History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 135

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 135
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 135
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 135

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).

Fish Association. The doctor is deeply interested in ornithology and is an expert and skillful taxidermist. Twenty yearsago he conceived the idea of making a full collection of the native birds and animals found within the limits of the State, and to this end has ardently pursued the work-preparing and mounting all his specimens-until ho now has one of the finest and largest private collections in the State ; his intention being, after its completion, to donate it to some scientifie institution. Ile is a close student of nature and a great lover of field sports, being a capital wing-shot and fully at home with rod or gun amid the beauties of field, forest or stream, and every year he takes an extended hunting and fishing trip for recreation. In 1871 he married Annie Victoria, only child of Peter and Margaret Ubil (a neighbor adjoining the old homestead), a most excellent woman in mind and heart, and held in the highest esteem by all who know her. They have one child, Edwin Ellsworth, a bright and interesting hoy of seven years, who inherits many of the good qualities of both parents.

D. B. HAND.

Dr. David B. Hand was born in Hawley, Wayne county, Pa., March 3Ist, 1848, the sixth child of Robert and Susan (Goble) land. ITis great grandfather was a native of New Jersey, and raised a family of twenty children. His grandfather was born in Morris county, N. J., and lived to the age of sixty-five. His father, Rohert Hand, was born in Sussex county, N. J., and moved to Hawley, where he had purchased a large tract of land, and where for many years he carried on an extensive busi- ness in lumber. He died there in 1854. The latter's mother, whose maiden name was Crandemeyer, was born in Germany; came to New Jersey when but five or six years old, and lived to the age of seventy- seven. 1Ier father lived to be more than one hundred years old. Dr. Hand's great-grandfather on his mother's side was born in England; caine to America and settled in Morris county, N. J., before the war of the Revolution; lived near Valley Forge, and during the hard winter the army had its winter quarters there he spent nearly his entire fortune, which was large, in feeding the patriot soldiers. His wife was from Scotland, and her father, Stephen Roy, fled for his life from persecution there, and came to America. Dr. Hand's grandfather Nathan Goble was born in Morris county, N. J., and was a farmer and drover. The doctor's mother was born in Sussex county, and is a lineal descendant. of Francis Price, from whom the township of Frankford was named, and who was judge of the court in that county for thirty-two years. Some of his descendants have filled prominent positions in the State. Dr. IIand was one of seven children. to wit: Nathan, Charles F., Eliza- beth L., Melissa A., William J., David B. and Sarah A. Nathan died in the army ; William J. served through the war of the Rebellion and was for twomonths confined in Libby prison.

Upon the death of the father the entire charge of the family devol- ved upon the mother, and well and faithfully was her task performed. She was determined her children should have the advantage of an edu- cation, and by her efforts, coupled with a will on their part in all ways to help themselves, they all received a liberal education. Mrs. Hand, enjoying in the fullest measure the esteem of a large circle of acquaint- ances, and the recipient of loving attentions from her children, who fully appreciate her worth, is still living in Hawley.

: Having received a good English education, the subject of our sketch at the age of seventeen commenced the study of medicine with Dr. G. B. Curtis at ilawley, and was graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1855. He entered upon the practice at South Canaan, Wayne County. P.t., where he remained three years. He then removed to Carbondale, where he practicedl seven years. His health failing in consequence of overwork, he sold his practice and went to California. Ile traveled for several months through California and the Western States, but not finding a location to suit him he returned cast and settled in Columbia, Pa. His predilection for the coal regions, how- ever, induced him tocome to Scranton in the spring of 1830, where he pur- chased the property of Dr. Horace Ladd, one of the oldest physicians in that city. Dr. Ladd having removed to Philadelphia, Dr. Hand succeeded him in his practice. Dr. Iland, although comparatively a young man, has by his energy and skill amassed a competency, and bids fair to take a leading position among the physicians and surgeons of Scranton.

lle married Miss Sarah T. Cromwell, daughter of James Cromwell, of Hawley, in 1870. She was born May 2nd, 1851, in Hawley. Her family were Quakers. Her grandfather was Oliver Cromwell, who settled in Canterbury, near Newburgh, on the IIndson river, where he carried on the trade of a tanner.

Dr. and Mrs. Hand had the misfortune to lose their eldest child, Mamie, a bright little girl of six years, at Columbia; their only remain- ing child, Freddie, is now four years of age.

