Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 68

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 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 68
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 68

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Litchfield county, Conn., and a family of children. Thomas Y. Boyd, father of our subject, was the eldest son in this bereaved family, and was born January 19, 1823. He was nineteen years of age at the time of his father's death, and upon him fell the care and support of the family. He had the advantage of but two and one-half quarters of dis- trict school, for from early boyhood he had worked out by the day at lumbering and farming. His father had taken a lumbering lease, and the young man succeeded in having this lease revived-thus he began business for himself before he attained his majority. He was patient, frugal, persevering, en- ergetic and alert to take advantage of every oppor- tunity. With a combination of qualities like these, success was almost predestined for him. For more than forty years he rafted lumber down the Dela- ware river to Philadelphia, gaining steadily a wider business acquaintance and connection. In partner- ship with Joseph Wood, he purchased the old saw- mill of Truman Tymmerson, and there erected a large steam mill. The place became known as Boyds Mills, and the owner added a gristmill, a blacksmith shop and a general store, all of which he conducted or supervised. Success crowned his efforts, and he attained in Wayne county a landed possession of about 1,900 acres, most of which was timberland. Thomas Y. Boyd was originally a Douglas Democrat, but later became a Republican. He served as a member of the county committee, and for many years was postmaster at Boyds Mills. In March, 1874, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, at a special election, to represent a newly formed district, consisting of Wayne and Pike counties. In 1875, he was re-elected to repre- sent Wayne county alone.

Thomas Y. Boyd was married in March, 1849, to Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Isaac and Ursula Mitchell, of Damascus township, and formerly of Litchfield county. Conn. They had a family of twelve children, five of whom yet survive. as follows: Joseph, subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth D., wife of C. E. Clark, of Boyds Mills ; Rene S., wife of P. Noble, a farmer near Boyds Mills ; Charles, a black- smith at Boyds Mills: and Thomas Y., at home with his mother. The father died in 1889, aged six- ty-six years. His widow now resides at the old home at Boyds Mills with her youngest living son.

Joseph Boyd, subject of this sketch, is now the popular treasurer of Wayne county. He was born in Damascus township, April 23, 1860. His education was received in part in the public schools, in part at a graded school in New York State. Returning home, he engaged in the active work of sawmilling at his father's mill, and later engaged in the same business for himself. This he prosecuted with en- ergy and success until his election in the fall of 1895 on the Republican ticket, as treasurer of Wayne county. His official term began January 1. 1896. Mr. Boyd is a member of the F. & A. M. and of the Royal Arcanum. He has served several terms as tax collector of Damascus township, and

is one of the active social and political forces in Wayne county. Hle possesses the elements of strength and popularity and is recognized as one oi the leading men of the county. Mr. Boyd wa, married in 1883 to Miss Lydia Wall, who was born in Damascus township, in 1863. They have two children, Laura Y. and Rush, both living at home.

HOMER YOUNG, a leading representative of the agricultural interests of Damascus township, Wayne county, has passed his entire life upon his present farm, his birth having occurred there June 17, 1835. The Young family was founded in the New World by David Young, a Scotchman, who emigrated here before the Revolutionary war. His son, Thomas Young, married Miss Abigail Thomas. a daughter of Joseph Thomas, a native of Say- brook, Conn., and a grandson of Moses Thomas, who was killed at the battle of Minisink on the Delaware river, July 22, 1779.

Aaron Young, son of Thomas and Abi- gail Young, and father of our subject, was born May 20, 1810, and upon the old home- stead in Wayne county grew to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life, for the county at that time was but sparsely settled and much of the land was still in its primitive condi- tion. He was married October 3, 1833, to Miss Drusilla Drake, who was born in Damascus town- ship, April 5, 1817. Her father, Jesse Drake, was also born in that township, August 22, 1791, and was a son of Capt. Jesse Drake, a native of Connecticut, who at an early day removed to Susquehanna county. Penn., and from the Wyoming Valley came to Wayne county among the earliest settlers of this region. Jesse Drake, Jr., married Abigail Tyler. a native of Damascus township, and a daughter of John Tyler. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the four children born to Aaron and Drusilla (Drake) Young, and the only one now living: Vir- gil, born February 3, 1838, died July 23, 1842 ; Paul C., born October 7, 1842, died December 29, 1842 ; and George, born January 4, 1846, died May 29. 1847. In politics the father was a strong Repub- lican, being one of the first to espouse the cause of that party in this section of the State. He was a public-spirited, enterprising man, and capably served his fellow citizens in several different township offices. A true and earnest Christian gentleman. he was a member of the Damascus Baptist Church. and died in that faith March 24, 1876. Mrs. Young, who has now reached the advanced age of eighty- one years, is a member of the same church, and by her consistent Christian life has gained tlie con- fidence and respect of all who know her.

