Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 91

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 91
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 91
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 91
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 91

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MILTON LOTT, who is now living retired on his large farm in Auburn township, has for years been prominent among the extensive farmers and land- owners of this section of Susquehanna county, and he is equally well known as one of its most intelli- long been identified with agricultural interests in Wyoming and Susquehanna counties, Mr. Lott's grandfather, Seth Lott, having carried on farming in the first-named county for many years. He died there, leaving two children, Abraham; and Seth (who made his home at Mehoopany, Wyoming county).

Abraham Lott was born in Mehoopany, Wyom- ing county, and there passed his early life, receiving his education in the common schools. He was mar- ried in his native county to Betsey Heberly, a na- tive of Germany, who came to this country with her parents. Her father, Philip Heberly, came to and made a permanent home for the family in Susquehanna county. Soon after their marriage the young couple came to Susquehanna county, where Mr. Lott had purchased 211 acres of wild land located in Auburn township, and here they passed the remainder of their busy lives, engaged in improving and cultivating their place. He suc- ceeded in clearing two-thirds of this large tract. which was in its primitive condition when he moved to it, and by dint of industry and careful manage- ment made a fine home for himself and family. He was a man of quiet, retiring disposition, taking lit- tle active interest in public affairs and devoting his undivided attention to his farm, which gave ample evidence of the thoughtfulness and diligence of the owner. Mr. Lott died in 1845, at Meshoppen, Penn., while on his way home from Wilkes Barre with

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his son Charles; he was buried on a part of the old farm. His wife, who survived him until 1878, dying in Rush township, was laid to rest in Jersey Hill cemetery. Abraham Lott was a Democrat in political sentiment. He and his wife had children as follows: James, who died in Auburn township; Louisa, widow of Joseph Carlin, of Auburn town- ship; John, a farmer of Auburn; Margaret, de- ceased, who married Richard Lott, of Wyoming county ; Sarah, deceased wife of W. Robinson, of Wyoming county; Charles; Milton; Polly, widow of Samuel Hyde, of Auburn township; and Eliza, deceased, was married to Daniel Devine, of Rush township.

Milton Lott was born February 24, 1823, on the old Lott farm at Auburn Center, and, like his father and grandfather, he has been a lifelong farmer, and a successful one. His education was obtained in the public schools of the home neighbor- hood, such as they were, and he was trained to ag- ricultural pursuits on the home place, where he re- mained up to the age of twenty-two years, with every opportunity for acquiring a thorough knowl- edge of farming in all its branches. For a year and a half after his marriage he rented his father's place, and he has since lived on the farm of 218 acres in Auburn township, which is still his home. When Mr. Lott settled on this place it was literally a wil- derness, and he had to go through the trying expe- rience of clearing his land before he could begin to cultivate it, a dreary task and a tedious one, which can be appreciated only by those who have carried. through such an undertaking themselves. But per- severance and industry won in time, and our sub- ject has lived to reap the reward of his years of toil and at the same time had the enjoyment of seeing what was once a waste converted into a beau- tiful and productive farm-an improvement to the section in which it is situated, as well as a monu- ment to his skill and industry. Mr. Lott has always been on the side of progress, whether in his own work or the affairs of the community in general, and he is a highly valued citizen of Auburn town- ship, where he is respected both for his own worth and the position he has made for himself from a more material point of view.

Mr. Lott was married, December 25, 1846, in Auburn township, to Miss Ann M. Cool, and they became the parents of three children-Sarah C., now the wife of Edward Loomis, of Auburn town- ship; Elizabeth A., wife of Revilla Harris, of Di- mock township; and May J., who died at the age of fifteen. Mrs. Lott was born March 1, 1823, in Warren county. N. J., daughter of William and Catherine ( White) Cool, and granddaughter of Paul C. and Susan ( Raub) Cool, of Warren county, N. J., who were lifelong farmers of that place. MIr. I.ott is an ardent Democrat in political affiliation.

ABRAM B. SMITH. Among the brave men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense of their country from the internal foes

who sought her dismemberment was Mr. Smith, now a prominent resident of Scott township, Wayne county, where since 1862 he has successfully en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a brave soldier, always found at his post of duty, and when the war was over he was honorably discharged in June, 1865.

