USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 22
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On the Ist of February, 1894, Mr. Obert was united in marriage to Miss Clara, daughter of Martin Saxe, of Wilmot town- ship, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of two chil- dren: Martin, born October 14, 1894; and Mary, born March 13, 1898. In religious faith both Mr. and Mrs. Obert are Catho- lics.
R USH JACKSON MCHENRY, D. D. S., a prominent and successful dentist of Dushore, Pennsylvania, belongs to an old and honored family which was founded in this country prior to the Revolutionary war by Daniel McHenry, who was born in Scotland, in 1736, and located in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, where he succeeded
in accumulating large landed interests. He was a man of means and a fine education. When the Revolutionary war broke out his sympathies were with the colonies and he enlisted in the Continental army, was made sergeant of his company, and was in com- mand of his regiment at the battle of Bunker Hill. He wedded Miss Mary Stevens, who bore him eight children, namely: John, Daniel, Jr., Martha, Susana, Benjamin, Uriah, Moses and Elias.
Daniel McHenry, Jr., was born at Still- water, Columbia county, March 28, 1783, and received a good common-school educa- tion. Throughout life he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits upon lands given him by his father, and there died March 28, 1862. He was an active member of the Democratic party, and was one of the most prominent, progressive and influ- ential men of his community. He was united in marriage to Miss Polly Coleman, and to them were born ten children: Eliza- beth and Sally, both now deceased; Benja- min, living retired in Benton, Columbia county; Polly, widow of Elisha Alberson, of Columbia; William, father of our subject; Martha, widow of Jacob Curry, of Cambria, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania; Moses, de- ceased; Uriah, a retired miller of Millersville, Columbia county; Joseph, who still resides on the old farm in Columbia county; and Charlotte, widow of George Laubach, of Orangeville, Columbia county.
William McHenry, our subject's father, was born at Fishing Creek, Columbia coun- . ty, March 28, 1818, and during his youth received a fair common-school education, while his business training was obtained on the home farm, where he remained until attaining his majority. He then operated a rented farm for two years, and at the end of that time purchased a place in Columbia
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county, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1849, when he sold his property there and came to Sullivan county. Here he rented a farm in Cherry township for a short time, but it was not long before he purchased property and has resided thereon up to the present time, in 1898. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Democrat, and he has most efficiently served as constable and overseer of the poor for several years. He is widely and favor- ably known, and he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. He has been twice married- first, in Columbia county, to Miss Charity A. Alberson, a daughter of William Alberson, and of this union two children were born: George L., a carpenter and cabinet-inaker of Dushore; and Angeline, wife of Seth Johnson. On the 6th of March, 1850, he led to the marriage altar Miss Priscilla, daughter of Dr. Charles Kinsley, of Dushore, and to thein have been born seven children, as follows : Frank, a blacksmith, of Waverly New York; Rush J., our subject; William, a contractor in West Virginia; John S., a clerk in C. E. Pealer's drug store of Dushore; Sarah A., widow of Henry Ballard, resid- ing with her parents; Ellen, wife of Josiah Smith; and Maude at home.
Dr. McHenry, of this review, was born in Dushore, July 21, 1864, and obtained his literary education in the public schools of that place and the Tunkhannock high school. He commenced the study of dentistry under Drs. Avery & Palmer, of Tunkhannock, and later entered the Penn- sylvania College of Dental Surgery, at Philadelphia, where he graduated in the spring of 1885. He at once opened an office for the practice of his chosen profes- sion in Dushore, and his skill and ability soon becoming recognized he was not long in
building up a large and lucrative practice, which he still enjoys. He makes a specialty of bridge and crown work, on which he took a special course of lectures in the spring of 1897, and he has ever been a constant and thorough student of his profession. He is also a inusical composer of some note, has written many able compositions now before the public, and is a talented musician, being an expert performer on the double- bell euphonium and the violin.
