History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 68

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 68
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 68
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 68

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).

General Ross possessed a sound and discriminating inind; evinced fully in the discharge of the numerous and responsible positions with which he was intrusted by the puhlie. And whether on the judicial hench, in the legislative hall or in the council chamber, he exhibited ever the same strong common sense view of the varied subjeets which the particular place presented. His long continuance as director in the various munic- ipal, charitable and husiness corporations of the town showed that the publie appreciated the man, and had great confidence in his ahility, judgment and integrity. He was commissioned associate judge of the courts of the county in 1830, as the successor of Hon. Jesse Fell, which he retained until 1839-the time of the adoption of the amended constitu- tion of the State. The duties of this office were discharged with much credit to himself, and the entire approbation of the har and community at large. For a long succession of years he was a member of the hor- ough council, and generally its presiding officer. Quite as long he was a director and general manager of the Easton and Wilkes-Barre Turn- pike Company, down te 1840 the only great thoroughfare leading to the seahoard from the Susquehanna east. He was for many years a director in the Wyoming Bank, and at the time of his death the president ; he was also the president of the Wyoming Insurance Company at his de- cease, and was also a director in the following corporations: The Wilkes- Barre Water Company, the Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company, the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, and the Home for Friendless Chil- dren. He was also a member of the vestry of St. Stephen's Church. Probably no one of General Ross's cotemporaries had more to do with the various local associations of the town for a third of a century than he had, And he was remarkably punctual in his duties iu all the lahors these associations demanded and required of him.

IIe represented the Luzerne district in the Seuate of this State during the session of 1845-6-7. The last year of his term he was the speaker of that body. He was also elected to the General Assembly for the session of 1862, and in this service his conduct and business capacity were mark- ed with much ability and unblemished integrity. His charitable im- pulses were large. He ever had a generous heart and open hand. Those who appealed to him, in trouble and adversity, almost always met with a liberal response. Neither were his gifts lituited or restrained : as they were the offspring of a warin and impulsive heart, so they corresponded with its noble emotion. His donations to the Home for Friendless Children, considering the character of his estate, were indeed exceed- ingly liheral. Those amounted, from time to time, including the hequest of his last will of $5,000, to $10,000. The helpless and dependent condition of these poor friendless children made a deep impression on his mind. It was a theme that often engaged his thoughts and his con- versations, and resulted in a liberality that should impose a subject for the retlection of others, who would do well to imitate his noble and praiseworthy example. Of this institution he was the firm and stead- fast friend. His memory will long he revered by the forsaken ohjects of that nohle enterprise; and many of them who shall hereafter reach manhood, and hecome respectable and useful citizens, will praise the name and honor the nohle virtues of their friend and henefactor.

He was a man of unhending integrity and unblemished honor. His word washis bond. He was scrupulously exact in complying with all the engagements he made. Ite used no subterfuge to evade a promisc, and his mind was abovo the contemplation of a wrong. In this particu- tar his actions and life furnish a model worthy of imitation,

It was a generous act in his life which prompted the purchase of the

"Chambers collection " of coins and other curiosities, at a cost of $2,000, and the presentation of them to the "Wyoming Historical and Geological Society," of this town. It was the grand nucleus around which other contributions gathered, and which really gave the society success. It gave the institution a prestige and a name, that commended it to the friends of science everywhere. The name of its mnost munifi- cent founder will live with the institution.

These random and hasty reflections may not be closed without an allusion to his firm, unwavering love of country. The blood of his an- cestors had sealed the bond of American independence, His birth was amid the closing scenes of the Revolution; his young mind had been elated with the rejoicings over the advent of a nation, flung into life from the ruins and fragments of one overthrown. From the lips of the same man who had produced this result he received the impression of the magnitude of the struggle and its cost. The subdued language of history had not disrobed those events of the freshness and power with which they came from the men who had achieved them. They were before him in person, and they wore the marks and sears of the cam- paign-the soldiers of liberty-the men of the Revolution. When, therefore, treason walked abroad in the land, and threatened the over- throw and destruction of the Federal Union, General Ross was among the first to rise up in its defence; his contributions in money were not stinted ; he gave, and he gave with his accustomed liberality. He en- couraged the enlistment of volunteers; he took an open and manly stand on the side of liis country. And so he remained during the whole of that long and eventful strife. IIc lived to see treason discomfited, and the time-honored flag triumphant.

