History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 204

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

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JOHN SHUGARD, locomotive engineer, Hazleton. This tried and trustworthy engi- neer was born in the Province of Hesse, Germany, March 28, 1841, and is the fifth in a family of six children born to Henry and Mary (Crouse) Shugard, natives of Germany. The subject of our sketch was reared and educated in his native land, and in 1858 came to America, locating at Hazleton, where he learned the trade of shoemaker. He followed this occupation until the war broke out, when he enlisted,

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March 13, 1861, in Company A, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. Ario Pardee. He served faithfully for three years and two months, and during that time was twice severely wounded: First, at the battle of Antietam, where he received an ugly bayonet thrust in the leg, and second, at the battle of Gettysburg, where he received a gunshot wound in the right arm. During his three years' service he par- ticipated in most of the important battles fought by his regiment, and was mustered out of service August 20, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tenn. After returning from the war Mr. Shugard became a brakeman on the Lehigh Valley Railroad; after four years of this life, and four years as fireman, he was promoted to the position of engineer on a locomotive, and for twenty years he has faithfully and successfully served in this capacity. He is one of the oldest engineers employed by the com- pany, and has served perhaps as long as any man in this region. In 1865 Mr. Shu- gard was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of Martin and Catherine Reinhard, of Hazleton, and to this union have been born six children, namely: Cath- erine, Elizabeth, Anna, George G., Justus D. and John G. Mr. Shugard is a mem- ber of the Union Veteran Legion and Knights of Pythias. He votes the Republican ticket, and the family attend the German Lutheran Church.

CHARLES SHUPP, merchant, Plymouth, was born September 7, 1852, in that town, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of Peter Shupp, who was born in Plymouth in 1820, a son of Philip, who was a son of Philip Shupp (of German descent), who came to the Valley about 1809. These early pioneers were farmers and lumber manufacturers, and owned the second sawmill in this part of the Valley. After our subject completed his education he, about 1875, entered the mercantile business in which his father was engaged, at which time they converted the credit system to a cash basis. The business was then given over to the control of Charles and his brother Irvin, and they continued as partners until 1879, in which year Charles took full control, and under his superior management, with care- ful attention to business principles, the business grew to such colossal proportions that it was necessary to enlarge the premises. This he did by occupying the adjoin- ing store-room formerly used by James G. Martin as a jeweler's store. Under such management, however, the enterprise could not stop here, for he now occupies the entire two buildings for general store purposes. His next enterprise was in 1888, when he began the manufacture of gentlemen's shirts, and novelties for ladies, in the second story of the building used for store purposes, but this, too, became so extensive as to cause him to abandon, in the fall of 1891, the store building for a large and commodious factory on Back street, where he is now able to meet the demands of the market under the name of "The Wyoming Valley Suit Company," chartered in the spring of that year. This factory gives employment to from two to three hundred hands. In April, 1878, Mr. Shupp married Miss H. Mary, daughter of David and Mary Levi, of Plymouth, by which union there have been born three children: Helen, Kenneth and Ruth. Not only is Mr. Shupp a good citizen, but also a consistent Christian gentleman, whose gentle and courteous demeanor have led him into the good graces of all with whom he comes in contact. He is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and of the board of trustees of same.

EARL SICKLER, farmer, P. O. Orange, was born in Exeter township, February 6, 1825, a son of James and Eliza (Montanye) Sickler, the former born in New York State, the latter in Luzerne county. James was the son of Zachariah Sickler, who came from Germany to this country when a young man, locating in New York State, where he engaged in farming, and accumulated some property by his per- sistent effort to succeed. He lived to a good old age. His son James removed to this county when about twenty years of age, locating in Exeter township on a farm of 100 acres of unimproved land, which he cultivated with great care, causing the golden grain to succeed the forest. He died in 1863 at the age of sixty-five years. His family consisted of five sons, four of whom are living. The subject of our sketch, the second by birth, always lived in this county and followed farming as his chosen vocation. September 27, 1849, at the age of twenty-seven, he married Miss

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Louisa Carscadden. Of this union were born seven children, six of whom are now living: Jane, Phoebe, Effie, Enoch, Cora and Sarah. In 1872, he removed on his present farm of ninety acres. Mr. Sickler is a general farmer, one whose life has been uneventful. Politically a Republican, he has been honored with some township offices, such as constable, supervisor, etc., all of which he filled with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituents.

