Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 69

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 69
USA > Wyoming > Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 69

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).

Mr. Smith was married three times: he (first) married February 8, 1843, Liva, daughter of Robert Davenport, of Plymouth, and had three children : I. Robert Newton, born Plymouth. November 22, 1843, married. October 1I, 1866, Mary Kate Koch, born Plymouth, January 19, 1847. He is teller in the First National Bank at Plymouth. 2. Liva Albertina, born Plymouth, December 25, 1845, married, November 13, 1866, Albert Gould Rickard, M. D., born Plymouth, September 27, 1829. 3. John E., deceased. Mr. Smith married (second) January 25, 1851, Eve- line Keeler, who died November 25, 1895. daughter of Asa and Elizabeth Keeler, and had nine children two of whom are living: Mar- garet Eveline Ransom, born Plymouth, January 27. 1854, married, October 18, 1877, Harvey Yeager, was born at Roaring Creek, Pennsyl- vania, November 23, 1847; May Virginia, born Plymouth, September 29. 1860, resides on the old homestead October 6, 1897, Mr. Smith married (third) Mrs. Margaret Ferris, mother of Judge Ferris, who survives. The children of Robert Newton and Mary Kate (Koch) Smith were: John Robert, born Plvmouth, January 6, 1867, died March 8, 1867. Gurton Dupont, born Ply-

mouth, October 29, 1871. Cordie Albertina, born Plymouth, January 14, 1874; James Howard, born Plymouth, May 4, 1877; John B., born Plymouth, December 7, 1878. Children of Dr. Albert Gould Rickard and Liva Albertina Smith : John Byron, born Plymouth, September 7, 1867; Ellen Elizabeth born Plymouth, October 9, 1869, died January 20, 1872; Stella, born Ply- mouth, June 25, 1872; Kate Daisy, born Ply- mouth, August 2, 1874. May Virginia, Iborn Plymouth, September 17, 1876; Emma Gould, born Plymouth, December 6, 1878.

John B. Smith died at his beautiful residence in Forty Fort borough, which he built in 1868, July 19, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Death was caused by the infirmities of age, he having been ill for some time. The fun- eral services were conducted by the Rev. L. O. Knipp, assisted by the Rev. B. P. Ripley. Inter- ment was made in Shawnee Cemetery at Ply- mouth.

The engraving of Mr. Smith found in this work was placed here by his daughter. May Vir- ginia Smith.1 H. E. H.

HARVEY YEAGER was born at Roaring Brook, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1847, son of Jacob and Lena (Fisher) Yeager. His pater- nal grandfather, John Yeager, was born in Ami- tyville, Berks county, and went to Roaring Brook as a pioneer, there clearing a large tract of land, passing his life thereon and dying at about eighty-nine years of age.

Jacob Yeager was born at Roaring Brook, where he was educated in the common schools. He was a farmer and also a merchant establish- ing the first store, and long carrying on the most extensive business there. He was also postmas- ter, the postoffice being kept in his store for a period of. nearly fifty years. He held various local offices, and as "Uncle Jake" was favorably known to all the inhabitants of that region, who held him in high esteem for his neighborly qual- ities. He was a member of the German Re- formed church, in which he took an active in- terest, and in politics was a Democrat. He died

The Davenport family so closely connected with the Smith family was one of the earliest in the Wyoming valley, and one of them was of the original "forty." Thomas Davenport, the ancestor of the now resident family in Plymouth, and elsewhere scattered throughout the valley, came from Esopus on the Hud- son in New York state in 1794. His name is registered on the assessor's list of 1796, and he was then the owner of much land. He died in 1812, leaving six sons and four daughters. The sons were Thomas, John, Robert, Samuel, Daniel and Stephen.

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at the age of seventy-eight years. To him and his wife, Lena ( Fisher) Yeager, were born nine children, of whom four are living: Sally, mar- ried William W. Hurst, of Philadelphia ; Harvey, to be further mentioned hereinafter; Elizabeth R., married W. H. Garret, of Philadelphia : Dar- ius N., of Plymouth. The mother of these chil- dren died in 1854.

