USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 27
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Mr. and Mrs. Sick had a family of seven children: Lloyd 11., who wedded Mary Stoup, and resides on his father's farin; Elizabeth V., who died at the age of seven- teen; Frank W., at home; Guy, a black- smith at Lovelton, Pennsylvania; Horace J., a student in the seminary at Selin's Grove, Pennsylvania; Edgar and Arthur -- both at home. The family is one of prominence in the community and the members of the household enjoy the hospitality of the best hoines in this section of the county. Mr. Sick is an intelligent, progressive citi-
zen, a reliable and enterprising business man, and commands the respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. He votes the Republican ticket and has served as constable of Cherry township and has filled other offices of trust in the county. He is at the present time a director of the Home Insurance Company; is also the oldest mail carrier in this section, carrying mail from Dushore and back --- his regular trips aggregating as much as a journey around the world. In 1886 Mr. Sick ran for sheriff of this county against a Demo- cratic majority of about five hundred. He was defeated by a majority of only about thirty- six, this being a wonderful record for a Re- publican candidate here, but one that shows the popularity of this esteemed gentleman in Sullivan county. When he was twenty- one, he had of his own savings over one thousand dollars, which he had earned after he left home, at the age of seventeen years. In all the relations of life he has ever been true to the trust reposed in him, and, in this volume, he well deserves mention.
C ONRAD WEISBROD was for many years prominently connected with the agricultural interests of Sullivan county, bit is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest, his industry, enterprise and persverance having brought to him a com- fortable competence. He is one of the worthy sons of the Keystone state that the Fatherland has furnished to America. He was born in Cohessa, Germany, on the Ist of June, 1819, and is a son of Henry and Lena (Item) Weisbrod, who were also natives of Germany, where the father spent his en- tire life, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. His wife died on the farm which is now the property of our subject, Septem-
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ber 11, 1865, at the age of forty-four years, and her remains were interred in Germany cemetery, of Dushore, Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of John and Catherine (Snyder) Item, who were farming people of Germany, where their entire lives were passed. To Henry and Lena Weisbrod were born six children, namely: John, who re- mained in Germany; Lewis, who came to the United States; Gitterof and Kate, who never left their native land; Elizabeth, wife of John Kile, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and Conrad, of this sketch.
The last named acquired his education in his native land, and there learned the weaver's trade which he followed until his emigration to America. He was also a member of the German army for five years. Hearing of the advantages afforded young men in the New World, he resolved to try his fortune beyond the Atlantic, and in 1843 became a resident of Sullivan county. For a year he rented, of Philip Miller, a farm in Cherry township, and then purchased the farm which is now owned by his son, Ed- ward J., and upon which he has resided continuously since. The tract contains sixty acres, and for the same he paid Ward & Mason, land agents, two dollars per acre. It was then an unbroken wilderness, but he soon made a clearing, built a log cabin, and continued the work of development and cul- tivation until the place was transformed into rich and productive fields. After a time the cabin home was replaced by a more modern residence, and other important improve- ments were made, which add to the value and attractive appearance of the place.
On the 17th of July, 1847. Mr. Weisbrod was married, in Germany, to Miss Eliza- beth Snyder, a daughter of John and Catharine Snyder, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. Ten children
have been born of this union: Margaret, who is now deceased; Edward J .; Cathe- rine E., wife of Charles Whitebred, of Dushore, Pennsylvania; John, who married Anna Sick and carries on agricultural pur- suits in Forks township, on a farm adjoining our subject's; Anna, wife of Joseph Litzel- swop, a farmer of Cherry township; Eliza- beth, who died at the age of eleven years; and four who died in infancy.
Conrad Weisbrod is a consistent mem- ber of the Lutheran church, and in his political views is a Republican, keeping well infornied on the issues of the day. Thrift and enterprise have crowned his efforts with a fair degree of success, and he is now numbered among the substantial as well as highly-respected citizens of the community.
