Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 92

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1026

USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 92
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Richard Graves (grandfather) was a native of Rhode Island. The early years of his life were spent in his native state, but on attaining the age of seventeen years he took up his resi- dence in Abington township, Pennsylvania, but later settled in Greenfield township, where he resided for a number of years, after which he purchased property in Scott township and re- mained there until his death. He was an active and influential member of the community, and was the incumbent of the offices of auditor, as- sessor and collector. He held membership in the

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Methodist Church, and was an earnest worker for the advancement of the interests of that de- nomination. He married Elmira Tompkins, a native of Rhode Island, and daughter of John and Abigail (Fenner) Tompkins. The Tomp- kins family were of Holland extraction, and the Fenner family were among the early settlers of the state of Connecticut. Four sons were the issue of this marriage, namely : Albert, mentioned hereinafter; Edwin, a resident of Jermyn ; Rich- ard, a resident of Scott township, and John T., attorney-at-law and formerly judge of a county court in South Dakota.

Albert Graves (father) was born in Green- field township, then Luzerne, but now Lacka- wanna county. May 16, 1825. He attended the public and private schools of Scott township, in which section of the state the greater part of his life was spent. At the age of nineteen years he began to teach school, and for thirteen win- ter terms thereafter followed that line of work in Scott, Greenfield and Benton townships, while the intervening summers were devoted to farm work. In 1851 he purchased a farm in Scott township, consisting of sixty-seven acres, and erected thereon a number of commodious build- ings. He was practical and progressive in his methods, and his well-tilled fields yielded him a goodly return for the labor bestowed upon them. During the latter years of his life he lived some- what retired from the busy round of duties that formerly engaged his attention and energy, and he was then able to enjoy the comforts of life, which is a fitting sequel to a life well spent in honest and honorable toil. He served his town- ship as justice of the peace, which office he held for fifteen years, for twelve years was the in- cumbent of the office of assessor, and during his service of nine years as school director worked faithfully for the advancement of the free edu- cational institutions of this district. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiated as leader and trustee, and was a Republican in politics.

Albert Graves married Margaret Miller, and their children were: Albert Clarence, Richard Hobart, deceased ; Margaret E., deceased ; Isaac S., mentioned hereafter; Mary L., married Charles Harned ; and Alice. Mr. Graves died December 19, 1900, having survived his wife ten years, her death occurring February 6, 1890.

Dr. Isaac S. Graves spent the years of his boyhood in play, work and study, and being of a studious disposition progressed rapidly in his studies and was rewarded by receiving a certifi- cate entitling him to teach from the county su-

perintendent of schools. He then served in the capacity of teacher for two years, and the money thus earned defrayed his expenses through the State Normal School at Mansfield, from which institution he was graduated at the completion of the regular course. Resuming his work as a teacher he successfully engaged in that profes- sion for three years, during which time he dili- gently economized his means in order to further improve himself. He then matriculated in the medical department of the University of the City of New York, and after pursuing the regular course of lectures was graduated from that insti- tution with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1888. He immediately established an office in the borough of Peckville, where for three years he conducted a general practice, and at the ex- piration of this period of time located at Jermyn. purchased the residence of Dr. Church, and has since made his home there. He possesses a vast amount of broad general and scientific informa- tion, and by the successful management of his extensive practice has won an enviable reputa- tion. His political affiliations are with the Re- publican party.

In April, 1891, Dr. Graves married Edith Page, a native of Peckville, and they are the par- ents of one son, Albert, born October 8, 1896.

BEIDER WELLINGTON WILDE, a mem- ber of the firm of Wilde & Company, manufact- urer of knit goods, also manager of the store of A. Pardee & Company, was born in New Castle township, near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 22, 1854.

The pioneer ancestor of the American branch of the family was George Wilde, grandfather of Beider W. Wilde, born in Yorkshire, England, April 17, 1785. He sailed from Liverpool, Eng- land, for the United States, May 15, 1826, and landed in New York city, July 4, 1826. He was a farmer at Crums Creek, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, until 1828, followed the same oc- cupation at Norristown until June, 1830, when he located near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life, working about the mines until his death, April 28, 1833. He married, December 26, 1811. Sarah Hardy, born in Yorkshire, England, 1786, daughter of John and Nancy (Greenwood) Hardy, and their chil- dren were: John, born 1813; Jeremiah, 1814: Joseph, 1816; Jesse, 1817; Mary, 1820 : George, 1823; Jesse, 1825: Sarah, 1827.