Mr. Smith was born at Church Hollow, in the town of Coventry, Broome Co., N. Y., February 28, 1836, a son of Isaac and Martha ( Roberts ) Smith, the former a native of Valona Springs, Broome county. In the family of this worthy cou- ple were ten children-five sons and five daughters -- of whom, Abram, James and Henry entered the Union army in 1861 and remained in the service for three years. The others are: Armina; Na- than, who also enlisted at the beginning of the war, but being taken ill, he was sent home, and died soon afterward ; Susan; Josephine; Alanson ; Alvin ; and Nancy. The father of these children died at the age of sixty, and the mother, who survived him some years, passed away at the age of fifty-seven years.

The early life of Abram B. Smith was passed in much the usual manner of boys of his day, and July 12, 1860, he was married to Miss Loretto B. Johnston, a native of Sanford, N. Y., and a daughter of John S. and Roxsely (Smith) Johnston. Her paternal grandfather, who was a Revolutionary sol- dier, died at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. Mrs. Smith is one of a family of eight children, the others being Fidelia, Caroline, Henrietta, Rosetta B., Napoleon B. (who served as a Union soldier throughout the Civil war, and is now living in the West), Flora, Etta and Josephine. Mr. Johnston died at the age of sixty years, his wife at the age of fifty-seven, after surviving him for some years.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Elmer MI., Gorman F., Rosclle O .. Byron B. and Lovell. Mr. Smith voted for Abraham Lincoln, but since the war has given his support to the men and measures of the Democratic party, whose prin- ciples he warmly advocates. He is one of the rep- resentative and highly-respected citizens of Scott township, with whose interests he has been iden- tified for a quarter of a century. Religiously his wife is a faithful member of the Church of the Disciples, and she is a most estimable woman.

J. EDWARD GRANNIS is numbered among the progressive and energetic farmers of Canaan township, Wayne county, as well as among those who have been successful, and whose efforts through life thus far, through their own perseverance, have borne ample recompence.

Mr. Grannis was born in Brooklyn, Susque- hanna Co., Penn., July 1, 1861, a son of Lyman M. and Hannah M. ( McKeeby ) Grannis, the former born in Bradford county, Penn., January 1, 1838, the latter in Susquehanna county, in September, 1842. They now make their home in Lathrop town- ship, Susquehanna county, where the father is en-

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gaged in agricultural pursuits. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Re- publican party. Our subject is thic eldest of the children, the others being Jasper D .. a farmer of Bradford county ; Isaac O., a farmer of Susquehanna county ; and Jerusha R., wife of Robert Hughes, also a farmer of Susquehanna county. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject was Edward Gran- nis, a native of Waterbury, Connecticut,

During his boyhood and youth J. Edward Gran- nis attended the public schools, and assisted his fa- ther in the labors of the home farm until twenty-six years of age, when he went to Scranton, Penn., and served a three-years' apprenticeship to the butcher's trade, with Ira T. Brown. The following winter he was employed in Stores' packing house, and then re- moved to his present fine farm in Canaan township, Wayne county, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his energies with most satisfactory results.

On March 24, 1887, at Carbondale, Mr. Gran- nis was married to Miss Sarah P. Inch. Rev. Hiller officiating. She is a daughter of John and Chloe Inch, whose sketch appears elsewhere. In his po- litical views Mr. Grannis is a Republican, and he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as supervisor one term, election inspector one term, and constable one term. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Farmers Alliance of Waymart. He has made a very successful start in life, and by his sys- tematic methods of conducting his work, his strict attention to it in all its details, and his thoroughly upright dealings, he has already made an honorable record in the business world.

ALFRED CHAPMAN, an ex-soldier of the Civil war, who saw active service in the Union army, and representative citizen and farmer of Lake town- ship, Wayne county, was born on his father's farm in Salem township, April 3, 1838.

Daniel Chapman ( son of Ebenezer ), his father, was a native of the State of Connecticut, and in 1823 settled in Salem township, Wayne Co., Penn. He married Hannah Carey, a native of Luzerne county. Penn. They were plain, good people, who lived uscful lives, though in a quiet manner. in their coun- try home community. He died in 1864, when aged sixty-six years, and she in 1894, at the age of sev- enty-two years : both arc buried in Salem township on land set aside for that purpose by Daniel Chap- man himself. Their children were: Malinda mar- ried Joseph Frisby, a carpenter at Hawley, and she is now deceased: Alfred is our subject; Lucinda married David Edwards, a farmer in Salem town- ship; Emily is the widow of George Frisby, of Lake township; Leverite married Emma Hawk, and is a farmer of Salem township; Orinda married David Mann, an engineer on the Gravity railroad; and Abbie married George Peet, a farmer in Salem township; and Lcander.

