Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 72

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 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 72
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 72

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Luke Whittaker was born February 19, 1836, in Delaware township. Pike county, and he has car- ried on farming and lumbering all his life. For six years he also conducted a sawmill. On May 19, 1858, he was married, at Port Jervis, N. Y., to Miss Sarah E. Bensley, who was born in Lehman township, October 18, 1834, daughter of Jacob and Sallie A. (Clifford) Bensley, and six children came to them, namely: William H., born October 8, 1859, is a lumberman in Sullivan county, Penn ; he mar- ried Maggie Wagner. Ella, born May 5, 1861, is married to Robert Gurley, and resides in New York City. John T., born in 1863, died young. Ro- main, born August 13, 1864, is the subject of this sketch. Jennie, now deceased, was married to Wil- liam J. Reinhart. Edward R., born October 1, 1870, is a lumberman in Sullivan county; he is unmar- ried. Mr. Whittaker is one of the respectcd, in- telligent citizens of Porter township, where he owns a fine farm of fifty-five acres.

Romain Whittaker acquired his education in the common schools of the home neighborhood and lived with his parents until fourteen years of agc. when he commenced lumbering. For a time he was employed on the Paupac river, thence going to Sul- livan county, where he continued until 1890, and for the succeeding four ycars he was again under the parental roof, living with the family in Porter township. During this time he was engaged in managing a sawmill for Joseph Campbell. In 1894 Mr. Whittaker came to Forest Park and accepted the responsible position which he has held there ever since, at first in the employ of Jacob Otten- heimer, and after his decease, with E. V. Skinner and Max Strauss, who bought the place and have · conducted it up to the present writing. The park, which is located scventecn miles from Stroudsburg and four miles from Bushkill, comprises in all over 17,000 acres of land, on the improvement and bcau- tifying of which Mr. Ottenheimer spent about

$200,000, and it is an ideal resort, with every facil- ity for the comfort and convenience of guests, being cquipped in the most modern manner. Mr. Whit- taker is foreman of the watchmen on this property, and during the winter season he cares for the place and acts as outside manager. He is necessarily a hard worker, the duties of his incumbency demand- ing constant attention, but he has proved thoroughly capable and reliable in this capacity, and has won the respect and confidence of his employers and all with whom he has come in contact. He is one of the substantial citizens of the community in which he makes his home, and has a wide acquaintance throughout Lehman township.

Mr. Whittaker was married at Milford. Pike county, on December 29, 1884, to Miss Jennie Schoonover, and they have had seven children, namely: Luke, Harrison, John, George, Brentley, Frank and Raferty. Mr. Whittaker is a Republican in political connection. Mrs. Whittaker was born in Lehman township July 29, 1867, one of the eleven children of Ezekicl R. and Hannah D. (Heller) Schoonover, the former of whom was a son of Ira and Sarah (Ladle) Schoonover, and a grandson of Ezekiel and Barbara (Garris) Schoonover ; the mother was a daughter of John D. and Catherine (Labar) Heller. Mr. and Mrs. Schoonover reside on their farm in Lehman township, where he is a prominent citizen, having held various local offices ; at present he is serving as supervisor, in which in- cumbency he has been retained a number of years. Of their children, Chauncey D., born January 25, 1864, died in 1875. Sylvester L., born April 8, 1865, is a farmer in Lchman township. Jennie is the wife of our subject. John I., born in 1869, married Liz- zie Beck, and is a lumberman in Mckean county, Penn. Maggie, born in 1872, married Conrad Kensley; she is now deceased. Minnie, born in 1873, is the wife of Philip Slaffer, who conducts a bakcry in Scranton, Penn. William was born in IS75. Walter, born in 1877, is in Mckean county. Van, born in 1879, is in Branchville, N. J. James, born in 1881, and Edward, born in 1883, are with their parents.

ABRAHAM BUSH, a leading agriculturist and one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Paradise township, Monroe county, was born in November, 1849, on the farm where he still resides, a son of Joseph and Catherine ( Smith) Bush. The father was born in the same township. in 1809, his parents, Nicholas and Hannah ( Brutzman) Bush, being early settlers of the county. The grandfather, who was a native of Bucks county, Penn., clearcd and developed a farm in Paradise township. on which: both he and his wife spent their last days. Their children were: Jacob, Henry, Joseph. Fred- erick, Sallie ( wife of Benjamin Bush, of Paradise township), Betsy (wife of David Heller, of the same township). Susan (wife of Abram Steen, of Pocono township, Monroe county), and Christina (who died unmarried).

