Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 71

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 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 71
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 71

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).

It was while following his trade here, that in 1849, when the gold fever swept over the country. he abandoned the cigar business and sailed round Cape Horn for California. By an unfortunate ac- cidlent, on shipboard, his leg was broken, and for two months he was confined after reaching Cali- fornia. Upon his recovery, he started for the mines and met with moderate success. Acquiring about $2,000 worth of gold dust he returned cast. and on May 1, 1851, he located at Honesdale. Penn. For a year he worked as a journeyman for John N. Conger, the pioneer cigar manufacturer of that place. He then started in business for hint- self, at first in a small way, which gradually at 1

--- -------

....

1633

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

steadily increased until he acquired the manage- ment of a large and lucrative business. ,The firm for a time consisted of himself and son Edward G., and was known as L. Grambs & Co., but Mr. Granibs has since retired, leaving the business in the hands of his sons.

Business cares and responsibilities did not wholly engross the time and attention of Judge Grambs. He has ever been a public spirited citizen, having at heart the interests of his fellow men, and zealous in encouraging and promoting enterprises for the public good. He has also held inany positions of responsibility and trust. In 1859 he was commis- sioned, by the Governor, inspector of the Second Brigade, Tenth Division Uniformed Militia, of Susquehanna and Wayne counties, with the rank of major. In 1862 he was elected treasurer of Wayne county and served two years. Among other officcs that he has filled have been those of chief burgess of IIonesdale, member of the town council, and treasurer of the borough. In 1882 he was elected associate judge of Wayne county, and was commissioned by Gov. Hoyt for five years from January, 1883; but in June, 1884, he resigned.

Judge Grambs has been prominent in the so- cial orders of Wayne county, and is a past officer of the I. O. O. F., in which he has for many years been prominently identified. For twenty years he was connected with the German Lutheran Church, of Honesdale, but he is now a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church. Though living a re- tired life in comparison with the activity of his earlier years, the indomitable nature of our sub- ject will not permit a total cessation from current interests. In 1871 he was one of the organizers of the Wayne County Savings Bank, and has since served continuously on the board of directors. He is now serving as vice-president.

On June 30, 1846, in New York City, Judge Grambs was married to Miss Kunigunda Rech, daughter of Adam Rech, a native of Unterlangen- stadt, Bavaria. She died February 17, 1889, aged sixty-one years and twenty-two days. The chil- dren born of this marriage are as follows: Char- lotte, born July 17, 1847, clicd at the age of ten days ; Pauline, born September 18, 1849, married Robert Tralles, and has one child. Anna C., born January 28, 1852, died unmarried. Sophia D., born July 2, 1853. Caroline, born October 7, 1854, died at the age of seventeen years. Bertha M., born April 23, 1856, married W. H. Krantz. Honesdale: they have one child living. Fred. John. born March 5, 1858. died young. Henry W., born July 30, 1859, married and is living in Dakota : he has one child. Mildred. William J., born April It. 1861, a gradu- ate of the United States Naval Academy, now a resident of Seattle, Wash .; he has three children. Harold. Richard and William K. Tilly M., born June II. 1862. Edward George, born June 23, 1863. of the firm of L. Grambs & Co. Lorenzo O., born January 25, 1865. Frank, born September 18. 1866, a resident of Bismarck, N. D. Bernard. born De-

cember 10, 1867, died at the age of three years. August B., born July 27, 1869, now living in Jer- sey City, N. J. Robert L., born May 30, 1870, an attorney at Scranton, Penn. Albert A., born May 16, 1873; and George J.

RUPERT P. NILIS, a progressive and well- known farmer citizen of Lehman township, Pike county, is a son of Capt. Justin and Isabella ( Mont- gomery) Nilis, the former of whom has for years been one of the respected residents of Delaware township, where he is now living retired on part of the Nilis homestead at Silver Lake.

Justin Nilis was born May 18, 1820, in Bcl- gium, son of Peter and Antoinette ( Petit) Nilis, of the city of Mons, who came to America with their family in 1842, settling in New York City. The father was an artist by profession. He died in 1852, at the age of sixty years, the mother in 1848, and both are buried in New York. Justin was the eldest of their three children. Paul en- listed in a Connecticut regiment for service in the Civil war and was not again heard from. Mary, now deceased, married Mr. Duswee, who was killed while serving in the Civil war.

