Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 76

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 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 76

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John N. Cole grew to manhood on the home farm in New Jersey, and was educated in the public schools of his native county. When a young man he settled in Wayne county, Penn., and here, in June, 1882, he married Miss Emma E. Holbert, of Equinunk, who was born in February, 1854. in Pike county. Her parents, William and Emma Holbert. were old and prominent residents of Pike county, her father being one of the most extensive of the early lumbermen of Pike and Wayne counties. After his marriage Mr. Cole resided in Equinunk for about two years, in 1884 removing to Damascus, where he made a purchase of 200 acres of wild land near the gristmill of Joel Hill. He set him- self energetically to work to put the land in farming condition, and cleared over 150 acres, which is now under a good state of cultivation, and on which in

1886 he erected a large barn, with wagonshed and other outbuildings; in 1890 he erected a large two- story dwelling, which is equipped with all modern improvements and conveniences. Mr. Cole is now the owner of one of the most highly cultivated and improved places of Damascus township, where in addition to general farming he has also engaged in stock raising and dairying, doing an extensive and profitable business in these branches. Our subject commenced life on his own account as a laborer in Mr. Holbert's tannery, obtained a start by industry and economy, and has risen steadily in the ranks of successful farmers till he now stands foremost among the well-to-do citizens of Damas- cus township as the owner of one of the finest dairy and stock farms in its boundaries. His buildings are substantial and well kept up, his land is sys- tematically cultivated, and everything in his surroundings gives evidence of good care and pre- sents a neat and tasteful appearance.

Mr. and Mrs. Cole have three daughters: Effa M., born in June, 1883, in Equinunk; Emma E., born in Damascus in December, 1885, and Nora H., born in Damascus in February, 1889. The eldest daughter received her preliminary training in the home schools, and is at the present time at- tending the high school in Hawley. Our subject and his wife are, in religious connection, members of the M. E. Church in Damascus. He is an active and influential worker in the local ranks of the Republican party, to which he has always given his political support. Socially he is a member of the Duck Harbor Farmers' Alliance, No. 650.

O. T. CHAMBERS, the proprietor of a well- appointed drug store in Honesdale, Wayne county, was born June 16, 1851, in Easton, this State. and is a son of Joseph and Lucy A. ( Olmstead) Cham- bers. The Chambers family is probably of Scottish origin.

Joseph Chambers was born in 1812, in Red- bank, N. J., whence he removed with his parents to New York City in childhood. He was reared to manhood there, and when old enough began an ap- prenticeship to the merchant-tailor business. which he learned thoroughly, eventually, in about 1820, starting in that line on his own responsibility. His establishment was in Broadway and he continued in business in New York until about 1830, after which he went to West Point, where he had a con- tract to furnish uniforms for the cadets. Subsequently he removed to Easton, Penn., in which place he followed merchant tailoring up to his re- moval to Honesdale, in 1864. It was not long before he was recognized here as the leading mer- chant tailor of the place, and he commanded the best patronage as long as he remained in the busi- ness. He died in 1884, leaving a widow and two sons, O. T. and Edward. The last named was a druggist by occupation, and up to the time of his decease, which occurred when he was thirty-seven years old, was in partnership with his brother. He

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married a Miss Cooper, and they had two children, Joseph B. and Bessie. Mr. Chambers was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Chambers was born in Montrose, Penn., and they were mar- ried in Easton.

O. T. Chambers was brought up in Easton, Penn., and Honesdale, and attended the public schools of both places, receiving the principal part of his training, however, in the Honesdale schools. He learned the printer's trade in the office of The Citizen, in Honesdale, but in 1873 he left the print- ing business for that of druggist, which he has since followed. As above stated, he and his brother carried on the drug store in partnership until the latter's death, since when our subject has continued the business alone, and he has one of the best equipped establishments in the town. Mr. Cham- bers is inclined to be quiet and retiring in his ways, but he is nevertheless well known and liked by his fellow citizens, and though not as active perhaps as some in public matters, he has the interest of his town at heart, and is regarded as one of her hon- ored, thrifty business men.

Mr. Chambers married Miss Hattie Delezenne, who was born in Honesdale, December 8, 1853, and they have had one daughter, Katie. Mr. Chambers, like his father before him, gives his political allegi- ance to the Republican party.

