Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 103

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 103
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 103
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 103
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 103

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Mr. Reynolds, during the Civil war, enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company B, 137th N. Y. V. 1. He went, first, to Washington, D. C .. and from there to Harper's Ferry, and as a member of the 12th Corps, Army of the Potomac, lic participated in the battle of Chancellorsville and also in the bat- tle of Gettysburg, where he received a slight wound. He was then transferred to the 20th Corps, under command of Gen. Sherman, and marched to Sa- vannah, where he was seriously wounded in the shoulder by a minie ball, which he still keeps as a relic of the days of hardships and privations when fighting for the old flag and the cause it represented. After a few days spent in the field hospital he was sent to the general hospital, where he remained until the following July, when he was sent to Elmira, N. Y., and was honorably discharged. He was in the service for three long years, and participated in many battles and skirmishes.

Mr. Reynolds' first wife died leaving two sons and three daughters, namely : ( 1) William H .. born in Greene county, N. Y., has followed railroading and farming through life. He married ( first ) Mary Tanner, who died four years later leaving two chil- dren, who died in childhood. He then married hier sister, Wealthy Tanner, who survived their mar- riage but three years, and for his third wife he wedded Eliza Munson, of Susquehanna. who died at the end of six years, leaving three children-len- nie, Minnie, and Grace ( Mrs. Ernest Retill, of Sus- quehanna ). His present wife was formerly Mis- Adda Atwood. and they now reside on his farm in Oakland township. (2) Martha J .. born in Delaware county, N. Y., married Martin Pooler. of Susque- hanna county, and they live in the village of Oak- land. ( 3) Mary, born in 1850, in Delaware county. married Isaac Kent, of New York State, who works I in the railroad shops, and they reside in the town of

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Oakland. Their children werc- Leona ( deceased wife of Henry Oxley ), Bertha, Lillian, Mary, Lcon, and Lloyd. (4) Watson, born in Delaware county, N. Y., is also employed in the railroad shops at Oakland. He married Josephine Wodden, of that place, who died leaving two sons-Leroy and Frank, and for his second wite he married Carrie Slack, of Deposit, N. Y. (5) Bessie, born in February, IS5 -. . in Delaware county, was cducated in the Oakland schools, and in 1869 married Noah Chamberlain, of Oakland, where he is engaged in the butcher busi- ness, and where he owns a nice home. They have seven children, namely-Frank, born in Oakland, in 1871, married Elizabeth Joyns, a native of Eng- land, by whom he has one child, Sarah E., and they reside in Oakland; Edith, born in Oakland in 1873, is a graduate of the Susquehanna Academy, and is one of the successful teachers in the Oakland schools ; Eva, born in New Milford, Penn., in 1875, is a grad- uate of the Oakland schools, and also taught for one term but is now engaged in dressmaking in Oakland ; Ina, born in New Milford, in 1878, is now the wife of William Pierce, a machinist in the shops at Oak- land; Bessie, born in Oakland, in 1881, was educated in the schools of that place; Alfred, born in Oak- land, in 1884, and Ruth, born in July, 1898, are both at home. In 1870 Mr. Reynolds was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Alka Hol- enbeck, widow of Robert Eaton, by whom she has one daughter, who is now the wife of Henry Sykes, a railroad man of Oakland.

Religiously Mr. Reynolds and his family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and" they are held in high regard by all who know them. Politically Mr. Reynolds is identified with the Re- publican party, and fraternally he is a member of Moody Post No. 53, G. A. R. He has led an hon- orable and useful life, and by his many acts of kind- ness and deeds of charity has endeared himself to all with whom he has come in contact in either busi- ness or social life.

EDWARD BURKE. One of the most note- worthy residents of Choconut township, Susque- hanna county, is Edward Burke. who has lived to the age of ninety-six years, and whose residence in the township dates back to about 1830. He is notable, not only for his extreme old age and for his vigor and brightness, not only for his long residence in the township, but for his splendid type of citizen- ship and for his achievements in northeastern Penn- sylvania.