Homer Young spent his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day. and under his father's able direction early became a successful and skillful agriculturist. which fact is plainly shown by the neat and thrifty appearance of the old home farm, which he owns and operates. He was married June 3, 1860, to Miss Eliza Wilmot,

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

who was born at Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., but was reared and educated at Great Bend, Penn. Her parents were Thomas and Clarissa ( Hartshaun) Wilmot, the former a native of Litchfield, Conn. In their family were eight children, namely: Harry, Abigail, Woodruff, Davis, Adaline, Lawrence, Ma- rion and Eliza. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Young are as follows: Grace, formerly a teacher, but now a trained nurse in Willard Park Hospital, New York ; Watson, a teacher in Damascus ; Junius, at home; Nettie, who is also with her parents ; and W. A. and Elsa, both of whom are now deceased. The parents are identified with the Baptist Church, and in the social circles of the community the family occupy an enviable position. Politically, Mr. Young affiliates with the Republican party, and he has cred- itably filled a number of township offices of honor and trust. As a citizen he ever stands ready to dis- charge every duty devolving upon him, and is justly. (leserving the high regard in which he is held.

JAMES B. DOWLING, the well-known fore- man of the Mt. Pocono Ice Company, of Goulds- boro, Wayne county, was born August II, 1863, in Tobyhanna, Penn., and is a son of Richard and Bridget (McGrath) Dowling, who were born, reared and married in Ireland. Both his paternal grandparents, Watts and Mary Dowling. and ma- ternal grandparents, Peter and Margaret McGrath, spent their entire lives in Ireland.

The parents of our subject emigrated to Amer- ica in 1857 and first located in Hawley, Penn., and later moved to Middle Creek, Wayne county. The father, who was for some ycars in the employ of the Lackawanna railroad, died at Lehigh Summit, in 1863, at the age of forty years. In the following year the family came to Gouldsboro, where the mother, who was born May 1, 1828, still makes her home. The children are as follows: Margaret, now the wife of Patrick Hefler, a laborer of Goulds- boro; Mary, wife of N. Blight, of Wayne county ; Patrick, an employe of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, residing in Wayne county ; John, also a railroad employe at Tobyhanna, Mon- roe Co., Penn .; and James B., the subject of this sketch.

Until he attained the age of twenty-five years, James B. Dowling remained with his mother, and then took charge of the section on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad from Gouldsboro to Tobyhanna, continuing in that employ until he accepted the position of foreman for the MIt. Pocono Ice Co., May 25, 1897. He faithfully looks after the interests of the company, who recognize in him a most valuable employe.

In Scranton, Penn .. August 27, 1885, Mr. Dowling was married, by Father McCandra, to Miss Cassie Siglin, a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Dc Lacey) Siglin, both natives of Lackawanna county, the latter born in Scranton, where they still make their home. Mrs. Dowling was born August 21, 1865, and is fourth in the order of birth in a family

of seven children, the others being as follows: ( 1) John and (2) Harry are both residents of Scran- ton. (3) Mary is the wife of John Kennedy, of Brooklyn ; (5) Ella is the wife of M. E. Smith, of Gouldsboro, and has four children-Bessie, born February 9, 1884, Grace, born February 22, 1886, Anna, born February 6, 1888, and Gertrude, born December 2, 1892; (6) Maggie is the wife of Mat- thew Brannan, of Scranton; and (7) Emma lives in the same city. Mrs. Dowling's paternal grand- father was William Siglin, a native of Germany, and her maternal grandfather was William De Lacey, a native of Ireland. Our subject and his wife have a family of five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Grace, August 16, 1887; Alice, May 14, 1889; Edgar, September 14, 1891 ; Anna, September 4, 1893 ; and Maurice, June 21, 1895.

Politically, Mr. Dowling is a stanch Repub- lican; socially, he is an honored member of the Improved Order of Red Men at Tobyhanna and of the Railroad Mutual Association at Scranton ; while in religious faith he is a Catholic. For the past six years he has efficiently served as school director, and in both public and private life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him.

