Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 70

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 70
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 70
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 70
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 70

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JOHN JACOB SCHNEARLE, a thrifty and industrious farmer of Delaware township, Pike county, comes from over the sea, having been born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 10, 1839. His parents spent their entire lives in the Fatherland, where the father (Adam Schnearle) engaged in business as an attorney and farmer. He died in 1847, aged fifty years, his wife in 1802. Their children were: Adam, who married a Miss Desh- ler, and died in Thayer county, Neb .; Ulrick, who came to this country; Jolin Jacob, our subject ; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Rentschler, a farmer of Deshler, Thayer Co., Neb .; Honsert and another whose name is not given, who both died in Ger- many. ( The family name is sometimes spelled Snearley.)

The subject of this sketch remained under the parental roof until fifteen years of age, but at that time ran away from home and came to America, as his parents intended to apprentice him to a baker, and he did not wish to learn that trade. He first located at Sparrowbush, Orange Co., N. Y., where he worked for a wagon maker for a time: but as he did not like that occupation he came to Dingman township, Pike Co., Penn., and found employment with Mr. Geyer, a Frenchman and a farmer, with whom he remained for three years. The following four years he worked in the brewery of Remy Loreaux in Dingman township, and for the same length of time was employed on the farm of Mr. Utter. For the long period of seventeen years he worked on the farm of Col. Henry S. Mott, and then purchased his present place in Delaware township. from John Rosenkrans. It comprises ninety acres, most of which is under a high state of culti- vation and well improved, and in its operation he is meeting with excellent success. At the polls he always supports the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party.

Mr. Schnearle was married at Milford, Pike county, April 18, 1861, to Miss Martha C. Roloson, and to them have been born two sons: Samuel is with his parents : and Charles, a farmer of Delaware township, married Susie Doety and has one child. Edna. Mrs. Schnearle was born in Chucktown. Pike county. April 13, 1844. and is a daughter of Eli and Jane ( McCarty) Roloson, of Chucktown. Dingman township, where they always made their home. The father, who was a carpenter by occupa- tion, died in 1854, at the age of fifty years. the mother in 1858, at the age of thirty-five, and the remains of both were interred in a private burying

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ground in Dingman township, two miles from Mil- ford. In their family were the following children : Amanda, wife of Lewis Harding, of New York; Martha C., wife of our subject; Andrew J., who married Catherine Bossler, and operates a stone quarry at Lordville, Penn. ; Tyler L., a stone cutter, who married and lives in Steuben county, N. Y .; Eli, who married, and is employed in an acid factory in Lordville, Penn .; Rose, deceased wife of Alford Spencer; Sarah A., who died when young; and Barbara, wife of Henry Canne, of Dingman town- ship.

F. X. SOETE carries on a well-patronized and thriving restaurant in Honesdale, Wayne coun- ty, of which place he is a well-known resident. He is a German by birth, and is a son of F. X. and Mary (Wübbeke) Soete, the former of whom was born July 12, 1812, in Westphalia, Germany, and was a shoemaker by trade. He was married in his native country to Mary Wübbeke, who was born there in 1820, and in 1852 they came with their family to America, making their home in Hones- dale. Mr. Soete carried on his trade until advancing age compelled him to retire, and the parents were supported in their declining years by their son F. X. The father died March 27, 1876, the mother in 1875. They had a family of five children. as follows : Bernada is the wife of William Hartman, and lives on Union Hill, Honesdale: F. X. is the subject proper of this sketch; Francisco is a car- penter by trade and resides in Honesdale; Joseph is also a carpenter of Honesdale; Henry died at the age of twenty-eight years (he was a cigar maker by trade ).

F. X. Soete was born April 19, 1849, in West- phalia, Germany, whence in 1852 he was brought with the rest of the family to the United States. He attended school at Honesdale, and after his school days were over commenced work as tow-boy on the Delaware and Hudson canal, on which he was employed for ten years. He also learned a trade, but in 1878, having decided that he could do better by working on his own account, he opened a restaurant and saloon in Honesdale, in which he has been successful from the start. His patronage has been constantly increasing, and he now enjoys a comfortable competence as a result of close atten- tion to the wants of his customers and shrewd man- agement in every detail of his affairs. He is a self- made man in every way, and he is respected by all who know him for the position he now holds among the thrifty, prosperous business men of the place. Mr. Socte takes a public-spirited interest in the municipal affairs of Honesdale, and is always ready to support any measure which he believes will pro- ' mote the general welfare or advancement of the community.