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Joseph Bush, our subject's father, was reared in Paradise township and received a limited educa- tion in the schools of Pocono township. In 1840 he was married and located in the former town- ship, where he bought a tract of wild land, which he cleared and cultivated. This small farm he finally sold and then moved to Zanesville, Ohio, but remained there only a short time. On his return he purchased the present homestead of the family, which at that time was still in its primitive condition, but to the work of improvement and cultivation hc at once turned his attention and it was not long before he had a good farm, on which he had erected a pleasant residence, substantial barns and outbuild- ings. Here he passed away in Junc, 1871, and his wife, who survived him many years, died in 1896. Both were earnest, consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, gave liberally to its support, and were instrumental in building the church in Pocono township, where they worshiped. Their lives were ever in harmony with their professions, and they justly merited the high esteem in which they were uniformly held. Politically the father was a stanch supporter of the Republican party.

In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, as follows: (1) Julia A., born in 1841 in Paradise township, married Simon Wagoner, of the same township, and they now reside in Elk county, Penn. They have thirteen children. (2) Melchoir, born in September, 1843, on the old home- stead, married Ellen Storm and lives in Paradise township. (3) Charles A., a resident of Price township, Monroe county, is represented elsewhere. (4) Amanda J., born in November, 1849, married Richard Fritz, of Bucks county, Penn., and they made their home in Paradise township, Monroe county, where she died, leaving one daughter, An- nie M., now the wife of Morris Bush, of Pocono township. (5) Abraham is mentioned further on. (6) Mary E., born in March, 1854, married Mah- lon Storm, of Paradise township, and died leaving three children-Gamion, Ida (wife of Peter War- ner), and Martha. (7) Sarah, born in June, 1857, was cducated in the schools of Paradise township and in 1878 married George Metzgar, of that town- ship. For eighteen years they made their home in Scranton, Penn., where he worked for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, but since November, 1897, have lived on the old home- stead with her brother. Two children were born to them, but the elder, Edward, died in childhood. Bertha M., born in October, 1880, is a bright schol- arly young lady, who was educated in the high school of Scranton. (8) Joseph, born in Decem- ber, 1864, married Laura Brutzman, of East Stroudsburg, and they have two sons, Earl and Clarence. The children were rcared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all have be- come honored and useful members of society, highly respected in the various communities in which they reside.

Abraham Bush, our subject, is indebted to the

public schools of Monroe county for his educational privileges, and his business training was obtained upon the home farm, where he has spent his entire life successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. After his father's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the homestead and in its opera- tion he has prospered. Always a dutiful son, greatly loved by his parents, he ministered to their com- forts during their declining years and carefully looked after all their interests. Socially he is a member of the American Protective Association of Paradise, and politically he is a stalwart sup- porter of the Democracy. His sister, Mrs. Metzgar, who is a lady of culture and refinement, now pre- sides with gracious dignity over his home.

ALBERT S. DINGMAN, who holds a promi- nent place among the well-to-do general farmers of Delaware township, is a representative of one of the best known and most highly respected families of Pike county. He was born May 9, 1854, on the farm then occupied by his father, three miles below the place he now owns and operates, and is a son of Solomon H. and Sarah E. (Beemer) Dingman, the former of whom was in his day a well-known citizen of this section.

Solomon H. Dingman was born September 20, 1824, in Delaware township, Pike county, son of Martin W. Dingman, who was also a native of Dela- ware township. He was married at Deckertown, N. J., to Miss Sarah E. Beemer, who was born in that town, a daughter of Jacob and Zilla (Adams) Beemer, farming people of Sussex county, and their union was blessed with three children: Jacob, who died young ; Albert S., whose name introduces these lines ; and Sarah M., who died in infancy. Mrs. Dingman died in 1867, at the age of thirty-seven, and Mr. Dingman subsequently married her sister, who now makes her home with our subject. No children were born to the second marriage. For a number of years Mr. Dingman lived on the prop- erty he owned three miles below Dingman, thence removing to Milford, Pike county, where he lived retired for seven years, and in 1876 settling on the farm now owned and cultivated by his son in Dela- ware township, which he purchased of a Mr. Adams. It comprises 118 acres of valuable farm land. Mr. Dingman was in his day a man of considerable local prominence, and he was called upon to fill various offices of trust and responsibility in the township, the duties of which he discharged with the faith- fulness and thoroughness which characterized all his actions. His political support was given to the Democratic party. He died on his farm in Dela- ware township August 20, 1892, and was laid to rest in Deckertown, N. J., where his wife's remains arc also interred.

