Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 51

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 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 51
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 51

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WILLIAM YATES (deceased) was one of the leading and influential citizens of Sterling township. Wayne county, where his family still reside. He was born in Manchester. England. June 6. 1831. a son of Benjamin T. and Mary A. (Jarvis) Yates. also natives of Manchester, where they continued to make their home until 1837.

In that year they emigrated to America and located in Philadelphia, but a year later came to Sterling township, Wayne county, where the father followed his trade of shoemaking until called front this life in 1877, at the age of sixty-six years. His

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wife died in 1850, and both were buried in Howe- town cenietery, Sterling township. William was the oldest of their children, the others being as follows: Joseph, who died at the age of two and a half years; Benjamin, who married Phoebe M. Stevens, and is engaged in farming and carpenter- ing in Sterling township; Josephine, wife of John H. Lee, a farmer and carpenter of the same town- ship; Mary, deceased wife of John Stevens, of Sterling township. The father was three times mar- ried, his second wife being a Mrs. Loney, and his third wife Mrs. Mary J. Finley, but he had no children by these unions. Our subject's paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth Yates, who removed from Manchester, England, to Phila- delphia, Penn., at an early day, but subsequently located in Lancaster county, Penn., where they made their home throughout the remainder of their lives. The grandfather was a manufacturer of cotton goods, became quite wealthy and prominent, and spent his last years in retirement. He had a family of four children: William, who wedded Mary Graham ; Benjamin ; Elizabeth, wife of John Reigley ; and James.

Mr. Yates, whose name introduces this sketch, had crossed the Atlantic three times before he was six years old, and with his parents came to make his home in Sterling township. During his boy- hood he aided his father in shoemaking, and at the age of sixteen years he began working on the rail- road for the Delaware & Hudson Co., working three summers and doing shoemaking in the win- ter. For awhile he teamed to Easton, hauling lum- ber, and worked for the neighbors, in the meantime assisting his father at shoemaking until he had at- tained the age of twenty-three years. He then purchased a house and lot of his father, and lived there for three years. At the end of that time he sold it and purchased a tract of fourteen acres, on which he lived until the commencement of the Civil war, when he sold out and moved to Lake Ariel, Wayne county, and for four years worked again for the railroad company. After his mar- riage he continued to reside at that place until 1866, when he removed to the present farm of his widow. He was not strong and his health was very poor for a year or two before his death, which occurred February 27, 1898. He was a man of medium weight, and from an attack of smallpox when a child, he lost the use of his right eye. He was industrious and enterprising, and was able to leave to his family a good farm of sixty acres. His political support was always given the Republican party, and for three years he most efficiently served as school director. Fraternally, he affiliated with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Nobletown, and the Grange ; and religiously was for forty years a con- sistent and faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. his life being in harmony with his professions. He was a devoted husband and father and true friend, willing to sacrifice his personal comfort for those about him.

At Jonestown, Wayne county, May 18, 1854, Mr. Yates was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Stevens, and to them was born a daughter, Minnie A., who is with her mother. They also raised Charles T., a son of John Stevens, a brother of Mrs. Yates, and he is now known as Charles T. Yates. His mother died when he was only four weeks old and one week later Mrs. Yates took him and gave him a mother's loving care. Mrs. Yates is a native of Salem township, Wayne county, and a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Dobell) Stevens. Her father was born in Sterling township, Wayne county, and was a son of Henry and Martha Stev- ens, who were natives of Germany and Long. Island respectively, and were married in the latter place, whence they removed to the Wyoming Valley, but spent their last days in Wayne county, Penn. The remains of both were buried on the old homestead in Sterling township. They were farming people and early settlers of this region. Their children were Valentine, who married Sarah Frazier; George, who married Rachel Weeks; Jane, who married Charles Cliff; Nicholson, who first mar- ried Nancy Catterson, and after her death married her cousin, Isabella Catterson; Mary, who died when young; Ann, who married John Catterson; Henry, who was the father of Mrs. Yates; and Martha, who married William Catterson, a brother of John.