Alfred Chapman was reared on the farm, and did the usual work customary to farmers' sons, and

through the winter seasons he attended the district schools of his locality. At the age of twenty-one he came to the site of what is now Chapmantown, which place derived its name from the location of two of the Chapman brothers at that point, Lean- der and Alfred. For three years after becoming of age our subject worked on farms for others. The Civil war being then well started, his patriotism was aroused, and like thousands of other brave boys he laid aside his hopes and ambitions in civil life for the more stirring and thrilling scenes of- fered in the camp and on the field. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 179th P. V. I., un- der the command of Capt. H. L. Stevens. His regiment served in the Army of the Potomac, and he was in the Peninsular campaign. He performed creditable service, and was honorably discharged on the expiration of his term of enlistment, at Har- risburg, Penn., July 27, 1863. He returned to Chap- mantown, and there purchased sixty-three acres of land, for which he paid in cash $900, This land was in its wild state, and he built thereon a small wooden house, in size about 16 x 24 feet, which was his home for some fifteen years, when it was replaced by a much more commodious and comfortable one. Mr. Chapman cleared off and made a nice farm, and here lie has since remained. By being indus- trious and frugal, and assisted by his good wife, he has become comfortably fixed in life. They are respected and estceined citizens, and are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Chapman belongs to the r. O. O. F. ; and to the post of the G. A. R. at Grav- ity. In his political views he is a Republican.

On May 16, 1863, our subject was married, at Cherry Ridge, to Miss Julia Miller, the ceremony being performed by Squire John Hoadley. She was born November 16, 1842, in Salem township, Wayne county, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah ( Dobell) Miller, natives of Salem and Sterling townships, Wayne county, respectively. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Chapman are: Harry, born April 16, 1864. and married to Matilda Murphy, is a farmer of Paupack township : Vitallis, born April 12, 1866, is engaged in the lumber business at Hawley : Dan- iel, born March 1, 1869. married Mellie Swingle; Berton, born April 1, 1873. and married to Emma Minery, is a farmer of Lake township: Elijah and Elisha (twins), horn November 16, 1877, are at home; and Olan, born September 14, 1884.

WILLIAM F. KELZ. foreman of the J. S. O'Connor glass plant at Hawley. Wayne county, and one of the leading young business men of the place, was born near Narrowsburg, N. Y., January 30, 1869. His parents. George and Pauline ( Con- rad) Kelz, were natives of Germany, and became acquainted and were married in New York State, where the mother died in 1873, at the age of forty- three years. In 1884 thic father removed to Hones- dale, Wayne Co., Penn., where he still makes liis home, being now sixty-seven years of age. In New York he engaged in farming, but is now living re-

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tired. In the German Lutheran Church he holds membership.

Our subject is next to the youngest in the fam- ily of nine children, the others being as follows: Louis, a farmer of New York; Gus, a sailor on the .. sea; Charles, a machinist, who is now employed in the car shops at Baltimore, Md .; Bertha, a resident of Honesdale; Otto, a blacksmith of that place; Leonard, a butcher of Forest City, Penn .; Julius, who is engaged in bottling mineral water at Hones- dale; and Edward, who is with his brother in the bottling works. Since the mother's death the fa- ther has been three times married, but has no chil- dren by these unions.

William F. Kelz was only four years old when his mother died, and for the following four years he lived with a paternal aunt. He then returned to the home of his father in Narrowsburg, N. Y., and with him came to Honesdale at the age of thirteen, re- maining under the parental roof until he attained his twenty-first year. At the age of fourteen he began learning glass cutting with J. S. O'Connor at White Mills, and at the end of six years he went to Brook- lyn, N. Y., where he worked for the Al Strauss & -Son Glass Manufacturing Co. for two years. He then came to Hawley, and after working as a jour- neyman for J. S. O'Connor for one year he was appointed to his present responsible position, that of foreman of the shop. He is acknowledged to be one of the finest glass cutters in the country, and is therefore well fitted for the position which he now so ably fills.