Our subject was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1804, son of John and Eliza ( Halcy ) Burke, who in ISIo emigrated to America, locating first in Bos- ton, Mass., and later in Monmouth county. N. J., where for a number of years he engaged in farming on shares. In 1825 he moved to Pennsylvania, pur- chasing land in Silver Lake township. Susquehanna county, and making a number of improvements. Selling this property he purchased a farm in Mid- dletown, Susquehanna county, and a few years later

hc removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where he invested largely and wisely in real estate, realizing a hand- some revenue in rentals until his death in that city. He was a member of the Catholic Church. and po- litically was a Democrat. The family of Joun Burke consisted of four children: Edward, our subject ; Redmond; John ; and Mary. Redmond was born in New Jersey, married a New York lady, and moved to Harper's Ferry, where he joined in the Confeder- ate army as an officer. He was taken prisoner, and afterward shot as a Rebel spy ; he left a family who are still residents of Virginia. John died when a young man, and was buried in New Jersey. Mary, born in New Jersey, married Michael Whalen, and settled in Choconut township. where both died leav- ing two children, James Whalen, a Catholic priest of Scranton, and Louisa Whalen, of Friendsville.

Edward, our subject, was educated in the dis- trict schools of New jersey. He came with his par- ents to Susquehanna county in 1825, and married Miss Catherine Donnelly, daughter ot Thomas Don- nelly, onc of the wealthy land holders of Choconut township. After his marriage our subject scttled on land given him by his father-in-law. He cleared up a large farm, erecting fine buildings and becoming a prosperous and wealthy farmer. Later hic rented his farm and moved to New York, where he engaged for a number of years in the wholesale hat and cap trade. However, he returned to his farm in Choco- nut township, where his wife died leaving one son, John Burke, who graduated from Hamilton Col- lege, was admitted to the Bar and is now a promi- nent attorney of Chicago, Ill. For his second wife our subject married Miss Mary Flanagan, of New York City, and to this union there were born five children : James, Rodman West, Eliza, Annie ( de- ccased) and William. Mrs. Burke dying, our sub- ject for his third wife married Miss Bridget Hickey, of Apolacon township, daughter of James and Anna Hickey, one of the old familics of Susquehanna county. To this union there were born two sons : Frank, who is now the capable and successful man- ager of the home farm, and Frederick, an active and prosperous business man in Wisconsin.

Politically our subject is a Democrat. He has been clected assessor and school director, and has filled various other local offices with ability and cred- it. Himself and family are members of the Catho- lic Church, to which he has always been a liberal con- tributor. Though now ninety-six years of age, his mind is as clear as that of many men of half his age. His memory is bright, and gocs back clearly to the scenes and incidents of his carly days. His habits liave always been temperate, he has been thrifty, industrious and prosperous. Few if any citizens in Choconut township have experienced a more worthy or influential career.

RUFUS GRISWOLD has throughout his act- ive business life been principally identified with the agricultural and lumber interests of Wayne county. and now owns and successfully operates a fine farm

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in Mt. Pleasant township. He was born in that township, in February, 1824, a son of Orin and Lois (Denning) Griswold, natives of Connecticut and early settlers of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne Co., Penn., where the father purchased 122 acres of wild land and transformed the same into a good farm. His residence was a little framne building, the first house of its kind in the township. He resided upon this property during his entire residence in the coun- ty, and when life's labors were ended he died there in 1878. His wife had passed away three years pre- viously.

In the family of this worthy couple were three sons and one daughter: (1) Alfred, born in MIt. Pleasant, in 1822, married Sarah A. Lowery, of Wayne county, and engaged in the butcher business in Carbondale, where he died in 1858. He left a widow and three children, of whom, Charles died at the age of nineteen years; Altha is now the wife of Stephen Tagely, of Carbondale, and has six children, George, Charles, Edward, Orin, Bell and Ollie. Orin, a conductor on the railroad between Pottsville and Wilkes Barre, is married and has one son. (2) Ru- fus, our subject. (3) Ambrose, born on the pres- ent home of our subject, in 1828, followed farming until his death (he did not marry ). (4), Mary, born on the same place, married Hiram Dibble, of Wayne county, and they made their home in Peckville, where she died, leaving no family.

Reared on the home farm, Rufus Griswold re- ceived his education in the public schools of the lo- cality, and during early life he followed lumbering and farming. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Miles, of Bethany, Wayne county, a daughter of James and Almeda ( Brink ) Miles, now deceased. Her father was born in Orange county, N. Y., and when a young man came to Wayne coun- ty, where he was married and afterward located at Cherry Ridge, carrying on the stone mason's trade there until his death. His children were: Clarissa, now the wife of Levi Bennett; Mary J., wife of Rev. James Miner, of Watertown, N. Y .; Lucius; Charles N., who was drowned at sea ; Nancy. wife of our subject ; Isaac and William H., who were both drowned at Honesdale in 1872; and Alice, wife of William Bates, of Carbondale. To Mr. and Mrs. Griswold were born two children, but Emma Jane, born in 1872, died in childhood, and the other died at birth. In 1873 they adopted Lula Drake, wlio remained with them until she became the wife of Wallace Mills, of Wayne county. They now reside in Mt. Pleasant township and have a family of four children : Bessie, Orasmuth, Gladys and Rufus.