Justin Nilis received a thorough education in his native country, after his preliminary training entering the Brussels College, a school of arts and manufactures, where he studied for some time. He came to America with his parents, with whom he lived for the most part during their lifetime, and while in New York he taught school, though some- what irregularly, for a period of about twelve years. part of the time in a French college conducted by Peugnet Bros. His first marriage, to Miss Isa- bella Montgomery, daughter of James and Rebceca (Rowg) Montgomery, was celebrated in New York City, and there he continued to reside until his en- listment, on September 25, 1861, for service in the Civil war. He formed Company D, of the goth N. Y. V. I., was made captain of the same and served faithfully for his term of three years, when he received an honorable discharge from the hos- pital at Annapolis, Md .; lie did not re-enlist on account of disability. Capt. Nilis saw a great deal of active service, taking part in numerous engage- ments, skirmishes, etc., notably the siege of Port Hudson. the Red River expedition. the operations in the Shenandoah Valley, etc. Though never wounded, he suffered exceedingly, along with oth- ers of his command, from typhoid and yellow fever, his regiment losing eight officers and one hundred privates from the latter disease alone, and the cap- tain was in the Annapolis hospital for three months prior to his discharge. His army record is indeed an honorable onc, and he is one of the venerated members of the G. A. R. post at Milford, in whose weltarc he takes a warm interest.

In February, 1864. during his absence at the front, Capt. Nilis' family removed to Pike county. Penn., settling at what is now known as Edgemere. on the homestead at Silver Lake. Delaware town-

103

1634

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship, which has ever since been occupied by them. Hither he returned at the expiration of his term, taking up farming, which he continued to follow during the remainder of his active days. In 1800 he removed to the home in Silver Lake which he has since occupied, and he is now leading a life of leisure, enjoying the competence which he acquired by hard work in his younger days. By his first wife he had children as follows: Montgomery, born December 16, 1847, who died November 9, 1861 ; Rebecca, born July 31, 1849, who died April 15, 1896; Pierce M., born December 1, 1851, who is a farmer and justice of the peace in Delaware township, and is also engaged as steward of the Edgemere Club, at Silver Lake; Marian and Elea- nor, twins, born March 1, 1856, deceased in in- fancy; and Rupert P., whose name introduces this sketch. The mother of these passed away June 16, 1887, at the old homestead, aged sixty-eight years, and was laid to rest in the Delaware ceme- tery. In November, 1892, while visiting the World's Columbian Exposition, at Chicago, Capt. Nilis wedded for his second wife Mrs. Julia A. ( Barlow) Dennis, a Southern lady, whom he met first during the Civil war.

Rupert P. Nilis was born July 19, 1858, at what is now the site of Jersey City Heights, and when a child came with the family to Delaware township, Pike county, where he was reared, receiving his early education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he went to New York City, where for one year he was engaged in clerking in a whole- sale tea house, and for the two years following he attended the French College at Fort Washington, N. Y., finishing his literary training in this institu- tion. He next entered the employ of John F. Pin- chot, of Milford, as clerk in his general merchan- dise establishment, continuing with him for two years, after which he went to Nevada county, Cal., where he worked for a year in a gold mine. Re- turning home, he worked with his father until 1886, when he purchased a farm in Lehman township and located thereon, making his home there until, in 1892, he purchased and removed to his present place. Mr. Nilis cultivates both farms, which comprise 250 acres of fertile river bottom land, and he is one of the most successful, extensive farmers in this section. His thorough knowledge of agriculture, coupled with industrious habits and a faculty for managing his numerous interests, has entitled him to rank among the intelligent business men of the locality, and he has an equally good reputation for integrity and uprightness in all his dealings. Mr. Nilis is recognized as a self-made man, and he com- mands the respect of all who know him, either personally or in a business way. He has taken an active part in public affairs in his township. being prominent among the local workers of the Repub- lican party, and he has served as inspector of elec- tions and clerk of the board. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership with the Blue Lodge at Milford.

On March 8, 1897, Mr. Nilis was married, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Margaret Cotterill, who was born August 1, 1863, at Camberwell, England, daughter of William H. and Margaret A. ( Faith- ful) Cotterill, of that country. One child has blessed this union, Rebecca.

