Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 69

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 69
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 69
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 69
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 69

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JOHN NEAL, a leading farmer and highly respected citizen of Berlin township, Wayne county, was born July 25, 1839, in Cornwall, England, a son of John and Mary ( Cowling) Neal. prominent Eng- lish people, who spent their entire lives in Cornwall. In their family were seven children, of whom Rich- ard, the eldest, and Jolin settled in this country. The other brothers and sisters of our subject- Annie, Jane, William, Emma and Charles-all re- mained in England.

Richard Neal grew to manhood in his native land, and in 1853 came to America and made pur- chase of real estate in Wayne county, Penn. He returned to England, but in May of the following year again came to the United States, bringing with him our subject. He married Betsy Ham, of Wayne county, and located upon his farm in Ber- lin township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his time and attention until his death, in 1875. His wife passed away soon after- ward. They had two daughters: Rosie, now Mrs. William H. Marshall, of Berlin : and Mary J., wife of John Marshall, of Wayne county.

After his arrival in Wayne county, John Neal worked on a farm for William Stevens, of Bethany. for some time. In 1858 he married Miss Mary E.

Wells, of Berlin, a daughter of George and Hannah Wells. Her father was one of the large land owners and extensive lumbermen of Berlin township, and was always very prominent in Church work and all local affairs in Wayne county. He contributed liberally of his means to the support of Church and Sabbath-school, and was a class-leader in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He was a man to whom the most envious could scarcely grudge success, so well had he earned it, so admirably did he use it, and so entirely did he lack pride of purse. His children were Edward, Andrew, Frank, Stephen, George, Charles, Mary E., Susan, John, Philip, and James, all of whom reached maturity.

Mr. and Mrs. Neal have become the parents of four children: (1) George, born in Berlin, in 1860. married Hattie Ferris, of Hine's Corners, Wayne county, and they reside in Binghamton. N. Y., where he follows the trade of a bricklaver. They have four children, Edna R., Althea, William J. and Georgia. (2) John, born in Berlin in 1861. mar- ried Nettie Fielding, of South Canaan, Wayne county, and they make their home in Carbondale, Penn. Their children are Charles E .. Leonard and Lewis. (3) Elsworth, born at the present home of our subject in 1864. is now a successful business man of New York City. (4) Mamie I., born in Berlin in October, 1873, began her education in the public schools near her childhood home, and later gradu- ated from the Wilkesbarre high school. On June 14, 1893. she married Williani Ives, of Lackawanna county, Penn., and they live at Moosic, though they own a home in the village of Beach Lake, Wayne county. They have two sons, G. R. Elwood and William McKinley, the latter born on the day Mckinley was elected President of the United States.

After his marriage Mr. Neal bought property in the village of Beach Lake, where he made his home for five years, in the spring of 1861 selling his residence there and purchasing the George Wells homestcad, of 150 acres, near that village. He has cleared and improved the farm, erected good and substantial buildings thercon, and now has one of the best and most highly cultivated places in the locality. In April, 1865, on the day Lee surren- dered, he enlisted for service in the Civil war. be- coming a member of Company E, 73d N. Y. V. I .. which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was soon afterward taken sick at Arlington Heights and was removed to the hospital. being dis- charged July 8, 1865. when he had sufficiently re- covered. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and he has ever since been a stal- wart Republican. He has held the office of school director several terms and treasurer ot the school board for five years, and has always taken an active and prominent part in local political affairs.

Religiously, Mrs. Neal is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Beach Lake. She has always taken an active part in Church and evangelistic work, and is an influential member of

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the Women's Christian Temperance Union, hav- ing served as county superintendent on Sabbath desecration. She is a lady of culture and refinement, has been prominently identified with many moral reforms both at liome and abroad, and too much cannot be said in her praise. Hcr lovely social Christian character is worthy of emulation, and those who have been associated with her cannot but feel the true Christian spirit in which she lives. The cause of temperance has no more earnest advocate or stanch supporter.

JAMES B. NAUMAN. In our rural com- munities is found a high type of citizenship, and the subject of this sketch, a prominent resident of Para- (lise township, Monroe county, is a man whose sterl- ing qualities of character command respect and con- fidence. He is a first-class mechanic, being the leading blacksmith and wheelwright of his locality, and by his reliable and upright methods of business he dignifies his calling.