GILES SICKLER, farmer, P. O. Lockville, Wyoming county, was born in Exeter township, Wyoming county, February 21, 1852, and is a son of Benjamin and Ellen (Eyte) Sickler, the former of whom was born in New York State. Benjamin removed to this county when he was a very young man, locating in Exeter township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm of 200 acres. He was a hard-working, honest and industrious man, and was honored with several township offices which he filled creditably. He died in 1886 at the age of sixty-three years. His family con- sisted of nine children, eight of whom are living. Giles is the third in the family, and was reared and educated in his native township. He has always followed farming, a business to which he is naturally adapted. Mr. Sickler was married, November 19, 1874, to Miss Almeda, daughter of Ira and Mary Swartwood. Mrs. Almeda Sickler was born in North Moreland township, Wyoming county, August 15, 1852. They removed on their farm of sixty-six acres in 1887, since which time he has made many needed improvements. He is a general farmer, and a man of high standing in the community.

GEORGE F. SIEGEL, farmer, P. O. Slocum, was born in Germany, February 6, 1837, a son of John N. and Peterine Siegel, both of whom were born in Germany, where they died. George F. came to this country in 1853, and located in Wyoming county, Pa., where he spent one year, and then (in 1854) removed to this county. In early life he worked at various occupations, but finally settled down to farming. In 1861 he removed to his present place of residence, a farm of fifty-seven acres of land, all now under cultivation, thus showing Mr. Siegel to be a man of industry and thrift. In 1861 he married Miss Maria S., daughter of George and Susanna Belles, and to this union were born eight children: Wellington, Clarence, Frederick, Matthias, Charles, George, Augustus and Elsie. Mr. Siegel is a practical farmer far beyond the average; is a man of intelligence, and believes in the golden rule which in his life is exemplified. While not a professed Christian, yet he is a good man, and in religious faith leans toward the Lutherau doctrine. He has held several township offices with much credit. Mrs. Maria S. Siegel is a descendant of Col. John Lutsey, a German by birth, but a British subject and soldier who was sent to this country to fight the Americans during the Revolutionary war. He was taken prisoner and afterward became loyal to the American cause. At the close of the struggle he settled in Newport township, Luzerne Co., Pa., on a large tract of land, some of which is now possessed by his heirs, or descendants. His children were six in number: Josiah, the grandfather of Mrs. Siegel, being one of his sons, who proved himself a mighty pioneer in his day, and an experienced and inveterate hunter. His family consisted of ten children, Susanna, the fifth in order of birth, being the mother of Mrs. Siegel by her husband, George Belles.

MATT. SIEGER, proprietor of the "Cottage Hotel," Freeland, was born in Siegers- ville, Lehigh Co., Pa., April 6, 1847, a son of Joseph and Emma (Kern) Sieger, also natives of Lehigh county. His ancestors were early settlers in the Lehigh Valley. Mr. Sieger received his education in the public schools of Lehigh county, and worked on his father's farm until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he commenced the tinner's trade, at Siegersville, at which he continued until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then traveled on the road as commercial salesman, fifteen years, after which he settled in Allentown, and took charge of the "Snyder House." Here he remained one year, at the end of which time he came to Free- land as proprietor of the "Cottage Hotel." Mr. Sieger is a genial landlord, and keeps a first-class hotel, much to the satisfaction of his many patrons. In 1872 he was married to Emma Snyder, of Snydersville, Lehigh county, and this union has

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

been blessed with four children, viz .: Jenny, Alice, George and Harry (the last named being deceased). In politics Mr. Sieger is a Democrat.

CHARLES S. SIMPSON, landlord of the "Huntington Valley Hotel," Huntington township, P. O. Harveyville, was born in Fairmount township July 20, 1862, and is a son of John and Sarah (Smith) Simpson, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, and of French and German origin, respectively. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and died while on his way home at the close of the Civil war. Our subject is youngest in a family of thirteen children, five of whom are living. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and when fifteen years of age began life for him- self at farm work, which he followed for one year. He then worked five years in the car shops at Berwick; then at Nanticoke on a farm, one year, when he removed on his present farm, and in the spring of 1892 opened the "Huntington Valley Hotel," which he has, made one of the most popular hotels in the section. Mr. Simpson was married, October 23, 1884, to Miss Ida Trescott, who was born Octo- ber 25, 1860, a daughter of William H. and Ann D. (Hoyt) Trescott. This union was blessed with two children, viz. : Howard K., born November 2, 1885, and Sam- uel R., born January 28, 1890. Mrs. Simpson is a member of the M. E. Church. Politically, our subject is a Republican; he is a kind landlord, solicitous for the welfare of his patrons.