ELISIIA HITCHCOCK,

a son of John and Phebe (Tyler) Hitchcock, natives of Connecticut (the former born June 10th, 1817, and the latter in 1856), was born in Clermont, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, January 21st, 1778. He was the third in a family of fifteen children, twelve sons and three daughters, nono of whom are now living.

Horace add

GENEALOGICAL AND PERSONAL RECORD.

438 ℃

Deacon John Hitchcock, the great-grandfather of Elisha, died in New Haven, Com., October With, 1753, aged sixty-eight years. John, his grandfather, died July 29th, 1766, aged fifty-seven years ; and Jolin, his father, died July 17th, 1835, aged eighty-eight years, and his wife, Phebe, January 30th, 1821. Ile was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the pioneers of Clermont, where he settled in 1767. Hle built the first barn in the township in 1768, in which all the wheat raised north of Sugar river was stored that year. Ile was for many years prominently identified with the town, and held many oflices, and was for several years a member of the Episcopal churchi.

The subject of our sketch came from New Hampshire in 1809, and was engaged in building grist-mills in Slocum Hollow, Wilkes-Barre and Pittston until he married Ruth, daughter of Ebenezer Sloenn, July 24th, 18I1, when he returned to his native town; and in 1826 he removed to Slocum IFollow, now Scranton, where he resided until his death, October 16th, 1858, aged nearly eighty-one years. Ruth survives him, and is liv- ing with her son Ebenezer, at the advanced age of eighty-nine. He fol- lowed his trade (millwright) for several years ; also purchased n tract of wild land in the vicinity of the residence of Ebenezer Hitchcock, the old homestead and now the most beautiful part of the city of Seranton, which he cleared np and tilled for several years. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and for more than fifty years a prominent mason. He contributed largely to the building of the first church in Scranton, of which he and his wife were for several years members.

Ebenezer Hitchcock was born in Clermont, New Hampshire, April 27th. 1815, and is the second in a family of seven children, viz .: Elisha, born June 29th, 1813 (died April 28th, 1855) ; Sarah, born October 14th, 1817 (wife of Abel Gardner, of Abington, Pa.); Ruth Ann, born January 29th, 1820 (died October 23d, 1864); Zenas, born March 25th, 1822 (died June 4th, 1880); Mary, born May 11th, 1827 (wife of Dr. William H. Heath, of Hyde Park), and Eliza, born July 13th. 1831 (died August 26th, 1843). Ebenezer came to Scranton with his parents when he was eleven years of age. IFis educational advantages were limited to the district school. He was twice married; first, December 24th, 1856, to Marion, daughter of Helon Budd, of Troy, Bradford county, Pa., who was born June 28th, 1834, and died February 2nd, 1857. He married for his second wife Amanda, daughter of William Swackhamner, of Waymart, Wayne county, Pa., February 20th, 1866. She was born February 5th, 1838, and died in 1880. Three children were born of this marriage: Marion, March I6th, 1867; Hattie, September 18th, 1872 (died December 28th, 1878); and William, February 4th, 1875. In 1855 Mr. Hitchcock was appointed by Governor Pollock as one of his aides-de-camp, with the rank of lieuten- ant colonel. He has always been engaged in farming and lumbering; is Republican in politics. He was for several years identified with the Episcopal church.

A. E. HUNT.

Alexander E. Hunt, of the firm of IFunt Brothers & Co. (limited), Scranton, was born in Paulina, N. J., April Ist, 1835, and married Frances_ E. Gay, of Sencen Falls, N. Y. He has served as treasurer of the above named firm.

HORACE LADD, A. M., M. D.

The subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, September 14th, 1826. He received his education in the public schools of that city and graduated at the high school, at the age of eighteen, as Bachelor of Arts. HIe soon entered as a medical student the office of Professor John K. Mitchell, in whom he found a generous and influential friend. In the spring of 1818, at the commencement of the Jefferson Medical College, the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him. It was a proud day for the young man and for his widowed mother, who had made many sacri- fices to secure her son a liberal education. The young doctor placed his sign on the house in which he was born, and very soon the poor of his neighborhood, who had known him from his boyhood, called upon him when sick. It was not long before he received handsome tokens of appre- ciation in successive appointments as vaccine physician, by the city council; dispensary physician, by the managers of the Philadelphia Dis- pensary, and resident physician to the Bush Hill hospital, by the board of health. In the fulfillment of the duties of the latter position he was exposed constantly to cholera, small-pox and ship-fever, but his enthu- siastie devotion to his profession was never dampened for a moment, Shortly after the close of the epidemie of cholera, during which he had been aelively engaged, Dr. Ladd received a cordial invitation from prominent citizens of Carbon county, Pa., to locate at Summit Hill. Being assured of a handsome practice and a certain income, he deter- mined to leave his home for a time and devote himself to the care of the health of the denizens of the coal regions. Hosts of friends gathered around limu in his new field of usefulness, and the doctor soon took front rank among his medical brethren in that section.

