Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 106

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 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 106
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 106

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political support is given the men and measures of the Republican party. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is prominently identificd with several civic societies, serving as sec- retary of the Royal Arcanum six years ; secretary of the I. O. H. three years; and treasurer of the Knights of Pythias for the past three years. He also belongs to the Sons of Veterans, and is a man of considerable prominence in the community.

C. W. BRODHEAD, a leading blacksmith and prominent citizen of Montrose, Susquehanna county, was born December 20, 1852, near White Haven, Luzerne Co., Penn., a son of Samuel and Margaret (Tidd) Brodhead, who are now living in Old Forge, Pennsylvania.

Samuel Brodhead was born June 22, 1826, at Stoddardsville, Luzerne Co., Penn., and the mother of our subject at Easton, March 25, 1830. In early life Samuel Brodhead worked in the lumber woods, but is now living retired from active labor. Dur- ing the Civil war he served as a private in Company E. 185th N. Y. V. I., and was wounded at Quaker Roads, March 28, 1865. Prior to the war he sup- ported the Democratic party, but he is now a stanch Republican, and both he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In their family were the following children : Lorenzo, ~ who was drowned, at the age of two years, in Hick- ory Run, Penn .: C. W .; W. James, a blacksmith of Elk Lake, Penn. ; Anna, who married ( first) William Porter, and (second) Wilson Fargo. and is now a widow residing in Waterbury, Conn .; Samuel, a notary public at Old Forge, Penn .: Wealthy, a school teacher of Old Forge; J. Irwin, an Episco- pal clergyman of Forest City, Penn .; Margaret, a dressmaker at Old Forge ; Luther B., who graduated from the Bloomsburg Normal School and is now engaged in teaching the sciences at Scranton, Penn .: Minnie, who died at the age of one year ; and Josie May, who graduated from the Stroudsburg State Normal, and is now a school teacher of Old Forge. Our subject's paternal grandparents were John R. and Rebecca Brodhead, of Stroudsburg. Penn. Four generations of the family are now living. and the parents of our subject celebrated their golden wed- ding, August 29, 1899.

Charles W. Brodhead moved from the lumber woods at the age of nine years, and. later, un- til sixteen he was employed in coal mines, at which age hc entered a blacksmith shop at Moosic, Penn., to learn the trade. He soon mastered the business and continued to work at his chosen occu- pation in that locality until December, 1874. when he removed to Brooklyn. Susquehanna county, where he conducted a shop of his own for four years. The following eleven years were passcd at Elk Lake and from there he came to Montrose, where he is now doing a large and profitable business.

On June 20, 1871, at Lackawanna, Penn., Mr. Brodhead was married to Miss Henrietta Slack, who was born in Belvidere, N. J., May 12, 1854,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a daughter of Henry Slack. By this union the fol- lowing children have been born: Emma died at the age of fourteen months ; Charles W. died in infancy ; Samuel E., a horseshoer of Montrose, married Mar- gerie Mawliimy, and has one son, Charles J .; Jennie is at home ; Clarence G. died at the age of two years ; and Gai E. is at home. Members of four genera- tions of this family, yet living, are: Samuel, born 1826; Charles W., 1852; Samuel E., 1875; and Charles J., 1897.

Mr. Brodhead is a member of the Farmers Alliance and of the Grange, and he is also at present a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Susque- hanna County Agricultural Society. He also be- longs to the Sons of Veterans, and the Knights of Pythias, which he joined in 1873, and in which he is now serving as grand order guard of the State, having represented the subordinate lodge in the Grand Lodge for the past eighteen years. The Dem- ocratic party finds him a stanchi supporter of its principles, and in 1898 he was the candidate for Representative on the Democratic ticket. Although defeated, he reduced the Republican majority to one -~ half of its usual amount. At one time he was the only Democrat in the city council, and while a mem- ber of that body he was one of the pioneer advocates of the sewerage system of Montrose. He is public- spirited and progressive, and always gives a willing support to every enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit. He has one of the best libraries in Montrose and is a well-informed man.

JOHN DOUGLAS MILLER. In the last half century the lawyer has been a pre-eminent factor in all affairs of private concern and national im- portance. He has been depended upon to conserve the best and the permanent interests of the whole people, and he is a recognized power in all the aven- ues of life. He stands as the protector of the rights and liberties of his fellow men, and he is the repre- sentative of a profession whose followers, if they would gain honor, fanie and success, must be men of merit and ability. Such an one is John D. Miller. who is engaged in the practice of law in Susque- hanna, Susquehanna county, though he makes his home in Thompson, that county.

