Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 8

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 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 8

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).

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of the most desirable places of the locality. He has been very successful in his business ventures, and has become much interested in bee culture, having a large apiary upon his farn.

In 1868 Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Martha R. Martin, a native of Sterling, Wayne county, and a daughter of Nathaniel Martin, who was born in January, 1813. Her grandparents, William and Mary ( Mertland) Martin, were na- tives of Ireland, and the parents of eight children. In 1832, when nineteen years of age. Nathaniel Martin came to Pennsylvania, and after spending three years in Philadelphia, he bought 200 acres of land at Salem, Wayne county, where he made his home for a time. Later lie sold that land and pur- chased a farm at Sterling, Wayne county. He married Mary Ann Cross, a native of Sterling, daughter of Ed Cross, and to them were born eight children : William Edgar and Robert MI., who were both soldiers in the Civil war ; Mrs. Frances Ridgeway, who died in St. Louis, Mo .; Mary, wife of Charles Wright, of Hawley, Penn .; Martha, wife of our subject; Nathaniel, a resident of Da- mascus township; Oliver, of Salem; and George, of Sterling. The wife and mother, who was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, de- parted this life in 1856. Subsequently Mr. Mar- tin married Sarah G. Cross, by whom he had four children : Thomas E., William J., Henry and W. G.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are Ora E., of Wayne county, who was cducated at Honesdale and Hallstead, Penn. ; Louie MI., wife of Scott Bush, of Jersey City; Vernie E., wife of Leslie Bush, of Damascus township; and Merle B., at home. The parents hold membership in the Bap- tist Church, and occupy an enviable position in the esteem of their fellow citizens. Mr. Mitchell is a man of broad and liberal views, is a stalwart Demo- crat in politics, and is a liberal supporter of all measures for the public good.

REINHARD R. WARG (deceased) was for several years one of the most prominent business men and valued citizens of Hawley, Wayne county. He was of foreign birth, born in Saxony, Germany, June 6, 1836, but performed his duties of citizen- ship with a loyalty cqual to that of any native son of America. Ile was killed while on a pleasure trip, February 25, 1883. A party of friends, num- bering twenty-eight, were in a bus to which four horses were attached. The road being very slip- pery with ice, the vehicle went over an embank- ment. and he was the only one of the party killed.

In 1852 Mr. Warg was brought to America by his parents, Carl and Wilhelmina ( Meinel) Warg, who first located at Wilsonville, Wayne county, but a year later came to Hawley, where the father fol- lowed his trade of shoemaking. There he died in 1866, aged sixty-seven years, the mother in 1876, aged sixty-six. Both were earnest and faithful members of the German Congregational Church. Their children were Amelia, now the wife of Mich-

ael Koehnlein, of Bridgeport, Ohio; Carl, who died in Chicago, Ill .; Reinhard R .; Louisa, who mar- ried Frank Hess, and died in Newark, N. J. ; and Augusta, who first married Frank Kanisel, and after his death wedded John Davies, foreman of a hardware store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,

The first two years after his arrival in Wayne county, Reinhard R. Warg worked in a sawmill, and then went to Allentown, Penn., where he was employed in a woolen mill. He was an active worker and class-leader in the German Congrega- tional Church at that place. Returning to Hawley in 1859, he served an apprenticeship to the shoe- maker's trade with his father, and continued to work for him until the father's death, when he took charge ot the business, later establishing a regular shoe store which he successfully conducted until he too was called from this life. He was one of the found- ers and president of the Hawley Maennerchor. and also served as treasurer of the Odd Fellows lodge to which he belonged. A man of known reliability, he was often called upon to fill responsible positions in both public and private life, serving as guardian for three different families. He was charitable and benevolent, and always took an active and prom- inent part in Church work. The Democratic party found in him a stanch supporter, but he never cared for political honors. However, he was deeply inter- ested in education, served creditably as school di- rector for six years, declining a renomination at the end of that time, and was the founder of the graded school in Hawley.

