Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 92

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 92
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 92
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 92
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 92

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Coming to Hawley in October, 1865, Mr. Ames embarked in merchandising with his brother Jacob, and two years later his brother John H. was ad- mitted to partnership, the firm name becoming J.

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

S. Ames & Bros. The firm did an extensive and profitable business in lumbering, milling, merchan- dising, stock raising and farming, and as agricult- urists were among the foremost in Wayne county. In 1882 John H. withdrew from the firm, but busi- " ness was still carried on by J. S., R. T. and G. W. Ames, under the firm style of J. S. Ames & Co., and in addition to their other enterprises they started the first bank ever opened in Hawley. They con- tinued operations together until the spring of 1886, when the property was divided and a part thereof sold. The building in which the bank was con- ducted fell to our subject, who now rents it to his brother Jacob S., and the stock of merchandise, which also became his, he sold to his son. He then gave his attention to his lumber and farming in- terests, and is still the owner of a valuable farm in Canaan township, though he has always made his home in Hawley since coming here in 1865. Num- bered among the influential and prominent citizens of the place, he has been called upon to serve in official positions of honor and trust, being a mem- ber of the city council, commissioner of Wayne county for three years, and supervisor for three terms. Politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party, and religiously is an earnest and faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is now serving as trustee. Throughout his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, and is therefore respected by the community at large and honored by his business associates.

WILLIAM CHARLES CADDOO, an ener- getic and self-reliant agriculturist of Stroud town- ship, Monroe county, is one of the promising young men of that locality. Having been active in other lines of business elsewhere, he brings to his work an originality of method which produces excellent results, and his farm shows in every department the effects of skilled management.

Mr. Caddoo was born in Februarv. 1875, in New York City, and comes of excellent ancestry. William Caddoo, his grandfather, for some time resided in Newark, N. J. Later he purchased the William Chapman farm in Stroud township, Mon- roe county, one mile north of Stroudsburg, where he spent about eight years. He then went to Yonk- ers, N. Y., to reside and later he bought a cottage in Stroudsburg, where he made his home until Oc- tober, 1896, but he is now living in retirement in Brooklyn, N. Y. Fraternally he is identificd with the Masonic order, and the family has always been prominent in social life. He and his wife have six children, of whom four are living, viz .: Thomas is our subject's father ; Mary is the wife of William H. Cross, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Henry is married and resides at Yonkers, N. Y. ; and William H. is mar- ried and resides in Brooklyn.

Thomas Caddoo, our subject's father, was born in 1846, in Newark, N. J., and during his youth he learned the hatter's trade, which he has followed

thus far through life. He is self-educated, and as a business man has shown marked ability and enter- prise. For twenty-five years he has carried on his business in New York City, but in 1880 he removed to Yonkers, where he and his family resided thirteen years. In 1882 he purchased his father's farm near Stroudsburg, and his family resided there for some years, while he himself still continued business at Yonkers, but on the burning of his plant he started a new factory at Peekskill, N. Y., where he has since remained. In March, 1873, he was married, in New York City, to Miss Anna Van Wagner, who was born in Englewood, N. J., and they have had five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are: (2) Miss Eleata, born in 1877, in New York City, completed a course in the public school and now resides with her parents. (3) Miss May F., born in Yonkers, is now a student in the high school at Peekskill. (4) Thomas H. and (5) Ama are both attending school at Peekskill.

Our subject's education was begun in the schools of New York City and later he pursued his studies at Yonkers, graduating from the high school. At the age of cighteen he took charge of one of the departments of his father's factory, but in 1893 he decided to try agricultural work, and removed to his father's farm near Stroudsburg. In 1895 he re- turned to Peekskill to assist his father, and in July, 1896, he married Miss Cora, daughter of Capt. George and Eliza Morton, prominent residents of Peekskill. In July, 1897, he brought his wife to the farm, hoping that the change of air would benefit her health, and they have since residcd there. One daughter brightens their home, Mary K., born in September, 1897. Mrs. Caddoo is a member of the Episcopal Church, but our subject was reared in the Methodist Church, to which his father and mother belong. Politically he is a Republican of old time Whig antecedents, but he is not an office- seeker.