After his marriage Mr. Griswold located in Clinton, Wayne county, where he resided for some time. During the dark days of the Rebellion, he inanifested his love of country by enlisting, in 1862, and from Wayne county proceeded to Philadelphia, thence going to Newport News, Va., and later to Yorktown, Va., where he did guard duty, being le- tailed as provost guard until honorably discharged in August, 1863. Returning to Wayne county he en-

gaged in farming in Dyberry township for four years, and later for a number of years was in the employ of the Delaware & Hudson Co. In 1875 he returned to the old home farm, where he and Ins wife cared for liis father until the latter's death two years later. Our subject then purchased the place, and has since sticcessfully operated it. He is an honored member of the Grand Army Post at Forest City, is a Jack- sonian Democrat in politics, and has held office. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and in the social circles of the community they occupy a pronti- nent position.

JOHN SCHULER. Many of the best class of citizens of Monroe county have come from over the sea, particularly from the Empire of Germany. They have transported to this country the industry. thrift and economy of their native land, and have been very important factors in its development and prosperity. Of this class of honest, hard-working. alien born citizens, there is none who occupies a more prominent place than our subject, who is now engaged in general farming in Tobyhanna township.

Mr. Schuler was born May 29, 1833. in Rhine- berger, Germany, of which province his parents. John and Elizabeth (Stelp) Schuler, were also na- tives. The father who was a farmer and game war- den in Germany, came to America in 1860 and locat- ed at Wilkes Barre, Penn., where he followed coal mining. He died in that city in 1890, and his wife passed away in 1878. In their family were nine children : John, of this review; Valentine, a saloon keeper of Wilkes Barre ; Frank, who is employed on city work at that place; Frederick, who conducts a shoe store there; Adam, a molder of Wilkes Barre: Lewis, an engineer of Parsons, Penn .; Catherine. wife of Henry Walter, a laborer of Wilkes Barre: Elizabeth. widow of C. Frey, and a resident of Philadelphia ; and Annie, who is now a widow and resides in Philadelphia.

The subject of this sketch received a good prac- tical education in the German language, and re- mained in the Fatherland until eighteen years vi age, when he crossed the Atlantic and found em- ployment as a farm hand near Wilkes Barre, Penn. Later he worked for three years in the lumber wo wie at Bear Creek, Luzerne Co., Penn., and then rente 1 land and engaged in farming for two years, in Ham- ilton township, Monroe county, after which he pur- chased a farm in Jackson township, the same coun- ty, which he operated for seven years. On selling that place le came, in 1864. to Tobyhanna town- ship, and bought 150 acres, nearly all cleared. Ilere he followed lumbering and farming, and also for three years conducted a hotel, and for many years engaged in merchandising. Subsequently he spent twenty years in Wilkes Barre, where he en- gaged in the huckstering business, but in 1890 he returned to Tobyhanna township. Monroe county. and resumed farming. Besides his property here he owns a good farin of eighty acres in Jackson

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township, of which fifty acres have been cleared. In business matters he is prompt and notably relia- ble and the success that has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved.

Mr. Schuler has been twice married, first at White Haven, Penn., to Miss Mary Miller, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Eve Miller, of Jackson township, Monroe county. Eight children blessed this union : George, who died at the age of twenty-three years ; Elizabeth, who died when young; William, who is employed in the wire rope works at Wilkes Barre; John, a teamster at that place; Frank, who works in a planing mill at Wilkes Barre; Annie, wife of Charles Togus, of Wilkes Barre; Frederick, who has been employed for the past fifteen years in a cloth- ing store in Wilkes Barre; and Harry, a laborer and contractor for John Smith at Parsons, Penn. For his second wife Mr. Schuler married Catherine Winter, widow of Jacob Shiffer.