Harvey Yeager, second child and eldest son of Jacob and Lena (Fisher) Yeager, was edu- cated at Roaring Creek and Dansville. He re- mained with his father until of age, and then engaged in general merchandising at Dansville on his own account, conducting a prosperous bus- iness until 1875. He then removed to Plymouth, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and opened the Opera House store, in which he continued until 1886, he then removed to Forty Fort, and pur- chased a store which he conducted a number of years. He subsequently went to Burnett, Indi- ana, where he accepted the position of general manager for the Eastern Coal Company, a large corporation of which he afterwards became treas- urer, discharging the duties of the place so ac- ceptably that he has been continued in it to the present time, although making his home at Forty Fort. He is also actively interested in various oth- er important business enterprises, and was among the organizers of the Consumers' Gas Company, of Wilkes-Barre, and also of the West Side Gas Company. Mr. Yeager married, October 18, 1877, Margaretta Evelyn R. Smith, daughter of John Smith, who is referred to at length in another narrative. Of this marriage were born the following children: I. Evelyn, born in Plymouth, December II, 1878; she graduated at the Forty Fort high school, and later the Wyo- ming Seminary and then spent two years in the Emerson school of oratory. On January 10, 1904, she was united in marriage to Dr. Wilder C. Schofield, who was born in Factoryville, and is now practicing his profession of dentistry in Wilkes-Barre: they reside in Dorranceton. 2. Weldy Smith, born February 21, 1880, was edu- cated in the Forty Fort schools, and is now an electrician in California. 3. William, born in Plymouth, March 12, 1881 ; he graduated from the Forty Fort schools and the Wyoming Sem- inary, and was a student for two years in Cor- nell University, but was obliged to suspend his studies on account of an attack of typhoid fever, he is a bookkeeper in Burnett, Indiana. 4 .. Dar- ius Newton, born at Kingston, August 14, 1882 ; he was educated at the Wyoming Seminary, and is now at home. 5. Margaret May, born Decem-

ber 6, 1883 ; she was educated in the Wyoming. Seminary, and is a milliner by trade. 6. Ruth Halloway, born May 24, died October 28, 1888. 7. Minnie Gertrude, born June 29, 1886, edu- cated in Forty Fort, but is now following dress- making in Wilkes-Barre. 8. May Ashton, born December 13, 1887. 9. John Jacob, born March 1, 1889, died the same day of birth. 10. Carrie Virginia, born February 14, 1890. II. Frederic Albert, born June 29, 1893. 12. Frances Viola, born November 21, 1895. 13 .. Roscoe Smith, born September 14, 1897. H. E. H.

THE BOGERT FAMILY originated in Holland, where they are known as Van Bogert, and the name is derived from the word "Or- chard." The name was originally spelled Bo- gaert, but as far back as the sixteenth century was spelled Bogert, or Bogart. The emigration: to America was in the early part of 1700, or in the beginning of the seventeenth century. The founder of the American branch of the Bogert family, whose christian name is not preserved, married an English lady, whose given name was Charity, and after their arrival in America, they settled in Pahaguary township, Warren county,. New Jersey, postoffice, Calne.

Cornelius Bogert, son of - - and Charity Bogert, was born in New Jersey, between 1730 and 1740, and died shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, in which he was a participant. He followed farming in New Jersey, later pur- chased a farm in Canada, near London Bridge, and removed to that place, but after a few years residence there returned to New Jersey, where he resided until his death, at a ripe old age.

David Bogert, son of Cornelius Bogert, was born in Knowlton township, Warren county, New Jersey. July I, 1776, three days before the Declaration of Independence. In his boyhood days he farmed, and at the age of eighteen years embarked in boating on the Delaware river. He poled a boat from Milford to Philadelphia, a dis- tance of one hundred and thirty miles, transport- ing grain, flour, apples, vinegar, potatoes, bark and other products to market, bringing back merchandise of various kinds. It required from nine days to two weeks to make the trip, accord- ing to the condition of the river. He followed boating until he was sixty years old, and later removed to New Columbus, following his son Samuel, who had in 1843 crossed the Pocono Mountains and located in the lower end of Lu- zerne county. David Bogert married Mary Ann Kirkendall, of Oakland, New Jersey, and their

J.K. Bogut

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children were: John, born September 8, 1798; George, February 9, 1800; Christiana, October II, 1801; Catherine, August 16, 1803; Sarah, October 9, 1805 ; Polly, December 6, 1807 : Cor- nelius, October 25, 1809; Charity, April 14, ISII; Samuel, May 18, 1813, (see below) ; David, March 2, 1815; Adam, April 18, 1817; and Evan T., March 19, 1819. David Bogert and his wife resided for many years at Mount Bethel, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, from whence they removed to New Columbus, Penn- sylvania, where their deaths occurred. He died March 24, 1860, aged eighty-three years, eight months and twenty days, and his wife died Sep- tember 9. 1858, aged seventy-nine years and one day. Both are buried in the New Columbus cemetery.