On reaching man's estate Henry Stevens mar- ried Miss Sarah Dobell, a native of Kent county, England, who came to America in 1818, at the age of six years, with her father, Rev. George Dobell, a Baptist minister, who brought with him three chil- dren, the others being Ann and Eliza. He first located in Sterling township, Wayne county. but ten years later removed to Jonestown. where he operated a sawmill throughout the remainder of his life. He was three times married, his first wife being Elizabeth Hillman, who died in England, leaving three children-Sarah, the mother of Mrs. Yates; Ann, who was the twin sister of Sarah, and died unmarried in 1895 : and Eliza, wife of Ab- bott Purdy and mother of Judge Purdy, of Hones- dale, Penn. In Philadelphia, Rev. Dobell married Catherine Smith, by whom he had five children : Hannah, wife of James Miller : Frances, wife of Wil- liam Ramble; Martha, who died unmarried ; Mary. wife of Edward Smith; and Caroline, who was drowned at the age of two and one-half years. For his third wife he married Mrs. Eliza Lawrence. a sister of his first wife, and to them were born two children: Charlotte and John, the latter of whom was drowned at the age of fourteen years.

Mrs. Yates' parents were farming people, who spent their entire married life in Wayne county. The father died May 21, 1878, aged sixty-nine years, the mother February 21, 1898. aged eighty-five. and both were laid to rest in Nobletown cemetery. Mrs. Yates is the oldest of their children, the others bc- ing as follows: John, a farmer of Sterling town- ship, who first married Mary A. Yates, and after

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her death wedded Mary Sinquet ; Mary J., wife of John Ferguson, a farmer of the same township; Harriet, a resident of Salem Corners, Wayne county, and the widow of Solon Pcet, who died of diphtheria in the Civil war; Phoebe, wife of Ben- jamin Yates, a farmer of Sterling township; Wil- liam, also a farmer of that township, who married Sarah Sinquet; Martha, deceased wife of James Bird, of Scranton, Penn .: Emma, who engaged in teaching school for some time prior to her death ; Lottie, a milliner, of Georgetown, Penn .; and George, who married Tacey Noble, and is a mer- chant of Maplewood, Wayne county.

HON. HARRY B. ELY. M. D .. a representa- tive in the State Legislature from Wayne county, and one of the county's leading physicians, residing at Lake Ariel in Lake township, is a native of Laceyville, Wyoming Co., Penn., born April 16. 1866, a son of Dr. Richard H. Ely, and his wife. Emeline S. Birney.

Dr. Richard H. Ely was born January 8, 1838. at Sugar Run, Bradford Co., Penn. He was a son of Aaron and Abagail (Dodge) Ely, and a grandson of Richard H. Ely, who came from his home on the banks of the Connecticut river to the unbroken forests of Pennsylvania in 1820. Abagail (Dodge) Ely was a daughter of William Dodge, one of the pioneer farmers of Franklin township, Bradford Co., Penn. Dr. Richard H. Ely was reared amid the scenes of his father's farm, and grew to manhood in a manner in keeping with the life of the general run of farmers' sons. His medical preparation was completed in the Jefferson Medical College at Phil- adelphia, whence he graduated in 1882. He mar- ried, at Sugar Run, in his native county, Emeline S. Birney, who was born February 24, 1834, a daughter of Harry Birney, Esq. Some time after their marriage they located at Laceyville, Wyoming county, where the Doctor has ever since been en- gaged in the practice of medicine, and is favorably known to the profession throughout that section of the State. As a physician and citizen he has high standing at home, where he enjoys a successful practice. Himself and his wife are members of the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches respectively. Their children are: Luella is the widow of George W. Smith, of Laceyville; Augusta is the wife of Frank O. Keyes, an insurance agent of Duninore, Penn .; and Harry B.

Dr. Harry B. Ely, when only a lad of ten years, evidenced a liking for a mercantile life, which was to a degree gratified at that carly age in his clerking at out-of-school times in the store of his brother- in-law, George W. Smith, at Laceyville. and later for three years he was employed there regularly. He was then in attendance at Susquehanna Col- legiate Institute at Towanda, Penn., for three years. His preparation for the medical profession was completed at Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated April 3, 1886. After this event he became associated with his

father in practice and remained with him until Feb- ruary, 1887, when he came to Lake Ariel, where he has since become established in his profession. and identified himself with the social and public interests of the community. He has the reputation of being a very skilful and careful physician, and his genial, sunny disposition is not without an en- couraging and stimulating effect on his patients. He keeps himself well posted and up-to-date in all that relates to the advancement in the practice of medicine. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is now serving the people of Wayne county as their representative in the General As- sembly of the State, having been elected on the Republican ticket in November, 1896.

On September 6, 1888, at Lake Ariel, Penn., Dr. Ely was inarried to Rena L. Marcy, and their home has been made happy by the birth of a son, Richard M.

