Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 9

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 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 9
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3 > Part 9

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The parents of our subject became acquainted and were married in Wayne county, and there con- tinued to make their home throughout life. The father was born in 1817 and died in 1854, the moth- er was born May 28, 1812, and died September 11, 1870, the remains of both being interred at Bethany, Wayne county. Of the three children born of this union, Henry E. died at the age of twenty years ; Alva is second in the order of birth; and George is a resident of Michigan.

Alva S. Keyes was only seven years old when his father died. and at the age of nineteen he took charge of the home farm, which he successfully oprated until he reached the age of thirty. He then joined his brother George M. in business at Drinker. Penn., where they conducted a store to- gether for three and one-half years. On disposing of his interest he removed to Gravity. Wayne county. and there carried on operations as 'a merchant for two and one-half years, selling ont at the end of that time, though he remained a resident of Gray- ity until 1891, engaging in the wagon business. During the summers of 1800 and ISof he was mana- ger of the "Lake Hotel." at Lake Ariel. and in the latter year embarked in his present business. which he has since successfully carried on. In April. 1865, when only seventeen years of age. he entered the service of the government, going to North Carolina with a construction corps and driving oxen. Ile served some two months.

At Dyberry, Wayne county, Mr. Keyes was married, November 25, 1869, to Miss Martha J. Bunnell, and they have become the parents of three children : Minor E., born May 17, 1871, married Blanche Schofield, and is engaged in the drug busi- liess at Detroit, Mich .; Frank O., born March 26, 1873, married Augusta Ely, and is an insurance agent at Dunmore, Penn. ; and Ellis D., born No- vember 28, 1874, is station agent at Maplewood, Penn. Mrs. Keyes is an active worker in the M. E. Church.

Politically Mr. Keyes is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he has most capably filled the office of school director in Dyberry town- ship three years and at Lake Ariel for one year. He possesses an excellent library, of which he makes good use, and is well versed on the leading questions and issues of the day. In his social relations he is a Master Mason, belonging to Salem Lodge No. 330. at Hamilton, and wherever known he is held in the highest esteem by all. One of his most cher- ished possessions is a Past Master's jewel presented hin by the lodge.

PETER C. BISHOP, section foreman for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., at Hawley, Wayne county, was born at that place, January 5. 1826. His parents, Hiram and Anna ( Curcellis) Bishop, were natives of New York and New Jersey, re- spectively, but became acquainted and were mar- ried in Bethany, Wayne Co., Penn. The father engaged in the occupations of lumbering and farm- ing, and was also interested in boating on the canal at different times throughout his business career. He was one of the most prominent men of his com- munity, and was elected to a number of local of- fices, for several terms serving as supervisor of Texas township. Wayne county, where he resided for many years prior to going to Honesdale. His political support was given the Democracy. He died in Honesdale, in 1882, aged eighty-four years, his wife passing away two months previous at the age of eighty-two. John Bishop. the paternal grandfather of our subject, was of Holland origin.

The children of Hiram and Anna (Curcellis) Bishop were as follows: George died in Missouri, where he was engaged in farming. Margaret mar- ried Simeon Kimble, a lumberman and lock tender on the canal. and both died in Wayne county. Susan married Ira Compton, a farmer, who died in Wayne county : she died in 1846. John, a lock ten- der on the canal. also died in Wayne county. Lea- hany is the deceased wife of Charles Leonard, a re- tired farmer at Joliet, Ili. Harvey is foreman on the canal at Ilonesdale. Peter C. is next in the order of birth. Henry is a carpenter in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., under our subject. Iliram is attending gates for that com- pany at Greenridge, Penn. Anna married Samuel Ilazelbecker, and both are now deceased. Cather- ine is a dressmaker in Hawley.

When a child. Peter C. Bishop accompanied

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his parents on their removal to the ridge in Palmyra township, Wayne county, and later to a place near Honesdale, in Texas township, remaining with them until he had attained his majority. At the age of ten he began driving a horse on the towpath, and later was engaged in boating on the canal with his father and brother. After being so engaged ten years, he entered the employ of the canal company, working at carpentering and other occupations until 1872 when he was appointed section foreman, having charge of ten miles of the canal between West Falls and Hawley. This responsible position he still continues to fill in a most efficient and ac- ceptable manner.

