History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 96

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

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

JAMES M. BOLAND, general insurance agent, Wilkes-Barre, was born in County Sligo, Ireland, May 9, 1864, a son of James and Ann (Biglin) Boland, who, with their families, came to America in 1865, locating at Scranton, Pa., where the father died March 10, same year, three days after their arrival. The family consisted of four children: Christopher G., John T., William P. and James M. The subject of this memoir was reared in Scranton and educated in the public schools of that city. At ten years of age he began work in the Iron Works there, where he was employed until the strike of 1877, at which time he took a position as cash-boy in the Boston Store, at the same place, which he filled two years, and was afterward a clerk in his uncle's grocery three years. In 1882 he was appointed assistant . mercantile appraiser of Scranton, under F. A. Beamish, which incumbency he filled one year; later he was a traveling salesman six months, after which he entered the fire insurance business, continuing same one year. In 1884 Mr. Boland located in Wilkes-Barre and embarked in the general insurance business, in which he has since successfully continued, representing several of the leading ineurance companies of the world. On September 2, 1887, he married Mary, daughter of Daniel and Dora (McGourty) Shovlin, of Wilkes-Barre, and has three children : Loretta, Annie and Ruth. Mr. Boland is progressive and enterprising, and is a well-known and popular business man. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

SYLVESTER BOMBOY, farmer, P. O. Berwick, was born in Salem township, April 27, 1859, and is the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Moore) Bomboy, the former of whom was a blacksmith by trade, and was one of the leading and substantial farm- ers of Salem township. Jeremiah Bomboy was born in Berks county, Pa., Octo- ber 15, 1824, and was a son of David and Elizabeth (Price) Bomboy. David was a son of Jacob and Barbara Bomboy, natives of Germany, and early settlers of Berks county. David Bomboy was a butcher, and lived and died in Berks county. Jeremiah Bomboy, father of our subject, was reared in Columbia county, Pa. He learned the blacksmith trade which he followed thirty years, has lived in Salem township since 1847, and has resided on the farm he now occupies since 1856. He married, January 25, 1849, Elizabeth, daughter of William and Mary (Hulsizer) Moore, and granddaughter of William and Mary (Kleintob) Moore, and on the maternal side of Benjamin Hulsizer, a Revolutionary soldier-all of whom were pio- neers of Salem township. Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Bomboy are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom survive: Jacob, Daniel, Sylvester, Charles, Mary (Mrs. Charles Martz), Thomas M. and Jessie L. Our subject was reared in Salem township and educated in the common schools and the Orangeville Academy. After attaining his majority, he taught school for several years, working on the farm during the summer; since 1885 has been engaged in farming. and is salesman for agricultural implements, carriages, etc. He married October 11, 1883, Mary P., daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Rasely) Croop, of Centre, Columbia Co., Pa., and has one son, Jeremiah. Mr. Bomboy is a member of the F. & A. M., P. O. S. of A., and P. of H. ; he is a Democrat, and has been tax collector of Salem township since 1887.

BARNES BONHAM, retired miller, Forty Fort, was born in Huntington, Pa., April 6, 1821, and is a son of Solomon and Electa (Fuller) Bonham, natives of Connecti- cut. The father, who was a miller by trade, reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living, Barnes and James being twins and next to the youngest. Our subject embarked in life learning the miller's trade at Hancock's Mill at Luzerne, where he remained seven years; he then worked in the mill where Maltby now is for one year, and, after working among the farmers for a short time, returned to Hancock's Mill, where he remained one year. He then came to Forty Fort and operated a mill for a year, and, for the next five years, worked among the farmers; thence moved to Kingston, and, after piling lumber in the yard for one year, inspected cars on the D. L. & W. R. R. for three years; and after six years' employ- ment at company work at Swoyer's works, retired from active life. Mr. Bonham was married, August 10, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Margaret 39

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

(Kridler) Stroh, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. They have had eight children, six of whom are living, viz. : Martha E., who resides at home; Milbre B., outside foreman at the Harry E. Coal Works, Forty Fort; Jennie S. (Mrs. William Pettebone); Henry F., a merchant in Forty Fort; Augusta A. (Mrs. Harper Pette- bone), and William P., a painter, who lives at home. Mr. Bonham and wife and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he has always given his political support to the principles of the Democratic party.