John S. McHenry, the Doctor's brother, was born in Dushore, May 30, 1868, was educated in the public schools and learned . the barber's trade, which he followed for five years. In 1891, he accepted a position in Pealer's drug store, where he still remains. He is a supporter of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and socially is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On the 26th of September, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Inez Jor- dan, a daughter of William R. Jordan, of Benezette, Pennsylvania, and they now have one son, Ralph J. Mrs. McHenry is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
C F. HUNSINGER, the popular pro- prietor of the Colley House, which is located in Colley township, six miles from Dushore, on one of the principal country roads, is a representative farmer of Sullivan county and is most favorably known, not only to the traveling public but also to all throughout the community. He was born in that township, June 29, 1848, his parents being among the early settlers and promi- nent citizens of the county. His father, Taper Hunsinger, is still living, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-five years. He is a son of John Hunsinger, was born in Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, and came with
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C. F. HUNSINGER.
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his parents to Sullivan county when a boy of six years. He was one of the respected citizens of Colley township until his removal to Wyoming county about 1895. His wife's maiden name was Mahala Henry. To them were born four children: C. F., the subject of this sketch; Hannah Jane, wife of J. B. Winslow, of Santa Ana, Cal- ifornia; Margaret Theresa, wife of G. W. Brown, of Orange county, same state; and Jonathan, of Jackson township, Susque- hanna county, Pennsylvania. The mother of these children died on April 9, 1869, and the father married again, his second wife being Miss Elmina Steele, who also is deceased. She left four children, namely: Thomas, living in Colley township; Hetty, wife of Reuben Shader, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania; Lizzie, wife of J. P. Allen, of Colley township; Rush, also of Colley town- ship. Taper Hunsinger has carried on farming during the most of his life. He was a soldier during the Civil war and made an excellent record as a brave and faithful man. He was a member of Company I, First Battery, First United States Light Artillery, and has held a number of local offices, such as constable, tax collector, etc.
The family of John Hunsinger, father of of Taper, consisted of the following chil- dren: William, Jeremiah, Daniel, Taper, Hettie, wife of Rev. Carl Early, of Colley township, also deceased; Margaret, who married Ira Steele; Catharine, the wife of Wilson Potter; and Alfred, also of Colley, a member of the One Hundredth and Forty- first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war.
C. F. Hunsinger was brought up to habits of honesty and industry and received a common-school education, to which he has added by study and reading, and is to- day one of the best-informed men in Sulli- 21
van county. He has for many years taken an active part in the Grange and other or- ders, whereby his knowledge of public mat- ters has been greatly enlarged, and he is a fluent speaker on all topics of the day. He is a practical farmer and has been success- ful in business enterprises. In 1888 he bought the hotel he is now managing, which is one of the most popular houses in that region. He is a model landlord, giving per- sonal attention to the wants of his guests and providing for them such pleasant ac- commodations that they are always ready to return to his hospitable abode. In this he is ably seconded by his estimable wife and capable daughters. He has a large patronage, of which he is fully deserving.
The first wife of Mr. Hunsinger was Miss Helena Schock, a daughter of George and Catharine (Kuhnley) Schock, of Wil- mot, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to whom he was married July 5, 1869. Of this union three children were born: Howard Milton, deceased; Henrietta, wife of Will- iam C. Richard, of Colley township; and Anna M., wife. of John H. Dieffenbach, also of Colley township. Mrs. Hunsinger died November 28, 1877. and our subject was united in marriage to his present wife, for- merly Miss Celinda E. Hunsinger, January 15, 1879. She is the daughter of P. B. and Lydia (Dresher) Hunsinger, of Wil- mot township, Bradford county, Pennsyl- vania. The children of this marriage are Maude Lillian, Leona May, deceased, and Gladys D. Both the surviving daughters are living at home.
Mr. Hunsinger is an active member of the Grange, being a charter member of Colley Grange, No. 365, in which he has held. the offices of master, lecturer and secretary. He has represented Colley Grange in the State Grange several times,
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and has been a representative to the na- tional convention three times. He has been twice elected lecturer of his, Pomona Grange, consisting of the counties of Bradford and Sullivan. Mr. Hunsinger's wife is heartily in sympathy with the Grange movements and has been a zealous laborer in Grange work, as was also his former wife. As soon as his children become eligible they are brought into the circle of the same organization, and his daughter, Maude L., received the seventh degree, admitting her to the Na- tional Grange, at the age of seventeen.
