connection with the work of clearing and cultivating the wild land, he engaged in lumbering until 1882, since which time he has given his attention wholly to ag- ricultural pursuits. He has been called upon to mourn the death of his estimable wife, who depart- ed this life in October, 1894. She was a consistent Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for a number of years, and was loved and respected by all who knew her.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chalker. (1) Jacob, born in January, 1841, re- ceived a fair education in the Brookdale schools, and married Sarah Post, of Allegany county, N. Y., where they now reside. They have two sons, Nor- man and Harry. (2) Porter, born August 4, 1842, died in June, 1894. He married Katie Hall, who died, leaving one daughter, Alice, now the wife of George Howard, of Conkling Forks, Broome Co., N. Y., and for his second wife he wedded a Miss Hughes, by whom he had two children, Ray and Frank, both residents of Scranton, Penn. (3) William, born in May, 1844, attended the district school of Brookdale, and remained with his father until he was married, in November, 1869, to Miss Elsie Butts, a daughter of Isaac Butts, an old and highly-respected citizen of Liberty township. They located on their farm near Brookdale, but since his mother's death they have returned to the old homestead, and he has taken charge of his father's interests. They have two children, Ariette and

Jolin M., both grown. (4) Samuel, born in Au- gust, 1857, died October 18, 1861.

Politically Mr. Chalker has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and he has been lion- ored with a number of local offices, which he has most creditably and acceptably filled, being constable five or six years, poormaster for a number of years, and also tax collector, school director and super- visor. He was reared in the Presbyterian Church, of which his parents were lifelong members. Grow- ing to manliood amid pioneer scenes, he lias taken an active and prominent .part in the growth and de- velopment of this section of the State, and his name should be among the foremost on its rolls of hon- ored pioneers.

In his younger years our subject, like his father, was a noted hunter and expert marksman, and has killed many deer, bears, panthers, wolves, etc. When he was a small boy his father gave him a lamb to raise. A wolf known as the "three-footed wolf," that was especially destructive among the flocks, came one night and killed the lamb, and young Chalker swore vengeance on her then and there, this being the circumstance that started him on his wolf hunt in after years. She and her whelps had killed as many as sixty in a single night, for Dr. Rose, of Silver Lake, and corresponding nun- bers front smaller flocks throughout the adjoining townships. Dr. Rose determined to exterminate the marauders, called several wolf hunts to drive them in swamps or wind falls, that they might be killed, and at one time they had as many as seven wolves in one swamp, surrounded by hundreds of men. Many shots were fired, but not a wolf was hit.

When Mr. Chalker was about sixteen years of age he earned money, by splitting one thousand rails and underbrushing seven acres of land, and pur- chased a gun. He immediately commenced prac- ticing by shooting at a mark, and trying his hand at killing deer and foxes, and. as practice makes perfect, he in course of time became a very good shot. In the year 1835, while going to school at Brookdale, he came across the wolf track. With Watson and David Bailey he left school and started on the chase, the others giving up tired out after three days. Many others participated. but would give up after two or three days' chase. The wolf's bed, where she had stopped the night before, would be found in the morning, so there was no difficulty in keeping the track, and after nineteen days' chase she was driven past our subject by a man named Jack Greek. He started her out of her bed, and after running about one hundred rods she came within about twenty-five rods of Mr. Chalker, who fired at her while she was on the run, the bullet pass- ing through her body. After the shot she ran about one mile and a half, and then went into a hollow log, where he "finished" her. She was said. by the oldest hunters, to have been the largest wolf ever killed in this section of the country. The skin was sold to Dr. Rose, of Silver Lake, the same gentleman

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who had hunted her years before. There was a . bounty on wolves and other beasts of prey, but Mr. Chalker being a resident of Pennsylvania, and hav- ing killed the wolf in New York State, could get a bounty in neither State, the York State officials re- fusing to notice him, and the grand jury of Penn- sylvania ruling him out.

MISS EMILY C. BLACKMAN, of Montrose, Susquehanna county, is one of the well-known char- acters of northern Pennsylvania. Her father, the late Dr. Josiah Blackman, son of Josiah and Clarissa (Camp) Blackman, was born in 1794, in Newtown, Conn., and there read medicine under Dr. Gideon. Shepard. In 1816 he received his diploma to prac- tice from the Connecticut Medical Society, and set- tled the same year in practice at Gilbertsville, N. Y., remaining there until 1829, when he removed to Binghamton, and in 1836 to Montrose. Hcre he continued in practice until his death, in 1875. He was actively interested in the Susquehanna County Medical Society during his long practice in the county, and held various offices in same, being president in 1857 and 1858. He was elected coroner of the county in 1857. He was a plain, unassuming man, kind and generous, and as a Christian gentle- man and citizen commanded the greatest confidence and esteem. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church, of which he was an elder thirty-five years. Dr. Blackman married, in 1820, Emily Don- aldson. of Butternuts, N. Y., who died in 1864. Of their three daughters, Emily C., the subject of this sketch, survives.

