USA > Pennsylvania > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 41
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Mary Margaret Myers, daughter of Law- rence and Sarah (Sharps) Myers, married, De- cember 15, 1880, Daniel Strebeigh Bennet, a de- scendant of Thomas Bennet. He died Septem- ber 16, 1884. She married ( second), November
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28, 1888, John Biesecker Yeager. Mrs. Yeager is a life member of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, and a member of the National Society, Daughters of American Revolution. H. E. H.
JOHN BIESECKER YEAGER, born in Moscow, Pennsylvania, is a son of Henry H. Yeager, born in Schenectady, New York, and grandson of Henry Yeager, of Scho- harie, New York, whose father resided in White Plains, New York, where he was among the early slaveholders but later gave freedom to all his slaves. He came to Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, as a pioneer, when there were only three houses in Wilkes-Barre. He located at Moscow Pennsylvania, from which point he conducted an extensive lumber business, having mills located in different parts of the county. Here he died, aged eighty-four years. His son, Henry H. Yeager, also followed lumbering very exten- sively, in addition to which he conducted a large general store. During the Civil war he acted as provost marshal. He died at the age of seven- ty-eight years. He married Mary A. Biesecker, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, daughter of John Biesecker of that place. She died at the age of seventy-seven years. John B. Yeager was ed- ucated in the public schools of Moscow, Pennsyl- vania, and later at Wyoming Seminary, Kings- ton. He then went to New York City, where he was employed in a wholesale dry goods house, re- maining there a number of years. Later he came to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he fol- lowed the hardware business for some time. He then went to Philadelphia and took a position with a publishing house, where he remained un- til he returned to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. and engaged in his present business, which he has since conducted successfully, being now the. most extensive shipper of grain in northeastern Pennsylvania. He is a director of the Luzerne County Trust Company, and the Ann Arbor, and the Ypsilanti ( Michigan) Telephone Com- pany, and president of the Songo Realty Com- pany, New York City. H. E. H.
SINTON HUNTER STURDEVANT, de- ceased, for many years one of the most prom- inent residents of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was born at Skinner's Eddy, Braintrim town- ship, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1843, the third son of Liverius D. and Ada (Morley) Sturdevant. He was a descendant of the Revolutionary soldier Samuel Henry Sturde- vant, who entered the Continental army as an orderly sergeant at Lexington, obtained rank as
a captain for gallant service, and served until the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Samuel Sturdevant, son of Samuel Henry Sturdevant, born September 17, 1773, died March 4, 1847, was the father of several children, among whom was Liverius D. Sturdevant, born in Braintrim township. July 14, 1804, died at Mehoopany, No- vember 12, 1886. His wife, Ada (Morley) Sturdevant, born November 9, 1809, died July 21, 1885, bore him a number of children among whom was Sinton H. Sturdevant.
Sinton H. Sturdevant spent his early days in Braintrim, Wyoming county, Braintrim town- ship, and was educated in the public schools and later at Wyoming Seminary, where he pursued a commercial course, graduating about 1863. Prior to this he entered the store of Edmund Bunnell, at Skinner's Eddy, as clerk, where he remained about two years, after which he en- tered the seminary, as above stated. After his graduation he accepted a position as business manager for J. T. Jennings, at Wilkes-Barre, with whom he remained for about five years. In connection with S. D. Goff he conducted a gen- eral store at Mehoopany, under the firm name of Sturdevant & Goff, continuing the same for a period of three years, after which he came to Wilkes-Barre and for a number of years was identified with the firm of Jennings & Smith in the lumber business. The following fourteen years he served as confidential clerk and general manager with the Ahlborn Company, wholesale manufacturer of meats. He then formed a part- nership with L. J. Fogel and others under the name of Sturdevant, Fogel & Company, and opened the large meat establishment on South Pennsylvania avenue, Wilkes-Barre, in which business he continued till his death, May 19, 1899. Mr. Sturdevant was highly regarded by the community of Wilkes-Barre during his long residence in that city. As a business man he early attained an enviable reputation for keen sa- gacity, and as a citizen he was progressive, pub- lic-spirited and honorable, commanding the re- spect of his fellowmen. He was a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty- four years, and was active in all departments of church work, a member of the board for twenty- two years, and at the time of his death was a trustee and secretary of the board. He was a member of Mehoopany Lodge, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and his political affiliations were with the Republican party.
