USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 18
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Our subject attended school until eleven years of age, when he became clerk in a country store in Bradford county, where he remained two years. He was then em- ployed as an extra operator and station agent at various points, among them Wilkesbarre, Buffalo, etc., finally accepting a position with the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with which he remained ten years. He was sent to Bernice October 11, 1893, for that company, and worked for it until July 6, 1898, when he accepted his present position.
Mr. Fitzgerald was married at Bernice, June 18, 1895, to Miss Jennie T. McDonald, and they have two children-John D. and Thomas. Mrs. Fitzgerald was born in Du- shore, April 8, 1872, and is the daughter of John and Julia (Sheridan) McDonald, the former a native of England and the latter of Sullivan county. Mr. McDonald came to
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America with his parents when he was four years old and has lived in Sullivan county ever since. He removed from Bernice to Dushore in 1881. The following children have been born to this worthy couple: Andrew, an iron-molder in Towanda. Pennsylvania; Kate, who married Frank Farrell and lives at Dushore; Mary, who married Daniel Clark, of Cortez, this state; Julia, who married Richard Clark and lives in Marquette, Michigan; Rudy, the wife of John Dailey, of Mildred, Penn- sylvania; Clark, who is unmarried and lives at Cortez, this state; Jennie, wife of our subject; and Mildred, Florence, and Law- rence are at home.
Mr. Fitzgerald is one of the most prom- ising young men in his community, being intelligent, industrious and thrifty in all his habits, and is very popular with all classes of good society. He is a member of the Catholic church and a Republican in his political views.
P ETER ALBERT, a prosperous general farmer in Cherry township, was born on an adjoinining farm October 5, 1861, and is the son of George and Eliza (Bartch) Al- bert. He attended the district school, ob- taining a good education, and during the winter of 1882-3 attended a commercial college in Philadelphia. He remained at home assisting his father until the age of twenty-three, when he purchased the farm on which he now resides and which con- tains one hundred and two acres of fertile land. He was married in Columbia county. this state, and immediately afterward moved to Sullivan county. Mr. Albert has always been an industrious, progressive man, and is a most worthy citizen, and has been at the head of several farmers' organizations. He
is a Republican in politics, and while he does not take an active part in political campaigns his opinion is frequenty asked on the questions .at issue, and he may be relied upon to support candidates who have shown their fitness for office.
Mr. Albert was married July 4, 1885, at Dushore, Pennsylvania, to Miss Julia M. Seidler, and three children have been born of this union-Lillie E., Aury C. and Ar- thur L.
George Albert, father of our subject, was a native of Wehrden, kreis Saarbrück- en, regierungsbezirk Trier, kingdom of Prussia, and came to America when twenty years of age. He first located in Schuyl- kill county, Pennsylvania, where he was married and five years later removed to Cherry township, Sullivan county, settling on a farm adjoining the one where our sub- ject now resides. At that time the land was in a wild state, and before the log cabin in which they first made their home could be built it was necessary to cut down the timber and clear away the undergrowth. His prop- erty consisted of sixty-six acres, which Mr. Albert purchased at an orphans' court sale at two dollars an acre. In the course of years this became a fertile spot and is now a fine property. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows: Eugene, who died in infancy; Matermus, who inar- ried Miss Minnie Troup and is a school- teacher in Payette, Idaho; Peter, subject of this sketch; Lena M., who married A. L. Tuttle and livesin New Plymouth, Idaho; and George W. H., who resides at Payette, Idaho. Mr. Albert died September 23, 1890, aged fifty-eight years, and is buried in Bahr's cemetery in Cherry township. He was a man of prominence in his commu- nity and served three years as county com- missioner and also as school director. In
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politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Albert was born April 17, 1837, and is still living on the old homestead.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Albert, a native of Germany, where his entire life was spent. The ma- ternal grandparents were John G. and Mag- dalena (Stiner) Bartch.