Mr. Hunsinger was a charter member of the Sullivan County Agricultural Society, and has had twelve years' service on the executive committee of that society. He has been frequently requested to accept its presidency and to take other prominent of- fices, but the location of his home being in the extreme northeast corner of the county has prevented his acceptance of any of them.
Mr. Hunsinger was twice elected justice of the peace and served for nearly ten years. A remarkable history is connected with this service. His justice's docket, carefully preserved, shows that there was never a case tried before him which was appealed or a person bound over to the higher courts. His purchase of the hotel prevented his con- tinuance in this office, otherwise it is probable that his docket would have been continued for many more years. For many years a Democrat, although now claiming himself as an independent, Mr. Hunsinger has been a candidate on two occasions for nomination to the legislature in Demo- cratic conventions. He has often been a delegate to political and social conventions, and is always to be found an active and a working member. He is also a valued member of the Odd Fellows fraternity,
holding membership in the order since he was twenty-one years of age.
Mr. Hunsinger comes naturally by his devotion to the Grange. He is a farmer by nature, and although trying other vocations at various times, he has always come back to farming as his preference. Since his purchase of his hotel ten years ago he has purchased one hundred and eighty-seven acres of land adjacent, which he has de- veloped into the finest farm in Colley town- ship. During this period he has erected not only a fine residence but a large and model barn, and the evidences of his love for agriculture and his interest in that are seen on every hand.
Mr. Hunsinger is a man of pleasing ad- dress, frank and genial in his manners, honorable in his business affairs and de- servedly popular.
G EORGE STREBY, one of the leading newspaper men of Sullivan county, is the popular editor and proprietor of the Sullivan Gazette, of Dushore, Pennsylva- nia. He is a native of the county, born in Forks township, January 7, 1855, and is a representative of one of the honored pio- neer families of this section of the state, his great-grandfather, Leonard Streby, hav- ing been the third white settler of Overton township, Bradford county. Thomas Stre- by, our subject's father, located on a farm in Forks township, Sullivan county. in 1852, and is still one of its successful and prominent agriculturists. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has been honored with a number of local offices, including those of tax collector, road commissioner and school director. He married Miss Caroline Bleiler, and our subject is the oldest of their children, the others being Lloyd, a farmer
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of Forks township; Frank, a journeyman wheelwright; Clinton, a farmer of Overton township, Bradford county; and Anna. The family all hold membership in the Reformed church and are widely and favorably known.
George Streby received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Forks township, and later attended the Sullivan County Normal Institute and the State Normal at Mansfield, Pennsylvania. In 1874 he com- menced teaching, and successfully followed that profession until 1887. In February of the latter year he came to Dushore and established the Sullivan Gazette, a clean, newsy weekly journal and the only success- ful Democratic organ published in the coun- ty. Mr. Streby is public-spirited in an eminent degree and has done much in be- half of the general welfare of the commu- nity. For twelve years he efficiently served as auditor in Forks township, and was school director for several terms.
On the 22d of February, 1880, Mr. Streby wedded Miss Mary J. Woodley, a daughter of A. K. Woodley, of Overton, Bradford county, and of this union four children have been born: Clara A., Mar- tha J., Oscar R., who died in his third year; and Austin W. Mrs. Streby is a most esti- mable lady and is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church.
FRANCIS W. GALLAGHER .- It is said that biography yields to no other sub- ject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially interesting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of foreign birth who have sought homes in America; to note the read- iness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of Amer- ica; to recognize the advantages offered
and utilize the opportunities which the new world affords. Mr. Gallagher, the genial proprietor of Hotel Gallagher, of Laporte, Pennsylvania, is a worthy representative of this class.
He was born June 15, 1862, in county Fermanagh, Ireland, of which his parents, Dennis and Ann (Johnston) Gallagher, also were natives. The father followed the occupation of farming. When a young man he came to the United States and spent a few years in the south, but returned to his native land, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits until called from this life, in 1875. The mother .is still living and continues to reside on the Emerald Isle. The family of this worthy couple consisted of eleven children, namely: James, now de- ceased; John, who conducts a livery stable in Potter county, Pennsylvania; Mary and Sally, both deceased; William, who is liv- ·ing in Texas; Hugh, a machinist in Boston; Francis, our subject; Dennis, a weaver in Boston; Catherine, also a resident of Bos- ton; Patrick, who is still in Ireland; and Thomas, who is in Scotland.
