Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 64

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 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 64
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 64

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of the model farms of the township. The family is prominent in the best social circles of the vicinity, its members being both talented and cultured.

MYRON M. MOON, proprietor of Moon's Mills, in New Milford township. Susquehanna coun- ty, is an able and successful business man and as a progressive citizen he takes an influential part in local affairs, being now in his fifth term of service as township treasurer.

Mr. Moon is of New England ancestry in the paternal line, his grandfather, Asa Moon, and his wife, who was a Miss Salisbury, having both been natives of Vermont. They came to this section in pioneer times, and resided for many years in Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, but later they re- moved to Hornellsville, N. Y. The grandfather, who died at the age of seventy-six years, was a farmer by occupation, and also conducted a sawmill and gristmill. Of his sons, Daniel A. was our sub- ject's father ; Asa is deceased; and William resides in Michigan. There was also a son by a second marriage, named Oscar, now a railway engineer residing in Wisconsin.

Daniel A. Moon, our subject's father, was born near Rutland, Vt., and came to Pennsylvania with his parents when only eight years old. As a boy he learned the miller's trade, and for two years was engaged in that business at Providence, Penn., near Scranton. In 1858 he removed to Lenoxville, Sus- quehanna county, where he remained three years, and for fifteen years he resided at Uniondale, where he bought property, and also built a mill in partner- ship with George Arnold. At the end of that time he located at our subject's present homestead. A year and a half later he went to Montrose to reside for two years, but the remainder of his life was spent at the homestead. He followed the miller's trade throughout his life, and in 1878 he purchased our subject's present mill from F. Whipple, the business being continued by him until his health failed. He died October 18. 1895. aged sixty-six years, and was buried at New Milford. In 1849 he was married at Mt. Pleasant, Penn., to Miss Jane T. Rogers, who survives him and resides in the homestead adjoining the mill property, where they lived for a time, afterward settling in that locality. They had two sons, of whom our subject is the younger. Charles T., born July 12. 1850, went to South America in 1889 and has never since been heard from.

Mrs. Jane T. (Rogers) Moon was born June 20, 1828, at Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county. the daugh- ter of Samuel and Ruby (Mumford) Rogers. Her father, who was a native of Connecticut. was a mer- chant and shoemaker by occupation. He died in 1842, aged thirty-four years, and was buried at Cincinnati, Ohio, and his wife died September 23. 1887, at the age of eighty-three, her remains being interred in Mumford cemetery. at Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county. They had the following children :

it S f

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Ruby R., who married John Tabor Rood, of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, who is now deceased, and she lives with her son in Chicago: Mary E., de- ceased, who married George Cooper; Esther A., widow of Ezra R. Brown, of Scranton, Penn. ; Jane T., our subject's mother ; Thomas S., deceased, who settled in Arkansas, and Charles H., a resident of Carbondale.

Myron M. Moon was born March 15, 1860, at Uniondale, Susquehanna county, and during boy- hood became familiar with all the details of a mil- ler's work. At twenty-two he was taken into part- nership with his father, and after one year he went into business with his father-in-law, Lewis W. Ten- nant, with whom he continued three years. He then operated a mill at Glen Wood, Susquehanna county, for four years, but has since conducted his present mill, which he purchased from his father- in-law. Politically he was a strong Republican, and he and his family are prominent in the work of the Presbyterian Church at New Milford. In March, 1882, he was married, in New Milford town- ship, to Miss Lizzie M. Tennant, a native of that locality, and a daughter of Lewis W. and Sarah A. ( Watson) Tennant. One son, Roy R., and one daughter, Mildred M., brighten our subject's home.

THEODORE CUYLER DAVIS, a respected resident of Auburn township, Susquehanna coun- ty, where he carries on general farming and dairy- ing, was born May 4,- 1854, in that township, son of Rudolphus S. and Rebecca ( Bunnell ) Davis, the former of whom was a prominent citizen of the neighborhood in his day.

Rudolphus S. Davis was born January 1, 1819, in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, Penn., son of Isaac and grandson of John Davis, who was born in Wales some 150 years ago and came to America in an early day, and married Sallie Bebee.

