Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 77

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 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 77
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 77

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MICHAEL CORCORAN, a general merchant at Hawley, Wayne county, is a man whose success- ful struggle with adverse circumstances shows what can be done by industry and economy, espe- cially if a sensible wife seconds the efforts to se- cure a home and competence. Born of poor par- ents, he was obliged to make his way in life with- out the aids which are usually considered essential to success.

Mr. Corcoran was born in County Mayo. Ire- land, July 29, 1843, a son of Thomas and Mary ( Haley ) Corcoran, who in 1847 emigrated to Amer- ica, first locating in St. John, New Brunswick : but the following year they took up their residence in Palmyra township. Wayne Co., Penn. In 1832 they removed to Hawley, where the father was em- ployed as a stationary engineer for some years, but his last days were spent in retirement from active labor. In 1870, while coupling some cars for the Pennsylvania Coal Co., he had the misfortune to lose his right arm. He died December 25, 1895, aged seventy-seven years, and was buried at Haw- ley. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously a Roman Catholic, to which Church his widow also belongs. She is now living in Hawley, at the age of seventy-five years. Michael is the eldest of their six children, the others being Mary, who died in Ireland during childhood: John, who died in St. John, New Brunswick : Thomas, who died in Haw- ley ; Daniel, who is living with our subject; and Peter, who died at Hawley. The paternal grand- parents of our subject, John and Mary ( McAn- drew) Coreoran, spent their entire lives in Ireland, where he followed the occupation of fisherman, and in that country the maternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary ( McDonoughi) Haley, also livcd, the for- mer engaged in farming.

Until twenty-seven years of age. Michael Cor- coran remained with his parents, but at the early age of twelve years he began to earn his own liveli- hood, working for four years at picking slate on

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

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the dock at Hawley. He was next engaged at trim- ming boats for five years, for the Pennsylvania Coal Co., and then worked as a general laborer for a time. For the long period of nineteen years he was foreman of a crew of men on section 19, of the Gravity railroad, and from 1884 until November 6, 1896, was trackman for the N. Y. L. E. & W. rail- road. Since then he has successfully engaged in merchandising, at Hawley, but is now living prac- tically retired, while his children conduct the store . for him.

At Hawley, October 11, 1870, by Father J. P. O'Malley, Mr. Corcoran was married to Miss Brid- get Boland, and to them have been born seven chil- dren, namely: John, Mary, Thomas, Bridget, Michael, Peter and Daniel, of whom Michael is de- ceased ; the others are all at home. Mrs. Corcoran is also a native of County Mayo, Ireland. and a daughter of John and Bridget (Hughes) Boland, who never left the Emerald Isle. the father dying there in April, 1897. aged eighty years. the mother in 1891, aged seventy-four. Their children were Mary, wife of Patrick Welsh, of Hawley; Bridget, wife of our subject; Winifred, who died in child- hood; Alice, who died, unmarried. in Ireland; Thomas, a farmer in Ireland; Winifred (2), wife of John McGinty, car inspector at Hawley; Dora, who married Patrick Manley, principal of the schools of Pittston, Penn., and died in Hawley; Maggie, widow of Thomas Gilmartin, of Carbondale. Penn .; Martin, a farmer of Ireland: Alice, widow of Rich- ard Gilday; and Ellen, wife of Michael Leonard, of Scranton, Penn. Mrs. Corcoran's paternal grand- parents, Patrick and Winifred (Fleming) Boland, were farming people of County Sligo, Ireland, where they always made their home, while the maternal grandparents, Martin and Bridget (Gilday) Hughes, lived on a farm in County Mayo, Ireland, until 1867, when they came to Hawley, Penn .. there spending their remaining days in retirement.

Mr. Corcoran has always taken quite an active interest in public affairs, has filled the office of town clerk of Palmyra township for the past nine years, and has also served as auditor and school di- rector to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. His political support is ever given to the men and measures of the Democratic party, and he and his family hold membership with the Roman Catholic Church.

GEORGE H. WILDENBERGER. a well- known insurance agent of South Canaan. is one of the leading and prominent young business men of Wayne county. He was born in New York City, January 25, 1861, and was a child of four years when brought to Wayne county.