Albert S. Dingman was inducted into the mys- teries of culture under his father's tuition, and he farmed with him continuously until competent to engage in that calling on his own account. His farm is a fine tract of river bottom land, well im-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

proved and under a high state of cultivation, and he is one of the most progressive and up-to-date farm- ers in this region, having a property of which he may well be proud. He devotes all his time and attention to his agricultural interests, taking no ac- tive part in public or social affairs, but he is nevertheless looked upon as one of the township's most valuable citizens, and he is respected wherever known, for his many sterling qualities of character as well as for his substantial business worth.

JAMES C. HANNA is one of the thrifty and industrious citizens of Delaware township, Pike county, and has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests for many years.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hanna was born in Bushkill, Monroe county, January 13, 1828, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brink) Hanna, the former also a native of Bushkill, the latter of Coshocton, Penn. They were married at Bushkill, where they continued to reside until 1830, when they came to Milford, Pike county, but in the fall of 1859 removed to Leona, Mich., and there made their home until called from this life. The father, who was a mason by trade, died in September, 1881, aged eighty-three years ; the mother in March, 1885, aged seventy-nine. Their children were Abby, de- ceased wife of John Drake; James C., the subject of this .sketch; Eli, who married Anna Ferguson and is now deceased; John, a farmer of Caro, Mich., who married; George, (deceased), who married Ada Pickel; William, who married, and conducted a grocery store and tavern in Leona, Mich .; and Robert, who married, and is a mason of Caro, Mich. The paternal grandparents of our subject both died at Bushkill, Pike county, Penn., where the grand- father (Robert Hanna) engaged in farming. The maternal grandparents, James and Abigail ( Conk- lin) Brink, also farming people, were born in Sussex county, N. J., and died in Pike county, Penn- sylvania.

Until he attained his majority James C. Hanna assisted in the operation of his father's farm, and the following three years engaged in teaming for the New York & Erie Railroad Co. during the con- struction of their road. For two years he was employed in building the Scranton railroad, and then he and his uncle, Nicholas Brink, rented a farm in Dingman township, Pike county, which they operated together until our subject's marriage, when he became sole manager, remaining there un- til 1861. Subsequently he lived on several different farms in Pike county, but in 1878 purchased his present place, which at one time consisted of 226 acres, but having sold 50 acres, he now has 176 acres. The neat and thrifty appearance of the farm indicates his careful supervision, and shows that he thoroughly understands his chosen calling. In his political views he is a Democrat, and though he has never aspired to office, he most efficiently served as supervisor of his township for one year.

On January 2, 1858, in Delaware township,

Pike county, Mr. Hanna was united in marriage with Miss Elizabethi Drake, and to them have been born the following children : Allen, at home ; John, who married Jennie Reigney, and is engaged in farming in Delaware township; Mary, wife of Au- gust Mercer, who is engaged in farming and the sawmill business in Porter township, Pike county ; William, who married Martha Kerns, and follows farming in Delaware township; and Emily, Bertha and James, all at home.

Mrs. Hanna was born in Dingman township, Pike county, July 25, 1830, and is a daughter of Stephen and Susan (White) Drake, who spent their entire lives in that township. Her father was one of the most prominent farmers and influential citizens of his community, and at one time served as treasurer of Pike county. He died in 1857 at the age of seventy years, his wife in 1888, at the extreme old age of ninety-three. Their children were Redman (deceased), who married Tabitha Watson ; Ella, deceased wife of Richmond Compton; Susan A., widow of Jacob Dwin, of Scranton, Penn .; John (deceased), who married Alla Hanna ; Emily J., deceased wife of John Whiticker, of Ding- man's Ferry; and Elizabeth, wife of our subject. MIrs. Hanna's paternal grandparents were Joshua and Nellie ( Hagerty) Drake, who died in Dingman township, and her maternal grandfather was Adam White.

