History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 201

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 201

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).

In October, 1870, was celebrated Dr. Sharp's marriage with Miss Abbie R. Dod- son, who was the only daughter of Nathaniel and Rosanna Dodson, the former a son of Richard and Rhoda Dodson, the latter a daughter of Jonathan Wilkin- son, of Huntington township, Luzerne Co., Pa. The grandfather of Nathan- iel Dodson had, about the year- 1800, purchased a large tract of land in Union township, and had divided it among his sons, Richard receiving that part now occupied by his son Nathaniel and his heirs, Abagail and Almon. In 1879, weary with the care and labor of practice, the Doctor took another course of lectures in Bellevue, N. Y., and in the spring of 1880 returned to his practice, which he has continued since, though as a necessity with much less activity, and from the labo- riousness of country practice moved to the town of Nanticoke, Pa., where he still resides with his wife, one adopted daughter, Lydda, and one young child, William H. H. Sharp, Jr., an interesting son of twenty months. His father-in-law also resides with him. His dear aged mother died in 1883 of heart disease aged sixty- seven years. She left an only sister to survive her, Mrs A. Van Horn, of Hunlocks, who is now eighty-five years old, a widow, her husband having passed away in 1890. Mrs. Van Horn still retains her usually brilliant mental faculties, though so advanced in life. One other statement, and we close. From the time of the Revolution down to the last war the Doctor's ancestry have been represented in every service-his great-grandfather and sons in the Revolution-his uncle in the Mexican war, and

1338

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

also in the Civil war with another brother of his uncle, both giving up their lives to the cause. The Doctor himself, and his only brother old enough to go, were also in the Civil war. The Doctor alone of the four of the name Sharp, returning, and he dismembered, leaving one leg in North Carolina.

A. B. SHAVER, farmer, P .. O. Dallas, was born in Dallas township, April 23, 1838, and was reared and educated at the common schools. He is a son of James and Louisa (Montanye) Shaver, the former born in New Jersey, the latter in Kingston township. James was a son of Philip who came from New Jersey in 1804, and located at Forty Fort, residing there until 1813, when he removed to Dallas town- ship, where he owned a large tract of about a thousand acres of land. He confined himself to the manufacture of lumber on his own lands, also farming to a great extent. He was not a man who sought the smiles and favors of others, but attended to his own affairs. He reared a family of seven children. His death was the result of an accident, the crushing of his arm in a cider-mill. James Shaver, the father of our subject, was three years old when he came to this county with his father, who came overland by wagon, on the same road used by Sullivan's army. He always lived in Dallas, and was of a retiring disposition, like his father, never seeking pub- licity. He confined himself to farming; he lived to be seventy-six years of age and died in 1877. There were fifteen children born to James and Louisa Shaver, twelve of whom grew to maturity. A. B. is the eighth in the family, and like his father has always confined himself to agricultural pursuits. His farm consists of fifty acres of fertile land, and is devoted to general farming. Mr. Shaver married, December 28, 1865, Miss Elizabeth W., daughter of Isaac and Catharine Kirken- dall. They have no children. Mrs. Elizabeth Shaver was born in Kingston town- ship December 4, 1845. Mr. Shaver is a Freemason in good standing, baving received all the degrees up to K. T., and was the first master of Dallas Lodge. Politically, he is a Democrat.

E. W. SHAVER, farmer, P. O. Huntsville, was born June 21, 1830, in Dallas, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of George and Rachel (Van Camp) Shaver, both of whom were born in Wyoming. George was a son of Philip, who was supposed to be a native of Northampton county, Pa., and who moved to this county shortly after the Wyoming Massacre. George moved from Wyoming to Dallas township, where he lived all his life. The Shavers were all farmers, content to toil patiently though severely for their living. He moved to Lehman township, where he died in 1875, at the age of sixty-nine. His family numbered eleven chil- dren, nine of whom grew to maturity, and six are now (1891) living. E. W. is the third in the family, and has always lived and worked on a farm. On October 7, 1849, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Jacob and Mary France, and seven children were born to them, six of whom are living: Asher, Edgar, Walter, Rose, Ella and Munson. Mr. Shaver moved on his present place in 1857. He bought of Trueman Atherton an unimproved farm of ninety-six acres. Mr. Shaver is an industrious farmer, who has, by economy and perseverance, accomplisbed marvelous results in clearing and bringing under cultivation what was once so wild and barren. His buildings are large and comfortable, his house being neat and tastefully con- structed, all having been built by the present owner. He has the full confidence of his fellow citizens, and was at one time elected supervisor, an office he filled to the sat- isfaction of all. Politically, he is a Democrat. His family are all married, as fol- lows: Asher married Miss Catharine Bonnywitts (they have four children); Edgar married Miss Josie Blair (two children were born to them); Walter married Miss Olive Johnson (they have six children); Rose married Frank Lord (two children were born to them); Ella married Frank Bonnywitts (they have four children); Munson married Miss Lizzie Corbit (he works on his father's place).