MILBRE B. BONHAM, outside foreman of the Harry E. Mine, was born May 3, 1853, at Forty Fort, and is a son of Barnes and Elizabeth (Stroh) Bonham, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. Our subject is the second in a family of eight children, six of whom are now living. He was educated in the common schools and Wyoming Seminary, and at the age of fourteen engaged as driver-boy in the Hilman Mine for two years. He then went to work for the Wyoming Coal Com- pany, as docking-boss, at Port Bowkley, after four years being promoted to weigh- master, which position he held for four years. He was then given the position of engineer, in which he remained ten years, and on October 8, 1887, was promoted to his present position at the Harry E. Shaft. Mr. Bonham was married Octoher 8, 1876, to Helen, daughter of William and Martha (Fleming) Hartzell, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin. By this union there are six children, viz .: Marian, Gussie, Gracie, Lizzie, Harry and Helen. Mrs. Bonham is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Bonham was a member of the borough council for three years, tax collector for one, and is justice of the peace at the present time; he is a solid Democrat politically.

BENJAMIN BONHAM, carpenter, Town Line, was born in Union township June 30, 1837, being the third child in order of birth, of Joseph and Christine Bonham. He was reared and educated in his native township, where he also learned the carpenter trade, at which he has always worked, in various parts of the county. He is a skilled mechanic and master of his trade. He has lived on his present homestead, a neat house and lot near Town Line, since 1868. In 1859 he married Miss Eliza- beth, daughter of John and Christine Hartman, and to them were born five children, all of whom are living: Ida, Linda, Cora, Elias and Ambrose. Ida is yet (1892) unmarried. Mr. Bonham is a stanch Democrat.

GEORGE W. BONHAM, farmer, P. O. Town Line, was born in Union township, November 12, 1842, a son of Joseph and Christine (Gregory) Bonham, both of whom were born in Union township, the father on December 25, 1807, the mother in April, 1813. Joseph is a son of Samuel and Priscilla (Arnold) Bonham, the former born October 7, 1780, in Northampton county, the latter in 1783, in Plymouth, Pa., her parents being natives of Connecticut. Samuel was a son of Benjamin Bonham, who was also of Northampton county, and a soldier in the Revolutionary army. He removed from Northampton to this county about 1799, locating in Union (now Ross) township. He was one of the first pioneers in the township, and did good work in breaking up the virgin soil. He reared a family of six children-one son, Samuel, and five daughters -- most of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. Benjamin was a son of Samuel, whose history is lost in the misty past. Samuel (II.), son of Benjamin, was twenty-one years of age when he removed to this county about 1801. He located with his parents, but shortly after took a property of 300 acres of land, on which were some improvements. On this he built, lived, and died. He was a hard working man, of energy and determination, and a practical man of the world, whose life was uneventful, but useful. He died in January, 1863, aged eighty-four years; his wife died April 5, 1844. Their family numbered eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and two are now living. Joseph Bonham, a son of Samuel, began his active life in Union township, where he was reared and educated, and where he has resided all his life. He is now living, at the age of eighty-five, a healthy and robust man, and of his life forty-four years he gave to the Lord's service. He has filled several township offices, with credit to himself, and satisfac- tion of his constituents. He reared an interesting family of twelve children, eight

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of whom are living, George W. being the youngest son. Our subject resided at home until he was of age, working under the guiding mind of his father, and at the age of twenty-five, March 15, 1868, he married Miss Asenith. Wolf, who was born in Ross township January 28, 1848, a daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Wolf, to which union there were born three children: James A., Francis R. and Phoebe L. In 1870 Mr. Bonham removed to his present farm of fifty acres, on which he erected commodious and elegant buildings-indeed all the improvements which are on the place he made. He is a general and practical farmer, and owns some very fine stock. He is a member of the Grange. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has held the offices of constable and school director with credit.