From Suminit Hill, after a successful career of five years, he was in- dueed by force of circumstances to remove in 1854 to Mauch Chunk eight miles distant from the first named place. A sudden outbreak of cholera prostrated two of the oldest and most trusted physicians of Mauch Chunk, both of whom died. Dr. Indd was urged at once to set- tle in the town where he had shown himself so fearless and successful

in staying the ravages of the appalling epidemic. Ile was still a single mant; his success had been uninterrupted from the commencement of his professional career and fortune favored him still, and in May, 1856, lie married Miss Ellen C. Brooks, of Philadelphia. IFe continned tho practice of his profession with the most gratifying success, but the fail -- ing health of his wife and other personal interests induced him to de- cide to remove from the region where, he has often said, he had passed ten of the happiest years of his life.

In June, 1839, he removed to Seranton. His reputation asa successful and conscientious physician had preceded him. He was cordially wel- comed by medical brethren, as well as by the citizens generally. He has enjoyed a lucrative practice in Scranton for twenty years. He has ever been a liberal contributor, according to his means, to all the churches where his help was needed, and has been identilied with inost if not all of the publie charities wherever he has resided. He has been successively physician to the city hospital, the liome for the friendless, the alins house and hospital for the same. He has aided in the organi- zation of medical societies wherever he has lived, and has represented his region, repeatedly, in the State Medical Society and in the Ameri- can Medical Association. Now, while this work is being compiled, he is closing his labors in the region where he has been so long and favorably known, with a view of returning to his native city, for the purpose of being near his beloved inother, to watch over and cheer the remainder of her long and devoted life. That snecess and happiness may follow him, and that his life and usefulness inay be prolonged, will be the carnest and sincere wish of his hosts of friends.

CHARLES T. PIERSON.

Mr. Pierson was born in Sag Harbor, Long Island, N. Y., July 5th, 1805, the second child in a family of five children of Jeremiah and Phebe (Terbell) Pierson. The family is of English descent. When Charles T. was only a boy his father moved from Long Island and settled in Forest- burg, Sullivan county, N. Y., where, up to the time of his death, he was extensively engaged in the lumber trade. His widow subsequently married David Hammond, and moved to Monticello, Sullivan county, N. Y. After the death of her second husband she resided with her children. She died in Buffalo, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Schryver, March 5th, 1852, aged 84. By her first husband she had five children, viz .: Charity H., Charles T., Stephen H., Louisa and Phebe Anr. Charity H., deceased, was the wife of A. L. Schryver, of Buffalo. Stephen H. married Ann Elizi Mirvin, was a resident of Carbondale for many years and died there. Lonisa, widow of W. F. Ketchum, partner for many years in the boot and shoe business at Buffalo with Mr. Sehryver, is still living in the latter city. Phebe Ann married James MeMaster, a retired inerchant, living in London, England.

Charles T. Pierson received his clamation in 'the common schools of Forestburg and Monticello. Not possessing a strong constitution he was not fitted for the heavy work connected with his father's business of lumbering, and at aboat the age of sixteen he became clerk in the store of Case Cuddeback, at Cud lebackville, Sullivan county, N. Y., where he remained about three years. He was for about three years thereafter clerk for Morris Wurts, at Wurtsboro, in the same county. Here he became acquainted with Cuitharine, daughter of David and Anna Dorrance, whom he married Jaau iry 10th, 1827. Mrs. Pierson was born in Wurtsboro, Sullivan county, N. Y., February 17th, 1803. Her father was a native of Rhode Island, was captain in the Revolution of a company in General La Fayette's corps an 1 w.is in active service dur- ing the continuation of the war, except about six months, during which he was an inmate of the hospitil on account of a wound. He moved from Rhode Island to Win Tham, Coan., where for many years he kept a hotel. From Windhan he moved to Wurtsboro, N. Y., where he pur- chased a large tract of timber land and engaged extensively in lumber- ing. Hle died there. Her mother was a native of Windhamn, Conn. She survived her husband a number of years and died in Wurtsboro. They had ten children (seven sons and three daughters); all are dead ex- cept Mrs. Pierson.