Samuel Bogert, ninth child of David and Mary Ann (Kirkendall) Bogert, was born Mount Bethel township, Pennsylvania. He was a blacksmith and carried on a general wagon and carriage manufacturing business at New Colum- bus, Pennsylvania. In May, 1843, with his family, he left Roxburg, Mount Bethel township, North- ampton county, with two teams and household effects. They crossed the Pocono Mountains and stopped over night at what was then Slocum Hollow, where the city of Scranton now stands. At that time there were only an old mill, a vacant blacksmith shop, a small country store and a few scattered dwellings. Everything looked barren and forlorn, and a few mullen stalks helped to enliven the scene. Some of the people desired Samuel Bogert to remain and take the black- smith shop, but not being favorably impressed with the stuation he continued on his journey to the borough of New Columbus, of which place he had heard flattering accounts. He there located, and being a man of unusual abil- ity prospered in his business enterprises.

In the early part of 1835 Samuel Bogert mar- ried Catherine Stine, of Portland, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. She was born August II, 1816, died November 1, 1836, leaving one child, David Henry, born May 18, 1836, who fol- lows blacksmithing and farming. at Register. Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania. He married Chris -. tiana Baker, of Cambria, Pennsylvania, March 24. 1861, and five children were born. Samuel Bogert married (second), November 30, 1837, Elizabeth Ranton, of Smithfield, Pennsylvania, born December 27, 1811, and their children were: John, born December 11, 1838, married, January 25. 1879. Mrs. Rebecca Larish, and five children were born to them. Eliza, born July 25, 1840, married, August 26, 1874, Thomas Far-

quar, of Easton, and six children were born to them. Mary, born February 13, 1843, married, September 29, 1867, Israel Parks Long, and three children were the issue. Joseph Kirkendall, born July 16, 1845, (see sketch). Emanuel Kirk- endall, born June 29, 1847, married, October. 1895. Sally Sturdevant, of Wilkes-Barre, and two children were born to them Jacob Welling- ton, born September 29, 1848, (see sketch). Al- mira Alice, born May 13, 1851, married, August 19, 1875. Cyrus Barton Sutton, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and had three children. Edward Freas, (see sketch), born September 27, 1856. Samuel Bogert, father of these chil- dren died in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1881, aged sixty-seven years, and his remains were interred in Hollenback cemetery, Wilkes- Barre. His wife, Elizabeth (Ranton) Bogert, was identified with the Methodist Episcopal church in New Columbus and in Wilkes-Barre, and was a consistent member until her death in Wilkes-Barre, August 3, 1888, at the advanced age of seventy-six years, seven months and six days. Her life was noble and useful, and her de- mise lamented by all with whom she was brought in contact. Her remains were interred by the side of her husband, in Hollenback cemetery, Wilkes-Barre. H. E. H.

JOSEPH KIRKENDALL BOGERT, de- ceased, a man highly respected by all who knew him, at the time of his death filling efficiently the office of postmaster of Wilkes-Barre, and editor and proprietor of the Wilkes-Barre Leader, was born at New Columbus, Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, July 16, 1845, fourth child and second son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ranton) Bogert.

He attended the public school at New Co- lumbus and subsequently the Male and Female Academy. Early during the war of the Rebellion, when eighteen years of age he enlisted, June 23, 1863, in the Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylva- nia Militia, and during the invasion of the state by the southern army performed duty with it in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and participated in a sharp skirmish with Fitz Hugh Lee's forces near Harrisburg, June 30, 1863. The regiment was mustered out of service July 27, 1863, and Mr. Bogert re-enlisted in the United States Sig- nal Corps, April 4, 1864. He was first assigned to duty in the campaign against hostile Indians in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, and Indian Terri- tory, under orders from headquarters Army of the Border, General S. R. Curtis commanding, and later took part in the campaign against Gen-