Our subject's father. George Wildenberger. now a tailor of South Canaan, was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 10, 1834, a son of George and Anna (Auple) Wildenberger, who spent their en- tire lives in Bavaria. The grandfather, who was a

farmer by occupation, served for six years as a private in the King's Cavalry, and filled the office of justice of the peace for many years. He died in December, 1846, aged fifty-one years, his wife in 1861, aged seventy years. The former held me :- bership in the Lutheran Church, while the latter be- longed to the Roman Catholic Church. Of their children, John died in 1890, at the age of fifty-eight years; George is the father of our subject: Cath- erine when last heard from was living in Switzer- land; Arsulla is married, and lives in Bavaria; and Henry G. died at Saarbrück, while serving in the German army.

In his native land the father of our subject grew to manhood, and came to America December 25, 1857, locating in New York City, where he worked at the tailor's trade until 1865. That year witnessed his arrival in South Canaan, Penn., where he has since successfully engaged in farming and tailoring. At the age of twelve years he joined the Lutheran Church, but since coming to this country he has placed his membership with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. His political support is given to the Republican party. In New York City George Wildenberger. Sr., was married. April 18. 1860. to Miss Anna Miller, and of the four children born to them our subject is the eldest: Mary, born August 7, 1862. is the wife of Loren Osgood, an attorney and farmer of Sterling township, Wayne county ; Frederick, born December 31. 1863. is a blacksmith by trade, and is now in Buffalo, Wyo- ming ; William H., born September 10, 1866, is en- gaged in the jewelry business in Forest City, Penn. The mother of these children was born in Hesse, Germany, August 29. 1833. and died March 20. 1896. being laid to rest in the South Canaan cemetery. Her parents, Henry and Margaret ( Kytle) Miller, had a family of six children: John, a cabinetmaker and farmer. is now deceased : Elizabeth is the widow of George Kiel. a farmer of South Canaan township. Wayne county: Nicholas engaged in business tor a time in South Canaan, but his whereabouts are now unknown ; Matilda, deceased. was the wife of George Buck. of Germany: Anna was the mother of our subject: Bertha married George Goot, and died in New York City.

Mr. Wildenberger, whose name introduces this review, attended the public schools of South Canaan until sixteen years of age, when he began clerking in the mercantile store of F. R. Osgood. remaining with him two years. The following year he spent in Nebraska, and on his return to the Keystone State he located at Bradford, where he kept books during the winter, and engaged in contract painting for one vear. In Gravity, Wayne county, he next clerked for C. A. Master and for Meedling & Kipp, mer- chants of that place. for two and a half years, and for the following nine months engaged in the retail grocery trade at Scranton, Penn., in partnership with Frederick Beers, under the firm style of Wilden- berger & Beers. Owing to ill health he was forced to give up the business, and returned to South Ca-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

naan. After resting a year hic embarked in his pres- ent business, and is now agent for the following life insurance companies : The Mutual Life of New York, the Equitable, the Northwestern, and the M. R. L. A .; and also for several fire insurance compa- nies, including the Agriculturist, of Watertown, N. \' .; the German-American, of New York; and the Oriental, of Hartford, Conn. Fraternally he affili- ates with the F. & A. M., of Waymart, Wayne coun- ty, and politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party. He has most acceptably served in sev- eral local offices, and, whether in public or private life, is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.

At Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county, Mr. Wilden- berger was married, January 9, 1888, to Miss Tillie La Bar, Rev. William R. Cochran, a Methodist Epis- copal minister, officiating. They have one son, Charles W., born October 20, 1888. Mrs. Wilden- berger was born at West Pittston, Penn., July 16, 1860, a daughter of Charles and Matilda (Thomp- son) La Bar, who were also born at West Pittston, and were married October 15, 1837. In 1889 they removed to Harford, Susquehanna Co., Penn., where the father died April 15, 1895, aged seventy-nine years and six months. In his younger days he worked at the millwright's trade, and later followed farming. He was one of the prominent men of his community, held several local offices, and was in the engineering corps during the Civil war. He held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow, who was born April 28, 1819, now resides with her son Henry, in Harford. In the family of this worthy couple were the follow- ing children : Sylvanus, born March 15, 1839, died at the age of thirteen years; Henry, born November 13, 1840, served all through the Civil war, and is now a retired farmer of New Milford, Penn .; James I)., born August 3, 1842, lost one eye while in the Union service during the Rebellion, and is now a carpenter of Norwich, N. Y. ; Mary J., born Decem- ber 4, 1844, married George H. Brown, a farmer of Hart Lake, Penn., and died February 14, 1883; Maria T., born September 16, 1846, married Benja- min Tripp, postmaster of Waldo, Kans., and died June 10, 1879; Jacob, born February 10, 1849, died August 30, 1850; Almond, born September 16, 1852, (lied April 12, 1854; William, born May 4, 1854, died May 18, 1854; Frank T., born October 30, 1856, married Catherine Wagner, and is engaged in farming in Harford, Penn .; Tillie, wife of our sub- ject, is next in the order of birth; Charles J., Jr., born October 4, 1862, died December 3, 1875.