CHARLES H. SMITH, who makes his home in Seelyville, is one of the wealthy influential citi- zens of Wayne county, and is a representative illustration of the thrifty German who, coming to this country in the hope of bettering his condition, financially and otherwise, makes a substantial for- tune and good position for himself, and at the same time becomes a valuable member of the community in which he settles.

Mr. Smith is a native of the Fatherland, born in February, 1845, in the Kingdom of Wurtem- berg. He is a son of John Frederick Smith and a grandson of John Jacob Smith, both of whom were dyers by trade and followed that occupation in Germany. The grandfather was born in 1781, and died in 1855. His first wife died before Charles H. Smith was born, leaving three children, namely : John Frederick; Elizabeth, who married in Ger- many and died there, leaving a family of children : and Mary ( Mrs. Heldmeier), who died in April 1892. For his second wife John J. Smith married Hannah Herter, by whom he had four children: Andrew, who died when nineteen years old ; Louis, who is a butcher in Germany; Emily, who died the same year she was born ; and Wilhelmina, who lives in Germany.

John Frederick Smith was born April 1, 1810, in Calw, Wurtemberg, and in Germany married Louisa Kerner, who was born December 5. 1814. In 1847 they came to this country, and the follow- ing year settled in Wayne county, Penn., living first at Honesdale, and in 1853 taking up their home in

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Seelyville; they spent the latter years of their life on a farm near that town. After coming to the United States, Mr. Smith did not follow liis trade, but worked in various capacities for the Delaware & Hudson Co. He was the father of seven children, the eldest of whom, Mary, died in Germany wlien about thirteen years old; Gustave is the senior member of the mercantile firm of Smith & Son at Seelyville; Emily died in Germany in infancy ; Frederick died in Honesdale, Penn., when eleven years old; Charles H. is the subject proper of this sketch; Fredrica is deceased ; the youngest, Emily, born in this country, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Lutheran Church. They celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage on February 7, 1887, and lived several years afterward, the mother passing away Septem- ber 26, 1891, the father February 26, 1892.

Charles H. Smith came to America with his parents in 1847, and was reared to manhood in Wayne county, receiving his schooling in the public institutions of Honesdale and Seelyville. He commenced work in the woolen-mills at Seelyville. where he was employed steadily for about eight years, during which time by economy and frugal living he managed to save enough to warrant him in starting out in business on his own account. In partnership with his older brother Gustave he em- barked in the sawmill business in Seelyville, where they later established a general mercantile store, which they conducted together for twenty years, at the same time carrying on a creamery and two sawmills. They prospered beyond their highest expectations, but their success was deserved, for they continued as they had begun, adhering to the principles of honesty and never-ceasing industry which had been instilled into their minds from their earliest years, and maintaining a reputation for in- tegrity unsullied by doubtful transactions. After opening the merchandise business in Seelyville they succeeded in having the post office located at that place. During the years the brothers were in partnership Charles H. Smith had charge of the sawmills, and he finally sold out his interest in the mercantile branch and turned his attention to the manufacture of lumber, which at the present day occupies the greater part of his time and is his chief care. Mr. Smithi recently suffered the loss of a mill by fire, but he continues to buy and manufac- ture for the trade, and does an extensive and profit- able business. Mr. Smith should be given great credit for his continuous advancement along the road to prosperity, for when he began working in the woolen-mills he received a mere pittance, out of which he laid by, with true German thrift, as much as possible, in order to branch out on his own account. His progress has been sure and steady and at the present day he ranks among the best and most substantial citizens of the county, and has a competence which enables him to live in comfort and even luxury, and which it is hoped he may long be permitted to enjoy.

On January 19, 1869, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Zelland, a native of Wayne county, Penn., and they have liad two chil- dren, Willian, who owns a shirt factory at Hones- dale, and Almeda, unmarried, who lives with lier parents.

