Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 99

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 99
USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 99
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 99
USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4 > Part 99

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In August, 1848, in Rush township, Susque- hanna county, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Arminda Cronk, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., where her parents, William and Sally ( Myers) Cronk, were also born. They came to Susquehanna county at an early day, and here the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy-five years, the mother at the ad- vanced age of ninety. He was one of the defend- ers of the country in the war of 1812. Their chil- dren were : Smith, Rensselaer and John, all de- ceased ; Jacob, a resident of Rush township; Har- riet (widow of William Cronk), now a resident of Union, N. Y .; Arminda, wife of our subject ; Mary_ A. (deceased), who married (first) M. Laford, and (second) H. Osburn; and Samuel E., deceased. Mrs. Smith's grandfather was Jacob Cronk. Her great-grandfather was Jacob Cronkite (as the name was then spelled), a native of Holland, and the founder of the family in this country. Her mater- nal grandparents were John and Mary (Smith) Myers, who were lifelong residents of Dutchess county, New York.

ISAAC BONEAR. The fertile soil of this section has attracted an enterprising class of agri- culturists among whom a high type of citizenship prevails, and the history of this well-known resi- dent of Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county, is deserving of a prominent place in a volume which will preserve for future generations an account of its leading men. Mr. Boncar for many years has de- voted his attention to the science of agriculture, and his farm near Cherry Ridge is the largest estate in that township. His residence, the only brick dwelling-house in the locality, is a handsome and commodious one, two stories and a half in height, and its elegant furnishings indicate artistic taste as well as wealth.

Mr. Bonear was born March 9, 1824, in Corn- wall, England, the home of his ancestors for gener- ations past. Thomas Bonear, the grandfather of our subject, was a highly respected resident of that locality, and throughout his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Moscs Bonear, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Cornwall, and was married there to Miss Catherine May, a native of the same neighborhood, born October 9, 1796. In 1832 they came to America, and in June of that year arrived at Honesdale, where Moses Bonear died two wecks later, on July 1, 1832, at the age of thirty-three. He had been extensively engaged in farming in England and it was his intention to

locate permanently in Ohio, but his early death cut short a most promising career. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and was held in high es- teem by all who knew him. His remains now rest in the cemetery at Homesdale. His widow mar- ried a second husband, Richard Varcoe, and her death occurred at Cherry Ridge, May 20, 1854.

Moses and Catherine Bonear liad the follow- ing children : Jane, born January 18, 1811, died June 20, 1831; Francis, born December 24, 1817. is a farmer in Cherry Ridge township, Wayne county ; Thomas, born March 22. 1820, died Sep- tember 17, 1888, in Cherry Ridge township; Will- iam, born March 20, 1822, died in England; Isaac, our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on ; Ann, born February 22, 1826, married Joel Miller, both now deceased; Elizabeth, born May 22, 1828, married Henry French, of Jersey City, both 110w deceased ; and Rebecca S., born November 4, 1830, is the widow of 1. R. Schenck, of Honesdale.

As our subject was but a child when his par- cnts came to this country his youth was mainly spent in Wayne county. His management of his extensive estate, consisting of 190 acres adjoining the old homestead, has been most successful, and he is now the wealthiest man in liis township. In 1847 he cut away the timber to build his first home, which was on the opposite side of the road from his present elegant residence, which was built in 1867. He obtained only the common-school education of that day, but his ability and sound judgment are appreciated by his fellow citizens, who have fre- quently chosen him to township offices, and he is an influential worker in the local Republican or- ganization. On October 6, 1847. he was married, in Cherry Ridge township, to Miss Cordelia Rob- erts, and four children have blessed the union: ( I) Maria C., born September 22, 1848. died in infancy. (2) Sarah D., born April 4. 1850, married George Van Winkle, a resident of Jersey City, and died June 30, 1896, leaving two children-Cordelia Jane and George Isaac. (3) Ann Elizabeth, born Au- gust 15, 1857, married George H. Sandercock, an agriculturist of Cherry Ridge township, and has three sons-Isaac Bonear, George S., and Ray. (4) Rose Ada, born July 9, 1866. married Mead Sandercock, brother of the above, and both brothers now occupy portions of the old Sandercock home- stcad in Cherry Ridge township.

