Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 100

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 100
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 100

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).

SOLOMON HARMON, a life-long resident of Salem township, his postoffice being Beach Haven, is a representative of that class of men who follow agricultural pursuits and whose lives prove most uneventful but useful. He traces his lineage to German ancestors who took an active part on the English side during the Revolutionary war. The pioneer ancestor was Conrad Harmon, a native of Germany, who belonged to the Hes- sians under the command of the British. He was captured by the Colonists, to whom he became friendly, and finally became a worthy citizen of that new government against which he was hired to fight. He settled in Schuylkill county, Penn- sylvania, but in 1799, prior to his marriage, re- moved to Luzerne county, locating in Salem township. He was a farmer by occupation. He married Margaret Houser, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and their children were as follows: John, John A., Mary, Molly, Margaret, Mary E., Cath- erine, and Elizabeth.

John A. Harmon, second son of Conrad and Margaret (Houser) Harmon, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1797, and when two years of age was brought by his parents to Salem township, Luzerne county. He was a practical farmer, prospered in all his undertak- ings, and in due course of time became the owner of one hundred and eighty-four acres of good farming land. He was a man of good business ability, in whom his fellow citizens placed im- plicit confidence. He was twice married ; first to Mrs. Catherine Harmon, nec Smithers, widow of his deceased brother, John Harmon, and their children were: Henry, deceased ; John, deceased ; Caroline ; Catherine, deceased : Polly, deceased ; and Margaret. Mrs. Harmon had two children by her first marriage, namely : George and Sarah,

both deceased. Mr. Harmon married for his sec- ond wife Sarah Varner, of Salem township, born 1804, died 1879, and to this union there were born seven children, five of whom attained years of maturity, namely : Solomon, Susan, Elizabeth, deceased ; Boyann, and Sevilla.

Solomon Harmon, son of John A. and Sarah (Varner) Harmon, was born in Salem township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1832. He was reared and educated in his native town- ship, and later adopted the free and independent career of a farmer. By his superior knowledge and far-reaching insight into the scientific side of agricultural pursuits he became expert along these lines, and accumulated at one time two hundred and five acres, a portion of which he has disposed of, but at the present time (1905) owns one hundred and eighty-one acres of ar- able farming land. He has held the office of school director for a number of years, and also overseer of the poor. Mr. Harmon is a staunch Democrat, the principles of which party he has inherited from his ancestors, yet he is magnan- imous enough to honor a good Republican when he is in office, neglecting to use his highest priv- ilege against him at election. This, indeed, is making a great concession to his opponent, that whereas he could not vote for him he would not vote against him ; this was the case in 1904 when Theodore Roosevelt was elected President of the United States.

In 1853 Mr. Harmon married Anna M. Bloss, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Bloss, and ten children were born to them, nine of whom grew to maturity, namely : Sarah E., Susan, de- ceased ; Mary M., Sevilla, John A., a prosperous farmer of Salem township, who married Cora Pollock, in 1893, and their children are: Grace A., Mary E., Willard F., Hazel M., and George E. ; Frances L., Amelia V., Anna R., and Ella M. Harmon. The house occupied by Mr. Har- mon and his family was built by Josiah T. Beach, about 1830, and is perhaps one of the oldest frame structures in Salem township.

WILLIAM A. NAUGLE. One of the most prominent landmarks in the village of Nesco- peck, is the old Evans Mill, which is located in close proximity to the mouth of the Nescopeck creek, a tributary of the majestic Susquehanna. Erected about the year 1800 by David Evans, who operated it until 1840, it was inherited by his son Benjamin, who continued its operation for a period of sixty-two years, or until the lat- ter's death, which occurred in 1902, and the fol- lowing year it was purchased from the Evans

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

estate by William A. Naugle, the subject of this sketch.

William A. Naugle was born in Zenith, Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1858. His parents, Theodore and Sarah (Keene) Naugle, who are still living, are natives of Nescopeck township, and are now residing near Nurem- burg, Schuylkill county. His father is a retired lumberman and farmer. His grandparents, Philip and Rosanna (Dreisburgh) Naugle, re- sided in Luzerne county for many years. Theo- dore and Sarah Naugle have had ten children : Rosanna, deceased: Harriet : William A .; Ann Eliza ; Malinda ; Reuben, deceased ; Lizzie, who is now Mrs. Andrews ; Emma Katherine ; Aaron F., and Viola.

