Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 74

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 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 74
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 74

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Mr. Cook was born in Hope, N. J., November 3, 1855, and his parents, Mark L. and Emma ( Rus- ling) Cook, were also natives of that State, the former born in Sussex county. the latter in Warren county. For many years the father was engaged in the hotel business, carrying on operations for some time at Allamuchy. There the mother died in 1889. at the age of fifty-two years, her remains being in- terred at Hope, N. J., and the father has since re- tired from business, now, at the age of nearly eighty years, residing in Andover, N. J. Their children are John H., subject of this review ; Sarah Adelaide, of Hope, N. J .; and Frank E., who married Susie Washer, and is engaged in the creamery business in Andover, N. J. The Cook family has long been identified with that State. The paternal grand- parents of our subject, Timothy H. and Sarah (Drake) Cook, were natives of Morris and Sussex counties, respectively, and their last days were passed in Lincoln, N. J. He was a carpenter by oc- cupation. The maternal grandparents, John and Margaret (Bennett) Rusling, were natives of War- ren county, and the former served as postmaster of Belvidere. He was also Internal Revenue Assessor during the Civil war, and was very prominent in public affairs. He engaged in conducting a hotel at Hope and at Blairstown, N. J .. and also followed merchandising at Hackettstown, that State.

When seventeen years of age John H. Cook entered upon his business career as an apprentice in a plumbing establishment and tinshop in Blairs- town. N. J., where he remained one year. Hc then went to Hampton Junction, where he followed his trade for a year. on the expiration of that period removing to Flatbrook, N. J., where he carried on business on his own account for five years. For two years he was engaged in that line of business in Bushkill, Penn., where he also operated a farm. His next place of residence was Hackettstown. N. J ..

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where he remained one year, afterward spending a similar period in Allamuchy. He then removed to Summit, N. J., where he carried on business until, in 1884, he came to his present farm in Lehman township, Pike Co., Penn. Here he owns a rich and valuable tract of 150 acres, which is crossed by Bushkill creek. The well-cultivated fields indicate his careful supervision, and the neat appearance of the place attests his thrift and industry. In 1890 he began keeping boarders, and, with accommoda- tions for twenty-five people, is doing a good business in that line. He also follows the trade which he learned in his youth, and his capable services in that direction materially increase his income.

On December 28, 1878, in Branchville, N. J., Mr. Cook married Miss Lottie E. Wallace, who was born in Bushkill, Penn., September 1, 1858, and is a daughter of Webb and Mary A. (Sandford) Wal- lace. They have three children: Helen R., Will- iam G. and Mary W.

In his political convictions Mr. Cook is a Demo- crat, and he has acceptably served his township in the office of auditor, but his energies are chiefly given to his business interests, which, capably di- rected, are bringing to him a comfortable compe- tenee. He is popular with his many friends, and his social qualities and upright life have won him the regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

EDWARD R. SHEPHERD has for a number of years occupied a prominent place among the representative prosperous farmers of Delaware township, Pike county, where he has passed almost his entire life. Pennsylvania numbers many of the sons of Ireland among her most valuable citizens, and it is to this class that our subject belongs, for he was born March 14, 1838, in the North of Ire- land, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Thomas and Margaret ( Robinson ) Shepherd.

Thomas Shepherd grew to manhood and mar- ried in his native county, remaining there until 1837, in which year he came to the United States, locat- ing first in New York City. Here for ten years he was engaged in masonry, for building ranges, at the end of that time coming to Pike county, Penn., and settling on a farm of 106 acres, which he pur- chased from Judge Dingman in what was then the woods at Silver Lake, Delaware township. Here he passed the remainder of his days, engaged suc- cessfully in agricultural pursuits, and as the passing years brought increase of prosperity he added to his original possessions until he was the owner, at his death, of 250 acres of land, all acquired by the labor of his own hands. He died on his farm June 16, 1888, aged seventy-eight years, six months, thir- teen days, his wife in November, 1890, when nearly ninety years of age. His father, also named Thomas, was a drover in Ireland, where he passed all his days. Mrs. Shepherd's parents, William and Mary A. ( Ncaling) Robinson, were also natives of the Emerald Isle, where the father died ; the mother

came to live with her daughter in America, and passed away on the Shepherd homestead in Dela- ware township November 28, 1873, being over one hundred years old at the time of her decease. To Thomas and Margaret ( Robinson) Shepherd were born children as follows: John and Thomas (twins), the former a farmer of Delaware town- ship; he married Eliza Foster. Thomas, who mar- ried Mary Stewart, is a machinist in Avondale, N. J. William, a machinist, died in Pike county at the age of twenty-four years; his wife was Jane Bowers. Edward R. is the subject proper of this sketeh. Robinson is engaged in farming on the old homestead at Silver Lake, in Delaware township; he married Blanche Broadhead.