During his boyhood Francis W. Galla- gher attended the common schools of Ire- land to a limited extent, and when thirteen years of age went to England, where he worked as a glass-blower for five years. In June, 1879, we find him en route for Amer- ica, and on reaching the shores of this coun- try proceeded to Warren county, Pennsyl- vania, where he secured work in a tannery. Later he worked in several different tanner- ies in this state, and the spring of 1892 found him employed in the tannery at La- porte. It was then that he quit that busi- ness and opened a restaurant, and in 1896 he built an addition to his place and en- gaged in hotel-keeping. In the fall of 1898 he again rebuilt; and now has one of the
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largest and best hotels in Sullivan county. He has proved a genial and accommodating host and now enjoys a large and lucrative patronage. He has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs and has been elected to official positions of honor and trust, being tax collector one term and burgess seven years. He is also prominently identified with local politics and is now serving his second year as chairman of the Democratic county com- mittee.
On the 12th of May, 1885, Mr. Galla- gher led to the marriage altar Miss Theresa, daughter of Charles Briger, of Thorndale, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born five children: Mary A., born October 12, 1886; Emma, born July 15. 1889; Susan, who was born February 28, 1892, and died the same day; William P., who was born March 8, 1894, and died May 8, 1898; and Francis, born July 13. 1897. The family hold membership in the Catholic church.
REV. ELIAS S. NOLL, pastor of the Reformed church at Dushore, to which he came in 1895 and in which he was first ordained as a minister, has deservedly been most successful in his chosen work. At the tinie when he accepted the call the congre- gation was small and the church building anything but desirable; but through his zealous efforts, ably assisted by his congre- gation, he has been the means of largely in- creasing the membership and also of erect- ing a fine new edifice of modern architect- ure, which was dedicated February 7, 1897. and comfortably seats three hundred peo- ple. It was built at a cost of four thousand five hundred dollars. In addition to the audience roomn there is a basement for a Sunday-school and for meetings of various
kinds. The principal officers of the church are Henry Stahl and A. Yonkin, elders; Lewis Zaner and Guy Yonkin, deacons. Mr. Stahl is the treasurer and also superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. The church has eighty members, which represents some thirty families, and all are in sympathy with their pastor, whose hands they uphold in every good work. The ordination of Mr. Noll occurred September 15. 1895.
Rev. Mr. Noll was born near Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 5. 1866. the son of Mahlon and Maria (Seyler) Noll, both of German descent. Besides. our sub- ject their children were: Rosa E. (Mrs. Milton Feather); Sarah A. (Mrs. William Hill: Mahlon, Jr. ; and Chester. Elias was reared upon a farm, attending the common schools until seventeen years old, when he began teaching and preparing for college. He later took a course at the Keystone State Normal school, which was supplement- ed by attendance at Ursinus College and at the theological seminary at Collegeville, Pennsylvania, graduating at that college in the class of 1893 and at the seminary in that of 1895. He taught in the normal school at East Stroudsburg, Monroe coun- ty, for one term.
Mr. Noll was married June 7, 1898, at Milton, Pennsylvania, to Miss Linda Zaner, whose family are among the old and promi- nent settlers of Sullivan county. Mrs. Zaner was educated in the normal school at Muncy and before her marriage was a pop- ular and successful teacher and is a cultured and refined woman. Mr. Noll is a man of strong physique, active and energetic in all he undertakes and one who uses every pow- er of his intellect to advance the cause to which he has devoted his life. He has inade many friends in the short time in which he has resided at Dushore and with his wife is
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universally loved and respected. In poli- tics he is a Republican and is also strongly in favor of prohibition.
