Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 105

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 105
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 105
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 105
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 105

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Jonathan Rosencrans, our subject's father, was born in Dingman township in 1775, and died in Lackawaxen township, Pike county, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He grew to manhood, however, in his native township, and there married a Miss Van Gorden, by whom he had nine children, namely: Sarah, Abram and Betsy, all deceased : Phœbe, a resident of Barryville. N. Y .; Maria, de- ceased ; James, a resident of Hawley, Penn. : Oliver, of Lackawaxen township, Pike county; Silas, of Barryville, Sullivan Co., N. Y .; and Ellen. After the death of his first wife Jonathan Rosencrans was again married, in Pike county, his second union being with Miss Betsey Rodney, a native of New Jersey, who died in 1838, leaving three children : Mary Jane, now the wife of William Bush, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn .; Ira B., subject of this sketch; and Tryphena, wife of Milton Rol- lison, a farmer and lumberman of Blooming Grove township, Pike county.

Ira B. Rosencrans was born March 31, 1836, in Blooming Grove township, where he grew to manhood, his education being limited to one year's attendance at the public schools. From the age of seventeen years he has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood, but prosperity has at length crowned his efforts, and he is now the owner of a valuable farm of 400 acres in Lackawaxen township, about forty of which are under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Here he is engaged in general farming, and for the past thirty ycars has lumbered upon land of his own, still hav- ing a large tract of valuable timber left ; lie is agent for the sale of 1,200 acres of land in Pike county. Like his father, he always supports the Democratic

party by his ballot, and he has most capably and satisfactorily filled the offices of county commis- sioner ( for three years), supervisor, tax collector, and overseer of the poor ( for the past twenty years).

In Blooming Grove, Pike county, Mr. Rosen- crans was married, January 18, 1870, to Priscilla Mckean, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Hatton, a Methodist Episcopal minister. Six chil- dren blessed this union, their names and dates of. birth being as follows: Jonathan, November 26, 1870 (a resident of South Dakota) ; Gilbert, Octo- ber 26, 1872 (who is employed in Pike county) ; William L., May 28, 1874; Ross C., March 4, 1876; Harry M., July 25, 1881 ; and Ella P., March 4, 1886, all four at home.

Gibson McKean, Mrs. Rosecrans father, was born in Dingman township, Pike county, Au- gust 5, 1822, a son of Jesse and Zuba ( Pravice) McKean, natives of the same township, the fornier of whom died at the age of eighty-four years. When a young man Gibson Mckean lived with his parents in Shohola township, Pike county. He was married, in Blooming Grove township, March 9, 1848, to Miss Rachel Hoover, a daughter of Gilbert Hoover, a native of . Holland, who on coming to America located in Delaware township, Pike coun- ty. Mrs. McKean died November 19, 1871, and her husband April 25, 1894. Mrs. Rosencrans was the eldest of their children, the others being Gib- son, who married Mary Vogt, and is a farmer and lumberman of Shohola township; George C., a farmer of the same township, who married Eva Hess, daughter of Nicholas Hess ; Marion, who died at the age of sixteen years ; Gilbert, who died in in- fancy; Hugh, who married Mary J. Greening, daughter of John and Christina ( Blow ) Greening; Rachel Ann, wife of Nicholas Hess, Jr., a farmer of Shohola township ; and Maud Alice, wife of Bert Bartleson, of Palmyra township, Pike county.

OMAR OLIN. Of the diversified interests of agriculture none, perhaps, is more im- portant than stock raising, especially at this time, when Europe is looking to this country more than ever for all manner of products, and when our country's live stock has been appreciably decreased by half a dozen years of unfavorable business con- ditions. Live stock appeals to the farmer hin- self-not chiefly as in most other products of the farm, to the urban resident. The subject of this sketch is a successful and well-known breeder of fancy horses and cattle stock, and has been a lifelong resident of Jackson township, Susquehanna county.

Mr. Olin's paternal grandparents. Reuben and Hannah Olin, emigrated from Wales to America, settling in Guilford, Vermont. They reared a fam- ily of seven children, of whom John. the eldest, and the father of our subject, was born in October. 1802, at Guilford, Vt. He was married in that State, in June, 1826, by Rev. Joseph Boyden, to Ruth Culver, who was born in January, 1804, in

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Vermont. After marriage John Olin moved to New York State, and in 1840 came with his family to Susquehanna county, settling on the farm in Jackson township where his son, our subject, now lives. There he cleared up a farm and remained until his death, in January, 1882, his good wife preceding him to the grave, in August, 1876. They were active members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Olin was for many years an official in the Church. To John and Ruth Olin were born five children, namely :