Mr. Miller was born December 6, 1856. in Greene county, N. Y., a son of Abram D. and Lydia ( Doug- las) Miller, natives of Delaware and Greene coun- ties. N. Y., respectively. The father was born De- cember 1, 1824, and is still living in Greene county ; the mother died there in 1870, at the age of forty- five years. In early life Abram D. Miller followed farming, later engaging in the manufacture of bed- steads and furniture, and he also operated a sawmill for twenty-five years, but since 1884 lie has lived retired from business. He is a supporter of the Re- publican party, and for twenty years most efficiently served as justice of the peace. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. to which his wife also belonged. To them were born

the following children : Mary E. is the wife of Fred- erick E. Ingalls, who is engaged in the stone-quarry business in Thompson, Penn. ; Isabella L. is the wid- ow of Hiram Lake, and a resident of Windsor. V. Y .; Ella is the wife of James Wooden, a railroad foreman of New York City; William H. is a farnier of Athens, Greene Co., N. Y .; John D. is our sub- ject ; Dora died in infancy; and Catherine died in 1896.

Our subject's paternal grandfather, William Miller, was a lifelong resident of Delaware county, N. Y .. where he died in 1829, aged thirty-one years. The maternal grandfather, John Douglas, was born in Scotland, and followed the sea in early life. lie married Margaret Van Steenberg, who was of Dutch descent, and a member of the Van Steenberg family who were among the first settlers of the Hud- son river valley. They first settled in Ulster county, N. Y., and subsequently in Greene county, same State, and both died at Hunter at an advanced age,

John Douglas Miller, whose name introduces this review, was reared in the village of Hunter. Greene Co., N. Y., and was educated in the district schools. At the age of sixteen he commenced the business career as clerk in a mercantile store in Me- dusa, Albany Co., N. Y., where he remained three years, and then came to Susquehanna county, Penn., as bookkeeper for a lumber firm in Harmony town- ship, with which he was connected until his removal to Thompson, in 1879. He was engaged in the hard- ware business with his brother-in-law. Hiram Lake. until the spring of 1882, and later was interested in mercantile business with his father-in-law until 1888, when he commenced the study of law with R. J. Manning, of Susquehanna, remaining with him until his admission to the Bar, in 1891. He engaged in practice with Mr. Manning, at Scranton. Pent .. until the fall of 1893, and then opened an office in Susquehanna, where he now enjoys a large and lu- crative practice.

On January 21, 1882, at Thompson. Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Jennie M. Blan- din. who was born in that place in . February. 18:8. a daughter of George P. and Catherine ( Lewi-) Blandin. Her father was born in 1824 in Vermont. and when two years old was brought to Thompson. Penn., by his parents. Here he followed farming and mercantile business throughout his active business life, now living retired with our subject in Thompson. For fifteen years he filled the office of justice of the peace. Mrs. Blandin, who was a native of Su -- quehanna county, and a daughter of Giles Lewis. died in February. 1889, at the age of sixty-titre .. years. Mrs. Miller is an only child. Our subject and his wife have had four children, as follows: Harry G. (now deceased ) ; Allan D., born Augu -: 13, 1884: Myron B., born October 14. 188 ;: and Walter L., born December 20. 1896.

Mr. Miller is a prominent member of the Methi- odist Episcopal Church, and socially is a member of Thompson Lodge No. 866. I. O. O. F. : Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 472, F. & A. M. : Susquehanna Chapter

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

No. 276, R. A. M. ; and St. Andrew's Commandery No. 76, K. T. Politically he is a stanch Democrat. He served as postmaster at Thompson from 1885 to 1889, and in 1898 was the Democratic nominee for State senator from his district; and while at the former senatorial election the Republican candi- date was elected by about 3,000 inajority, Mr. Miller was defeated by less than 400. He is a pleasant and affable gentleman, and makes many friends. He is thoroughly versed in the law, is a man of deep re- search and careful investigation, and his skill and ability have won him a liberal patronage and a prominent place at the Bar of Susquehanna County.

CHARLES W. ECKHART, one of the lead- ing young business men of Shohola, has spent al- most his entire life in Pike county, his birth occurr- ing in Shohola township, June 25, 1876. His boy- hood and youth were spent upon the old homestead with his mother, and to agricultural pursuits he de- voted his entire time and attention. In 1894 he went to Congers, N. Y., where he learned the ma- son's trade, at which he is now employed by the Erie Railroad Company. He is part owner of the old home farm which is now operated by his older brother. Enterprising and progressive, he has al- ready met with success in his undertakings and no doubt a bright future awaits him in his business ca- reer. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and in religious connection both he and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church, while in the social life of the community they occupy an en- viable position.