CAPT. GEORGE W. SIMPSON, Nanticoke. This gentleman, himself a soldier, and one of a family of true American soldiers, is a native of Philadelphia, born Decem- ber 22, 1820, and is a son of William T. and Anna Maria (Horton) Simpson, also natives of Pennsylvania, and of New England origin. At the age of sixteen our subject engaged at carpenter work in Philadelphia, where he completed his trade, and then removed to Mauch Chunk, same State, at which place he worked at his trade and as a general contractor until September 24, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and, at the organization of the company, October 26, 1861, was commissioned first lieutenant. He participated in the fol- lowing service: Guard duty at Eastern Shore, Md., from April, 1862, until Febru- ary, 1863; garrison duty at Harper's Ferry, Va., from February to March, 1863. His company was then assigned to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Eighth Corps, and was immediately thereafter engaged in the four days' fight from Berry- ville to Winchester, under the command of Gen. Milroy; and was present at the following-named battles: Upperville, Va., June 10, 1863; Middletown, June 11; Berryville, June 12; Opequan Creek, June 13; Milroy's retreat, June 13 and 15; Winchester, June 13 and 15; defense of Winchester and garrison of Star Fort, June 14; and Martinsburg Peak, near Winchester, June 15. Our subject was taken prisoner at Winchester, June 15, and was confined in the following Confederate war prisons: Libby and Danville, Va. ; Macon, Ga. ; Camp Ocelthorp, Ga. ; Charles- ton, S. C., jail and marine prison, when the city was under fire; Columbia, S. C .; Camp Sorgum, S. C .; Asylum Camp, Charlotte, N. C .; Greenville, N. C. ; Raleigh, N. C .; Camp Conscript, N. C .; and Goldsborough, N. C., serving a total of 625 days in Confederate war prisons, and never sick a day during the entire imprison- ment. He received his promotion as captain while in Libby prison, but he never did any field service while in that capacity from the fact that during the remainder of the Rebellion, or nearly so, he was in Confederate prisons. Capt. Simpson was mustered out of service March 12, 1865, at Washington, D. C., and then returned to his home in Mauch Chunk, where he engaged in his old business as contractor

and general builder about a year. He then removed to Summit Hill, and followed the same business until 1868, in which year he again returned to Mauch Chunk, re- maining there until 1877, when he removed to Shickshinny, at which place he sojourned until 1879-all this time following the occupation of contractor and gen- eral builder. In 1879 he came to Nanticoke, and entered the employ of the Sus- quehanna Coal Company as carpenter and builder, where he has since been em- ployed. Capt. Simpson was married September 19, 1844, to Miss Louisa Harris, of Mauch Chunk, and they had eleven children: Emma, married to J. C. Roberts

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Jr., coal operator, of Wilkes-Barre; William T., chief of police of Scranton, Pa., who served throughout the Rebellion as drummer boy; Charles (deceased); Robert (deceased); Anna M., now Mrs. F. P. Detweller, of Scranton, Pa .; Harry H., breaker foreman of No. 7 Breaker, Susquehanna Coal Co., Nanticoke, Pa .; Mahala H., now wife of William Davenport, a commercial salesman in Scranton; Laura K., married to Willard Good, mine foreman, Sugar Notch; Jennie (deceased); George W., Jr., a carpenter in Nanticoke, Pa., and John H., now at college. In addition to his own incomparable military record, it may be added that Capt. Wilson's mother was an active member of the Women's Sanitary Commission during the Rebellion, losing her life by contracting typhoid fever while nursing soldiers who had it; that his three brothers and a son served throughout the entire war, and that his grand- father, Jesse Horton, though of Quaker descent, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 161, and was one of the pro- moters of its organization. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as a mem- ber of the Nanticoke borough council.