HARRISON DARROW, the well known pro- prietor of the Fairview farm, is one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of Bridgewater town- ship: and a representative of one of the old and honored families of Susquehanna county. His ma- ternal grandfather, James Osborn, was the first to locate liere, and was present at the Wyoming massa- cre, and was noted for his gallantry as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He married Polly Ayres, and to them were born eight children namely : Lu- cinda, Enoos, William, Hannah, Mary, Hilia, Eliza- beth and Harrison.

Orphinus Darrow, the father of our subject, was born in Susquehanna county, and was reared on the old homestead to habits of industry and lion- esty. his literary education being obtained in the public schools of the neighborhood. He wedded Mary Osborn, a native of Orange county. N. Y., and they made their home on a farm in Bridgewater township, where their four children-Myra (de- ceased ), Harrison, Fayette, and Wrighter-were

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born. The wife and mother, who was a most esti- mable woman, loved by all who knew her, died January 27, 1891, and the father died November 18, 1898. He was one of the faithful defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and has ever been one of the honored and valued citizens of his community.

Harrison Darrow was born January 4, 1856, and on the old home farm in Bridgewater township he grew to manhood, acquiring an excellent knowl- edge of agricultural pursuits and a good practical · education in the local schools. He was married June 1, 1878, at Great Bend, Penn., to Miss Emma Cosier, a daughter of Samuel and Mary ( Belarby) Cosier. Her father was a native of Connecticut and died in Binghamton, N. Y., while her mother was born of English parentage and died in Silver Lake town- ship, Susquehanna Co., Penn., in October, 1866. Mrs. Darrow is the older of their two children, the other being Mrs. Ina Webb, of Franklin township, Susquelianna county. To Mr. and Mrs. Darrow have been born five children, namely : Mary Meeker, Charity, Fannie, Bruce and Elsie.

Mr. Darrow .now owns and operates the old Osborn farm-one of the best in Bridgewater town- ship. It comprises 100 acres of rich and arable land, is pleasantly located two miles from Montrose and the improvements consist of a new and com- fortable residence, a good barn and substantial out- buildings. Being a thorough and skillful farmer, he has met with success in his life work, and is now one of the well-to-do, as well as one of the highly respected citizens of the community. Politically he is a pronounced Democrat.

MOSES K. ROHRBACKER, a well-to-do and prominent general farmer of Dreher township, Wayne county, was born there on April 19, 1842, a son of George and Elizabeth (Fribley) Rohr- backer, natives of Baden, Germany. In 1826, when a child of thirteen years, the father was brought to America by his parents, Christopher and Caroline Rohrbacker, who located in Sterling township, Wayne county, where the stone house which they erected is still standing. In their family were seven children : Jacob; William: George; Francis: Jul- iann, wife of Robert Cross; Margaret, wife of Rob- ert Kellium; and Catherine, wife of Charles Wolf and a resident of Greenc township, Pike Co., Penn. Our subject's mother was only eight years old when she came to the New World with her parents, who took up their. residence in Sterling township, Wayne county, in' 1834. Her father, John Fribley, was a shoemaker by trade, but after coming to this country turned his attention to farming. His children were Philip, Charles, Christian, Elizabeth, Magdeline, wife of Lavine Mixch, and John.

Our subject's father, who was one of the leading and prominent citizens of his community, followed farming as a life work, and was called upon to serve in several township offices. He died in 1855, aged forty-two years, his wife in 1888, aged sixty-two.

He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, she to the Moravian Church, and their remains were buried in the cemeteries connected with the Churches in which they held membership. Their children werc Moses K., of this review; George, who married Louisa Heberling, and is engaged in farming in Greene township, Pike county; Lavine, deceased, who married Catherine Waltz, now a resident of Greene township; Sophia, widow of Charles Waltz and a resident of the same township ; Jacob, who re- sides on a part of the old homestead in Dreher township, Wayne county ; Magdelina, wife of G. L. Waltz. of Dreher township; Harriet, wife of Will- iam Doran, a railroad man of Bethlehem, Penn .; and Anna, who lives with her brother George.

Moses K. Rohrbacker remained under the par- ental roof until he attained his majority, and assisted in the improvement and cultivation of the home farm. For fifteen years he was then employed in the lumber woods, and for two years was with the firm of Waltz Brothers in Newfoundland. At the end . of that time he purchased his present farm, which comprises eighty acres of rich and valuable land in Dreher township that he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings.