FRANKLIN H. ROBINSON. Among the beautiful country homes of Wayne county is that of Mr. Robinson, of Lebanon township, the culture and artistic taste of its occupants being reflected in its appointments, while a gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material comforts. The farm on which it is situated is also one of the model piaces of this section, the well-tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance denoting the skill and ability of the owner in his chosen calling.

Mr. Robinson is a native of Manchester, Eng- land, born May 29, 1840. His father, James Robin- son, was born April 17, 1812, and was married Sep- tember 28, 1836, to Miss Mary Ann Hall. In 1842, with their family, they took passage on the sailing vessel "Gasic" bound for New York, where they arrived after a long and tedious voyage of forty days. Coming to Wayne county, Penn., they located in Lebanon township, where the father moved into a log cabin and commenced to clear and improve a farm. He died at the ripe old age of eighty-three years, his wife at the age of sixty-five. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Robinson, while not following any set creed. always faithfully followed the teaching of the Golden Rule.

Upon the old homestead in Lebanon township the subject of this review spent his boyhood and youth in those occupations which usually fall to the lot of farmers' sons, and in winter he attended the district schools of the neighborhood, later sup- plementing the knowledge there acquired by a course in Bethany Academy. True and loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted in the Union army in June. 1861. and with his command was ordered to Washington, D. C. Subsequently they were stationcd for a short time at Fairfax. Va .. and then joined the command of Gens. McDowell and Alc- Clellan. They were under fire at the battle of York- town, and his regiment had charge of the provisions sent to Harrison's Landing and pontoon trains. Being taken ill. Mr. Robinson was an inmate of the

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Chesapeake Hospital near Fortress Monroe until August, 1852, when he was discharged and sent home.

On December 3, 1868, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Olive Oliver, of Wayne county, a daughter of Jolin Oliver, and they became the parents of five children, namely : Sam- uel S., a resident of Warren county, Penn .; Mark N., at home ; John B., in the employ of the Wells Fargo Express Co., at Honesdale; Albert Clark, at home; and one child, deceased. The wife and mother departed this life in 1878, and Mr. Robin- son was again married in 1880, his second union being with Miss Lydia, daughter of Richard Scut- tleberry, a prominent and honored citizen of Wayne county for many years. She is a woman of educa- tion and refinement as well as many good qualities of heart and mind, which endear her to all. She presides with gracious dignity over their beautiful home. This delightful place is not only surrounded by wide porches, which furnish a cool and shady retreat in the summer, but in the winter is heated throughout with a furnace and is supplied with many other comforts and conveniences not_often found in rural homes. The farm contains 229 acres of productive land. In political sentiment Mr. Robinson is a stalwart Republican, in religious belief is a Methodist, and in his social relations is an honored member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 198. at Honesdale. He is a pleasant, genial and com- panionable gentleman, and wherever he goes he makes many warm friends.

C. E. CLARK, who for the past three years has owned and conducted one of the most important mercantile concerns in Boyd's Mills, is one of the highly respected and well-known men in this part of Wayne county, and is a native of same, having been born in February, 1855, in Damascus town- ship.

Mr. Clark is one of the ten children of Sandford1 and Martha (Carpenter) Clark, the former of whom, a native of Sullivan county, N. Y., brought his wife to Wayne county after their marriage, and here made a permanent home, following lumbering until his death, which occurred in 1894. His wife still survives, at present residing in Hoytville, Tioga county, Penn. Of the children, Lawrence is mar- ried and lives in Lycoming county, Penn. ; Alinda is the wife of W. T. Gavitt. of Damascus ; Joseph, born in Damascus, married Miss Jennie Heart, of Tioga, where they reside (they have one child) : Alonzo, unmarried, lives in Johnsonburg, Mckean Co., Penn. ; Jesse is a resident of Tioga county. this State; Rosie is the wife of S. O. Risley, of Bing- hamton, N. Y., and has one child : Frank, who is single, lives in Tioga county. Penn .; Cora, Mrs. Frederick Moore, resides in Binghamton, N. Y. (she has no family); Bell is unmarried and lives with her mother in Tioga county, Pennsylvania.