Mr. Sturdevant married, at Meshoppen. Wy- oming county. Pennsylvania, August 9. 1865. Au- gusta Stilwell, daughter of Almon G. and Har-
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riet (Overfield) Stilwell, who originally settled in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and were of German pioneer descent. Four children were the issue of this union, namely: I. Grace Morley, born March 13, 1867, at Skinner's Eddy, mar- ried, January 25, 1892, John T. Cowling at Mt. Vernon, New York, an electrician, and their children are : Donald S., born December 30, 1894; and Grace A., born March 22, 1896. 2. Harriet, born Mehoopany, February 1, 1871, died Feb- ruary 14, 1877, at Wilkes-Barre, buried in Hol- lenback cemetery. 3. Anna Jean, born Mehoo- pany, April 24, 1873. 4. Marion Augusta, born Wilkes-Barre, May 20, 1880. The latter two are at home.
Almon G. Stilwell, father of Mrs. Sturde- vant, was a son of the Rev. Aden Stilwell, of Connecticut, who was afflicted with that awful calamity, blindness. He preached in New York state for many years. The family of Rev. Aden Stilwell consisted of five children: William. Car- oline, married Austin Kenyon. Lyman G., served in the Civil war, was taken prisoner, and starved to death while an inmate of Libby prison. Al- mon G., of whom later. Rosina, married John Lewis. Almon G. and Harriet (Overfield) Stil- well were the parents of nine children, as fol- lows: Julian W., deceased. Paul O., married Rachel Champion, resides in Mehoopany. Au- gusta, widow of Sinton H. Sturdevant. Leslie, married Mary Ahner, resides at Dinmock, Penn- sylvania. Sarah E., wife of E. P. Fish, resides at Lynn, Pennsylvania. James Monroe, married Myra Alger, resides in Meshoppen. Benjamin died at the age of three years. Allison, drowned at Mehoopany, Pennsylvania, aged nineteen years. Minerva D., wife of Frank Allen, resides at Meshoppen.
The Overfield family, of which Harriet (Overfield) Stilwell was a representative, orig- inally came from North Germany early in 1722, crossing the Atlantic and landing at New Am- sterdam, now New York City. By the Indian trails they found their way southwest through the province of New Jersey and settled east or west of the Delaware river, south of the mart at Easton, Pennsylvania. From here the first family spread out to the Delaware Water Gap, to the Smithfields and still farther west, until today their numerous descendants not only are located in all the eastern counties of Pennsyl- vania, but from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the St. Lawrence river to the Gulf of Mexico. Relative to the origin of the name Overfield- Over means above, field means a piece of land,
consequently Overfield means above land, some- where between earth and heaven.
Paul Overfield, the common forefather of this branch of the family, and great-great-grand- father of Mrs. Sturdevant, born in 1715, came to this country with his parents from North Ger- many when a child, married Rebecca Marshall, only sister of Edward Marshall, was a resident of New Jersey, and died in 1800 at the old age of eighty-five years. Their children were: Abner. Benjamin, of whom later. Martin, married Eliz- abeth Ott. Sarah, married Lieutenant Moses Van Campen. Mary, married John Daily. Rachel, married Joseph Pennell. Paul, married Hannah DePue. William. Elizabeth, married Edward Marshall, who was immortalized as being the hero of the greatest walk ever known, "Marshall's Walk," which was a great event in the early colonial days, it being a tramp of one hundred and seventeen miles in eighteen hours through the wilderness to determine the northern boun- dary of an Indian grant for the Pennsylvania governor, Thomas Penn. Twenty years after- wards, May 17, 1757. his wife, Elizabeth (Over- field) Marshall, became the innocent victim of the Indian's vengeance when a company of In- dians took her prisoner and because she could not travel fast enough they twice tomahawked her, killing and then scalping her.
Benjamin Overfield, great-grandfather of Mrs. Sturdevant, served under the command of General Washington in 1776-77. He married (first) Gonzales, who was of Spanish nobility, and (second) Margaret Handshaw. Among their children was a son, Paul Overfield, grandfather of Mrs. Sturdevant, born. in Middle Smithfield, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1792, came on horseback with his parents when they settled at Meshoppen, followed farming for a livelihood, and died at the age of eighty years. He married Lydia Lacey, born Laceyville, and their children were: William, deceased ; Harriet, deceased, aforementioned as the wife of Almon G. Stilwell and mother of Augusta (Stilwell) Sturdevant : Sarah, deceased ; Benjamin, de- ceased : Anna, living at the present time (1906) ; Eliza, also living at the present time; Margaret, deceased ; John, deceased ; Nancy, deceased ; Martha, deceased. The mother of these children died at the age of seventy-eight. H. E. H.