WILLIAM D. SIMON, miner in the Waddell Colliery, was born in 1846, in the Parish of Llanwinio, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, son of David and Mary (Davis) Simon. The father, who was a farmer, reared a family of five children, at Conwill, Carmarthenshire, viz. : John (died at the age of eight years), Samuel, Phebe (Mrs. Rees Rees), Esther (Mrs. Thomas Morgan), and William D., the last named being the only one in America. Our subject first visited here in 1862, traveling for six months along the Atlantic coast, from Boston to Baltimore. He then returned to Wales, remaining three years, spent two and a half years at sea, and then engaged in mining in Glamorganshire, where he remained till 1880, when he again came to America. He worked in the mines, in Hyde Park, fifteen months; Plains, six weeks; Parsons, five years; removed to Miners Mills in 1887, and purchased his present residence. He was in the disasters at Ferndale, Wales, December 8, 1867, at which time 178 were killed, and June 19, 1869, when fifty-three were killed, and both times he escaped uninjured. Mr. Simon was married, January 24, 1873, to Miss Anna, daughter of Titus and' Ann (Williams) Williams, and they had one child, David T., a farmer, in Conwill, Wales; he was married, the second time, September 4, 1876, to Mrs. Eliza Williams, daughter of William and Mary (Davis) Thomas, natives of Maenclochog, Wales, and widow of John Williams, by whom she had one child, Lewis, a miner, in Wales. The fruits of this union were four children, viz .: Mary A., William T., John Mirrddyn, and Idris, who died at the age of one year. Mr. Simon and his son, William T., are members of the Foresters; he is a member of the Ivorites, and in 1891 was elected a member of the borough council for three years, by the Republican party.

ABRAHAM SIMS, farmer, P. O. Dorrance, was born in Dorrance, in 1817, a son of Cornelius and Catherine (Smith) Sims, both of whom are supposed to have been born in Newport. The Simses are of English origin, the Smiths of Dutch, and both are old families in the county. The Simses were settled in this country prior to the Revolutionary war, although no mention of them is made in that struggle for inde- pendence. They have confined themselves exclusively to agricultural pursuits, and Cornelius Sims was a prosperous man in Dorrance township, then Newport, owning 300 acres of land, and was active in advancing agricultural industry; he lived to a good old age. His family numbered eight children, two of whom are living, Abraham being the eighth. His education was confined to the common schools, and was somewhat limited. His companion died in July, 1885, leaving him in the midst of his family of nine interesting children, to console and cherish his lonely heart in his declining years. Their names are: John, Samuel, George, Josiah, Reuben, Linfred, Annie, Mary A. and Maggie. Mr. Sims has a neat farm of seventy-seven acres under good cultivation, sixty of which are under the plough. Although an aged man Mr. Sims is still active. Politically he is a Democrat.

J. ANSON SINGER, physician, Forty Fort borough, son of Adam and Sarah (Williams) Singer, natives of Pennsylvania, of Welsh and German descent,

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

respectively, the former of whom was a carpenter by occupation, and for twenty- five years notary public, and justice of the peace at Scranton, where he now resides. He raised a family of seven children, of whom the Doctor is the fourth. Our sub- ject was educated in the common schools, the collegiate institute at Stroudsburg, and at Columbia County Academy. In 1883 he graduated in medicine at the Uni- versity of the City of New York, and commenced practice in July of the same year at Broadheadsville, Monroe county, where he remained until June, 1891, when he came to Forty Fort, and is now engaged in the practice of medicine in that borough. Dr. Singer was married May 20, 1885, to Mamie Levering, daughter of Dr. J. Rogers and Sarah (Keller) Levering. natives of Pennsylvania, of French and Ger- man descent, respectively, the father being a physician near Stroudsburg. This happy union was blessed with two children, one now living, Emma A., aged three years (1892). The Doctor and his wife are members of the M. E. Church of Forty Fort. He is a member of Barger Lodge No. 325, F. & A. M., Stroudsburg; Easton Chapter No. 173, Royal Arch Masons, and Hugh De Paynes Commandery No. 19, K. T., Easton, Pa. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM SITES, farmer, Lehman township, was born in Huntington, Pa., Jan- uary 5, 1826, and reared and educated in Lehman township. He is a son of Cor- nelius and Sarah (Tex) Sites, the former born in New Jersey, the latter in Con- necticut. Cornelius was a wagon-maker by trade, and was the son of Peter Sites, who was a native of Germany. Cornelius moved to this country about 1820, locating in Kingston. where he worked at his trade. He soon moved to Huntsville, thence removing to Huntington township in 1825, and in 1827 moved to Lehman township, where he remained until his death, which occurred June 28, 1865. His family consisted of twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity, and six of whom are now living. William is the third in the family. In his early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has always worked. He also learned the wheelwright trade of his father. Mr. Sites is not only a scientific, but a natural mechanic. His large shop, with every facility for plying his trade, is a credit to his industry. Besides his trade, he also attends to a farm of seventy acres of fer- tile land, well watered, stocked, and with suitable out-buildings thereon. In the first year of the war, he was impelled by the true spirit of patriotism to defend his home and flag, and entered, at the call for emergency men, Company G, Thirtieth Pennsylvania Militia, from which he was honorably discharged. He re-enlisted, in February, 1864, in Company M, Second Heavy Artillery, for the term of three years, displaying heroic courage in every battle in which he participated. He served until January, 1866, when he was honorably discharged. He now enjoys a pension. Mr. Sites is a member of the G. A. R. He has been twice married. For his first wife he married Miss Effey, daughter of John R. Fox, by whom he had eight children, five of whom are now living. For his second wife he married, September 7, 1891, Miss A. De Long. Politically, he is a Republican.