Mr. Nauman was born in October, 1856, in Paradise township, Monroe county, where his family has been prominent from pioneer times. His grand- parents, Michael and Katie Nauman, were among the early settlers of Paradise township, having made their home there in the wilderness. This worthy couple had six sons, namely : George W. is our sub- ject's father; John married and settled in Michi- gan ; Daniel married, and went to Nebraska; Isaiah married, and removed to Wisconsin; Frederick, a resident of Williamsport, Penn., married a daughter . of Charles Transue and has one daughter; and Reuben.

George W. Nauman, the father of our subject, was born in Paradise township, Monroe county, and in his youth learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some years, but at present he makes use of his skill only in the work of the farm. In early manhood he devoted much attention to lum- bering, and he also cleared and improved his home- stead in Paradise township, where he now resides at the advanced age of seventy years. He married Miss Wilhelmina Konner, daughter of George J. Konner, a native of Germany, who settled in Mon- roe county many years ago. Eleven children blessed the union of George W. and Wilhelmina Nauman, all of whom were born at the present homestead : (1) Elizabeth married Joseph Williams, of Para- dise township, Monroe county, and has had six children-Horace, Amsey, Clinton, William, Mary and Sadie. (2) Theodore resides in Scranton, and is employed as a conductor on the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & Western R. R. He married Miss Tillie Wintermark, of Wilkesbarre, and has two children -Jessie and Walter. (3) William H. died in Para- dise township. For fifteen years he was a conductor on the Buffalo & Elmira R. R., and held the con- fidence and estcem of his employers in a marked degrec. He was a consistent member of the Meth- odist Church and was loved and respected by all who Inew him. Hc married Miss Carrie Tranty, of

Paradise township, and had one daughter, Ethel. (4) James B., our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on. (5) Lydia A. is now the wife of Wil- liam Metcheer, of Paradise township, who is em- ployed in railroad work. They have two children- Betha, and onc whose name is not given. (6) Sam- uel is single, resides with his parents on the old homestead, and by occupation is a blacksmith. (7) Charles A. married Miss Sadie Wardell, of Dales- ville, Penn., and resides in Paradise township, tol- lowing the machinist's trade, which he learned with our subject. He has four daughters-Vida, Lillie M., Emma, and one whose name is not given. (8) Josiah married Miss Dorcas Lyons, of Scranton, where they reside, he bcing employed as a book- keeper in a coal office in that city ; he has two chil- dren. (9) Miss Edna married Iodie Williams, of Wayne county, where he is now engaged in lum- bering and farming. (10) Arminda married Allen Nauman, of Mount Pocono, and has one daughter, Flossie. (II) Ira D. is single and resides in Mon- roe county.

Our subject grew to manhood on the old home- stead and received the benefits of a public-school education. As a young man he was apprenticed to Benjamin Hanna to learn the trade of wheelwright and blacksmith, which he has followed for the last twenty-two years. In 1880, he married Miss Lizzie Hanna, daughter of Benjamin and Catherine Hanna and a member of one of the old prominent families in Monroe county. After his marriage our subject purchased real estate in Paradise Valley, where he erected a fine two-story house, good barn and made other improvements, making his farm one of the best in the Valley. In 1883 he purchased real estate in the village of Paradise, erected a shop, which he has fitted up with machinery running by water and steam power. This he used in his work as a blacksmith and wheelwright, and he also has a large press for the manufacture of cider. Polit- ically, he has always been identified with the Demo- cratic party, and at present he holds the office of school director. He is a member of the order of A. P. A., of Mt. Pocono, and he and his wife are active workers in the Evangelical Church of Para- dise township. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school for a term of eight ycars and trustee of the Church for three years, being ready at all times to give of his time and means to the cause of religion. He has four children, namely: Alvin. died in childhood ; Lawrence W., born August 8, 1890; Verne, born in December, 1892; and James E., born in August, 1898.