Mr. Soete was married to Miss Mary Kerl, who was born in 1859, and six children have blessed their home : Mary B., Theresa B., Francisca, F. X .. Jr., Florence and Henry. The family are Roman

Catholics in religious faith. In political sentiment Mr. Soete is a loyal member of the Democratic party.

GEORGE J. SIMONS, a progressive and en- terprising farmer of Gouldsboro, Wayne county, was born December 7, 1861, in the old "Simons Hotel" at that place, and is a son of John L. and Eliza J. (Compton ) Simons, natives of New York State, who were married in Tobyhanna, Pennsyl- vania.

Coming to Gouldsboro in 1856, the father built the "Simons Hotel," which he conducted until 1870, and then rented the same to his step-son, Stephen H. Haley, and removed to Clifton, Lackawanna Co., Penn., where he owned 365 acres of land, on which he engaged in lumbering and farming. In the spring of 1875 he returned to his hotel, but after conducting it for seven years he laid aside business cares and lived retired. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and during the Civil war he served as postmaster of Gouldsboro, having the office in his hotel. He was quite prominent, and filled other local offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public. He died January 1, 1894, aged seventy-two years, and the mother of our subject passed away December 29, 1893, at the same age, the remains of both being interred at Gouldsboro. George J. is the only child born of this union. His parents were both married twice. The mother's first husband was Stephen Haley, by whom she had two children: Stephen, now a resident of Philadelphia ; and Mary J., widow of Stephen Garrigan, and a resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

George J. Simons remained with his parents until their deaths, being never away from home with the exception of three months he was engaged in mining at Scranton. His education was obtained in the district schools, and on July 7. 1887. he en- tered the employ of the D. L. & W. railroad as brakeman, which position he continued to fill until 1894, when he removed to his present farm. He has erected a good residence upon his place, and is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is independent in politics, and has most credit- ably and satisfactorily filled the offices of super- visor and school director in Lehigh township. Socially he is identified with the Mutual Aid.

In 1881, Mr. Simons wedded Mary E. Siglin. by whom he had one son, George L. He was again married, September 10, 1802, at East Stroudsburg. Penn., his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth (Vanwhy) Piersol, and to them have been born two children: Eliza J. and Charles W. Mrs. Simons was born at Middle Smithfield. Penn .. March 8, 1862, a daughter of William H. and Mary J. (Hannis) Vanwhy, who now reside at East Stroudsburg, where the father is attending gates for the D. L. & W. railroad. Their children are: Nellie, wife of Charles Babbit, of Newark. N. I. : Frank, a hotel man of Porters Lake, Penn. : Emma.

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wife of H. Babbitt, of Morristown, N. J .; Eliza- beth, wife of our subject; and William, who is with his brother in the hotel business. Mrs. Simons' first husband was Richard Piersol, who died in 1888, leaving one daughter, Flossie, who now lives with our subject.

SAMUEL A. SHOOK is numbered among the enterprising and thorough-going farmers of Springville township, Susquehanna county, who have given considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, and have thus materially advanced the value of cattle and sheep in this section of the State. He has met with eminent success in his operations, and is now one of the well-to-do and prosperous agriculturists of his community.

Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Jacob Shook, was a farmer by occupation. He was born in Plainfield township, Northampton Co., Penn., and died in Tunkhannock, Wyoming county, where his remains were interred. The father, John Shook, was also a native of Plainfield township, Northampton county, born in ISIo, and there grew to manhood and married Miss Lydia Albert, a daughter of Jacob Albert, also of Northampton county. In 1840 they removed to Tunkhannock, Wyoming county, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1872. The mother died in 1887, at the age of eighty years. To this worthy couple were born six children, namely : John Jacob, a miller of New York State; William, a miller of Maine, N. Y .; E. A., a farmer of In- diana; Samuel A., our subject; Susan, wife of Theron Strickland; and Mary, wife of George Weaver, of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Samuel A. Shook was born in Tunkhannock, April 18, 1840, and obtained a good practical edu- cation in the common schools of that locality. After leaving school he assisted in the work of the home farm until twenty-nine years of age. In Spring- ville township, Susquehanna county, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen Rosengrant, a daugh- ter of Jeremiah and Sophia ( Billings) Rosengrant. One daughter was born to this union, Minnie, now the wife of William Coy, of Susquehanna county, by whom she has two children, Arthur and Chester.