Joseph Wilde, third son of George and Sarah (Hardy) Wilde, and father of Beider W. Wilde, was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, Feb-

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ruary 22, 1816. He came to America in 1826, and shortly afterward located in Schuylkill coun- ty. Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death, November 22, 1866. During his active career he was a farmer, merchant and lumber- man. In politics he was a follower of Henry Clay; he early became a Republican, and while an intense partisan, a natural leader of men, pop- ular and able, he always refused to be a candidate for office. He married Elizabeth Beck, born Sep- tember 15, 1820, died October 3, 1899, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Beider) Beck, of Cressona, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, early in 1845, and their children are: George J., William J., John H., Joseph B., Beider W., Ida V., Elizabeth and Charles I ..

Beider W. Wilde was educated in public schools, learned the trade of machinist in the Lehigh Valley Railroad shops at Hazleton, and worked there from 1870 to 1890. In the latter year he resigned from his position of assistant general foreman to become postmaster of Hazle- ton, the duties of which office he filled to the sat- isfaction of all concerned. From 1893 to 1901

he was general purchasing agent for the A. S. « in this and the neighboring counties.

Van Wickle interests, and since 1901 has been manager of the store for A. Pardee & Company. In addition to this he is a member of the firm of Wilde & Company, manufacturers of knit goods, the other member of the firm being his brother, Charles L. Wilde. He has always been a Republican and has served that party in various capacities, namely : Delegate to a number of con- ventions, member of Hazleton borough council, 1886, postmaster from 1890 to 1894, one of the Mckinley presidential electors, 1896, and mes- senger from that body to carry returns to the United States district court. He has been a member of the church from early youth and of the Hazleton Presbyterian Church since 1887, has been an elder therein since 1891, commis- sioner to general assembly in 1897, superintend- ent of Sabbath school since 1901. He has been a member of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion since its organization in 1877.

Mr. Wilde married, September 20, 1882, Isabel MacDonald, daughter of William and Jane (Cowans) MacDonald, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride's parents in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wilde was edu- cated in public schools. Her father was born near Glasgow, Scotland, May 28, 1832, died in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. April 30, 1904; he was a miner, mine superintendent and powder manti- facturer, and served with distinction as first ser- geant in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-

eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers dur- ing the Civil war. Jane (Cowans) MacDonald was born in England, 1836. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilde: Isabel Florence, born in Hazle- ton, August 4, 1883, graduated Hazleton high school, June, 1901, and Wilson College, Cham- bersburg, June, 1906. John Walter, born Hazle- ton, February 14, 1886, graduated from Hazle- ton high school, June, 1903, and immediately en- tered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, as cadet from Twelfth congressional district, having in February, 1903, received the appointment as result of competitive examination. Beider Wellington, Jr., born Mil- nesville, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1895, and now a student in Hazleton grammar school.

CHARLES W. RANDALL. Among the worthy descendants of those sturdy pioneers who carried civilization into the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys must be numbered Charles W. Randall, of Old Forge. The progenitors of Mr. Randall were of English and German blood and their names have long been household words

Samuel Randall, a resident of Warren county, New Jersey, moved thence to the Wyoming Val- ley about 1836. His wife was Rachel Wilson, a native of England, and their family consisted of the following children: Silas; mentioned here- after ; James, George, Charles, William, Mary, Sarah, Fanny, and an adopted daughter, all of whom are deceased.

Silas Randall, son of Samuel and Rachel (Wilson) Randall, was born December 20, 1825, in Warren county, New Jersey, and after the removal of the family to the Wyoming Valley, boy though he was, he led a life of arduous toil. His educational opportunities were limited, but he acquired knowledge sufficient to fit him for an eventful and useful life. At the age of thirteen he was apprenticed to the cabinetmaker's trade, in which he became so proficient that no man in either the Wyoming or Lackawanna Valley could compete with him in the perfection of his work. While learning the trade he worked nearly five years without pay, and after the ex- piration of his time worked eleven years as a journeyman for his former master. He next secured a position in a mill, which he retained until his removal from Wyoming to Old Forge. which took place in 1846. He there hecame fore- man for the Raynor powder mills, serving in this capacity for fourteen years. During ten years of this time he operated a sawmill, and after re- signing his position in the mill became an exten-