At Hawley, December 25. 1850, Mr. Bishop married Miss Lucy Williams, Rev. Barker, a Methodist Episcopal minister, performing the cere- mony. The children born of this union are as fol- lows: (1) Anna E., residing with her parents, is the widow of Franklin Pallett, and has one daugh- ter, Lucy. (2) Louis, a telegraph operator at Honesdale, married Ida Summers, of Scranton, Penn., and had five children, Edna ( deceased), Grace, Harry, Helen and Louise. (3) Albert L., a lineman for the Western Union Telegraph Co., and the Hudson River Telegraph Co., at Hawley, married Fannie Miller, of Stroudsburg, Penn., and has two children, Irene and Ellen. (4) Frances is the wife of Herbert Plum, baggage master on the E. & Y. R. R., residing at Dunmore, l'enn .. and has four children, Max V., Henry, Marguerite and Albert. (5) Sarah J. is with her parents.

Mrs. Bishop was born in Carbondale, Lacka- wanna Co., Penn .. July 26. 1828, a daughter of Uriah and Elizabeth ( Hewett ) Williams, who were married at that place, but were natives of Connecti- cut and Susquehanna county, Penn., respectively. The paternal grandparents, Jacob and Fanny (Enist ) Williams, spent their entire lives in Con- necticut. For some years the maternal grandpar- ents, John and Mary ( Phillips ) Hewett, lived in Susquehanna county, Penn., and died in Salem township, Wayne county, of which place they were early settlers. The grandfather was wounded in the war of 1812. After his death. his widow mar- ried Seth Goodridge. . The great-grandfather, Captain Hewett, commanded a company in the Revolutionary war.

By trade Uriah Williams ( Mrs. Bishop's fa- ther ) was a stone mason. In 1832 he removed to Paupack township, Wayne county, where he made his home until 1860. and then located in Haw- ley, where he engaged in the butchering business and in buying and selling incat. He held a number of local offices in Panpack township. and was one of the active and influential members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which for many years he served as class leader. Ile died in February, 1872, aged sixty-seven years, his wife three days later. aged sixty-four. and both were laid to rest in the cemetery in Paupack township. Their chil- dren were: Sarah .A., who died in childhood;

Frances, who married John Mitchell, and both are now deceased ; John H., who died in 1893; George, a merchant and postmaster at South Canaan, Wayne county; Lucy, wife of our subject; Mary J., deceased wife of Harvey Bishop (a cousin of our subject ), who was a soldier of the Civil war, and is now a lumberman at Lake Arich, Wayne county ; Nancy, deceased wife of John McFarland, of Hollisterville, Penn .; Angeline, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Sanford W., a carpenter, build- er and wheelwright at Hamilton, Wayne county; and Mahala and Charles, who died in chiklhood.

Although Mr. Bishop has never aspired to of- fice. he has been called upon to serve as councilman and school director, filling the latter position at the time the large school house was erected in Hawley. He is unswerving in his support of the Republican party, is an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and for the past sixteen years has affiliated with the Legion of Honor. He has rounded the Psalmist's span of three-score years and ten with mental and physical vigor unimpaired, overcoming the ordinary and usual cares and weaknesses of age by active interest and participa- tion in the living issues and affairs of the day. His friends are many throughout the county, and he is held in high regard by all who know him.

GILES A. WATROUS, one of the valiant de- fenders of the Union during the Civil war. and a prominent citizen of Bridgewater township, Sus- quehanna county, is now the owner of the old fam- ily homestead known as Sunny Slope, which has been in possession of the family since 1818. It is one of the most beautiful rural homes in this section, and is supplied with all the comforts which make life worth the living.

On this farm Mr. Watrous was.born May 15, 1840, a son of Spencer Watrous, who was a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., and in 1818, during his childhood, was brought by his parents, Benjamin and Lucy ( Spencer ) Watrous, to Susquehanna county. Penn., locating in the southeastern part of Bridgewater township. Before he attained his ma- jority he learned the carpenter's trade, and in later years built many houses for his neighbors besides carrying on his farm. He took little interest in po- litical matters. never sought official honors, but cred- itably served as supervisor and poormaster when those offices were given him by the vote of the town- ship without his solicitation. He was ever content to move along in the even tenor of his way, devoting himself to his family and his business interests. In boyhood he had but little opportunity to obtain a knowledge of bocks. and belonged to a class of sturdy citizens who cleared away the forests of Bridgewater township, prepared its soil for crops, built its roads, tences, school houses and churches, and placed within easy reach of coming generations good facilities and a sustenance without indefatiga- b'e labor. During the old days of the militia he served as captain of a company under Gov. Wolfe.