Mrs. Wildenberger's maternal grcat-grandpar- ents, James and Margaret ( Livingston ) Thompson, were born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch ances- try. In 1756 the former started for America with his parents, who died at sea, with small-pox, and were buried in the decp. They left two children, James and Margarct, the former four years old, who were reared by a Quaker family in Philadelphia; on

reaching womanhood Margarct married James Geo- ble, and moved West. Isaac Thompson, Mrs. Wil- denberger's maternal grandfather, was born in Lu- zerne county, Penn., November 18, 1796, and is still living, a resident of Alto township, Lee Co., Ill. Since a boy he has never tasted intoxicating drinks of any kind, and his mental and physical faculties are still well preserved. For seventy-eight years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a quarter of a century he was su- perintendent of the Sunday-school in Pittston, Penn. At the age of sixteen he entered the United States. army for the war of 1812, and also served as a sol- dier in the Mexican war. His first Presidential ballot was cast for John Quincy Adams, his last for William Mckinley. In 1864 he went West and has since made his home in Illinois. On June 18, 1818, he wedded Miss Maria Wilcox, who after a long and happy married life, of sixty-seven years, died April 25, 1885, at the age of ninety-two years. To them were born fifteen children, of whom the following are still living: Mrs. Matilda La Bar, the mother of Mrs. Wildenberger; C. W. Thomp- son and Mrs. L. T. Bean, both residents of Scran- ton, Penn .; and Mrs. H. C. Dewey, of Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Wildenberger's paternal great-grandfather came with two brothers to this country from France at an early day. Her grandparents, Jacob and Marg- aret ( Fox ) La Bar, were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively, and both died in Pittston, Penn., the former at the age of seventy-seven years, the latter at the age of forty-two. He was a wheel- wright by trade. Their children were Charles, the father of MIrs. Wildenberger; Ruth, the widow of Rufus Nesbett. and a resident of Nebraska; Rev. John, a Methodist Episcopal minister of Forty Fort, Penn .; William and Hiram, both deceased; Eliza- beth, who married Asa Nafus, and both are now deceased ; and Mary, who wedded H. Nafus (broth- er of the above), both now deceased.

CAPT. JOHN C. HARRINGTON. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Montrose, Susquehanna county, than Capt. Harrington. He is an important factor in both military and business circles. and his pop- ularity is well deserved, as in him are embodied the characteristics of unbending integrity, unabated en- ergy and industry that never flags. He is a mem- ber of the firm of W. H. & J. C. Harrington, who are interested in several enterpriscs.

The Captain was born in Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna county, February 9, 1859, a son of M. J. Harrington, whose sketch is given else- where. Our subject spent the first fourteen years of his life upon the home farm, and then accom- panied his parents on their removal to Montrose, where he attended school until nineteen years of age. Returning to the farm, he worked for his fa- ther until he attained his majority, when he and his

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brother William H. formed a partnership and em- barked in business on their own account. They owned and operated a saw and feed mill in Bridge- water township, and in 1888 purchased a foundry in Montrose, for the manufacture of wood-working machinery ( which was started by Samuel H. Sayre and operated by him for a short time), removing the machinery from the old to the new location. They also manufacture farm machinery of various kinds, and what they do not manufacture they han- dle as agents. They have a feed store in Montrose which is carried on by their father, and are wide- awake, enterprising business men, who by fair and honorable dealing have built up a good trade.

On December 8, 1897, at Montrose, Capt. Har- rington was united in marriage with Miss Nina Watrous, who was born in Bridgewater township May 10, 1872, and they have one son, Bruce W. Charles F. Watrous, Mrs. Harrington's father, and a well-known liveryman of Montrose, was born in Bridgewater township, December 17, 1836, and is a son of Joseph and Lucinda ( Wilson) Watrous. His father, who was a native of Connecticut and a son of Benjamin Watrous, of that State, came to Susquehanna county in 1816, and located in Bridge- water township, where he engaged in farming. He was captain of the Montrose Artillery Company from 1821 to 1828, and in the latter year was elected colonel of the 76th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. He died May 6, 1875, aged eighty-two years, and his wife, Lucinda, died August 9. 1855, aged forty- six. He was twice married, his first wife being Dolly Benjamin.