(1) Jane Olin, born in 1830 in New York State, died in Jackson township, Susquehanna county, when a young woman. (2) Hyde Olin, born in 1833, married Miss Maria Nicholas. He en- listed during the Civil war in Company A, 14Ist P. V. I., and died in 1864, while in the service, at Old Point Comfort, leaving a widow and two daughters, Hattie, now the wife of E. J. Mocket, of Binghamton, N. Y., and Delia, wife of Charles Lewis, of Lestershire, Broome Co., N. Y. (3) Earl Olin, born in 1838, married Miss Abbie Car- penter, of Ararat, and settled on a farm in Jackson township, where he died in June, 1875, leaving. a widow and two children-Orva L. Olin, a resident of Jackson, and Edna J., deceased wife of Lewis Burdiek, of Jackson. (4) Irene Olin, born in July, 1842, married A. A. Lowe, of Jackson, and to them have been born five children, namely-J. F., of Jackson; Edward, of the State of New Jersey; Charles, of Jackson ; Rosie, deceased wife of John Stockwell, of Thomson township; and Leon, of Jackson. (5) Omar Olin is our subject.

Omar Olin was born in November, 1845, in Jackson township. He was reared on the home- stead and in his youth attended the neighboring schools .. He remained with his father until his marriage, in 1869, to Miss Althea S. Bloxham, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Bloxham. na- tives of England, who emigrated to America and settled in Ararat township, Susquehanna county. After his marriage our subject began housekeeping on the old Olin homestead, which he purchased in 1870, his parents remaining with him through the remainder of their lives.

To the marriage of our subject and Miss Blox- ham were born four children: Lizzie V., born in October, 1873, died in June. 1876: Carrie May, born in September, 1875; Daisy A., born in June, 1878; and M-, born in January, 1884. The estimable and faithful wife of our subject died Au- gust 4, 1897. In politics Mr. Olin is a Republican. He has served as school director, and is one of Jackson township's wide-awake and public-spirited citizens. For many years he has been interested in the breeding of good stock and has been success- ful in raising a high grade standard in horses and cattle.

JOHN B. SMILEY. Among the most at- tractive rural homes in Monroe county is the "Ridge Dell House," four miles north of Strouds-

burg near the line of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R., and the large number of reerca- tion seekers who apply each summer for a place under its hospitable roof show that its merits have become well known. Its genial host is a man of excellent mental gifts and attainments, having been successfully engaged in educational work for more than thirty years, and he and his family hold a prominent position in the social life of the com- munity.

Mr. Smiley . belongs to a pioneer family, his grandparents, Thomas and Lucretia Smiley, hav- ing settled "in the woods" two miles east of Strouds- burg at an early day. There they made their per- manent home, clearing and cultivating a farm, which was divided after their death between their two sons, Thomas and David. The latter married Miss Elizabeth Palmer, of Monroe county, and had seven children : Morris; Samuel, a resident of Stroudsburg ; Emily, who married William Jones. both now deceased: Mary, wife of A. Sayers, of Stroud township; Eliza, wife of John A. Bush, of Stroud township; and Annie, who married a gen- tleman of New York.

Thomas.Smiley, father of our subject, grew to manhood on the old homestead, and married Miss Catherine Ult, a member of a leading pioneer fan- ily of Barrett township, Monroe county. Mr. Smiley remained on his father's homestead until his death, and his wife survived him only a few years. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in a family of six children, the others being: (2) Charles E., born in 1846, died in Stroudsburg. Early in the Civil war he enlisted in the 15th N. J. V. d., and was honorably discharged after two years' service on account of wounds received at the battle of the Wilderness. After the war he married Miss Jane Westbrook, of Stroud township. who survives him. They had no children. (3) Miss Sarah A., born in Monroe county, resides in Stroudsburg. (4) Jane married Charles Fish. of Stroud township. Monroe county, and died sonic years ago, leaving no family. (5) Allen was drowned when a boy. (6) Emily died in infancy.