RICHARD GREGORY well exemplifies in his career the motto that "merit always commands its reward," for he has had to contend with more than ordinary misfortunes, but he has steadily per- severed in his purpose to secure a home and competence for himself and family, and success has at length crowned his efforts, placing him among the prosperous farmers of Berlin township, Wayne county.

Mr. Gregory was born January 2, 1824, in the parish of Southill, Cornwall, England, a son of Richard and Susanna ( Williams) Gregory. In 1849 he and his brother William came to America, and commenced work on a farm for Thomas Stephens, in Texas township, Wayne county, Penn., where they carned the money with which to bring their parents to the New World. The father died in that township in 1854, and the mother afterward re- married and removed to Wisconsin, where her death occurred in 1887. The family was as follows: (1) Elizabeth, like the remainder of the family, was born in Cornwall, England, and in that country married George Warring. For some years they and their children have lived in Wisconsin. (2) Thomas W. was drowned in England when a young man. (3) Richard is next in the order of birth. (A) Mary wedded William Milton, and on coming to America located in Montreal, Canada, where they have reared their family and still reside. (5) Wil- liam came with his parents to Wayne county when a young man, and here married Maria Snell, who is of English descent. He is now engaged in farm- ing in Dyberry township, Wayne county. (6) Ann

is now Mrs. Samuel Varcoe, of Canada, and has a large family. (7) Sarah was married in Wayne county to William Searls, also a native of England, and they make their home in Carbondale, Penn. Their children are Mary A., Mrs. Cole, of Carbon- dale; Jane, a teacher in a school for deaf mutes at Pittsburg, Penn .; Tirzah; William; Rosy, now Mrs. Commodore Sands, of Forest City, Penn. ; and Sadie, who is also married. (8) John married Christina Bynds, of Texas, Wayne county, by whom he has three children, Alice, Carrie and -, and they reside in Dyberry.

Richard Gregory was married in 1851 to Miss Grace Doney, who was born in 1829, in Cornwall, England. Her parents, Samuel and Grace Doney, were also natives of Cornwall, and on coming to this country located near Beach Lake, but later re- moved to Bethany, Wayne county, where both died. In October, 1852, Mr. Gregory met with a very sad misfortune. While he was engaged in blasting rock the charge of powder exploded, destroying the sight of both his eyes. Though left entirely blind, with a wife and one child depending upon him for support, he did not give up, but with characteristic energy has steadily overcome all obstacles in his path to success, and is now able to perform all kinds of farm work, such as binding grain, forking hay, etc., and when seen by the writer of this sketch was cutting corn fodder, feeding the machine himself.

Mr. Gregory was ably assisted in his work by his worthy wife, and by thrift and good manage- ment they accumulated a comfortable property. Prior to losing his sight he had purchased a small farm in Texas township, on which he erected a good house in 1854, and built a barn, and he made that place his home until 1871, when he traded it for his present property, known as the Schoonover farm, in Berlin township, near the Pike county line, two miles from Beach Lake. It is now ably man- aged by his son, Amos D. His faithful wife, who shared all the hardships of his early life so uncom- plainingly, was called to the world beyond January, 1891, mourned by many friends, as well as her im- mediate family.

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gregory, Thomas W. and William (twins) were the eldest. The former died in childhood. (3) Lucy A., born in Texas township in May, 1853, is now the wife of Ernest Miller, a farmer of Berlin township, and of the fourteen children born to them those still living are Henry, Minnie, Lewis, Bower, Augusta, Retta, Charles, Dennie and Bessie. Minnie is now the wife of John Whitmore, of Berlin township, and has one daughter. (4) George F., born in Texas township in July, 1854, married Lizzie Van- gorder, of Wayne county, and they reside on his farm in Berlin township. Their children are Ed- ward, Hattie, Samuel, Sadic, Eva. Amos, William, Nora and Bessie. (5) James H., born in Texas township in 1857, married Florence Mclntyre, of Wayne county, and resides on his farm near Beach Lake. They have five daughters, Neal, Della, Myr-

