Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 114

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 114
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 114
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 114
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 114

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

To Mr. and Mrs. von Auer were born three children, namely: Charles, born June 14, 1860, died at the age of nine years and ten months. Max died at the age of two years and ten months. Emily Antonio, born June 29, 1869, married Charles F. Eden, by whom she has one child, Ida Atelka Guer- eta. Her second husband is John T. Henning, and to them have been born three children-Paul, Fran- cisco and Leroy. Mr. Henning was employed for eighteen years by the Brooklyn Furniture Co. At the death of his mother he inherited considerable property, and embarked in business for himself at Croton, N. Y., but failed, losing everything. He is now in the employ of the Blooming Grove. Park Co., a syndicate of wealthy New York people, who keep a large tract of land for their own private hunting ground.

After leaving the army, Mr. von Auer worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn, and assisted in building the boilers for the "Great Eastern" steamer. He was very ingenius in mental work and designed several valuable articles, but in most cases his too ready be- lief in the honesty of his associates led to their be- coming the owners of his patents. He patented doorlocks which he manufactured for some time, and on selling out his business in 1892, removed to Westchester county, New York.

Being of an independent nature. and desirous of assisting in earning a livelihood, Mrs. von Auer originated a novel idea in the educational world. Through the influence of the superintendent of edu- cation, she was allowed to introduce the teaching of embroidery in the public schools, and it proved very successful, even the lady teachers themselves becom- ing her pupils. At an art exhibition she was award- ed a large gold medal as first prize in needle work, and this she has tastefully mounted and framed. it now occupying a conspicuous place in the home of this worthy lady. Mrs. von Auer opened enibroid- ery and art parlors in Brooklyn, imported all her goods and successfully engaged in business. On ac- count of her extensive business she was forced to remain in the city most of the time although her home was at Flatbush, L. I. For one season she conducted a branch store at Saratoga and for two seasons at Asbury Park. In 1891 she disposed of her business interests and purchased Woodlake Cot- tage, a beautiful place on the Hudson river between

1818

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Croton and Sing Sing, and sold eleven months later at a profit of $4,000. Shortly afterward she bought property in Paupack township, Wayne Co., Penn., and immediately took possession of the place, and spending considerable money in making improve- ments thereon. Like many other energetic people, Mrs. von Auer speculated in gas stocks, and in a single day lost $25,000. Of late she has made lier home in Minisink, N. Y. Throughout hier career she has displayed excellent ability as a business wom- an and has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom she has come in contact. She belongs to the Order of Pocohontas, and is a faitliful men- ber of the Presbyterian Church.

PAUL E. V. BILLE, a highly respected citi- zen of Greene township, Pike county, is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Neufchatel, July 3, 1842, and is a son of Onesime Vuille and Rosine ( Perrenond ) Bille, who were also born in the beat- tiful land of the Alps, the former in Neufchatel, in 1806, the latter in 1803. In their family were three children : Guinel, a widow now living in the town of Neufchatel; Paul E. V., of this sketch; and Elise, who is married and lives in New York. Our sub- ject's paternal grandfather was David Louis Bille.

Reared in his native land, Mr. Bille, of this re- view, received a good education in the French lan- guage, and from his father also learned the trade of watchmaking. There he married Emma Girard, and to tliem were born the following children: Paul Emile, who married Sadie Smith and is now engaged in farming in Greene township, Pike Co., Penn .; Rose Emelia, wife of Paul Heine, who lives near New York City ; Louisa Emma, wife of Albert Price. of Laanna, Pike county ; and Charles August, who was for some time engaged in the photographic busi- ness at Sterling, Wayne Co., Penn., and is now at- tending the Illinois College of Photography at Et- fingham, Ill. The wife and mother died in Novem- ber, 1881.

Subsequently Mr. Bille was married, in New York City, to Miss Perret Gentil, who was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, January 21, 1837, and is a daughter of August and Euphrosine ( Juil- liard) Gentil, and granddaughter of David Henry Gentil. Both the father and grandfather were born in Switzerland and died in that country. With her parents, Mrs. Bille lived for twenty years in St. Petersburg, Russia, while she was employed as a French teacher at the royal palace, instructing the children of high officials. At the age of forty-five years she came to America and located in New York City, where she later married.