In December, 1865, in. Dreher township, Mr. Rohrbacker was married, by Rev. Mr. Hess, a Methodist Episcopal minister, to Miss Elizabeth Waltz, and to them have been born nine children : Arthur, Laura, Delbert, Oliver, Jennie, Horace, Haryy, Lewis and Floyd, all at home. Mrs. Rohr- backer is a native of Dreher township and a daugli- ter of George A. and Christiana (Wolf) Waltz, natives of Baden, Germany, who came with their respective parents to the United States in early life, and for many years were highly-respected cit- izens of Dreher township. Her father died Novem- ber 14, 1892, aged seventy-six years, her mother in May, 1888, aged seventy-two years, and both were laid to rest in the Evangelical cemetery at New- foundland. Their children were Charles D., de- ceased, who married Sophia Rohrbacker. now a res- ident of Greene township, Pike Co., Penn .; George L., who married Magdelina Rohrbacker, and is a prominent business man of Newfoundland; Lou- isa, wife of Charles Klein, a butcher of Scranton, Penn .; Catherine, widow of Lavine Rohrbacker, and a resident of Greene township, Pike county ; David, who married Sopnia Mack, and is engaged in farming in Lackawanna county, Penn .; Will- iam, who married Emma Heberling, and lives on the old homestead in Dreher township; John, a butcher of Forest City, Penn .; Elizabeth, wife of our subject ; and Mary, wife of Lavine Frively, a farmer of Greene township, Pike county.

In September, 1864, during the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Rohrbacker enlisted in Company -, 198th P. V. I., and fortunately was never wound- ed though he participated in many engagements, including the battles of Lead Mines, Hatcher's Run, Five Forks and Appomattox, being present at the

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surrender of General Lec. Fraternally he is a meni- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellow's, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He is now serving his third term as supervisor of his township with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction "of the public.

WILLIAM J. SMITH, the genial and popular proprietor of the "Nelson Hotel" at White Mills, is one of the substantial citizens of that locality and has done much toward the improvement and devel- opment of his town. His hotel, which is well-patron- ized by the travelling public, is a commodious and attractive establishment, and in 1897 he erected a large town hall and opera house adjoining it, which has proved to be a great benefit to the community.

Mr. Smith derives his energy, thrift and per- severance from German ancestry, both his parents, John and Kate (Probst) Smith, having been na- tives of the Fatherland. They came to Anierica at an early age, however, and were married in Albany, N. Y., where the father followed the stonemason's trade for a number of years. In 1858 he removed with his family to this section, purchasing a farm near Bethel, in Berlin township, Wayne county, where he and his estimable wife still reside. At the time of his purchase the place was covered with primitive forest, but he cleared and improved the land and later added other tracts, until he now owns 300 acres of excellent land in that vicinity. This worthy couple had ten children who lived to ma- turity and with the exception of two, Rachel and Peter, all are now living. Of the survivors (I) Maggie, who was born at the old homestead in Ber- lin township, married Anthony Fritz, who owns a farm near Honesdalc, in Dyberry township, Wayne county. They have two children-Anthony and Katie. (2) Joseph grew to manhood at the old homestead and is now engaged in farming in Berlin township. He married Miss Annie Hoot, of White Mills, and has two daughters-Annie and Mamie. (3) John learned the trade of glass cutter in the Dorflinger works at White Mills where he is still employed, but he resides at Honesdale where he owns a home. He married Miss Annie Sooncr, of White Mills, and has one daughter, Annie. (4) Jacob learned the glass cutter's trade but after some years engaged in business in Honesdale as a shoe dealer, and is now regarded as one of the leading young merchants of that city. He married Miss Katie Hull. (5) Frederick is employed as a glass cutter at White Mills, where he resides. He mar- ried Miss Agnes Smith, of Swamp Brook, Wayne county, and they have three children-Clotilda. Agnes, and Katie. (6) Clande follows the glass cutter's trade at White Mills but resided upon his farm in Berlin township. He married Miss Augusta Basney, of Swamp Brook, and has one son-Freder- ick. (7) Victor is not married and resides with his parents on the homestead.