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sive contractor and builder. For ten years he conducted a flourishing business. Throughout the neighboring region he enjoyed a high repu- tation as a mechanic and an inventor. For a number of years he held the office of road com- missioner, and during his term of office made many necessary improvements in his township. He was a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 379, Free and Accepted Masons, of Taylor, the Im- proved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Randall married in 185-1, Elizabeth Cress, whose great-grandfather was a native of Ger- many and was brought to this country by his parents when but six years of age. One of his sons, Charles Gress, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and at the age of twelve years was employed in some capacity by General Washington. He married Elizabeth Smith, also a native of Northampton county, and they were the parents of twelve children, one of whom is still living, Julia, who became the wife of Daniel Dietrich. One of his sons, Jacob Gress, was born at Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, and was a shoemaker by trade. He owned sev- enty-six acres of land, and was for some time the proprietor of the Buck Horn Hotel, so named, there is every reason to believe, on account of the number of antlers there displayed, trophies of the skill of Mr. Gress, who was one of the most noted hunters of his day, was reputed to have slain deer by the hundred and was known to have killed no fewer than seventy-six bears. He was also a musical genius, his mastery of the violin being something marvellous. His wife was Susanna Umford, also a native of Monroe coun- ty, and their children were: John, Rudolph, Adam, George, Charles, Daniel, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Silas Randall, as mentioned above; Hannah, Mary, Sarah A., Julia A., and Harriet. Of this number the following are de- ceased : John, Rudolph, Charles, Daniel, Eliza- beth, and Hannah. The mother of these children passed away February, 1883, at the age of sev- enty-six years. The father of the family ex- pired in the spring of 1899, having nearly reached the century mark, his age being ninety-four years and six months.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Randall: Rosetta, wife of George W. Brown ; Charles W., mentioned hereafter ; Anna B., wife of H. J. Davenport ; Johnson ; Zura C., mentioned hereafter ; Warren W., and Christo- pher. The death of Mrs. Randall, the exemplary mother of this numerous family, occurred Au- gust ·12, 1900, when she had reached the age of

seventy-two. Mr. Randall, the father, closed his long life of activity and usefulness August 16, 1902, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.

Charles W. Randall, son of Silas and Eliza- beth (Gress) Randall, was born in 1856, at West Pittston, and received his education in the public schools of Old Forge. When a youth he worked with his father, who imparted to him a thorough knowledge of the cabinetmaker's trade, and with whom he was closely associated until 1886. He also learned the carpenter's trade and became a master mechanic, as his father had been before him. For the last sixteen years he has held the position of foreman for E. Finn & Son. He has built for himself an extremely finely finished res- idence on Main avenue. He commenced it in 1904 and, without quitting the employ of Finn & Son, he built this spacious, modern residence within two years and performed all the mechan- ical work himself, much of it being executed by him, both exterior and interior, by the light of a lantern. Thoughtful for the near neighbors who had retired, he seldom pounded after bedtime. The skill of Mr. Randall as a cabinetmaker is seen in the oil and hard-finish woodwork of the interior of this beautiful residence. Indeed, the circumstances under which the work was per- formed is remarkable, but no better workman- ship can be found in the country. It stands as a monument to his untiring energy and skill as a woodworker.

Mr. Randall married, October 28. 1886, Agnes Davis. They have two children: Eva, born De- cember 12, 1887 ; Clarence, born March 4, 1892. Mrs. Randall is a vocalist of local reputation, and her daughter inherits her mother's gift and is receiving a musical education. She is now the organist in the Old Forge Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Randall's parents were William and Mary Davis, natives of South Wales, who emigrated to the United States in 1866. Their family consisted of fifteen children, seven of whom are living: Elizabeth, Johanna, David WV., Agnes, who was born in Catasauqua, Penn- sylvania, and became the wife of Charles W. Randall, as mentioned above; Hannah, Dora, a noted contralto, married Charles W. Metzger ; and Mirriam, wife of Adam Gshwindt.

Zura C. Randall, son of Silas and Elizabeth (Gress) Randall, was born July 28, 1864, at Old Forge, and was educated in the common schools of his native town. Since 1882 he has been con- tinuously employed as an engineer at the Hal- stead colliery, and during eighteen years of this time has operated an engine. His office is one of the most important of all those connected with

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the production of coal, his duty being to regulate ' elsewhere in this work. James Beyea was ac- the movements of the cage in which the men are lowered to their work in the mines. During the many years in which Mr. Randall has filled this most responsible position he has met with no acci- dent, a fact which amply demonstrates his fitness for its duties.