In early life Charles F. Watrous followed farming in Bridgewater township, in the spring of 1891 removing to Montrose, where he has since en- gaged in the livery business. He was one of the first in Montrose to offer his services to his country during the Civil war, enlisting in 1861, for three months, in Company K, 25th P. V. I., under Capt. Dart, and on the expiration of that term he re-enlisted in Company B, 28th P. V. I., under Capt. Jessup, who was afterward commissioned major. Mr. Watrous served for six weeks at the emergency call, and was then discharged and returned home. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is an ardent Republican in politics. In 1861, in Bridgewater township, he married Miss Margaret McDougall, a native of Lawrenceville. Tioga Co., Penn., and a daughter of Samuel and Polly ( Willson ) McDougall. the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Bradford county, Penn. Samuel McDougall served as a captain in the war of 1812, and died in 1858. at the age of seventy-one years, while his wife died in 1856, at the age of fifty-nine. The children of Charles F. Watrous now living are Charles F., Jr., who married Jessie Downing, and is an insurance agent of Scranton ; Nina, wife of our subject ; Richard A., first lieuten- ant of Company G, 13th P. N. G., of Montrose ; and Stewart, at home ; the deceased are Wilson, who died

at the age of three years; William C., who died at the age of eleven months ; Joseph, who died at the age of six years ; and McDougall, who died at the age of thirteen years.

Religiously Capt. Harrington is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically he is a sup- porter of the Republican party. While living in the country he filled the office of township treasurer two years, and township clerk three years; on Feb- ruary 20, 1900, he was elected, without opposition. councilman from the First ward, for the term of three years, having been the regular nominee on the Republican ticket, and received the endorsement of the Democrats. At the age of thirty-three years he enlisted in Company G, 13th Regiment, Penn- sylvania National Guards, was appointed corporal May 5, 1892 ; served as company clerk for two years ; was made duty sergeant November 50, 1894; first sergeant July 9, 1895 ; first lieutenant, May 31, 1897. During our recent war with Spain he was mustered into the United States service at Mt. Gretna, as first lieutenant of his company, and with his command went to Camp Alger, Va., and later to Camp Mead, Penn., where he was taken ill with typhoid fever and sent to the hospital in Harrisburg, from which he was discharged November 16, 1898. Two days later he returned home, where he was confined to his bed with congestion of the lungs for three weeks. In the meantime his regiment had moved from Camp Mead to Camp Mackenzie, Augusta, Ga., where, on his recovery, he rejoined his com- pany, remaining there until mustered out, March II, 1899. At Camp Mackenzie he had command of the company for a time while the captain was home. The company was reorganized as National Guards June 2, 1899, with the old officers, but on August 4 our subject was commissioned captain, and is now serving with that rank.

ABSALOM KELLEY, a highly-respected cit- izen of Gibson township. Susquehanna county, has passed a long and useful life in agricultural pur- suits and is now living in retirement. Although now in his seventy-sixth year he enjoys excellent health, with the exception of an occasional attack of rheumatism, and his erect figure betrays no need of the cane which he usually carries. His eyesight is remarkably good also. as he reads without glasses.

Our subject's family is of New England stock, and his . father. James Kelley, was born in Rhode Island, coming to Susquehanna county at the age of twenty-one, and settling upon a farm in Gibson township. where he died September 7, 1854. He was an industrious man, often working at masonry besides carrying on his farm, and was much es- teemed as a citizen. On September 12, 1818. he was married to Easter Denny, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., and a devout member of the Baptist Church. who died February 1, 1864. By this union there were thirteen children: Mary, born August 2, 1819, is the widow of William Taylor, and re-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sides in Ohio; Almira, born January 30, 1821, mar- ried Ralsoman Bertholinue, and died in 1886; Ab- salom, our subject, is mentioned below; Orlando and. Thomas (born May 16, 1827) are deceased ; Meranda A., born May 18, 1829, married Henry Coil, formerly a soldier, but now a farmer in Gibson township; Esick, born March 7, 1832, and Horace J., born December 19, 1835, are both deceased ; Miss Rebecca A., born August 21, 1837. resides in Au- burn township, Schuylkill county : Alta S., born May 15, 1839, married Charles B. Howell, a farmer in Gibson township; Annis P., deceased, was born July 26, 1843, and married Peter Shively ; Charlotte, born June 19, 1846, married Harris Howard, and re- sides on a farm in Auburn township, Schuylkill county : Florence, deceased, married Ralph Ber- tholmue.