Sales Q. Watraus

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Spencer Watrous was born March 26, 1810, one of the eleven children of Benjamin and Lucy (Spen- cer) Watrous, who were formerly residents of Con- necticut. The other ten children were: Ansel, born September 4, 1792, died January 30. 1865 ; Joseph, horn February 5. 1794. died May 6, 1875; Linas, born January 6, 1796, died April 29. 1865; Sallie, born April 13, 1798, died December 23. 1863; Mar- garet, born March 2. 1800, died December 6, 1808; Benjamin, Jr., born June 16, 1802. died March 28, 1882 : Hannah, born March 7, 1804, died December 12. 1809; James, born February 9. 1807, died Feb- ruary 2. 1868; Maria. born February 9, 1807, died December 13, 1887: Ann. born July 12. 1812, died June 13, 1872 : Lucy, born February 10. 1815. died March 18. 1888. Benjamin Watrous died in Susque- hanna county, and his wife, who had married again. died in Michigan. In 1839 Spencer Watrous was married to Louisa Giddings, born January 27, 1817, a daughter of James and Lucy ( Deming) Giddings, who came to Susquehanna county from Groton, Conn .. and located in Herrick township, where they reared their family which numbered the following children : Sarah W .. Fanny D .. Andrew, Charles W. (a presiding elder in the Methodist Church for many years). Giles A., Jabez D., Louisa. Maria, John James, George Henry. Francis Marion, Dewitt Clint- on (who was a member of the United States Con- gress), and Mary Ann. Mrs. Watrous' paternal grandparents were Solomon and Sarah ( Waterman) Giddings, the former of whom died in 1827. the latter in 1784. Our subject is the eldest of the chil- dren born to Spencer and Louisa ( Giddings) Wat- rous. the others being as follows : George G., born June 24, 1847. read law with Fitch & Watson. was admitted to the Susquehanna County Bar in 1879. and was engaged in practice at Montrose : S. Ann, born August 10. 1844. is the widow of H. E. Tiffany. and resides in Montrose : James G. died at the age of four years. The mother was first a member of the Methodist Church, but afterward united with the Presbyterian Church. while the father was a Baptist in religious faith. Both were earnest Christian peo- ple. held in high estecm by all who knew them. Ile died November 14. 1891. preceded by his wife who passed away April 27, 1886. on the old homestead they loved so well.

During the war of the Rebellion Giles A. Wat- rous manifested his loyalty to his country by enlist- ing in November. 1861. in an independent company raised at Carlisle. and commanded by Capt. W. J. Palmer. It first acted as body-guard to Gen. An- derson, and after going to Louisville. Kv., served in the same capacity for Gen. Buell at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and as body-guard to Gen. Rose- crans at the battles of Crab Orchard and Stone Riv- er. Being sent with a message from Gen. Rosecrans to Gen. MeCook. Mr. Watrous was captured on the Salem pike near Murfreesboro, and was taken to Libby prison. After one month's imprisonment. however, he was paroled and sent to Camp Chase. Ohio, from which place he returned home in March,

1863, his discharge papers having been previously made out with the rest of the company while he was in prison. On August 31, 1864, he enlisted in the marine corps at Philadelphia, and then went to Washington, D. C., where with seventy-five picked meni he served as the body-guard of President Lin- coln until the early part of 1865. He was next sent with the ship guard to Norfolk, Va., where he was detailed to do duty in the navy yard. Four months later he went on board the "Powhatan," the ad- miral's ship of the South Pacific squadron, which sailed to southern seas and cruised on the coast of Peru and South America until 1868. His time hav- ing expired, he was then discharged and returned home.

Since the war Mr. Watrous has engaged in farming with marked success upon the old home- stead consisting of 100 acres, to which he has since added eighty, making 180 acres. He married Miss Celia E., daughter of Spencer and Electa ( Watrous) Read, of Deep River, Conn., and to them were born three daughters: ( 1) Nellie R., who died at the age of twenty years, was a young lady of culture and re- finement, and many womanly graces. and her death was a severe blow to her parents and friends. She died while attending the normal school at Mansfield, Penn. (2) Ella R., twin sister of Nellie, died in infancy. (3) Louise E. is a graduate of the Mont- rose high schools, and in 1897 also graduated with high honors from the Mansfield Normal school. re- ceiving the first prize. In politics Mr. Watrous is a Republican, has served his town six years as asses- sor. and has been school director. He is a member of the Four Brothers Post, G. A. R., at Montrose (a post so named in memory of four brothers who gave up their lives for their country). Both Mr. and Mrs. Watrous arc members of the Presbyterian Church.