C. E. Clark received his literary education in Wayne county and in New York State, being given

a thorough practical training. of which he made good use. following teaching in the public schools of this county for several years. In 1883 he en- gaged with Thomas & Loyd, dry goods merchants in Tioga county, Penn., as clerk, and continued with them for five years. when he embarked in business for himself, carrying on same for one year. In 1889 he settled in Boyd's Mills, taking charge of the Boyd Mercantile Store, which he managed until in August, 1895, he became proprietor, buying the business from Mrs. Boyd, and he has continued it on his own account up to the present time, en- joying an extensive and profitable patronage from the town and surrounding country. When he com- menced life for himself Mr. Clark had many obsta- cles to overcome along the road to prosperity, but he kept steadily on in the face of discouragements and setbacks which would have depressed one who had less determination, and he now occupies a lead- ing position among the well-to-do merchants of this part of the county. His qualifications as a business manager, and good judgment in financial affairs are unquestioned, the mere fact that he be- gan without capital and made his way up to his present standing being ample proof of his abilities in a commercial way.

In 1886 Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Libbie Boyd, daughter of Thomas Y. and Elizabeth J. Boyd, prominent residents of Damas- cus. Wayne county, and the young couple made their home in Tioga county, Penn., for the first three years, since when they have lived at Boyd's Mills. Four children have blessed their union, born as follows: Carrie, July, 1887. in Tioga coun- ty; Boyd, in December, 1889, Russel, in 1891, and Anita, in 1895, all three in Wayne county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are, in religious connection, members of the Christian Church of Damascus, and they are recognized, wherever they are known, as kind-hearted Christian people, deserving of the respect of their neighbors and friends, who are numerous throughout the vicinity. Mr. Clark is a Republican in political faith, and he has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the party ; during his residence in Tioga county he held various township offices. Socially he is a member of the K. O. T. M .. of Hoytville, Tioga county.

JAMES NAGLE is among the well-to-do and successful farmers of Wayne county, who have accumulated a competency through their own ex- ertions and economy, and he now carries on opera- tions as a general farmer upon the old Nagle home- stead in: Canaan township. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, August 15, 1820, but in 1825 was brought to the New World by his parents, William and Johanna (Cashman) Nagle, who spent the first summer in Canada, whence they removed to High Falls, N. Y., and shortly afterward to a farm thrce miles from Port Jervis, that State. After various removals they came to Wayne county, Penn., and located in Canaan township, the father being em-

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ployed on the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal. On its completion he began working for tlie gravity railroad in 1828, but in the fall of the following year removed to Nanticoke, Penn., where the winter was passed. He next made his home in Carbondale until April 1, 1837, when he returned to Canaan township, Wayne county, purchasing 100 acres of land, constituting the present farm of our subject. He was killed by a falling tree May 15, 1837, just six weeks after locating here, at the age of forty-nine years, and his remains were interred at Carbondale. Subsequently his widow married Thomas McGraw, and she died at the home of her daughter in Hawley, Wayne county, in April, 1865, aged seventy years, being buried at that place. The parents were both earnest and consistent mem- bers of the Catholic Church.

James Nagle is the oldest of the children born to this worthy couple; Lawrence, a boatman, has not been heard from since 1876; John was killed on a railroad in Carbondale, Penn .; Patrick was drowned in the canal ; Mary (deceased), first wedded Michael Towland, and after his death married Henry Garity, now deceased; Margaret is the widow of Thomas Milligan, of Morris county, N. J .; Catherine married James Oran and died in Pitts- ton, Penn .; William died at Port Jervis, N. Y.

When seventeen years of age James Nagle located with his parents upon his present farm, and to the development and cultivation of the land he devoted his energies until 1854, when he removed to Honesdale, there residing for five years. In connection with the operation of the farm, he en- gaged in boating on the canal from 1832 until 1869, with the exception of seven years, being in the employ of the gravity railroad from 1833 until 1839. He now devotes his entire time and atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, and has made his farm one of the most valuable and productive places in the locality.