The wife of our subject was born at Dushore, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1865, and is the daughter of William and Cath- erine (Long) Seidler. Her parents were na- tives of Germany and Switzerland, respect- ively, who came to America in their younger days and were married at Dushore. Her father was a wagonmaker by trade and in politics was a Democrat. He died February 12, 1865, aged fifty-five years, his wife sur- viving until October 13, 1876, when she, too, passed away, at the age of fifty-two years. They are buried in Thrasher's cem- etery in Cherry township. The father was a member of the Lutheran church, while his wife was a Presbyterian. They were the parents of six children, namely: Bertha, who married Freem L. Martin and lives in New Albany, Pennsylvania; John, who is unmarried and is a farmer in the state of Washington; and Julia, wife of our subject; Adelaide, who died at the age of six years; and two who died in infancy.
THOMAS W. GAHAN .- Among the many successes of the hardy sons of Erin who emigrated to America, a fitting example is found in the family history of the progressive farmer whose name is at the head of this sketch. Mr. Gahan is himself a native of America. He was born on the farm which he now so successfully cultivates, December 22, 1844. But his parents were natives of the Emerald Isle and crossed the
ocean in that tide of sturdy Irish emigra- tion, which in 1833 set in so strongly to- ward the land of freedom. When Patrick Gahan came in 1833 to the present farm of his son in Cherry township it was an un- broken wilderness. With Patrick came his brother Morris, and each bought fifty acres of wild land, paying for it one dollar an acre. A little later Morris sold to Patrick his little farm and moved to Bradford county. In Sullivan, then Lycoming county, Patrick Gahan met his future wife, Nora Fitzgerald. Both were natives of county Kerry, Ireland. To this marriage were born five children: Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Harrington, a farmer of Cherry township; Thomas W., the subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of John Reilly, a farmer of Idaho; Morris, a machinist of Williamsport, Penn- sylvania; and William, deceased. The mother died in 1851, aged thirty-five years, and the father married as his second wife Mary Manning. Patrick Gahan died in 1883, aged seventy-three years. He was a thrifty farmer and in politics a Democrat. Both parents of our subject were devout members of the Catholic church, and both are buried in St. Basil's Catholic cemetery, Dushore.
Thomas W., our subject, was reared on the farm in Cherry township, and obtained a fair education in the schools of his youth. At the age of twenty years he went to West Branch, Potter county, and to Clearfield county, where for many years he followed lumbering. He was married February 2, 1874, at Dushore, to Miss Bridget Curry, who was born in Cherry township, Sulli- van county, May 15, 1851, a daughter of Martin and Margaret (Flynn) Curry, na- tives, respectively. of counties Cavan and Mayo, Ireland. The parents of Mrs. Gahan were early pioneers of Sullivan county,
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were married at Wilkesbarre, and in 1842 came to Cherry township, Sullivan county, where they remained through life. They entered into a wilderness home and the father cleared the acres, year by year, transforming it into a prosperous farm. The children of Martin and Margaret Curry were as follows: Mary, who married Thomas McCale and is now deceased; Ed- ward, who married Mary Blade and is now deceased; Charles, a resident of Garfield county, Colorado, who for his first wife married Mattie Harper and for his second Ellen Carney; Michael J., who died at the age of two years; Bridget, wife of our sub- ject; Cecelia, wife of Michael O'Toole, of Garfield county, Colorado; James, who lives on the old homestead; and Margaret A., who died unmarried. Martin Curry and wife were consistent members of the Catho- lic church. He died in January, 1883, aged seventy-five years; the wife died December 10, 1893, aged seventy-two years; both are buried at Dushore.
To Thomas W. and Bridget Gahan have been born the following children: Nora. Maggie, Thomas F., Mary, Charles, Winnie, Patrick, Edward and Leo. In 1879 Mr. Gahan returned to Sullivan county, and has since that time devoted himself to farming. He is one of the representative farmers of Sul- livan county. His clear and active mind is quick to see improved methods and his force of character impels hin to undertake that which seems to him best. He is therefore progressive. He has been highly success- ful in his agricultural pursuits. Like his ancestors, he holds to the faith of the Catholic church and politically he is a Democrat. He has served his fellow citi- zens as township treasurer, school director and road commissioner. In 1896 he was a candidate for representative, but at the
polls was defeated, by a very small ma- jority. In his township and county he is regarded as a strong and capable man, one who ranks easily among those whose opinions have weight and whose example is worthy of close emulation.