ISAAC N. SHAVER, Dallas, was born in Dallas, this county, in 1846, and is a son of Joseph and Jane (Allen) Shaver, the former of whom was born March 15, 1818, in Dallas township, in the village that is now called Shavertown. Joseph is a son of John P. and Sarah (Montanye) Shaver, the former born in Sussex county, N. J.,

1839

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY."

the latter in this county. John P. was a son of Philip Shaver, who was one of the earliest settlers of this county, locating in Dallas, where he always carried on busi- ness as a lumberman, and to a great extent farming, owning a large tract of land at various times and places. He built the first sawmill in his neighborhood, and was a man of push and energy. He lived to be about seventy years of age, and his death was indirectly caused by the crushing of his arm in a cider-mill. He reared a family of seven sons and one daughter. John P., his son, followed the example of his honored father in confining himself to farming and lumbering, in which he was assisted by his son Joseph. About the year 1839 they erected a new mill on the site of the one built by their progenitor, where they manufactured lumber. John P. owned 130 acres of land, and was a man of sterling worth and large experi- ence. He lived to the good old age of eighty-two years, and reared a family of thirteen children, five of whom are living. Joseph, like his ancestors, confined him- self to lumbering and farming, especially the former, at which he became an adept. In 1862, with his sons, he moved to their present residence on the extreme south line of Dallas borough, where, in company with the late A. Ryman, they purchased about 400 acres of timber land, there being an old mill on the place which they used until 1870, when they abandoned the old for a new structure having a capacity of 12,000 feet per day. In August, 1881, this mill burned down, and they imme- diately built another with better facilities and a larger capacity, with planing-mill attached. It is reported that there were six mills built on this site. In 1852 a steam mill was built here, which was equipped with the first engine in this region of the country-" back of the mountains," as they say. Joseph, in 1851, in carry- ing out a desire to go West, was obliged to travel to Great Bend in order to take the cars; now traine run regularly through his door-yard. Joseph Shaver has been twice married: first time to Miss Jane Allen, by whom he had six sons, viz. : F. A., Joseph C., Isaac N., W. H., Elmer B. and Ralph A. Mr. Shaver's second mar- riage was with Mrs. Mary A. Snyder (nee Bartron), by whom he had six children, three of whom are now living: Scott L., Maggie R. and John B. Joseph Shaver has retired from active life; his former partner, Mr. A. Ryman, is deceased, and the sons of the old firm are carrying on the business. Isaac N. Shaver, the subject proper of this memoir, is general bookkeeper, and attends to the milling business. He is a man of recognized refinement and extraordinary business qualifications, which have been increased and re-enforced by experience and observation while on a tour, in 1878, in Europe, on which occasion he visited England, Ireland, Scot- land and France, and while in the latter country he attended the Exposition held in Paris that year. He has been in the business continuously since 1862. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Shaver has not yet enlisted in the army of Benedicts.

G. R. SHAW, carpenter, Irish Lane, was born in Ross township, October 1, 1863, and is a son of Jesse R. and Hannah (Crockett) Shaw, the former born in North- ampton county, the latter in Ross township, this county. Jesse R. . removed to this county with his mother when about twenty-one years of age; after the death of his father, his mother married again. They settled in Huntington township, where Jesse R. engaged in mercantile business; but his health failing he abandoned it, and went to clerking for William Davenport, assuming a position where the responsi- bility was not so great. He owned 150 acres of land, which was divided between his children after his death, G. R. receiving forty-eight acres, upon which he now resides. He was a worthy man and possessed of fine business qualities. He died June 25, 1877, aged forty-nine. His family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: Mary E., wife of Thomas Rummage, and G. R., who is the third in the family. G. R. Shaw was reared in Ross township, at the common schools of which place he received his education. In early life he learned the carpen- ter's trade, at which he continues to work, and is a first-class mechanic. Mr. Shaw married, in 1888, Miss Lydia C., daughter of George F. and Minerva Long, and to them were born two children, one of whom is now living, Frances C. Mrs. Lydia

1340

' HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

C. Shaw was born in Ross township in 1861. Mr. Shaw is not only a good mechanic, but a fair farmer. He erected a very large barn on his place in 1892, and looks well after general improvements.