On May 21, 1898, Mr. Eckhart was married to Miss Annie L. Beyer, who was born in Shohola town- ship, Pike county, November 1, 1872. John W. Beyer, her father, was born in Germany, August 8, 1835, and is to-day one of the prominent and successful farmers of Shohola township. His grandfather, Cas- per Beyer, spent his entire life in Germany, engaged in carting freight. His father, Adam Ernest Beyer, was a native of Saxony, and also engaged in freight- ing in early life but later followed farming. He mar- ried Barbara Smyth, a native of Hessen, Ger- many, and in 1866 they came to America, locating in Shohola township, Pike Co., Penn., where their sons had previously settled. He died a few years later, and his wife survived him only two years, the remains of both being interred in the old Sho- hola cemetery. Their children were Adam E., Gustav, Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Knealing, John W., Mrs. Eve Elizabeth Engelhart, and Anna Christina Smith.

In his native land John W. Beyer learned the trade of wagonmaker and wheelwright, which he followed there for three years, but at the age of twen- ty-two came to America and located in Shohola township, Pike county. After working for others for some time, he purchased property in that town- ship, in 1865, and is now successfully engaged in general farming and dairying. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and religiously liis views coincide

with the doctrines of Martin Luther. At Shohola he wedded Miss Mary Hess, a daughter of George and Anna Marie Hess, and to them have been born the following children : George, who married Annie Bartlemas, is working in Scranton, Penn. ; Katherine, wife of Robert Freeland, of llackensack, Dutchess Co., N. Y .; John, who married Anna Focht, is en- gaged in blacksmithing in Buffalo, N. Y .; Annie L., wife of our subject ; Peter, who is living at home and assists his father on the farm and in the stone quarries ; and tltree who died in infancy.

PROF. IRA W. SWINGLE, a military vet- eran, and one of the most highly-esteemed residents of South Canaan township, Wayne county, has for niany years been connected with educational work in this section, and his efficient labors will be long remembered gratefully by those who have profited by his instructions.

Our subject belongs to an old pioneer family of this section, of whom a more complete account ap- pears elsewhere, Hans Ulrich Swingle, the head of the American line, being his great-grandfather. Conrad Swingle, a son of Hans, married Lucy Bun- ton, and had-thirteen children, among whom was a son Joseph, our subject's father. Joseph Swin- gle was born April 16, 1800, in South Canaan township. Wayne county, and passed his life in that" locality, following farming as an occupation. He died in 1886, and for about sixteen years previous he was blind. He was married three times. first to Hannah Quick, none of whose children lived to maturity ; second to Orilla Parish, a native of Con- necticut, who died in 1844, at the age of forty-two, and third to Elizabeth Chumard, who had been mar- ried twice before. There were six children by the second union, viz .: Mary A. ( now deceased) mar- ried Hiram Everett, a contractor in California; Angeline, who resides in Kansas, married ( first ) Newton Varney, and ( second ) E. C. Swingle ( both are now deceased) ; Jane (deceased) married Simp- son Chumard, a resident of Hollisterville, Penn. ; Ira W., our subject, is mentioned more fully below ; Helen married (first) Charles Searles ( now- de- ceased), and (second) Andrew Cook, a banker in Nebraska; Sophronius is also deceased. By the third marriage there was one son, John F., who is married, and resides in Kansas,

Prof. Swingle was born December 1, 1839, on the old Swingle homestead in South Canaan town- ship, originally purchased by his great-grandfa- ther, and he still resides upon a portion of this tract. 'He was reared to farm work, but his inclina- tions were inclined to intellectual pursuits, and he took such advantage of the educational opportunities afforded by the local schools that he was prepared to teach by the time he reached the age of sixteen. For two terms he had charge of a school at Dau- phinville, Penn., and then desiring to fit himself for higher work, he spent three seasons in study at Kingston, Penn., teaching during vacations in order to gain funds for further study. He was thus ent-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ployed at Huntingdon, Luzernc Co., Penn., for some time, but in 1861 he returned to his native town- ship, where he continued to teach until his enlist- ment, on March 29, 1864, in the 3rd Regiinent, Pennsylvania Artillery ( 152nd Regiment), under Capt. Fred Kortes. His service lasted until Novem- ber 9, 1865, but he was not engaged in any serious battles. On receiving his discharge hc returned home and resumed teaching, being employed for about ten terms in the public schools of Wayne county, with one term at Mill Creek Academy. In the intervals of teaching he gave his attention to gen- eral farming at the homestead, and at present he is engaged solely in agricultural work, his health making an outdoor life desirable. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but his allegiance does not depend upon official rewards, as he has uniformly refused to permit his name to appear on the ticket as a candidate. He takes an intelligent interest in all progressive movements, and he and his wife are prominent in the social life of their locality.