In 1878 Mr. Bille, with his family, came to America, his first home in this country being at Fort Howard, Wis., but he only remained there a short time. Returning to the East, lie lived for fourteen years at Hoboken, N. J., and during this time found employment in New York City. Later he again went to Wisconsin and resided for one year in Watertown, but his wife being dissatisfied with the West, he

again turned his face eastward, and on reaching Pennsylvania located upon the farm which he had previously purchased in Greene township, Pike coun- ty. His place consists of fifty-three acres, a large portion of which is wild land, but he has already cleared fifteen acres and erected thereon a fine resi- dence. Here he is now engaged in general farming, poultry raising and watch repairing, and lias secured the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, eitlier in business or social life. Po- litically he is a Republican, and religiously is a mem- ber of the French Evangelical Church of New York City.

MACKEY. For three-quarters of a century the Mackey family has been identified with the growth and development of Susquehanna county, and left their impress upon the communities in which they have resided. Of the earlier generations George W. Mackey. Deacon David Mackey and Zophar Mackey, all farmers, were men of integrity and honor and aided in clearing up the forests of the county, and their descendants are now active and influential in Susquehanna and adjoining counties. Notably in the professions are George Mackey of the Lackawanna Bar, Charles D. Mackey, M. D., of Montrose, and Nathan C. Mackey, M. D., of Waver- ly, Penn., all substantial citizens of their several localities.

George W. Mackey, a native of the State of New York, born in 1789, married Elizabeth Samuels, who was born in the same year. They lived at Rensselaerville, Albany Co., N. Y., from whence in about 1824 the family removed to Susquehanna county, Penn., settling on what was then known as the Harding farm, near Clifford Corners. Mr. Mackey was a hatter by trade and followed this busi- ness in connection with farming. He died in 1845, and his widow survived him many years. dying in 1864. They were upright people and held the es- teem and respect of the community in which they lived. Among their children were: (1) Rhoda. (2) Parmelia married William Bolton. (3) David is referred to farther on. (4) Zophar Mackey, born in Albany, N. Y., came to Susquehanna county, Penn., with his parents in about 1824. In 1849 he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land in the vicinity of the old Truesdell school house. This he sold in 1856 and removed to Lathrop town- ship, where he had purchased one hundred and fifty acres on which there was a small log cabin into which he moved his family. He aided in clearing up the land in Lathrop, became identified with its interests and was numbered among the township's substantial farmers and citizens. In his political views prior to the Civil war he was a Democrat. was what was known as a war Democrat, through that struggle being fully in sympathy with Greenback party into which all of his sons followed him. He married and the union was blessed with ten children, viz. : Francis. Joshua D., George S .. Jared, John B., Mina M., Nellie, Nelson, Manly and Frank.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1819

The father of these died in 1884; but his widow is still living.

Deacon David Mackey, son of George W. Mackey and the father of Dr. Charles D. Mackey, of Montrose, was born in Albany county, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. He accom- panied his father's family to Susquehanna county, Penn., in about 1824. Later he became a resident of Harford township and in 1852 removed to a farm in the vicinity of the village of New Milford. He was a farmer by occupation, a quiet unassuming man who lived a God-fearing life, correct and upright in all his dealings with his fellowmen. He was active in Church work, identified with the Baptist Church in which he was a deacon for many years. He was in sympathy with the slave and in the days of the Abolition movement was an Abolitionist. Later he became a Republican. Deacon Mackey was in sym- pathy with all movements having for their object the elevation of mankind. He married Miss Miranda C., daughter of Joseph Griggs of Susquehanna county. Deacon Mackey died in 1869, and she in 18 -. They reared a number of children, all becom- ing useful men and women, among the number three of the boys-George, Nathan C. and Charles D .- are now adorning the professions, legal and medical, they adopted.