After his marriage Mr. Pierson live l about two years at Forestburg, being employed in settling up his father's estate: "He next engaged in the dry goods trade for about two years at Monticello. N. Y. In 1833 ho moved to Carbondale, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, Pa., whero he at first engaged in trade. He subsequently sold his store, and under the firm name of Pierson & Co. established a foundry, with which he was connected for eighteen years. The company did an extensive and hi- crative business. Mr. Pierson's first partner was a Mr. Wilbur; hissecond Joseph Benjamin, who purchased Wilbur's interest. In 1852, having sold his interest in the foundry, he moved to New York city, where he was interested in the dry goods honse of Lathrop, Luddington & Co., and in the boot and shoe house of Wells & Co. He continued in business in New York four years. In 1856 he returned to Carbondale, and for the next two years was interested in the Von Storch coal works at Prov- idence. In 1858 he moved to Seranton, and was one of the founders of the celebrated Dixon Manufacturing Company, of that eity. He was employod in this enterprise at the time of his death, which occurred Septomber 18tlı. 1839.

Mr. Pierson was naturally of a qniet, reserved disposition, a man of

438 D

HISTORY OF LACKAWANNA COUNTY.

few words, and though warmly attached to friends did not go out of his way to make new acquaintances.

He was energetic and almost uniformly successful in carrying for- ward his business enterprises. lfe was among the first in his locality to espouse the anti-slavery cause, and the slave seeking to escape from bondage found in him a friend.

Upon the organization of the Republican party he became its firm supporter. For many years he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In his family no man was ever more beloved than he.

Mrs. Pierson, at the advanced age of 77, is still a resident of Seranton, occupying the pleasant home on Washington avenue built by her hus- band just previous to his death. She has been for many years a consist- ent and worthy member of the First Presbyterian church.

Only one child, Helen E., wife of William K. Laverty, of New York city, is living. She has five children, viz. : William P., Charles T., Helen K., Kittie D. and Fannie G. Mrs. Laverty was born in Carbondale, April 14th, 1845.

HON. LEWIS PUGHE.

Hon. Lewis Pughe, one of the originators of the Scranton Board of Trade, served as its first secretary and has since been its president six years. Mr. Pughe was born March 5th, 1820, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and emigrated to the United States in 1842 and settled in Carbon- dale (then in Luzerne county). He was elected the first treasurer of the city of Carbondale, and was subsequently elected alderman and asso- ciate judge of the mayor's court. He was elected by the Republicans a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1859 and 1861. He removed to Scranton in March, 1868, and in 1871 was elected seoool director and treasurer of the school board. In 1872 he was elected a member of the constitutional convention, and served with distinguished honor and ability. He is a director of the Third National Bank of Scranton; was president of the first lay delegate convention of the Wyoming confer- ence of the M. E. Church, held in Owego in 1872, and has taken a promi- nent part in the management of the public charities of Seranton. Mr. Pughe is a member of the successful firm of Monies & Pughe. He is a thoroughly self-made man, having risen fron the ranks to successively higher positions of honor and responsibility in city, county aud State. With broad common sense views of men and measures, a wide acquaint- ance and varied exerience, he is eminently qualified, as president of the board of trade, to foster the great growing manufacturing and general business interests of the city of Seranton, and to him much is due for their past advancement.

MAJOR EZRA H. RIPPLE

was born in Mauch Chunk, Carbon county, Pa., February 14th, 1842. His grandfather, Peter Ripple, cmigrated to this country from Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in the latter part of the ISth century, and settled in Newport, Luzerne county, Pa. Ilere he reared a family of fourteen children, only one of whom is now (1880) living, viz. Isaac Ripple, a resident of White Haven, Luzerne county. Silas Ripple, father of the major, the youngest of the fourteen, was born at Newport, April 2nd, 1811, settled in Mauch Chunk in 1832, and there married Elizabeth Harris in 1840. Here their three children, Ezra H., Mary M. and a child who died in infancy, were born. Mary MI. is the wife of II. E. Doster and resides in Bethlehem, Northampton county, Pa. In 1846 he moved with his family to Buck Mountain, Carbon county, where for cleven years he kept a hotel. In 1857 he moved to Hyde Park, where until his death he kept the " Old White Tavern " at the corner of Jackson and Main streets. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. He was a genial companion, hospitable to strangers, a kind neighbor, and a man thoroughly devoted to his family. He died of congestion of the brain, after a short illness, December, 1861. llis wife survives him and lives in Allentown, Pa.