JOHN S. BARTRON, who was for some years an enterprising and successful tarmer and lumberman of Wayne county, is now retired from the active labors of life, and occupies a comfortable home in the town of Prompton. He is a native of the county, born in Purdytown, November 30. 1831, and is of English and French extraction. His par- ents, David and Phoebe J. ( Ayres) Bartron, were

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both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born near Philadelphia, in 1802, the latter in Wayne county, in 1807. The father, who was a sawyer by trade, was among the first settlers of Wayne county, where he continued to make liis home until 1850, when he emigrated to Goodhue county, Minn., dying there in 1889. His last years were spent in farm- ing, and liis ballot was always cast with the Democ- racy. His widow, a faitliful member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, is still living in Minnesota.

Of their children, Mary A., the eldest, is now the widow of a Mr. Longcarr, and lives in Bay City, Wis .; Jesse died in Pike county, Penn .; Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob Turner, a retired farmer of Red Wing, Minn .; John S. is next in the order of birth; William is a farmer and sawyer of Canaan township, Wayne county ; Reynolds is a farmer of Minnesota; Rebecca died unmarried; James died in Minnesota ; George is a speculator of Lake City, Minn .; and Jennette is the deceased wife of William Riddle, of Red Wing, Minn.

Until nineteen years of age the subject of this sketch remained with his parents, assisting his father in the sawmill, and after leaving home he continued to operate sawmills and work for the Delaware & Hudson railroad until coming to Prompton in 1867. After conducting a sawmill here for ten years he purchased his present farm, which he successfully cultivated for some years, but he has now laid aside the arduous duties of business life, and is enjoying a well-earned rest. At one time he drove a stage between Bellefonte and Philipsburg, Penn., helped to build the Illinois Central railroad, and after its completion served as fireman for one year, running between La Salle and Mendota. On leaving that company he was told that if he would return within a year he would be given a position as engineer. His favorite sport is hunting, and his trusty rifle has brought down many a deer and bcar.

In Cherry Valley, Monroe Co., Penn., Mr. Bar- tron was married, July 9, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Fenner, Squire Benjamin Bush performing the cere- mony. To them were born four children, namely : Mary, now the wife of Charles H. Sears, a mer- chant of Scranton, Penn .; David, who married Elizabeth Kertz, and is now a conductor on the D., L. & W. R. R., residing in Binghamton, N. Y .; Phobe, who is with her parents; and Carrie, de- ceased.

Mrs. Bartron was born in Smithfield township. Monroe county, July 9, 1836, a daughter of David and Jemima ( Bartron) Fenner, who spent their entire lives in that county, where the father engaged in farming and also in rafting on the river. Polit- ically he was a pronounced Democrat. He dicd in May, 1885, aged seventy-six years, his wife in Fcb- ruary, 1891, agcd eighty-four years, and they were buricd at Water Gap, Monroe county. Their chil- dren were: Eleanora, now the wife of J. Wallace, . who is engaged in raising finc poultry at Water Gap; John, a retired farmer of Stroudsburg. Mon- roe county ; Elizabeth, wife of our subject ; Samuel,

a retired railroad man at Water Gap; Mary A., wife of Jeremiah Hagerman, who was for some time engaged in the wheelwright's trade in Stroudsburg; Caroline, a resident of Water Gap; James, a retired hotelman and engineer of Stroudsburg ; and George, who died in Monroe county. The paternal grand- parents of Mrs. Barton were John and Elizabeth (Labar) Fenner, who died at Water Gap in old age; and the maternal grandparents were James and Sarahı (Pugh) Bartron, who also died in Monroe county. They were not related to our subject.

At the polls Mr. Bartron endeavors to support the best man for the office regardless of party affilia- tions, and he has acceptably served his fellow citi- zens in the capacity of councilman, school director and collector. During the Civil war he was drafted, but on going to Philadelphia he sent a substitute. He and his wife have many warm friends through- out Wayne county, and are held in high regard by all who know them.

GILBERT S. JOHNSON, one of the most prosperous agriculturists of Bridgewater town- ship, Susquehanna county, as well as one of its liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens, has achieved an enviable reputation in his chosen call- ing.

