Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 7

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 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 7
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 7

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).

DAVID B. SMITH, a well known farmer at Newfoundland, Wayne county, commonly known as the Dutch Flats, was born in Greene township, Pike Co., Penn., January 24, 1870, and is a son of Louis R. Smith, a retired farmer of Newfoundland.

The father of our subject is also a native of Pike county, born in Palmyra township. December 16. 1832, and is a son of George and Maria ( Rock- well) Smith, natives of Harmony, N. J., and Mil- ford. Pike Co., Penn., respectively. George Smith was born June 30, 1806. a son of George and Mar- garet Smith, who spent their entire lives in New Jersey, while his wife was born in April, 1809. and was a daughter of Louis and Rebecca ( Gainsford) Rockwell, who were natives of Connecticut an 1 carne to Wayne county. Penn .. at an carly day. In 1828 George Smith, Jr., came to Wayne county, where he worked at his trade as a shoemaker for one year. and then moved to Palmyra township, Pike county, but three years later he returned to New Jersey, where he spent a few years. He was next a resident of luzerne county. Penn., for one year, and at the end of that time again located in Pike county, where he remained until, in 1842, he caine to Sterling township, Wayne county. Here he retired from shoemaking and gave his attention ton H., born June 20, 1876, at the homestead, is . to farming until his death, which occurred in 1883.

927

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

His wife died in 1889, and was laid by his side in .the South Sterling cemetery, Pike county. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Protest- ant Church. * Their children were as follows : Hugh E., who died in infancy; George G. and Louis R., twins, the former foreman of a lumber company at Gouldsboro, Wayne county, the latter the father of our subject; Emeline E., widow of Benjamin Smith, and a resident of South Sterling; Tunis M., a hunter and farmer of Pike county ; Levi, a retired merchant of Luzerne county, Penn .; James R., a farmer of South Sterling, Penn .; Han- nah J., wife of Charles Houck, a manufacturer of sticks, toys, etc., at Houckstown, Pike county ; John and Benjamin J .. both farmers of that county ; Rebecca, wife of Albert Edwards, a civil engineer of Wayne county; Francis M., deceased ; Mary, wife of Theobold Edwards, a farmer of Norfolk, Va. : and Samuel. deceased.

Throughout his active business life Louis R. Smith engaged in lumbering and farming, and for a time conducted the "Hopewell Hotel." Coming to Wayne county in 1853, he located at South Sterling, but since 1881 has resided at his present home in Newfoundland, where he is now living retired, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is sur- rounded by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances who esteem him highly for his sterling worth and many excellencies of character. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellow's Lodge at Wallenpaupack, and is a stanch Republican in politics. In Pike county, January 1, 1854, Louis R. Smith was mar- ried, by William Lancaster, Esq., to Miss Christina Baillie, who was born in Manchester, England, September 11, 1835, a daughter of James and Christina ( Hunter ) Baillie, natives of New York City and Edinburgh, Scotland, respectively. Her paternal grandparents were David and Jean Bail- lie, of Scotland, the former a sea-faring man, and her maternal grandparents were James and Chris- tina Hunter, who spent their entire lives in Edin- burgh, Scotland. James Baillie, who was a sign, house and carriage painter by trade, died in Minne- apolis, Minn., in 1883. and his wife passed away in 1851, at the age of fifty-two years. Their children were Jane, who died in infancy; David. deceased ; James, a resident of Minnesota: Marian. wife of Anthony .1. Roner, a farmer of Pike county, Penn .; John. a farmer of Minnesota : John, who is living in the West; Ann, widow of Daniel Bennett, and a resident of Lonisville. Kv .; and Christina, mother of our subject. In the family of Louis R. and Christina Smith are the following children : Charles E., born December 15, 1855, married Theressa Stark, and is a farmer of South Sterling, Penn .; Rev. Horace A., born October 34, 1858, married Susie .A. Robacker, and i a resident of South Canaan. Wayne county; Louis B., born April 23. 1800. married Jennie Iloover, and resides in Seran- ton. Penn. : Ernest E., born Angust 20, 1862, wed- ded Mary Banks, and is deceased : George A., born June 1, 1865, is prothionotary of Wayne county;

Hugh B., born October 8, 1867, married Minnie Hinkley, and is a traveling salesman, residing in Nicholson, Penn. ; and David B., the subject of this sketch, completes the family. The mother of these passed away November 30, 1899.