On leaving the home farm Mr. Shook pur- chased seventy-seven acres of land in Springville township, Susquehanna county, to which he has since added a tract of fifty acres, and he now has one of the most valuable and attractive farms of its size in the township. In connection with gen- eral farming he is engaged in stock raising and dairying, and now has a fine herd of pure blooded Holstein cows, and a flock of Southdown sheep. He is also interested in bee culture, and has a fine apiary of eighty hives. A man of sound judgment and good business ability, he has steadily prospered in his undertakings, and as the products of his farm are always of the best he finds a ready sale for the same in the Scranton markets. The Demo- cratic party has always found in Mr. Shook a stal-

wart supporter of its principles, and he has inost capably served his fellow-citizens as a member of the election board, township supervisor, and asses- sor ( for eight years). Socially he belongs to Maple Lodge, No. 992, I. O. O. F., and both he and liis estimable wife are members of the Rebekahs, and the Grange.

During the Civil war Mr. Shook served from February to May, 1865, as a member of the con- struction corps with the army in Tennessee.

HORACE T. AND GEORGE H. WHITNEY are the proprietors of the leading livery establisii- ment in Honesdale, Wayne county, where they take a prominent place among the successful business men and representative citizens. They are natives of Honesdale, and sons of Elias Whitney, who was born November 30, 1816, reared in Susquehanna county, Penn., and died October 2, 1889. He had removed to Honesdale prior to his marriage, Octo- ber 18, 1842, his bride being Elizabeth Welch, who was a native of Cornwall, England, born October 6, 1819. They reared a family of four children, namely: Horace T .; Charles A., born June 16, IS46, deceased; Major George H .; and Mary E., born November 19, 1850, Mr. Whitney was a car- penter and builder by occupation, and did contract- ing until his health failed, when he embarked in the livery business, now carried on by his sons. Sub- sequently he engaged in farming in Texas township, Wayne county. Mr. Whitney lived to be over seventy years old, and his wife passed away July 4. 1873, at the age of sixty. They were members of the M. E. Church, and he was a Democrat in politi- cal faith up to the time of the Civil war, when he changed his sentiments.

T. Whitney, the father of Elias, was a native of Brattleboro, Vt., and removed thence to Susque- hanna county, Penn., where he passed the remainder of his days. He was an extensive farmer and owned large tracts of land there. He married a Miss Lamb.

Horace T. Whitney, the senior member of the firm of H. T. and G. H. Whitney, was born May 30, 1844, in Honesdale, and received his elementary education in the public schools of his birthplace, subsequently entering Flushing (L. I.) Institute. where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war. Returning home, he became connected with the livery business, to which he and his brother succeeded about 1880, and it is now the best equipped and largest concern of its kind in Hones- dale, with an extensive and profitable patronage from the people of the town and surrounding coun- try. The brothers have spared no pains to make their livery the best conducted and most satisfactory one in the place, and in return they have received the encouragement and custom of the best class of people, who appreciate the attention to and regard for their wishes always shown by the Whitney brothers. Horace T. Whitney was married, on No- vember 5, 1867, to Miss Isabella Palmer, who was

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born December 23, 1846, in New Lisbon, Penn. They had one son, Fred B., who was born July 31, 1868, and died January 23, 1897. IIc was a grad- uate of the home schools and later took a course in the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., after which he accepted a position in the First National Bank at Honesdale, and at the time of his death was serving in the capacity of teller. On June 4, 1896, he had married Josephine B. Dur- land. Mr. Whitney is a Knight Templar.

Major George H. Whitney. junior member of the firm, was born in Honesdale July 18, 1848, and acquired his education in the public schools. At an early age he became identified with this line of busi- ness, bought and sold horses extensively, and in 1880 succeeded with his brother to his father's in- terests. His attention has necessarily been de- voted chiefly to the demands of business, but he has served his city in several offices of trust, as member of the town council, member of the Fire Depart- ment for over twenty years and served as its presi- dent for two years. He is a Republican in political preference, and though not a politician in the sense of office-seeker he is an ardent party worker, throw- ing all his aid and influence to the advancement of its welfare in Wayne county.

