USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 15
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JOHN C. MOSS .- Among the farmers who are devoted to their calling and bring skill to the aid of agricultural art is John Moss, whose fine property in Colley township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, is a source of pride to the enire community. He was born near Wilkesbarre, this state, July 3, 1861, and is a son of David and Sarah (Wright) Moss, both natives of New. Jersey. The father died September 29, 1879, leaving the following children: Emily, deceased; Aaron, of Bowinan's Creek, Pennsylvania; Solomon, a soldier of the Civil war; Wesley, who lost his life in the service; Mary, the wife of Mr. Dow, of Col-
ley township; Joseph, also of the same township; Daniel, residing near Ashley, Pennsylvania; Horace, of Luzerne county; Sarah, the wife of Mr. Talyor, of Bangor, Pennsylvania; Margaret, the wife of J. R. Weaver, of this township; and John, the subject of this sketch.
John Moss represents a class of sub- stantial, progressive farmers. He purchased his present farm of eight hundred and ninety-seven acres in 1894, and the year following erected a good barn sixteen feet high and forty-six by fifty feet in dimensions. He has but lately completed his residence, at a cost of eleven hundred dollars, a building constructed especially with a view to convenience and comfort. He has added many other improvements to his property, making it one of the finest farms in this section
G EORGE McDONALD .- Though yet comparatively young in years, the sub- ject of this sketch, now treasurer of Cherry township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, has by his own unaided efforts climbed to a position of influence and worth in the community in which he lives. Ile is one of those active young men to whom life means accomplishment, and he possesses both the will and the energy to attain that position at which he aims.
Mr. McDonald was born in Cherry town- ship, Sullivan county, May 9, 1861, the son of Patrick and Catherine (Burns) McDonald. Both parents were natives of the Emerald Isle and were there married, but shortly afterward they emigrated to America and settled in the towhship above mentioned on the old turnpike road, on the Hemeway farm, which they greatly im- proved. Later they located on the old
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homestead, upon which our subject now re- sides. It was then wild land, but under the applied efforts of Patrick McDonald and later of his sons has been brought up to a high state of cultivation. The father did not long survive his einigration to the new country. He died in 1865. In politics he was a Democrat and in religious faith a Catholic. Through life he was an indus- trious farmer. His widow survived him many years and died at the age of seventy- four years. She had been a faithful wife and a devoted mother, and as a neighbor she was loved and esteemed by all. To Patrick and Catherine McDonald were born twelve children, of whom ten grew to ina- turity. Among them were: John, a resi- dent of Bradford county; William, a miner of Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania; Miles, a hotel-keeper at Cripple Creek, Colorado; Charles and Thomas, miners at Cripple Creek; Ellen Dudley, a widow, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania; George, subject of this sketch; Daniel, who died at Cripple Creek; and Jaines, who was drowned, when a young man, at Big Rock, Sullivan county.
George, our subject, was raised on the old farm and in the schools of the neigh- borhood received a good education. He has devoted his life to farming and stock- raising and now owns the old homestead of one hundred acres. He was married October 18, 1885, to Miss Alice Farrell, daughter of James and Catherine (Farrell) Farrell, and a native of Bradford county, this state, where her parents now reside. Mrs. Mc- Donald was educated at the Rochester (New York) high school and had fitted her- self for a teacher. She possesses many ac- complishments and estimable qualities, which endear her to many friends. To George and Alice McDonald have been born six children: James, Patrick, Willie, -
Katie, Lizzie and George. James, the eldest, died at the age of twelve years. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Donald was erected in 1895, at a cost of one thousand dollars.
In religious faith Mr. McDonald is a Catholic; in politics he is a Democrat, and since attaining his majority he has been an active and zealous worker for the success of his party. He is recognized as one of its leaders in Cherry township. In the spring of 1898 he received the nomination for township treasurer and after a spirited cam- paign won the election. He is regarded as one of the prosperous and leading men of the township, and the circle of his influence as a citizen is steadily widening.
H J. KELLER, engaged in the general blacksmithing business in Bernice, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of May, 1866, and is a son of E. H. and Mary (Richart) Keller, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and of German descent. The father was born in Bloomsburg, and during the Civil war he loyally served his country as a defender of the Union. In his family were eleven children-nine sons and two daugh- ters.