With the exception of about three years res- idence in Luzerne county, William A. Naugle resided on the farm upon which he was born until he was thirty-five years of age, and the homestead is now in his possession. Since pur- chasing the Evans Mill he has developed the property from a small country grist mill into an extensive manufacturing establishment by erect- ing a mill for the sawing and planing of lumber, and also a cider mill. The entire establishment is equipped with improved machinery, including a steam plant for use in case of a temporary sus- pension of the water-power, and the site of the old village grist-mill has been transformed into a successful modern industrial enterprise, which is certainly a pleasing contrast to its slumbering as- pect of two years ago. As a business man Mr. Naugle is rapidly acquiring prominence in this section of the state, and the spirit of enterprise he has already displayed is proving exceedingly ben- eficial to this community. Politically he acts with the Democratic party in national issues, but on local questions he professes independent pro- clivities.

Mr. Naugle married, September 26, 1889, Adaline Beishline, daughter of Levi and Maria Beishline, of Columbia county. Levi Beishline, who served with honor in the Civil war, died in 1899, and his wife died in 1902. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom but five are living. Mr. and Mrs. Naugle have had ten children : Erma Irene, deceased ; Pearl ; Roy L .: Ruth; Emery; Letha Naomi; Ida May ; Ralph Theodore Naugle ; Esther.

STURDEVANT FAMILY. The pioneer head of the Sturdevant family in the Wyoming region of Pennsylvania was Samuel Sturdevant, born in Connecticut, August 30, 1741, and settled at Black Walnut, Pennsylvania, in 1792. A few

years afterward he built a frame dwelling house,. splitting the lumber from pine logs and dressing. it with his own hands. He was ordained a Bap- tist preacher, October 25, 1794, and had charge of the church at Laceyville until his death. He was a private in the Sixth Company, Fifth Regi- ment, Connecticut Militia, 1775 ; private in Cap- tain Samuel Granger's company, Second Regi- ment, 1777 ; transferred to Third Regiment ; pri- vate in Captain Phineas Beardsley's company, Seventh Regiment, 1777 : Connecticut line.

Rev. Samuel Sturdevant was born of Con- gregational parents, who were sincere believers in the doctrines of the Established Church of New England, but early in life he began to con- sider for himself the teachings of that church on the subject of baptism, and he wrought out the way in which he believed it his duty to order his- religious walk. He early became a convert to- the Baptist faith, was an expounder of its doc- trines in Connecticut, and one of its earliest pio- neers on the soil of Pennsylvania, where he had determined to cast his fortunes. Two years after he came to live in the Wyoming country he was accepted as a preacher and minister of the Bap- tist Church. He had been a farmer in earlier years, and subsequently continued in that pursuit to a limited extent, devoting himself chiefly, how- ever, to the "propagation of the gospel" in the new and then almost wilderness region. He was not a pioneer in the valley, but he was one of the pioneers of the Baptist ministry in northern Pennsylvania, a devout and earnest worker, and a useful man in the communities where he la- bored. He continued to preach until 1824, when. the infirmities of advancing age admonished him to lay aside the arduous work of the ministry. Four years later his life's work was closed. He. died April 9, 1825, at the age of eighty-six years,. and his body was buried in the family graveyard on his home farm in Black Walnut.

Rev. Samuel Sturdevant was thrice married .. His first wife was Ruth Northrop, born in Dan- bury, Connecticut, by whom he had children : Samuel, see forward; Phebe, married Joshua Keeney ; Sally, married Jacob Gray ; Anna, mar- ried David Lake ; Elizabeth, married Josiah Mills, and died 1841 ; Jesse; Olive, married J. Coon .. He married (second) about 1790, Sarah Morris, born 1746, died 1704, soon after which he re- moved with all his children, except one daughter,. to Pennsylvania. His third wife was Mrs. Lucy Cooley, a widow, who then had five children. She was born 1764, died 1836. By her Samuel had three children: Elijah and Elisha (twins), and Lucy, married Joseph Smith.

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

Samuel Sturdevant (2), eldest son and child of Rev. Samuel Sturdevant ( I) and his wife Ruth Northrop, was born in Danbury, Connec- ticut, September 16, 1773, died at Skinner's Eddy, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1847. He came with his father's family to Braintrim township (in which Black Walnut was situated) in 1792. Soon afterward he removed to Skinner's Eddy, where he was largely instrumental in founding the village settlement there. He possessed excel- lent business qualities and during most of his active life was engaged in land speculations, lum- bering, operating saw and grist mills, and in farming. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer and Eunice (Culver) Skinner, and by this marriage brought together two among the most prominent families in the valley, the Sturde- vants and the Skinners. To Samuel and Eunice (Skinner) Sturdevant were born: John, see sketch following; Peter, born 1798; Clarissa, born 1800; Liverius D., born 1802, father of Col- onel Samuel H. Sturdevant; Eunice, born 1804, married Nathan Osborn ; Ebenezer Warren, born 1806, was brigadier general Pennsylvania State Militia ; Sarah, born 1808, married Guy Welles, she died at Fort Madison, 1841; Maria, born 1810; Charles, born 1812, died in Wilkes-Barre, aged seventy-five years ; Elizabeth, born 1814, was for many years preceptress in the seminary at Goveurneur, New York, died August 17, 1842, The mother of these children died August 23, 1833.