There is no better known or more important figure in military affairs in this part of Pennsylvania than Major Whitney. He joined the Pennsylvania State Guards August 23, 1878; was promoted to corporal August 14, 1879 ; to sergeant July 29, 1882 ; to second lieutenant April 1, 1884 ; to first lieutenant March 23, 1885; to captain April 26, 1886; re- elected captain April 13. 1891 ; and elected major July 6, 1893. This glorious record, as will be seen, is one of steady, rapid and unusual advancement, and our subject now holds the rank of senior major Third Brigade, Pennsylvania National Guard, a position of honor and importance in the militia of his State.

JOHN C. BECK, proprietor of "Beck's Hotel," at Milford, is one of the prominent residents of that thriving place, and is now serving as a member of the city council.

Mr. Beck was born January 5, 1855, at Lam- poldshausen, Germany, and came to America in childhood with his parents, John E. and M. Fred- erika (Breuinger) Beck, who are mentioned more fully elsewhere. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years, and learned the business of making watch-cascs. being cmploved for a number of ycars in Desire Bournique's fac- tory at Milford. In October, 1876, hc was married at Port Jervis, to Miss Rose Snyder, and in 1883 he purchased his present hotel, of which his wife took charge, while he continued his . work in tlie factory. In 1885, when the shop was closed, Mr. Beck turned his attention to the hotel business, wltich has since occupied all of his timc. The hotel building, which was purchased from Edward La- count, was originally quite small and unpretentious,

but in 1889 Mr. Beck tore it down and built a hand- some new structure of twenty rooms, heated by steam and supplied with hot and cold water through- out. Mr. Beck has always taken keen interest in public affairs, and in 1889 was elected councilman for a term of three years. He and his wife are popular socially, and he is an active member of the I. O. O. F. at Milford.

Mr. Beck and his wife have three children: James, Lillie, and Alice, who are all at home. Mrs. Beck is a native of Sussex county, N. J., and was born November 8, 1852, daughter of John and Lida (Johnson) Snyder. Her paternal grand- parents, John and Beckie Snyder, resided upon a farm in New Jersey, and her father was also en- gaged in agriculture therc. He died in 1880, aged seventy, and her mother passed away in 1895, at the age of eighty years. Of their children, the eld- est, Andrew, who was wounded and disabled while serving as a soldier during-the Civil war, married Rachel , and resides in Boston, Mass .; Ellen marricd Nathan Van Campen (now deceased), who was farmer in Kansas; Sallic married Joseph Kins- ley, a boss carpenter at Newark, N. J .; Mary, widow of George Struble, resides in Newton, Penn. ; Mrs. Elizabeth Jennings (a widow) resides in New Haven, Conn .; John, a carpenter at Centerville, N. J., married Maggie Arnst; Kate, widow of Taylor Sullivan, resides in Lafayette, N. J .; Rose ( Mrs. Bcck) comes next in the order of birth; and Emma, widow of Thomas Hilford, resides in Milford.

CHARLES SPRY is one of the honored vet- erans of the Civil war whose devotion to his adopted country was tested on many a Southern battlefield, and America has no more loyal or patriotic citizen. He is now successfully carrying on operations as a farmer in Berlin township, Wayne county.

Born in Cornwall, England, February 27, 1829, Mr. Spry is a son of Walter and Patience (Kins- man) Spry, who brought their family to this coun- try in 1840 and located in Berlin township. Our subject was the eldest of the children, the others being as follows: Walter, a resident of Dyberry township, Wayne county ; Frederick, of Plymouth, Penn .; Daniel, also of Plymouth ; James, of Way- mart, Wayne county; Richard, of Jersey City, N. J .; Daniel (1), who died when young ; Keziah, wife of George Oliver, of Berlin township; Tamsin, de- ceased wife of Col. William Ellis, a prominent citi- zen of Villisca, Iowa, who was a member of the governor's staff in that State; and Anna, wife of Ed Budd, of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Five of the sons were soldiers in the Civil war, and the son-in-law, Col. Ellis, served with distinction in the same strug- gle, being a prominent officer ; he was wounded in the kncc in battle. By a second marriage the father had onc daughter, Hannalı, Mrs. Taft, now a resi- dent of Jersey City, N. J. Upon the old home farm in Berlin township he made his liome from IS41 until called to his final rest, and he had the respect and estecm of the entire community.