Until eleven years of age David B. Smith was reared on the home farm, and he then accompanied his parents on their removal to the hotel in New- foundland, which he so successfully conducted. In 1888 he went to Scranton, where he remained nine months, but on December 30, 1889, returned to Newfoundland and took charge of the hotel. Being a genial and obliging landlord, his house became a favorite with the traveling public, and received a liberal patronage. He has just completed the "Central House," at Newfoundland. Socially he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- low's and the Patriotic Order Sons of America at Newfoundland, while politically he is identified with the Republican party.

On November 22, 1803. at Newfoundland, Mr. Smith was married, by Rev. J. W. Widell, to Miss Clara L. Waltz, and to them has been born one son, who died in infancy. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of George L. and Magdeline C. ( Rohrbacker ) Waltz, of Newfoundland, where the father is successfully engaged in general merchandising and the cream- ery business. She is the second in order of birth in their family of three children, the others being Edward W., a prominent farmer of Newfoundland, who married Mary C. Beisecker ; and Frank D., who married Emma A. Beehn, and is now in part- nership with his father.

BENJAMIN V. GRAY, a well known and popular citizen of Berlin township. and a repre- sentative of one of the honored old families of Wayne county, was born on the home farm in that township, February 21, 1854, a son of Benjamin H. and Catherine ( Barnes ) Gray. The father was born in Lackawaxen, l'enn., and was a son of John and Mary ( Holbert) Gray : while the mother was also born in Pike county, and was a daughter of John and Betsy ( Holbert ) Barnes, the latter a daughter of Benjamin Holbert, a prominent set- tler of the Delaware valley, in Pike county, Penn- sylvania.

Coming to Wayne county at an early day, Benjamin H. Grav located on a farm in Berlin township, and in the midst of the forest developed a good farm. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, and was a successful fisherman and hunter, killing many bears, wolves, foxes and other wild game in those early days. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, gave liberally of his means to its support, and his wife was ever in harmony with its teach- ings. Politically he was a Democrat, and for sex- eral years efficiently served as a member of the school board. He died in November, 1887, at the age of sixty-two years, and his widow passed away March 6, 1898, at the age of seventy years, her

928

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

death occurring in Peckville, Penn. ; she was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Church of that place. In the family of this worthy couple were thirteen children, who in order of birth are as fol- lows: John B. : Decatur, deceased : William D .; Mrs. Harriet A. Stearnes : Benjamin V. ; E. Alice, who died at the age of fifteen years : Mrs. Catherine A. Breidenstein. of Honesdale ; Mrs. Margaret Pethick, of Poyntelle, Penn .; Mrs. Amanda A. Loomis, of Peckville; Mrs. Rosa A. Hartson, of Delaware county, N. Y .; Mrs. Emma V. Gibson, of Peckville; Charles N., of Oliphant, Penn. ; and George H., of Peckville.

The subject of this sketch was reared to habits of industry and honesty upon the home farm in Berlin township, his scholastic training being ob- tained in the district schools of the neighborhood. He was married. November 24, 1881, to Miss Fran- ces D. Buckingham, a successful and popular teacher, who was also reared and educated in Wayne county. Her father. the late John Buck- ingham, was for many years one of the leading and highly-respected citizens of Berlin township. He was born October 28. 1826, in Cornwall. England, a son of Digery and Elizabeth ( Haines ) Bucking- ham, also natives of Cornwall. where the father died. Subsequently the mother came to America, bringing her five children, namely : Richard ; Cath- erine, who married Ambrose Davie, now deceased ; Digery, a resident of California ; John : and Eliza- beth, who died when a young woman. The mother reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years, and died honored and respected by the entire com- munity.