In his private character there was no duplicity ; he was as you saw him-frank and open in his opinions, just and upright in all his inter- course with the world ; cautious in forming a friendship, hut when es- tablished it was positive and enduring.

He left a large estate to his widow and relatives. Such of it as he did not inherit, but gathered by his own industry and economy, is not tainted with the accusatiou that it did not come into his hands houestly. No devices, or trickery, or deception (that men sometimes dignify with the legitimate name of business) added one dollar to his fortune. It all came in a lawful and proper manner. No one can impugn the memory of General Ross by the charge that he was impoverished to augment the other's estate. The world of usury and exactiou was not the world in which he lived and moved. He was rich, he was liberal. Alas, how seldom do these go hand in hand !

The death of a mau thus counected with the various enterprises of his residence, its charitable and scientific associations, its municipal and local institutions, is a public loss. It is a vacancy not easily to be sup- plied ; a link broken in the social chain that many generations may not replace; to his family a severe affliction, but to the poor and desti- tute, the widow and orphan, it is a loss that language can but poorly express. To such he was a friend in need, and their prayers and bless- ings will long, long linger above his grave.

His decease was sudden and unexpected, though he had all hut reached the allotted age to mau. Friends were not prepared for the event, hut

" We know that moons shall wane, That summer birds, from far, shall cross the sea, But who shall tell us when to look for death ""'

H. B. W.

He was married December 1st, 1825, to Ruth T. Slocum, niece of Frau- ces Slocum, and a descendant of a pioneer family in Wyoming valley.

THE SHOEMAKER FAMILY.

Elijah Shoemaker was born at Forty Fort on the fourth day of June, 1778. The place of his nativity is near the spacious residence erected hy him and now owned and occupied by Robert C. Shoemaker, his grand- son. His parents were Elijah Shoemaker and Jane MeDowell, daughter of John McDowell, of Cherry Valley, Northampton (now Monroe) county, Pa. The latter emigrated from Ireland to this country in 1735, and he- came a warm friend to the early settlers on their way here from New England. The road, or rather path, from his house, near the Delaware river, to Wyoming was through an unbroken forest, and the timely aid rendered hy McDowell saved many worn and weary families from per- ishing. The grandparents of Shoemaker were Benjamin and Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas Depuy, both heing among the earliest settlers in the neighborhood of Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pa. The former was of German extraction and the latter a French Huguenot from Artois, a northern province of France. Benjamin died in 1775, leaving two sons, Elijah and Daniel, and six daughters. The children disposed of the pa- ternal estate soon after the deeease of their father. Daniel invested his portion in the rich agricultural lands near Nichols, in the State of New York, having first married Ann, daughter of John McDowell. He lived to a good old age and died August 18th, 1836, in his eighty-fifth year, leaving a large property and a large number of children to enjoy it. Ilis wifo died December 9th, 1824, in the sixty-sixth year of her age. The daughters married and .settled in the neighborhood of their brother Daniel, Some of their descendants still remain there and others removed to the west and south.

236 R

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

With his portion of the paternal estate Elijah purchased a right in the Susquehanna Land Company, which was organized in the State of Con- nectieut, and which purported to convey to him a large tract of land in Kingston township. The title to this land and the seventeen adjoining townships was disputed by elaimants of title under Pennsylvania grants of the same territory. After several years of controversy between the rival elaimants, which often led to fatal encounters and threatened to involve two States in war, the dispute was adjusted by a committee ap- pointed by Congress, which gave the jurisdiction over this section of country to the State of Pennsylvania, and the land to the owners of rights conveyed by the Susquehanna Land Company, subject to a small price per acre to compensate the Pennsylvania elaimants. During the pendeney of these disputes over the right of possession between the rival claimants Shoemaker built his unpretentious habitation, cleared the land, sowed, planted and provided as best he could for the support of his little family. At the battle of Wyoming he aeted as lieutenant in the little band of patriots, and was among the stain. His body was re- covered and now lies in the family burying ground at Forty Fort ..