Our subject was born in March, 1860, at the

old homestead in Berlin township, Wayne county, where he received a good common-school education during boyhood. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the glass cutter's trade in the Dorflinger works, being paid $3 per week for the first year ; $4 for the second; $4.50 for the third; $5.50 for the fourth; $6 for the fifth, and $7 for the seventh when his apprenticeship ended. In 1889 he began work as a skilled cutter with a salary of $12 per week and two years later he was advanced to $14 per week, the day's work consisting of ten and a half hours. He continued this occupation until July, 1895, when he retired and in the same year he purchased the "Nelson Hotel," one of the finest hostelries in the village, which he has since conducted successfully. In February, 1897, he was married to Miss Susie Hull, a daughter of John and Susan Hull, natives of Germany, who came to this section early in life and were married at Honesdale, their present home. Mrs. Smith has always been a favorite in social circles, and she gives effective aid to her husband, their guests being made to feel quite at home under their cordial hospitality. They have one son, Clar- ence, born in December, 1897.

Politically Mr. Smith is identified with the Democratic party, to which his esteemed father also belongs, and in religious faith he is a Catholic, he and his wife being leading members of the Hones- dale Church. Socially he is connected with the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs, Conclave No. 499, of White Mills.

·· B: C. TOTTEN, a well-known citizen of Mata- moras, Pike county, has in an official capacity been prominently identified with public interests for sev- eral years, and at this writing is efficiently serving as constable and collector of Westfall township.

Mr. Totten was born in Orange county, N. Y., January 10, 1842, a son of Samuel and Johanna ( Smith) Totten, who were born, reared and mar- ried in that county, the latter being a daughter of Orin Smith. The father died during the infancy of our subject, leaving several children, B. C., the youngest, being the only one now living. With our subject his mother made her home during her last years, dying there in 1883, at the age of seventy years.

B. C. Totten was thrown upon his own re- sources when a mere child, and his school privi- leges were therefore limited, but by reading and observation in later years he has become a well- informed man, and also gained a good practical knowledge of business affairs. He first worked for his board among the farmers of Orange county. and then Icarned the wheelwright's trade, later being employed as a carpenter in New York City and on Staten Island. At the latter place he erected a can- ning factory, and for several years served as "pro- cess man" or overseer in the canning of beans, corn, peas, etc. Subsequently for nearly twenty years he followed the carpenter's trade at Port Jer- vis, N. Y., to which place he moved in 1873. Prc-

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vious to this time he had engaged in farming in different townships of Bradford county, Penn., and on leaving Port Jervis came to Matamoras, Pike Co., Penn., where he has since made his home. After retiring from carpenter work he embarked in the coal business, which he carried on for a few years, but now gives his entire time and attention to his official duties.

. Mr. Totten has been twice married, first in Bradford county, Penn., to Miss Lydia A. Brink, a native of New Jersey, and to them were born two children, both of whom died in infancy, and the wife and mother departed this life in New York. On Staten Island he wedded Miss Phoebe L. Price, a daughter of Elias Price, of New York. Having no children of their own, they adopted a girl, who died at the age of eighteen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Totten are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially he has been con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty-five years. He is president of the Mata- moras Building & Loan Association, and takes quite an active and prominent part in public affairs. giv- ing his support to all enterprises which he believes . will in any way advance the general welfare. Po- litically he is a stanch Democrat, and, besides the offices he is now filling, he served as school director for fifteen years.

EDWARD V. MURRAY, the well-known proprietor of the Hawley Opera House, does not give his attention solely to its management, but is also engaged in manufacturing and repairing car=" riages, wagons, etc., in Hawley, Wayne county. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and nota- bly reliable, and has met with a well-merited suc- cess in his undertakings.

A native of Wayne county, Mr. Murray was born in Ledgedale, September 18, 1852, a son of James and Mary Jane (Smith) Murray, who were born in Ireland, but became acquainted and were married in Pittston, Penn. In 1850 they removed to Ledgedale, where the father worked at black- smithing and wagon-making until coming to Haw- ley in 1862. Here he established a blacksmith shop, and also engaged in both lines of occupation. He was one of the leading members of the Demo- cratic party of his community, and served as super- visor of Palmyra township, now the borough of Hawley. Both he and his wife were devout mem- bers of the Catholic Church. The mother of our subject died in Ledgedale in 1860, aged thirty-eight years, the father in June, 1891, aged sixty-five years. In their family were the following children: Ed- ward V., the subject of this sketch; Anna, wife of Joseph Wolbach, a train flagman at Easton, Penn. : Mary J., who died unmarried; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Doody, a laborer of Easton; Henry, de- ceased; and Isabella, wife of Joseph Gier, a laborer of Easton. After the mother's death the father wedded Miss Mary Heintze, now a resident of Philadelphia, and to them were born four children :