Major Ezra H. Ripple received his education in the public schools at Buck Mountain and Ilyde Park and by an attendance of about four years in the Wyoming Seminary, of which the Rev. Reuben Nelson was then principal. After leaving school he was employed in his father's hotel at Hyde Park, and continued there after his father's death up to April, 1862. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, though strongly desiring so to do, he was prevented from enlisting by the death of his father, which left the whole care of the family and of his father's estate upon his hands. After leaving the hotel he engaged in the drug business, in which he continued up to 1864. Twice, however, during this time he responded to calls for "minute men" to aid in repelling invasions of the North by the enemy; first, when the southern army invaded Maryland, he volunteered under Lieutenant MeKune, since mayor of Scranton, and marched for Antie- tam. Here he was permitted to hear the guns, but like Job's war horse only smelled the battle afar off. Again, in the great emergency of 1863, when General Lee invaded Pennsylvania, he served under Colonel W. N. Monies at the time of the Gettysburg battle. In March, 1864, he suc- ceeded in arranging his business and enlisted in the 52nd Pennsylvania volunteers, then commanded by Colonel (now Governor) H. M. Iloyt. He was soon made leader of the 2nd brigade band, but held the position only for a short time, as the band was broken up by military orders. Upon the dissolution of the band he entered upon duty in his company,

and went with the regiment as bugter on two occasions in venturesome excursions up the Ashepoo and Combahee rivers, in South Carolina. But his military activity was speedily terminated in a night attack on Fort Johnson in Charleston harbor, where, with Colonel Hoyt and Lieutenant colonel Conyngham and about 110 others of the regiment, he was taken prisoner. Thus after three months' actual service he found himself on the 4th of July, 1864, safely housed with others in the jail of the city of Charleston. From here he was speedily removed to the infamous stoek- ade of Andersonville. After three months of terrible suffering and destitution he was taken back to Charleston, only, however, to be transferred to the stockade at Florence, S. C .; and here, for five months, in fearful exposure and utter destitution, he suffered tortures such as no words would be adequate to describe. From Florence, with eighteen other prisoners, he escaped and attempted to reach the Union lines. He found after traveling a few miles that he was too weak to keep up with his companions. IIcaring in the distance the baying of blood- hounds, he took refuge in a swamp, but was soon tracked to his place of enncealment. With his back to a tree, with no weapon save his poorly shod fect, he fought for his life with those savage beasts until finally rescued by their brutal masters, who had followed the dogs into the swamp; but not until his limbs had been gashed to the bone and from the loss of blood he was more dead than alive. The scars trom this battle with the dogs are permanent. He was driven back to his horrid burrow in the stockade, where he was left without either food or medical relief. The sufferings he endured during his slow recovery are beyond description. They made a permanent and horrible impression upon the gallant soldier. The whole scene still comes back to him in dreams as a horrible nightmare. He was exchanged about a month after his recapture, and upon his arrival at home he was prostrated with camp-fever, which both tested and demonstrated his magnificent power of endurance. He was regularly discharged at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md., after the surrender of Lce.

In September, 1865, he entered Eastman's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he took a three months' course. Returning to Hyde Park he went into the office of a railroad and coal com- pany as book-keeper, in which capacity he served three years. In 1869 he entered into partnership with F. L. Hitchcock in the crockery business in Scranton. In October, 1872, he sold his interest in this store to H. A. Coursen, and became a partner in the firm of William Connell & Co., proprietors of the Meadow Brook, National and Stafford mines, all situated within the limits of the city of Scranton, his department of the business being the management of its accounts.

In the excitement and upheavals in the city of Scranton in 1877 Major Ripple, in company with two or three young men, quietly organized a company of vigilants to aid the mayor in obtaining order, and he was chosen its captain. The dispersion of the mob by these young men on the 1st of August led to the organization of the four companies of the City Guard, when he was selected and commissioned captain of Company D. Upon the consolidation of the guard with the 13th regiment na- tional guard of Pennsylvania Captain Ripple was elected and commis- sioued major, which position he still holds and fills to the entire satisfac- tion of his comrades.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 135

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900