Edward R. Shepherd grew to manhood under the parental roof, and received his education in the district schools of Delaware township. He lived with his parents, while in Delaware township, up to the time of his marriage, but for a number of years previous to that event he was in New York City, where he had first gone at the age of eighteen years, at which time he obtained employment in a look- ing-glass and picture-frame factory in the city. After remaining in this place for three years he com- menced business on his own account at No. 454 Canal street, as an auctioneer, and he continued in that line for fourteen years, at the end of that period returning to Pike county and taking up his resi- dence with his parents. On May 14, 1870, he was married to Miss Ellen R. Ferguson, the wedding taking place on the farm they now occupy, and for several years the young couple made their home on a farm at Beaver Dam, in Delaware township, which Mr. Shepherd had purchased and which he sold on buying his present place. The property is a valuable one, well kept up in every respect, and Mr. Shepherd has taken rank with the foremost agriculturists of Delaware township, for he has proved himself a thoroughly competent farmer in the management of his land, which gives every evi- dence of the care he has bestowed upon it. He has also been quite active in public affairs in the town- ship, and he lias held several offices with credit and ability, having served for many years as poor- master, for one year as collector and two terms as school director. His political connection is with the Democratic party.

It will not be out of place here to make some mention of Mrs. Shepherd's family. Her grand- parents, James and Saralı J. ( Cummins ) Ferguson, were natives of Warren county. N. J., whence in 1828 they came to the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd in Delaware township, which at that time was a wilderness. Two apple trees, the first planted in Pike county, and which were put out by him, are still standing. James Ferguson died in 1855, at the age of seventy-two, his wife a few years previously. Their family consisted of seven children, five of whom were born prior to their location in Pike county, viz .: Mathias, who married Betsy -; Hugh, who married Maria

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Striker; John, married to Mary Armstrong; Ed- ward, father of MIrs. Shepherd; Ellen, Mrs. Philip Reeser; Susan, Mrs. Daniel Burrow ; and Jane, Mrs. Joseph Walker. Edward Ferguson was born in Ramseysburg, Warren county, N. J., and died De- cember 31, 1897, aged eighty-four years, nine months, six days. He was a prominent man in his day in Delaware township, and held a number of minor offices here, being held in high esteem in this section. He married Sarah A. Broadhead, who was born October 25, 1816, in Pike county, and died December 5, 1875 ; she was interred in the Delaware cemetery. We give a brief record of their children : Mathias died in infancy. Daniel W. died at the age of twenty-three years. Ellen R. ( Mrs. Shepherd) was born October 22, 1843, on the farm she now resides on. James enlisted for service in the Civil war and died in hospital in Washington, D. C., as the result of injuries received in the battle of Fred- ericksburg. Maria married Thomas Williamson, a farmer of Orange county, N. Y. Hughie (de- ceased) married a Miss Pritchet. Edward is a resi- dent of New York City. Sarah A. is the wife of Eli Hanna, of Cairo, Mich. John died in infancy. Mabel died young.

Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have had five children : Thomas, Margaret A., Carrollton E., William R. and Ellen F., all living at home. The family is an industrious, intelligent one, prominent in local af- fairs, and the children all give promise of doing credit to their worthy parents, who are among the most esteemed residents of the neighborhood.

THOMAS SHEPHERD was born September 24, 1872, on the farm at Beaver Dam, in Delaware township, formerly occupied by his parents, and came to their present farm with them in 1878, since which time he has continued to reside here. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of the dis- trict, and at the age of eighteen years taught one term at Long Meadow, Pike county. After school was dismissed he commenced work at the carpenter's trade, though he had never served any apprentice- ship, and he followed that calling for two years with success. When twenty-one years of age he com- menced work at the blacksmith's trade, which he also learned by working for different blacksmiths, and he has since been engaged in blacksmithing in connection with general farming on the home place, building the shop he now conducts in March, 1893. He has recently invested in a farm in the township, and he has gained an enviable reputation among the young men of the locality as a thrifty, hard worker, as well as a good manager, and he will no doubt in time take a high place among the successful men of Delaware; he has the good wishes of all who know him. His political sympathies are with the Democratic party. Fraternally he unites with Van- dermart Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in religious connec- tion he is a member of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM L. HARVEY is one of the typical business men of Wayne county, and is one of

Gouldsboro's most prominent and highly respected citizens. He now gives particular attention to the ice business, being secretary and manager of and a heavy stockholder in the Gouldsboro Ice Co., and president and manager of and a heavy stockholder in the Lackawanna Mountain Ice Co., both of Gouldsboro.