EDWARD J. WEISBROD was born on the farm, in Cherry township, which is still his home, and is to-day numbered among the practical and progressive agri- culturists of the community. His birth occurred September 14, 1849, his parents being Conrad and Elizabeth (Snyder) Weis- brod. At an early age he was trained to habits of industry and economy, and be- came skilled in the labors of the farm, so that when he began farmning on his own ac- count, experience had well fitted him for the duties that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He has a valuable property, the fields well tilled, buildings in good repair, and everything indicating the industry and watchfulness of an enterprising owner. .
On the 20th of December, 1876, in Forksville, Pennsylvania, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Weisbrod and Miss Rosannah Sick, a sister of Charles Sick, one of the most prominent citizens of Cherry
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township. They became the parents of three children, but Eudorah A., their first born, died June 24, 1895, at the Lock Ha- ven State Normal School, at the age of eighteen years, having taught three terms of school before her death. Two daughters, Hilda P. and Vida A., are still at home.
Mr. Weisford and his family have a wide circle of friends in this locality and enjoy the regard of all. In his political views our subject is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office. He belongs to the Lutheran church and is the advocate of all measures or movements which he believes will prove of public benefit. In his business he is straight-forward, energetic and enter- prising, and his careful management is bring- ing to him prosperity.
JOHN WEISBROD .- The Fatherland has furnished to Sullivan county many of its most prominent representatives. The thrifty. industrious sons of Germany have become valued citizens of this community, and have contributed materially to the pro- motion of its best interests. A well known farmer of Forks township, of German par- entage, is John Weisbrod, who possesses many of the sterling qualities of his ances- tors, combined with the progressive spirit so typical of America. He now carries on agricultural pursuits in Forks township, and was born on an adjoining farm, in Cherry township, on the 18th of May, 1854. His father, Conrad Weisbrod, located there eleven years previously, and reclaimed the land from its wild condition, transforming it into a rich and productive farm, where waving fields of grain give evidence of abundant harvests. He is now living re- tired upon that place, in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly
deserves, and his late years are crowned with the contentment that comes from a life well spent. He married Elizabeth Snyder, who, like her husband, was born in Ger- many, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom John is the fourth in or- der of birth.
Amid verdant meadows and golden fields of grain John Weisbrod was reared, and from an early age he assisted in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He acquired his education in the schools of the neighborhood, and during the months of vacation worked at the tasks which are usually assigned to the farmer's boy. When he reached the age that he deemed it prop: er to begin life on his own account he chose as his vocation the pursuit to which he was reared, and he has always carried on agri- cultural pursuits. The perseverance in the pursuit of a purpose, so characteristic of the German people, has marked his businsss career and brought him success where others of less determination would have failed. He continued on his father's farm until May 4, 1888, when he removed to his present home in Forks township, where he pur- chased seventy acres of land, which is now under a high state of cultivation. He has also made substantial improvements on the place, and his farm is one of the best in township.
In February, 1878, Mr. Weisbrod was united in marriage to Miss Anna S. Sick, the wedding being celebrated in Forksville, Pennsylvania. The lady was born in Cherry township, on the 3rd of January, 1858, and is a representative of a prominent fam- ily of this locality. Her parents were Charles and Hannah (Reinfried) Sick, natives of Baden, Germany. The former, born October, 1815, died in Cherry town- ship, July 22, 1877, while his wife passed
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away in April, 1863, at the age of forty- four, their remains being interred in the Germany cemetery at Dushore. He was a very prominent and influential citizen, held a number of offices, and was recognized leader in public affairs. To Mr. and Mrs. Weis- brod have been born eight children : Coloman, at home; twins who died in in- fancy; Cynthia, Walter, Herbert H., Lewis and Stephen, who are all with their parents.
Mr. Weisbrod is a faithful member of the Reformed church, and in his political views is a Republican. He has studied closely the issues of the day, is well imform- ed thereon, and casts an intelligent ballot for the men and measures of the party, but has never sought official preferment or honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business. His well direct- ed labors, sound judgment in business matters, careful management and industry have brought him a desirable competence, and his standing among the substantial far- mers of the community is high.