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eral Price from the New to the Arkansas rivers, on the Missouri and Arkansas border. There were engagements at Little Blue and Big Blue, on October 21 and 22, respectively, and later else- where on the route. The campaign ended, he was sent to the Department of the Northwest, and took part in the Indian expedition up the Platte and Powder rivers, which extended from July I to November 4, covering over two thous- and miles of previously unexplored territory, and was attended by many hardships and dangers. Mr. Bogert was finally mustered out of service December 9, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan- sas, his military career being noted for gallant conduct and efficient services. On his return from the army he resumed his studies and grad- uated with honors from Lewisburg (now Buck- nell) University. Then coming to Wilkes- Barre, for nearly a year he studied law with the late Hon. Caleb E. Wright, in the meantime sup- porting himself by his services as correspondent for the Associated Press, the Philadelphia Times, Scranton Times, and other newspapers. His strict attention to business did not pass un- noticed ; he was appointed assistant to George P. Richards, clerk of the courts, and shortly afterward to the position of chief deputy. In 1874, through the influence of Hon. D. L. Rhone, judge of the orphans' court, he was ap- pointed deputy clerk of that court, being the first incumbent of that office. He was the Democratic candidate for register of wills, 1875, and was elected by a large majority (1870), although sev- eral of his colleagues on the ticket were defeated -an eloquent testimonial to his sterling integ- rity and popularity.

In February, 1877, in company with George B. Kulp, he purchased the Luzerne Leader, then recently established at Pittston, and removed it to Wilkes-Barre. In January. 1879, as the Leader Publishing Company, they purchased the Luserne Union, for many years the Democratic organ of the county ; the two papers were merged into the Union Leader, and October 1, 1879, the publication of a daily issue was begun. Mr. Bogert became sole proprietor in 1880, and in 1884 erected a building at No. 7 North Main street, where he continued the publication of the paper until his death. In this venture he clearly demonstrated his business as well as his literary ability, placing the paper on a firm foun- dation, and starting in on a very prosperous ca- reer. This brief narrative clearly shows with what skill, courage and pertinacity Mr. Bogart created, with limited means, out of a small weekly, the best known Democratic daily jour-

nal in northeastern Pennsylvania. His standing in his profession was also attested by his elec- tion to the presidency of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Association, in which capacity he ren- dered faithful and intelligent service.

Mr. Bogert was an active politician, exercis- ing a potent influence in behalf of the party whose principles he advocated. He served twice as chairman of the Democratic county commit- tee. He was a candidate for state treasurer in 1881, and was warmly supported by a large con- tingent of delegates, but failing to secure the nomination, he with considerable reluctance ac- cepted the chairmanship of the state committee, this honor being conferred on him by the same convention, and he conducted the campaign with such marked ability and energy as to win the plaudits of his party throughout the state. Two years later (1883) he was urged to accept the state treasurership, but absolutely refused to al- low the use of his name in that connection. He frequently represented his party in state conven- tions, and was a delegate to the national conven- tions at Chicago in 1880 and 1884, which nom- inated Hancock and Cleveland, respectively. Mr. Bogert was untiring, brave and generous, and had achieved a degree of world success rare in a man of his years, and with the limited advan- tages he had at his command. As a politician he was aggressive, but he firmly believed his principles right, and battled for Democracy, not only against her open foe-the Republican party -- but against those latent enemies to be found in its own ranks. As a consequence, his path as a politician was not one strewn with roses, yet, true to his convictions of duty, he followed it with unremitting fidelity. He was an able writer, a faithful public official, a zealous Democrat, and a man of the stamp that serves his party and his country well and faithfully.

Mr. Bogert was appointed postmaster of the city of Wilkes-Barre by President Cleveland, in July, 1885, took possession of the office August I, of that year, and held it until his death. He possessed, in an unusual degree, strength of char- acter, quickness of understanding, sterling moral qualities, and these, reinforced by pene- trating common sense, made him a thoroughly competent man, equal to the onerous and re- sponsible duties which fell to his lot as post- master. In all the affairs of the city he took an active interest, and was at one time president of the Wilkes-Barre Board of Trade, of which he was one of the principal projectors.

Laboring almost continually against ob- stacles which would have discouraged a man of

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less indomitable spirit, he achieved a proud dis- tinction for one so young as was he when death came, giving reliable promise that, had he been spared, he would have attained still greater prom- inence for himself and a broader measure of use- fulness ti his fellow-citizens. He was a brave sol- died, a self-denying student, and a firm believer in the adoption of all the agencies that aid to advancement. He loved children, and for their sake battled for the best schools and the best instruction. He loved order, and so fought to es- tablish wise rulers. He admired social graces, and so encouraged them. He felt the deep re- sponsibility of editorial censorship and keenly watched the course of intelligent public opinion, and endeavored to be guided by it always. To the humblest of his employes Mr. Bogert was a firm friend. No one ever went to him in time of trouble, without receiving quick sympathy and ready assistance. Honest in his dealings with his fellowmen, energetic in the discharge of every business and social duty, enterprising in the world of local journalism, an affectionate son, devoted husband, and a loving father, his death, which occurred February 3, 1887, left a vacant place that could never be more worthily filled.