Spencer Read, father of Mrs. Watrous, was born April 23. 1817. in Chester. Conn .. and died in April. 1898. He was a mechanic. and worked in a bit and auger factory, and during the war worked in the Whitneyville ( Conn.) gun factory, later be- coming foreman in an ivory shop. He married Electa Watrous, who was born September 10. 1818, and died January 16, 1886. They were the parents of four children: Eleanor, born June 27. 1841 : Henry $ .. born April 11, 1844: Celia E. ( Mrs. Wat- rous ), born June 5, 1846 : and Myra A., born August 7. 1854. and died January 29. 1867.

JOHN MILTON SPENCER. Prominent among the leading farmers and well-to-do citizens of Mt. Pleasant township. Wayne county. is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born in that township October 27. 1842. at what was then known as "Wheeler Corners." about a mile south of where he now lives, and throughout life has been prominently identifiedf with the agricultural interests of this region.

Mr. Spencer's father. Philo C. Spencer. is also a native of Wayne county, born in 1818, and is a

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son of Ezra and Eliza (Clark) Spencer, who took up their residence here in 1816 and were among the honored pioneers. During his early life Philo C. Spencer was employed as a carpenter and joiner, wagon maker, etc. He married Miss Lucy Ann Simons, a daughter of Timothy Simons, an early settler of Susquehanna county, and to this worthy couple were born five sons : Charies Clark, J. Mil- ton, Orville W., George F. (a resident of Thompson, Penn., where he is the well-known proprietor of a steam-heating business, being the patentee and man- ufacturer of steam heaters), and Davie E. The mother's death occurred in January, 1885, but the father is still living, honored and respected by all who know him.

The subject of this review was reared at home, doing such work as his father furnished, some- times in the shop at wagons and sleighs. at other times at farm work. He obtained his education in the public schools of the locality. In the spring of 1865 he heeded the government call for men and took his place for a few months among those who went to defend the country's flag. After regaining his health, which became much impaired while a soldier, he followed mechanical work, such as is found to do in a country wagon shop, or as car- penter and joiner, much of the time for a few years. He has occupied the farm he now lives upon since 1870, obtaining the title for the same four years later.

On September 6, 1883, Mr. Spencer wedded Miss Maria E. King, a native of Susquehanna coun- ty, Penn., and a daughter of Sylvester and Jane (Hall) King. Her father, who was a millwright and farmer by occupation, died July 26, 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Spen- cer were born three children, but the only one now living is James Russell, whose birth occurred Au- gust 21, 1887. King, the first born, died at the age of three years; and Ward Wheeler, the youngest, died at the age of four months.

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are both devout members of the Methodist Church at Pleasant Mount, and she is much interested in the temperance cause, be- ing an active and prominent member of the Wom- an's Christian Temperance Union, and living in har- mony with its motto. "For God and home and native land." In politics Mr. Spencer is an ardent Republi- can, and has ever been a warm advocate of the prin- ciples of this great political organization. Industry, honesty and integrity are among his chief character- istics, and he too is a stanch supporter of temperance principles, being a member of the Independent Or- der of Good Templars.

JOSEPH BACON SILAW, M. D .. of Dela- ware Water Gap. Monroe county. is a physician of the highest standing, and his genial and courteous manners make him popular among all classes of people.

Our subject comes of good Colonial stock, his ancestors having resided at Cape May, N. J., for

several gencrations. His great-grandfatlier, Obediah Shaw, and grandfather, Obediah Shaw, Jr., were ocean pilots, and the latter attained the advanced age of ninety-seven years, his death oc- curring at Cape May. Of his children our subject remembers only five: Washington, who went west and was lost from memory ; Louisa and Elizabeth, (the two daughters), who lived and died at Cape May, N. J .; Lemuel, also a pilot ; and Alexander.