A MBROSE E. FARRELL .- The life la- bors of Ambrose E. Farrell were ended in death March 12, 1896, but the memory of his upright career remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Man's true position in the world is determined by his character, and he who lives nobly leaves to his family the priceless heritage of a good name. Ambrose E. Farrell was one whom all respected for his genuine worth, for in both the social and business relations his line of conduct was such as to commend him to the high regard of all with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Dushore, Pennsylvania, in 1849 and was of Celtic parentage, his father being James Farrell, now deceased. In the public .
schools he acquired a good education, which was supplemented by extensive reading and the knowledge acquired through experience and observation. Early in life he embarked in the lumber business and afterward be- came identified with mining. By assiduous labor and careful management he acquired a handsome competence, and in 1889, in connection with Jeremiah Deegan, became proprietor of a hotel in Lopez, known as the Lopez Hotel. He continued to con- duct that enterprise until his death, and made it one of the best hostleries in Sulli- van county. It contains fifteen rooms, pleasantly and tastefully furnished, and every attention possible was paid by Mr. Farrell to the comfort of his guests. Broad verandas surround the hotel and give it a homelike appearance. In his man- agement of the enterprise Mr. Farrell was very successful and made it a favorite re- sort with the traveling public, and thus it still continues.
Mr. Farrel was twice married. He first wedded a Miss Burgin, by whom he had one daughter, Mary, who is now a student in St. Cecelia's school, in Scranton, Penn- sylvania. On the 3d of January, 1893, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Anna Gil- ligan, daughter of James and Bridget (Cor- den) Gilligan, of Dushore, both now de- ceased. The family came from Scotland, but for many years the parents of Mrs. Farrell resided in Dushore. They had eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, namely: Anna; James, a resident of Bernice; Mary, wife of James P. McGee,. the genial manager of Hotel Lopez; Nellie, wife of Peter Riordan, of Lopez; John, who is living in Lopez; Maggie and Michael, twins, of this place; and Alice, a successful teacher of Sullivan county. The father died at the age of fifty-three years, and the.
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inother passed away at the age of forty-six. Both were members of the Catholic church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Farrell . were born three children, Joseph, Genevieve and Am- brose, who with the mother still survive the husband and father. Mr. Farrell early learned the lessons of Catholic piety, les- sons that he faithfully and perseveringly practiced. He had great sympathy for the oppressed and distressed of every race and every creed, and was charitable and benev- olent, often giving of his means to the poor and needy. The purity and integrity of his life were most marked, and made him de- serving of the tribute paid to Brutus many years ago: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature night stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a man.'"
Mrs. Farrell still resides in Lopez, and has long been associated with the interests of Sullivan county. She was educated in Dushore, and is now an esteemed resident of Lopez, where she has a good property, left to her by her husband. The hotel is now managed by her brother-in-law, James P. McGee, who was born, reared and edu- cated in Bradford county Pennsylvania. He was married September 5, 1893, to Miss Mary Gilligan, and they have two children, Lee and Mary Alice. In his polit- ical views Mr. McGee is a stanch Repub- lican, and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. He is now serving as town treas- urer, and is a capable and trustworthy official.
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W ILLIAM H. LEONARD, a prosper- ous farmer of Cherry township, is among the many loyal citizens of the grand old Keystone state who gave the best years
of their early manhood to the cause of their country, and his record as a veteran of the Civil war is one of which he is justly proud. He was born at Nichols, Tioga county, New York, July 18, 1841, and is the son of Chauncey and Mary (Gould) Leonard, also natives of Tioga county .. When fourteen years old our subject started out in life for himself, working on farms and in the lumber camps until 1861. At that time the whole country was in a state of excitement over the attack on Fort Sumter and the call of the president for volunteers, to which old and young responded with an enthusiasm which has never been equaled in the his- tory of any nation.