In religious faith he was a Baptist, and con- tributed liberally to the church of that denomin- ation in Wilkes-Barre. He was member of the Ely (now Conyngham) Post, No. 97, G. A. R. ; Lodge No. 61, F. and A. M .; and of several beneficiary organizations, among them the Le- gion of Honor and the Heptasophs.

At a meeting of newspaper men held in the office of the Record the following resolutions were adopted :

The newspaper men of Wilkes-Barre, met this 7th of February, 1887, to record their recog- nition of a loss sustained, their testimony to a sorrow felt, and their appreciation of a sterling character now passed away, do but feebly ex- press their sentiments upon this sad occasion by the adoption of the following preamble and res- olutions :

Whereas, In the death of Joseph K. Bogert the profession has lost a worthy representative, and the city one of its most energetic and useful citizens ; and

Whereas, Mr. Bogert's good name and in- fluence were won in the face of obstacles that only men of strong and active minds, stout nerve and untiring application overcome. Inured in "his younger days to hard work, with but little in his surroundings to arouse his ambition to rise above the common level; and with opportunities

within his grasp for only the most limited edu- cation, he nevertheless secured collegiate train- ing, paying for a large share of it with his labor as the only possible substitute for the money he did not have and could not get, and thereby fitted himself for the higher place in life to which he aspired, and

Whereas, he entered the service of his country when but a youth and earned the esteem of his superior officers by a manifestation of all the good qualities that go to make up the faith- ful soldier ; and so fortified himself in the con- fidence of the people, while in subordinate civil place, and when a candidate before them for higher honors, he was elected by a large ma- jority ; having served his party faithfully, both in leading its local forces and those of his state, and became known far and wide as an earnest and expert party manager : chosen to the presi- dency of the association in which the journalistic profession is united throughout the state, all of whose members learned to respect and admire him ; having built up his newspaper from small- est beginnings and prospered with it until though a partisan paper, it had become known and respected everywhere ; and all this, though he was a man of pronounced opinions and ag- gressive temperament, which necessarily pro- voked opposition and antagonism; having fought sturdily for the position in life which he had attained, and deserved the success that ac- companied it, and believing that had he lived his allotted time he would of necessity have multi- plied his usefulness many fold.

Resolved, That death has removed from our number one of the brightest minds, bravest hearts, cheeriest companions, ablest writers and most zealous workers within the brotherhood of journalists.

Resolved, That while we revered him, living, more than the conventionalisms of business and social intercourse would admit of our express- ing, so now dead, we have no words to ade- quately express our regard for his character, our admiration for his manhood and our grief at his loss. * ** %

Resolved, That we can hold the life and char- acter of Joseph K. Bogert before the eyes of the young men of this country and say, "go thou and do likewise," for he was one to inspire emnla- tion as to his ambitions, his method, his zeal, his brotherly love, his enterprise, his activities and his large charity.

Resolved, That we, his intimate brotherhood of friends and the newspaper fraternity of the

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city and county, and the political honesty and the social economy of this vicinity, have each sus- tained a loss that will be more deeply felt as the realization of it becomes more manifest through the absence of its influence upon affairs among and about us.

Resolved, That our sorrow is beyond expres- sion, our loss beyond reparation and our sym- pathy for the bereaved ones deeper than any mere words can imply.

Resolved, That we convey to the stricken widow and fatherless child these assurances of our sympathy for them, and these evidences of our great regard for him whom they and we have profound reason to mourn.

On February 7th following, funeral services were held in St. Stephen's Church, where Mr. Bogert had been a regular attendant, and of which his wife was a member. The officiating clergyman was the rector, the Rev. Henry L. Jones, in presence of a large concourse which in- cluded the publishers and printers of the city, and delegations from the Masonic Lodge and Ely Post, Grand Army of the Republic. The Rev. Dr. Jones (who ministered to. the deceased dur- ing his last illness) said at his funeral: "The record of the life now ended has been placed be- fore you in the daily press. That record tells of a life strong, aggressive, positive, upright, honor- able and useful, and now we commend to the Merciful Father and Righteous Judge the dear ones in their sorrow."

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Genealogical and family history of the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 69

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