Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 54

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 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 54
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 54

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).

William B. Hornbeek came to his present farm in Delaware township with his parents, and here he has passed the greater part of his active life. The tract, which lies along the river road, comprises 330 aeres, which William and his brother Isaiah purchased from the heirs after their father's death, and for three years operated the land in partner- ship, at the end of that time dividing it equally. Our subject has carried on general agriculture, and he and his faithful wife have labored indus- triously and incessantly to clear their property of all incumbrances, and to bring their farm into its present condition of beauty and fertility, for they take no less pride and care in the appearance of their home than in its productiveness. Their dwell- ing, which was commodious and comfortably fur- nished. and with all the equipments of the place mod-

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crn, cverything betokening the progressive spirit of the owner, but on May 16, 1899. the house and contents were burned, with very little insurance. This' loss was discouraging, but the past justifies the belief that Mr. Hornbeck will soon rise above the misfortune. Mr. Hornbeck is recognized by all as a deservedly prosperous man, and he is respected highly for the success he has made in liis vocation, for he has accomplished it all with the labor of his own hands, coupled with good management, and he has gained and retained a spotless reputation for integrity and upright dealing in all his transactions. His fellow citizens have given substantial proof of their confidence in his ability and trustworthiness by clecting him to various local offices of import- ance and responsibility, and he has served faith- fully as collector, school director and supervisor. His political sympathies are with the Democratic party.

On January 20, 1887, Mr. Hornbeck was united in marriage, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Grace Brodhead, and they have one child, Walter B., born January 4, 1888. Mrs. Hornbeck is a native of Delaware township, born December 23, 1864, daughter of James T. and Susan A. ( Jaggers) Brodhead, the former of whom was the son of Frank and Jane (Dingman) Brodhead; her mater- nal grandfather, James T. . Jaggers, was a lifelong resident of Pike county. James T. Brodhead died in September, 1870, at the early age of thirty-three years, his wife in March, 1869, and they sleep their last sleep in the Delaware cemetery. Of their three children, Grace is the wife of Mr. Hornbeck ; Diana J., unmarried, lives in New York City; Gallatin died when one year old.

W. D. LAWRENCE is one of the active men of Lenox township, Susquehanna county, and his experience in life has been varied and valuable. As farmer, teacher, telegraph operator and dispatcher, and as merchant he has labored successively, and is now residing among the scenes of his early life.

The family is of Holland extraction. The great-great-grandfather of our subject. Thomas Lawrence, Sr., migrated from Holland to America and settled in Philadelphia. His son, Thomas Law- rence, Jr., settled in Sussex county, N. J., and his brother located in Massachusetts. Richard MI., son of Thomas, Jr., was born in Sussex county, N. J., and became a surveyor. In that capacity, he assisted in the survey of the boundary line between the United States and Canada. In Sussex county, N. J., he married Betsy Hamilton, and lived there most of his life.

S. H. Lawrence, son of Richard M., was born in Hamburg, Sussex county, N. J., June 6, 1829. Ho there married Hannah Paddock, who was born in Wantage township, Sussex county, August 20, 1833, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Shaw ) Pad- dock. Soon after his marriage S. II. Lawrence located in Franklin township, Susquehanna county, thence he removed to Harford, and later to Lenox

township, where he has now resided for over fort years. He there purchased wild property, cleared the land, and is yet an active farmer. He is Demu- cratic in politics and is public spirited and well (s- teemed. His children are W. D., our subject, born March 9, 1852: George S., of Lenox township, born November 6, 1853 ; and Alma S., wife of Harry Shipman, of Montrose: Alida Harding, an adopted daughter, married A. W. Miles.

W. D. Lawrence was reared on a farm, and in 1868, at the age of fifteen years, graduated from the Harford graded schools. For five years lie taught school in Susquehanna and Luzerne coun- ties. He then learned telegraphy at Kingston. and followed it for eight years. at Olyphant and at Carbondale. Becoming train dispatcher on the D. & H. road, he remained in its service sixteen years. In 1891 Mr. Lawrence left railroad service and purchased property in Lenox township. For two years he was in the grocery business at Scran- ton, but in 1898 he returned to Lenox township. where he conducted a grocery store. He also dealt in poultry. In politics Mr. Lawrence is a Demo- crat. He has served the township one year as treas- arer and for four years was postmaster at West Lenox. He was married in Lenox township to Minna Scott, who was born April 23. 1861, daugh- ter of Charles and Emma ( Paddock) Scott, and granddaughter of Stephen and Sarah ( Hammond) Scott, and of Zalotus and Mary (Shaw) Padlock. The children of Charles and Emma Scott were as follows : John B., of Washington, N. J. : Lucy, who died young; Mary W., wife of John Shimer, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Daniel F., of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Minna, Mrs. Lawrence ; Canfield W., of Brook- lyn, N. Y. ; and Alancon H., of Brooklyn, N. Y. The parents of Mrs. Lawrence died in Hamburg, New Jersey.