At Hawley, August 23, 1863, Mr. Warg mar- ried Miss Mary E. Kocsting, Rev. Frankford, a German Reformed minister, officiating. She was born in Hesse, Germany, February 6, 1844, a daugh- ter of Henry and Jenetta (Everling) Koesting, of the same Province, who, in 1854, came to America and located in Stroudsburg, Penn., where the father worked in a mill. The mother died in Junc, 1854, just three weeks after her arrival in that place, at the age of thirty-nine years. In 1860 Mr. Koesting came to Hawley, where he conducted a meat market for three years, and for the following six years engaged in the same business in Milford, Penn., where he subsequently lived retired until his death in 1890, at the age of seventy-four. In 1858 he was married to Elizabeth Meyer, of Hamilton, Penn., who died in Milford, in 1887. The children born to them were William, who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Anna, now the wife of Lawn Greening. a drover. of Milford. By his first marriage Mr, Koesting had six children: Carl, who died in Germany : Frederick, who died in New York, in 1891 ; Philipenna, wife of George Jacobs. who is employed in the Pennsylvania railroad shops in Hawley; Mary E., widow of our subject : Lena. who first married Lafayette Waldo, and after his death wedded Harry Ross, a barber of Port Jer- vis, N. Y. ; and Charles, who is superintendent of the large dry-goods store of James McCreery in New York.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Warg were as follows: Reinhard F., who now owns and con- ducts the shoe store left by his father, married Rosa Merz, and has two children, Reinhard and Lizzetta ; Carl died at the age of fourteen years ; Amelia died at the age of six : Frederick died at the age of three : Frank is a printer living in New York City; Au- gusta, who was an accomplished musician and played the organ at Church from the age of twelve years, died when sixteen ; Lena is with her mother, and Charles died at the age of eight years. Mr. Warg left his family in comfortable eircumstances, and they occupy a prominent place in the social circles of the community. Mrs. Warg, who is a lady of more than ordinary business ability, conducted the store for five years after her husband's death, and then sold to her son. Both mother and son have for many years been teachers in the Sunday-school, and are leading and influential members of the Ger- man Congregational Church.

DWIGHT CHAPMAN is pleasantly located upon a fine farm of 146 acres in Salem township, Wayne county. where he is industriously engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has brought the land to a fine state of cultivation, and the improvements which we see to-day have been effected by his in- dustry, perseverance and good judgment. The farm buildings are ncat and substantial, and with their surroundings present the picture of the eom- plete country home.

Mr. Chapman was born in Portland, Mid- dlesex Co., Conn., May 30, 1837, a son of Ralph Chapman, whose sketch is given elsewhere. Dur- ing his boyhood and youth our subject remained with his parents, not leaving home until his mar- riage to MIiss Lavina Andrews, which oceurred March 11, 1858, at Waymart. Wayne county, the ceremony being performed by Siperon Carr. Esq. They have become the parents of five children, namely: Florance, a farmer of Salem township. married Miss Percie Polley: Delazine died at the age of two years ; Arthur died at the age of one and one-half years; Ida MI. married Florance Good- rich, who is engaged in farming in Salem town- ship; Earl is at homc.

Mrs. Chapman was born in Salem township. February 24, 1839, a daughter of Adrial and Eleanor (McCabe) Andrews, natives of Ilartford, Conn .. and Canada, respectively. Her paternal grandfather was John Andrews. Her parents be- came acquainted and were married in Salem town- shin, Wayne county, and were among the first set- tlers of that section. where they made their home during their entire married life. The father be- eame a well-to-do and prosperous business man, engaging in farming, the sawmill business, and the · manufacture of wagons, and at one time he was also interested in the undertaking business. He died in 1881, aged eighty-five years, the mother in 1877. at the age of sixty-three, and both were laid to rest in Salem cemetery. Three children were

born to them: Nancy, who died when young ; and Lucina and Lavina, twins, the former the wife of David Abbey, a farmer of Salem township, and the latter the wife of our subject. The father was three times married.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman began their domestie life upon a part of their present farm, as she owned IOI acres of it at that time. In 1892 he purchased forty-five acres, and now has 146 acres of as fine farming land as is to be found in the township. In October, 1862, he joined the "boys in blue," enlist- ing for nine months in Capt. G. B. Hubble's Com- pany, 169th P. V. I. He was on guard duty all of the time, and on the expiration of his term of en- listment was mustered out at Philadelphia in Sep- tember, 1863. He is now a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics is identi- fied with the Republican party. For three years he lias efficiently served as school direetor in his dis- triet, and as supervisor of the township for two years. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular with all classes, and as a public- spirited, enterprising man he is recognized as a valuable citizen of the community.

WILLIAM D. BUCKINGHAM, a progress- ive and enterprising farmer of Berlin township, Wayne county, has spent his entire life in this lo- eality, his birth occurring in the township Septem- ber 22, 1864, and he is a worthy representative of one of the most honored and highly respected families of the community.