JOSIAH FOSTER TERWILLIGER, who passed to the unseen life February 11, 1898, was for many years an honored resident of Pike county. He had not quite rcached the allotted term of "three- score years and ten," his birth having occurred De- cember 3, 1829. His life was so active and his inter- est in current events so wide that he was closely identified with the progress of the community from an early day.

Our subject was born at Montague, in a house which now adjoins the Reformed church, and his parents, Matthew and Phoebe ( Doolittle) Terwilli- ger, were prominent among the residents of that locality. As a mere boy he went to Milford to make his home with an uncle, "Arch" Brink, re- maining several years. During this time he took advantage of the limited educational opportunities afforded by the local schools, and at an early age he began to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he became an expert, evidences of his skill being found in various places in this section to the present day. Before he attained his majority he went to Port Jervis with his father, and helped in thic construc- tion of many buildings there. At that time-during the forties-Port Jervis was a wilderness and there were only six houses within its borders. An excel- lent chance was afforded Mr. Terwilliger to make a fortune, for he was offered the lands now occu- pied by that village for ten dollars an acrc. but he did not embrace the opportunity. as it was then decmed impossible for a railroad to penetrate the mountainous region.

Early in 1850 Mr. Terwilliger removed to Westfall (now Rowland), and he did much for the

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development and upbuilding of that hamlet. After a brief residence there he married Roxy Brink, a daughter of the late Moses and Ann Brink, who owned several thousand acres of land between Lack- awaxen and Honesdale, extending from the turn- pike to the Delaware river. Two children, Emma and Almer, were born to them at Rowland. In 1858 Mr. Terwilliger took up a government claim near Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., and moved his small family thither. He built a log house on the claim and improved the land; but life in the West being far too dormant for his progressive nature, he in about a year returned to Rowland. Dur- ing his residence in the West a daughter, Ann, came to bless the home. The Indians, although peaceful, roamed over the lands, and many of the Redskins spent days in camp on Mr. Terwilliger's farm, en- joying his unselfish hospitalities.

On returning to Rowland, in 1859, Mr. Terwil- liger located on the farm which had been his resi- dence prior to the Western trip. Here four chil- dren were born, viz .: Kate, Hattie, Frank and Webster. About thirty years ago Mr. Terwilliger's first wife died, of consumption, and one year later he was married to Mrs. Maria Buck, of Lacka- waxen, by whom he had two children, Russell and Sila. In 1871 he removed to Hawley, where he re- sided for three years. The last twelve years of his life he spent between Narrowsburg, N. Y., and Lackawaxen, on a farm. He was engaged in build- ing the D. & H. aqueduct across the Delaware at Lackawaxen, about eighteen years ago, and he also built many dwellings in Lackawaxen and vicinity. "Si" Terwilliger, as he was familiarly known throughout the county, was an active figure in local politics in his younger days. He was a stanch and uncompromising Democrat in his political principles, and was not infrequently honored with local offices of honor and trust. At different times he held every office in Lackawaxen township, and at one par- ticular period he was assessor, supervisor, overseer of poor, constable and collector. He made an excel- lent official, being zealous at all times for the good of the township, ever standing for that which was right and just, and fought bitterly all measures which in his judgment were harmful to the public weal. Mr. Terwilliger was an aspirant on two oc- casions for county office. He ran for sheriff against Chauncey W. Dimmick, but was defeated by a few votes, and was a candidate for county treasurer, but was defeated by Charles R. Biddis. He was a familiar figure about the courts of Pike county for many years, and his circle of friends consequently extended over the county, he being well known in every township. He was constable during the terms of President Judges Barret and Dreher, and had charge of the jury that convicted the engineer for causing the Mast Hope disaster a number of years ago. Personally, Mr. Terwilliger was a very pleas- ant gentleman. He had a great fund of humor, and his society was cagerly sought for. He was of a social nature, although very quiet, enjoyed the so-

ciety of friends as well as any person in the county, and he will be greatly missed by his host of friends. Of his children four are living: Almer, a resi- dent of Milford; Russell, who resides in Jersey City; Webster, a resident of Dunmore, Penn .; and Sila, wife of Dr. Longstreet, of Narrowsburg. His half-brother, George, also survives him.