Miss Emily C. Blackman was born July 15, 1826, at Gilbertsville, N. Y. Her early education was obtained principally at the Montrose Academy, in which at the early age of fifteen years she be- came an assistant teacher. Later she taught at Towanda and at Chester, Penn .; and she also taught in the schools of Wisconsin and Illinois. From 1866 to 1868 she was a teacher in the Freedman's school, at Okolona, Miss. Miss Blackman has been a student all her life. the greater part of which has been devoted to teaching, and in addition to other branches she taught music, having studied in both New York and Philadelphia. She is able to read the Testament in ten different languages : is of a literary turn of mind; and in 1873 published a history of Susquehanna county, a most carefully compiled and meritorious work, in the preparation of which she spent four years of carncst and painstaking re- search and labor. Competent critics have pro- nounced it a most excellent and commendable work. Miss Blackman has lived an earnest and useful life. She has travelled extensively, and hecn a frequent contributor. to the local press, of articles and letters, relating to points visited, which have been instruc- tive and interesting. She has crossed the continent twice, and has been abroad twice, in 1878 and 1889. Since 1800, owing to failing health, she has spent nine winters and four sunimers in Florida.

An earnest Christian, Miss Blackman has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since twelve years of age, and all through life has been active in Church work and its auxiliary societics. She has been identified with Home and Foreign Mis- sions, was active during the Civil war in the Soldiers' Aid Society and Sanitary Commission, the Freed- man's Aid, and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

GEORGE R. COOL, one of the prosperous self-made men of Auburn township. Susquehanna county, has resided on his present place for over forty years, during which time he has gained an enviable. standing among the substantial citizens of his locality for progress and thrift, and he has taken an active part in the advancement of this region, which he has seen converted from a comparative wilderness to its present beautiful and fertile con- dition.

Mr. Cool was born in Warren county, N. J., July 31, 1826, son of William and Catherine ( White) Cool, natives of the same county, who came to Susquehanna county in 1848, settling in Auburn township. William Cool was a lifelong farmer. He and his wife died at South Auburn. he in 1875, at the age of seventy-eight years, she in 1887, at the age of ninety-two. Their remains rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. They were members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Cool was a Mason of high stand- ing. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, viz. : Harrison, who died young : Ann M., wife of Milton Lott, a farmer of Auburn township; George R .; Amy, who died young: Riason. de- ceased ; Martha, widow of George France, of Wilkes Barre, Penn .; and Susan, wife of Rufus Carter, a farmer of Auburn township. Mr. Cool's paternal grandparents, Paul C. and Susan ( Raub) Cool, were natives of Germany and New Jersey, respect- ively, and were engaged in farming in New Jersey, dying in Warren county, that State. His maternal grandparents, William and Amy ( Runion ) White, were natives of New Jersey, and passed their cios- ing years in Susquehanna county, dying in Auburn township.

George R. Cool remained with his parents up to the age of twenty-five years, receiving his edu- cation in the public schools, and his agricultural training on the home farm, which he then pur- chased. in partnership with his brother Riason. They worked it together for one year, at the end of that time dividing the property, on which our subject remained for five years longer. cultivating liis share. On March 10, 1858. he took up his resi- (lence on the farm in Auburn where he has since lived, a tract originally comprising fifty-three acres, which at that time was almost in its primi- tive condition. and on which he lived for twenty years in a log cabin. He subsequently added another fifty-three acres. Thanks to Mr. Cool's industry, the place has gradually become cleared and culti- vated, and it is now a valuable piece of land. pro-

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ductive and beautiful, and he has a comfortable farm and home, which he has literally taken out of the wilderness. He has made numerous improve- ments on the property, as its appearance testifies, and he has been thoroughly systematic and up-to-date in all his farming operations, with results that liave justified all his methods. He has deserved all the prosperity which has rewarded his efforts, and he is highly respected throughout the township, where he is well known. In political sentiment he is a Democrat.

On February 21, 1852, Mr. Cool was married, in Rush township, to Miss Mary Stone, and their family consists of three children, namely: Macrina, who married Smith Dornblazer, of Auburn town- ship; John F., who married Emma Allen, of South Montrose, Penn., and Alice, wife of Abram Lake. a farmer of Bridgewater township. Mrs. Cool was born October 29, 1832, in Warren county, N. J., a daughter of Daniel and Alice ( Witzel ) Stone. the former of whom was the son of Richard Stone. born in Ireland, whocame to America to take part in the Revolutionary war, and subsequently remained in this country. Mrs. Cool's maternal grandparents, William and Martha Witzel, were lifelong residents of Monroe county, Penn. Daniel and Alice ( Wit- zel) Stone removed from Monroe county, Penn., their native place, to New Jersey, and thence in 1850 came to Susquehanna county, Penn., settling in Auburn township. The father was a shocmaker by occupation. He was born in June, 1789, and died March 30, 1891, the mother preceding him to the grave in 1869, at the age of eighty-four years. They were laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. In re- ligious faith they were members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Cool was the eldest daughter in their family of four children, viz. : Abraham, a farmer of Spring- ville township; Mary, Mrs. Cool: Eliza. wife of Isaac Low, of Rush township ; and Gideon, who died in 1897.

GILES ANDREW FIKE, M. D., is a skilled physician and surgeon of Dundaff Borough, Susque- hanna county, one whose knowledge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and whose ability in applying its principles to the needs of suffering humanity has gained for him an enviable prestige in professional circles.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 60

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