Isaac Davis was born in 1777 in New London county, Conn. He married Mary Schoonover, who was born April 16. 1792, daughter of Rudolphus Schoonover, a native of Holland, and of their family all are now deceased. Dorothy was twice married, first to a Mr. Smith and second to James Pratt. of Monroe county ; Cecelia became the wife of Joseph Ellis, who went West: John : Rudolphus Schoon- over was the father of our subject: Hannah mar- ried Samuel Van Gorden, of Auburn township: Charles R. and Daniel are the next mentioned : and Clark E. was a resident of Auburn township. Isaac Davis made his home in Middle Smithfield. Monroe Co., Penn .. near Bushkill, for some years, in 1834 locating in Wyoming county, and thence in 1836 coming to Auburn township. Susquehanna county. Here he took up sixty-six acres of wild land ( only half an acre of which had been cleared ), which has ever since been owned by the family, and the greater part of which he put under cultivation. lle died in 1849, while visiting in Philadelphia, his wife sur- viving until November 11, 1879.

Rudolphus S. Davis was reared to farming. which he followed principally throughout life, in- heriting the homestead in Auburn township. He was an intelligent and upright man, and enjoyed to an unusual extent the conhdence of his neighbors and friends, and he attended to considerable law work, also holding various township offices to the satisfaction of all. He was a school director, su- pervisor and auditor, and as a stanch Republican represented that party at various public gatherings, receiving many honors at the hands of his fellow citizens, who respected and esteemed him highly. In June, 1848, in Meshoppen township. Wyoming county, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Rebecca Bunnell, who was born May 23, 1822, daughter of Isaac and Annie ( Overfield ) Bunnell, and they had a family of six children, viz. : Annie died at the age of sixteen years; Orra, unmarried. lives at the old home; Theodore C. is the subject of this sketch ; Bertha, unmarried, lives at the homestead : one died in infancy; and Henry Winter died at the age of twenty-five years.

Theodore C. Davis grew to manhood in the township of his birth, receiving his education in the public schools, and from early boyhood was trained to agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty- three he began farming on his own account. renting land until in 1894 he purchased the farm of fifty acres in Auburn which he has since occupied. It was nearly all improved when it came into his pos- session, and he has continued to change as the de- mands of his work suggest and his means al- low, until the property is fast becoming one of the neatest and best cultivated places in the neighbor- hood. In addition Mr. Davis rents seventy acres belonging to his mother and cultivates same, by energetic industry and systematic management gaining a comfortable competence from his agri- cultural interests. He has engaged to some extent in sheep raising and dairying, at present keeping ten cows, all young stock. He is a member of the Five States Milk Association.

On September 29, 1876, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Shoemaker, who was born May 6, 1858, daughter of Bronson H. and Sarah ( Kirkhuff ) Shoemaker, of Rush township. Susquehanna county, where they settled soon after marriage. MIr. Shoemaker is a native of Corning. N. Y., born July 2. 1836, and his wife was born March 31, 1837. in Warren county, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had four children, all vet living at home, namely: Frank Rudolphus, born April 29. 1877, who assists his father on the farm: Nina. born December 17, 1878: William B .. born October 20. 1880; and Orie Margaret, born November 29. 1895. Socially Mr. Davis holds membership with the Patriotic Order Sons of America. His political support is given to the Republican party. and though he is not a politician by any means his public-spir- ited interest in the welfare of his community has caused him to be chosen to local office, and he has ved faithfully as supervisor, one year, and as

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member of the vigilance committec. He is a man of strict honesty and upright principles, and has the respect of all who know him.

HOWARD PENTECOST JOHNS, one of the most enterprising and successful merchants of Forest City, Susquehanna county, was born near Prompton, Wayne county, April 3, 1871, the only child of James and Mary Anna ( Pentecost) Johns. James Johns, the father, was born in South Wales in 1838, and at the age of seventeen emigrated to America with his brother, Benjamin Johns, and to- gether they located near Honesdale, Penn. During the Civil war James Johns enlisted in Company C, 67th P. V. I., and served for three years. He was taken prisoner at Winchester, Va., and spent three days in Libby prison, and two months on Belle Island. At the close of the war he engaged in the lumber sawmill business in Pennsylvania and fol- lowed milling until recent years, when he retired from active life and now resides at Honesdale. Himself and wife have been devoted and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Howard P. attended the public schools and liis education was supplemented with a course at Kings- ton Academy. His education finished, lie entered business with his father and soon acquired knowl- edge and proficiency in the lumber trade. The mer- cantile life attracted him and in 1892 he opened a store at Forest City, which he has ever since con- ducted with profit to himself and advantage to his numerous customers. Mr. Johns was married in 1895 to Miss Josephine Alexander, of Carbondale. They have two children, Maurice and Howard Pen- tecost, Jr. In politics Mr. Johns is a Republican, and has been elected by his fellow citizens to the borough council. He attends the Methodist Episco -. pal Church, and socially is affiliated with the Car- bondale Lodge No. 249, F. & A. M.