Almer Terwilliger has been employed as a watch-case turner in the Milford watch factory for about twenty-five years. He is much respected in the community, and has taken an active part in local affairs, his interest in educational matters being shown in several years of service as school director. At present he is holding office as con- stable and member of the board of health in Mil- ford. His son, Josiah F. Terwilliger, now twenty- one years old, is one of the youngest newspaper men in the State, and gives promise of a brilliant future. He is now foreman and assistant editor of the Milford Dispatch, and is coming to the front as an effective worker in the local Democratic or- ganization. His fellow citizens have recently demon- strated their confidence in his abilities by electing him to the office of borough auditor.

JAMES F. BREWER is entitled to an honor- able place among the best citizens of Hamilton township, Monroe county, both as a descendant of one of her early pioneer families. and as one of her most progressive and intelligent agriculturists, and he is a native of same, born July 25, 1836.

Mr. Brewer's grandfather, James Brewer, was born in New Jersey, and came to Monroe county, Penn., when a young man. locating first in Hamil- ton township, where he remained some years. He finally purchased and settled upon a tract in Pop- lar Valley, Stroud township, where he passed the rest of his busy life, and he became one of the pros- perous citizens of his neighborhood, owning a large amount of real estate. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Brewer married Miss Margaret Fel- ker, who was a native of Stroud township, Monroe county, and they reared a family of ten children, namely: George, John, Samuel, James, Christo- pher, Mary ( Mrs. Jacob Heller, of Stroud), Annie (Mrs. James Dennis, of Stroud), Sallie A. ( Mrs. John Stout. of Hamilton). Hannah (Mrs Henry Edinger, of Stroud), and Rachel ( Mrs. John Dout, of Philadelphia). Of these four are still living- John, who makes his home in Louisa county, Iowa (he received a good education, and at one time taught in the public schools ) : Samuel, a resident of Northampton county, Penn .; Annie, Mrs. Dennis, now over ninety-three; and Rachel, Mrs. Dout. The parents both died on the farm in Stroud town- ship.

James Brewer, father of James F. Brewer, was born in Hamilton township, and passed his early life there and in Poplar Valley, Stroud township. He married Miss Eleanor Staples, daughter of Francis J. and Annie Staples, prominent pioneers of this section, and granddaughter of John Staples,

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who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill, and sub- sequently served in the Revolutionary war under Washington ; after peace was declared he settled at the Delaware Water Gap, in Monroe county, Penn., where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were born twelve children, of whom Annie, born in Hamilton township November 9, 1832, became the wife of Harrison Sebring, and had a family of sixteen chil- dren ; they resided on his farm in Barrett, where Mr. Sebring died, and his widow is still living. Cather- ine J., born in January, 1834, married Reuda Metz- gar, and they removed to Iowa, where they died, leaving five children-James, Jerome, John, Ella and -. James F. is third in the order of birth. Jolin, born in October, 1838, received a good education in the public schools, and followed teaching for thirty- five years in Monroe and Northampton counties, meanwhile studying medicine, which he has now practiced for some time; he married Miss Hester Albert, of Smithfield, and they reside in Barrett with their family of five children, Howard, James, Minerva, Sarah Ellen and Anna. Samuel, born in October, 1840, in Stroud township, was well edu- cated, and engaged successfully in teaching for a number of years in the public schools of Monroe county ; he married Miss Annie Hinev, of Monroe county, by whom he has had five children, Allie, Clinton, Gardner, David, and one who died in child- hood ; they reside in Hamilton township, where Mr. Brewer now follows gencral farming. George, born in 1845, died when a young man. Abram, born January 9, 1848, in Hamilton, married Miss Effie Kinney, who died lcaving no children, and for his second wife he married Miss Lizzie Shaffer, of Hamilton, by whom he has eight children-James, Rebecca, Charles, Minnie and Lizzie being men- tioned ; he was at one time engaged in school teach- ing, but he is now living on his farm in Northamp- ton county, where he follows farming. Isaac, born March 18, 1850, in Hamilton, is now a resident of California ; he married Miss Alice Fulker, of Ham- ilton, and they have two children, Milo and Jennie (Mrs. John Keegan), of Stroudsburg. Sallie, Ella and Hannah died young.