JACOB J. SUBER. - For the success which he has attained in life, the sub- ject of this sketch gives due credit to the admirable training, the example and influ- ence of his father, Benjamin Suber, who was in point of intelligence and in business capacity one of the remarkable men of a generation ago, and whose talent and faith- ful life were spent within the confines of what is now Sullivan county.
Jacob J. Suber's great-grandfather, Jacob Suber, served under General Wash- ington in the Revolutionary war. This shows the early date at which the family was domiciled in America. It is certain that any of the present generation who is eligible can be admitted to those select or- ders, the Sons of the Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Benjamin Suber was born in Windsor township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. When young he was brought to Ly- coming (now Sullivan) county, by his parents, Jacob and Mary (Fraunfelder) Suber, who settled on a farm in Cherry town- ship now owned by John Utz. Here Jacob Suber engaged in farming through life; his widow afterward married Jacob Hoffa, of Sullivan county. Benjamin was reared amid the privations and hardships of pioneer life, to which some young men succumb, but which others, more courage- ous, more ambitious and keener-sighted. surmount and outrun to their own advan- tage. His facilities were meager but his
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wits were sharpened by the prolific educa- tion of nature, which surrounded him; and even the knowledge of books did not elude him, for where will and preception abide a pathway may be blazed and cut to the lighter realms of mental attainment. In 1844 Benjamin Suber married Caroline Hoffa, daughter of Jacob Hoffa. He en- gaged in general farming in Cherry township and to himself and wife the following chil- dren were born: Mary M., who married Benjamin Thrasher and is now deceased; Jacob J., subject of this sketch; Catherine, who married Jacob H. Kinsley and is now deceased; Hannah S., wife of Louis Sax, a farmer of Bradford county, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth L., wife of Elisha Wilson, a farmer of Bradford county; George F., who married Emma Hopkins and is engaged in farming in Cherry township, Sullivan county; Adam R., who died young; Daniel, who married Emma Peterson and lives on the old homestead in Cherry township; and Benjamin L., who died young. The busi- ness talents of Benjamin Suber met with signal reward and he amassed considerable property, including several large farms. In religious faith he was a devout Luther- an. In politics his convictions drew him to the Republican party, the principles of which he expounded ably and forcibly. He became one of its leading advocates in Sul- livan county, and received from the party the nomination of associate judge. Gal- lantly with flying colors he led the forlorn hope against the entrenched majorities of the Democratic party, but went down be- neath the too powerful opposition. He served as path master of Cherry township and filled other positions of trust. His death occurred January 12, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years, five months and five days, and his remains were laid away in Thrash-
er's cemetery. During the Civil war lie was drafted, but having a largefamily put a sub- stitute in his place. His widow afterward married John Dieffenbach, a prominent farmer, and they now live in the quiet and peace of business retirement in Cherry town- ship.
Jacob J. Suber, our subject, was born in Cherry township, November 17, 1847. He was raised on his father's farm and when in 1868 he attained his majority he found him- self the possessor of twenty dollars, which he had saved from his earnings. His fa- ther in token of the faithful services of his youth offered him a watch, valued at twen- ty dollars, or the same amount in money. The lad accepted the currency, and, no doubt thinking his father a very satisfactory employer, arranged to remain in his serv- ices at a stipulated rate of wages. He thus continued in the employment of his father until he had attained the age of thirty-five years; but meanwhile from his wages he had purchased from Jeremiah Deegan eighty-six acres of land. He settled upon his farm after his marriage and there re- mained until 1891, when he reinoved to his present home.
Mr. Suber was married May 15, 1883, to Caroline C. Bachman, who was born on the farm which they now occupy, February 20, 1851. She is the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Bahr) Bachman. The father was a native of Bavaria, Gerniany, there learned the miller's trade and when a young man emigrated to America .. He secured employ- ment in the mill at Dushore. He married Sarah Bahr, a native of Berks county, and soon afterward settled upon a farm in Cher- ry township, which he had purchased from a Mr. Hieber, and upon which he erected a two-story brick residence, now the home of Jacob J. Suber. Here he remained until
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his death in 1893, when he had reached the age of eighty-three years and two months. He was buried in the Bahr Hill cemetery, Cherry township. He was a member of the Evangelical church. The widow, who was born in 1822, is now living at the home of her son-in-law, subject of this sketch. To Joseph and Sarah Bachman were born the following children: Jacob, who died in in- fancy; John, who died at the age of twenty- seven years; Loretta, wife of Nathan Per- son, a farmer and surveyor of Dushore; and Caroline C., wife of our subject.