JAMES LE BAR (deceased) was a promi- nent resident of Canadensis, Monroe county, and although his life was cut short at a comparatively early age. his sterling qualities of mind and heart had already won an enviable standing as a citizen. He was born in March. 1830. at Canadensis. Monroe county, a son of Abram and Barbara Le Bar. na- tives of Northampton county, Penn., who settled on a farm in Price township, Monroe county, at an carly day. The mother died March 13. 1869. Our subject was one of five children, the others being: Mahala, who married Andrew Neely. and moved to Nebraska ; Delilah, widow of William Price, of Spragueville: and Andrew, who married. and re- sides in Bradford county. Penn.

The greater portion of the life of James Lc Bar was spent in Stroud township, Monroe county, and his mother purchased property near Sprague- ville in 1869. He received a public school educa- tion, and in carly manhood entered the employ of Northrup & Penn, tanners at Canadensis, with whom he remained many years. Shortly before his deatlı, which occurred in 1872, at the age of forty-

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one, he bought the present homestead one mile from Spragueville and near the Delaware, Lackawanna & Westerh R. R., and the residence which he had be- gun was completed by his widow. Politically Mr. Le Bar was a stanch Democrat, but his allegiance did not depend upon party favors, and he never aspired to office.

In August, 1857, he married Miss Margaret Hallet, and seven children blessed the union: (1) Horace, born in March, 1859, in Monroe county, was drowned while in bathing at the age of eleven years. (2) Gilbert, born in February, 1861, is now an engineer of the Delaware, Lackawanna & West- ern R. R., and resides at Scranton. He married Miss Mayme Bechtold, of Scranton. (3) Eliza- beth, born in Stroud township, Monroe county, in July, 1862, married William Davis, of Philadel- phia, who is engaged in the boot and shoe business, making what is known as the "cushioned shoe." (4) Orson Le Bar was born July 10, 1864, was educated chiefly in Northampton county, where he resided with his grandmother, Hallet; after her death he returned to Stroud township, and has since resided with his mother. He is single, and is re- garded as a young man of promise, being one of the favorities of the community. Socially, he is con- nected with the A. P. A., and the P. O. S. A., of Spragueville, and the Order of Red Men, Sagamore Tribe, No. 352, of East Stroudsburg. (5) Georgi- anna, born April 30, 1866, is now the wife of Charles Decker, of East Stroudsburg, a night oper- ator on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. They have two children-Edith and Lena. (6) George, born August 24, 1869, died at the age of six months. (7) Eleanor, born September 12, 1871, is now the wife of Loring Meyers, a tanner in East Stroudsburg, and they have one son-Edward.

The family is identified with the Baptist Church at Portland, and Mrs. Margaret Le Bar has always taken an active interest in religions work. She still resides at the home which her beloved husband's thoughtful care nad planned, her son Orson being now in charge of the place. She was born May 5, 1835. in Northampton county, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Le Bar) Hallet, who were natives and lifelong residents of Portland, Penn. Of the nine children of this worth- couple: (I) Joseph is not married, and resides in Spraguevillc. (2) Caro- line married Thomas Rowland. of Stroua township, and both are now deceased. They had six children -William. Robert, Watson, Frances ( now the wife of James Smith. Monroe county), Annie ( wife of Joseph Brish, of Stroudsburg), and Hannah (wife of James Allen, of New Jersey). (3) Elizabeth married John Morey, of Minnesota, who died leav- ing five children, all residents of Minnesota. (4) Charles Hallet is a resident of Middle Smithfield. and has seven children. (5) Mathias always resided in Northampton, where he died leaving a family. (6) Margaret is the widow of our subject. (7) Susan is the wife of Barney Lambert, of Delaware Water Gap, Monroe county, and has a large family.

(8) John, a resident of Honesdale, is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war. (9) Benjamin is single, and resides on the old homestead in North- ampton county.

JOHN AND SAMUEL WILLIAMS are well known throughout the length and breadth of Au- burn township, Susquehanna county, as thrifty and prosperous farmers and carpenters, working in part- nership practically all their lives, and attaining together a degree of prominence and a measure of respect from their fellow men of which they may well be proud. They are both natives of the county and sons of Samuel and Salicha ( Van Auken) Williams.