Nathan Callender Mackey, M. D., son of the late Deacon David Mackey, of New Milford, is a native of Harford, Susquehanna Co., Penn., born September 7, 1848. He was reared on his father's farm in the vicinity of New Milford, and there at- tended the schools of the neighborhood. Later he furthered his studies at the New Milford Academy. Following this, when eighteen years of age, he for a time taught in the district schools and subsequently pursued a course of study in the State Normal school. In 1871 he commenced the study of medi- cine under the direction of Dr. A. C. Blakeslee, of Nicholson, Penn., continuing his studies until 1873. During those two years in addition to the prosecu- tion of his medical preparation he taught the graded school of the village. In 1873 he entered the Yale Medical school where he took two courses of lect- ures. He was graduated in 1875 from the Univer- sity of New York City and soon thereafter began the practice at Foster, Penn. In July, 1876, he re- moved to Springville and that year became a member of the Susquehanna County Medical Society. Later lie located in Lackawanna county. He married (first), in 1875, Nellie J. Marcex, of Nicholson, who died in 1879. He married ( second). in 1883, Anna M., daughter of Miles W. Bliss, of Waverly, Pennsylvania.

Charles David Mackey. M. D .. son of the late Deacon David Mackey, of New Milford, was born in 1854, on his father's farm in the vicinity of the village of New Milford, Susquehanna county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and in boyhood attended the district schools of the neighborhood, and also for a time the public schools at the village and at Scranton. In 1879 he began the study of

medicine in the office of his brother, Dr. Nathan C. Mackey, then a successful physician at Springville, Penn., and then furthered his studies under the di- rection of Dr. G. W. Weaver, of Wilkes Barre, Penn. In 1880-81 he attended a course of lectures at the University of New York, and the following year he was in attendance at the Baltimore ( Md. ) Medi- cal College. After his graduation from the latter institution in 1882, he located in the practice at Lynn in Susquehanna county, and there remained until in 1885 when he removed to Montrose. For fifteen years Dr. Mackey has diligently given his at- tention to his professional duties with the people of Montrose and in various parts of Susquehanna county, and has won his way into popular favor. A man of good attainments, studious habits, he has kept pace with the advancement in medical science and is in command of an extensive practice. He is a man of enterprise and public spirit in the commun -. ity. Recently he established a hospital at Mont- rose. In his political views he is a Republican and as such was elected to the office of county coroner. Dr. Mackey is a man of energy and ambition, always occupied, and his future is promising. He has built one of the most modern and finest residences in Montrose.

On June 7, 1884, Mr. Mackey was married to Mary R. Lyman, of Springville.

WV. J. PENTECOST. One of the possibilities afforded in America is that whereby a stranger from a foreign land, seeking here a new home and equal opportunities, rises to a position of prominence and influence by his own unaided efforts. There is al- ways merit in success of this kind, for the new comer is handicapped to some degree by unfamiliarity with his new environment. William Pentecost, the father of our subject, when a young man, emigrated from England to America a half century ago, and in the partially developed region of northeastern Pennsyl- vania he attained a marked success in life. His chil- dren have inherited his sterling traits of character and have also reached. through their well directed and persistent efforts. that return which is both com- mensurate and encouraging.

Our subject. now a prominent lumberman and stone merchant of Forest City, was born in Dy- berry township. Wayne county, January 31. 1850, the son of William and Elizabeth ( Paul) Pente- cost, natives of Cornwall, England, where the father was born in 1826, and the mother in 1833. They were married in the spring of 1849, in England. and soon after resolved to seek their fortunes in Amer- ica. They crossed the ocean in the summer of 1849 and settled in Dyberry township. Wayne county. For two years William Pentecost worked on the neighboring farms at Sio per month. He then pur- chased a farm and steadily accumulated a property. In 1865 he settled in Forest City. The region was then a wilderness and for a time he was engaged in lumbering for the D. & H. Co. He removed to Clin- ton township, Wayne county, where he remained

1820

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

four years, then came to Prompton, continuing to lumber all the while. While at Prompton he erected the first stone building in Forest City. He operated it for a short time, then sold to James Johns. He also operated saw mills for the Erie and the D. & H. R. R. Companies at Forest City. The first post office at Forest City was named Pentecost, after the father of our subject. William Pentecost now re- sides at Prompton, Wayne county, an extensive farm- er and lumberman, the operator of acid factories, etc., and a business man of wealth and prominence. His wife died in 1878, at the age of forty-five years, and was buried at Bethany, Penn. Their children were as follows: W. J., the subject of this sketch ; Marianna, wife of James Johns, a retired lumber- man of Honesdale, Penn .; Thomas J., a merchant of Forest City; Harriet, wife of Rev. Burgess, a M. E. minister of Kirkwood, N. Y .; Elizabeth, who married H. W. Higgins, a carpenter of Forest City, and is now deceased; Maria, wife of John Maxey, an engineer of Forest City ; Lincoln W., a merchant of Forest City; Edward, who resides on the old homestead at Prompton ; and one who is deceased. The surviving children are all prominent and useful citizens, having attained a goodly success in life.