The father of this family was one of the best- informed and most useful members of the commun- ity in which he resided, and, besides taking an ac- tive part in the public advancement and welfare, he was a popular man personally, enjoying the con- fidence and estecm of liis fellow citizens to an un- usual degree. He was a skillful veterinary surgeon, noted all over his township for his success in that calling, and he was frequently called upon to ad- minister to his neighbors in sickness, by his kindli- ness and many sterling qualities of head and heart winning scores of friends in the vicinity of his home. In his carlier life he had learned the shoc- maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Mr. Brewer first purchased a home in Pop- lar Valley, which he sold, intending to migrate to Ohio, but for some reason he gave up that plan and settled on a place in Cherry Valley, owned by his

son James, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1863. His faithful wife, who had shared with him all the hardships of his carly strug- gles for prosperity and the comforts gained by their united efforts, still survives him, making her home with her son, Jamcs. She was born June 8, 1811, and at the advanced age of eighty-eight years is ac- tive and vigorous in both mind and body.

During his boyhood James F. Brewer received the advantages afforded by the public schools of Hamilton township, and, being a close student and naturally fond of books, he was early fitted to take up the teacher's profession, which he followed suc- cessfully for some years. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, at which he was also engaged, and for a number of years he worked besides at sawmilling, proving him- self a mechanic of great versatility and ingenuity, for he was a good workman in all his trades. In November, 1861, Mr. Brewer was married to Miss Elizabeth Felenser, of Hamilton township, of which her parents, John P. and Hannah Felenser, were early settlers ; they had a family of ten children, three of whom are now living-Sallie, wife of Nathan Metzgar, of Iowa; Simon, who is married, and lives in Iowa: and Elizabeth. Mrs. Brewer. The young couple lived in Cherry Valley for about two years after their marriage, and in 1864 settled on the home which they purchased and have since occupied-the Peter Felenscr homestead, lying four miles south of Stroudsburg, which is one of the finest properties in every respect in the locality. Mr. Brewer has proven himself as enterprising and capable an agriculturist as he was a tradesman. his farm, buildings and dwelling giving evidence of the progressive spirit of the owner. who has spared neither time nor pains to make his land as attrac- tive as it is profitable. He takes a pride in keep- ing everything in perfect order, and in doing his work in a systematic manner, employing the most modern methods whenever practicable, and the results have been more than satisfactory. Among the many improvements which have been made since he took possession of this place are a large bank barn. 40x60 feet in dimensions, and a commodious two-story brick residence, equipped with all modern conveniences, running water, bathroom, etc. Mir. Brewer's farm comprises ninety acres of land, highly cultivated, and for use in threshing, sawing wood, chopping grain and various other kinds of labor he has a stationary steam engine.

By reason of his enterprise and success Mr. Brewer deserves to be called one of the most thor- ough agriculturists in his township, and he is re- garded as such by all his neighbors, who respect him as a citizen of whom any community might be proud. He has taken an active and influential interest in the public welfare of his town, having done much toward the promotion of her industries, and always aided every project for the general ad- vancement, and his fellow townsmen have shown their appreciation of his work, and their confidence

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in his ability and trustworthiness, by electing him to various offices of trust, in which he has served with the fidelity and energy which characterizes all his undertakings. Politically, Mr. Brewer is a stanch member of the Republican party, in which he is one of the active local workers, and he has held the office of tax collector in Hamilton township with credit to himself and satisfaction to all con- cerned. As a business man he has an honorable record for straight-forward dealing and sterling integrity, and his standing in Hamilton township is an enviable one. In addition to his farm Mr. Brewer owns a fine property in South Strouds- burg.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer have been born four children-Ellen, in December, 1863; Ida, in April, 1867; Frank J., in November, 1868; and Horace G., in July, 1872. All were given the advantages for education afforded by the public schools of their native township, and grew to maturity on the home farm. Ellen married Joseph Hill, of Stroud town- ship, and they now reside at Delaware Water Gap, where Mr. Hill owns a wagon supply manufactory ; they have two daughters. Grace and Ada. Ida is the wife of Stewart Brittenbender, a merchant tailor of Stormville, Monroe county ; they have one son, Roy. Frank J. married MIiss Ella George, of Jackson, Monroe county, and they have one daughter. Blanche ; they reside on the old Kemery liomestead, which he bought after his marriage. Horace G. married Miss Minnie Lash, of Hamilton, and resides on his farm, which adjoins the old Brewer home- stead ; they have two daughters, Hazel and Carrie. Religiously, Mr. Brewer is identified with the new Church -

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 68

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