On March 22, 1858, Prof. Swingle was mar- ried, at Huntingdon, Penn., by Rev. Mr. Rutan, a minister of the Christian Church, to Miss Charlotte J. Davenport, and the following children have blessed the union: (1) Adelaide married F. M. Wagner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, and they have three children. (2) Elsa married T. K. Swingle, a merchant of Carbondale, Penn. (3) Orilla married Charles Benjamin, a contractor at Carbondale, and they have one child. (4) Miss Helen is a trained nurse, and resides at Carbondale. (5) Ira W., Jr., a leading business man of South Canaan Corners, left home at the age of sixteen to make his way in the world, and for some time was employed as a clerk by Thomas K. Swingle, a mer- chant at Carbondale. In 1895 he removed to South Canaan Corners and engaged in mercantile business, in which he has been successful, having built up a large trade through his judicious management.

Mrs. Swingle is a member of a well-known family of Luzerne county, and was born at Hunt- ingdon, April 11, 1841. Her father, the late Stephen Davenport, a native of Plymouth, Penn., owned more than three hundred acres of land in that coun- ty, and was extensively engaged in farming. He was a man of high moral character, although not a member of any Church, and was held in great esteem by his associates. In politics he was a Dem- ocrat, and at one time he served as commissioner of Luzerne county. Hc married Miss Elizabeth Tubbs, who was born in 1803, at Huntingdon, and was for many years a devout and consistent member of the Baptist Church. She died in April 1864, and he in August, 1886, at the age of eighty-five. They had the following children: Handford, deceased : Will- iam, a prominent and wealthy merchant of forty years' standing, who died in November, 1895. at the age of sixty-nine ; Thomas, Newton and Samuel, all deccased; Adclia, who married Charles Good. a farmer of near Waterton, Penn .; Charlotte J., wite of our subject; Elizabeth, widow of Wells Wag-

ner, of California ; and Ira, who was killed in 1893 by a kick from a colt while watering his stock. Mrs. Swingle's grandparents, Thomas and Charity Dav- enport, were natives of Connecticut, who settled at Plymouth, Penn., at an early day. Of their five children, Robert and John are still living, and Ste- phen, Phoebe ( Mrs. John Prindle) and Hannah ( Mrs. Jacob Gould) are deceased.

GEORGE A. KNEALING, one of the repre- sentative and prominent agriculturists of Shohola township, Pike county, was born there, March 10, 1862. Henry C. Knealing, our subject's father, was for many years one of the most influentia and public-spirited citizens of the community. He was a native of Saxony, Germany, born April 8, 1832, and at the age of eighteen came to the United States, first locating at Orange county, N. Y .. where he secured employment at farm work. He married Annie Elizabeth Byer, and they became the parents of two children, the younger of whom is our subject. Mary Augusta, born October 25. 1858, has been twice married, first to Charles Palmer, and second to Frank Keller, whose sketch appears elsewhere. After some years stay in Orange county, N. Y .. Henry C. Knealing came to Shohola township, Pike county, and in 1858 purchased 213 acres of wood- land, and at once turned his attention to clearing the land and lumbering. With the assistance of his son he succeeded in placing sixty acres under the plow, and he erected thereon a fine farm house. At the time of his death, which occurred August 1, 1896, he had one of the finest farms in the township. He was one of the most highly respected citizens of the entire county, was an ardent Democrat in political sentiment, and besides filling all the township of- fices he most capably served as coroner, and county commissioner for three years. For the long period of thirty-five years he was a justice of the peace, and at the time of his death had just entered upon another five-years' term. His public and private life were alike above reproach, and his dutics were always most faithfully and conscientiously per- formed.

George A. Knealing was reared upon the old homestead, in fact has always remained there. He learned the art of farming under the able direction of his father, and is to-day recognized as one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists of the community. At the death of his father he came into possession of the entire property, and now has 10; acres of valuable land, most of which is under a high state of cultivation. He is engaged in general farmning and also in bee culture.