COLONEL SAMUEL H. STURDEVANT, deceased, a well known lumber dealer of Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, was born March 29, 1832, in. Braintrim township (now Wyoming county, Pennsylvania,), the son of Laverius D. and Ada ( Morley) Sturdevant. His great-grandfather, the Rev. Samuel Sturdevant (I), and Samuel Sturdevant (2), his grandfather, were both na- tives of Connecticut, and pioneers of Black Wal- nut Bottom in Braintrim township, where they died.

Samuel Sturdevant (2) was born at Danby, Connecticut, September 16, 1773, died March 4, 1847. His wife, Elizabeth (Skinner) Sturde- vant, was born at Hebron, Connecticut, July 16, 1773, died August 26, 1833. Rev. Samuel Stur- devant, father of Samuel Sturdevant, born 1741, took an active part in the struggle for American independence, entering the army as an orderly sergeant and being promoted to a captaincy, serv- ·ing uninterruptedly from the battle of Lexington to the surrender of Yorktown. Subsequently he

emigrated to Braintrim, where, at the place known as Black Walnut Bottom, he purchased a large farm and resided there until his death in 1828. Ebenezer Skinner, father of Mrs. Eliza- beth (Skinner) Sturdevant, in 1776, located at the mouth of Tuscarora creek, only two miles distant, on lands adjoining the after purchase of the Rev. Mr. Sturdevant. At the advance of the Indians down the valley in 1778, he with his fam- ily went by canoe down the river to Forty Fort, the canoe being then and for many years after- wards the only means of travel up and down the Susquehanna river. One of his sons, John N. Skinner, was in the battle of Wyoming, and Mr. Skinner was one of those in charge of the fort as protectors of the women and children. Mrs. Sturdevant, then a child of seven years, was with her mother in the fort, and after the massacre they went on foot with the women and children spared by the Indians through the wilderness called the "shades of death." to the Delaware river and thence to Connecticut. Samuel (2) and Elizabeth had John, Peter B., Liverius D., Ebenezer W. and Charles.

Liverius D. Sturdevant (3), son of Samuel (2) and father of Colonel Samuel H. Sturdevant (4), was born and reared in Braintrim township, and there followed successively the occupations of farmer, hotel-keeper and merchant. He mar- ried Ada Morley, who was a daughter of John Morley, one of the pioneer settlers of Tuscarora, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. The following named children were born of the union: Samuel H., mentioned hereinafter ; Ebenezer W., Eliza- beth M., wife of James M. Robinson ; Martha, wife of Frank Ames ; H. Sinton ; Dunning ; Ella, the wife of Jerome Swartwood; and Harriet Morley, now Mrs. W. F. Goff. The father of these children died in Braintrim at the advanced . age of eighty-three years.

Samuel H. Sturdevant was reared in Lu- zerne county, and there received his educational training in the common schools and at Wyoming Seminary. In 1851 he entered his business ca- reer as a merchant in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylva- nia, continuing until 1855, when he embarked in the lumber business, in which he remained until 1861. On August 3, 1861, he was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln, captain of United States Volunteers. He later received promotions to lieutenant-colonel and colonel. During his term of service Colonel Sturdevant distinguished him- self for his courage and fearlessness on the field of action. He was mustered out of service Oc- tober, 1865.

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

After his return to civil life Colonel Sturde- vant became engaged in the lumber business in Wilkes-Barre, having formed a partnership with Warren F. Goff, and conducting the business under the firm name of Sturdevant & Goff. The honest and exact business methods employed by these gentlemen won for them gratifying success in their business. In political relations Colonel Sturdevant was an earnest worker in the Repub- lican party. He was interested in all local affairs, and served his city as school director for six years and as councilman for three years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre. November 9, 1853, he married Leah Urquhart, of Lambertville, New Jersey, daughter of John and Emily (Naylor) Urqu- hart. Eight children were born to them as fol- lows: John Henry; George Urquhart, died aged forty: Samuel Henry, Jr., died aged forty-two ; Winthrop Ketcham, Robert, Ellen Urquhart, Florence Slocum and Ruth. Winthrop died aged about seven ; Florence died in infancy, and Ruth died aged about sixteen years. Mrs. Sam- uel H. Sturdevant died August 17, 1893. Colo- nel Samuel H. Sturdevant died February 24, 1898. (Obituary of Wesley E. Woodruff. Kind- ness of Historical Society.)