JOHN W. SHAW (deceased), who in his lifetime was a prominent farmer of Hunt- ington township, was a son of William and Hester Shaw, natives of New York State, of Irish origin. John W. was the second in a family of four children, and was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. When about seventeen years of age he came to Wyoming county and farmed for a short time, then moved to Huntington township, where he purchased a farm. This he sold after two years and moved to Kingston, working as street commissioner for six years, when he returned to Huntington and purchased the present Shaw property, where he died, July 24, 1890, aged sixty-two years. He was married, January 16, 1851, to Miss Arminda, daughter of Cornelius and Cyntha Van Scoy. By this union there were four children, viz. : Mary E., Mrs. William E. Walton, of Lehman, Pa .; William W., a marble salesman, also of Lehman; Alexander C., a farmer, on the homestead, and Minnie C., at home. The Shaw property contains 100 acres, situ- ated one mile south of Town Hill.

WILLIAM W. SHAW, farmer, P. O. Lehman, was born in North Moreland township, Wyoming county, March 30, 1855. He is the son of John W. and Arminda (Von- Scoy) Shaw, the former of whom was born in Mount Hope, Orange Co., N. Y., the latter in North Moreland township, Wyoming county. John W. is the son of Will- iam, who was a native of Mount Hope, and whose father came from Ireland to this country in its early settlement. John W. Shaw, his son, began life as a farmer in Wyoming county, and owned 300 acres of land then uncultivated, but, by giving attention to those facilities within reach, and putting into operation the physical force and power of mind with which he was blessed, he succeeded in subduing the wild land and causing it " to blossom as the rose." He built a house commensurate with the well-improved fields, the whole thus making a harmonious scene. Mr. Shaw was a public-spirited man, and took an active part in educational matters. The training of the young mind was something very sacred with him; therefore, a man of his intelligence was always in demand on the school board. He was an excellent farmer in the true acceptation of that term, his surroundings displaying taste and refinement. His family consisted of four children: Mary E. (now Mrs. Walton), William W., Alexander C. and Minnie C., all of whom are yet (1891) living. He died July 24, 1890, at the age of sixty-three years.

William W. Shaw was reared and educated in North Moreland township until he reached his thirteenth year, after which he received his education at the Wyoming Seminary. He then went to Huntington and worked on his father's farm, where he remained until his marriage, October 11, 1876, with Miss Lucy, daughter of James and Amelia Davison. He moved on his present place of residence the following year, and began much-needed improvements both on buildings and land. Under the masterly mind of Mr. Shaw he has enhanced the value of his property over $2,000. He is a model farmer, a good citizen, and a gentleman who knows how to entertain his friends. Although a general farmer, he gives the preference to stock raising. He is also a business man of superior tact, dealing extensively in wagons, sleighs, and harness, a business which he has followed with success for ten years. While there were no children born to this happy couple, yet they saw the necessity of a complete home, with a prattling child in its midst. They consequently, moved by paternal and maternal instinct, took from the Orphans' Home, in Wilkes-Barre, Sep- tember 6, 1880, Frederick Sleep, aged eleven years, to live with them until he reached the age of twenty-one. Frederick has completed his majority, and is now a promising young man, employed as clerk in a store in Hazleton. Mrs. Lucy A. (Davison) Shaw was born at Town Hill, September 18, 1852. Her grandfather Stephens (on her mother's side) was from Connecticut, and one of the old pioneers of Town Hill. He died at the advanced age of eighty-two. James H. Davison, Mrs. Shaw's honored father, is now a member of the household; he has reached the

1341

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

age of seventy-five. There are three members of James H. Davison's family living: Charles, Alfred (a physician practicing at Cambra, Pa. ) and Lucy A. (Mrs. Shaw).