Samuel Williams, the father, was born in Dry- den, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and was a lifelong farmer. In Sussex county, N. J., he married Sa- licha Van Auken. daughter of Isaac and Eliza- beth (Cortright ) Van Auken, of that county, who in their day were well known as prosperous and respected farming people of Brooklyn township, Susquehanna county, at their deaths leaving 224 acres of good farm land, all cleared and free from incumbrances, though they commenced married life penniless. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Williams located at Montrose, Susquehanna county, thence remov- ing to Brooklyn township, where he passed away January 1, 1845, at the age of forty-one years. He is buried at Brooklyn Center. His widow passed away May 6, 1879, aged seventy-six years, six months and six days, on the farm now occupied by her sons in Auburn township, and her remains were laid beside those of her husband. They were the parents of seven children, viz. : Phoebe, who died in infancy, in New Jersey; Eliza, wife of George WV. Green, a farmer of Dimock township; Abraham, living retired in Alford, Penn. (he served during the Civil war as a member of the 203d Pennsyl- vania Regiment, Sharpshooters) ; Julia Ann, de- ceased wife of Cyrus Justin ; Sarah, wife of Lehman Bailey, a retired farmer of Cortland, N. Y .; John, and Samucl. The father was well known in Brook- lyn township in his time.

After the death of the father, the family con- tinucd to reside in Brooklyn township until 1847, after which they lived in Dimock township for two years, thence coming to the farm now owned by John and Samuel Williams in Auburn township. The brothers received their education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood, and at an early age began to work at farming and carpentering, making the latter their principal vocation in life. During their earlier manhood they also worked in the lumber woods at Old Rattlesnake Crcek. Lacka- wanna county, in the winter and sometimes part of the summer, engaged at masonry and various other lines of work, and by dint of energy and never- failing industry, succeeded in gaining a firm footing among the well-to-do tradesmen of the county. Their thrifty and industrious habits won them the good will and esteem of all and brought them the more

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substantial rewards which are sure to follow hard work and good management, and they now devote their time principally to carpentering, in which they have built up a profitable business. They have con- tinued to work and to reside together, and own a good farm of sixty acres in Auburn township, which adds materially to their income, attending to its cultivation and improvement with the same thor- oughness that has marked all their undertakings. They have gained an enviable reputation for sterl- ing honest and uprightness in their locality, and rank among the valuable citizens of the township in which they reside.

John Williams was born April 2, 1837, in Di- mock township, and in May, 1868, was married, in Auburn township, to Miss Mary C. Aten, by whom he has had two children-Emma J., living at home, and Viola, who is the wife of Fred Westbrook, of Auburn Four Corners. Mrs. Williams was born December 23, 1849, in Sussex county, N. J., daugh- ter of Harvey and Mary (Johnson) Aten, who re- moved thence to Susquehanna county in 1881, dying in Brooklyn and Dimock townships, respectively. In the fall of 1862, John Williams enlisted, for nine months, in Company H, 177th P. V. I., and re- ceived an honorable discharge at Harrisburg, Penn., after one year's service. He took part in no en- gagements.

Samuel Williams was born April 20, 1845, in Dimock township, and on June 23, 1875, was mar- ried, in Auburn township, to Miss Sarah A. Aten, cousin of his brother John's wife. This union has been blessed with one child, Eva S., who lives with her parents. Mrs. Sarah A. Williams was born August 8, 1847, in Sussex county, N. J., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Carson) Aten, who came from New Jersey to Susquehanna county in 1849, making a permanent home there. Mr. Aten engaged in farming, carpentering, shoemak- ing, etc., and was an industrious and highly re- spected man.

WILLIAM E. BROWN is one of the most enterprising and successful of the younger agri- culturists of Lenox township, Susquehanna county. He possesses energy, sound judgment and that quickness of mind which makes him ever ready to meet business emergencies as they rise. He is the descendant on both the paternal and maternal lines of early and prominent settlers of Northeast- ern Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was Edon Brown, who was born in Connecticut in 1800, and who when a young man came to Susquehanna county and settled in Lathrop township. He mar- ried Mary Squier, who was born in Vermont in 1796. Edon Brown died in Lathrop township in February, 1859. His wife died in Minnesota in 1857.