WILLIAM G. COUTAN, M. D. When the American Colonies determined to throw aside the oppressive yoke of the mother country, France, of all the nations on the earth. was the first to show her friendly feeling toward the struggling Colonists. The substantial aid of men and arnis came from that country, and ever since then her people have been welcomed to the Western World and its new Republic, and have lent the natural love for art and literature inherent in the French race to the devel- opment of the higher culture of the hardy sons of the early settlers. This infusion of the warm artis- tic natures of the Latin race with the sturdy philo- sophical people of the Anglo-Saxon has brought about a broader culture, physical and mental, than can be found in any other nation. The quick, alert mind of the American, his versatility, his intuition and his reason, his shrewdness, his endurance, are the result of the intermingling of all races.

In 1832 there was born in Paris, France, Gus- tave Julius Coutan, a son of Charles Julius Coutan. and his wife, Agleia De Mace, the latter born in Lyons, France, of noble blood. Charles J. Coutan was a silk merchant in Lyons for many years, and in 1840 he came to New York, where he engaged in importing silks. After continuing thus for a time he became an official in the Custom House, where he continued until his death. He owned a large amount of real estate in Fifth avenue and Thirty- first street. After his death his wife opened an English and French boarding-school in Thirty-first street, where she continued several years. They had three children, ( 1) Charles, was a wealthy retired gentleman of New York. He married Miss Susan Thompson, a daughter of James Thompson. for- merly of Susquehanna county, Penn., but later a restaurant keeper in New York City, where he died a millionaire. At his death, Charles Coutan left a widow ( who still resides in New York) and two sons-Albert E., a merchant at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; and Leon. who married a Miss Wall. and re- sides in Brooklyn. (2) Gustave J. is mentioned be- low. (3) Susan Agleia died in New York.

Gustave Julius Coutan came to this country with his parents and was graduated from St. John's College, N. Y. After leaving school he became an employe in the Custom House, and there remained until his death, in 1865. He married Anne Fitzger- ald, who was born in Silver Lake, Susquehanna Co .. Penn., in 1831, and they became the parents of three sons: ( 1) Gustave Joseph, born in New York City, graduated from the Law University of that city, and is now practicing there, with offices at No. 81 Broadway. (2) William G. is mentioned below. (3) George O., born in 1866, was educated

1 ..

1635

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in the New York schools, and learned the jeweler's trade. ·

William G. Coutan was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in September, 1861, and received his education in private schools in New York City. When a young man he went to make his home with his uncle in Silver Lake, Susquehanna Co., Penn., and while there engaged in teaching for several terms. He there began the study of medicine under Dr. Charles W. Tiffany, and later studied under Dr. E. A. Pierce, of Binghamton. N. Y., where he completed his preparatory course; he was graduated from Columbia College, New York, in medicine and sur- gery. In 1891 he began the practice of medicine in Silver Lake, remaining there until 1896, when he removed to Birchardville, and, purchasing the W. W. Strange home, established himself therein. He has built up a large practice, keeps well abreast of all the recent discoveries in his chosen profes- sion, and, with his knowledge and skill, his quick sympathy, has drawn to himself the respect and confidence of the community.

In October, 1896, Dr. Coutan wedded Miss Katherine A. Buckley, whose parents were pioneers of Silver Lake township. To gladden their home one son, Gustave Julius, was born in 1898. Politic- ally the Doctor is identified with the Republican party. In his religious belief, Dr. Coutan clings to the faith of his fathers, and is a stanch advocate of Roman Catholicism, as is also his wife. In social life the Doctor is a well-known figure. Of genial disposition, courteous bearing and scholarly at- tainments, he is a welcome guest, and his own de- lightful home, presided over by his charming wife, is the center of a choice circle of cultured friends.

THOMAS MOORE has since 1880 been prom- inently identified with the industrial interests of Prompton, Wayne county, doing a large and profitable business as a blacksmith and wagon man- ufacturer. Recently he has erected a new plant, and in connection with his other business expects to engage in the manufacture of excelsior. He is a wide-awake and reliable business man, whose great energy and perseverance has enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence.

Like a number of the leading business men of Wayne county, Mr. Moore is a native of Cornwall, England, born December 20, 1840, and is a son of John and Mary ( Bishopp) Moore. His mother died in that country in 1860. aged fifty-six years, and in 1873 the father came to the United States. locating in Prompton. He passed away in 1881, at the age of seventy-six years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Aldenville, Wayne county. In religious belief he was a Methodist."