At Long Ridge, Wayne county, Mr. Kelz was married, November 16, 1890, to Miss Jennie Comp- ton, and to them have been born two children : Lucy Ethel and William Frederick, Jr. Mrs. Kelz is a native of Wayne county, and a daughter of David E. and Anna (Tilden) Compton. the former a native of Wayne county, born November 28, 1844, the latter of Trenton, N. J., born in 1854. They still reside on the old Compton homestead in Pal- myra township. Their children are Jennie, wife of our subject; Lucy, who lives with them; and William, who is still at home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Kelz have a pleasant home in Hawley, tastefully furnished, and there they delight to en- tertain their many friends. In his political affilia- tions he is a Republican.

GEORGE STEWART. Active growing races have ever been migratory in their instincts and habits and in newly-possessed lands have given char- acter to the people for many future generations. The vigor of the United States lias been acquired from its restless, energetic foreigners, to whom dif- ficulties and dangers were life and breath, and in whom the conquering spirit ran high.

The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was John Stewart, the first settler at Del- aware Water Gap, who braved Indian hatred and hostility in planting the primitive cabin of cultiva- tion upon the western banks of the Delaware river.

George Stewart, lis son, grandfather of our sub- ject, was reared amid privations and liardsliip, and his superabundant energies found ample combat in overcoming tlie obstacles to fruitful farms which nature had implanted in this favored region. George Stewart became one of the most prominent lumbermen of his day. He settled on the Delaware river in Pike county, where he made many improve- ments and at his death left a family of eight chil- dren in comparative affluence. The children were: Saul, Charles, William, Joseph, Henry, Louisa (wife of Jacob Smith, of Wallpack, N. J.), Susan (wife of Martin Van Vliet, of Winfield, Iowa ), and Catherine (wife of Ebenezer Ludley, formerly of Bushkill, Penn., but now of St. Paul, Minn.).

Charles Stewart, the father of our subject, was born in Pike county, Penn., in 1827. He married Rachel Posten, who was born in Price township, Monroe county, in 1833, daughter of Elijah and Eleanor Posten. He settled in Leliman township, Pike county, where he cleared up a farm and where he engaged extensively for many years in farm- ing and lumbering. In 1871 he sold his farm and purchased the liome of his father-in-law in Price township, which he operated and tilled until his death, in 1878. His worthy wife survived until 1893, when she died leaving seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Of these children, our subject, George Stewart, was the eldest. The other children were: (2) Kenner, born in 1861, possessed the migratory spirit of his ancestors, moved to Montana, thence to New Mexico and Arizona, and when last heard from, in 1896, was at Dawson City, Alaska. (3) Cush- ing, born in 1863, is now a farmer in Price township. (4) Frances, born in 1866, is the wife of Charles Braman, a farmer of Price township. (5) Vail, born in 1868, is a resident of Price township. (6) Emma, born in 1870, married Eugene Heller, of Stroudsburg. a machinist in the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western railroad shops. They have one son-Kenner. (7) Samuel, born in 1873, is a ma- chinist in the car shops at Stroudsburg.

George Stewart was born in Lehman town- ship, Pike county, in September, 1857. He was educated in the schools of Pike and Monroe coun- ties, and grew to manhood on the farm of his father. For several years he followed farming in New Jer- sey. In 1892 he married Miss Amena Deubler. daughter of Edward and Hannah Deubler. repre- sentatives of an old and prominent family of Bar- rett township. After liis marriage our subject pur- cliased a farm in Barrett township, near Canadensis, known as the Rockafeller homestead. Here he has since resided, making general improvements and suc- cessfully engaging in farming. To himself and wife three children have been born, namely: Lorena, born in September, 1893; Nettie, born in May, 1896; and Edward, born in January, 1898. In politics our subject is a Republican. He was reared in the faitli of the Presbyterian Churchi. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Stewart is

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one of the active and prosperous farmers of Bar- rett township, and the well-improved farm he now occupies is a testimonial of his thoroughness, judg- ment, energy and good taste.

A. B. TRANSUE is an enterprising and en- ergetic young business man of Georgetown, Wayne county, where he is serving as telegraph operator, tieket and freight agent for the Erie & Wyoming Valley Railroad Co., agent for the Wells-Fargo Ex- press Co., and weighmaster for the Pennsylvania Coal Co. As a public-spirited, progressive citizen, he takes an active part in promoting the welfare of his town and county.