MAJOR WILLIAM OAKLEY COOL- BAUGH, youngest son of William and Mar- garet (Vought) Coolbaugh, was born in Durell, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, February IOy.
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1848. His early years were spent in Bradford county. He attended the public schools there, and when sixteen years of age came to Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, to receive tuition at the academy of Squire Parsons, on South River street, where he remained for one year. At the end of this time, in 1865, he entered the dry goods store of Coolbaugh & Frantz, (his broth- er's store) as clerk, and held a position there until 1871, when the store was closed out. He then looked after his brother Johnson R's interest in a newly opened shoe store. (J. R. Coolbaugh & Co., his cousin William M. Bennett being the company). Later this store was sold to Bennett & Walter, with which firm Major Cool- baugh remained several years. He next accepted a position as traveling salesman for Field. Thayer & Company (shoes) of Boston, Massachusetts. He held this position for a period of five years, resigning it to accept a similar one with A. W. Clapp & Company, of Boston, where he remained for one year. He then entered into business re- lations with the firm of S. H. Powers, jobbers in boots and shoes. 32 Duane street, New York, serving them in a similar capacity for four years, when Mr. Powers retired from business. Major Coolbaugh then went with James C. Wiley, man- ufacturer of cigars, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, until the latter's death. He then entered the em- ploy of L. H. Foy & Company, in the same line and continued with them until they went out of business in 1904. Since that time Major Cool- baugh has been in the contract department of the People's Telephone Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Major Coolbaugh has a long and honorable record in the National Guard of Pennsylvania as follows: He entered the service as a private in Company I (now Company D) of the Ninth Regiment in 1880. The same year he was ap- pointed quartermaster-sergeant on the non-com- missioned staff of Colonel G. Murray Reynolds ; December II, 1884, commissioned regimental quarter-master with rank of first lieutenant on Colonel Reynold's staff, by Governor Robert E. Pattison (Major Coolbaugh also served in the same capacity under . Colonel M. J. Keck) : June 21, 1887, commissioned aide-de-camp with rank of captain, on the staff of General J. P. S. Gobin, commander of the Third Brigade, Na- tional Guard of Pennsylvania, by Governor James A. Beaver : July 30, 1891, commissioned commis- sary of subsistence of the Third Brigade, with rank of major, by Governor Pattison, who was serving his second term. Major Coolbaugh was with the regiment at Homestead during the labor
troubles there. May 8, 1897, he retired from ac- tive service.
October 4, 1871, Major Coolbaugh married Saralı Coleman McAlpin, born November 13, 1849, in Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. Coolbaugh was the only daughter of William and Sarah Coleman, and her mother died at her birth. Mrs. Cool- baugh was adopted by Hiram McAlpin, who con- ducted a general store on West Market street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on the site where- B. G. Carpenter's present places of business is located. When Mrs. McAlpin died Mrs. Cool- baugh went to live with her aunt, Mrs. Adeline- Jenkins, and later with Calvin Parsons, of Par- sons, Pennsylvania, from whose home she was married. Mrs. Coolbaugh has one step-sister, Mrs. Major A. Goodin, of Seattle, Washing -. ton, and an aunt, Mrs. Charlotte Santee, of New -. burg, New York.
Major and Mrs. Coolbaugh had children as- follows : I. Arthur Parsons, born September 21, 1872, died in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 22, 1876, and was buried in Hollenback Cemetery. 2. Mabel Dana, born August 12, 1875. 3. Helen Martin, born February 29, 1880, died in Wilkes-Barre, October 15, 1884, and was. buried in Hollenback Cemetery, 4. Johnson Run- yon, born September 6, 1882, died at Wilkes- Barre, February 1I, 1883, and was buried in Hol -- lenback Cemetery. 5. Grace, born January 28, 1884, died at Wilkes-Barre, October 18, 1884 and was buried in Hollenback Cemetery. 6. Sue. Dana, born April 27. 1886. 7. Emilie Goucher,. born January 16, 1889.