W. J. Pentecost, our subject, remained with his parents, assisting liis father in the latter's nu- merous and extensive lumbering and farming enter- prises until his marriage, October 7, 1874, to Miss Anna E. Ames, who was born in Canaan town- ship, Wayne county, daughter of Henry Ames, After his marriage our subject became a lum- ber contractor, a business which he continued suc- cessfully for five years. He then purchased and occupied at Waymart a farm which he continued to operate for eiglit years. He then began to contract lumber for the Erie railroad which he has since continued. In 1887 he removed from his farm to Forest City, where he now resides, one of its most prosperous and prominent citizens. To our subject and his wife have been born the following children : Rena N., wife of Edward Horton, a car- penter at Forest City ; Archie H., with the Hillside Iron & Coal Co .; Earl T., also with the Hillside Iron & Coal Co .; Edna M., who died aged three and a half years ; Inez and Hazel.

For the past fifteen years Mr. Pentecost has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as street commissioner at Waymart, Wayne county, and is now a member of the Board of Health Commissioners. He has erected his own tasty and commodious home, and engages in general contracting. He is a self-made man, modern in his ideas and methods, and is one of the most influential men in Clifford township.

R. NORTHRUP, a well-known agriculturist of Liberty township, Susquehanna county, was born in February, 1824, in Windsor, N. Y., a son of Will- iam and Abigail ( Atwell) Northrup. The father, who was left an orphan at an early age, grew to man- hood in New York State, and after his marriage

made his home in Windsor until his death, which occurred in 1834. The mother afterward married Philo Luce, of Susquehanna county, and lived in Liberty township until she, too, was called to her final rest.

Our subject is one of the family of five sons, all born in Windsor, N. Y. ( 1) Joel, thie eldest, married a lady of Stroudsburg, Monroe Co., Penn., where he lived and died. All of their five children are still living in that county. (2) Harry, born in 1822, came to Susquehanna county when a young man and mar- ried Louisa Stanford, of Liberty township. He cleared and improved a farm in that township, near Lawsville, where he died, leaving three children- Ruth A., deceased wife of Eugene Worden; Char- lotte, deceased wife of Lewis Fish, of New York ; and William H., who still lives on his father's old homestead. (3) Alvin married a Miss Hance and first located in Kirkwood, N. Y., where he followed the shoe trade, but spent his last days in Bingham- ton. He was four times married, but left only one daughter, who was born of the third union, her mother being a Miss Lewis, of Kirkwood. (4) Elias came to Susquehanna county with his brothers and purchased a tract of land adjoining that of our sub- ject. Here he cleared and developed a farm, on which he spent his last years. He married Ruth Wil- bur, who belonged to an old family of Liberty town- ship, and to them were born three children-Levi : Ida, who first married Asa Spalding, of Liberty township, and after his death Frederick Teal, with whom she removed to the State of Washington, where she died, leaving children by both husbands : and Edward, who also went to Washington.

The subject of this sketch was only ten years old when his father died, but he remained in Wind- sor, N. Y., attending school until eighteen years of age. In 1842 he came to Susquehanna county, Penn., and worked for his brother Harry for a time. In 1849, he married Miss Cordelia Stanford, a daughter of Dr. Stanford, of Liberty township. and they began housekeeping in the midst of the forest, where he purchased a tract of wild land. to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his time and attention. His first home was a small frame building which is still standing, but he later erected a large and more modern resi- dence which he now occupies. He has also built two barns and made many other improvements.