Alexander Shaw, our subject's father, during the California gold excitement of 1845, was one of the first to go to that country, making the trip by way of Cape Horn. However, he was set upon by Indians, and lost all he had. A few years afterward he returned home by the overland route. For many years he followed the sea as pilot, and was connect- ed with the Philadelphia & Boston Steamship Line for over twenty-five years, sailing from Philadelphia to Boston every week. While in their service he un- fortunately fell down the hatchway of one of the vessels, breaking both arms in several places, also several ribs and dislocating one leg. He had taken vessels to almost every port in the known world. He located at Stonington, Ill., where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. In religious faith he was a Baptist. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Mulford, died in Florida in 1897. aged eighty- four years. They had the following children : Danelia, who married Albert McBridge, and died at their residence in Stonington, Ill .; Charles, a carpenter and builder at Warren, Penn .: Virginia, who was married to John Burnham, of Stonington, Ill., and died in that State; George. a resident of Florida, where he owns an orange grove : Charlotte, who married A. McConnell (they also live in Florida on an orange grove) ; Joseph B., our sub- ject ; and two who died in childhood.

Dr. Joseph B. Shaw was born September 25, 1845, at Cape May, and was educated mainly in the public schools of Philadelphia. He studied pharmacy in that city at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduated in 1868 and then entered up- on the study of medicine, completing his course in the University of Pennsylvania in 1877. For ten years he practiced at Darby, Delaware county, Penn., conducting a drug store at the same time, and in 1878 he located at Delaware Water Gap, where he speedily built a large and lucrative gener- .al practice. At present he is the only physician in the town. Hc belongs to the Lehigh Valley Med- ical Society, and is also prominent in non-proies- sional organizations, being an active worker in Keystone Lodge No. 271, F. & A. M .. at Phila- delphia : Kadoah Commandery No. 29. K. T .. at Phila- delphia, Penn .. and Oriental Chapter. No. 183. Phila- delphia. For nearly forty years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. and for five years past he has served as elder in the congrega- tion at Delaware Water Gap. On February 7, 1867, at Dover. Del .. he married Miss Maria Col- lins, who was born July 4. 1848, at Milford. Del., and five children were born to them: Elma. Eva,

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Mary, Ernest, and Edward, the last named dying in infancy. Politically the Doctor is a stanch Re- publican, but his professional labors occupy his time to the exclusion of party work. Toward the close of the Civil war he enlisted in the 7th Delaware Vol. Inf. regiment.

SPENCER R. RAYMOND, until recently a well known agriculturist or Salem township, Wayne county, presents in his life a splendid example of hard labor, close application to business. and per- severance. He commenced life at the foot of the ladder, but is now able to take life easily and com- fortably, having acquired a handsome competence through his own individual efforts.

Mr. Raymond's father, Rev. Albert R. Ray- mond, was one of the oldest and most distinguished members of the Lackawanna Presbytery. He was born in Chenango county, N. Y., November 5, 1806, and having lost his father November 3, 1816, he was reared by his grandfather Lathrop. of Malta, N. Y., who gave him a thorough Bible training. At the age of sixteen years he professed religion and joined the Church. In early life he took up the study of medicine and graduated at Union College in 1831, but he never followed that profession, as he preferred to enter the ministry. He attended Prince- ton College one year, the Auburn Theological Sem- inary two years, taking the regular course. and stud- ied for six months under Dr. Cox, after which he was licensed to preach. His first charge was the Presbyterian Church at Nelson, N. Y .. where he re- mained until September 1, 1844. when he accepted the pastorate of the Church at Hamlinton, Wayne Co., Penn., remaining there for nineteen years. Hc was also pastor of the Church at Sterling, Wayne county, until 1868, but the last ten years of his life he lived retired, and he died in Hamlinton April 30, 1888. His sympathy, his benevolence. his kindly greeting will long be remembered. He was one of Nature's noblemen, and the world is better for his having lived.

In 1847 Rev. Raymond was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Wright, who was born in Salem township. Wayne county, October 15, 1826. a daugh- ter of Dr. Erastus Wright, an early settler and prominent physician of that township. She died January 4. 1896, at Jermyn. Penn., and was laid to rest in the Salem cemetery. The subject of this sketch is the youngest in the family of five children, the others being as follows : Spencer W., born May 5. 1850, died on the 12th of the same month ; Fran- ces L., born June 14. 1851, married I. D. Stocker, a merchant of Jermyn, Penn., and died August 6, 1876: Helen L., born August 16, 1855. is now the wife of Sidney W. Cooke, a partner of J. D. Stock- er, at Jermyn : Gertrude L., born July 28. 1858, was the second wife of Mr. Stocker, and died March 23. 1895.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 3, Part 9

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