In politics Jacob J. Suber is a Republic- an. His religious faith is that of the Lu- theran church. Mr. Suber has combined farming with the spirit of modern times and has made the combination a success. He is widely known as a successful and ** np- to-date" fariner. He not only possesses the envied talent of financial success but also that rarer instinct of successful invest- ment. But not to farming does he give sole attention. He thoroughly appreciates the relations of an agricultural life with the broader affairs of the world and is well versed in general history and current affairs. In a word the career of Mr. Suber typifies in a most excellent manner the independence of farining blended with the intellectual possibilities and culture of modern times.
EDWARD J. MULLEN, one of the lead- ing members of the Sullivan county bar, was born in Overton township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, Deceniber 2, 1865, a son of Martin and Sabina (Clark) Mullen. He attended the public schools of his native township until sixteen years of age, when he entered the Susquehanna Collegiate Insti- tute at Towanda and there completed his literary education, graduating in: 1885.
After leaving school he went to Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in teach- ing for one year, subsequently securing a school at North Towanda, where he re- mained another year. registering in the meantime as a law student in the office of William Maxwell and giving all his spare time and his vacation to the study of his chosen profession. During the fall and winter of 1888-89 he taught school at La- porte, Pennsylvania, and in the fall and winter of 1889-90 he was similarly engaged at Sonestown. In the spring of 1891 he entered the office of Hon. Bryan S. Collins, of Dushore, and, completing his law studies, was achinitted to the bar in May, 1892. Un- til 1896 he practiced at Dushore and then removed to Laporte, where he now resides.
Mr. Mullen is acknowledged as one of the leading attorneys of Sullivan county, and by many as the leading one; and he enjoys a large and lucrative practice, his oratorieal powers and convincing arguments before a jury being well known. He was admitted to the Bradford county bar in 1896 and to the bar of the supreme court in 1898. In politics Mr. Mullen is an act- ive Democrat, and in 1890 he was a delegate to the state convention from Bradford county and assisted at the nomination of Pattison. He was elected chairman of the county committee of Sullivan county in 1892, serving until 1897; was elected a delegate to the state convention at Reading in 1897, and was elected and served as district attorney from 1895 to 1898.
On June 10, 1896, Mr. Mullen was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Mary O'Donovan, daughter of Dennis and Mary O'Donovan, of Arnot, Pennsylvania, who were formerly residents of Sullivan county. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen are both consistent members of the Roman Catholic church.
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Martin Mullen, father of our subject, is a prominent farmer of Overton township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and is a. native of county Mayo, Ireland, where he was born November 10, 1837, his parents being Bartholomew and Ann (Judge) Mul- len, who also were born in county Mayo. The family emigrated to Canada in 1847 and moved to Overton, Pennsylvania, in 1851, where they spent the reinainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits. The fa- ther departed this life in 1862 and the moth- er in 1891. Martin Mullen received a com- mon-school education, and, following his father's example became a tiller of the soil. He married Miss Sabina Clark, a daughter of John and Barbara (Brown) Clark, both of them being natives of Ireland. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mullen: Mary A., who became the wife of John Welch; Edward J., the immediate subject of this sketch; and Barbara C. The Mul- lens have for many years been prominent farmers of Bradford county.
H
JENRY H. GUNTHER, of Ricketts, Sullivan county, is an expert teleg- rapher and for some years has been in charge of the office of the Lehigh Valley Railroad at that point, his efficient discharge of duty winning the appreciation of his em- ployers and the general public.
Mr. Gunther is of German descent in both paternal and maternal lines. His father, Gotlieb Gunther, was born in Stutt- gart, Germany, March 31, 1839, and came to America in early manhood, locating first in Philadelphia, where he learned the butch- er trade, and for some time was employed as foreman over twelve other workmen in an establishment there. Later he removed to Catawissa, Columbia county, Pennsyl- . 18
vania, where he carried on a general meat- market business for many years, his death occurring in 1878. Politically he was a 'strong Democrat and he and his wife were both devout members of the Lutheran church. He was married in Philadel- phia to Miss Mary Zeigler, a native of Munich, Germany, who was born March 30, 1837, and died October 13, 1897. Nine children were born in this family: Mary. Emma and Reuben C., who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who married H. T. Young, of Catawissa; William, who is a butcher in the same town; the next is one who died in infancy; Henry H., mentioned more fully further on; George, who was drowned at the age of four years; and A. T., who is in the laundry business at Catawissa.