A native of New Jersey, Mr. Harvey was born in Mercer county, November 21, 1844. His parents, Patrick and Rachel A. ( Lytle) Harvey, were natives of New Jersey, and both died in Princeton, that State, where the father was engaged in teaching school. He departed this life in 1873, at the age of fifty-seven years, the mother on March 28, 1897, aged eighty-five, and both were buried at Princeton. Their children were Ira C. (deceased), who mar- ried Mary Elizabeth Hoffman, now a resident of Trenton, N. J. ; Phobe Ann, who died when young ; William L. of this sketch ; Phoebe Ann, now the wife of J. W. Jones, a Presbyterian minister of Baltimore, Md .; Emma, wife of Jerome Hulit, a farmer of New Jersey ; Baldwin, who died when young; and Mary C., who lives in Princeton, New Jersey.

On leaving the home farm at the age of twenty- two years, William L. Harvey went to Luzerne county, Penn., where for four years he had charge of a sawmill for I. C. Harvey & Co., Mr. Harvey being his brother. The following year he conducted a hotel at Clifton, Penn., and was then engaged in the same business at Wilkesbarre for eight months, after which he carried on a restaurant at Nanticoke, Penn., for sixteen months. Returning to Clifton, he was appointed postmaster, and also served as justice of the peace until 1885, when he came to Gouldsboro, where he conducted the "Simons House" for thirteen years and twenty-seven days, giving it up April 1, 1898. He is also a civil en- gineer, and while in New Jersey followed that pro- fession quite extensively; and has since devoted some time to it at intervals.

At Wilkesbarre, Penn., December 22, 1871, MIr. Harvey was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Gersbacher, and they have become the parents of two children: Mamie, who graduated at the Con- servatory of Music, New York, and is now success- fully engaged in teaching that art ; and Theodore R., a leading dentist of Westfield, N. J .. who graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College in 1895, and married Eliza Gilpin, a daughter of Dr. Fletcher Gilpin, of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania.

Mrs. Harvey was born in Baden, Germany, September 16, 1851, but during her infancy was brought to America by her parents, Reinhart and Matena ( Zimmerman) Gersbacher, who arrived in this country May 3, 1852, and. after spending some time in Clifton, located in Luzerne county, where the father engaged in lumbering and in the hotel business until his death; he died October 11. 1896. when he was seventy-three years of age. He served as commissioner of that county from January, 1874, until 1877. His wife departed this life February 25, 1882, at the age of fifty-nine years, three months

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and eleven days, and was buried by his side in Clifton cemetery. They had a family of four daugh- ters: Caroline, wife of our subject; Mary, wife of Richard Woodring, who is engaged in clerking in South Bethlehem, Penn. ; and Clementine and Emma V., still on the old home place.

For the past nine years Mr. Harvey has effi- ciently served as justice of the peace, and for the same length of time has been school director and secretary. of the board. During the Civil war he manifested his patriotism by trying to enlist in the Union army, but was rejected on account of poor eyesight. He is an ardent supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and in his social relations is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Wal- lenpaupack Lodge. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the busi- ness world, for he has ever conducted all transac- tions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is un- questioned, and arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow men.

GEORGE MITCHELL, junior member of the well-known firm of W. & G. Mitchell, general mer- chants at Milford, Pike county, is an enterprising and successful business man, and his career might well serve as an example for any ambitious youth who has to make his own way in life.

Mr. Mitchell derives his abilities from good Scottish ancestry, his family having been identified with the parish of Longside, Aberdeen, Scotland, for many years. Robert Mitchell, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, lived and died in Scotland, the father of three children: Mary, Margaret and Robert, Jr.