When fourteen years of age H. J. Kel- ler started out in life on his own account, and the success achieved is due entirely to his well directed efforts and his enterprise. He began learning his trade in Lycoming .county, Pennsylvania. and afterward fol- lowed that pursuit for three years in Union- ville, this state. He then came to Sullivan county, locating at Laporte, where he was employed for a year, after which he went to Towanda, where he followed blacksmith- i ing for a time. He next came to Bernice,
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where he has now been located for over twelve years. He does the general black- smith and mechanical work for the Sullivan County Railroad and the Anthracite Coal Company, and has given excellent satisfac- tion, being an expert in his line. He re- pairs boilers and engines and does all kinds of work on iron and steel, and his capa- bility in that direction is most marked. He thoroughly understands everything in this line of industrial interests, and as the result of his capability and honorable deal- ing has won a very liberal patronage.
Mr. Keller was united in marriage, on June 19, 1888, to Miss Cora Wilmot, of Bernice, daughter of Albert Wilmot, and they now have two sons-Ray W. and Carl A. In his political affiliations Mr. Keller is a Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He has served on the school board and has held other local offices. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ber- nice, has filled all the chairs and is now Past Grand. He also belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity. He is a man of fine phy- sique, weighing over two hundred pounds, and well proportioned, is frank and jovial in manner, honorable and trustworthy in his dealings, and by his fellow-townsmen is re- garded as one of the valued residents of the community.
G S. LANDBACK. -- This name is well known in Sullivan and adjoining coun- ties, as at least four generations of the fam- ily have made their homes here. John Landback, the grandfather, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and Harvey, the father, was born in Luzerne county, but moved to Sullivan, where the former was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Har-
vey Landback was formerly a cooper and for twenty-five years worked at his trade in Cherry township. In later years he has quit the duties of his trade for the more peaceful and healthful life of a farm, secur- ing for this purpose property in Colley township, where he now resides. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations. The maiden name of the lady with whom he was united in marriage was Caroline Thrasher. She was a daughter of Benja- min Thrasher and a native of Cherry town- ship, now living in Colley. Fourteen chil- dren were born to them, of whom five are deceased. The living that now honor the community in which they reside are: Wilson, who lives with his father in Colley township, as do the two youngest children, Amanda and Levi; G. S., who is the subject of the biography; Annie E., the wife of Edward Hunsinger, of Col- ley township; Malinda, the wife of Howard Winslow, of Lovelton, Pennsylvania; W. H., a tinsmith of Wyalusing, this state; and Louis, a farmer, of Lovelton.
G. S. Landback was born in this county, in Cherry township, January 6, 1865, and has since made it his home. His opportuni- ties for a schooling were decidedly limited when he was a boy, but by comprehensive reading and intelligent observation he has stored his mind with varied and useful knowledge. When eighteen years of age ·he embarked in the manufacture of birch- oil in his native township, and carried on the business there for twelve years. In 1894 he engaged in the lumber business in Colley township, purchasing a plant which em- braced a shingle, planing and grist mill. Here he does an extensive business, receiv- ing work from three counties. He is a Democrat in general politics, but votes in- dependently of party in local elections. He
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
is a liberal member of the Lutheran church, and is esteemed for his upright walk in life. He is not an aspirant to office, but has served on the board of election.
He was married in Waverly, New York, August 12, 1887, to Miss Euphius Shoe- maker, a daughter of John and Sarah (Mc- Gardiner) Shoemaker. She died August 22, 1898, when in the prime of life, having but recently reached her forty-third year. They were the parents of two children: Edna, born July 2, 1888; and Grover Benja- min, born January 9, 1894.
FRANK MEYER, a general merchant and dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and other lines of trade at Mildred, is one of the successful and progressive inen of that place. He occu- pies a new store and carries an extensive stock, and his large acquaintance throughout the county is such as to bring him an excel- lent trade. He was born in Cherry town- ship, Sullivan county, Septemper 10, 1856, where his father, John Meyer, was an early set- tler. The latter was born in 1Soo in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. Ile remained in Lehigh county until 1853, when he reinoved to Cherry township. Sullivan county, where he was married to Miss Mary Hoffa, who is still living at Mildred. The father died in 1864. They were the parents of four children :. Frank; Matilda Lily, of Dushore; Henry, living at Beach Tree, Jefferson county: and Cora, wife of Charles Hererly, of Lopez. The father was a farmer by occupation, politically was a Democrat and in religion a Lutheran.