John B. Smiley was born in January, 1844, and grew to manhood on the old homestead. He en- joyed the advantages of a district-school education and later attended the higher schools of Strouds- burg, where he graduated in 1865. On April 10. 1865, he enlisted in Company D, 215th Regimen: P. V., in the Civil war, and was taken to Alexan- dria, where he was on ditty several months. being honorably discharged at Fort Delaware on July 21. 1865. On his return home he engaged in teaching in the public schools of Monroe county, continuing until 1895. In 1867 he married Miss Elizabeth Arndt, of Bartonsville. Monroe county, and setthe 1 on his father's old homestead, his summers being spent in farming and his winters in teaching school. In 1878 he bought the Richard Le Bar prop- erty, where he erected a fine home in 1891. giving it the name of the "Ridge Dell House," already a

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favorite resort of tourists. Politically Mr. Smiley is a Democrat and at times he has heid office, serv- ing as supervisor, assessor and township clerk. He is a member of the P. O. S. A., and he and his worthy wife are both active workers in the Meth- odist Church at Spragueville. Their seven cliil- dren are: William A., born in February, 1868, is a miller by trade. He married Miss Alice Row, of Stroud township, and they now reside in East Stroudsburg. Stearns P., born in 1869, in Stroud township, Monroe county, is now a telegraph oper- ator at Southampton, Mass. He is a member of the Masonic order. He married Miss Lizzie Nyce, of Stroud township, Monroe county, and they have two sons-Edward and Frederick. Bernard S., born in May, 1871, is a telegraph operator on the Wilkes Barre & Eastern R. R. Floyd I., born in April, 1873. Mary E., born in August, 1875. Grace H., born in July, 1877. D. J., born in April, 1880.

Mrs. Smiley is noted for her good works in religious and philanthropic lines, and she is an able assistant to her husband. She comes of pioneer stock, her parents, Benjamin and Mary ( Posten )- Arndt, being among the first settlers at Bartons- ville, where her father cleared and improved two good farms. He is now deceased, but his widow resides on the homestead. They had eight children, of whom Mrs. Smiley is the eldest, the others being : William T .; Thomas P .; Jesse was accidentally killed in boyhood; Edward, who was engaged in railroading, is a resident of Mauch Chunk, Penn .; Hattie married John W. Ace, of Swift Water; Franklin S., a physician of Scranton, mar- ried Miss Isabella Taylor, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and has a son, Frank; and Ellen married Samuel Wat- son, of East Stroudsburg, who died leaving no family.

EDWARD CONRAD. The subject of this sketch has demonstrated the possession of both business and musical talent. Both parents were teachers of music and in his younger ycars our sub- ject was a successful musician. Quite recently he has turned his attention to business and has met with flattering success. He is engaged in general farming in Hopbottom borough, and has given especial attention to poultry and stock raising.

Andrew Conrad, his father, is a native of Sax- ony, Germany, where he was educated and where he married Catherine Mueller, who in her girlhood days had taught music. Andrew Conrad emigrated to America with his family, locating first in New York City, and later at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn. He has been a lifelong music teacher- vocal, violin and piano. After ten years' residence in Pottsville he removed to Wilkes Barre and thence to Scranton, Penn., where he now follows his pro- fession. His children are as follows: Matilda. wife of Louis Rauch, of Philadelphia : Louisa, who married Dr. Wehlau, of Scranton, and is now de- ceased; William, who is engaged in the milk busi-

ness at Green Ridge, near Scranton; Louis, a hat- ter of Green Ridge; Charles, correspondent for the First National Bank, of Scranton, Penn .; Edward, our subject; Emma, who studied music for seven years in Germany and now has considerable local fame as a musician, is the wife of Theo. Hem- berger, a pupil of Joachim, of Berlin, Germany, who now conducts an orchestra at Scranton ; Josephine, wife of Dr. Wehlau, mentioned above; and Otto, who is engaged in the life and fire in- surance business at Scranton.

Edward Conrad, our subject, was born at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Penn., April 12, 1865. He received his education in the public schools of . Scranton, and at the age of fifteen began life as a musician, which he continued for ten years, giving instruction on the violin and leading in the Sunday- school orchestra in Scranton. He was married, in that city, to Miss Clare Woodhouse, daughter of John Woodhouse: She was born in England, was brought to America when two years of age by her father, and was reared in Scranton. To our sub- ject and wife have come two children-Harold, born August 30, 1892, and Edward, born Septem- ber 30, 1894. : For several years Mr. Conrad en- gaged in the milk business with his brother at Green Ridge. In 1896 he came to Hopbottom, Susquehanna county, where he leased 140 acres of land, about half of which was cleared, and he has since engaged in general farming. He has from 300 to 400 chickens and operates a creamery, hav- ing about 25 head of cattle. During his first year on the farm Mr. Conrad reared 1.500 chickens. In 1898 he raised 1,000 ducks, and he has made con- siderable investment in farm property. His busi- ness investments have been very successful. In politics he is a Republican. He has served as a school director in the borough, and himself and wife are prominent members of the Baptist Church, of Scranton.