EDGAR F. BONHAM, a prominent physician of Fairmount township, having his resi- dence at Fairmount Springs, was born in Union township June 28, 1855, a son of Joshua C. and Armanda (Van Horn) Bonham, natives of Pennsylvania, born of Scotch-Irish and German origin. The father was a carpenter by trade, and was killed by the falling of a scaffold July 23, 1890. He was a son of Joseph and Christiana (Gregory) Bonham, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom is still living at ninety years of age, a farmer of Union township. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Arnold) Bonham, natives of Northampton county, Pa., and Litch- field county, Conn., respectively. This Mr. Bonham came to Luzerne county about the year 1800. Our subject, who is the eldest in a family of six children, was edu- cated in the common schools, the Huntington Mills Academy, New Columbus Academy, and the Wyoming Seminary, and began the study of medicine in 1877. He graduated with honors from the University of New York, March 13, 1883, and was appointed house surgeon at Bellevue Hospital, but owing to poor health could not accept the appointment. Returning to his native county, the Doctor entered the office of Dr. E. C. Hice, at Muhlenburg, remaining, however, only a short time; then opened an office at Fairmount Springs, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor was married October 11, 1887, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William and Rebecca (Sanders) Werkheiser. natives of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively, and of German origin. Mrs. Dr. Bonham is the eldest in a family of three children, and was born at Plains, Pa., March 21, 1858, was educated at the Keystone Academy, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is a member of the Luzerne County Medical Society, and of the Pennsylvania Sportmen's Association; politically he is a Democrat.

S. H. BONHAM, farmer, P. O. Prichard, was born April 24, 1841, in Union township, where he was educated at the common schools. He is a son of Nelson and Barbara A. (Wilkinson) Bonham, the former born in Union township February 18, 1821; the latter in Ross township in 1818. Nelson was a son of Samuel Bon- ham, a native of New Jersey, who removed from there to this county, locating in Union township, where he became a prominent citizen and a credit to his town. He was a man of marked ability as a pioneer, and reared a family who afterward became men and women, on whom he could look with pride. His son Nelson was a farmer in Union township, on fifty acres of land. He was a practical man, as well as a practical agriculturist, one whose life was even and quite uneventful. He was a stanch Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church. He died in 1882 aged sixty-one years; his wife passed away in December, 1890, aged seventy-three. Their family consisted of six children, five of whom grew to maturity and two of them are living now: S. H. and E. I. Our subject worked at home on his father's farm until the war of the Rebellion broke out, at which time he lacked one year of his majority. Iu the following year he volunteered to defend his country's honor at the price of life, if need be, and was mustered into the United States service as private in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-third P. V. I., for the term of three years. He displayed fortitude and patriotism in such battles as Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Gettysburg and many other well-contested battles. He was promoted to sergeant and discharged as such. On his return from the army he engaged in agriculture on his own account, in what is now Hunlock township, on one hundred

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acres of native soil. He displayed his energy and pluck in subduing this wild land and producing out of it a beautiful and productive farm, equipped with buildings of modern style and finish. Mr. Bonham was twice married, first time in 1867, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Amos and Lydia A. Kittle, and she bore him one child, Amos D. This wife died in 1873, and Mr. Bonham, for his second wife, married, in 1874, Miss Frances, daughter of John P. and Elizabeth Wagner, by which union were born four children: Elizabeth, Josiah, May and Hugh. Mrs. Frances (Wag- ner) Bonham died in August, 1890. In 1889 our subject purchased a house and lot in Nanticoke, to which place he removed, and there remained one and one-half years. He is a worthy gentleman, a practical farmer and a loyal citizen. Political- ly he is a Republican, and in religious faith he is a consistent member of the M. E. Church.

ALBERT R. BONN, grocer, Wilkes-Barre, was born in Scranton, Pa., February 29, 1862, and is a son of Henry and Pauline (Weber) Bonn, natives of Prussia, who came to America in 1855, and settled in Scranton. Henry Bonn is a watchmaker and jeweler, and since 1855 has been in business in Scranton, where he now resides. He has five children living: Henry, August, Albert R., Adam and Emile. Our subject was reared in Scranton, educated in public schools, and spent fifteen years as clerk in the drug business in his native city. In April, 1888, he located in Wilkes-Barre, where he has since been engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Bonn married April 17, 1888, Rose, daughter of Aloes Leffler, of Wilkes-Barre, and by her had three children: Arthur, Edna and Ethel. Our subject is a member of the Zion Reformed Church, and in politics is a Republican. His paternal grandparents, Nicholas and Margaret Bonn, settled in Scranton, 1851, where they passed the rest of their days.