Mr. Randall married in 1837, Florence Haven, and they have two sons: Harrison, born November 7, 1887 ; and Zura, born July 27, 1897. Mrs. Randall is a daughter of C. P. Havan, who was born at Rondout, New York, the eldest of a family of eleven children. In 1855 he moved to Gouldsboro, where he was employed by J. Gould. On the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He saw active service and received a wound at the battle of Lookout Mountain. On his return to civil life he moved to Clifton town- ship, where he bought a farm which was his home for the remainder of his days. He mar- ried. December. 24. 1858, Arestuna Scott, and among their children was Florence, born in 1870, in Clifton township, and became the wife of Zura C. Randall, as mentioned above. The death of Mrs. Havan occurred June 9, 1887, and in 1890 Mr. Havan married Mrs. Sophia Swartz. He died February 1, 1902, his loss being. lamented as that of a useful and patriotic citizen.

BENJAMIN DORRANCE BEYEA. Peter and John Beyea, Frenchmen, and owners of a merchantman bound for New York city, were captured, presumably by pirates when near the entrance to New York harbor, and their valuable cargo of merchandise confiscated. After their re- lease they found their way to New York city. This was about the time of the Revolution. They at once took up arms and fought in the Ameri- can cause, later joining Washington's army and fighting throughout the entire struggle. After the Revolution Peter settled in Dutchess county, New York, and John went to Connecti- cut, where lie resided, married and became the ancestor of the branch of the Beyea family repre- sented in the Wyoming Valley by Henry Beyea, of Dunmore, Pennsylvania. The late Benjamin Dorrance Beyea was also a worthy representa- tive of this family.

James Bevea, son of John Beyea, and grand- father of Benjamin D. Beyea, left Connecticut and crossing the Hudson river settled on the line between Orange and Sullivan counties New York, which place was also the home of the Dorrance family, a sketch of whom appears

companied by his wife and their infant son James, and the journey was performed on horseback. James Beyea had a splendid farm of over six hundred acres, well developed, and was a very sticcessful man, standing high in the community of which he was a member. He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children, among whom were: John, James, Samuel, Louis, Wil- liam, Henry, Adeline, Abbie, Martha, Betsy and Rebecca. James Beyea died at an extreme old age, and his wife passed away at the venerable age of ninety-four years; both deaths occurred on the old homestead.

James Beyea, son of James Beyea, and father of Benjamin D. Beyea, fell heir to the old home- stead, and devoted his life to following the oc- cupation of farming. He was a member of the Methodist church, a Whig in politics, and held a number of township offices. He married Nancy Dorrance, of Sullivan county, New York, daugh- ter of Colonel Dorrance, who was on the staff of General Lafayette (see Dorrance family). She was one of six children, namely: Nancy, Dr. Charles, George, John, Fannie and Kathe- rine, all of Sullivan county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Beyea had four children: Catherine Ann, married a Mr. Ramsey, and died in West- boro, New York, aged about eighty-six years. Benjamin Dorrance, of whom later. Louis, who remained on the old homestead, and died aged about thirty-five years. Henry, married Ellen Pursel, and had four children : Edwin M., Henry D., a practicing physician in Philadelphia ; Sarah P., and Mary, who died in infancy. James Beyea ( father) died on the old homestead, aged about sixty years.

Benjamin D. Beyea, son of James and Nancy (Dorrance) Beyea, born April 26, 1825, died May I. 1897, aged seventy-two years, was a na- tive of Orange county, New York, his birth oc- curring near Middletown. The common schools in the vicinity of Middleton, New York, afforded Benjamin D. Beyca the opportunity of acquir- ing a practical education. Subsequently he came to Pittston, Pennsylvania, and accepted the posi- tion of cashier of the First National Bank of that place, fulfilling the duties devolving upon him in a highly creditable manner. Later he was associated with Mr. LaCoe in the iron mines in the Lake Superior region, and for many years was a coal operator and lumber merchant of note. For several years prior to his death he lived a retired life, enjoying to the full the con- sciousness of duties and responsibilities faith- fully and conscientiously performed. He was a

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

member, trustee and class leader in the Meth- odist church, held membership in the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and was an adher- ent of Republican principles. He was a great lover of nature, and his chief pastime during leisure hours was angling for the wary trout.