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tle, Stella and Josephine. (6) John A., born in Texas township, married Maggie Barnes, who was born near Beach Lake, and they live on his farm in Berlin township. They have two children living, Johnnie and Grace; several died in childliood, Os- car, Rush, Joseph, Friend and Welland. (7) Maria Augusta, born in Texas township in 1865, is the wife of John Troop, a farmer of Berlin town- ship, and the children born to them were William R., Annie C., Retta G., Rosie J., Lewis R. and Leonard B., all living; and Clara and Alicc, who died in childhood. (8) Charles E. died at the age of twenty-five years. (9) Amos D., born in Texas township, received a public-school education, and has always remained on the home farm, which he is now successfully operating. Socially he is a mem- ber of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, Council No. 980. In August, 1890, he married Miss Clara Miller, who was born in Wayne county, in June, 1871, and was reared and educated in Berlin township. They have five children, Olive J., Lydia A. and Lillie G. (twins), Charles E. and Minnie M. (10) Enos W., born in Texas township, mar- ried Azuba Reamer, of Berlin township, and they make their home in Honesdale, where he is engaged as a glass-cutter. Their children are Clarence and Fred. (II) Samuel R., born in Berlin township in 1872, resides at home with his father ; he owns real estate in the town of Berlin.

Politically Mr. Gregory is identified with the Democratic party, and religiously he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife was also a faithful member. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and his career has com- manded the respect and admiration of all.

RAY M. BAKER is the senior member of the firm of Baker & Harrington, who own the leading and popular livery, sale and feed stables at Mon- trose, Susquehanna county. They keep on hand a fine line of carriages, new and stylish good horses and careful drivers, and there are no more popular liverymen in this part of the State, being hail fel- lows well met, who make friends easily and have the happy faculty of being able to retain them.

Mr. Baker was born February 28. 1859. in Lycoming county, Penn., a son of George W. Baker. His mother died when he was quite small, leaving five children. of whom he was fourth in the order of birth. He received his literary educa- tion in the public schools, and by close observation and practical experience obtained a thorough knowl- edge of business methods which has been of great assistance to him in later years. Hc lived with his uncle, Charles Baker, for several years and at the same time worked in a planingmill for a time. For some years he was also a popular clerk in the employ of S. B. McCain of Rush, Susquehanna county, and on leaving his service came to Mon- trose and purchased the livery business of John R. Raynsford, who enjoyed an excellent trade, to which our subject has succeeded.

In 1891, Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Maggie A. McGovern, a daughter of Peter McGovern. She was reared and educated in Susquehanna county, and belongs to one of its most highly-respected families. Socially Mr. Baker is quite prominent, is a member of Lodge No. 471, I. O. O. F. at Montrose, and politically he is iden- tified with the Republican party. Honorable in business hc commands the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact and is popular with the traveling public.

CHARLES O. REILEY, who has made his home in Pike county since 1862, is one of the most prominent wealthy residents of the agricultural class in Delaware township, where he owns a farm of large proportions worthy in every way to be classed with the best in the county.

Pennsylvania numbers many of the sons of Erin among her most substantial and respected citi- zens, men who, coming to this country in their early manhood, have taken advantage of the opportuni- ties here offered to willing workers everywhere, and by years of earnest toil reached a degree of pros- perity which would have been impossible for them to attain in their mother country, at the same time living lives of eminent usefulness to their fellow men in general; for this fact is never disputed, that the welfare of a community depends on the spirit of ambition and progress displayed by its individual members. Of this class Mr. Reiley deserves to be ranked among the foremost, for he is a typical pros- perous, self-made man, in the best sense of that much-abused term-energetic, intelligent and pro- gressive in every respect, attending thoroughly to the details of his own affairs, and also taking a public-spirited interest in public matters, especially in the locality with whose advancement he has been identified for so many years.

Mr. Reiley was born April 2, 1827, in County Louth, Ireland, son of Owen O. and Jane ( Russell) Reiley, and grandson of Charles and Mary ( But- terly) Reiley. The parents and grandparents passed their entire lives in Ireland, and were farmers by occupation, our subject's father also engaging ex- tensively in cattle speculating, disposing of his stock in the English markets. Charles O. is one of eight children, of whom we give a brief record: Mary became the wife of Michael Higgins; Jane married James Moore; Ann was never heard of after she came to America; Margarct came to Amcrica and married a Mr. Agen; Charles O. is next in the order of birth ; Owen married and died in New York City; John is supposed to have been killed while serving in the Confederate army; Thomas is married and resides in New York City, where he is engaged in the fruit business. The mother of this family died in 1840, the father in 1860, at the age of seventy-two years.