John Buckingham. Sr., the father of our sub- jeet, was born in Cornwall, England, October 28, 1826, a son of Digery Buckingham, who died in that country. In 1839 the widowed mother with her five children crossed the ocean to the United States, and took up her residence upon a tract of wild timberland in Berlin township. Wayne coun- ty, which the son, John Buckingham, later trans- formed into a good farm. The first log house was replaced by a good frame residence, erected on a natural building site : barns were built : an orchard set out, and the land placed under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Buckingham met with marked success in his labors as an agriculturist and be- came quite well-to-do financially. Ile married Miss Emma Dony, who in every possible way aided him in his undertakings, proving a most faithful helpmeet. Her father, John Dony, was also a native of Corn- wall. England, and died in Bethany, Penn., highly esteemed by all who knew him. To John and Emma ( Dony ) Buckingham were born seven chil- dren, namely : Frances 1)., Mrs. Benjamin V. Gray : Elizabeth, wife of Wallace Spry. of Berlin town- ship: Sarah E., wife of George Spry, of the same township: Rebecca, a resident of Forest City. Penn. ; William D., of this sketch ; Emma G., also of Forest City; and John R., who lived on the old homestead, and now resides on a farm in Da- mascus township, Wayne county, which he pur-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

chased ( he was married March 22, 1899, to Blanche Woodley, daughter of Fred Woodley). The fa- ther departed this life in 1894, but the mother is still living on the old homestead at the age of seventy years. She and most of her children are faithful members . of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which the father also belonged. He took a very active and prominent part in its work, gave liberally of his means to its support, and his aid was never withheld from any measure whiel he believed caleulated to prove of public benefit.

Amidst rural scenes William D. Buckingham grew to manhood. his early life being spent in as- sisting in the labors of the home farm and in at- tending the local schools. where he acquired a good practical edueation. He now lives on the old home- stead, and as a farmer ranks among the best in Berlin township, as a business man is prompt, energetie and reliable, and as a citizen is worthy of the high regard in which he is held by all who know him. On October 23. 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Saunders, who was also born and reared in Wayne county, a daughter of Samuel and Grace ( Brock) Saunders, promi- nent residents of Berlin township. Two children grace this union : Stella and Joseph William.

DANIEL S. DECKER (deceased) was for many years a prominent resident of Stroud town- ship, Monroe county, and his exemplary Christian character won the confidence and esteem of his ae- quaintanees in a marked degree. His long term of service in responsible positions with leading busi- ness firms and corporations speaks volumes for his ability and trustworthiness, while in the varied relations of life he displayed a high sense of duty.

Mr. Deeker was born December 30. 1838, in Smithfield township. Monroe county, a son of Ber- nard and Elizabeth Decker, both natives of New Jersey. His father, who was a farmer by oceupa- tion, removed with his family to Pike county at an early day. but later purchased a farm in Smith- field township, Monroe county. where his remain- ing years were spent. Our subject was one of a family of ten children. the others being: Samuel : Charles W .: Calvin: Cornelia and Jackson. who died in childhood : Margaret, who married Ephraim Huffman, and had three children-Carrie. Alvin and Vanlee: Rhina, wife of Jerome France. of Mountain Home. Monroe county : Susan, who died in childhood : and Sarah, who married Francis Van Gordon, of Middle Smithfield township, Mon- roe county.

The late Daniel S. Decker was reared as a farmer boy at his father's homestead. and received a good public school education. In 1860 he mar- ried Miss Margaret J. Metzgar, and made his home in Spragueville, taking the position of bookkeeper and superintendent in the store of L. Andrews, with whom he remained a number of years. Later he had charge of a store for his brother at Mountain Home. In 1886 he moved back to his home near