In New York, in December, 1846, Mr. Nagle was united in marriage with Miss Johanna Finton, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of Thomas Fin- ton, and to them were born the following children : William, a railroad man, who married Theressa Sullivan, and lives in Jersey City, N. J. ; Thomas. who married Anna B. Crandall, and whose where- abouts are now unknown : James, who is engaged in railroading, and lives in Buffalo, N. Y .; Sarah. who married Frank Lanc. and both are now de- ceased ; Johanna, wife of a Mr. Dowling, a gar- dener of Albany, N. Y. ; Mary, who wedded John Miller, and both are now deceased ; and Catherine. who died at the age of two years. The mother of these children departed this life in September, 1860. aged thirty-seven years. Mr. Nagle was again married December 3. 1861. in Honesdale. the sec- ond union being with Miss Ellen Shechey. Father Dougherty performing the ceremony. Of the chil- dren born of this marriage. John married Cora Ostranda, and is engaged in the hotel business in Potter county, Penn .; Edward was killed by an

engine in Clinton county, Penn., while attempting to save the life of a man ; Henry is a lumberman of Potter county ; Maggie and Nellie are both trained nurses, living in Binghamton, N. Y .; Roger was killed in the lumber woods of Potter county ; Eliza- beth is also a trained nurse of Binghamton, N. Y .; and Agnes and Rosa are at home.

Mrs. Nagle was born in Sing Sing, N. Y., May 1. 1839, a daughter of Michael and Ellen (Burke) Sheelrey, natives of Ireland, who on first coming to the United States located in New York. In 1841 they removed to Canaan township, Wayne Co., Penn., where the father, who was a farmer by occu- pation, died in 1875, aged seventy-three years. his wife in 1889, aged eighty-three, both being laid to rest in a cemetery in Canaan township. They were communicants of the Catholic Church and most estimable people. Their children were : Mary, wife of Patrick Schully, a farmer of Canaan town- ship; Eliza, widow of Thomas McCormick, of Boston, Mass .; Roger, who was killed on the gravity railroad; Catherine. who lives in Canaan township with her brother William, who is next in order of birth; Edward (deceased); Maggie, wife of Thomas Burns, a farmer of South Canaan town- ship; Hannah, wife of James Ryan, a farmer of Canaan township ; and Mrs. Nagle, wife of our sub- ject. Both the paternal grandparents, Edward and Mary Sheehey, and the maternal grandparents, James and Margaret ( Burke) Burke, remained in Ireland. Mr. Nagle uses his right of franchise in support of the Democracy, and he has creditably and most satisfactorily served as assessor of his town- ship two terms, and school director for the past nine years. He and his family hold membership in the Catholic Church, and in social circles stand de- servedly high. He takes a just pride in his children, all of whom occupy honorable positions in life, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.

DANIEL CARTER, an extensive farmer and landowner of Auburn township. Susquehanna county, has made a place for himself among the substantial citizens of this section. though he is still a young man, and. it is hoped. has a long career of usefulness and prosperity before him. Mr. Car- ter is a native of the township in which he resides, born April 6, 1864, son of Royal M. and Christina (Low) Carter, the former of whom passed away January 8, 1875.

Roval M. Carter was born January 11. 1835, in South Auburn, son of Daniel and Barbara (Benscoter) Carter, and on July 27. 1856, was mar- ried. at the home of the bride. to Miss Christina : Low. Their union was blessed with children as follows: Addison E., who died at the age of two years, two months; Barbara, wife of Henry Love, a retired farmer, living at Mehoopany, Penn. : An- drew, who carries on farming in Auburn township, and with whom Mrs. Carter now makes her home ; Daniel, whose name introduces this sketch : Will- | iam M., a hardware merchant of Meshoppen, Penn ..

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who married Mary Seely; and Kern, who was a hardware merchant at Meshoppen, where he died at the age of twenty-eight years (he married Libby Cole). Mr. Carter's remains rest in the cemetery at Retta, Auburn township. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and politically he sympathized with the Republican party. He was a lifelong farmer of Auburn township, settling on the farmi now owned by his son Andrew in April, 1864, and there passing the remainder of his days in generai farming, in which he became quite prosperous. He was a highly respected citizen of the section.

Mrs. Christina (Low) Carter was born Decem- ber 15, 1833, in Hunterdon county, N. J., daugli- ter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Robbins) Low and granddaughter of Cornelius and Christina Low. Her parents came from New Jersey to Susque- hanna county in 1836, settling in Auburn township, where they made a permanent home on Jersey Hill, the father engaging in farming all his days. The place was new on their arrival here, and Mr. Low was obliged to make a clearing for even the small dwelling which he erected. He died March 13, 1875, aged sixty-three years, the mother in Octo- ber, 1839, when forty years of age, and they are buried in Jersey Hill cemetery. They were mem- bers of the M. E. Church. Of their five children, Lucy A., deceased, was the wife of Benjamin Pier- son ; Isaac is a farmer in Rush township ; Christina married Royal M. Carter ; Jane died young ; Kern is a resident of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 51

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