Mr. Transue was born in Tannersville, Mon- roe Co., Penn., February 12, 1871, and is the only child of Rev. John A. and Rachel H. ( Bisbing) Transue, who were born, reared and married in that county, the birth of the former occurring on March 27, 1851, the birth of the latter June 20, 1851. They remained residents of Monroe county until after Mr. Transue began preaching, in 1877, but now make their home in Wanamie, Luzerne Co., Penn. At the age of sixteen years the father of our sub- - jeet began teaching school, and continued to follow that profession for one term after accepting his first charge as pastor of a Methodist Episcopal Church, having prepared himself for the ministry during the year 1878. For two years he was a local preacher, but since that time has had charge of various con- gregations and has been an untiring worker for the eause of Christ. His father was George Transue," a native of Monroe county, residing at Tannersville. He and his wife are farming people and members of the German Lutheran Church. Rev. Transue is the third in order of birth in their family of thir- teen children, of whom ten are still living. Our subject's maternal grandparents are Henry and Sarah (Heller) Bisbing, also agriculturists and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family numbered twelve children, of whom ten are living, and Mrs. Transue and her twin sister, Eliza- beth, are the third in order of birth.

A. B. Transue remained with his parents until he had attained the age of eighteen years, when he came to Georgetown and in 1887 began work in his present office under Earl W. Bishop, remaining here one year. The following year he attended school and then returned to Georgetown, but a year later accepted a position with the Ontario & West- ern railroad at Como, Wayne county, where he re- mained for a year and a half. For six months he was employed by the Erie & Western railroad as an extra operator and ticket agent at Carbondale, Penn., and for the following two years was operator and ticket agent at Maplewood. In October, 1895, he accepted his present position, which he has since most creditably and acceptably filled.

At Carley Brook, Wayne county, on June 21, 1893, Mr. Transue was married to Miss Anna B. Riefler, his father performing the ceremony. Two children bless this union: Charles E., born August

12, 1894; and Ralph J., born February 26, 1896. Mrs. Transue was born in Oregon township, Wayne county, December 27, 1872, and is a daughter of John Riefler, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this voluine. She and her husband hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in social cir- cles occupy an enviable position. In political sen- timent Mr. Transue is a stanch Republican.

REUBEN T. AMES, who has for many years been prominently identified with the business inter- ests of Hawley, Wayne county, is a native of that county, born on the old Ames homestead in Canaan township, August 11, 1835, and is a son of Jo- seph Ames, brother of Henry Ames, of Waymart. Our subject was married in Canaan township, Au- gust II, 1860, to Miss Ellen Thorpe, and to them were born six children, namely: Howard, Ann E. and Frank, who all died in childhood : Sarah, now the wife of Charles J. Schlager, a merchant of Haw- ley; James D., who married Lucy Millham, and is engaged in merchandising in Hawley; and Lucy, who is at home with her parents.

Mrs. Ames was born in Wayne county, October II. 1835, a daughter of Jesse W. and Sarah ( Miller ) Thorpe, who were born, reared and married in New Jersey, whence they came to Wayne county, Penn., in 1834. In Canaan township the father died in July, 1858, aged fifty-nine years, but the mother, who was born October 28, 1808, is still living. He was a prominent farmer and highly-respected cit- izen of his community. In the family were the fol- lowing children: Sarah, who died in childhood ; Ellen-M., wife of our subject: Frank and Lewis H., who died in middle life; Mary, wife of William McMullen, who is serving as superintendent of gravity for the D. & H. railroad, at Carbondale, Penn .; and Moses M. and Amanda J., who are still with their mother. Mrs. Thorpe is still bright and active, her eyesight being good and her phys- ical qualities well preserved. She is an active worker in and a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812.

At the age of thirteen years Reuben T. Ames left the home farm and entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Coal Co., assisting in the construction of the road. After its completion he was employed as engineer until 1864, when he enlisted in Company M, 15th N. Y. Engineer Corps, and was in active service until the close of the war, being stationed at Petersburg the last six months. He went on a raid to South Carolina, and was at Roanoke at the time of Johnston's surrender. On receiving his dis- charge he returned home, but has never fully re- covered from the effects of exposure while in the service. He was compelled to give up his position as engineer on account of ill health.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 91

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