H. E. H.
ROBERT BAUR, known throughout the- state of Pennsylvania as a journalist of sterling qualities and broad influence, is the oldest repre- sentative of his profession in the city of Wilkes- Barre, state of Pennsylvania, and it is also worthy of note that he is the oldest living mem- ber of the Wyoming Historical Society of Wilkes-Barre. He comes from a family noted for literary talent through several generations, and which has also produced a number of em- inent divines.
He is a descendant of Rev. Samuel Baur, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who married" Juditha Christina Gerhardt. In pursuance of the provisions of his mother's will he was set apart for the ministry from his very birth, was given university preparation at Jena and Tubingen. and after his ordination he was installed in the pastorate of Burtenbach, from which he was transferred in 1800 to the more important one at.
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Göttingen. He became a noted author, and ac- quired a fortune of thirty thousand florins as the reward of his literary work. During the Napo. leonic wars the French troops were extremely annoying to the people of Gottingen, and he aided in organizing a militia force for the protection .of the inhabitants. He also made a personal visit to Marshal Ney, from whom he purchased comparative immunity for his people by the gift of two rolls of gold pieces from his personal means. He died in Göttingen, May 25. 1832, at the age of sixty-four years. His son, Christian, after a long and useful ministerial life, died in Lonsee, Wurtemberg. the oldest minister in that kingdom. He had two sons, Frederick Jacob, and Christian.
Rev. Frederick Jacob Baur, eldest son of Rev. Samuel and Juditha Christina (Gerhardt) Baur, was born in Göttingen, Germany, in 1796. He completed his education in the university at Tübingen, was ordained to the ministry, and in- stalled as pastor at Ettlenshies, Würtemberg, whence he was transferred to the charge at Göttingen, in which his father had preceded him. While a young cleric he was drawn for military service in the Russian campaign of Napoleon. but the King of Würtemberg obtained from the great commander permission "that those study- ing for the ministry are to be exempt," and he did not go with the army. He continued his pas- toral labors in Göttingen until he was retired on account of a throat affection, and received a pen- sion until his death, which occurred at Ulm, where he resided during his later years, in 1881. at the age of eighty-five years. He married Car- oline Hahn, (see Hahn family) and to them were born seven children: Emma: Robert. to be further referred to hereinafter; Adolph, who en- tered the ministry : Richard, who during the Civil war in the United States served in the Army of the Cumberland under General William S. Rose- crans, and was killed in battle at Iuka : Charles, Frederick, Fanny and Bertha.
Robert Baur, second child and eldest son of Rev. Frederick Jacob and Caroline (Hahn) Baur, was born in Würtemberg. Germany, De- cember 25. 1825. He was afforded a most liberal education, attending the best schools in Ulm. He was indentured to a bookbinder in Ulm, and on completing his apprenticeship, following the cus- tom of the day, journeyed through Germany. Switzerland and France, as a journeyman work- man. In 1818. at the age of twenty-three years, he came to the United States, locating in Phila- delphia, where he remained engaged at his trade for three years. Having now acquired sufficient
knowledge of trade conditions in this country, his ambition moved , him to set out upon an inde- pendent career, and in 1851 he located in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, and established the bindery business which he is yet conducting, and which he has developed to its present proportions. He became more widely known, however, as an editor and publisher. In connection with his establish- ment in the bindery business, he purchased the Watchman newspaper, founded in 1842. To this he gave his best effort. and extended its cir- culation throughout the country ; he was the man- aging editor tor forty-six years, until he disposed of the same in 1899. He is now assisted in his job printing business by his son. Gustav Adolph Baur. who has inherited the paternal taste and talent in a large degree. At different periods Mr. Baur founded other journals which in their respective fields are of recognized worth-Coun- cil Chat, an organ of the Junior Order of United American' Mechanics, and The Singers' Gaz- ette, devoted to the interest of musical societies. Through these various mediums, all reaching an excellent class of people, Mr. Baur has come to be well known throughout a wide circle of friends and his influence has ever been exerted in behalf of order, high morals, and all that constitutes the best type of citizenship. He has always held close personal relations with those local bodies which have been of particular advantage to the community. A lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, he has served as its secretary for many years, and also as one of its trustees. He aided in the organization of the Wilkes- Barre Mannerchor, and was its president for sey- eral years prior to its disbanding. Soon after coming to the city he became a member of the local company of Jaegers, connected with the state militia, with which he served for six years, rising to the rank of sergeant. In politics he has always been an earnest and able advocate of Dem- ocratic principles and policies. but would never consent to become a candidate for official position. In his personal character he is an excellent rep- resentative of the ideal German-American, who, holding fast to the ancestral traits of industry, in- tegrity and unflinching devotion to principle, has potently aided in the education of his own peo- ple, and in making for them an influential power which has been felt in every channel of American life, whether in the business or the social world.