Mr. Northrup's first wife died in April, 1857. By that union he had two daughters-Ella and Abi- gail, but the latter died when young. Ella mar- ried Israel Luce, and they now reside in Pasadena, Cal. They have one son, Wesley, who is married and lives in that State. In November, 1857, Mr. Northrup married Miss Annie Drake, who was born and reared in Morris county, N. J., and died in Sep- tember, 1886. Five children were born to them namely: ( 1) Anna. born in 1859, married Jolin Madison, who died leaving two children-Cyn- thia and Alva, who now reside with our sub- ject. For her second husband Anna married

1821

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Henry Miles, of Liberty township, by whom she has three children-Daisy, Louis and Anna. (2) Fannie, born in October, 1860, died in 1886. (3) John W., born in April, 1862, resides at home. (4) William, born in November, 1864, in Roxbury, N. J., was reared in Liberty township, and now has charge of his father's farm. (5) Martha, born in April, 1869, is the wife of Andrew Tennant, of Binghamton, N. Y., and they have one son, Delbert. Mr. Northrup was again married, in February, 1888, his third union being with Mrs. Jemima Piggery, who was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1841, and when only two years old was brought to Amer- ica by her parents, Thomas and Maria ( Moore) Davis, who located in Scranton, Penn. There the father was superintendent for a number of years of the rolling stock of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad and died in that city. He left a widow and four children, namely: John, who is now superintendent of the Crown Point Iron Ore rail- road, of New York; Sarah, wife of David Major, of Harrisburg, Penn .; Jemima, wife of our subjeet ; and George, who died in Scranton when young. Mrs. Davis, the mother of these children, later mar- ried Tobias Philpot and moved to Springfield. Ill. For her first husband, Mrs. Northrup married John Wilbur, of Scranton, by whom she had three chil- dren: William, who died in Binghamton, N. Y .; May, now the wife of William MeLeod, of Waverly, N. Y .; and Blanch, wife of Seymour Detrick, of Conklin, N. Y. Our subject has no children by his last wife.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Northrup has always been a stalwart Republican. Religiously lie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of . Lawsville, and his life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contaet.

J. F. UTLEY. Susquehanna has many well- to-do and successful farmers who have been the architeets of their own fortunes, and have builded wisely and well. Among these is the subject of this personal history, who through his own unaided ef- forts has gained a comfortable competenee which now enables him to lay aside all business cares and live retired at his pleasant home in Clifford town- ship.

Mr. Utley was born in Lenox township, Sus- quehanna county, November 16, 1830, and is a son of Lucius and Catherine ( Kennedy) Utley, who were natives of Harford, Conn., and Wilkes Barre, Penn., respectively, and were married in the latter city. At the age of seventeen years .the father con- menced work in the lumber woods of Mauch Chunk, Penn., and remained there until later in life, when he came to Lenox township, Susquehanna county, where he followed farming until 1884, becoming one of the best and most extensive agriculturists of the township. He attended the Baptist Church, and as one of the prominent citizens of his community he was called upon to fill several township offiees.

His last days were spent with his children and he died at the home of his daughter, MIrs. Eliza Os- terlious, in Dunmore, Penn., June 11, 1887, at the age of eighty-eight years and one day. His wife was born in 1807, and died in Lenox township, October 4, 1879. Bothi were laid to rest in Clifford cemetery. Their children were as follows: Sarah is the wife of George Burdick, tollgate keeper at Chinchilla, Penn .; James K. is a farmier of Lenox township; J. F. is the subject of this sketch; Cath- erine, deceased, was the wife of Andrew Halstead ; Eliza A. is the widow of William Osterhous, of Dunmore; Steven L. is a farmer of Wyoming county, Penn .; Lydia is the wife of Marshall Finn, a merchant of Dalton, Penn .; Charles is a farmer of Lenoxville; Mary is the wife of Andrew Hal- stead, of South Dakota; John L. is a farmer of Clifford township; H. Linda is the wife of N. E. Gardner, of Clifford ; and Adelia D. is the wife of Charles Waderman, an extensive farmer of South Dakota.

Until he attained his majority J. F. Utley re- mained at home with his parents, and was then em- ployed for one year as brakeman on the Pennsyl- vania railroad, running from Pittston to Hawiey. The following two years were spent at home, and for the same length of time he worked for other . farmers. In 1855 he located upon his present farni in Clifford township, where he owns eighty acres of excellent land which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings. His straightforward method of doing busi- ness and his value as a member of the community have gained him a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintanees, who have watched his career with in- terest and are not slow to acknowledge that he is deserving of all the good that has fallen to him. He is a Democrat in polities, and has served as pathmaster, but has never been an office-seeker.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 114

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