Mrs. Bonear was born March 19, 1820. at Milford, Pike Co., Penn., and is descended from an old Colonial family, her great-grandfather, Hugh Roberts, a Quaker, having come to America with William Penn. He was a brave man, and notwith- standing the peaceful tendencies of his religious sect, he did so much notable service a, a messenger of General Washington that a price was set upon his head by the English government, and his war record cost him his standing as a speaker in Quaker meeting. At one time a large party of searchers came to his house to find him and his wife, who was cvidently as courageous as he ; she insisted upon

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hiding him in an old-fashioned brick oven, and with ready sagacity started a small fire under the oven in order to deceive the pursuers, and the plan hap- pily succeeded. This worthy couple had a son, Mordica Roberts (2), Mirs. Bonear's grandfather, who was a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. William Roberts, Mrs. Bonear's father, was born and reared in Pike county, Penn., and followed farming there until his death, which occurred in 1833, at the early age of thirty-five, his remains being interred at Miltord. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Hornbeck, was born in 1800, in Pike county, Penn., and died in that county, in 1857, being buried at Lackawaxen. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and their excellent qualities of character won the esteem of their associates. The Hornbeck family became identified with New Jersey at an early date, and Tobias and Catherine Hornbeck, Mrs. Bonear's grandparents on the maternal side, were early set- tlers at Milford, Penn. To William and Maria Roberts six children were born, as follows: Lucy A., died at Purdytown, Penn .; Cordelia, wife of our subject ; James, who died in infancy ; William, a farmer at Narrowsburg, N. Y .; John and Mor- dica, both deceased, are buried at Cherry Ridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Bonear are both members of the Methodist. Episcopal Church, and have traveled ex- tensively through the East, visiting Washington, Philadelphia and New York City. Although at the advanced age of seventy-four, Mr. Bonear is bright and active, still superintending his estate and doing .ship; Harriette is the wife of A. O. Williams. a a share of the labor himself.

FRANKLIN PIERCE BLAKESLEE, one of the most popular and influential citizens of Toby- harma township, Monroe county, is an important fac- tor in business circles, and his popularity is well de- served, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabated energy and indus- try that never flags. As a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen of the community, he is thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote its moral, intellectual and material welfare.

The Blakeslee family in America was founded during Colonial times by three brothers, one of whom located in Virginia, and another in Vermont. while Austin, from whom the Monroe county branch is descended, took up his residence in Con- necticut. Jacob Blakeslee, our subject's grand- fatlier, was born ncar Litchfield, Conn., and when a young man came to Pennsylvania, locating in the Susquehanna Valley. In Wilkes Barre he married Rachel White, a native of New Jersey and a daugli- ter of John White, an Irishman, who was pressed into the English service during the Revolutionary war, but deserted and joined Washington's troops. At a very early day Jacob Blakeslee came to Monroe county and settled in Tobyhanna township, where he took up a tract of land and followed lumbering and farming. Here both he and his wife died.

Jacob Blakeslee, Jr., our subject's father, was

born in Tobyhanna township, and there spent his entire life engaged in farming and lumibering. He owned several thousand acres of timber land. of which he cleared and improved about 300 acres. and, in connection with his other business, con- ducted a country store at Blakeslee, which place was named in his honor. He was the first postmaster at that place, and also served as justice of the peace for a great many years, continuing in both offices until his death. For a number of years he was also interested in the lumber business. at White Haven, Penn., but during his last days lived re- tired from active pursuits, giving his attention to his official duties and to the management of his farm. He married Miss Clarissa Winter, a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth ( Sanders) Winter. Both were earnest, consistent Christians, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Tobyhanna town- ship, of which Mr. Blakeslee was a trustee and a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of the house of worship. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his community, was a supporter of the Democratic party, and held all of the minor offices in the town- ship. He died June 25, 1896, at the age of seventy - four years.

The subject of this review is the eldest of the family of eleven children ; Austin is superintendent of the Jefferson Coal Company and resides in Jeff- erson county, Penn. ; Malville is deceased ; Howard is also deceased ; Emily resides in Tobyhanna town-

Methodist Episcopal minister, now located at Clif- ford, Penn .; Stewart is engaged in the lumber busi- ness in Jefferson county; Cora F. is the wife of James F. Warner, a merchant and postmaster at Blakeslee; Rachel, a resident of Philadelphia ; Al- bert, who died at the age of seven years: and Josephine, who has been a teacher for several years. is now employed in Allegheny College, Meadville. Pennsylvania.