Spragueville, and from that time until his death, in 1892, he was employed as loeal yard master on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. Politically he was a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, and soeially he was identified with the I. O. O. F .. at Mountain Home, and with the F. & A. M. at Stroudsburg. His estimable wife survives him, and of their nine children seven are living: (1) Harry, born in November, 1861, at Belvidere, N. J., was educated in the public schools of Monroe coun- ty, and now holds his father's former position as yard master. He married Miss Morrilla Tranger, of East Stroudsburg, who died in May, 1897. leav- ing two sons, Leroy and Harry I. (2) Edmond, born in October. 1863, is a telegraph operator at Wilkes Barre. He married Miss Cassie Daily, of Tannersville, and. has three children, Mabel, and Ruth and Raymond (twins). Charles, born in December. 1865. at Spragueville, is a telegraph op- erator at East Stroudsburg. He married Miss Anna LeBar, of Stroud township, and has two daughters, Edith M., and Lena. (4) Laura, born in Sprague- ville September 5. 1867. died at the age of five years. (5) Franklin, born March 14. 1870. died when sixteen months old. (6) George M .. born May 1, 1872, is employed as yard master on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. He married Miss Bertha Place. of East Stroudsburg. (7) Archie W., born in June, 1874. is a railway fireman and resides at Moosic. Penn. He married Miss Daisy Vroom, of Columbia, N. J. (8) Cora B., born March 20, 1878. at Mountain Home, Penn., resides with her mother. She possesses fine musical talent, and her refinement and culture make her a favorite in the best social circles of the neighborhood. (9) Lizzie E .. born February 18, 1885. is now attending the Stroudsburg schools.

Mrs. Margaret J. Decker, who is highly es- teemed among her many friends for her excellent qualities of character, was born December 25. 1843, near East Stroudsburg. a daughter of George A. Metzgar, a native of Middle Smithfield township, Monroe county, born in 1813. This worthy citi- zen followed agricultural pursuits throughout life. being' employed for many years as superin- tendent of the extensive farming interests of B. F. Starboard, at East Stroudsburg. He died in 1888 at the home of his son. W. H. Metzgar. with whom both father and mother resided a number of years in their old age : they both were members of the M. E. Church and died triumphant. trusting in God The mother, whose maiden name was Elanor Win- ans, and who was born and reared in Middle Smithfield township, died in 1802. Mrs. Decker is the eldest in a family of nine children. (2) Jonas died in childhood. (3) Mary A. married W. F. Nyce, of Middle Smithfield township, and died in 1884. She had nine children. Maggie. Lizzie and Harry living: the others died in childhood. (4) Hannah M., married W. R. Stright. a business man of Philadelphia, and has two children. George E., and Mary .A. (5) Franklin married Miss Elmira

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Sebring, of Price township, Monroe county, and is now engaged in farming in that locality. He had eight children, Ela J. ( wife of Chas. Bender, of Barrett township, Monroe county), Maggie, Ed- ward, Martha, Charles, Harry, Earl, Claude. (6) John J., born at Stroudsburg in April, 1851, is a resident of Stroudsburg. He married Blanche E. Bowman, of Paradise Valley, and has four chil- dren, Lula, Stella, George and William. (7) Lizzie married William H. Bugless, farmer of Pocono township, Monroe county, who is also a machinist and is employed at the railroad shops at Strouds- burg. They have three children, Laura, Bertha and William. (8) WILLIAM H., born March 28, 1856, at Stroudsburg, was educated in the public schools of that vicinity. He is a member of the M. E. Church. In 1886 he bought the W. F. Nyce property, half a mile south of Spragueville, and has made substantial improvements upon the place. In 1894 he secured a position with the Elk Tanning Co., in Elk county, and is located at Ridgway, Penn. He is not married, but is popular socially, and is a member of the Mountain Home Lodge No. 684, I. O. O. F. (9) George M., born March 8, 1858, resides at Wilkes Barre, and is in the employ of the Wilkesbarre & Eastern railroad. He married Miss Mary E. Crandell, of Grover, Bradford county, and has three children, Chester, Archie and Mary ..

JOHN F. BLAKE, a leading agriculturist and prominent citizen of Manchester township, Wayne county, was born December 5, 1852, at Beach Lake, Berlin township, same county, a son of John V. Blake, a native of Cornwall, England, who, when seventeen years of age, came to America and took up his residence in Pennsylvania. By occupation he was a blacksmith and farmer, in religious belief a Methodist, and in politics a Republican. He took quite an active interest in all Church work, and served as trustee of his Church for some time. In early life he married Jane Downey, also a native of England, and to' them were born ten children: George (deceased), John F., William, Samuel and Franklin (both deceased), Charles, Alfred. Ella (deceased), Eva, and Benjamin. The mother of these children, who was a true Christian woman and a most estimable lady, died at the age of forty- eight years, and the father afterwards married Jane James, who was also born in England.