Mr. Johnson is a native of the county. born December 7, 1839, in Rush township, son of Thomas Johnson, who was born in 1796, in Rhode Island. The grandfather, Allen Johnson, was a native of .the same State and was of English descent. During his minority Thomas Johnson remained in Rhode Island, but at the age of twenty-one came to Sus- quehanna county and settled at the forks of the creek below Granville, Penn., where as foreman he had charge of the business of Jabez Hyde, a prominent citizen of that place. In Dimock town- ship he married Eliza Bolles, who proved a faithful wife and helpmeet. She was born, in 1806, in Con- necticut, a daughter of John and Betsy (Avary) Bolles. also natives of the Nutmeg State. In 1845 Mr. Johnson purchased the John Smith farm lo- cated two miles from Montrose, and there at this writing his widow resides at the advanced age of ninety-two years, being onc of the oldest ladies of the county. She is still quite hcalthy, both in body and mind. The father died in 1872. at the age of seventy-six years. He ranked among the most hon- orcd members of the Democratic party in his com- munity, and served as sheriff of the county with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. Socially he was a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously was a member of the Episcopal Church. There were three children in the family: Betsy, wife of A. J. Brewster, of Montrosc : Allen B., who taught school before the Civil war at Rollo, Mo., and entered thie service of his country as lieutenant of a company of the 39th Ill. V. I .. and died of yellow fever in North Carolina : and Gilbert S., our subject.

Gilbert S. Johnson was only six years old when

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his parents removed to the farm in Bridgewater township where he now resides, and as soon as large enough to be of any assistance he began to aid in its operation, and here almost his entire life has been passed, his education being obtained in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1880 he left home and went to Waterbury, Conn., where he worked in a brass foundry three years, and in 1884 located in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he en- gaged in the manufacture of sleds and toys, sub- sequently following the same business in Oxford, that State. He then returned to the old home farm which he now owns, and has met with excellent success in its operation. It consists of 130 aeres under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good and substantial buildings.

On October 8, 1865, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Julia Stone, a daughter of Truman and Rachel Stone. She died March 23, 1873, leaving one son, Homer B., who was born March 30, 1867, and was married September 20, 1888, to Miss Grace, daughter of Oscar and Eliza Bunnell. On March 30, 1875, our subjeet was again married, his second union being with Clara M. Page, a daughter of Elihu and Eunice Page. She, too, has been called to her final rest, dying in March, 1896.

Mr. Johnson is a man of fine physique, in man- ner is pleasant and genial, so that he is popular in social as well as business circles, and it is safe to say that no man in the community has more friends than he. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, and he has most ereditably and satisfactorily served as justice of the peace.

CHARLES JACOB WEAVER, the well- known restaurant man of Honesdale, Wayne county, is a native of the place, born September 28, 1861. He is a son of William and Mary ( Dag) Weaver, the former of whom was in his lifetime one of the well-known citizens and a leading contractor of Honesdale.

Mr. Weaver was educated in the schools of his birthplace, and received a good practical training which well fitted him to take up the battle of life on his own account. When a youth he served an apprenticeship to the eigarmaker's trade in Hones- dale, finishing in Philadelphia, after which he re- turned home and opened a eigar factory of his own. After a time he took a partner in the business, to whom he finally sold out, and removing to Nar- rowsburg, Sullivan Co., N. Y., he bought a hotel, which he conducted successfully for a period of eight years. Mr. Weaver's genial disposition and courteous attention to his guests, combined with a genuine regard for their comfort, made him a gen- eral favorite with the traveling publie, and he was no less popular among his fellow citizens in Nar- rowsburg, who showed their good will toward him in many ways. He was honored with election to more than one important municipal office, serving as member of the city council, as town elerk several

years, and for one year was sole trustee of the graded school. About six years ago he returned to Honesdale and embarked in the restaurant busi- ness, which he has sinee carried on, and here, as in the hotel business, his good nature and obliging ways have had much to do with his prosperity. His place is a popular resort for many of Hones- dale's best citizens, who feel the influence of the good cheer and sociability always manifested by the proprietor, and he has made many friends among his patrons. Mr. Weaver's parents trained their children to habits of industry and economy, and their example was not lost on our subjeet, who is elassed among the reliable, substantial men of the community as a result of his adherence to their teachings. He has the hearty good wishes of all who know him, and has borne an excellent reputation wherever his lot has been east.