Frank Meyer, the subject of this review, was carefully reared by his parents, whose teachings he has endeavored to follow dur-
ing his life. He was reared on the home farm and received a good education in the common schools. He was married when twenty-two years of age to Miss Emma Vogel, who was born and educated in Ger- many and was sixteen years old when she came with her family to Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have four children-Ray- mond, Ruth, Julius and Henry.
Mr. Meyer had followed various business pursuits, such as mining, lumbering and general jobbing, before taking up his present occupation. In 1893 he went into the coal trade at Hughsville, but remained only six or eight months when he sold out at a good profit and returned to Mildred. He owns the building in which his store is located and also two good dwelling-houses, and has been successful in his business enterprises. He is an intelligent and progressive man, honorable in his transactions with others, and in politics is a stanch Democrat.
R OYAL SCOUTEN, postinaster of Col- ley, is one of the best known and most popular men in Sullivan county. He has held the offices of tax-collector and justice of the peace and in every position assigned him has earned a reputation for honesty, good judgment and courtesy.
Mr. Scouten was born in Bradford coun- ty, January 11, 1864, and comes of. a good family, being a son of Solomon and Deb- orah (Hartford) Scouten. His father was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1875. He was a stanch Re- publican and an honored citizen. The mother is still living and is well-known for her earnest work in church circles and her kindness and benevolence to all in need of sympathy and aid. They were parents of eight children-three sonsand five daughters.
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Our subject was brought up on a farmn. In the district schools he obtained the rudi - ments of a good education, and has studied and read much ever since his school-days were over, and is a well informed, intelli- gent man. He was married to Miss Hattie Hunsinger, July 2, 1887, and they have three children-Clyde, Stella and Bernard. Mrs. Sconten is a daughter of Martin and Sarah (Santee) Hunsinger, a family promi- nent among the citizens of Sullivan county.
Mr. Scouten takes an active interest in political matters and is a hard worker in the Republican party. He has held nearly all the local offices, with credit to himself and for the welfare of the public, and is de- serving of the esteem in which he is held. He has a fine farm of one hundred acres, on which he located in 1888. He has built a comfortable house, capacious barn and convenient outhouses, and the entire aspect of the place, with its meadows, pastures, wood lots and cultivated fields, is one of comfort and plenty. Mr. Sconten has made a successful farmer because he has been thorough and industrious, and has been equally successful by his genial ways and honest dealing in making friends wherever he is known.
E "NOS McGEE, car repairer for the Sulli- van Railroad Coal Company, in whose employ he has been for twenty-three years, resides at Bernice, where he is a highly re- spected citizen. He was born at Bingham- ton, New York, June 15, 1836, and is of Irish descent, his father, Patrick McGee, being a native of the north of Ireland and reared among the beautiful flax fields for which that part of the Emerald Isle is noted. The father came to this country when eighteen years of age and was mar- 15
ried in New York about 1833, to Miss Sarah Quinn, also born in Ireland. They resided for a time in Binghamton, and then came to Sullivan county, where the father died at sixty-two years of age, and the mother when fifty years old. They were most worthy people, highly respected in their community, and reared their family to habits of industry and sobriety. The father was a stone mason by trade and did general work in that line. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom the sons were: Enos; John and James, of Albany, Pennsylvania; William, a son of John, who became a sol- dier in the Spanish war.
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Enos McGee was for many years en- gaged in mining and has always borne a high character as an honest, upright man. He is interested in all the live questions of the day and favors all enterprises which tend to the welfare of his community. Mr. McGee was married in Dushore, June 14, 1864, to Miss Mary Donagan, a native of Ireland and
a daughter of Patrick and Margaret (O'Brien) Donagan, and the following chil- dren have been born of this union, namely: Sarah (Mrs. Parr), of Bernice; Catherine (Mrs. Donovan), of Cherry township; Patrick H., of Bernice; Robert, of Cherry township; Enos, Jr., and William.
Mr. McGee is a stanch Democrat and has frequently served as judge of elections. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Labor.
