USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 14
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however, found him a resident of Bernice. Sullivan county, and he secured work at his trade on the State Line & Sullivan Rail- road, then building, and remained with the company until 1872. That year he again entered the mines and while there employed was killed by a fall of top coal in September, 1872. His worthy wife passed away in May, 1880. In their family were six chil- dren, namely: John, who was born in Ire- land, for nearly a quarter of a century a miner at Bernice, later in trade at Dushore, until he died May 6, 1894; James, our sub- ject; Patrick, manager of a general store at Bernice for W. H. Blight; Johanna, wife of Dennis O'Brien, of Bernice; Michael, an engineer at the coal-breaker at Bernice for ten years, and now in charge of his brother's store at Dushore; and Ellen, wife of Ed- ward Mannix, of Bernice.
The subject of this review was about three years old when brought by his parents to America, and made his home with them. in Schuylkill county, where he attended the public schools until nine years of age. He then secured employment as a slate- picker in the mines. In 1868 the family re- moved to Bernice, where he engaged in mining until 1879, when he took a trip west, prospecting in Colorado for several months. On his return to Bernice he resumed mining. which he continued to follow until 1885. In that year he erected his present hotel at Mildred, where he has since catered to the public, and in this undertaking he has met with a well-deserved success. In the spring of 1898 he was employed by W. B. Gunton to superintend the opening of the old Jack- son mine, and in July of that year was ap- pointed outside foreman, which responsible position he is now acceptably filling. On the 23d of May, 1882, Mr. Con- nor was united in marriage with
Miss Ellen Scanlan, daughter of John Scanlan, of Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania, and to them have been born nine children; Daniel P., who is serving as clerk in the hotel; John E., Johanna, Honora, James, Michael, Ellen, Catherine and Julia. The family are members of the Catholic church and are quite prominent socially. Mr. Connor is identified with the Democratic party, and affiliates with Katonka Tribe, No. 336, Improved Order of Red Men, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He is one of the foremost business inen of Sullivan county and his success is due entirely to his own energy and business ability. His hotel is modern and conven- iently arranged and under his judicious management has become one of the most popular public houses in this section.
JOHN SCHAAD, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Mildred, Pennsylvania, was for many years actively identified with the business interests of Sullivan county, but is now living retired. As a young man of twenty-four years he came to America, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have been realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil.
Mr. Schaad was born in Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland, March 11, 1834, and received a good education in his native country. About 1858 he came to America and located in New Jersey. He manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by en- listing at Philadelphia, in 1862, in Company I, Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and served for one year, being dis- charged on account of disability. He then
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settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he worked for a short time in the mines and then engaged in the meat busi- ness. Selling out his interests there in 1865, he came to Sullivan county and em- barked in the saloon business at Dushore, but a year later removed to a farm in Colley township, which he operated for one year. He then purchased a farm in Brad- ford county, and in connection with its cultivation engaged in the meat business for two years, selling out at the end of that time. He next conducted a meat market in Bernice until 1880, when he erected Schaad's hotel at Mildred and carried it on until 1893, selling it that year to his son, John C. Near his hotel property he built a large distillery; which he successfully operated until August 23, 1898, when he sold all his business interests to his sons, John C., William J. and Frank F., and with his wife sailed for Switzerland, where he passed some time amid the scenes of his childhood, and returned in the fall. The vessel in which he returned encountered twelve days of heavy storm, the same that wrecked the steamship Portland and so many other vessels, but his vessel came through in safety.
Mr. Schaad was married in 1865 to Miss Elizabeth Mosier, a daughter of Christian Mosier, of Colley township, Sullivan coun- ty, and to them have been born seven chil- dren: John C .; William J .; Katherine, deceased; Henry J., a brakeman on the Lehigh Valley Railroad; Frank F .; George P., who is in the employ of Scouten, Lce & Company at Parsons, Pennsylvania; and Anna L.