John Buckingham was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his mother on the emigration to the New World. They located near the Haines farm in Berlin township, Wayne county, which he helped to clear. and during his boyhood he also en- gaged in boating on the canal for two years. To a limited extent he had attended school in England. but by practical experience he became a well-in- formed man on general topics. In 1855 he married Emma Dony, who was also born in England, but was only three years old when brought to the Uni- ted States by her parents, John and Frances (Cawrse ) Dony, the latter being the fourth Fran- ces in her family. Mr. and Mrs. Dony were pio- neer settlers of Bethany, Penn., and died in Dy- berry, Wayne county, at advanced ages. Of their seven children, six reached years of maturity, namely: Mrs. Emma Buckingham. Mrs. Jane Blake, George, John, Mrs. Mary Short ( a widow ), Fanny ( wife of William Karslake, of Michigan), and Ella ( wife of Henry Karslake, of Long Island, N. Y.). To Mr. and Mrs. John Buckingham were born seven children, as follows: Frances D., wife of our subject : Elizabeth J., wife of Wallace Spry ; Sarah E., wife of George Spry, of Berlin township ; Rebecca A. Buckingham, of Forest City. Penn. : William D., who lives on the old homestead : Emma G., of Forest City; and John R., of Damascus

township, Wayne county. The father departed this life October 4, 1894. He was an active mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, in which he served as trustee and steward, and was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party.

After his marriage Mr. Gray purchased the William Molancy farm of fifty acres in Berlin township, which nas been his nome for some years, and is one of the most valuable places of its size in the locality. The soil is rich, and being well cul- tivated, has proved very productive, and upon the place is also a good bearing orchard, while the buildings are neat and attractive. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray are Mabel A., Frances E., William B., Lewis V. and Catherine W.

Reared a Republican, Mr. Gray has always been a stanch supporter of that party, and has labored earnestly for its interests, but has never aspired to office. Now. in the prime of life. he is acknowledged to be one of the best farmers and most useful and valued citizens of his community, taking an active interest in whatever tends to pro- mote the moral or material welfare of his township or county. He and his wife are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Beach Lake, in which he serves as steward. For several years he was both steward and Sunday-school teacher in the Church at Vine Hill, while Mrs. Gray was a tcacher in the Sunday-school before her marriage, and organist for ten years.

JOHN F. LEE, an able representative of the agricultural interests of South Canaan township, Wayne county, was born December 12, 1839. on the farm where he still continues to make his home. He belongs to one of the old and prominent families of the county. his parents being Horace and Catherine ( Hamlin ) Lee, natives of Connecticut and Massa- chusetts, respectively. His paternal grandfather. Vene Lee, who was a resident of Litchfield. Conn., was twice married, and by his first union he had one so11. Horace, the father of our subject. After her death, when Horace was about fourteen years okl. he wedded a Miss Griffin, and by her had one son. John, who died when twenty-one years old.

Horace Lce was born in Connecticut in 1792. and came to Wayne county Penn., with his father about 1812. They settled on 500 acres of land. 200 of which are owned by our subject, John F. Lee. Horace spent his entire life as a farmer. He mar- ried Catherine Hanilin, who was born in Massacht :- setts in 1790. and was a sister of Judge Butler Ham- lin. mentioned elsewhere. Horace Lee died in Sep- tember, 1867. aged seventy-five years, and his wife. who was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, passed away in December, 1869, aged seventy-seven, both being laid to rest in Canaan Corners cemetery, Wayne county. Politically, he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Of their children, Eliza lived with our subject until her death, which occurred in 1891 : Remanda L. married

929

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

George A. Stockweather, now a retired merchant of Waymart, Wayne county ( she died in 1869) ; Bald- win H. is a farmer of Minnesota ; Carlton O. died in Kansas in 1893; Haunah died at the age of three years ; Lucy A. is the wife of John Warner, a stock- man of Kansas; and John F. completes the family.

Reared upon the home farm, the subject of this sketch early became familiar with every department of farm work, and is now acknowledged to be one of the best and most skillful agriculturists of South Canaan township. His education was limited to that obtained in the common schools of the day, and one year at Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Penn. He was married at Purdytown, Wayne county, Novem- ber 10, 1868, by Rev. William Callender, a Baptist minister, to Miss Adelaide V. Purdy, and to them were born five children: Earl M. and Cora, who both died of scarlet fever aged five and seven years, respectively ; Harry H., who taught school in South Canaan township ( he is a graduate of the Waymart Normal Institute) ; and Daisy A. and Roy A., bothi at home.

Mrs. Lee was born in Purdyville, Wayne county, April 14, 1843, a daughter of Reuben R. and Clara ( Purdy ) Purdy, who were distant blood relations. The paternal grandfather, Rev. William Purdy, was a Baptist minister of New York State. Mrs. Lee's parents both died in Wayne county. the mother in 1844, aged forty years, the father in 1879, aged seventy-eight years, and were buried at Purdyville. He was a farmer and lumberman by occupation, and was one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community, being elected to various offices, including that of commissioner of Wayne county. He was one of the most active workers and liberal supporters in the Baptist Church, to which he be- longed.