WILLIAM JAMES CRONK, an enterprising farmer of Rush township, Susquehanna county, was born in Rush township, March 15, 1871, son of Samuel E. and Louanna (Lung) Cronk. In his youth Mr. Cronk received an excellent common- school education, and he attended the High School at Montrose. At the age of eighteen he taught a term of school in Dimock township, Susquehanna, and then devoted his attention to farming. He was married on March 21, 1894, at Binghamton, N. Y., to Miss May McKeeby, who was born in Jessup township, August 31, 1872, daughter of George T. McKeeby, a prominent citizen of that township. To our subject and wife have been born two children, Louanna D. and George L. In politics Mr. Cronk is a Republican. He occupies the old homestead and is a successful young farmer.

C. L. BROWN, one of the leading agricult- urists of Springville township, Susquehanna county, was born in Wyoming county, this State, February 24, 1858, and is descended from an old New York

family. His grandfather, James Brown, was a na- tive of the Empire State, and there married Miss Kilnier, a cousin of the famous Dr. Kilmer, of Binghanıton, N. Y. On coming to Pennsylvania, the grandfatlier located in Scott township, Luzerne county, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. His children were James, Jo- siah, Gilbert; Lewis, the father of our subject ; Hen- ry ; Eli; George; Frances, wife of Samuel Smith, of Luzerne county; Mary Ann, wife of James Gid- dings, of Iowa; Lydia, wifc of Alva Johnson, of Lackawanna county, Penn .; Diana, wife of T. J. Akerley, of the same county ; Lucinda, wife of Oli- ver Johnson, of Lackawanna county; and Phoebe A., wife of Jolin Akerley, of Lackawanna county.

Lewis Brown, our subject's father, was born in New York State, but was reared in Luzerne county, Penn., now Lackawanna county. In Scott township, that county, he marricd Miss Catherine Riker, a daughter of Hiram and Lavinia (Miller) Riker. Later they removed to what is now Pierceville, Wy- oming county, where the father engaged in farming for a few years, and in 1863 came to Springville township, Susquehanna county, where he purchased property and made his home until called from this life September 30, 1891, at the age of sixty-six years and seven days. The mother is still a resi- dent of that township. In their family were six children, as follows: N. S., who lives on the old homestead in Springville township; Sarah, wife of G. D. Palmeter, of the same township; C. L., our subject ; Carrie, wife of J. G. Reynolds, of Wyoming county : Edward L., a farmer of Wyoming county ; and A. H., who lives on the old homestead in Spring- ville township.

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and youth in Springville township, and was given the advantages of the common and select schools of the locality. On leaving the home farm at the age of twenty-one, he started out in life for himself as an agriculturist, and bought fifty acres of partially cleared land. to which he has since added twenty- eight and a half acres. With the exception of two and a half acres, he now has the entire tract cleared, and is quite successfully engaged in general farming, stock raising and dairying. He has upon his place eight cows, some young stock and a flock of sheep. In connection with agricultural pursuits, he has also engaged in blacksmithing and carpentering to some extent, having acquired an excellent knowl- edge of both trades through his own unaided efforts and mechanical ability.

In 1880, Mr. Brown married Miss Jennie Green, who was born August 28, 1852, and is the oldest child of Rhodes and Eunice E. ( Reynolds) Green. the others being Alice A., now the widow of Niles Traves, of Springville township; Mary, wife of M. N. Seeley, of Dimock township. Susquehanna county ; Nelson, a farmer of Franklin Forks, Sus- quehanna county ; Lottie, a trained nurse of New York City ; and Eliza, who died at the age of twelve years. In his political affiliations Mr. Brown is a Re-

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publican, and he has most capably served as supervi- sor of his township for three years, and as a member of the election board. He attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a niember. Socially he has belonged to the Odd Fel- lows Lodge No. ISI, of Lynn, for twenty years, and botli he and his wife hold membership in the Daughters of Rebekah No. 187, of Springville. They are widely and favorably known and have a host of warm friends in the community where they make their home.