John C. Schaad, the eldest son, was born in Colley township, March 15, 1867, was educated in the public schools of the county, and at the age of twenty-one years
entered the mines at Bernice, where he was employed for six months. He then secured a position in Philadelphia with N. G. Tay- lor & Company, plumbers, for whom he worked for two years. Returning home, he bought his father's hotel and has since suc- cessfully conducted that well-known hostel- . ry. It is one of the largest in the county and enjoys an excellent patronage. As previously stated, he and his brothers, Will- iam J. and Frank F., purchased the Schaad distillery in August, 1898, and they also bought equal interests in the hotel property. Each year the distillery places on the mar- ket three hundred barrels of the famous "Straight Rye Schaad Whisky," and it has proved quite profitable.
On the 11th of February, 1892, John C. Schaad was united in marriage with Miss Henrietta, daughter of D. G. Goodin, of Cherry township, and they now have three children: Grace L., born September 16, 1893; Joseph G., born October 13, 1894; and Joshua G., born May 21, 1898. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, while socially Mr. Schaad is identi- fied with Bernice Lodge, No. 962, I.O.O.F., and politically supports the Republican party. He is an enterprising, wide-wake business man, and has already met with excellent success in his undertakings.
William J. Schaad was born in Sullivan county, October 29, 1869, attended its pub- lic schools, and on attaining his majority entered the employ of Scouten, Lee & Company, of Wilkesbarre, where he worked his way upward to the position of mana- ger. He, too, is an ardent Republican in politics, and is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons. of America and the Sons of Veterans. He wedded a Miss Mosier, by whom he had two children, Cassie and George; but she is now deceased.
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'HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
Frank F. Schaad, born at Bernice, May 27, 1873, also pursued his studies in the public schools, and on reaching manhood went to Parsons, Pennsylvania, where he, too, was in the employ of Scouten, Lee & Company for one year. Returning home he worked in the hotel, and is now success- fully engaged in business with his brothers as a member of the firm of Schaad Broth- ers. In his political affiliations he is a Dem- ocrat.
J OHN SANTEE LINE, a leading citizen of Bernice, Pennsylvania, now serving as associate judge of Sullivan county, is entitled to distinction as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of this section, and he was for many years actively identified with its railroad interests. He was born in Salem township, Luzerne county, this state, June 15, 1831, a son of Conrad and Sarah (Santee) Line, also natives of Luzerne county. He received his education in the public schools of Salem and Hollen- back townships, and at the age sixteen secured a position as clerk in a general store at Wapwallopen, where he remained for two years. At Beach Haven he was likewise employed for about three years and then went to Mauch Chunk, where he be- gan railroading in the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, with which he was connected for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Beach Haven and took charge of the store where he had formerly been employed, remaining there about two years. Returning to Mauch Chunk he held the position of conductor on the famous Switch Back Gravity road for two years, and in 1863 entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad as conductor on the Beaver Meadow division. In 1865, however, he be-
gan running a locomotive on the Mochonoy division, two years later was transferred to the Wyoming division, and in 1869 to the Pennsylvania and New York division. In 1873 he was promoted to the position of engine dispatcher at the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Junction, holding the same for three years. In 1877 he entered the service of the State Line & Sullivan Railroad Company, as engineer, and became a resi- dent of Bernice. There he began running a stationary engine at the pumping station in 1884, and was thus employed until 1897, when he retired from active service.
Mr. Line was married, December 23, 1857, to Miss Emma, daughter of Jacob West, of Mauch Chunk, and to them have been born seven children, as follows: Alonzo G., who died in infancy; Samuel, a stationary engineer now engaged in the water works at Sayre, Pennsylvania; William L., who was killed in his nineteenth year by the collapse of the railroad bridge at that place in 1883, while on duty as brakeman for the com- pany; Edward T., telegraph operator at the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Junction, Penn- sylvania; Sarah F., wife of George B. Winter, of Towanda, Pennsylvania; Anna G., deceased; and Catherine F., at home. The family hold membership in the Pres- byterian church and are quite prominent socially.