Our subject was born January 9, 1823, at the old homestead, and at the early age of fifteen began working by the day among the neighboring farmers, his earnings being given to his parents. At the age of twenty-one he went to Wayne county, Penn., where he remained eleven years, being employed as a farm hand, as a lumberman on rafts, and in various other capacities. He then returned to Gib- son township, and after four years purchased his present farm, consisting of fifty acres. and valued at $2,700, but it took twelve years to pay for it, the interest bringing the cost to $3.700. In pol- itics he is a Republican, but he does not aspire to office. On January 9, 1859, he married, in Gibson township, Nancy Denny, who died February 5. 1899, aged sixty years. She was a daughter of Joel and Easter (Streenback) Denny, natives of Dutchess county, N. Y., who early set- tled on a farm in Gibson township. The remains of Mr. Denny now repose in the Manzer cemetery, and those of his wife in Jackson cemetery. Of the chil- dren of Abraham and Nancy ( Denny ) Kelley, Florence married George Matson : Ida. a resident of Olyphant, Penn., married Sheldon Dolph, a carpen- ter ; Clarence and Sheridan are both unmarried, and live at home; and Leafy, a resident of Archbald, Penn., married Thomas Reed, a miner.

DAVID E. WILCOX, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and a leading agriculturist of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, was born June 4. 1844, in that township, of which his father, Am- brose Wilcox, was also a native. The grandfather, Esaias Wilcox, one of the early settlers of the coun- ty, was a native of Connecticut, and a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as deacon for many years. He died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

Throughout his active business life Ambrose Wilcox followed the occupation of farming, and he was numbered among the honored and highly-re- speeted citizens of his native county. He, too, was a Presbyterian in religious belief, and a stalwart Republican in politics. In early manhood he mar-

ried Lucy Stout, who was born in Preston town- ship, Wayne county, and they became the parents of children as follows: David E., of this sketch ; Levi H. ; George W .; Orren, who was a member of Com- pany G, 14Ist P. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville; Orren A. (2), a resident of Wayne county, Penn. ; Eunice, wife of Osmer Fow- ler, of Jermyn, Penn. : Huldah L., wife of J. Walker, of Waymart, Penn. ; and Jane, wife of N. C. Phil- lips, of Preston township, Wayne county. The fa- ther of these children died at the age of seventy-six, the mother at the age of sixty-eight years.

David E. Wilcox was reared and educated in Wayne county, and early became familiar with every department of farm work. In September, 1863, he donned the blue and went to the front as a mem- ber of Company F, 76th P. V. I., 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Army Corps. He remained in the service until hostilities ceased, participating in the battles of Deep Bottom, Market Road and others of less importance, and he was finally discharged in June, 1865. Part of the regiment was sent to Fort Fisher, the remainder, which had been left to guard the lines at Chapin's Farm, in front of Lee's army, at Rich- mond. Va., being ordered to follow soon after the fall of that place. The campaign which followed was unusually severe. The troops were taken from Virginia to North Carolina, on their way to join Sherman, in an old cattle transport. and on the trip encountered a terrible storm, which lasted so long that it was a week before landing could be effected. The danger was especially great in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras. They remained along the coast until they joined Sherman and forced Johnston to surrender. Out of sixteen who went from Wayne county the same time as our subject, seven never returned, and he barely escaped with his life, con- tracting disabilities through exposures and hard- ships which caused him no little suffering. He was assigned to fill up an old regiment that went to the front. which, according to the roster. lost during its entire service-in killed, wounded, died and dis- charged for disability-1.035 men.

After the war Mr. Wilcox made his home in Preston township, Wayne county, until 1878, when he purchased his present fine farm of 110 acres in Mt. Pleasant township. to the cultivation and im- provement of which he has since devoted his ener- gies with most gratifying results. Upon the place is a good residence, barn and orchard. and its neat and thrifty appearance testifies to the enterprise and industrious habits of the owner.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 77

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