J. NEWTON BOONE, master mechanic. This pleasant and popular young gentleman was born at Berwick, July 13, 1855, and is the second in the family of five children of Townsend W. and Mary A. (Jacoby) Boone, natives of Columbia county, Pa., and relatives of the famons hunter and Indian scout, Daniel Boone. Our subject was educated in Berwick and Hazleton, and after leaving school learned the carpenter's trade. In July, 1875, he was employed by A. Pardee & Co., to work at his trade, and in 1880 was given charge, as foreman, of the carpenter gang of that company. In this capacity he continued until June, 1892, when he was promoted to the posi- tion of master mechanic for the same company, which he yet holds, and where he merits the highest esteem and confidence, not only of his employers, but of all who come in contact with him, either in a business or social way. Politically Mr. Boone is identified with the Republican party; socially he is a member of the Order of Red Men. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Townsend W. Boone, father of our subject, has for many years been employed as purchaser of supplies for A. Pardee & Co., and is one of the old and trust- worthy employees of that large company, having been employed by them in the same capacity since 1868. The surviving children of Townsend W. and Mary A. (Jacoby) Boone are as follows: Florence A., J. Newton, Ralph (who resides in Nebraska), Harry E. (a resident of Iowa) and Burton D. (traveling salesman repre- senting the Atlantic Oil Company).

L. C. BOONE, carpenter, Nanticoke, was born in Centre township, Columbia Co., Pa., April 3, 1862, and is the youngest child of Cyrus and Amanda (Hayman) Boone, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and a relative of the celebrated American pioneer, Daniel Boone. In their family there were ten children, of whom L. C. is the eighth. When our subject was seven years of age his parents came to this county and settled at Nanticoke, where his father died in 1881, and where his mother still lives. Mr. Boone is a self-educated man, a thorough student in every particular, and a constant reader of the best literature of the day. At the age of nine years he commenced working around the mines as a slate-picker, and ten years later became a regular miner, as such working about three years; then engaged in the lumber business, as a member of the firm of Cornell & Boone, at which he con-

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tinued about a year and a half, when he sold his interest to Jones & Bergan. He then was engaged in general building about two years, at the end of which time he embarked in mercantile business at Nanticoke, with a Mr. Pope, under the firm name of Pope & Boone. They remained in business over two years, when Mr. Pope bought Mr. Boone's interest, and has been engaged in business at the same place since. Mr. Boone then commenced working at the carpenter's trade, at which he has since been employed. He was married October 20, 1885, to Miss Lillie, daugh- ter of Henry Cornell, a contractor and general builder at Nanticoke, Pa., and they have had four children: Lena May (deceased), Amelia, Harry and William. Mr. Boone is a member of the K. of M., the Sons of Veterans, and is a firm advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party.

JESSE BOOTH, farmer, Forty Fort, was born September 13, 1856, at Forty Fort, a son of Hyram D. and Ann (Bush) Booth, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and German origin, respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation. Our sub- ject is third of a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty rented a farm and began life for himself. In 1879 he purchased his present home, also four lots on Durkee street, in the vicinity. At the present time he is working land known as the " Judge Shoemaker Farm." Mr. Booth was married December 26, 1876, to Ellen, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mathewson) Barnett, natives of Ireland, and respectively of Irish and Scotch origin. By this union there are six children: Caroline S., Anna O., Jesse T., Marshall J., Harry L. and Wallon W. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the P. O. S. of A., Kingston Lodge No. 234, of the I. O. O. F. May Lodge No. 767, of Wyoming, and the Mortuary Beneficial Society; politically he is a Republican, and was a member of the borough council in 1890.

WELLS BOOTH, farmer, P. O. Trucksville, was born August 22, 1852, and was reared and educated in Jackson township. He is the son of William and Maria (Brown) Booth. The former was born on Long Island, February 13, 1810, and the latter in Jackson township, November 13, 1809, daughter of Captain Jesse Brown, one of the first settlers, after whom Brown's Corners was so called. William Booth was the son of Daniel, who moved from Long Island about 1822, locating at Kings- ton, where he lived the rest of his life. At his death he left a family of thirteen children. William Booth, his son, was about nine years of age when he came to Kingston with his father. In early life he learned the clothier's or fuller's trade in Wyoming, and worked in that place and vicinity for about fifteen years. After this period he bought a farm in Jackson township consisting of eighty acres, partly cultivated, and to which he added many improvements during his lifetime, building barns and dwelling-houses. He held several offices in the township with credit to himself and his fellow citizens. He lived to see his eighty-second year, and died August 16, 1891, his wife preceding him to the grave six years; she died March 21, 1885. Their family numbered ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity; six are now living (1891). Wells Booth is the youngest of the family, and always worked on the farm on which he was born, thus showing his subjection to parental rule as a dutiful son. On November 21, 1883, at the age of thirty, he married Miss Martha L., daughter of Philip and Lydia A. Sutton. Five children were born to them, four of whom are living: Nettie, Jennie T., Lydia M. and Charles F. Mr. Booth is a thrifty farmer, following the example of his forefathers, all of whom were honest yeoman. Mr. Booth is a stanch friend of the Republican party.