In the spring of 1896 Mr. Line was appointed justice of the peace, but the following fall resigned that position to assume the duties of associate judge, an office to which he was elected on the Re- publican ticket in the fall of 1896. He is thoroughly impartial in meting out justice, his opinions being unbiased by either fear or favor, and fidelity to the trust reposed in him is above question. Fraternally he has been a member of the Independent Order
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of Odd Fellows since 1857, is district de- puty grand master for Sullivan county, and also belongs to the Masonic order, the Im- proved Order of Red Men and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. As one of the leading and most highly respected citizens of Bernice it is consistent that the Judge be respresented in a work whose province is the portrayal of the lives of the prominent men of Suilivan county.
JOSEPH A. HELSMAN, who for fifteen .I
years has held the position of superin- tendent of barns for the Sullivan Railroad Coal Company, at Bernice, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1857. His father, Anthony Helsman, was born in Coblentz, Germany, in 1812, and was a miller by trade. He married Miss Anna Hymbredt, who was born in the same town as her hus- band, and they came to this country in 1854, settling in Scranton, and later in Bernice, where the father died in 1883, and the mother in 1880. Their children were Joseph, Benjamin, Mildred, Frank and Joshua, the two latter being deceased.
The subject of this sketch attended school in Scranton and for a short time in Sullivan county. He, however, began life for himself at the early age of eleven years, when he went to work and has kept stead- ily at it ever since. His first labors were in a coal mine at Fallbrook, Pennsylvania. In 1872 he came to Bernice and commenced work in the breakers, and by careful atten- tion to his duties he earned the esteem of his employers and was promoted to his present position. The barns of which he has charge contain forty-five mules and twelve horses, which require careful at- tention.
Mr. Helsman was married in Bernice, 14
July 1. 1878, to Miss Susan Mater, a native of Dushore and a daughter of Valentine and Susanna. (Reeser) Mater. Mrs. Helsman is an intelligent woman who is a good help- meet to her worthy husband. They have eight children, as follows: Lucy; Walter, who has been night watchman at the en- gine house at Bernice for two years: Mary; Alfred and Albert. twins; Rowena, Charles and Raymond. Mr. Helsman was for many years a Democrat in his political belief but is now a stanch Republican, and has filled a number of responsible offices, having been a member of the school board, tax collector and township treasurer. Socially he is a member of the Order of the Red Men, Knights of Labor and Camp 481, P. O. S. of A., of which latter he has been head of- ficer. He is a man of integrity, well in- formed, and is a prosperous and highly re- spected citizen of Bernice.
W ILLIAM JOHNSON, foreman of the old Jackson anthracite mines at Mil- dred, Sullivan county, is one of the best known and best read men in his locality. While always busily engaged in the duties of his occupation he has yet found time to make himself acquainted with the literature of the day, as well as more solid reading; and by study and research, much of it car- ried on at hours which should have been devoted to sleep, he has mastered the de- tails of his business to such an extent that he is considered an expert in mining mat- ters.
Mr. Johnson was born at Anwick, Northumberland county, England, Septem- ber 10, 1850, a son of William H. and Bar- bara (Riddle) Johnson. His father was a miner and worked in West Virginia and also in Sullivan county. He died August
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14, 1891, when sixty-four years of age. His widow is still living and makes her home at Dubois, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. Their family consisted of the following children: William, the subject of this sketclr; James, a resident of Dubois, a miner by occupation and also a well-known musician, having great talent in that direc- tion. He was the leader of the volunteer band of Dubois, and was a favorite with all his associates. His death in 1895 was a severe blow to his family and also to the inembers of the various musical organi- zations of the town, all of which were rep- resented at his funeral, one of the largest ever seen in Dubois; he left a widow and seven children. The other children of the parental family were: Isabella, wife of H. W. Harrington, who died at Bernice in 1878, leaving two children: Alonzo, who lives at Burlington, Pennsylvania; and Mary Ann, deceased. The parents were upright people, devoted members of the Presbyte- rian church and brought up their children to habits of industry and sobriety.
The immediate subject of this sketch re- ceived a good education in the common schools, which he supplemented by study in the evenings after the day's work was done. He later attended the Scranton School of Mines, from which he received a diploma as a mining expert. He has held the position of foreman of mines in Bradford, Lacka- wanna, Jefferson, Clarion, and Sullivan counties, and from all his employers he re- ceived the highest recommendations for his ability and thorough knowledge of his busi- ness. For a while he taught a district school, and, as has been stated, has been a student all his life.
Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Whateley, January 31, 1872, at Barclay, Bradford county, where she was
born and educated. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of William and Jane ( Hall) Whateley, natives of England, and is a woman of fine mind, a devoted wife and mother and a useful member of society. Their children are: William E., living in Mildred; Albert Lee, Frank Earl and James E. ; one child died in infancy. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is an ex- horter and class-leader. He was converted under the preaching of Mr. Moody, the evangelist, and was for a time a member and elder of the Presbyterian church. He is a zealous worker in the cause of religion and is always ready to lend his aid to all good works. He is a man of broad views, liberal in every sense and is known as a thoroughly reliable and upright man whose standing in the comnrunity is second to none. He was always enthusiastic in the cause of temperance. He wrote and com- piled the ritualistic workings of the Inde- pendent Order of Loyal Templars, which existed at Bernice, Sullivan county, Penn- sylvania, and was the source of doing much good, especially in enlightening the minds of the young people in reference to the evils of intemperance. Socially he belongs to . Lodge 534, F. and A. M., at Punxsutawney, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Johnson has built a large and con- venient house with all modern improve- ments, which is furnished in excellent taste. His house is a popular resort for old and young who enjoy the friendship of this hos- pitable couple.
G EORGE E. FORREST .- The popular and well-known station agent of Ber- nice is George E. Forrest, a young man whose fidelity to duty and ability in the line
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of his chosen vocation has made him one of the leading representatives in business circles in the town. He is a western man by birth, a native of the Hawkeye state, which is the banner agriculturalstate of the Union. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in Fayette, Fayette county, Iowa, in July, 1874, and is a son of Charles H. Forrest. His ancestry is American and English, and he is a type of the energetic, enterprising Anglo-Saxon race. He acquired a good practical education in the public schools and was thus fitted for life's respon- sible duties. For some years he has been in the employ of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road Company, having been located at Dushore previous to his removal to Bernice. He entered the railroad service in the sub- ordinate position of section hand, and by his faithfulness to duty and his able per- formance of the task assigned him steadily worked his way upward to the responsible place which he is now filling. Deter- mining to enter the telegraph service, he began studying telegraphy at Hornet's Ferry, Pennsylvania, and worked two and a half years at Tunkhannock as night operator, when he was promoted to be day operator at Dushore. He availed himself of every opportunity to practice the art and gain a high degree of proficiency therein. He was very careful and accurate. Septem -. ber 1, 1896, his ability enabled him to ac- cept a position in the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company as operator and station agent. In July, 1898, he was trans- ferred from Dushore to Bernice, where he is now located, and his courtesy to the pa- trons of the office, his capable service and his trustworthiness have won the confidence of his employers and the high regard of the public.
Mr. Forrest was united in marriage to
Miss Luella Fulford, a lady of good family and of intelligence and culture, who was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. They now have two children. Helen and Percy. who are the life and light of the household. In his political views Mr. Forrest is inde- pendent, voting for the men whom he re- gards as best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He has never sought office, but attends strictly to business, and has won the respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOSEPH M. IRELAND .- Doubtless many of our readers, in tracing their ancestral lines to the point where uncertain tradition brings their researches to an early and unsatisfactory ending, have realized the value to future generations of this attempt to preserve in substantial forin the informa- tion yet obtainable concerning the genealo- gies of our citizens, together with such ac- count of the men of this day as will serve to continue the record for posterity's use.
In the case of the subject of this sketch. a well known citizen of Ricketts, Sullivan county, the first ancestor of whom there is any authentic record was one Isaac Ireland, who died about two hundred years ago, leaving a cane that has been handed down through six generations and which is now in the possession of our subject. In each generation the eldest son has been named Isaac in honor of this ancestor, but unfor- tunately no definite account has been pre- served of their history. The family has long been identified with the town of Truro, Cornwall, England, and Isaac Ireland, our subject's grandfather, was born and reared there and during his youth learned the saw- maker's trade. He marriedl a Miss Mitchell. of Cornwall, and some years later removed .