In the Purdy family were the following chil- dren : Percis is the wife of George W. Leonard. a retired farmer of Central Valley, N. Y .; Darius G. is a hardware merchant of Carbondale. Penn. ; Lecta died unmarried : Andrew and Martin are both de- ceased ; Delinda is the deceased wife of John Weiss, a farmer and stock dealer of Delaware Water Gap, Penn. ; Franklin is a farmer of Purdyville : Adelaide is the wife of our subject : and Sylvanus is a retired hardware merchant of Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Lee has been called upon to serve in all of the township offices, being an efficient school direc- tor for twelve years and justice of the peace for five years. Politically he is an ardent Demo- crat, and religiously is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is one of the trustees. He has traveled extensively, some twenty years ago visiting the West, and later with his wife spent one summer in Kansas and Nebraska. He takes a deep and commendable interest in matters pertaining to the progress and development of his native county, and is justly numbered among its valned and useful citizens, as his support is never withheld from any object which he believes will prove of public benefit. Mr. Lee is a Free Mason,

being a member of Blue Lodge No. 442, Waymart, Penn. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 531, South Canaan, and of the Patrons of Husbandry No. 898, of South Canaan.

HENRY S. BUSH, a prominent farmer of Smithfield township, Monroe county, was born in that township in August, 1845, and is a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of the coun- ty. His great-grandfather, Henry Bush, a native of Germany, was one of its earliest settlers, and since his time members of the family have been actively identified with the development and pros- perity of this region.

John C. Bush, our subject's grandfather. lo- cated near Craig's Meadows, where he erected a building and engaged in the hotel business for a number of years. His worthy wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Arndt, died in October, 1858. Soon thereafter ne discontinued the hotel business and lived with his children until his death, which occurred in February, 1867. In 1843 he purchased a farm near Marshall's Creek, which he rented until 1865, when he sold it to his son Daniel A. He took quite a prominent part in public affairs, and was elected county commissioner, which office he filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In his fam- ily were five children: ( 1) Samuel married and moved to Shelby county, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his death. He left one son, John S., who is married, has a family. and still resides in Shelby county. (2) Andrew married Susan Brutzman, of Monroe county, and after his marriage moved to Bradford county, Penn., where he followed farming some years. He then went to Meshoppen, Wyoming county, where he pur- chased a farm and made his home until called to his final rest, his wife dying at the same place. Their children were Sylvester ; James : Van : Emma J. ; Hannah, wife of Benjamin Custard. of Wvalus- ing, Penn .; Mrs. Lizzie Sterling, a resident of Wilkes Barre, Penn: Albina and Cora Bell, who both died unmarried. (3) Catherine. born at Craig's Meadows. married Michael Shearbaugh, of Monroe county, and they moved to Shelby coun- ty, Ohio, where both died, leaving four children : Caroline, Marietta. Catherine and John. (4) Eliza- beth. born in Smithfield township. Monroe county. married David Yetter. of the same township, where they made their home until called from this life. They are mentioned more fully in the sketch of their son, Martin Yetter.

Daniel A. Bush, our subject's father, was born at Craig's Meadows. Monroe county. in June. 1810, grew to manhood in Smithfield township. and re- ceived a good common-school education, which well qualified him to successfully engage in school teach- ing in Monroe county for several terms. In Oc- tober. 1844, he married Miss Ann Eliza Jayne. who was born in Milford, Penn., in July, 1819. a dangh-