Charles O. Reiley was reared and educated in the country of his birth, and came to the United States in 1849, landing at New York City. The day

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after his arrival he proceeded to Stratford, Conn., where he remained until 1852, employed as gar- dener and farmer, and returning thence to New York City he worked on ships as foreman for the New York & Philadelphia linc, with which he con- tinued until his removal to Pike county, Penn., in 1862. Here he purchased the farm which he has ever since owned and occupied ; but not long after his location here he was drafted into the Union army at Milford, on October 1, 1862, becoming a member of the Eighteenth Regular Pennsylvania Cavalry, with which he served faithfully during the remainder of the Civil war, engaged on detail duty. He was wounded several times, and has scars on his body which he will carry to his grave. At the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded twice in his left leg ; he was shot four times in the lift ribs, and a horse, stepping on his left foot, smashed the toes; in front of Richmond he was struck in the face by an exploding shell, and some of the shot still remain in his face. With all this he was never in hospital, maintaining always that he would rather die than go. He was honorably discharged June 2, 1865, at Philadelphia, and returning home resumed farming as soon as possible, continuing to follow that occupation with signal. success to the present day.

As above stated, Mr. Reiley has a fine farm, beautifully laid out and improved in a manner de- cidedly up-to-date, and all this is the result of in- defatigable labor on his part, for he is known as a tireless worker and good manager, especially in everything pertaining to agricultural affairs. How- ever, he has found time for pleasure even in his busy lifc, and he has done a great deal of hunting and trapping in his day, delighting in sport. As might be expected of one of his wide experience, he is a good conversationalist and entertainer, with a memory keen for the best in all he has seen or heard. He has been quite active in township affairs, and has served ably as assistant assessor, roadmas- ter and auditor. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R. post at Milford, and, in religious connec- tion, unites with the Roman Catholic Church. His political sympathies are with the Democratic party.

On April 23, 1854, Mr. Reiley was united in marriage, in New York City, with Miss Margaret Shea, who was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, daughter of James and Mary ( Farrell) Shea, who passed their lives in Ireland. Five children blessed this union, namely: Mary J. and Margaret A. (twins), the former of whom died October 1, 1860. the latter in December, 1896 ( Margaret married John Callahan) ; Fanny, wife of John Cunningham, a prominent insurance agent of Dobb's Ferry, N. Y .; Kate, who married Frank Herman, proprietor of a restaurant in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; and Charles, a miner, of Victor. Colo.

Mrs. Margaret Reilcy died December 10. 1871, at the age of forty years, on the farm in Delaware township, and was laid to rest in the Delaware cem- etery. On May 7, 1873, Mr. Reiley marricd, for

his second wife, Miss Margaret Finnegan, the cere- mony taking place in New York City. No chil- dren have been born to this marriage. Mrs. Reiley is, like her husband, a native of County Louth, Ire- land, and is one of the family of nine children born to Owen and Catherine ( Sullivan ) Finnegan ; viz .: Gilbert, who died young; Margaret, Mrs. Reiley; Mary, who died young; Bridget, Mrs. John Mc- Guire; Kate, Mrs. James Bellier; William, who married Ann Caffrey; Owen, who married Mary Cooley ; Patrick, who died young ; and Barnett, who married Rose A. Devine. Of these, William, Bar- nett, Mary and Margaret came to the United States, the two daughters making the journey together. Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan passed their entire lives in Ireland, where he died in March, 1873, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-five years, she in 1855, at the age of fifty years. He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation.

PATRICK McGONIGLE was for many years one of the most honored and highly respected citi- zens of Herrick township, Susquehanna county, Penn. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland, March 14, 1818, but when only two years old was brought to America by his parents, Daniel and Bridget (Dewey) McGonigle, who were also natives of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish extraction. They located in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., where the mother died. In 1837, the father came to Herrick Center, Penn., where he died at the age of forty-five years. He was a man of extraordinary strength and activity, having been known to pick up four bushels of salt with his teeth, and to raise a barrel of whiskey above his head. In the family were only two children, of whom the daughter died on the ocean, while they were coming to the New World.