GEORGE SKIDMORE, fire-boss in the Mill Creek Colliery, Plains, was born in Dud- ley, Worcestershire, England, July 4, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Susanna (Lane) Skidmore, the former of whom is now engaged in Company work at the Waddell Colliery, with residence at Miners Mills, while the latter died in 1882, at the age of sixty-four years. Their family consisted of twelve children, five of whom are living, viz. : James, a miner in Illinois; Sophia (Mrs. John Lovett. of Cleveland, Ohio); Ephraim, a miner in the Waddell Mine; George; and William, fire- boss at Miners Mills. James came to America in 1861, followed in 1863 by his father, and in 1865 by the rest of the family; they located first in Tuscarora, Schuylkill Co., Pa., and afterward removed to Luzerne county. Our subject was educated iu a private school in England, also in public schools in America, and at the age of seven years began working about the mines, which he has since followed, including six years as miner and two years as fire-boss. Mr. Skidmore was married, March 23, 1880, to Miss Alice, daughter of John T., Moore, of Parsons, and they have one child, Isabelle May. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a Republican.

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A. S. SLYKER, outside foreman at the Honora Colliery, Laflin, was born near Triangle Pond, this county, August 15, 1848, and is a son of Stephen and Keturah (Stetler) Slyker, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and Dutch origin, respect- ively. The father, who was one of the best mechanics in the State and an exten- sive breaker builder in the Wyoming Valley, was born in Hanover township, Lu- zerne county, and in later life removed to Wilkes-Barre, and passed away March 5, 1887, at the age of seventy years. Dying very suddenly, a post-mortem examina- tion was considered necessary, during which his heart was stolen, but was regained by the strenuous efforts of our subject. He was followed by his widow January 23, 1889, at the age of sixty-seven years. The family consisted of nine children, five of whom are living, viz. : William, Alice (Mrs. D. J. Beers), George, Alfred S. and Jane (Mrs. Isaac Hayden). Our subject attended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age, after which he was employed as carpenter with his father, four years; as machinist with Carter & Allen, Tamaqua, Pa., four years; foreman of two breakers, at Yorktown, Pa., one year; bridge builder with his brother, William, as foreman on the Southern Minnesota Railroad, eight months; again with his father, one year; in mining, at Shickshinny, Pa., one year; carpenter for the Central Rail- road of New Jersey, three and one-half years; then with his father again for a short time; after which he engaged with the Franklin Coal Company as outside foreman, nine years, and was then employed as carpenter for the Hazard Wire Rope Com- pany, sixteen months. He removed to Laflin, September 19, 1889. He is a me- chanic of no mean ability, and has made and patented several inventions that may yet yield him a handsome fortune. Mr. Slyker was married, April 3, 1870, to Mary E., daughter of Louis and Susan (Sorbor) Smale, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. To their union have been born three children, viz. : Benjamin L., Lotta and Maud; they have also an adopted child, who was found on Lincoln street, Wilkes-Barre, at the age of two weeks, and whom they adopted at the age of six weeks. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in his political views, was the second burgess in Laflin borough, and has been justice of the peace since its organization.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 204

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