WILLIAM R. BOOTH, farmer, P. O. Loyalville, was born in Jackson township, August 31, 1841. He is the son of William and Maria (Brown) Booth, the former born on Long Island, February 13, 1810, the latter in Jackson township, Novem- ber 13, 1809. The Browns are very early settlers, and are numbered among the first families who removed this side of the mountain. William was a son of Dan- iel and Hamutal (Hallock) Booth, both of whom were born on Long Island. Dan- iel was a son of another Daniel, who was an old man during the Revolutionary

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

war, too old to serve in the ranks, but not too old to be patriotic, for he sent two of his boys to defend their country against the impositions of England. He was commanded at one time to swear allegiance to the king; this the good old lover of freedom could not do, whereupon his lands were confiscated, and he was compelled to flee to Connecticut for safety. After the close of the war, when the States became a free union, he was tendered the property back again. His family con- sisted of eight children-five sons and three daughters- all of whom were as patri- otic in principle as their father. Daniel, Jr., removed from Long Island to this county, locating in Kingston township about 1820. Previous to this, however, he spent three years in Orange county, N. Y. He purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Kingston township, all of which he improved during his lifetime. He was a loyal citizen, a good neighbor and a loving father. Mr. Booth and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. His family consisted of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew, to maturity; only one of them is now living (1892), Joseph A. His son, William, Sr., was reared and educated in Kingston township, where he learned the fuller's trade, which he followed for a number of years, working in various places, but finally settled in Jackson, about 1840. He had a farm of eighty acres, some of which was cleared when he bought it. After he located on his farm he gave up his trade and confined himself to agricultural pursuits. He died in August, 1891, at the age of eighty-two years. There were ten children born to him; eight grew to maturity, six of whom are now living.

William R. Booth is the oldest son and the fifth in order of birth. He was reared and educated in Jackson township and spent several terms at Wyoming Semi nary. He always followed farming from choice. In 1866 he removed to his present home on a farm of one hundred acres, which he has improved and embellished both in houses and land. Mr. Booth is a man of marked intelligence and deep thought, who keeps himself well up with the times. On September 20, 1866, he married Miss Martha C., daughter of Horace and Sarah Hawley, by whom he had five chil- dren, all of whom are living; their names are: Mary P., George N., Arthur L., Clara E. and Minnie E. Mrs. Martha C. (Hawley) Booth departed this life in August, 1882. She was born in Lake township. Politically, Mr. Booth is a Republican.

JOHN Y. BOSSERT, who has charge of the pattern department of the Central Shops, Ashley, was born in Sunbury, Pa., October 18, 1829, and is the only sur- vivor of four children of John Y. and Hannah (Miller) Bossert, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of German origin. The father, who was a millwright by trade, died October 22, 1830, at the age of thirty-three years; the mother afterward married Oscar Bradford, and died October 3, 1854, at the age of sixty-two years. Henry, brother of John Y., was colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh P. V. I., in the Civil war, afterward taught school and was postmaster at Westport, Pa., at the time of his death. Our subject was educated in the public school at Sunbury, and, after working six months on a farm, learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed till 1851, when he took up that of pattern-maker, which he has since fol- lowed. In 1868 he came to Ashley aud accepted his present position. Mr. Bos- sert was 'married, July 3, 1851, to Miss Sabra M., daughter of Solomon and Mar- illa (Mott) Lathrope, natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and of Yankee and French origin respectively. The issue of this union was eight children, viz .: Alice V., who died at the age of three months; William H., machinist, Mountain Top, Pa. ; E. Elizabeth (Mrs. Warren Newhart); Newton, who died at the age of six months; Hiram B .; Milton B .; John E., a machinist in Ashley, and Clement H. Mr. and Mrs. Bossert are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in his polit- ical preferences he is a Republican.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 96

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