In the death of Colonel Samuel Henry Stur- devant, which occurred at his home on North Washington street, this city, February 24, 1898, Wilkes-Barre lost an honored and useful citizen. These two adjectives are often used in our speech and often, I must acknowledge, misapplied. But justly used, as they are in this case, they convey an epitome of remembrance well worth the while of any man.

Colonel Sturdevant was a native of Brain- trim township, Wyoming county, and he was born March 29, 1832. He came of Revolutionary stock and his great-grandfather was a Revolu- tionary soldier from the first echoes of musketry at Lexington. Samuel H. Sturdevant remained at the public schools of his township until he was thirteen years of age. He then entered Wyoming Seminary and took a thorough course there, after which he spent two years, or until 1851, in the lumber business, chiefly operating in the vicinity of Harvey's Lake and with the firm of Hollenback & Urquhart.

After a few years in business there came to Samuel H. Sturdevant the call of his country and he did not fail. He was mustered into the United States army August 3, 1851, as commis- sary of subsistence. A year later he was attached to Slocum's brigade of the Sixth Army Corps,

and he soon afterward became chief commissary of the left grand division of the Army of the Potomac, attached to General Slocum's staff of the Twelfth Corps and with the rank of lieu- tenant-colonel. In 1864 he was chief commissary of the Army of Georgia, with the rank of colonel. He was mustered out in October, 1865. He saw a great deal of the severest fighting and the hard- est general service. He was at the battles of South Mountain, Antietam. Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and a number of lesser engagements. It often fell to his lot to endure hardships and to pass through great dan- gers in the discharge of his duty, but those who knew him thoroughly learned to know that he quailed before nothing that had "duty" marked upon it.

He was not merely a faithful officer-his sol- dier life, to use the expression of a veteran who knew, was "lustrous with many brilliant achieve- ments." There are those who do their duty as well as they know how and there are those who know how. Colonel Sturdevant both knew how and did it. This might apply and did apply as well to his business life as to his life as a soldier. After the clash of arms had ceased, he returned here to resume the "trivial round of common tasks," and his career was destined to last some- what longer than the allotted time of one genera- tion, even after the interruption of the war- thirty years and more of hard work, which he always enjoyed : thirty years and more of success justly won; thirty years of unsullied integrity. There was never a stain upon his honor or his word. His was one of those rare natures that does not reveal itself at once, nor to all alike. To appreciate him, one had to know him and a better knowledge always added to his apprecia- tion. And yet it could scarcely be said that the few had a monopoly of his friendship. He had many friends because he was by nature a friendly man, but the best and rarest qualities of his na- ture lay deeper. Few of the atmospheres of that sweet word "home" have ever been sweeter than the atmosphere of his home. The children, loved and loving, went their several ways into the world, but the old home was always their home, the dearer because of their less frequent visits, and sorrow came to it in the death of beloved children and of the wife who was always the queen of his heart. After that blow the days seemed rather to be endured than enjoyed, and yet he always maintained that refined cheerful- ness, and that sympathy that comes from suffer- ing when the spirit is strong to bear and patient.

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

And as a Christian his life was encompassed about with charity of word, of deed and of thought. He was elected a member of the Wy- oming Historical and Geological Society. Decem- ber. 1896; was a director of the Pennsylvania & Massachusetts Lumber Company; president of the Lake Transit Company ; a member of and for a considerable time chaplain of Wilkes-Barre Lodge of Elks, and a Mason; president of the Pennsylvania Lumbermen's Association and also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. His loss was a hard one to the community, the church and the social life to fill, and for the home it is irreparable.

JOHN STURDEVANT. The life of the late .John Sturdevant affords a conspicuous example of a noble character selfmade and an honorable and useful career selfwrought. He was the first son of Samuel Sturdevant, who in turn was the son of Samuel Sturdevant, and his birth occurred in Braintrim township, then Luzerne (now Wy- oming) county, Pennsylvania, June 20. 1796.