GEORGE D. HINE, a successful agriculturist of Gibson township, Susquehanna county, owns and operates the old family homestead near Gelatt, where he was born December 28, 1859. The place contains 106 aeres, and his wife owns an adjoining farm of seventy aeres, making a valuable estate.

The Hine family is of good New England stock, and Willis and Easter ( Perkins) Hine, our subject's grandparents, were natives of Connecti- cut. Alfred Hine, his father, was born and reared in Gibson township. Susquehanna county, and fol- lowed farming there for many years, being one of the substantial citizens of the locality. He died November 8, 1883, aged fifty-seven years and nine months, and his wife, whose maiden name was Re- becca Howell, died November 13, 1884. aged fifty- four years, one month, and ten days, their remains being interred in the ecmetery at Smiley Hollow. Of their six children, Alvy, the eldest, was born in 1852; Mary died in Gibson township; Oscar is a farmer at Burnwood. Susquehanna county; Ar- vine is engaged in farming in Gibson township; George D. is the subject of this sketch : and Etta is the wife of Delos Stone, of Thompson, Susque- hanna county. The Howell family, of which our subject's mother was a member, has been prominent- ly identified with Gibson township, and her par- ents, Israel and Olive ( Madison) Howell, were highly-esteemed residents.

Our subject has always resided at his present home, and as a practical agriculturist he devotes his attention to general crops. In politics he is a Dem- ocrat, but he does not take an active part in the work of the organization. On January 21. 1885. he was married. in Gibson township, to Miss Etta C. Potter. and they have three children : Lucille, born Aug. 13, 1888; Basil. Aug. 26, 1807: Denmon G., April 7, 1900. Mrs. Hine also belongs to a well- known family, and was born in Gibson township. October 12, 1864. daughter of George Potter, and granddaughter of Parley and Philena Potter. The late George Potter, who was born in 1820, was a prosperous farmer of Gibson township, and for many years operated the "Tilden House" at Herrick Center, a temperance hotel. He was a man of strict honesty and genial. kindly dis- position, and while he was not a Church mem- ber, he lived the life of a true Christian. On February 21, 1876, while on a business trip, he was injured at Susquehanna depot by a railway

train, and died March 8, following. His wife, Elizabeth Howell, was a daughter of Israel Howell, a well-known resident of Gibson township. She died August 2, 1899, aged seventy-two years, and the remains of both now rest in the cemetery at Gelatt Hollow. They had six children, viz. : Free- love, who died at the age of seven years; Emeline, wife of Alfred Bowell, of Herrick township, Sus- quehanna county ; Elmer V., a farmer in Gibson township; a daughter, twin of Elmer, who died when two weeks old, unnamed; Emily, who married Emory Miller, of Herrick township; and Etta C., wife of our subjeet.

ELBERT J. GRIMES is prominent among thie representative farmers and stock raisers of Oakland township, Susquehanna county. He was born on the farm where he still resides May 27, 1863, son of Joshua K. and Maria S. (Buek) Grimes. The father is a native of New York, born in Tioga county, in 1814, and during his minority remained on his father's farm, attending first the district schools of that locality and later the Owego Acad- emy for one term in the fall of 1836. He then went west to visit relatives and that winter taught school near Cleveland, Ohio. The following summer he worked at house carpentering, and the following winter again taught school. In 1843 he married Miss Esther MI., daughter of Lewis and Charrie M. Lounsbury, of Tioga county, N. Y., and by that union he had three children, namely: ( 1) Char- rie P. is now the wife of Orin T. Smith, an under- taker and furniture dealer of Susquehanna, Penn., by whom she has three children: Catherine E., now the wife of Augustus Raunk, of Binghamton, N. Y., is a graduate of the Susquehanna schools and the Cortland Normal School, and also com- pleted a course in music and art at the Wyoming Seminary; Myron J., born in Susquehanna, grad- tiated from a medical college of Chicago. Ill .. and then located in Binghamton, N. Y., where he en- gaged in practice until his death (he married Miss Jennie Park, of Binghamton, where she still re- sides ) ; Alida C. Smith graduated from the Sus- quehanna high school and is still with her parents. (2) Curtis F., born in Tioga county, N. Y., in 1847. enlisted during the Civil war in Company D. 56th P. V. I., and with the Army of the Potomae par- ticipatcd in many battles. He was wounded at Gettysburg and re-enlisted. bceoming an old vet- eran although only eighteen years of age when lios- tilities ceased. After the war hc married Miss Liz- zie Richards, of Cochecton, N. Y., and located at Susquehanna, Penn. For some years he was cin- ployed as a locomotive engineer. From Susque- hanna he moved to Hornellsville, N. Y., and sub- scquently on account of failing health went to Rapid City, S. Dak., where he died leaving a wife and four children, namely: Ida, now the wife of Ste- phen Carpenter, of Great Bend, Penn. ; Carrie, who was killed in childhood by a railroad train at Hor- nellsville, N. Y .; Susie, wife of John Kortright, of