On October 21st of that historic year young Leonard, then in his twenty- first year. enlisted at Owego, New York, and was en- rolled in Company H, Sixty-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps, as a private, later being inade corporal of his company. He took part in a number of famous battles, among them those of Seven Pines, the seven-days fight at Malvern Hill, the memorable disaster of Bull Run, Antietam and White Swamp. In Novem- ber, 1863, he was sent to the hospital at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, suffering from chronic diarrhea and rheumatism, and was not able to rejoin his regiment until in February, 1864, when he was sent to the convalescent camp, and soon after was granted an honorable discharge. During his service in the army Mr. Leonard re- ceived many slight wounds, to which he paid no attention, keeping up with his com- rades and discharging his duties as if nothing had happened. He was a brave soldier and continued the fight until nature rebelled and he was compelled by physical weakness to retire to private life. For two years
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after his discharge he was disabled and obliged to refrain from any heavy work. In 1882 he removed to the farm on which he is now living, and which he has under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Leonard is a Republican in politics and a prominent member of Post No. 388, G. A. R., at Dushore. In recognition of his sacrifice of health in the cause of his country he receives a pension from the government.
Mr. Leonard was married in Tioga county, New York, December 25, 1874, to Miss Emily Friess, and the children born of this union are: Virginia F., born April 14, 1877, now the wife of Aaron Stiff, and liv- ing at Owego, New York; Chauncey J., born August 10, 1881, lives with his par- ents; Cleveland G., born July 19, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have also taken as one of their family Fayette E. Klump. the daughter . of George and Jessie (Knox) Klump, who was born in Forest county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1886. She is a bright, pretty child, and well repays the care and affection lavished upon her.
The parents of Mr. Leonard were na- tives of Tioga county, New York, where the father carried on farming and where he died in 1884, at the age of sixty-five years, his wife passing away in 1885, aged sixty- seven years. They are buried at Riverside cemetery, Tioga county. Both were mem- bers of the Baptist church. The father was a Democrat in politics. The children of the family were as follows: Nathaniel, liv- . ing in Owego, New York; George, who was a soldier in the Civil war, lives in Tio- go Center. New York; William H., our subject; Silas lives at Nathans, Pennsylva- nia; Sarah married Rodney Taylor and is de- ceased; John, deceased; Allen, living in Owe- go, New York; Emily married Young Wright and lives in Michigan; Jane became the wife 26
of S. D. Holliday, an attorney at Etha, New York; Frank is a carpenter at Athens, New York; Charles, deceased; James, who served in the Civil war, died at the navy yards in Washington, D. C., in 1862. The paternal grandfather was Nathan Leonard, of North River, New York. The Leonards are of Scotch descent.
Emily (Friess) Leonard was born in Paris, France, April 3, 1850, and is a daughter of James and Fanny (Rush) Friess, of Switzerland, who were married in Paris and came to America in 1851. They lo- cated in New York city, where they resided for nearly two years, then removed to Brad- ford county, Pennsylvania, and in 1859 came to Sullivan county and settled on the farm where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Mr. Friess was a glass-cut- ter and also a physician and veterinary sur- geon, and became a successful farmer, his death occurring in 1871 at the age of sixty years; that of his wife in 1870, at the age of forty-seven years. They are buried in Zion church cemetery, Cherry township. Their children were as follows: Emily, wife of our subject; Cecelia F., the wife of James White, of Williamsport, Pennsyl- vania; and Otto, who died in infancy.
C' HARLES A. HECKER .- Among the prominent residents of Cherry town- ship, who, after a long life spent in honor- able employment, have now settled down to enjoy in their confortable homes the result of their labors, may be classed the subject . of this sketch.
A native of Prussia, Mr. Hecker was born August 14, 1831, the son of Christian F. and Mariah (Thuridayer) Hecker, whose entire lives were spent in their native coun- try, where the father was engaged in the
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butchering business. The latter died in April, 1844, aged forty-seven years, while his wife survived him until 1886, passing away at the ripe old age of eighty-two. The children of this worthy couple were Charles A .; Augusta, who married Mr. Beck, and died in Germany; Ernesta, twice married, her first husband being Fredrick Shrifogel and the second John Siaman, a fariner in Cherry township; Bernetina married Conrad Lucast, and both died in Germany; Freder- ick lives in Germany and is a carpenter by trade.