Our subject is the next to the youngest in a family of nine children, the others being as follows : Mary is still living in England ; William and John are both retired blacksmiths of that country : Grace is the wife of Elias Bellinger, a painter, of Promp- ton ; Jane married William Perry, a carpenter (now

deceased), and she dicd in England; George is a blacksmith of Aldenville, Wayne county ; Anna was married in England to Charles Cottel, a farmer, but afterward came to America, and she died in Wayne county ; and James is a blacksmith of Michigan.

With his father Thomas Moore learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land, remaining with him until he attained his majority, and then work- ing for others until twenty-eight years of age. Coming to the New World in that year, he took up his residence in Adenville, Wayne county, Penn., where he worked at his trade for eight months, and then removed to Prompton, renting for one year a shop where his own is now located. The following six months he spent in Denver, Colo., but not lik- ing the West, he returned to Prompton, where he has since successfully engaged in business.

On April 18, 1864, in Bodmin, England, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Pinch, a native of Cornwall, and a daughter of Thomas and Eliza ( Baker) Pinch, who emigrated to America and located in Chapman, Penn., where the father followed farming. Their children were Emma; Edwin, who died in England; Mary, wife of George Herr, of Pen Argyl, Penn .; Eliza, wife of our subject ; Simon, who died in England; and Amelia, wife of John Palmer, of Chapman. Penn- sylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born the following children: Minnie, who in early life en- gaged in school teaching, is now the wife of Wil- liam Masters, of Northampton county, Penn., where in partnership with two brothers he engages in the stone quarry business ; Bessie is the wife of Howard Renry, a china decorator at Scranton, Penn .; Ber- tha is at home with her parents; and Thomas H., Wesley and George H. all died in childhood.

MIr. and Mrs. Moore are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church of Prompton, and are held in high regard by all who know them. His political support is given the men and measures of the Re- `publican party. He is now the possessor of a comfortable competence, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed.

JOHN K. ARNOLD is a general farmer of Hamilton township, Monroe county, pursuing his pleasant and profitable occupation upon the old homestead where he was born in September, 1845, a son of Abram and Elizabeth ( Kinch) Arnold.

Mr. Arnold's parents were also natives of Mon- roe county, and died on the old farm : the father in 1878. at the age of sixty-five years, the mother in 1888. at the age of seventy, being laid to rest in Hamilton township. Of their children, Abram. the eldest, died at the age of fifteen years: Mary is the widow of Linford Shoemaker, of Hamilton town- ship : Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of William McCormick ; Christiana, deceased, was the wife of Frank Gorman ; Louisa, deceased, was the wife of Jonas Murphy ; James lives with our subject ; Han- nah is the wife of Isaac Saunt, of Hamilton town-

1636

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ship; Henry married and lives in Ross township, Monroe county ; John K., our subject, is next in the family; David married Cliristiann Bowman, and is engaged in farming in Hamilton township; and Harriet is the wife of Nath. Kesky, and a resident of Pennsylvania.

John K. Arnold remained with his parents until eighteen years of age, and then served a three years' apprenticeship to the miller's trade with Joseph Heller, at Sciota, Hamilton township, receiving the first year $25, the second $50, and the third $75. The following year he engaged in business on his own account in Cherry Valley, Monroe county, but during the next six years was in the employ of mil- lers at different places. For five years he followed farming at Saylorsburg; and in April, 1883, re- turned to the old home farm, which he has since successfully operated. He is a thorough and sys- tematic farmer, and the air of neatness and thrift which pervades the place testifies to his careful su- pervision. He is public-spirited and liberal, and there are few men more popular among the people in whose midst he has spent the greater part of his life. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and religiously is a member of the Reformed Church.

In May, 1872, in Hamilton township, Mr. Ar- nold was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Snyder, a native of the township, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Putz) Snyder. Her pa- rents spent their entire lives in Hamilton town- ship, where the father carried on operations as a millwright. To our subject and his wife have been born four children, namely: Nettie, who died when one year old ; and George, Hattie and Norton, all at home.

BYRON MOOD, a well-known citizen of Mid- dle Smithfield, Monroe county, was one of the Union soldiers during the Civil war, and for almost five years he remained in the service of his coun- try.