OLIVER BENSLEY, of Lehman township, Pike county, is one of the representative agricult- urists of his locality, and his farm of 170 acres shows the thrift and care of a capable manager.

Mr. Bensley comes of pioneer stock, his great- grandfather, Israel Bensley, having settled in this locality at an early day, where he acquired a large amount of land. The particulars of his settlement are given in the sketch of James M. Bensley, else- where.

Adam Bensley, our subject's grandfather, was born in Monroe county, later moved to Lehman town- ship. Pike county, and finally made his home in Delaware township, of the same county, where his death occurred in 1857, his remains being interred in Delaware cemetery. His wife, who is buried beside him, was Miss Anna Impson, a native of Pike county. They had the following children : Jacob, our subject's father : Sarah, Mrs. Jacob Gag- ger : Israel, who died in childhood ; Catherine. Mrs. Adam Van Gorden ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Aaron Bergs-

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treser ; Daniel, deceased, who never married; Han- nalı, Mrs. Joseph C. Lattimore; Mary A., Mrs. John Bergstreser; Jane, Mrs. Adam Davis; Elsa, Mrs. Benj. Fralick ; John, who married Ann Davis; and Susan, Mrs. Burris Ward.

Jacob Bensley, the father of our subject, was born September 30, 1810, in Pike county, where he followed farming for many years, his death occur- ring in 1886, when he was in his seventy-seventh year. He was an active and influential worker in local affairs and held several official positions, in- cluding that of commissioner of Pike county. Po- litically he was a Republican in later years, and he and his wife were devout members of the Meth- odist Church. He married Miss Sally Ann Clif- ford, who died in 1875, aged sixty-five years, and the remains of both now rest in Swartwout ceme- tery in Pike county. Their children were Oliver, . a resident of Lehman township, Pike county ; Elizabeth, wife of Luke Whittaker; J. Madison, who married Mary Gariss; Charles, who died in the army ; Ryma and Jane (twins), of whom the former married Charles Hoffe, and the latter John Cromer; Maria, wife of Oscar Van Gorden; Jos: eph, who married Belinda Decker ; Solomon, who died in the army, unmarried; Susan; Frank and William, who are not married; Robert P .; Jacob, deceased; Martha and Albert, who are not mar- ried and reside together at Susquehanna, Penn .; and John S.

The Clifford family, to which our subject's mother belonged, became identified with Sussex county, N. J., at an early date, and Casper Clifford, our subject's grandfather, was born there. Soon after his marriage to Elizabeth Tecl, of the same county, he removed to this section, locating in Pike county, where both spent their remaining years. They had eight children: Sally Ann, our subject's mother ; Henry; Martin; Isaac, who married Cath- erine Gould; Hannah, wife of David Benson ; Mar- garet, wife of Martin Rosencrans; Mary, wife of William Smith ; and James (twin of Mary), who married Elizabeth Utt.

Our subject was born August 13, 1833, in Lehman township, Pike county, and remained at the old homestead until he attained his majority. He then engaged in lumbering, which he has since continued, carrying on the peeling bark business extensively every winter. In early manhood he purchased twenty acres of land from his grand- father Bensley, and after making his home there for two years, he purchased his present farm. While he has never been a politician lie is a stanch Republican and at times his fellow townsmen have chosen him to office. He has served as supervisor and school director for one term each, his intelli- genee and public spirit making him a most capable official.

On February 24, 1855, Mr. Bensley was mar- ried, in Leliman township, to Miss Elizabeth Utt, daughter of John and Sally Utt. She was born August 13, 1833, in Monroe county, and died Febru-

ary 22, 1887, her remains being laid to rest in Swartwout cemetery. On July 4, 1889, Mr. Bensley was married, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Mrs. Elmeda (Shaffer ) Heater. He lias had thirteen children, all born to the first union, namely : Irvin C., May 23, 1856, married Susie Schuylard, of Lelman township, and died December 10, 1882; James MI., born February 6, 1858, married Marian Stewart. and resides upon a farmi in Lehman township; Wallace, born October 13, . 1859, married ( first ) Miss Annie Titman (who died leaving one daugli- ter-Cora), and ( second) Miss Jennie Gagger : William R., born December 9, 1861, married Josephine Heater, and resides on a farm m Lehman township; Harrison, born March 22, 1864, married Ida Shoemaker, and is engaged in farming in New Jersey; Solomon, born November 30, 1855, mar- ried Cora Albright, and resides upon a farm in Delaware township, Pike county; Alpheus, born May 6, 1868, married Anna Smith, and is engaged in farming in Lehman township; laa Ann, born June 30, 1870, marricd Calvin Croen, a hotel keeper in New Jersey ; Charles, born March 17, 1872, mar- ried Nellie Van Auken, and is a farmer near Hainesville, N. J .; Marcus, born May 24, 1874. married Almira Croen (sister of Calvin), and is engaged in farming near Scranton, Penn .; Isaiah. born June 24, 1876, married Maggie Heater, and resides at the homestead with our subject : Eva. born July 23, 1878, married Frank Layton. a farmer of Lehman township; and Miss Ada, born Octo- ber 16, 1880, is at home.