Robert Mitchell, Jr., our subject's father, fol- lowed the carpenter's trade, and was also engaged in agriculture. He was an excellent citizen, and was especially active in religious work. He died in Scotland in 1846. He married Miss Elizabeth Sellar, who died in Milford, Penn., in 1886, having come to America in 1872. This worthy couple had the following children: Robert, who died in early manhood while studying for the ministry at Mar- cellus College; John, who came to the United States in 1881 and died in Iowa where he was engaged in farming ; James, who died in Scotland ; George. our subject ; Elizabeth, wife of John Findley, of Mil- ford; Miss Mary and Miss Isabella, who conduct a millinery store in Milford ; and William, our sub- ject's partner.

George Mitchell was born April 24, 1843, at the old home in Scotland, where he remained until 1872, he and his brother John having charge of the home- stead for some years. He then came to the United States and located at Milford, engaging in the fur- niture business. After four years he formed a part- nership with .A. D. Brown and entered into a gen- eral mercantile business under the firm name of Brown & Mitchell. Two years later Mr. Brown sold his interest to J. J. Pollion, and the new part- nership contintied two years when our subject with-

drew and engaged in his present business with his brother William. They have prospered from the first, and now enjoy the largest trade of any mer- cantile establishment in Milford. Our subject's sound judgment and integrity have made him popu- lar in his community, and although he has not aspired to official honors he was elected treasurer of Milford borough, and served one term. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and he and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian Church at Milford, of which he is a leading member.

In April, 1886, Mr. Mitchell was married at Milford to Miss Blanche Crissman, a member of a prominent family of that locality. Her father, Cyrus Crissman, formerly the proprietor of the "Crissman House" at Milford, was born in Sussex county, N. J., in 1816, and died in Milford in 1860. Her paternal grandparents, George and Sarah (Dia- mond) Crissman, were natives of Holland, whence they came to this country, making their home at an early day upon a farm in New Jersey, where their remaining years were spent. Mrs. Mitchell's mother, Mrs. Sarah Jones Crissman, now a resident of Mil- ford, was born in Sussex county, N. J., a daughter of Moses and Margaret (Brocar) Jones, and a granddaughter of Jonathan and ( Aarons) Jones, natives of Wales, who came to this country after their marriage, settling in Sussex county, New Jersey.

LUTHER A. CONRAD, a worthy representa- tive of the agricultural interests of Springville town- ship, Susquehanna county, has spent almost his cn- tire life upon his present farm, a highly-cultivated place of fifty acres which he rents from his father. His paternal grandfather, a native of New England, was the founder of the family in Susquehanna coun- ty, locating in Auburn township, where he owned about fifty acres of land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and attention throughout life. He married Elizabeth Bennett.

Isaac Conrad, father of our subject, was born in Auburn township, May 4, 1831, but for many years he has made his home in Springville, and has also followed agricultural pursuits as a life work. He married Miss Margaret Wilbur, a daughter of Tabor and Mary Wilbur, who were of Irish parent- age, and five children were born of this union, namely: George, who died at the age of thirty-six ycars; Claude, who died at the age of twenty- eight years; Luther A., our subject; Ella, who died young; and Clara, wife of Harry Luce, of Springville township, Susquehanna county.

Luther A. Conrad was born in Springville township, February 25, 1863, and during his boy- hood and youth attended the common schools of that locality, remaining at home much of the time. Hc is now successfully engaged in general farming en the old homestead, and also operates an adjoining tract of twenty acres. He keeps five cows, and is engaged in dairying to some extent. Since casting his first vote he has been an ardent suppporter of the

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Republican party, and socially he has been a member of Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 181, at Lynn, since De- cember, 1888, and of Encampment No. 50 for the past three years. . In Springville township, Mr. Conrad was mar- ried, in 1886, to Miss Millie Albertson, of Warren county, N. J., and they are the parents of three chil- dren: Edna May, born Junc 24, 1892; Hazel E., born October 16, 1895 ; and Leigh Foster, born May 9, 1898. Mrs. Conrad's parents, John and Lydia (Cool) Albertson, are well-known residents of Dimock township, Susquehanna county. Both were born in Warren county, N. J., the former July 12, 1828, the latter June 1, 1835. In their family were the following children : Georgc, a farmer of Blairs- town, N. J .; Elmer, a farmer of Foster, Susque- hanna Co., Penn .; Albia, wife of Theodore Le Bar, of Portland, Penn .; Millie, the wife of our subject, born March 6, 1864; Elizabeth, wife of Miner Avery, of Lackawanna county, Penn .; Theodore, a resident of Dimock township, Susquehanna county ; Maggie, who died young ; and Herbert, a resident of Lackawanna county. Mrs. Conrad's paternal grandparents were Hughey and Zubia (Connell) Albertson, and her maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (McCracken) Cool.