The unfortunate issue of this engagement left Elijah Shomaker, then an infant, and his widowed mother with seanty means of subsistence, everything in their little home having been carried off or destroyed by the enemy. The mother was a woman of great energy and equal to the emergency. It is scarcely possible to appreciate the trials and hardships endured by the people in those early days. It is some consolation, however, to realize that the adverse circumstances surrounding them were such as to produce a race of hardy, independent and self-reliant people. Trained under such influences Elijah Shoemaker reached the age of manhood, supporting himself and mother by his industry. In May, 1800, he married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Col. Nathan Denison. This proved n fortunate and happy marriage. She was a lady of refined intellect, and kuown in the community for her kindness and benevolence to the poor. Her father's children, like their father, Col. Denison, have a conspicuous place in the history of the valley. Her brother George Denison was a distinguished lawyer among such competitors as Judges Gibson, Conyngham, Bowman and Mallery, and was elected to the State Legislature for several sessions, and to the Congress of the United States for two terms. He took a high rank in hoth positions. Her nephew Charles Denison was also an able lawyer, and elected to Con- gress for three terms. The children of her sister Mary Patterson are all noted for their integrity of character and success in business. Her brother John moved to Ohio at an early day and left a large family in affluent circumstances, who are distinguished for the same character- isties. Her only surviving sister, Mrs. Sarah Ahhot, though at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, is still remarkable for her strong common sense and dignity of character.

The chief occupation of Mr. Shoemaker was improving his large farm. Its successful management required the exereise of hoth judginent and industry. The dwelling house he built in place of the log house of primitive times is still considered a model of taste and convenience. In 1814 he was elected sheriff of the county of Luzerne, and he is said to have performed the duties of the position with great satisfaction to the people. At that time the settlers were poor and many of them burdened with debt. By his lenieney in the performance of his duty, and by his own individual aid, many were enabled to save their homes. IIe was a strong man physically and intellectually, and was brave and fearless in time of danger. IIis education was limited, being only such as could be acquired at the country school-house ; yet he had sufficient culture and learning to make him a good and useful citizen and an honest man of the olden time. In July, 1829, he was seized with a fever, which caused his death after a few days' sickness, in the fifty-first year of his age. IIe left a fine estate, still occupied by his descendants, and a family of nine children-six sons and three daughters. His widow survived him two years. They both sleep in the beautiful cemetery at Forty Fort, near the place which knew them so well in life and which is fragrant to their posterity with sweet memories of the past.

The eldest son, Charles D., was educated at Yale College, graduating in the class of 1825. The same year he was appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania prothonotary and register and recorder for the county of Luzerne. He held these offiees for several years and was afterwards appointed associate judge. He held other publie trusts, all the duties of which he performed with signal ability. The latter part' of his life was passed on his farm at the old homestead in Kingston, in the midst of a loving family, and in dispensing a generous hospitality. He died in 1861, leaving four sons, all of whom are worthy and successful business men. One graduated at Yale College in 1855 and another at the West Point Military Academy in the class of 1868, and the other two were officers in the Union armuy in the war of the Rebellion.

Of the other four sons of Elijah Shoemaker three, Elijah, George and Nathan, are deceased ; each one leaving an enviable record for industry and integrity, and a competeney for his family. The only son of the foriner was educated at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, and devotes himself to the management of his father's estate. The eldest son of George Shoemaker was admitted to the practice of law, hut preferred to devote himself to farmning and general business pursuits.

Robert resides at Forty Fort on his share of the parental estate, and enjoys the confidence and good will of the neighborhood.

The youngest sou, Lazarus D. Shoemaker, graduated at Yale College in the class of 1840, and is now practicing law in Wilkes-Barre. In 1865 he was elected to the State senate for the term of three years, and was afterward elected a member of Congress for two successive terins. In 1848 he married Esther W. Wadhams, daughter of Samuel Wadhamns, of Plymouth, l'a., and he has one son and five daughters living. The son is a student at Yale College, and the eldest daughter, Clorinda W., is married to Irving A. Stearns, civil and mining engineer.