John Sturdevant was educated in the public schools of his native township, and subsequently became a civil engineer. In addition to that pro- fession he also embarked in various business en- terprises, namely : Merchant, owner of a store, saw mills, grist mills, identified with the lumber business and coal interests, and like his father a land agent. He also served in the capacity of postmaster, discharging his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity, and was a prominent and influ- ·ential man of his period. In 1839 he was elected to the state legislature, and was re-elected again in 1855. these successive elections being an elo- quent testimonial to his sterling integrity. He was one of the first commissioners of the county of Wyoming. He was associated in politics with General Wakeman. Mr. Sturdevant died 1879. aged eighty-three years and six months, leaving to his family the priceless heritage of a spotless reputation.

John Sturdevant married Sarah Fassett, ·daughter of Josiah and Abigail Stevens Fassett. daughter of Lieut. Asa Stevens, and a descend- ant of an old and prominent Connecticut family. Just before the Wyoming massacre Lieut. Asa Stevens was with General Washington in New .Jersey, and hearing of the trouble in the Wyo- ming Valley he obtained leave of absence from Washington to visit his family, consisting of a wife, son and daughter, the latter about three or four years of age, and he arrived in Wyoming :a few days before the battle, in which he partici-

pated, and was killed. The children of John and Sarah ( Fassett) Sturdevant were :

Caroline, born 1820, died 1901, aged eighty- one years.

John Wesley, born 1822, was a merchant in Braintrim, died 1846.

Edward J., born 1823. died 1900; he was en- gaged in the mercantile business in Wilkes-Barre. He enlisted in the army in 1862 and served three years, after which he returned to Wilkes-Barre and entered the mercantile business, continuing until his death. He married Elizabeth MI. Pros- ser, now deceased, and had three children : I. John, a civil engineer, resides in Wilkes-Barre ; married Lillian Bennett and had Virginia. 2. Guy, a teller in the Anthracite Bank, Wilkes- Barre : he married Dorothea Barring, who bore him one daughter Elizabeth. 3. Frank, who died in early childhood; the family reside in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Helen MI., born about 1825, died 1889.

Susan G., married George W. Beach, now deceased, who was a major in the army, and they had two children : Frederick J., an engineer, re- sides in Wilkes-Barre, married Harriet Gresh, and has a large family ; and Mary, married John Ayres, now dead, and their children are : Charles Sturdevant, Robert and Kathleen : the family re- side in Philadelphia.

Samuel Burton, born February 20, 1830, men- tioned hereinafter.

Byron D., born 1832, died in Savannah. Georgia, 1870. He was a Methodist clergyman, and was stationed as minister in Kingston, Penn- sylvania, and at the Adams Avenue Church, Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1861 at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecti- cut. and was professor at Wyoming Seminary for a number of years. He married Minerva Mott, of Blakely, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, and her death occurred in that borough.

William H., born September 4, 1838, men- tioned hereinafter.

Dr. Samuel Burton Sturdevant, sixth child and third son of John and Sarah (Fassett) Stur- devant, was born in Braintrim township, Wyo- ming county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, also Wyo- ming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania, and in 1851. at the age of twenty-one years, removed from his native place to Tunkhannock, where he entered the office of Dr. B. A. Bouton and read medicine for about two years. He then removed to Providence. Pennsylvania, (now Scranton) where. he remained for some time and finished

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THE WYOMING AND LACKAWANNA VALLEYS.

his studies, after which he entered Jefferson Med- ical College, at Philadelphia, and graduated from that institution in March, 1856. After his grad- uation he located in Dunmore, a suburb of Scran- ton, and there practiced medicine until 1860, achieving a certain degree of success. In 1863 he was appointed assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Regi- Ment, Colonel F. H. Collyer, commanding, and in July, 1864, was promoted to surgeon of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment with the rank of major. Later he was appointed as sur- geon to the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania Regi- ment, General J. P. S. Gobin commanding, and after the grand review they were sent to Savan- nah, Georgia, and remained there during June, July and August, after which they were sent to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was medi- cal director of the state. They remained until January 15, 1866, when he was mustered out. Major Sturdevant was captured just before the battle of Spottsylvania, but shortly afterward by putting on a Confederate overcoat succeeded in escaping to the Union lines. He was with the soldiers who helped to repel Jubal Early when Washington, D. C., was threatened, and Abraham Lincoln, then president of the United States, was also present at that time. There were over three hundred men lost in an hour in that engagement. After the war, during the entire period of which Major Sturdevant displayed both courage and loyalty, he returned to Scranton and there prac- ticed medicine until 1875, when he removed to Wilkes-Barre, in which city he has since made his home, now leading a retired life, enjoying to the full the consciousness of a life well spent and duties faithfully performed. For a period of al- most eighteen years he served in the capacity of assessor of Wilkes-Barre, rendering efficient serv- ice therein.

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 100

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 988

Author: Hayden, Horace Edwin
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 988