Mrs. Elmeda Bensley is a native of Delaware township, Pike county, and a daughter of isaac Shaffer, who was born in Monroe county, but made his home in Pike county, where he died in 1883. aged eighty-seven years, six months and six days. His wife, Elizabeth ( Hoover), a native of Pike county, died in March, 1894, aged eighty-nine years. Their children were: Peter, Matilda. Catherine, Jacob, Moses, Mary E., Adam, Willian. Elmeda, Isaac, John and Maria. of whom the last two died in childhood. Mrs. Bensley was married (first). November 12, 1861, to Theodore Heater. : farmer by occupation, who died in 1882, ageri forty- six years, twomonths and six days, and was buried in Delaware cemctery. By this union she hau eleven children, namely: Adelia, wite of Miile Weaver, of Stroudsburg; Elmira, wife of Samme Singer, of the same city; Oliver, who resides #1 Stroudsburg: Alfred, a resident of Stroudsburg. who married Mary Smith; Hannah and Frank, deceased; Ella, deceased : Philip and Floyd. re -- dents of Stroudsburg ; Maggie; and Miss simerva.

HARRY VARNUM FRINK. D. D. S. a. p. 1- ular and successful dentist of Montrose. Penn .. is al native of Susquehanna county, born May 22. 18.5. in Auburn township. a son of George Std.can and Lucy Ellen ( Frink ) Frink. The father was born in Montrose, in 1839. a son of George and Mary eCran- (all) Frink, and the mother was born in Auburn

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township, in 1844, a daughter of Tracy and Harriet (Griffis) Frink. They spent the first few years of their married life in Auburn township. In 1864 the father enlisted at the last call for troops during the Civil war, becoming a member of a company of cavalry, but on rcaching Louisville. Ky., was tak- en ill and was confined to the hospital for six months. On receiving his discharge lie returned to his home in Auburn township; later spent eight years in New Milford township; and in 1872 located on the old Frink homestead in Bridgewater township, where he now resides. He is a quiet, unassuming man, whose life has been devoted to agricultural pur- suits, and he commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a supporter of the Republican party, and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. Frink is the eldest in a family of seven chil- dren, the others being Frederick H., who died at the age of one year ; Tracy MM .. who resides on the old homestead with his father; Harriet M., wife of E. W. Rogers, a pattern maker, of Westfield, N. J .; Lovern. E., foreman for the Rocket Printing Company, of Wyalusing, Penn. ; Leo M., who died at the age of twenty years; and Oland B., a pat- tern maker of New York City.

The early education of our subject was ac- quired in the district schools near his boyhood home, and at the age of fourteen years he commenced at- tending school in Montrose, walking each morning and evening a distance of three miles to school. On . leaving home, he worked for neighdoring farmers for two years through the summer months, while Tie taught school during the winter season for three years in New Milford township and one year in Franklin township. At the age of twenty-two, he attended the Wyoming Seminary for a part of two terms, and then canvassed Bradford county, Penn., for the Union Publishing Company, of New York, for one year. Then, after spend- ing a few weeks at home, . he went to Sy- racuse, N. Y., `where during the evenings he studied medicine for six months, while he worked for the Syracuse Novelty Manufacturing Co. through the day. On October 1, 1888, he en- tcred the Philadelphia Dental Collage, from which he was graduated in February, 1890, and then opened an office in Montrose, where he has succeeded in building up a large practice in his chosen profession.

On October 8, 1891, in Bridgewater township, Dr. Frink was married to Miss Edith Lenora Bush, a native of that township, and a daughter of Calcb S. and Mary ( Michaels) Bush, who are still living in Bridgewater township, where the father is en- gaged in farming. The Doctor and his wife have one child, Molhe Lynn, born in May, 1895. On May 5, 1892, Dr. Frink enlisted as a private in Com- pany G, 13th Pennsylvania National Guard, and was soon afterward made corporal, and later, bugler. He was in active service for eighteen days during the Homestead riot, and at the end of three years. May 6, 1895, was discharged at Montrose. His

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 105

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