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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Susquehanna; and Frank, a railroad fireman. who married Bertha McDowell and resides at Hornells- ville. (3) Moses, born in Oakland Town, Susque- hanna county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1849. He married Miss Alida Soper, of Michigan, and lived for some time in Hornellsville, N. Y. He then removed to Rapid City, S. Dak., and as a leading and prominent member of the Presbyterian Church of that place he went as a delegate to the national convention held in Oregon. By trade he was a jew- eler. He died in Dakota, leaving a wife and one son, Avery J., now a resident of Michigan.

It was in May, 1848, that Joshua K. Grimes, father of our subject, came to Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn., and purchased a partially improved farm on the Susquehanna river in Oakland township, known as the Drinker tract, on which had already been erected a log house and barn. He has since made many improvements upon the place and there he still resides at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. In 1853 he married for his second wife Miss Maria S. Buck; who was born at Red Rock, Great Bend., Penn., in February, 1821, and is still living. Her parents were Jolin B. and Susan ( Chamber- lain) Buck, representatives of old and prominent families of Great Bend. She attended the district schools near her early home, was also a student in the Montrose Academy for a time, and later be- came a successful teacher. Her maternal grandfa- ther, Moses Chamberlain, was a soldier of the Rev- olutionary war. In his political views Joshua K. Grimes was first a Whig and later a Republican, and although he has ever taken a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, he has never cared for office, but he has served as supervisor, collector, as- sessor, school director and in other local positions. He and his estimable wife are faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and have given liberally to the erection of the house of worship and the sup- port of the church. They still reside on a part of the old homestead, where they lead quiet, peaceful and happy lives, and they are one of the oldest and most highly respected couples in Oakland township. Their children are now filling honorable and use- ful positions in life and are a source of great pride to their parents. Annually the family hold a re- union on the old homestead, where a most enjoya- ble day is passed with this worthy couple. Our subject is the youngest of the three children born of the second marriage. (1) Susan E., born on the old homestead, January 15, 1855, attended the dis- trict and later the graded schools of Susquehanna, receiving a good classical education, and for several terms was one of the successful teachers of Oak- land township. In May, 1883, she married Homer Hall, of Jackson, Susquehanna county, and they now reside in the town of Susquehanna. ( 2) Ella R., born June 26, 1860, was educated in graded and private schools of Susquehanna, and in 1883 married Walter H. Wood, of Windsor, Broone Co., N. Y., who is now engaged in business in Sus- quehanna, Penn. They have thirec children -- Nel-

lie, Charles and Ray -- all students in the Susque- hanna schools.

Elbert J. Grimes, our subject, spent his boy- hood and youth in attending the district schools through the winter months and assisting in the work of the home farm in the summer season. When a young man he superintended the cutting and putting in the lumber on the home tract, be- ing thus employed for four years. In February, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice A. Wheeler, who was educated in the schools of Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., and was a popular teacher of that county and Susquehanna county, Penn., for twelve terms. Her parents, John and Sarah ( Eggleston ) Wheeler, were natives of Broome county, and prominent farming people of Windsor. In their family were two children, and the only son, William, died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes have two children: Eva Alice, born January 29, 1885. and Ernest J., born April 7, 1888, both at- tending the home schools.

Atter his marriage, Mr. Grimes located on the old homestead, which he rented for two years, and then purchased all the personal property and has since had full control and management of the farm. Being a thorough and skillful farmer and a man of good business ability, he is meeeting with excellent success in his life work. In 1885, he and his father erected upon the place a fine residence near the old homestead, and there he now resides. He tenderly cares for his parents, seeing that they have every confort in their declining years. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican party, and he has been honored with a number of local offices, serving at present as school director, treasur- er and supervisor, having filled the last named po- sition for two terms. Socially he is a member of Roval Arcanum Lodge No. 140, of Susquehanna, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist Church of that place. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and gives his support to all enterprises calculated to advance the moral, edu- cational and material welfare of his community.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 64

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