On the home farm the subject of this sketch was reared to habits of industry and thrift, and in the public schools of the locality obtained a good practical education. which, in later years. he sup- plemented with reading and study. He was married December 28. 1876. to Miss Tempie S. Woolheater, and to them were born three children, two of whom are still living : Abigail J. and Clarence D. Blake. One of the greatest sorrows that has come into their lives was caused by the loss of their daughter Peace, who died at the age of eighteen years. She was : bright. intelligent young lady, and was loved for her amiable qualities of mind and heart.

Noah D. Woolheater ( MIrs. Blake's father) was born in Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., June 22, 1816, a son of John and Susan ( Robinson) Woolheater, both natives of Long Island, N. Y., the former being of German parentage. Previous to his marriage Noah D. Woolheater successfully engaged in teaching school for ten years, and in his native country also followed the carpenter's trade until coming to Equinunk, Wayne Co., Penn. In 1862 he purchased the property at Union, known as the Samuel Price tavern and farm, one of the well known landmarks of Wayne county. He was mar- ried September 12, 1844, to Miss Abigail Scudder, also a native of Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., born July 21, 1820, a daughter of Smith Scudder, who was of Welsh parentage, and a member of the So- ciety of Friends. Iler brother, Isaiah Scudder, was for years one of the leading citizens of Equi- nunk, Penn., where he was engaged in the tauning business, and is now a resident of Damascus town- ship, Wayne county. To Mr. and Mrs. Woolheater were born eight children, namely: Edward, a resi- dent of Equinunk; Daniel (deceased) : Emona, a popular and successful teacher of Wayne county : Benjamin, deceased; Tempie S., wife of our subject ; Annie (deceased) ; Isaialı, of Bing- hamton, N. Y .; and Mrs. T. H. Dunn, of Scran- ton, Penn. The mother died at the age of sixty- eight, the father at the age of seventy-four years. He was a prominent and influential citizen of his community, and as a Republican he was called upon to serve as tax collector of his township, and was also postmaster. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he held membership, and served as trustee and steward in same.

For two years after his marriage, Mr. Blake lived in Bethany, Wayne county, and then operated a farm in that county for the same length of time. In 1880, he went to Caddo, Blue county, Choctaw Nation, Ind. Ter., where he spent one year. and at the end of that time went to Texas, but did not long remain in that State as there he contracted malarial fever. Returning north to Peabody, Marion Co .. Kans., he spent one season there, and in 1888 we again find him in Wayne county, Penn., where he has since continued to reside. In Manchester town- ship he has a fine farm of 100 acres. on which he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. Ife takes quite an active interest in public affairs. and is a supporter of Republican principles, and has efficiently served on the school board for six years. He is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and has the respect and es- teem of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.

ALVA S. KEYES is one of the representative Isiness men of Wayne county, successfully carry- ing on operations as a dealer in agricultural im- plements, wagons, buggies, sleighs, etc., at Lake Ariel. Ile is a native of the county, born in Dyberry township, December 22, 1847. and is a son of Dan-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

forth and Nancy ( Smith) Keyes, the former a na- tive of Windham county, Conn., the latter of Plain- field, New Jersey.

Mr. Keyes' paternal grandparents, John and Blanch Keyes, were also born in Connecticut, and about 1829 came to Wayne county, Penn., bringing with them their eight children. They first located in Lebanon township, near Rileyville, where the grandfather rented property for eight or ten years, and then moved to Honesdale. Their children were as follows: (1) Percy married Sabina Will- moth, who died some years ago, leaving a family. (2) John married Abigail Calkin, and resided in Great Bend, Penn., where she died and where the family still live. (3) Mary A. married John Ham, and resides near Toledo, Ohio, where her husband died. (4) Danforth, the father of our subject, is next in the family. (5) Josiah married Delila Cal-

' kins, who died leaving one child. Minor, and he afterward wedded Sarah Wood, of Pike county, by whom he has had seven children, Chauncey, George, Truman, John, Ella, Lucy and Annie. They reside at Matamoras, Pike county. (6) Henry died while attending school in Wayne county. (7) Austin mar- ried Alice Sampson, who died soon afterward, leav- ing one daughter, Alice, who died young; for his second wife he married a New Jersey lady, by whom he has one daughter. They reside in New Jersey. (8) Lucius married Drucilla Calkins, is engaged in farming in Berlin township, Wayne county, and has had a family of six children, Lydia, Danforth, Florence (deceased), Amasa, Mabel and Howard.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 8

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