Zenas Brown, the father of our subject, was born in Lathrop township in 1829. He was reared on the old homestead. and married Almira Wil- marth. who was born in Lathrop township, June 26. 1831, daughter of David and Hulda ( Tewksbury)

Wilmarth, and granddaughter of Perry Wilmarth, a native of Attleboro, MIass., who migrated to Har- ford township, Susquehanna county, Penn., where he bought 160 acres (now owned by her grand- son, Warner Wilmarth), and where he lived through life. His children were: Perry, Sally ( who mar- ried Judge Charles Tingley), Peddy ( who married Milton Tingley), Sewell, Thomas, David and Can- dace (widow of Isaac Newton, formerly superin- tendent of the Seranton schools ). David Wilmartli was born in Attleboro, Mass., April 11, 1810, and grew up in Harford township. He there married Hulda Tewksbury, who was born in Vermont, No- vember 15, 1812, daughter of Ephraim and Rhoda Tewksbury, and who when three years old was brought by her parents to Susquehanna county. David Wilmarthi began farming in Harford and later removed to Lathrop township, where he farmed for thirty-five -years. He then erected a hotel at Foster Station, which he operated until 1883, when he retired, and his death occurred in the spring of 1890. His wife died June 25, 1897. He was a prominent citizen and in politics a Demo- crat. The children of David and Hulda Wilmarth were Almira, mother of our subject ; Rhoda, widow of Gorton Cason, of Foster, Penn .; Candace ( now deceased), who married Ira Foster, traekmaster from 1851 to the time of his death, and from whom Foster Station was named; Saxie Seymour, of Foster ; and Isaac T., who was born in Lathrop township, August 16, 1850.

To Zenas and Almira Brown were born the following children: Louisa, wife of Frank Jack- son, of Lathrop township: David, who had been a teacher and a lawyer and who died at Dalton, Penn. ; Emeline, wife of William Sterling, of Brooklyn. Penn. ; William E., subject of this sketeh ; Candace. a teacher ; and Permelia. at home. Zenas Brown followed farming on the old homestcad in Lathrop township and dealt in real estate to some extent. accumulating considerable property, including the old homestead of 175 acres, 109 acres in Lenox township, 75 acres in Lathrop and 300 acres in For- est Lake. In polities he was a Democrat, and as a citizen he was prominent and influential in Sus- quehanna county. He died October 15, 1891. His widow, mother of our subject, is still living, having reached the age of sixty-eight years.

William E. Brown was born on the old home- stcadin Lathroptownship, June 15, 1861. Hereceived a good education and for several terms attended the schools of Keystone. At the age of eighteen years he began work on the D., L. & W. R. R., and remained on the road about twelve years. In April. 1892, he settled in Lenox township, and has since then en- gagcd in general farming on a well-improved tract of eighty-five acres, which he owns. In addition to general farming, Mr. Brown engages in fruit culture and in dairy work, and is also a dealer in horses. In 1885 he was married, in New York City. to Miss Mattie Cruise, born July 4, 1865, daughter of James H. and Janctte (Tector) Cruise. ller

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father is a native of Dublin, Ireland, and is now living retired in New York City. Her mother is a native of New York City. The family of James H. and Janette Cruise is as follows: John, a tele- graph operator of New York City ; George W., who is engaged in the carpet business in New York; Anna, wife of James Hale, a cabinetmaker of New York; Mattie, wife of our subject; Dora, a salcs- lady in New York; and Fannie, at home. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children: Edna, born April 13, 1886; Tracy, born April 26, 1889; and Eric, born May 18, 1896. In politics Mr. Brown is a stanch Democrat. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of Loomis Lake, and ranks as one of the most enterprising and progressive young farmers of Lenox township.

BYRON GRIFFIS, a leading citizen of Jessup township, now retired from active business cares, is one of the men who make old age seem the bet- ter portion of life. He was born on the old home- stead where he still residcs, January 18, 1824, and belongs to a prominent and honored family which, in 1800, was founded in Susquehanna county by his paternal grandparents, Abner and Martha (Cun- ningham) Griffis, who up to that time had always made their home in Unadilla. N. Y. Herc they lo- cated at what is known as the Bolles' Flats, Jes- sup township, and in 1814 took up their residence upon the farm in Jessup township where our sub- ject now lives, the grandfather having always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. Their children were Solomon: John; Ezekiel; Hezekiah; Elisha ; Robert, father of our subject; Pattie, wife of Plin- ney Berchard; and Mrs. Rebecca Leonard.