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to the township of Percy, Ontario, Canada, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their years. They had the following chil- dren: Thomas Isaac, a farmer in Percy township; Electa, the wife of George Bush, of Green Bank, Ontario; Daniel, a humber- man at Maripossa, Ontario; Louisa, who became the wife of Willard Gould, a farmer near Hersey, Michigan; and John Seley, the father of our subject.
John Seley Ireland was born in Corn- wall and was about eleven years old when his parents moved to their new home in Canada. He learned the saw-maker's trade, returning to England for that purpose, and for several years was employed in that ca- pacity in mills at Chicago, Illinois, and Green Bay, Wisconsin. During the Civil war he became interested in lumbering and at one time he owned a large amount of valuable timber land in Northwestern Wis- consin, but the fire of 1871 swept over the tract, cansing the loss of his entire invest- ment. For one year he was in the hotel business at Green Bay, being proprietor of the Fox River House, but soon after the fire he located at Whitehall, Michigan, where he was employed as a sawyer. La- ter he left a similar position in Muskegon, Michigan, and after a time he formed a partnership with Mr. Gregory and opened a saw-repairing shop in that city. The ven- ture proved successful, and he and our sub- ject, who had come into possession of some capital, decided to build a shingle mill at Muskegon. This burned, proving a total loss, and Mr. John Ireland then removed to Fort Bragg, California, taking a position as saw-filer in a mill. He also spent some time in a mill at Puget Sound but afterward located at Keating Summit, Pennsylvania, as a saw-filer in a sawmill. After a few years he and our subject took a contract
which did not turn out well, and on June I, 1897, he removed to Ricketts, taking em- ployment as a saw-filer. He owns farin property in Cattaraugus county, New York, and he and his wife, whose maiden name was Maria Mitchell, are now residing there. Mrs. Ireland is a native of Cornwall, Eng- land, and a daughter of Sophia and Joseph Mitchell. Two children have been born to them, namely: Isaac, a sawyer by trade, who died at Buffalo, N. Y., at the age of thirty-one, leaving a widow and two chil- dren, who are now residents of Muskegon, Michigan; and Joseph M., our subject.
Joseph M. Ireland was born November 25. 1859, in Percy township, Ontario, Canada, and when four years old acconi- panied his parents to Green Bay, Wiscon- sin, where he remained about nine years, the family then removing to Muskegon. Before he attained his majority he learned the saw-maker's trade, working with his father and later with the Branch Crook Saw Company, at St. Louis, and on com- pleting his apprenticeship he found employ- ment in a mill at Muskegon. At first he was kept at ordinary work, but as his ability and skill were seen he was promoted to a position as sawyer and from that time to this he has never worked for less than five dollars per day, and at times has received as high as twelve dollars. In 1887 he came to Pennsylvania, taking a place as saw- filer in the mill at Austin, where he re- mained seven years and a half. The fol- lowing year was spent in operating a saw- mill in Mckean county on his own account, but the venture resulted in a total loss of his capital. Hle then passed one year at Thornton, Arkansas, and three months at Monroe, Louisiana, asa saw- filer, and since that time he has been with Trixler & Ter- rill, of Ricketts, in the same capacity. He
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came with the intention of staying one month, but has now been in their employ more than a year, his efficient service being highly appreciated by the company.
On August 7, 1881, he was married, at Au Sable, Michigan, to Miss Anna Mc- Farlane, a native of Appin, Canada, and a daughter of Malcolm McFarlane and Janet nec MacMaster, who were both born in Scot- land. Three children were born of this union: Jeannette, born June 20, 1882; Francis M., June 22, 1884; and John Mal- colm, August 14, 1886. The family now resides in Bradford, where the children are attending school.
Politically Mr. Ireland is a staunch Re- publican and while residing in Austin he served as a member of the town council. Socially he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, having united in 1882 at Au Sable, Michigan, with Au Sable Lodge, No. 243, F. and A, M., and Iosco Chapter, No. 83. R. A. M. He also belongs to the council at New Orleans, Louisiana, the commandery at Coudersport, Pennsylvania, and the Mystic Shrine at Buffalo.
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