Mr. Mood was born in Middle Smithfield town- ship, in May, 1843, and was well educated in the public and select schools of Monroe county. In Sep- tember, 1861, when eighteen years old, he enlisted in Company I, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, was mustered in at Philadelphia and ordered to Wash- ington, D. C., where the regiment was organized and assigned to the Army of the James, being sta- tioned at Fortress Monroe during the first year. Here Mr. Mood was taken ill, and after some time spent in the regimental hospital, he was sent to Cliff Burn hospital, where he did considerable work as a nurse after his recovery. In the latter part of 1862 he rejoined his regiment at Suffolk, Va .. and soon afterward they were stationed along the Black Wa- ter creek, where they took part in a skirmish every few days. Our subject participated in all engage- ments with his regiment, and while at Suffolk they were surrounded by the enemy, who besieged the place for two weeks. The time of his first enlist-

ment expired in 1864, but the following year he re- enlisted in the First Veteran Army Corps, known as Hancock's army, and with that command served for one year, being honorably discharged in March, 1866, at Washington, D. C. Returning to his home in Monroe county, he commenced teaching winter school, and for a period of twenty-eight years suc- cessfully followed that profession here and in New Jersey.

In 1866 Mr. Mood was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Place, who was born in Middle Smithfield township in 1844, a daughter of Benja- min and Elizabeth ( Kerrick) Place, representatives of old and prominent Monroe county families. Her parents were born in Middle Smithfield township in 1813, and there their marriage was celebrated. The father was well known throughout the entire eastern section of the county, and held a high place in the esteem and respect of his neighbors and ac- quaintances. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil, and all his dealings were marked by candor and sterling honesty. He died in 1897; his wife passed away two years previously. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children-four sons and five daughters-namely: John K., James, Benja- min, Jr., Frederick, Mrs. Byron Mood, Mrs. God- frey Transue, Mrs. Andrew Pipher, Mrs. William Cruver, and Mrs. Rebecca Slocum, of East Strouds- burg.

To Mr. and Mrs. Mood have been born five children: (1) Effie, born in Middle Smithfield township, in 1867, is now the wife of Edward Car- penter, a telegraph operator for the Western rail- road at Dunfield, N. J., and they have four chil- dren, Lloyd, Esther, Iva and Byron. (2) Willis, born in 1870, was reared on the liome farm and re- ceived a public school education. In 1898 he married Maggie Transue, the accomplished daugh- ter of Ananias and Sarah Transuc, residents of Smithfield township, Monroe county; her father is a veteran of the Civil war. (3) Gilbert, born in 1875, was drowned in the Delaware river while out skating for pleasure. He was a young man of great promise, at that time serving as telegraph operator in New Jersey, and was beloved and respected by all of his acquaintances. (4) James P. and (5) John Stock, both died in childhood.

After his marriage Mr. Mood engaged in teaching school in Sussex county, N. J .. for a time, but in 1869 he returned to Monroe county and pur- chased his father-in-law's old homestead, four miles cast of Shawnce on the road leading to Bushkiil. Upon the place he has erected a comfortable resi- dence and made many other useful and valuable improvements, which make it one of the best and most attractive farms in Middle Smithfield town- ship. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has been called upon to serve as school director and town clerk for one term cach. Fraternally he is a promi- nent member of Wadsworth Post. No. 150. G. A. R .. while his wife is a member of the Woman's Relief. an auxiliary of the post. and his son Willis is a

1637

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

member of the Sons of Veterans. Religiously they are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family is one of prominence socially. A man of strong individuality and indubitable probity, one who has attained a fair measure of success in life, and whose influence is always felt on the side of right, this honored veteran of the Civil war assuredly demands representation in this volume.

ROMAIN WHITTAKER, who since 1894 has been one of the trusted employes at Forest Park, in Lehman township, Pike county, is one of the well- known and well-liked citizens of his locality, worthy in every way of the honored name he bears, which has for years been a highly respected one in Leh- man township. Mr. Whittaker was born August 13, 1864, at Dingman's Ferry, son of Luke and Sarah E. (Bensley) Whittaker, who now reside in Porter township, and grandson of William Whit- taker, whose parents, Rev. John and Sarah ( Kase) Whittaker, were the first of this family to come to America from the mother country, England.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 71

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