LGEROY WILLARD HILL. - Among
E the veterans of the Civil war who went from Susquehanna county none bears a more honorable record or is held in higher esteein by his neighbors then the subject of this sketch, who is a citizen of Fox town- ship, his post-office being Shunk. When a boy of only thirteen years his youthful patriotism was aroused by stories of the war then raging between the north and the south, and on March 1, 1863, he enlisted and remained in the service until the close of hostilities in 1865. His regiment, the Fiftieth Pennsylvania, in which he was a member of Company G, First Division, Second Brigade, was assigned to the Army of the Potomac under General Burnside of the Ninth Corps.
Mr. Hill was in many of the famous battles, among thein those of the Wilder- ness, Vicksburg, Spottsylvania, Cold Har- bor, Knoxville and Petersburg, Virginia. He was one of the regiment that seized the Weldon Railroad and blew up Fort Hull, and he also had the good fortune to be present at the surrender of General Lee at Richmond, which was virtually the close of the war, and saw those two great com- manders, Grant and Lee, as they met pre- paratory to arranging terms of surrender. Mr. Hill was badly wounded in the ankle at the battle of the Wilderness, but other- - wise escaped injury. He was honorably discharged September 2, 1865, with a good record as a brave and faithful soldier.
The subject of this review was born at Butternuts, Otsego county, New York, No- vember 11, 1849. His father, Pardon Hill, was a native of Connecticut and served with
honor in both the Mexican and Civil wars. He was a son of David Hill, who was a son of Russell Hill, the latter a sol- dier of the Revolutionary war, who was killed at Stony Point. 'Pardon Hill married Miss Nancy Hopkins, whose father, Cyrus Hopkins, served in the war of 1812, and who shot and killed General Brock just be- fore the battle of Queenstown, Canada. Cyrus Hopkins' father, Stephen Hopkins, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Pardon Hill and wife had three children: Elsie Ann (Mrs. Avery), of Lycoming coun- ty, Pennsylvania; Elgeroy, our subject; and Cyrus Hopkins, who died at South Delta, Maryland. The father died when seventy- six years of age and the mother when forty- four.
From early childhood our subject was thrown on his own resources, and what schooling he received was obtained after he left the army. He, however, has improved all his opportunities and is well posted on the current literature of the day. On Au- gust 29, 1875. he was married at Grover, Bradford county, to Miss Sarah May Thom- as, who was born in South Wales, a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Thomas) Thomas, the latter of whom died at Land- ors, Swansea, South Wales, when sixty years of age. The father is still living and is seventy-five years old. There were thir- teen children in this family, of whom six died in childhood, the others being: Her- bert, Sarah May, Margaret, John, Will- iam, Benjamin and Elizabeth. Mrs. Hill was reared and educated in South Wales and was twenty-four years of age when she came to Pennsylvania.
In 1875 Mr. Hill settled on a farm on which he now lives, and which, under his care, has become a valuable property. He
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has on it a commodious and comfortable house, good barns and other out-buildings, a cider-mill and a fine orchard. The whole place shows evidence of being in the hands of a competent manager. Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics and a member of the G. A. R. Ile has served in various town- ship offices, among thein being those of road commissioner and school director. While inheriting from his chivalrous ancestors the warlike spirit and love of country which led them so often to risk their lives in the service of their country, our subject is a man ' of peace, and none rejoices minore than he that the recent war with Spain was so speedily ended. He is perhaps more interested in the fact that he and his father have been noted hunters and lovers of sport than in any other matter. He has kept a record of the deer which he has himself killed, and they number one hundred and twenty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Ifill have one child, Herbert. Telford, born November 28, 1876. He was educated at the State Normal school and has taught one term.
H ENRY W. McKIBBINS, proprietor of the Mckibbins House at Lopez, Penn- sylvania, was born in Elmira, New York, August 24, 1867, a son of Henry and Caro- line (Granger) Mckibbins. The father of our subject was a well-known citizen of Pine City, Pennsylvania, where he kept a hotel and spent the most of his life. He died in that place May 28, 1872, aged forty- eight years. His wife is still living and resides with her son, Henry W., at Lopez. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, namely: Mary, the wife of Emery Heller, of Brecsport, New York; Lottie, deceased; Samuel, a painter and paper-hanger in Elmira, New York; Mattie,
deceased; Henry W .; Carrie, deceased; Charles, a journeyman painter and paper- hanger; and Thomas, deceased.
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