Mr. Baur married. October 15, 1854. in Phil- adelphia, Miss Paulina Hassold, a native of Wur- temberg. Germany, and a daughter of the Rev. Hassold, a clergyman of that kingdom. Of this marriage have been born eight children: I.
E
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Frederick, who was drowned in the Susque- hanna river. 2. Gustav Adolph, who is asso- ciated with his father in business. He married Miss Kate Davis and their children are: Robert Adolph, William Raymond, Frances, deceased ; and Frederick Davis Baur. 3. Caroline, de- ceased. 4. Emma, who became the wife of Dr. T. Aubrey Powell; their children are: Pauline and Charles Powell. The four other children of Mr. and Mrs. Baur died in infancy. H. E. H.
ELMER L. MEYERS, M. D., a practicing physician of Wilkes-Barre, his practice being of a general character, was born in Bangor, North- ampton county, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1864.
His great-grandfather, John Meyers, was a resident of Easton, Pennsylvania, and there reared his family. His grandfather, George Meyers, born in Easton, Pennsylvania, removed in early manhood to Bangor, Pennsylvania, was a manu- facturer of wagons in that town, and spent the remainder of his life there, dying at the age of eighty-four years. His second wife, Susan (Kessler) Meyers, born in Kesslerville, near Eas- ton, bore him four sons, Peter G., father of Dr. Meyers, being the only one now living (1905). She died at the age of sixty-seven years. They were lifelong members of the Lutheran Church. His father, Peter G. Meyers, born in Bangor, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1832, was educated there, followed farming for a number of years, later retired from active pursuits, removing to Pen Argyle, Pennsylvania, where he resides at the present time, and serving as school director for a number of years, but never held any other public office. He married Margaret Stocker, born near Bangor, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Isaac and Susan (Unangst) Stocker, descended from an old Moravian family which consisted of twelve children, ten of whom are living. Child- ren of Mr. and Mrs. Meyers: Irving J., a resi- dent of Lincoln, Nebraska ; Mary S., a resident of Pen Argyle, Pennsylvania ; Dr. Elmer L., men- tioned hereinafter ; Andrew J., a resident of Al- lentown, Pennsylvania ; George A., a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Laura S., a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Agnes E., a resi- dent of Bangor, Pennsylvania ; Anna M., a resi- dent of Pen Argyle, Pennsylvania. The mother of these children, born August 20, 1835, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Meyers held membership in the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Meyers has served as trustee for many years.
Elmer L. Meyers spent his early years on a farm near Bangor, Pennsylvania, and attended the schools of that community and the Easton
Academy, at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he prepared himself for college while teaching in that city. In the fall of 1888 he entered Lafay- ette College, at Easton, where he spent two years, after which he entered Princeton University, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1892, with the degree of A. B., and three years later the same institution conferred upon him the degree of A. M. The five years following his graduation he taught in the public schools ; for two years served as principal of the school at White Haven, and the following three years was head of the College preparatory de- partment in the Wilkes-Barre city high school. He matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, and in 1900 began practice for the Cox Coal Com- pany, at Freeland, as their physician. One year later lie became assistant demonstrator of anatomy in Jefferson Medical College, and so continued until April 15, 1901, when he came to Wilkes- Barre, and has been in active practice in that city since that time. He keeps abreast of the ad- vanced thought of the day along the line of his profession by membership in the Luzerne. County, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania State, and American Medical Associations. He is also a member of college fraternities-Phi Delta Theta, at Lafayette College; and a charter member of Phi Alpha Sigma, at Jefferson Medical College, which was the first Greek letter society established at that institution in 1898. He is also a member- of the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes-Barre.
Dr. Meyers married, April 22, 1903, Grace- Hampton Morgan, daughter of the late Edward and Mary Morgan (See Morgan Family). Ed- ward Morgan was a hardware dealer and lumber- manufacturer of Wilkes-Barre; he and his wife were the parents of two children: Grace H., aforementioned, and Martha W. Mr. Morgan died March 1, 1900, and his wife passed away February 2, 1889. Dr. and Mrs. Meyers are the parents of one child, Margaret Foulke, born March 9, 1904. H. E. H.
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