Mr. Beyea married (first) a Miss Shaw, who died about one year after her marriage. He married (second), June 17, 1851, Katherine Stark, of Wilkes-Barre, and they had one daugh- ter, Mary, born April 1, 1857, died August 29, 1865, aged eight years. Katherine (Stark) Beyea died January 4, 1882. Mr. Beyea married (third), October 28, 1885, Frances L. Cool, born February 21, 1846, daughter of William H. and Jane (Lockhart) Cool, of West Pittston, formerly of Beaver Meadow, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, and their children are: Margue- rite Cameron, born January 8, 1887; and Ben- jamin Dorrance, Jr., born June 26, 1888.

William Hoppa Cool, father of Frances L. (Cool) Beyea, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, September 1, 1808, died January, 1900. He was one of ten children, five sons, John, Abram, Jacob, Andrew and William Hoppa, and five daughters born to John and Margaret (Decker) Cool, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, the latter being a member of a family noted for their great stature, her brothers having been from six foot to six foot and five inches tall. William Hoppa Cool was the grand- son of William Cool, who lived and died in Pennsylvania, and who was the father of nine children : Christopher and four pairs of twins, namely : Paul and Peter, John and Andrew, Elizabeth and Mary, and Isaac and Abram. William H. Cool came from New Jersey to Conyngham, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and there resided for nine years; from there he moved to Nescopeek, then to Salem, then to Beaver Meadow, where he resided until 1874, and then to West Pittston, Luzerne county. In early youth he learned the carpenter trade. He was engaged in mercantile business in Beaver Meadows for almost forty years, and in 1855 purchased a quarter interest in what was called the Gaylord slope, in Plymouth, and was inter- ested in the same until his death. Later he be- came a powder manufacturer, conducting a large and prosperous business, but prior to his removal to West Pittston he disposed of this business. He was associated in business with such men as Henderson Gaylord, James S. Mason, of Philadelphia, Edward and William Frischmuth. of Philadelphia, and A. G. Brodhead. Mr. Cool was one of the men who helped to make the

country what it is today, and it is said of him that he was a man of sterling worth, possessing many of the characteristics of the great Napol- eon. He commenced life a poor boy, but by energy and perseverance attained to the posi- tion of associate judge of Carbon county, in which capacity he served for many years, and was known as "Judge." Prior to the Civil war he was a Democrat and afterwards changed his allegiance to the Republican party. He was a member and trustee of the Methodist church.

William H. Cool married in 1836, Jane Lock- hart, ninth child of John and Anna ( Cameron) Lockhart, and their children were: Charles H., resides in West Pittston ; married Ruth Karr, of Almond, New York, and their children are: William I., Frank Warren, Robert, Charles Le- Roy, and Willard Cameron Cool. Cameron L., resides in West Pittston ; he served in the Civil war and was wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks. Julia, died at the age of six months at Beaver Meadow and was buried at Forty Fort. Wil- liam H., Jr., died at the age of 21 years at Beaver Meadow, and was buried at Forty Fort. Wil- liam H., Jr., died at the age of twenty-one years at Beaver Meadow and was buried at Forty Fort. Frances Lockhart, widow of eBnjamin D Beyea. Margaret A.,bornMay 20, 1849. Jane (Lockhart) Cool died 1870. William H. Cool married for his second wife Margaret Lockhart, sister of his first wife.

John and Anna (Cameron) Lockhart, par- ents of the two wives of William H. Cool, reared a family of ten children, as follows: James, married Susan Santee, of near Huntington, Pennsylvania, lived on the farm, and had chil- dren: Mary, Elizabeth, Maria, Rachel, Hamil- ton. deceased, and Charles. John. Alexander, married Grace Adams. of Philadelphia, and had four children : Alexander Hamilton, Edwin, Mary Augusta and RRobert; Mary Augusta married H. E. Packer, of Maunch Chunk, connected with the Lehigh Valley Railroad, son of Asa Packer, deceased, formerly of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road. George, married Maria Bidlack and had children : Joseph, John, Isabelle and George, all but Joseph, deceased. Cameorn. Robert, married Anna Wilber, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sister of E. P. Wilber. Mary. Margaret, mentioned above as the second wife of William H. Cool. Jane, mentioned above as the first wife of Wil- liam H. Cool. Frances.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume II, Part 92

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1026

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin, 1837-1917; Hand, Alfred, 1835-; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1026