Mr. Hecker was married, in Philadel- phia, April 9, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Mil- ler, who was born in Rettinburg, Gerinany, October 7, 1831. She is the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Spidle) Miller, na- tives of Germany, where they spent their lives, the father being a farmer and also a weaver. Mrs. Hecker caine to America in 1853 with her brother John, who located in Philadelphia and followed the trade of a machinist. The remaining children of the Miller family were: Mary, who died in Ger- many; Catherine and David, both living and farming in that country.
Charles A. Hecker came to the United States in 1852, landing at New York city on August 1st of that year. He remained there but a short time and then went to Philadel- phia, where he entered the employ of Grove & Brothers as a carpenter, millwright, etc., in their linseed-oil refinery. So use- ful did he make himself in various capaci- ties to this firm that he remained with them for twenty-seven years, fully meriting the high esteem in which he was held.
At length, feeling that a change would be a benefit to him, Mr. Hecker decided to leave the City of Brotherly Love, and in 1882 he removed to Sullivan county and settled on a farm in Cherry township. After
seven years' experience as an agriculturist. he concluded that it was too slow a way to make money, and thus he returned to his old position in Philadelphia, where the next seven years were spent. The free, open- air life of the toiler of the soil still had its charms for him, however, and seven years later he again came to Sullivan county, and purchased another farm in the same town- ship in which he formerly lived. There he has most probably settled himself for the remainder of his life, and in his comfortable home, happy in the affection of his wife and his two surviving children and in the esteem and good will of his fellow citizens, he is spending the latter years of his life, - years which with him may be called the best of all.
Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hecker, Ernestina married David Phillips and is deceased; John died in childhood; Frederick was born September 23, 1858; and Kate M. is the wife of Conrad Kraus, whose sketch will be found on another page.
Mr. Hecker in politics is a loyal Demo- crat, in religious views is a member of the Lutheran church and socially belongs to Humboldt Lodge, I. O. O. F., in Philadel- phia. -
JAMES P. GORGG has had to take care of himself since a boy of tender years, and whatever success he may have achieved is due to his own unaided efforts and indus- trious habits. His father, George W. Gorgg, was employed in a sawmill in Car- bon county, Pennsylvania, and died the year our subject was born. His mother, form- erly Miss Lucinda Keiper, is a resident of Long Pond, Monroe county, this state.
Mr. Gorgg was born in that county July
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12, 1869, and was raised in Tunkhannock township, Monroe county, although he lived a short time in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties. His opportunities for obtaining an education were very meager, and at the age of twelve years, when most boys are playing at marbles or ball, he se- cured work in the clothes-pin factory at Houser's Mills, where he remained several years. When he attained his majority he came to Ricketts, this county, and remained one year as a lumber hand. Hoping to find as pleasant and more profitable occupation, he rented a farm and tried agriculture for a year in Monroe county. A year convinced him that farming was not his " forte " and he returned to this county and worked in a sawmill for another year. In September, 1896, he bought a business consisting of a billiard hall, confections, groceries, cigars and tobacco, at Lopez. He did a flattering business here until he sold out, about De- cember 1, 1898. Mr. Gorgg enjoys a wide popularity in the entire community.
In 1890, he was joined in matrimony to Miss Catherine Altemose, in Cortland, New York. She also was a native of Monroe county. Three bright children have been sent to brighten their home. They are Cal- vin, born July 29, 1891; Edith Edna, born May 23, 1893; and an infant daughter, Beatrice, born in September, 1898. Mr. Gorgg is an unyielding Republican. In 1897 he became a member of Lopez Lodge, No. 286, Knights of the Maccabees.
F E. ROSE, proprietor of the large hotel at Lopez, this county, has been untir- ing in his efforts to please his guests, and the large patronage which he enjoys speaks for the success of his undertaking. No hotel in that section stands so high in the,
estimation of the traveling public. Mr. Rose was born March 18, 1870, at Hop Bottom, Susquehanna county, Pennsylva- nia, and is a son of Henry and Eliza (Birch) Rose. Henry Rose was born near Mont- rose, Susquehanna county, and received an education in the common schools. While quite young he began to support himself, working at whatever came in his way. After his marriage to Miss Eliza Birch, of his native county, he engaged in railroad contracting until his death.
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