In his political views Mr. Schuler is independ- ent, and he has ever taken a very active and promi- nent part in public affairs, being one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his com- munity. He has served several years as school di -. rector, as supervisor two years and tax collector three years, and while a resident of Wilkes Barre he was a member of the election board, school di- rector four years, and treasurer of the school board for a year and a half. His official duties have always been most promptly and capably performed, and he is justly numbered among the valued and useful citizens of the township. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Evangelical Church, and he" belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Wilkes Barre. ·

ALFRED SWINGLE, an industrious and thrifty agriculturist of Sterling township, has spent his entire life in Wayne county, his birth occurring in South Canaan township, April 21, 1862. His par- ents, Ralph and Jeanette (Swingle) Swingle, were also natives of South Canaan township. During his active business career the father engaged in farming, and was employed on the old Gravity railroad until it abandoned business. He died in 1870, at the early age of thirty-two years, and was laid to rest in the Swingle burying ground of South Canaan town- ship. He left three children: Gaston, who died at the age of thirteen years ; and Alpheus and Alfred, twins, the former of whom died at the age of sev- enteen years. The mother, who was born in 1840, is now the wife of Elbert Boothe, a farmer, who makes his home in Bradford county, Pennsylvania.

On leaving home at the age of twenty-one years, Alfred Swingle purchased a farm in South Canaan township, which he operated for three years and then sold, moving to Salem township. where he also owned a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits for eleven years. On February 9, 1896, he bought his present farm, which is one of the best in Sterling township, for the land is under a high state of cultivation, and is improved with good and sub- stantial buildings.

In Dreher township, Wayne county, Mr. Swin- gle was married April 11, 1888, to Miss Ellen Er- good, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Bel- lows. They now have four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Ralph M., Feb- ruary 28, 1889; Sadie E., August 2, 1890; Florence M., March 30, 1892; and Howard A., April 22, 1895. Mrs. Swingle was born in Trumbull coun- ty, Ohio, October 10, 1865, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah E. (Campbell) Ergood, the former a native of Easton, Penn., and the latter of Trumbull coun- ty, Ohio. Her father now lives in Dreher township, Wayne county.

In his political affiliations Mr. Swingle is a Republican, and he always gives his support to those enterprises which he believes calculated to prove of public good, being one of the most public-spirited citizens of his community.

CHARLES D. MITCHELL, one of the most progressive and reliable business men of Salem township, Wayne county, has throughout the greater part of his life been prominently identified witlı the agricultural and lumber interests of this sec- tion of the State. He was born September 7, 1856, on the farm where he now resides, and is a worthy representative of one of the leading pioneer families of this region.

His father, John P. Mitchell, was born July 2, 1809, in Luzerne county, Penn., a son of Michael and Lucy ( Munson) Mitchell, natives of Connecti- cut, who came to Wayne county, Penn., in 1814, and located in Salem township. His great-grand- father, Michael Mitchell, Sr., was born in England and on his emigration to America located in Con- necticut. During the Revolutionary war he was taken prisoner bv the British and starved to death in a barn. Michael Mitchell, Jr., who was a farmer and lumberman, died January 26, 1855, aged eighty years, his wife February 3, 1867, aged ninety-one years and seven months.

Our subject's father also followed the occupa- tions of farming and lumbering quite extensively, operating sawmills for many years, and was sup- posed to have been very wealthy, but when the estate was settled after his death very little remained. He was a polished gentleman and quite prominent both in social and business life, enjoying the re- spect and esteem of all who knew him. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was identified with the Republican party, and was honored with a number of township offices.

On February 13, 1831, in Sterling township, John P. Mitchell was married to Miss Elizabeth Long, who was born in Philadelphia, December 31. 1811, and by this union he had the following chil- dren : Lucy A., born August 26. 1832, married Hugh Lancaster, who engaged in farming and con- ducted a stick factory in Sterling, Wayne county, and she died September 18, 1802: Saraliett, born November 10, 1834, is the wife of Jolin McFarland, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Angeline, born