On the old homestead in Tobyhanna township. Franklin P. Blakeslee was born July 20. 1853. and was there reared to manhood, assisting his father in farming and lumbering when not in school. 11c was provided with good educational advantages. After attending the common schools he became a student at the Wyoming ( Penn.) Seminary. from which, after completing the commercial course. be was graduated. On January 3, 1883. at White Haven, Luzerne county, lie was married, by Rev. James Borman, of the Evangelical Church. to Mi -- Jennie E. Torbert, who was born April 8. 1803. 81 Thornhurst, Penn., a daugliter of George W. a :.! Clara (Scott) Torbert. Her father was born a: White Haven, and was killed during the Civil war. while her mother was born at Thornhurst, and dici in 1872. The children born to our subject and ins wife are: Helen Virginia, Austin Torbert. Elwin Howard, Clarissa Scott, Harriette Irene and Jer efc Scott, all at liome.

Mr. Blakeslee, at an early age, became inter-

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ested in his father's business and became part owner of the same. In 1892 he came into possession of 365 acres of land in l'obyhanna townsmip, 100 acres of which had been cleared and converted into a fine farm. Here he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has a large herd of cattle, including forty-five calves. For five years he conducted a store at Blakeslee, on his own account, and he still follows lumbering during the winter months. He is a most enterprising and progressive business man and has been remarkably successful in his undertakings.

Socially Mr. Blakeslee is a member of the Sons of Temperance, and politically he is a prominent representative of the Democratic party. He has been honored with a number of local offces, having been auditor two terms, school director two terms. assessor eight years and census enumerator one year. At one time his name came before the con- vention for nomination for representative in the State Legislature. There was a tie between the candidates and the choice was left to a referee, who decided in favor of Dr. Shull, of Stroudsburg. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blakeslee are active and promni- nent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a local preacher, and he' has also served as trustee and Sunday-school superintend- ent.

HENRY B. COURTRIGHT, proprietor of "Mountain Cottage," has selected an ideally beau- tiful spot for his home, and an appreciative group of guests from the neighboring cities make a practice of spending the summer months amid its attractions. The house, which was recently com- pleted with all modern improvements. will accom- modate about twenty boarders, and the farm of 100 acres provides a bountiful supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and other seasonable food for the table. As it is only two miles from Cresco station, on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, it is easily accessible, being only three hours' ride from New York City and four from Philadelphia. Lo- cated on Pocono Mountain, 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, the air is healthful and invigorating, while charming views in all directions tempt the visitor to long walks or drives, carriages and horses being ready at all times.

Mr. Courtright belongs to a well-known pio- neer family of this locality. His grandfather Courtright built the first stone house in Monroe county, near the Delaware river, and in the vicinity of the present village of Shawnee, where he made his permanent home. his death occurring there. His wife died at the home of one of their daughters in Luzerne county. This worthy couple had five children, namely: ( 1) Oliver is a farmer near Shawnee, on the New Jersey side of the Delaware river, and has five children. (2) John ( deceased ) was formerly a resident of Lackawanna county. He married and had six children. (3) Jacob is a farmer in Mountain Valley, Luzerne county, and

has two daughters. (4) Susan married George W. Ace, of Luzerne county, and has two sons-Will- iam and Verne, who are both married and engaged in farming. (5) George is referred to farther on.

George Courtright, our subject's father, was born in Smithfield township, Monroe county. and was reared as a farmer boy, receiving a limited education in the local schools. In early manhood he learned the shoemaker's trade, but after his mar- riage they settled upon a farm in Smithfield town- ship. He was drowned while attempting to cross Twelve-Mile Pond on the ice. His wife, Maria ( Huffman), survived him and afterward married Abram Hatterman, of Paradise township, but is now deceased. She had three children, all by the first marriage, who were: (1) Benjamin (de- ceased ), formerly a resident of Hyde Park, married Miss Eva Wheeler, of Scranton, and had three chil- dren-William and benjamin, who reside in Seran- ton, and Stella, a resident of Mountain Valley. (2) Henry B., our subject, is mentioned more fully farther on. (3) Sarah died at the age of two years.