Saralı, Nellie, Cassie and Lucy, all with their mother. The early home of the paternal grand- parents of our subject, Henry and Betsy ( Denver) Murray, was in the North of Ireland, near Belfast, whence in 1850 they emigrated to America, and in Wayne county, Penn., the grandfather engaged in farming for several years. His last days, however, were spent in retirement at Hawley.

Until he attained his majority, Edward V. Murray, the subject of this sketch, remained under the parental roof, and at the age of eighteen he be- gan learning the wheelwright and blacksmith's trade with Jacob Keller, at Hawley, serving a two- years' apprenticeship. His father then bought out his employer, and our subject took charge of the place, which he purchased after carrying it on for two years. Three years later he sold out and went to Dakota ; but not liking the country, he returned to Hawley at the end of six weeks, and for a year and a half worked for George Baisden. He then erected a shop of his own, where he continued busi- ness until 1885, when he built the Opera House block, in the basement of which he now carries on business. He is an expert mechanic, but at pres- ent does mostly repair work, as he cannot manu- facture by hand carriages as cheap as those made by machinery.

In Hawley, September 26, 1885, Mr. Murray was married to Miss Ellen Weldon. by Father O'Malley, and they have three children: Mary A., born June 21, 1886; Joseph W., born April 29, 1888: and George L., born December 9, 1892. Mrs. Murray was born in Hawley, November 23, 1855, a daughter of James and Mary (Stanton ) Wel- con, natives of County Mayo and Kings County, Ireland, respectively. Her parents became ac- quainted and were married in New York City, where they continued to make their home until 1850, when they removed to Hawley. Here the father success- fully engaged in the hotel business until his death, and the place is now conducted by the mother and her daughter, Mary A. Weldon. The former is now the widow of Edward Connel.

In his political affiliations Mr. Murray is a pro- nounced Democrat, and he has been chosen to rep- resent his ward in the city council. He takes quite an active interest in civic societies, and he is an honored member of the K. O. T. M .; N. P. L .: A. O. H. and C. M. B. A.

PROF. JOHN FRANKLIN DOOLEY, at this writing principal of the public schools of Way- mart, is well known as one of the most successful and prominent educators of Wayne county. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born April 4. 1852, at McCall's Ferry, York county, and is a son of Hugh and Adela ( Smith) Dooley, the former of Irish and the latter of German extraction. The father for a number of years was foreman on the Tide Water Canal, but died in Maryland in 1872. The mother died the year previous.

During his childhood Prof. Dooley was taken

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by his parents to Harford county, Md., where he remained until he attained the age of twenty years. When fifteen years old he entered Darlington Semi- nary, in that county, taking the five years' course and graduating in 1870. On leaving that institu- tion he engaged in teaching for three years in Mary- .. land. During the following three years he at- tended the Millersville State Normal, and also took a special course in pedagogy, graduating in 1876. He then taught school for two years in Manheim, Lancaster Co., Penn. : the following year he taught a Normal Institute at South Sterling, Penn., and then for a year at Upper Lehigh, Luzerne county. After one year spent at Greene, Pike county, Penn., he came to Waymart, where he has been principal of the public schools for the past eighteen or more years and has also for much of the time taught private classes. For five years he worked earnestly and untiringly for the new Normal Institute which was completed late in the nineties, and much of its success is due to his persistent labor in its behalf.

On April 1, 1879, in South Sterling, Wayne county, Prof. Dooley was married, by Rev. J. F. Warner, to Miss Almira E. Wolf, and they have one son, Ralph E. Tlie parents are leading mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Way- mart, with which the Professor has held various official relations, and is now serving as steward and class leader. He is an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, and was a prominent member of the Good Templars Society until it disbanded, and now gives an unwavering support to the men and measures of the Prohibition party. As an educator and citizen he deserves the unqualified regard so freely accorded him by the entire community in which he lives.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 92

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