The eldest of the three daughters of Elijah Shoemaker, Elizabeth, widow of Dr. Spence, resides with her children in Wilkes-Barre, beloved by a large cirele of friends and relatives. Of the two remaining daugh- ters, Jane, wife of Judge Passmore, died in Rome, Bradford county, Pa., October 15th, 1868, a noble and pure minded woman. The youngest daughter, Caroline, married Dr. L. Ives, a distinguished physician, and resides in the city of New Haven, Conn.

HON. SAMUEL G. TURNER ( DECEASED).

The name of Turner has been familiar to residents of the valley from an early date. The first of the name who located in Wyoming was John Turner, who came about 1780 to Plymouth from near Hackettstown, N. J., and died of an epidemie in 1803. Four sons survived him, Eman- uel, Daniel, John and Jonah. Emanuel settled in Huntington, Daniel in Kingston, Jonah at. Hope, N. J., and John remained upon the home- stead in Plymouth, where he was born in 1789. He was publie spirited and progressive and a friend of education, at times paying more than liberally toward the support of schools in Plymouth, and succeeded after considerable trouble and against much opposition in introducing the study of the dead languages into the school course.

He died July 3d, 1871, greatly regretted by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

To those acquainted with the characteristics and aims of John Turner it is no matter for wonder that his second son, IIon. Samuel G. Turner, deceased, should have been a man of progressive ideas, of energy and integrity, and eminently fitted to stand as a representative man of the valley. Born in Plymouth in March, 1819, he grew to manhood there, laying surely the foundations of a successful career hy the acquirement of an education and habits of industry and application which brought to him their own legitimate reward. He had no wealthy kinsmen to prosper him with power and patronage in the early struggles of life. Hard work, good habits, business talents, strict integrity and rigid ccon- omy brought him an ample fortune; and while among the wealthest he was at the same time one of the self-made men in the valley. At a suitable age he embarked in business life as a merchant and coal dealer in Plymouth, subsequently removing to Shiekshinuy to assume the duties of president of the Shiekshinny Coal and Iron Company; thence to Wilkes- Barre a few years prior to his death. He attained considerable political prominence and was honored on several occasions hy election as repre- sentative of his district in the Pennsylvania legislature. He was a ean- didate for the lower house in 1854, but was defeated. He ran again in 1857 and was elected. During that session of the Legislature he was chairman of the commnitte of canal commissioners and reported favor- ing the abolishment of the office of such commissioners. The next year he was a candidate again but was defeated. In 1868 he received the nomination of the Democratie eouvention for State senator and was elected by the people, serving his term with credit to himself and his constituents. It was chiefly through his instrumentality that the inine ventilation bill was passed, of which he is said to have heen the author. Concerning Mr. Turner's policical carcer, Hon. Hendrick B. Wright has written : "In his capacity of legislator there attaches not the least sus- pician of a want of fidelity." This testimony in the times in which we are writing is eminently deserving of notice.

Mr. Turner was married June 6th, 1865, to Miss E. G. Dietrick, born in Salem, Columbia county, Pa., April 24th, 1841, and who survives him with their children, three in muunber. As a neighbor he was eulogized most highly, and it is said he was a devoted hushand and the tenderest of parents. Just prior to his death he was not actively engaged in hus- iness, but he was interested in and aided with his means and influence several important enterprises, and he was a director of the Plymouth Savings Bank, an institution founded chiefly by his carnest endeavors, He wasa member and communicant of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre, toward the support of which, as well as to all religious. charitable and educational objeets, he was a liberal contributor. His death occurred December 20th, 1872, after an illness of only a few days. His funeral was solemnized from his residence, on Washington street, Revs. Snowden and Williamson officiating, and Messrs. E. L. Dana, E. C. Wadhams, F. J. Leavenworth, John J. Shonk, F. Reynolds and Ira Dav- enport acting as pall bearers, and Peter Pursel direeting the order of ceremonies. It was largely attended, and a long procession of carriages and sleighs accompanied the remains to Hollenbeck cemetery.