Our subject was born in September, 1800. at the old home in Smithfield township, Monroe coun- ty, and after his mother's second marriage he re- sided for some years at the Hatterman homestead. Paradise township. At eighteen he engaged in blacksmithing, which he followed for some time. and later he was engaged for two years in farming. In 1880 he established a mercantile business at Swiftwater, where he remained eight years. He sold the business to Mr. Hatterman and later it passed into the hands of Mr. Ace, who now con- ducts it. In 1888 Mr. Courtright removed to Pen Argyl, Northampton county, engaging in general mercantile business there, and purchasing a resi- dence, but in 1893 he sold out and bought his pres- ent homestead in Paradise township, Monroe coun- ty, formerly known as the Tobias Sutzer farm. His management of the place shows rare business judgment, and he has already won a place among the substantial citizens of the community.

In 1883 Mlr. Courtright was married to Miss Emma Shook, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Shook, natives of Northampton county, and now highly esteemed residents of Paradise township. Monroe county. Mrs. Courtright, who was edu- cated in Northampton county, is a woman of re- finement, and has been an able helpmeet to her hus- band in his enterprise. They have five children, namely: Laura M., Bertha M. Floyd P. Verlo H. and Albert M .. who are all attending the public schools. The Courtright family has always been active in religious work, and Mr. Courtright and his wife are leading members of the Evangelical Church in Paradise township. Monroe county, to which he gives liberally of his time and means. . At present he is a trustee, and for some time he has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school. lis genial and kindly manner has made him a host of friends. and as a citizen he is held in high esteem. Polit- ically, he is a Repubhean, and he is actively inter-

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ested in local affairs ; he has frequently been chosen to office, being at present overseer of the poor and school director.

MRS. MARY ELIZABETH MILLER is a „ lady of more than ordinary business ability and marked intelligence, and is distinguished for the tact and energy she has displayed in the management of her farm in Jackson township.

Mrs. Miller was born January 6, 1838, in Jack- son township, Monroe county, and is a granddaugh- ter of John Wolbert, one of the pioneers of the county. He was born and reared near Philadel- phia, and when young came with his parents to Mon- roe county, locating in Hamilton township, where his father purchased land and engaged in farming. In that township John Wolbert married Polly Meizner, a native of Hamilton township ; soon after his marriage, however, moving to Jackson township and taking up a tract of 500 acres of wild land, which he commenced to prepare for farming pur- poses. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. She died in 1842, aged sixty years, and he departed this life in 1863, at the extreme old age of ninety- three. They were the parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom Joseph Wol- bert, father of our subject, was the youngest. He was born in Jackson township in December, 1818, and on reaching manhood engaged in farming there for many years. In his native township he married Elizabeth Setzer, who was born in Hamil- ton township, 'Monroe county, October 16, 1820, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Kerr) Setzer, also natives of Hamilton township, where they spent their entire lives; they were farming people. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolbert were born two children: Mary E., our subject; and Charles, who is repre- sented elsewhere, and with whom the parents now make their home.

At the age of fifteen years Miss Mary E. Wol- ·bert was united in marriage with Levi Miller, and to them were born two children: Franklin, who is mentioned below ; and Mary E., who is represented elsewhere. For thirty years Mrs. Miller has pro- vided for her own support, spending nine years of that time in New York City. In 1894 she returned to Jackson township and received her portion of the old homestead, on which she has built a house and now resides, while directing and assisting in the operation of her farm of thirty-onc acres. Mrs. Miller is assisted in this labor by Henry Vande- water, who was born in New York City May 23, 1845, and there grew to manhood. For two years during the Civil war he was a soldier in. the Union army, first as a member of Company E, 12th New York State Militia, and later as a member of Com- pany L, 13th New York Cavalry. He participated in twenty-five engagements, and was captured in 1862 at Harper's Ferry, being ncarly starved to death during his imprisonment. During his youth he learned the printer's trade in New York City,

where he followed same for thirty years, and later he was employed on several of the Stroudsburg papers for some years. In political belief he is a Democrat His father, Henry Vandewater, a whole- sale grocer of New York City, married Caroline Bell, a daughter of Henry W. Bell, a veteran of the war of ISI2.