Patrick McGonigle was reared upon a farm in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., and during his youth worked as a farm hand until eighteen years of age. He had to care for twelve cows and four hundred sheep, besides gahering wood for two fires, and for this he received $4 per month. For a time he also worked in a carding and cloth factory in Goshen for a Mr. Phillips, and served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade at that place. At the age of of eighteen he removed to Mt. Pleasant, Wayne Co., Penn .. where he followed his trade for some time. For many years he devoted his energies to that occupation, during which time he spent one year in Savannah, Ga. He was in partnership with John Giltfeller at Great Bend, Penn., for two years, and on coming to Herrick Center in 1842, erected a blacksmith shop, a house and barn, which are still owned by his heirs. During the last five years of his life he lived retired on account of ill health. His death occurred July 5, 1889, and his remains were interred in a private cemetery upon his farm. He was an active and prominent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Herrick Center, was class leader and superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-two years, and was in-

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strumental in building the first Methodist Church in his part of the county. He gave liberally to the support of all worthy enterprises for the public good, and in his death the community realized that it had lost one of its mnost valued and uscful citi- zens. Truly such a life is worth having been lived, 'and deserves permanent record on the pages of the country's history, that others, seeing the good works, may follow in the footsteps.

On December 31, 1839, in Herrick Center, Mr. McGonigle was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Munford, who still survives him and makes her home with her children. She was born in Herrick Center March 28, 1821, a daughter of Lillibridge and Deborah (Sherwood) Munford, the former a native of Tolland county, Conn., the latter of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, Penn. Both died in Herrick township, Susquehanna coun- ty, the father in September, 1862, aged seventy- eight years, the mother in 1864, aged sixty-five years, and their remains were interred in the old Munford burying ground in Mt. Pleasant town- ship, Wayne county. Mrs. McGonigle is the oldest of their children, the others being Thomas, who died in infancy; Malinda, a resident of Sturgis, S. Dak .; Merritt, who died young; and George, a lumber merchant of Sturgis, S. Dak. Mrs. Mc- Gonigle's paternal grandparents were Jirah and Deborah (Lillibridge) Munford, natives of Massa- chusetts and pioneers of Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne Co., Penn. The grandfather owned and operated farms, saw and grist mills, tanneries, etc., and was a man of prominence in his community. The maternal grandparents, Solomon and Polly (Horton) Sherwood, were natives of Orange coun- ty, N. Y., and Wayne county, Penn., respectively, and were farming people.

Mr. and Mrs. McGonigle became the parents of the following children: Cccelia married Albert Allerton, by whom she had a child, Albert, who died in infancy, and she now lives at the old home- stead with her mother; Mattie is the wife of D. B. Towner, of Chicago, Ill., a professor of vocal music, who was with Rev. D. L. Moody, the evangelist; Etta died at the age of six years; George L. mar- ried Grace E. Whipple and lives on the old home- stead; Ida is the wife of Henry C. Ruby, a mer- chant of Ponca, Okla., and they have two children -Charles and Towner. The family is one of con- siderable prominence in the community where its representatives make their home.

DAVID McKEAN, one of the most success- ful and prosperous business men of Shohola town- ship, Pike county, comes of a family of Scotch- Irish origin, which was founded in this country by his grandfather, James McKean, who was born .in London, England, June 8, 1738, and died in this country, April 17, 1808, while his wife, Jemima McKean, was born September 8, 1755, and dicd May 18, 1816.

Jesse McKean, our subject's father, was born

in Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., December 10, 1781, and died November 7, 1861. During his boy- hood he removed with his parents from his native State to Pike county, Penn., locating where Milford now stands. There they built a log cabin and lived in true pioneer style. During a January thaw the stream on which their log house stood overflowed its banks, and carried away their home, the family being forced to flee to the hills for safety. Farming was but little followed in those early days and tlie father earned a living by making shingles; he was also a noted hunter. When our subject was seven years old the father sold his land at that place and purchased about 100 acres in Shohola township, upon which the family moved. With the assistance of his sons he cleared the land and engaged in farm- ing, and upon that place both he and liis wife spent their remaining days. He was a thoughtful reader, an entertaining talker, and took great interest in political and religious subjects. He always sup- ported the Democratic party by his ballot, and both he and his wife were earnest and faithful members of the Baptist Church.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 76

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