At the time of his death Mr. Turner was physically so strong and ro- hust as to appear to have seareely reached the prime of life. Possessed of an extraordinary degree of intelligence, honor, energy and good judgment, he was one of the most successful business men in the city, and his prospects of a future successful commercial and political career were very brilliant.

3. TURNER

Henry M. Hoyla

236 S

GENEALOGICAL RECORD, WILKES-BARRE.

J. PRYOR WILLIAMSON (DECEASED).

J. Pryor Williamson was born in Baltimore, Md., December 34, 1839, and was a grandnephew of Thomas Wilson, for many years president of the old Baltimore Coal Company, of Wilkes-Barre, and was for several years in business with the latter. He came to Wilkes-Barre in 1862, and became a partner in the business connected with the Baltimore store. Subsequently the firm opened a banking house on the publie square, near South Main street. This enterprise was merged in the Wilkes- Barre Deposit and Savings Bank, and Mr. Williamson was made cashier, an office which he resigned in July, 1878, but remained a director until his death. October 7th, 1869, he married Miss Mary H., youngest daugh- ter of the late Hon. G. W. Woodward. He was a valuable member and vestryman of St. Stephen's church, and for several years superintendent of Calvary Mission Sunday-school. He was a member of Coeur de Lion commandery, Knights Templar, of Seranton, and past master of Land- mark Lodge F. and A. M., of Wilkes-Barre. An earnest and enthusias- tie friend of the fire department of Wilkes-Barre, he was connected with it during his residence in the city, and at the time of his death was fore- mau of Hose Company No. 2. He was secretary and a member of the board of trustees of the Home for the Friendless, was for many years secretary and treasurer of the Wyoming Valley Iee Company, and was interested in all publie enterprises looking to the advancement of the prosperity of the city. Politically he was a Democrat and was active in polities. His courteous manner, kindly disposition and warm heart won him hosts of friends, who sincerely mourn his death, which oc- eurred October 24th, 1879.

GOVERNOR HENRY M. HOYT.

Ziba Hoyt, the father of the subject of this sketch and son of Daniel and Anne Hoyt, was born September 8th, 1788, at Danbury, Connecticut. In 1794 the family moved to Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. In the war of 1812 Ziba Hoyt was first lieutenant of artillery, and was on duty at Lake Erie. He served fifteen months in Colonel Hill's regimen? of Pennsylvania militia, the "Wyoming Volunteers." January 23d, 1815, he was married to Nancy Hurlbut.

They had four children-Anne, who married Rev. Mr. Corss, John D., Henry M., and Elizabeth, who married Abram Nesbitt.

Deacon Ziba Hoyt, as he was always called, was a man of unusual abilities. He was of large frame, strong mind, wide acquaintance, great influence and of the utmost purity and integrity of character. He was a leading Presbyterian. At the time of his death, December 23d, 1853, he was as well known and thoroughly respected as any mau in the Wyo- ming valley.

Henry Martyn Hoyt was born June 8th, 1830, in Kingston. He re- mained at home until 1844, when he entered the Wyoming Seminary, then just opened by Rev. Dr. Reuben Nelson, where he prepared for college. The following year he entered Williams College, and gradu- ated in 1849. In 1850 he went away and opened a school, which lie con- ducted a year, when he returned to Kingston, having been elected professor of mathematics in the Wyoming Seminary, which position he held two years. Subsequently he became a student at law in the office of the Hon. George W. Woodward. In 1853 he went to Memphis, and there taught the graded school until recalled to Pennsylvania by the death of his father. He then returned to the study of law, this time in the office of Hon. Warren J. Woodward, with whom he remained until the election of Judge Woodward to the bench.

September 25th, 1855, he married Mary E. Loveland, of Kingston. In 1856 he began the practice of his profession. He devoted himself both to the study and practice of law assiduously and laboriously; and almost immediately secured a large and luerative practice.

He took part in the Fremont campaign in 1856, and in 1861 was active in raising the 52nd regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers. IIc was com- missioned lieutenant colonel by Governor Curtin. His regiment was in the brigade of General Negley, and participated in the Peninsula cam- paign of 1862.

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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 68

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