H JERBERT M. KELLOGG, a prominent business man of Lopez, Sullivan county, is a representative of a well-known pioneer family, and his successful career shows that he has inherited the enterprise and thrift which characterized his ancestors. The Kellogg family became identified with
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
. Connecticut during the colonial period and the first of the name to settle in this state was Amasa, our subject's great-grandfather, a native of Connecticut who came to Brad- ford county on horseback when this region was a " howling wilderness." Ezra Kel- logg, our subject's grandfather, was born in Hadley, Massachusetts, and reared in Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming and lumbering for many years, his death occurring in Monroe township, on March 12, 1885, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a man of influence and for thirty consecutive years held the office of commissioner in his township. He married Miss Lovina Sweet, who was born at Spen- cer, Tioga county, New York, and died in Monroe township, May 7, 1893, aged eighty-one. The fifty-six years of their wedded life were passed in the same house in which they began housekeeping. They had the following children: Ornaldo, de- ceased, who conducted a hotel at Towanda for many years; Morris, father of our sub- ject; Guy, a fariner on the old homestead near Monroeton, Bradford county; Jemima, widow of Warren Brown, of Wyalusing; Brunette, deceased, who was the wife of Samuel Irving, of Liberty Corners, Brad- ford county; Amy, who died at the age of eighteen years; Berenice, wife of J. V. Rettenbury, a jeweler at Dushore.
Morris Kellogg was born in Bradford county and grew to manhood on the old homestead. For a time he followed farm- ing near New Albany, in which town he later engaged in the hotel business, which he carried on until his death in 1886, at the age of forty-six years. . Politically he was a Republican, but was never an aspirant for office. His wife, nec Minnie Haythorne, who died in 1885, at the age of thirty-nine years, was a native of East Franklin, Brad-
ford county, and a daughter of Benjamin and Fanny (Knickerbocker) Haythorne. The children of this union were: Elizabeth May, wife of A. D. M. Henry, a traveling salesman, of Dushore; Herbert M .; Myrtle, wife of B. J. Ely, of Lopez; Fanny, Blanche and Lovina all reside in Dushore.
Herbert M. Kellogg was born June 7, 1869, near New Albany, and during his youth enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the graded schools of that place. When he was sixteen years old his father died and later he went to Dushore to learn the jeweler's trade with his uncle, J. V. Rettenbury, remaining three years. On October 29, 1890, he opened a branch store at Lopez for Mr. Rettenbury, and in January, 1892, he purchased the business, which he still carries on with marked suc- cess. In connection with the jewelry busi- ness he has a news depot and also keeps a large stock of toilet articles, patent mnedi- cines and similar commodities. He owns the store-building and a pleasant home in Lopez and is regarded as one of the sub- stantial business men of the place. In politics he is a Republican and at present (1898) he is serving his second term as treas- urer of Colley township.
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On July 14, 1891, our subject was mar- rion at Dushore, by G. H. Miller, to Miss Florence Scureman, and they have one son, Herbert M., who was born at Dushore, May 2, 1892. Mrs. Kellogg was born July 3, 1869, and is the daughter of Appolos E. and Lydia (Wilt) Scureman, and grand- danghter of Henry and Eliza Ann (Clark) Scureman, of New Jersey. Her father was born in New Jersey, but for many years has been a citizen of Dushore. He married Miss Lydia Wilt, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Swartz) Wilt. They were the par-
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ents of nine children, as follows: R. H., a miller at Luzerne; Francis E., died in childhood; Anna E., wife of Fred Sweet, living in Dushore; Mary Alice, wife of Lang- ley Smith, of New York city; Emma H., wife of G. J. Clark, a lawyer at Wilkes- barre; Florence (Mrs. Kellogg); Mark A., of Dushore; Charles G., of Ithaca, New York, and George W., of Dushore.