930

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ter of Daniel and Mary (Shoemaker) Jayne, who belonged to old and prominent families of Pike county. After his marriage Mr. Bush engaged in agricultural pursuits in Smithfield township, and later, for a number of years, managed his father's farm, which is now owned by our subject. In 1859 he moved to Craig's Meadows and took charge of his father's hotel, which he conducted for six years, but in 1865 purchased the old homestead, where he erected a large two-story house. In 1848 he and his father had erected thereon a com- modious barn, and in 1877 he built another com- modious residence for his younger son, Julius F. Bush, now a resident of East Stroudsburg. Upon this farm Mr. Bush died in January, 1879, honored and respected by the entire community. He was always identified with the old Democratic party, and he was called upon to fill a number of local offices. His wife made her home with her children after his death, and she, too, passed away in 1893. Our subject is the eldest in the family of three children. (2) Blandena, born in Smithfield town- ship in April, 1848, was educated in the public schools, and married George M. D. Huffman, of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, where they now reside on his farm. Their children are Le Roy, who married Nettie Strunk, and lives in the same township : Charles P. and Lewis B., both at home. (3) Julius F., born December 17, 1851, was married in 1874 to Esther A. Price, of Barrett township, Monroe county, and for seven years thereafter had charge of the old home farm. In 1884 he removed to East Stroudsburg, where he purchased real estate, and is still engaged in busi- ness. He had six children: Lewis D. (a glass- blower by occupation), Nettie, C. Wallace, A. Roe, Fred and Harold.

Amid rural scenes Henry S. Bush passed his boyhood and youth, attending both public and select schools of Monroe county, and assisting in the farm and hotel. In 1863, at the age of eighteen years, he commenced teaching school in that county, and continued to follow that profession here until 1869, when he went to Walworth county, Wis., where he was engaged in the same occupation. In 1870 he went overland by team to Mitchell county, Kans., and in Cowley county, that State, secured a tract of government land by pre-emption. For three years he devoted his attention to its improvement and cultivation, but in 1873 returned to Pennsylva- nia and operated his father's farm for four years, again going to Kansas at the end of that time. In July, 1878, on account of his father's ill health, he returned home, and in 1883 purchased the old home- stead, where he still resides. Politically he is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party as advocated by Andrew Jackson. He has always been identified with the best interests of the com- munity, is a man of upright character and sterling worth, and is highly respected by his fellow citizens.

In 1884 Mr. Bush married Miss Malvina Mosier, who was born in 1858, a daughter of Frank-

lin and Hannah Mosier, Icading citizens of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county. She was educated in select schools of the county, was a lady of culture and refinement, and was one of its suc- cessful teachers for several years. She was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, took an active part in religious work, and made many friends throughout the community. She died after a short married life of only ten months, and her death was widely and deeply mourned.

GEORGE S. MITCHELL, a well known farmer of Damascus township, Wayne county, was born there October 18, 1846, a son of Bateman S. Mitchell, also a native of Wayne county. The grandfather, Isaac Mitchell, came here with four brothers, and members of the family have since been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of this region. They were of English descent. Nathan Mitchell, the great-grandfather of our subject. was once taken by the Indians, and narrowly escaped freezing to death.

Isaac Mitchell married Ursula Smith, of Litchfield, Conn., and related to Lord Bateman's family, and ten children were born to them, namely : Mrs. Electa Hunt ; MIrs. Viletta Gavitt ; Mary Ann, wife of John Y. Tyler, of Damascus township; Bateman S., father of our subject; Albert. a resi- dent of Hallstead. Susquehanna Co., Penn. ; Elmira, wife of J. Wood ; Oliver, who died in Kansas ; Mrs. Betsy Jane Boyd, of Damascus township : David, of Berlin township, Wayne county; and Nathan, of Hallstead, Penn. Isaac Mitchell, who was a miller by occupation, died at the extreme old age of nine- ty-three years, and his wife reached the age of ninety-one.

Bateman S. Mitchell, our subject's father, was reared in Wayne county, and married Miss Mar- garet Stewart, daughter of Alexander Stewart. They became the parents of four children: George S .; Apply L., of Damascus township; Stewart A. ; and Adelaide, wife of Thomas Buscher, also of Damascus township. Throughout Ins active busi- ness life the father followed farming and lumber- ing, and was known as an expert hunter. killing many deer and other wild game so plentiful in carly days. Politically he was a pronounced Demo- crat, and in religious belief was a Baptist. He died December 25, 1895, aged seventy-six years, respected by all who knew him. The mother, also a worthy member of the Baptist Church, is still liv- ing at the age of eighty years, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Buscher, of Damascus township.

During his boyhood and youth George Mitch- ell remained under the parental roof, and not only acquired an excellent knowledge of farm life, but also became familiar with lumbering on the river, while his literary education was obtained in tlie dis- trict schools. In 1878 he located upon his present .. farm of seventy-two acres in Damascus township. which under his careful supervision has become one

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 7

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