Robert Griffis and his wife, Lydia ( Robinson), were also natives of Unadilla, N. Y., but were married in Jessup township, Susquehanna Co., Penn. The former was born April 9, 1791, and died February 24, 1884, while the latter was born May 20, 1795, and died January 15, 1857, both being laid to rest in Birchardville cemetery. They were devout members of the Baptist Church, and their sterling worth and many excellencies of char- acter won for them the esteem and friendship of all with whom they came in contact. The father was one of the most popular citizens of his com- munity, and was honored with a number of impor- tant official positions. He held a number of town- ship offices, was postmaster at Porter's Ridge for ten years, or until the office was abandoned, was justice of the peace from 1825 until 1840, and in 1836 was elected commissioner of Susquchanna county, a position he most creditably filled for three years. In political sentiment, hc was first a Demo- crat and later a Republican. By his first wife he had the following children : Amanda, born August 12, 1814, married Madison Bostic and is now deccascd ; Bartler, born September 14, 1816, died in the West; Harriet, born January 19, 1819, marricd Tracey Frink, and is now deccased; Mahlon, now deccascd. born May 4, 1821, was a farmer of Vestal Center.

N. Y .; Byron is next in order of birth; Laura D., born February 25, 1827, is the wife of Joseph Simp- son, of San Francisco, Cal .; Sabina R., born Jan- uary 24, 1836, married Alexander Simpson, and is now deceased; and Isaac, born January 21, 1840, died when young. For his second wife the father married Comfort Sherman, but had no children by that union.

On attaining to man's estate, Byron Griffis was married in Athens, Bradford Co., Penn., September 2, 1849, to Miss Adelia C. McGill, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Laura A., born May 30, 1850, died October 18, 1851 ; Leroy H., born April 17, 1853, married Eliza Elsworth and lives in Montrose, Penn .; Oscar F., born April 17, 1855, married Emma A. Allen, and is engaged in farming in Jessup township, Susquehanna county ; Estella A., born June 20, 1857, is the wife of Elmer Duxberry, a farmer of Auburn Center, Penn .; Eugene B., born November 9. 1859. mar- ried Hattie Dewell and is engaged in farming in Jessup township; and Perry E., born August 1, 1866, married Ella Pickett, and lives with our sub- ject. Mrs. Griffis was born in Towanda, Penn., November 10, 1824, a daughter of William and Mary (Bowman) McGill, natives of this State, who died in Towanda, the former in 1858, aged sixty-eight years, the latter in 1849, aged sixty-six, their remains being interred at that place. They were earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by occupation the father was a mason. Their children were Polly, deceased wife of Mar- tin Moore; Eliza, deceased wife of Benjamin Smith ; Merinda, wife of Edward Patterson ; Adelia C., wife of our subject ; Rebecca, wife of Mallory Wolf, a retired farmer of Luzerne county, Penn. : Dennis, William, Jacob and James, all deceased ; and Hiram. a carpenter of Towanda. Mrs. Griffis' maternal grandfather, Jacob Bowman, died in Towanda.

After his marriage Mr. Griffis settled down upon the old homestead in Jessup township, and his en- ergies have been devoted to its improvement and cultivation throughout life. Politically, he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and he has served on the election board and as a school director for nine years. Since 1838 he has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and his life has ever been in harmony with his professions.

HENRY TAMBLYN, an cnergetic and enter- prising farmer of Oregon township, has spent his entire life in Wayne county, his birth occurring at Bethany, June 28, 1854. His parents, Henry and Jane (Langsford ) Tamblyn, were born, reared and married in Cornwall. England, and on coming to the United States took up their residence in Beth- any, Penn. The paternal grandfather. Thomas Tamblyn, died in Cornwall at a ripe old age, and the maternal grandfather. William Langsford. died in the same county when comparatively young. The children born to Henry and Jane ( Langsford) Tamblyn were William, a commission merchant,

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who died in Chicago, Ifl., December 13, 1897; Francis M., who died at the age of six years ; Julia J., who was born November 21. 1850, in Bethany, Penn., and is now the wife of O. E. Miller, a pros- perous farmer of Oregon township; John W., a resident of Scranton, Penn .; Henry : Thomas J., of Scranton; Frank, who died in infancy; Frances Mary, of Scranton ; and Elizabeth H., wife of C. W. Scambler, of Scranton. The father of these chil- dren died in Lebanon township, Wayne county, Sep- tember 28, 1888.

When Henry Tamblyn was four years old the family removed to Oregon township, where he grew to manhood, assisting in the farm work dur- ing the summer months and attending the district schools in the winter season. On attaining his ma- jority he commenced lumbering and farming in Oregon township on his own account, and in his business undertakings has met with a fair degree of success.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 54

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