On June 3, 1882, Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Mary A. Uch, who was born October 31, 1861, in Narrowsburg, Sullivan Co., N. Y. Three ehil- dren have been born to them: Millie, Otto and Walter. Our subject is a Democrat in his political faith, and is a loyal member of his party. He is at present serving as first assistant-chief of the Fire Department in Honesdale.

GEORGE WEGST. No foreign element has become a more important part in American citizen- ship than that furnished by Germany. The emi- grants from that land have brought with them to the New World the stability, enterprise and perse- veranee characteristic of their people, and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of the West. Mr. Wegst is a representative of this class. He came to America poor, hoping to benefit his financial condition, and his dreams have been more than realized, for he is now a prosperous farmer of Berlin township, Wayne county.

Mr. Wegst is a native of Laichingen, Germany, and a son of Paul and Annie Wegst, who spent their entire lives in that country. He had three brothers and one sister, who remained in Germany, and two are still living-Jonathan and Annie C. (wife of Jacob Anderle, of Wittenberg, Germany).

In 1872 our subject came to America and settled in Wayne county, Penn., where he worked in the tannery of Horace Drake, at Beach Lake, for three years. In February, 1875, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Christina Herr, of Beach Lake, a daughter of John and Catharine ( Smith) Herr, also natives of the Fatherland, who in 1853 emigrated to this country, first locating in Luzerne county, Penn. There Mr. Herr worked in the coal mines for some years, but he finally purchased (of Mr. Drake) fifty aeres of land in Berlin township, Wayne county, one-half mile south of Beach Lake, on which he erected a good home for his family. There he died in 1887, leaving a wife and one daughter, the wife of our subject. After his mar- riage Mr. Wegst located on the Herr homestead.

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In 1875 he purchased eight acres of John Williams, in 1883 bought fifty acres adjoining, of the Wright heirs, and later thirty-three acres, of John Trout. He now has 148 acres, about sixty of which are under a high state of cultivation, and well improved with good buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.

Mr. and Mrs. Wegst have a family of eight children, all born in Berlin township, at the present home of the family. Annie C., born in 1876, a young lady of scholarly tastes, was educated in the schools of Waymart and Honesdale, and is now suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in Berlin. Mary E., born in 1878, attended school for a time at Narrows- burg, N. Y., and later graduated from the Waymart high school ; she is also one of the popular teachers in Berlin, and is a refined and cultured young lady. The other children are John H., born in 1879; Paul J., in 1882 ; Emma C., in 1884; George F., in 1886; Leda B., in 1888; and Frederick A., in 1893. The parents and children are identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Beach Lake, and the family is one of prominence in social circles.

At one time Mr. Wegst engaged in rafting sawed lumber down the Delaware river, but he now gives his entire time and attention to the operation of his fine farm. He supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and most acceptably filled the office of township collector for two terms of two years each. It is safe to say that Berlin township has no more honored or highly-respected citizen than George Wegst.

W. F. GARDNER is one of the most reliable and prosperous citizens of Bridgewater township, Susquehanna county, with whose agricultural in- terests he has been prominently identified through- out life.

Mr. Gardner was born December 1, 1852, on the old homestead, where he now lives, and is the youngest child of William and Margaret A. ( Wag- ner) Gardner, who are represented elsewhere. Reared on the home farm to a life of industry and honesty, he obtained a good practical education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and also an excellent knowledge of business methods. He is now the owner of one of the best farms in the township; the fields are well tilled and surrounded by good fences : the farm buildings are models of neatness and thrift ; and everything about the place denotes the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner.

In 1877, Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Eva Foot, a native of Bridgewater township, and a daughter of Channcy and Catherine ( Ayers) Foot. To them were born four children: Madge, John W., S. Eva, and one who died in infancy. The estimable wife of Mr. Gardner died in February, 1894. She was a devoted wife and mother, a kind neighbor, and was loved and respected by all who knew her.

The Democratic party has always found in Mr.

Gardner a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has ever taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics. He has efficiently served as a mem- ber of the school board in his district, and has al- ways been found true to every trust reposed in him. He was one of the most progressive and enterpris- ing men of Bridgewater township, and is very popular with a wide circle of friends and acquaint- ances.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 69

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