SYLVESTER L. SCHOONOVER, present assessor of Lehman township, Pike county, is one of the best-known and most successful of the younger agriculturists of this section of the county. He is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Leliman township, being a great-great-grandson of Nicholas Schoonover, and here he has also passed his entire life, having been born in Lehman town- ship April 8, 1865, son of Ezekiel R. and Hannah D. (Heller) Schoonover.

Ezekiel and Barbara (Garris) Schoonover, the great-grandparents of the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, were farming people in Pike county, and Mr. Schoonover was one of the active citizens of his neighborhood, holding a number of local offices, and taking a prominent part in the affairs of his community. They were the parents of four children: Ira; Leonard, who died unmar- ried ; Hannah, Mrs. Peter Walter, deceased; and Jonathan, now deceased, who married Mary A. Pos- ten, and, after her death, Mary A. Staples.

Ira Schoonover was born in Lehman township, grew to manhood in his native place, and followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a farmer by occupation. He was one of the most respected men of his day in the township, being a leader in public, social and religious circles, and he was a fine example of the Christian citizen-honorable in his dealings with all, and esteemed accordingly. He held a number of minor public offices, and for years was a class-leader in the M. E. Church, of which he was a devout member, also, at different times, serving as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school in that Society. His political sym- pathies were with the Democratic party. Ira Schoonover married Miss Sarah Ladle, who was born in 1809 in Lehman township, and four children came to their union, as follows: Chauncey D., born in 1840; Ezekiel R., December 1, 1842 ; Cather- ine, in 1844; Austin, in 1849. The eldest son is a carpenter, and resides in Stroudsburg, Penn .; he married Maria Dickerson. Catherine is the wife of Charles Kinney, a farmer of Monroe county. Austin is engaged in milling in East Stroudsburg, Penn .: he married Lizzie Fellenger. The father died in May, 1885, at the age of seventy-three years, and was laid to rest in the Swartwood cemetery. The mother passed away in March. 1862.

Ezekiel R. Schoonover was born December I, 1842, in Lehman township, where he received his early training. He remained at home until he reached his majority, helping his father with the work about the farm, and for the three years follow- ing was engaged in helping other farmers. finally going to Tobyhanna, Monroe county, where lie

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

commenced lumbering. After nine years at that vocation he returned to Pike county, and located upon the farm in Lehman township, which he has since occupied, renting the place for twelve years, after which he purchased it. Here he has carried on general farming, with the exception of two years, during which he conducted a boarding-house at Peck's Mill, and he has succeeded in bringing his land into a most productive state, acquiring a com- fortable competence in the years of toil which he has spent upon it. Mr. Schoonover has at various times been honored with election to local office by his fellow-citizens in Lehman township, and he has served four years as school director and eight years as supervisor, to which latter incumbency he was again called in 189S. He has taken a public-spirited interest in the welfare of his township, but he has nevertheless devoted the greater part of his time and attention to his private affairs, and he has never sought office. Politically he is a loyal Democrat.

On October IS, 1862, Mr. Schoonover was united in marriage with Miss Hannah D. Heller, who is also a native of Lehman township, born January 23, 1837, daughter of John D. and Cather- ine (Labar) Heller. Mr. Heller was engaged in farming in the township, and also followed the trade of harness maker. Hannah D. was third in a family of seven children, viz. : Amanda, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Flint; Mary, Mrs. George Nick- son, deceased; Hannah D., Mrs. Schoonover ; Oli- ver, a farmer of Lehman township; Jane, who was twice married, . her first husband being Daniel Bazett; Maria, Mrs. William Barns, of Susque- hanna, Penn. ; and Maggie, Mrs. James Smith, de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Schoonover came eleven children, viz. : Chauncey D., born January 25, 1864. died in 1875. Sylvester L. is the subject proper of these lines. Jennie, born July 29, 1867, is the wife of Romain Whittaker, of Lehman township, who is outside manager for the Forest Park Association. John I., born in 1869, is engaged in lumbering in McKean county, Penn .; he married Lizzie Beck. Maggie, born in 1872, became the wife of Conrad Kensley ; she is deceased. Minnie, born in 1873, is the wife of Philip Slaffer, who carries on a bakery in Scranton, Penn. William was born in 1875. Walter, born in 1877, is now in McKean county, Penn. Van, born in 1879, is in Branchville, N. J. James, born in 1881; and Edward, born in 1883, are living at home.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 72

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