JOHN F. SHEA, Wilkes-Barre. Prominent and popular at the bar of Luzerne county stands this gentleman. He is a son of Patrick and Mary (Burke) Shea, both natives of Ireland, but born in different parts of that country. The father came to America with his father, James Shea, when he was eighteen years old; the mother, when she was but a girl of thirteen summers, emigrated alone to this country, land- ing at New York, unable to speak English, and without any friends. In course of time they met, and were married in Wilkes-Barre, this county, and have seven chil- dren, as follows: Mary, now the wife of Joseph Kellar, and Ella, now Mrs. John Hughes, both of Wilkes-Barre; James H., Frank J., Maggie (deceased at the age of two years), John F. (the subject of this sketch) and Alice, in Wilkes-Barre.

John F. Shea was born March 25, 1870. He received most of his education at the Parochial School, of Sisters of Mercy, in Wilkes- Barre. In June, 1882, then thirteen years old, he received at the Sisters' Academy a silver medal for music- piano-and following year a gold medal for same. The Sisters refusing to teach boys over fourteen years of age, he was obliged to leave that school, and he then spent two terms at the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa. He worked in the coll- isry in the summer time while at the Sisters' School, and clerked in stores during vacations while at the Seminary. After leaving the latter he passed the teachers' examination under James Coughlin, superintendent of schools for Luzerne county, and, although but sixteen years old, secured a position as teacher in the city schools. After his term as a teacher expired, he took a course in the commercial college de- partment at Wyoming Seminary, from which he graduated in a remarkably short time. He was with Hon. (now Judge) John Lynch, when he ran for Congress, and on September 4, 1888, he passed a very successful examination for registration as a student in law. He then entered himself as a law student with John T. Lenahan, Esq., one of the most noted lawyers of the bar of Pennsylvania. Remaining in Mr. Lenahan's office until May 3, 1890, with the exception of about three months, he took the examination for admission to the bar, having pursued his studies for only seventeen months. The result of that examination is evidenced by the special cer- tificate set forth below which was granted to him in addition to the ordinary certifi- cate granted to applicants who pass the examination. The special certificate as found of record in the courthouse reads as follows:

"To the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne county. The undersigned board of examiners to whom was referred the application of John F. Shea for admission to the Bar respectfully report:

" That he registered as a law student in the office of John T. Lenahan, on the 4th day of September, 1888. That he pursued the study of the law in the office of his preceptor until the 23d day of May, 1890, when he passed the required exami- nation for admission. That since that time he has continued the study of the law in the office of his preceptor. That under a strict construction of the rules he would not be entitled to admission until the 4th of September, 1891, but, inasmuch as the applicant passed a most excellent examination and is especially well qualified to practice law in our opinion, and, inasmuch as he has continued the study of the law since passing the examination, we believe that it would be well to waive the rule of court in this case and do recommend that he be admitted at the present time. Signed. Very respectfully, Thomas H. Atherton, John S. Harding, Andrew H. Mc- Clintock, Board of Examiners. February 2, 1891."

On March 9, 1891, this report was handed to Judge Stanley Woodward, who was then holding court, and on motion of John T. Lenahan Mr. Shea was admitted to the bar. The next morning the following notice appeared in the Wilkes-Barre Rec- ord (March 10, 1891), a stanch Republican paper, under the heading " The Young- est Lawyer ever admitted:" "John F. Shea was admitted to practice as an attor- ney in the Luzerne County Courts yesterday. He is the youngest attorney ever admitted to the Luzerne County Bar. He began the study of the law in September,

1342

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1888, in the office of John T. Lenahan and after steady application for a year and a half passed a brilliant examination before T. H. Atherton, J. S. Harding and A. H. McClintock, the board of examiners. There is a rule of court that requires attor- neys to be at least twenty-one years of age before being admitted to the bar. Mr. Shea, however, passed such an excellent examination that the board recommended that the rules be suspended and he be admitted to practice at once. The applica- tion was granted by Judge Woodward, and the young lawyer enrolled as a member of the profession. Mr. Shea is a young man who has worked his way upward under difficulties that would have discouraged many another and deserves no little credit for the fine showing he has made as a student. He was the recipient of many warm congratulations yesterday and begins his chosen calling under most favorable aus- pices. Under the rules, Attorney Shea could not be admitted until next Septem- ber." Mr. Shea is a strong Democrat, and was a delegate by proxy to the State Convention which met at Harrisburg, Pa., and sent a Cleveland delegate to Chicago, although Mr. Shea, like the rest of the Luzerne delegates, was a stanch supporter of D. B. Hill for the Presidency. He has acquired a very lucrative practice, both civil and criminal. He is a member of the Democratic City Committee.