The immediate subject of this review was born April 18, 1868, at Catawissa, where he attended the common schools for some years .. At the age of fourteen he be- gan to provide for himself and for about five years he worked in the meat business. While thus employed he determined to learn telegraphy, and by night study he prepared himself for that line of work. . When nine- teen years old he secured a position as operator on the Pennsylvania Railroad at South Wilkesbarre, where he remained un- til 1890, and for three years he had charge of the office of the Lehigh Valley road at Penn Haven Junction, but since January, 1893, he has held his present position at Ricketts.
Mr. Gunther's marriage took place October 21, 1893, when he was united to Miss Annie H. Weaver, at Catawissa. She is a daughter of John Y. Weaver, of that city. Three children have blessed this union, namely: Elizabeth, Mary and Freda.
In his political opinion Mr. Gunther is a Democrat and he and his wife are leading .
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY.
his death in 1893, when he had reached the age of eighty-three years and two months. He was buried in the Bahr Hill cemetery, Cherry township. He was a member of the Evangelical church. The widow, who was born in 1822, is now living at the home of her son-in-law, subject of this sketch. To Joseph and Sarah Bachman were born the following children: Jacob, who died in in- fancy; John, who died at the age of twenty- seven years; Loretta, wife of Nathan Per- son, a fariner and surveyor of Dushore; and Caroline C., wife of our subject.
In politics Jacob J. Suber is a Republic- al.
His religious faith is that of the Lu- theran church. Mr. Suber has combined farming with the spirit of modern times and has made the combination a success. He is widely known as a successful and ** up- to-date" fariner. He not only possesses the envied talent of financial success but also tliat rarer instinct of successful invest- ment. But not to farming does he give sole attention. He thoroughly appreciates the relations of an agricultural life with the broader affairs of the world and is well versed in general history and current affairs. In a word the career of Mr. Suber typifies in a most excellent manner the independence of farming blended with the intellectual possibilities and culture of modern times.
EDWARD J. MULLEN, one of the lead- ing members of the Sullivan county bar, was born in Overton township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1865, a son of Martin and Sabina (Clark) Mullen. He attended the public schools of liis native township until sixteen years of age, when he entered the Susquehanna Collegiate Insti- tute at Towanda and there completed his literary education, graduating in 1885. 1
After leaving school he went to Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in teach- ing for one year, subsequently securing a school at North Towanda, where he re- mained another year, registering in the meantime as a law student in the office of William Maxwell and giving all his spare time and, his vacation to the study of his chosen profession. During the fall and winter of 1888-89 lie taught school at La- porte, Pennsylvania, and in the fall and winter of 1889-90 he was similarly engaged at Sonestown. In the spring of 1891 he entered the office of Hon. Bryan S. Collins, of Dushore, and, completing his law studies, was admitted to the bar in May, 1892. Un- til 1896 he practiced at Dushore and then removed to Laporte, where he now resides.
Mr. Mullen is acknowledged as one of the leading attorneys of Sullivan county, and by many as the leading one; and he enjoys a large and lucrative practice, his oratorical powers and convincing arguments before a jury being well known. He was admitted to the Bradford county bar in 1896 and to the bar of the supreme court in 1898. In politics Mr. Mullen is an act- ive Democrat, and in 1890 he was a delegate to the state convention from Bradford county and assisted at the nomination of Pattison. He was elected chairman of the county committee of Sullivan county in 1892, serving until 1897; was elected a delegate to the state convention at Reading in 1897, and was elected and served as district attorney from 1895 to 1898.
On June 10, 1896, Mr. Mullen was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Mary O'Donovan, daughter of Dennis and Mary O'Donovan, of Arnot, Pennsylvania, who were formerly residents of Sullivan county. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen are both consistent members of the Roman Catholic church.
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