JOHN HEMBURY is a native of Colley township, Sullivan county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was born May 28, 1870, and still resides, one of the most enterpris- ing, wide-awake citizens of Lopez. His ancestors were English, the grandfather be- ing a crockery-ware dealer in London, England, where he died. His father, Josiah Hembury, was born in London, and when sixteen years old came alone to America to try his fortunes in this land of promise. He secured a position in Colley township, this county, in a sawmill, and for many years followed that occupation in this county. He owned a sawmill in Cherry township and another near Laporte, which he operated until some five years ago, when he disposed of them and bought a farm in Cherry township. This farm consists of sixty-five acres of improved land and upon it he is spending the sunset years of life in the quiet pursuits incident to farming. His wife was Miss Mary Carroll, a native of Philadelphia. Of their numerous family many are residents of this vicinity. The children are as follows: William, who died at the age of twenty-three; Ellen, wife of Adam Deafen, a merchant and farmer of Cherry township; Jane, wife of Aaron Reed, of Lopez; Ella, wife of Judson Cooper, of Lopez, whose sketch appears elsewhere; John, who was drowned near New Albany,
Bradford county, when but fourteen years of age: Josiah, living at Bernice, engaged in lumbering and mining; Sarah, wife of Adam Bumgardner, a railroad foreman at Towanda, Bradford county; John, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Bumgard- ner, foreman of the Lehigh Valley Railroad; Andrew, employed in lumber work at Lopez; George, at work in the same place; Samuel; and Lottic, at home. The father is a radical Republican and served four years during the Civil war, taking part in many important engagements, among which was the battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. While a resident of Colley township he filled the office of road commissioner, most acceptably to the people.
John Hembury received a common- school education and assisted his father about the work at the inills, becoming thoroughly conversant with every detail of the business. At the age of eighteen he embarked for himself, first in lumber work and later in the hotel business at Dushore and Ricketts, this county. In February, 1897, he accepted a position with Jennings Brothers as filer in their hardwood mills. He was married at Dushore February 10, 1898, to Miss Cressie Kier, a daughter of George Kier, a farmer of Cherry township. Mr. and Mrs. Hembury are members of the Catholic church. He is an unswerving Re- publican in his political views, and was formerly a member of Dushore Lodge, No. . 494, I. O. O. F.
C HARLES E. PEALER, the well-known and popular druggist of Dushore, oc- cupies a position in the front rank in busi- ness circles of Sullivan county. Tireless
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
energy, keen perception, honesty of pur- pose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, guided by re- sistless will power, are the chief character- istics of the inan, and have brought to him his success.
Eli B., Erastus and Dyer C. He was again married in 1857, his second union being with Miss Adaline McHenry, and to them were born two children: Emma J. and Charles E. The mother still finds a pleasant home with our subject.
During his boyhood and youth Charles E. Pealer attended the public schools of Lock Haven and began his business career as clerk in a drug store at that place, still continuing his studies, however, in night school. In 1882 he was graduated at the Lock Haven State Normal, and subse- quently he secured a position in a drug store in Renova, where he remained about a year. Going to Driftwood, he had charge of a drug and general store as manager for four years, and then embarked in the drug business on his own account at that place, in partnership with W. H. Roach, the two carrying on operations together for five years. On selling out, Mr. Pealer returned to Dushore, in October, 1891, and bought his present fine store, which he has since so successfully conducted, receiving from the public a liberal patronage.
Mr. Pealer was born in Dushore, April 5, 1862, and is a son of Thomas Pealer, whose birth occurred in Fishing Creek township, Columbia county, Pennsylvania. April 29, 1811, his father, John Pealer, being a pioneer of that section. It was in 1860 that Thomas Pealer came to Sullivan county and took up his residence in Dushere, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business. Soon after his arrival he was appointed justice of the peace and served his fellow citizens in that capacity for several years, to their entire satisfaction. He was one of the first to begin the im- posing of fines in place of imprisoning in petty cases, and in this way soon accumu- lated a snug sum, which he proposed should be used to build sidewalks in the town. He was a man of fine attainments, and his deci- sions were never reversed in the higher courts. While a resident of Columbia He has been twice elected as a member of the borough council, and is now serving a second year as president of the board. He was for several years a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and has held all the chairs in said lodge. county, he was instrumental in securing the formation of Montour county, and ever took an active and prominent part in public affairs, his opinions always being received with favor. In 1868 he removed to Muncy, Pennsylvania, where he spent two years; Mr. Pealer was married on the 4th of June, 1890, to Miss Alice, daughter of Will- iam R. Jordan, of Benezette, Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of two children: Robert E., born March 10, 1891; - and Howard W., born June 20, 1895. from there went to Lock Haven, where the following twelve years were passed, and then took up his residence in Renova, at each place being engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 18go he returned to Dushore and lived with his son Charles E. until his death, which occurred in 1898. In 1832 he married Miss Eleanor MeHenry, F FREDERICK AUGUST BEHR, father of Herman and Otto Behr, of the firm by whom he had eight children, namely: Susanna, Charlotte, Martha, Silas, Ehnira, : of Behr Brothers, who are prominent lum-
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