REV. BENJAMIN SHEARER, retired Baptist minister and farmer, of Huntington township, P. O. Waterton, was born in Wayne county, Pa., January 1, 1823, is a son of John and Matilda (Nichols) Shearer, natives of New York, and of Scotch and German origin, respectively. John Shearer, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1886, aged eighty-six years. Our subject, who is the second in a family of nine children, three of whom are now living, was reared on a farm, and educated in in the common schools. When eight years of age he went to work on the Delaware & Hudson canal as driver boy, working in the lumber woods during the winters. This he followed for about seven years, and here he imbibed those Christian princi- ples which governed his after life. Going to school for a few months, he de- sired to preach the Gospel, and when twenty-nine years of age he began to exhort. He has held charges in the following places: Of the church in Jackson, Luzerne county, seven years; charge of the Jackson church in Columbia county, eight years; Lehman, Union, North Moreland, Lake, East Union and several others. Owing to failing health he retired in the spring of 1891. In 1866 he purchased his prop- erty, consisting of sixty acres of land situated one mile west of the Waterton postoffice. Mr. Shearer was married December 17, 1843, to Lydia E. Baisley, by whom he had six children, two of whom are living, viz .: Layton L., a minister in Idaho, and Roe, a farmer in Dakota. This wife dying January 27, 1856, Mr. Shearer, July 18, 1858, married Elizabeth Fritz, by whom he has six children, viz. Friend B., a farmer of same township; A. N., a painter at Berwick; George B., a lawyer at Hammond, Ind .; Matilda M. (Mrs. George R. Gregory); Mary B. (de- ceased), and John M., who is still at home on the farm. In politics Mr. Shearer is a Prohibitionist.

E. R. SHEPHERD, engineer, Pittston, was born in Pittston, May 16, 1862, son of William and Harriet Shepherd, natives of England. His father is also an engineer in Pittston. Our subject received his early education in the public schools of Pitts- ton. He worked around the mines in various capacities when a young boy, and in 1878 began running an engine for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and is still in their employ as an engineer. In 1886 Mr. Shepherd married Miss Levina Harris, of West Pittston, and this union has been blessed with three children, viz. : Lizzie, Ida and Rosett. Our subject is a member of the I. O. R. M. and his polit- ical views are Republican.

WILLIAM SHEPHERD, miner in the Delaware Colliery, Hudson, Plains township, was born in Wallsend, Northumberland, England, May 8, 1832, and is a son of Richard and Alice (Heppell) Shepherd. His father, who was a ininer, came to America in 1862 (whither he was preceded ten months by his sons, James and Rich- ard), accompanied by his wife and six children, and followed one year later by William H. and Alice. The family consisted of eleven children, viz. : Mary A.

1343

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

(in England), William H., Richard, Ellen, Alice, Margaret, James, Timothy, Eliza- beth (deceased), Esther and John. Our subject located first at Taylorsville, Pa., where he resumed his former occupation, mining, and remained four months; then resided in Schuylkill county, three years; Mill Creek, six years. He next went to the State of Ohio, where he remained five years, and in 1878 returned to Mill Creek, where he has since resided; he built his residence in 1882 and occupied it the same year. Mr. Shepherd was married in England, in 1852, to Miss Mar- gery Elsender, by whom he had three children, all of whom are deceased. His wife died in 1859, and he was again married, in 1860, this time to Miss Mary J. Light- ley, by whom he had ten children, three of whom are living, viz .: Mary A. (Mrs. William Forsey), William, a miner at Green Ridge, and Frances A. (Mrs. Charles Vanderburg). Mrs. Mary I. Shepherd died in 1881, and Mr. Shepherd was mar- ried, July 29, 1882, to Mrs. Adeline Connor, daughter of John and Ann (Harper) Hine, and widow of Abel Connor, by whom she had had six children, four of whom are living, viz. : James W., Rosa Belle, Eva May and Calvin. Mr. Shepherd has always given his political support to the Republican party.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 201

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532