EDWIN R. BODIE is a leading representa- tive of the business interests of Prompton, Wayne county, where he is successfully engaged in general merchandising, and is also efficiently serving as jus- tice of the peace.

Mr. Bodie is a native of Wayne county, Penn., born in Dyberry township, March 17, 1857, and is a representative of one of its honored pioneer fami- lies, his parents being Charles F. and Jane P. (Snell) Bodie. (The name was originally spelled Bode.) His paternal great-grandfather was a na- tive of Holland, and about 1820 emigrated to Amer- ica, locating first in Philadelphia, whence he re- moved to Shohola, where he worked in a glass fac- tory for a time. He then came to Wayne county, and spent the remainder of his life upon a farm about one and one-half miles from Bethany. On coming to this country he was accompanied by the grandparents of our subject, Joseph and Caroline (Fox) Bodie, who were also natives of Holland, and died in Dyberry, Wayne county. In early life the grandfather engaged in glass-blowing, but later followed farming in Dyberry township. The father of our subject, who was a carpenter by trade and worked for tanneries, died of typhoid fever in Octo- ber, 1865, at the age of thirty-six years ; the mother, who was born December 31, 1833, now makes her home with her children. They arc: Joseph A., a photographer, of Honcsdalc; Mary, wife of G. W. Strongman, a manufacturer of gloves in Honcsdalc; and Edwin R., the subject of this sketch.

Edwin R. Bodic was provided with a good practical literary education during his boyhood and youth, but special attention was given to the study of music under Prof. D. B. Tonner, at Bethany,

Wayne county. By written lessons, he was also under the instruction of I'rof. George F. Rook, of Chicago, Ill. In 1876 lic began teaching both vocal and instrumental music, and was thus employed dur- ing the fall and winter months for cight ycars, but at the end of that period his voice failed and lie was obliged to abandon the profession. From 1881 until 1887 he lived on the farm with his mother, and in the latter year came to Prompton, where he has since done a good business as a merchant.

At Carbondale, Penn., September 23, 1881, Mr. Bodie was married to Miss Hattie J. Aunger, Rev. Bryan, a Presbyterian minister, officiating. A daughter, Ellen Louise, blesses this union. Mrs. Bodie was born in Wayne county, July 23, 1862, a daughter of John and Mary ( Pethick) Aunger, na- tives of Cornwall, England, who spent their last days in Bethany, Wayne county, the former dying in April, 1869, aged thirty-eight years, the latter in May, 1879, aged thirty-six years. There were only two children in their family, the younger being Nel- lie, now the wife of Henry Lewis, a carpenter of Carbondale. Mrs. Bodie's maternal grandparents, William and - ( Ashton) Pethick, came to Amer- ica at an early day, and are still residents of Bethany, Wayne Co., Pennsylvania.

In the exercise of his elective franchise, Mr. Bodie supports the principles of the Prohibition party, and he is at present most efficiently serving as president of the town council and as school di- rector. Socially he affiliates with the I. O. O. F., of Aldenville, Wayne county ; religiously he is a sin- cere and earnest member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he is serving as president of the board of trustees. He is honored by his fellow men to the fullest extent for his sterling integrity, and as a business man and citizen is deserving of the confidence and respect so freely accorded him. -

JOHN PERKIN, proprietor of one of the most desirable farms in Berlin township, Wayne county, comes from across the sea, his early home having been in Devonshire, England, where he was born in 1841, a son of John and Elizabeth (Hoar) Per- kin.

Mr. Perkin's father was born in Plymouth, England, in 1811, and when a boy learned the black- smith's trade with his uncle, William Perkin, following the same during his residence in his na- tive land. In 1839 hc married Elizabeth Hoar, of Devonshire, and they located near Plymouth, where they continued to make their home until their emi- gration to America, in 1873. They first located in Canada, a year later coming to Wayne county, Penn., where Mr. Perkin purchased 300 acres of partially improved land in Berlin township, ncar the Pike county line, known as the Dunkirk sawmill property. To its further development and cultiva- tion he devoted his cnergies for many years. Here his wife died in 1877, leaving three children. two sons and one daughter. Mary was born in 1843, in England, where she was rearcd and cducated,

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 74

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