Franklin Miller, son of our subject, was born January 12, 1861, in Jackson township, where he was reared, and he began his business career in the lumber woods of the northern part of Monroe. county, where he was engaged for five years. He then bought ninety-nine acres of land in Jackson township, and still owns eighty-eight acres, on which he now resides, his time being devoted to general farming and stock raising. He has placed fifty acres under excellent cultivation and is meeting with good success in his undertakings. He was married at Stroudsburg, Monroe county, in 1889, to Miss Anna Laura Workeisher, a native of Tannersville, Penn., and a daughter of James and Sally ( Daily ) Workeisher. They have had children as follows : El- mer, Harvey Arlington, Edith Catherine, May Ethel and Cora Alice .- The parents both hold member- ship in the Reformed Church; Mr. Miller is a stanch Republican, but he has never been an as- pirant for political honors.

C. D. MILLARD. Among the well-to-do farmers of Lathrop township, Susquehanna county, men who have clung to the soil and won indepen- dence and success and who rank high in the commun- ity, any list would be incomplete that did not con- tain the name of our subject. For three genera- tions the family has been identified with Susque- hanna county.

Josiah Millard, the grandfather of our subject, lived for some years in Lenox township and died in Lathrop township, aged seventy years. Stephen J. Millard, the father of our subject, was born in IS19. in Lenox township, and was there reared on the farm. He married Polly Felton, daughter of Jacob and Abigail ( Stephens) Felton, and farmed through life a tract of 100 acres which was wild land when he acquired it. In politics he was a Democrat. He died in 1859, aged forty years. and his wife survived until 1897, when she died at the age of seventy-nine years. Their children were as follows: Sally, wife of P. R. Carpenter. of Hall- stead ; C. D. : F. C .. a farmer of Wyoming county ; Edwin P., who died when four years of age; and F. M., of Glenwood.

C. D. Millard, our subject, was born in Nicholson township, Wyoming county, December 25. 1843. He was reared on a farm in Lenox town- ship. He enlisted March 30, 1864, in Company G. 187th P. V. I., and served until the close of the war, participating in the active campaign before Peters- burg and on the Weldon Railroad. He married Miss Louisa C. Felton, a native of Lathrop town- ship. and thic daughter of William and Elsie (Stephens ) Felton, and to them have come six chil-

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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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dren, namely: Bert, a carpenter, of Scranton ; Edwin R., at home; Bell, who died at the age of fourteen years; Elsie, at home; Agnes, who died young; and Merrill, at home. Since the age of sixteen our subject has won his own way in the world. He had attained that age when his father died, and as the eldest boy of the family responsi- bility fell early upon his shoulders. He not only was obliged to look out for himself, but for other men- bers of the family as well. For nine years he con- tinued to operate a small farm, and the labors and cares of his young manhood developed those sterling traits of character which have since materi- ally aided him in his career. He first bought a farm of forty acres in Lenox township, one-half of it being cleared, and in 1890 he moved to Lathrop township, where he now owns fifty-seven acres and where he is engaged in general dairy farming and in teaming. He is a member of Bellup Post, No. 392, G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican and he has filled various local offices, including those of supervisor in Lenox township, and school director in Lathrop.

MRS. CLARA LABES, a most estimable lady, now successfully conducting a hotel in Tafton, Pike county, was born in Prussia, Germany, July 8, 1860, the youngest child of Gustaf and Lena ( Rosencky) Schultz.

Mrs. Labes' father was born near Berlin, Prussia, September 29, 1820, where he grew to manhood and followed the shoemaker's trade for several years. In Prussia he was married, May 4, . 1845, to Lena Rosencky, a daughter of Frederick and Carrie (Giese) Rosencky, her family being Polish people of noble birth who were driven out of their native land during the Polish wars. With their family Mr. and Mrs. Schultz emigrated to America, landing in New York June 21, 1864, and they made their home in that city until 1879, which year witnessed their arrival in Palmyra township, Pike Co., Penn. There the father died November 3, 1889. The family consisted of children as follows: Lena, wife of Robert Gantzberg, a business man of West Hoboken, N. J., has one daughter, Laura ; Oscar died in Hoboken, N. J .; Hugo died in Ger- many, while young; Gustaf and Richard also died in that country ; Clara, Mrs. Labes, is our subject.

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Commemorative biographical record of northeastern Pennsylvania, including the counties of Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike and Monroe, Pt. 4, Part 99

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