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March 20, 1837, is the wife of Sanford Williams, a carpenter of Hamlinton, Wayne county ; Eugene B., born June 27, 1839,, is unmarried and resides in Seranton, Penn .; Salmon P., born March 29, 1841, married (first) Miranda Davis and after her death (second) Jerusa Waite, and is engaged in carpen- tering in Olyphant, Penn. The mother of these children died May 9, 1841, and was laid to rest in the Hollisterville cemetery. Mr. Mitchell was again married, April 11, 1842, his sceond union being with Miss Frances Williams, who died August 8, 1862, at the age of forty-one years and nine monthis. Seven children were born to them, namely: Mary E., born December 23, 1843, married Dr. H. B. Stevens, and both are now deceased; George, born July 24, 1845, is unmarried and is now serving as postmaster at Hollisterville ; Uriah W., born August 30, 1849, married Emma Kootzer and is a sawyer at Ricketts, Penn .; Naney, born June 29, 1852, died January 27, 1857; Charles D., of this sketch, is next in order of birth; Hewett, born April 2, 1860, mar- ried Anna Walters and is a merchant at Forest City, Penn .; and Washington, born June 12, 1862, died July 31, 1862. On September 8, 1863, MHr. Mitchell married Mrs. Lucy A. Englert, who died September 18, 1892, aged seventy-one years, seven months and eighteen days. He died March 5, 1896, and both were buried in the Hollisterville cemetery.

Until twenty-four years of age Charles D. Mitchell remained under the parental roof, and then went to Spring Brook, Luzerne county, Penn., where he served as foreman for the Peck Lumber Co. for five years. The following ten years "Tie held a similar position with the A. Lewis Lumber Co., but in 1895 he returned to the old homestead, and after the death of his father he purchased the place, which he is now successfully operating. The first sawmill ereeted on this land was built at an early day upon the site now occupied by our sub- jeet's mill, the latter having been built by his fa- ther in 1871, when the original mill there was de- stroyed by fire.

On March 20, 1880, at Moscow, Penn., Mr. Mitchell was married, by Rev. W. B. Westlake, a Methodist Episcopal minister, to Miss Nellie Tur- ner, and they have become the parents of two ehil- dren : Zoela, born January 27, 1881 ; and Maxwell, born May 17, 1882. Mrs. Mitchell was born May 21, 1859, at Springbrook, Penn., a daughter of Na- than and Sarah ( Wilson) Turner, the former a native of Spring Brook, the latter of Belvidere, N. J. Her parents were married at Daleville, Penn., and to them were born four children: Emma, born August 12, 1853, died unmarried; Mary, born July 15, 1855, married Thomas Lewis, and both are now deceased : George, born March 28, , 1857, married Ida Scott, and is superintendent in a turning shop at Kane. Penn .; and E. Nellie completes the fam- ily. The mother died at Spring Brook, June 5, 1879, aged fifty-one years and nine months, but the father, who was born May 18, 1826, is still living at that place. Hle is a retired turner, having operated

a factory for many years; is a Republican in pol- ities, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belonged. His parents were Abraham and Mary ( Slosson) Turner, the former a miller by trade. They were natives of Connecticut, and died in Spring Brook, Penn. Mrs. Mitchell's maternal grandparents, Will- iam and Sarah (Christian) Wilson, were born in Belvidere, N. J., where the latter died, while the former passed away at Spring Brook, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mitchell is a well-educated man, having completed his literary course of study by six months' attendance at Kingston College when sixteen years of age, and he is thoroughily posted on topies of gen- eral interest, as well as the leading questions and issues of the day. He is a member in good standing of Blue Lodge, No. 330, F. & A. M., and in his political affiliations he is an ardent Republican. B; all he is recognized as one of the most popular and influential citizens of Salem township. and his eir- cle of friends and acquaintances is extensive.

JAMES B. HELLER is a prominent repre- sentative of the farming and stock raising interests of Jackson township, Monroe county, and has pros- pered in his labors. He is a man of excellent busi- ness capacities, and his habits of thought and ob- servation have tended to provide him with a good fund of general information, which has proved valu- able in every respect.

The Heller family has long been identified with the agricultural and industrial interests of Mon- roe county. Jacob Heller, father of our subject, was born in Hamilton township, and for many years fol- lowed the cooper's trade in Stroud township, where he also engaged in farming on a small scale. There he wedded Mary Brewer. a native of Stroud town- ship, and a daughter of James Brewer. a shoe- maker of that township. Mr. Heller died in 1867. at the age of sixty-seven years, his wife in 1885. at the age of seventy-six. Both were active and prominent members of the Reformed Church. in which he was an officer at one time; politically he was a Democrat. Their children were Daniel, wh died in Stroud township; James B. our subject : Lillie, who is married and lives in Stroud township : Therris, who died at the age of thirty years : Mary Ann, wife of Ferdinand Metzgar, of Stroud tow:1- ship; Lewis, living in Stroud township: Henry. de- ceased ; and Rachel. wife of Reuben Gerhart. vi Cherry Valley, Stroud township.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 103

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1058