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Although his literary education was nieager, Charles Spry's training in farni work was not lim- ited, and he early became a thorough and pains- taking agriculturist. In 1851 he married Miss Tamsin Robbins, who has proved a most faithful and devoted wife, capably superintending the man- agement of the farm and caring for their three chil- dren during his absence at the front, while in the service. She was born in Cornwall, England, and was brought to this country about 1850 by her parents, John and Elizabeth (Spry) Robbins, who had a family of thirteen children, and Mrs. Spry was the eldest of the seven who reached years of maturity. James is now deceased; Keziah is the wife of George Schoonover; William is deceased ; Maria (Mrs. Davie) is the only one besides Mrs. Spry now living; and Charles is deceased. The parents were in early life members of the Episcopal Church, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics the father was a Republican. He died at the age of seventy years.

After his marriage Mr. Spry bought sixty acres of wild woodland in Berlin township, Wayne county, which he at once began to clear and improve, and it was this place, with its $700 mortgage, that he left to the care of his wife when he entered the army during the war of the Rebellion. To support her three children she was forced to do most of the work upon the farm during his service. In Sep- tember, 1862, he enlisted for nine months in the I17th P. V. I., being honorably discharged on the expiration of that term. In the fall of 1863 he re- enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company C, 67th P. V. I., and he took part in the battle of Cedar Creek with Gen. Sheridan's command, Fos- ter Hill, the engagements in front of Petersburg, and Mine Run, besides many skirmishes. While making a charge in front of Petersburg he was severely injured by falling on a stake, causing a rupture, which has required three different opera- tions, and nearly cost him his life.

Returning home after the close of the war, Mr. Spry resumed his farming operations, and he has prospered in his undertakings, being now the owner of an excellent farm of 172 acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. Be- sides his comfortable residence there are three large barns and a good orchard upon the place, and in connection with general farming he is successfully engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of horses and cattle.

Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Spry, four died in infancy, and two are now living : (I) Patience is the wife of Albert Burger, of Honesdale, Penn .. and has four children-Charles, Frank, Mary and Lizzie. ( 2) Lizzie married Rich- ard Horn, and is now deceased. (3) Wallace, a prominent citizen and enterprising farmer of Berlin township, married Elizabeth Buckingham, and has five children-John, Charles, Emma, Tamsin and Harry. Mr. Spry is a stalwart Republican in poli- tics, and always takes a deep and commendable in-

terest in public affairs. Prosperity hias crowned h. efforts as a business man, and he is now one of the well-to-do citizens of his community, as well as one of the most popular and influential residents of the township.

HON. LORENZO GRAMBS is one of the most highly respected and prosperous citizens of. Honesdale, Wayne county. He owes the position of esteem and confidence in which he is held to his own untiring and well-directed efforts, as in boyhood he was poorly equipped for the battle of life. He landed in America at the age of fourteen years, with the family of his parents, who were then in poor circumstances, and it became neces- sary for the lad, in a strange country, to make his own way in the world. He has succeeded, and in the afternoon of life he enjoys the comparative rest won by his earlier victories over adverse condi- tions.

Judge Granibs was born at Fischbach, Bava- ria, January 28, 1825, a son of John and Marga- retta Grambs. The father was an architect, and in the year 1839 he came to America with his wife and three sons-Frederick (who died in Califor- nia), Lorenzo, and George (now a resident of Scranton, Penn.). He first located at Rondout. N. Y., where he followed his profession, and in 1840 moved to Poughkeepsie; later he lived at Roches- ter, and in New York City. In 1848 he purchased a farm in Sullivan county, N. Y., which he occu- pied until his removal to Honesdale, where his death occurred in 1879.

Lorenzo Grambs received a good common- school education in his native land, and had scant opportunities for adding to it, after his arrival in this country. His first occupation was as a driver on the tow path of the Delaware & Hudson canal. between Rondout and Honesdale. In 1840 he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, but not find- ing it congenial, he quit at the expiration of a year. and engaged in the more active work of brick-lay- ing and masonry at Rochester. He accompanied his father's family to New York City, and there acquired the trade of a cigar-maker, at which lie worked three years as a journeyman, and then in 1846, after his marriage, established himself in business in Delancey street, New York City.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 70

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