On October 25, 1885, Mr. Knealing was uni- ted in marriage with Miss Lizzie Vogt, daughter of John Vogt, Sr., who is mentioned more fully el-e- where .. They now have three interesting children : Mary Angusta, born April 26, 1887 : Linda Christi- ana, October 25, 1888 ; and Henry C. April 21, 1801. The parents both hold membership in the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Kncaling is also identified

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with the Democracy, and takes quite an active and prominent part in local politics. He has been a member of the school board since attaining his ma- jority, has several times served on the election board, has been township assessor for the past seven years, and also town clerk.

CHARLES H. CROWE, Insurance, East Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania.

ABRAM V. HUFF is a member of the well- known firm of Allen & Huff, who are now conduci- ing a livery and sale stable at Matamoras, Pike county, and are meeting with excellent success. Throughout his varied business career his affairs have been so managed as to win han the confidence of the public and the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.

Mr. Huff was born June 5, 1844. at Stillwater, Sussex Co., N. J., his parents, Henry and Cather- ine ( Van Horn) Huif, having always made their home in that county, where the father carried on op- erations as a farmer. He was a stanch Democrat in politics but never would accept office. He died in 1874, aged sixty-two years, his wife in 1881, aged sixty-three, and both were buried in the New Har- mony cemetery. In the family were the following children : Jemima C., wife of James Martin, a phy- sician of Illinois; Abram V., our subject ; Elizabeth, wife of Silas C. Osburn, a blacksmith of Newark, N. J .; William R., who married a Huff, and is desk sergeant at Orange, N. J .; Mary, wite of George Keene, a miller of Sussex county. N. J .; Adeline, widow of Harry Lucy ; George, who is married and is a police officer of Newark; Hester ; and Mahala, wife of George Rolling, a bookkeeper, of Newark, New Jersey.

Our subject's paternal grandparents, William and Dorcas (Jones) Huff, were farming people of Sussex county, N. J., where they spent their entire lives. Their children were Henry. father of our subject ; Clarissa, wife of Philip Mackey; Eliza, wife of Jonas Howell ; Emma, wife of Casper Lucy ; and Margaret, wife of Abram Shuster. Sussex county, N. J., was also the home of the maternal grandparents, Abram and Esther (-) Van Horn, and there the grandfather also engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. Their children were : "corge ; Henry ; William; Rhoda, wife of John Hill : Catherine, moth- er of our subject : Margaret, wife of Cornelius Hill ; and Charlotte, wife of Jacob Hill, who was a broth- er of the two Mr. Hills previously mentioned.

Upon the home farm Abram V. Huff was reared to manhood, and he was married i :: January, 1869, at the "Yellow Frame Parsonage," in Sussex coun- ty, N. J., to Miss Lydia M. Ryman. .Three children were born to them, namely : Floyd. Seeley and Car- rie, but all are now deceased. Mrs. Huff was born in 1851, in Stillwater, N. J., a daughter of David and Matilda ( Snover ) Ryman, also natives of Sus- sex county, where both died and their remains were interred in Harmony cemetery, that county. In

their family were the following children: Mary, who married ( first) William Van Camp. and ( sec- ond) Green Roye; Mahala, who died young : Ly- dia MI., wife of our subject; John, who married Elizabeth Frazier; George; Thompson; Charles; and Richard.

On leaving the parental roof, at the age cf twen- ty-one, Mr. Huff worked as a farm hand for nine months, and then returned home and operated the place on shares for one year. During the follow- ing seven years he was engaged in the manufacture of harness at Stillwater, N. J., and subsequently rented a thirty-acre farm, which he operated for one year, while he was engaged in the nuckstering business. For the same length of time he conducted a grocery store at Stillwater, the following year he was engaged in the butcher business. and for two years he was again interested in the harness busi- ness. Owing to ill health he retired from active la- bor for one year, and spent the following two years in the butcher business at Dingman's Ferry. Pike county. He conducted the old "Halfway house" between Port Jervis and Milford for eight years. and after another year's rest had charge of the "Fowler House," at Port Jervis, for two years. He ran a billiard hall at that place for five years: and in 1898 embarked in his present business. having re- moved to Matamoras in 1885. He attends the Evan- * gelical Church at that place, and is a Democrat in politics, but cares nothing for political honors. pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his busi- ness interests, in which he has been quite successful.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 106

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