USA > Pennsylvania > Sullivan County > History of Sullivan County, Pennsylvania > Part 9
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death the community lost one of its best citizens.
Mr. Woodward was born in Fort Wayne, Allen county, Indiana, on the 12th of July, 1844, and descended from one of the lead- ing families of Pennsylvania. His father,
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was a member of the state legislature, and exerted a wide and beneficent influence in public affairs. He married a Miss Bost- wick, of eastern New York, and they be- came the parents of seven children. Three of his brothers became distinguished law- yers, but Emmett, who practiced in At- lanta, Georgia, is now deceased, while Jesse is now practicing in Texas, and Marcus is a member of the bar of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. The two sisters in the family are Mrs. Mary Miller, a resident of New York, and Mrs. Adaline Baker, who is living in Burlington, Kansas.
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Mr. Woodward, whose name introduces this review, was left an orphan at the early age of four years, and was reared by his cousin, Judge Warren J. Woodward, at Wilkesbarre, and acquired his education in the schools of that city and at com- mercial college. In 1860 he came to Dushore, where he later opened a mercan- tile establishment, and from that time until his death was actively identified with the commercial interests of the town. He studied the wishes of the public and endeav- ored to please; he had the ability to meet all kinds and all classes of people, and his straightforward dealing and affability se- cured to him a constantly increasing busi- ness. He enjoyed a large trade, and was widely recognized as a successful, practical and progressive business man. As the years passed he acquired a valuable property as the results of his energy, untiring efforts and careful management, and so well did he gain it that the most envious .could not grudge him his prosperity.
In 1883 Mr. Woodward was united in marriage to Miss Marion W. Rogers, the eldest daughter of Jonathan Rogers. She was born on the old homestead which be- longed to her maternal grandfather, and is a
lady of culture, education and natural refine- ment. For fifteen years prior to her mar- riage she engaged in school teaching with excellent success, having the ability to im- part clearly and concisely to others the knowledge that she had acquired. After a happy married life of five years, Mr. Wood- ward was called to the home beyond on the 3d of June, 1888, at the age of forty-four years. He was a public-spirited citizen and took a deep and commendable interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare, giving a liberal support to all measures which he believed would promote the public good. In politics he was a Democrat, but not an aspirant for office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests. A .man whom to know was to respect and honor, his death was widely mourned, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him. Mrs. Woodward, like her husband, has many warm 'friends, and her pleasant home in Lincoln Falls is noted for its hospitality.
A MBROSE E. CAMPBELL, an enter- prising and successful young business man of Shunk, Sullivan county, is the pro- prietor of a well-known mercantile estab- lishment there, and is also connected with agricultural interests. Notwithstanding these cares he finds time to take part in local affairs and has frequently been chosen by his fellow citizens to offices of trust and responsibility. He comes of the famous Scotch clan Campbell, the first of his branch of the family to come to America being his great-grandfather, who was accompanied by four brothers. John Campbell, his grandfather, was born in Montour .county, Pennsylvania, and was married near Dan- ville, same state, to Miss Mary Winter- stein, daughter of Henry and Polly (Jingles)
0
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Winterstein, and in 1833, soon after liis marriage, came to Bradford county. In 1851 he located at the present site of Camp- bellville, Sullivan county, of which he be- came the founder, and there he built a gristmill. Later he sold that property and purchased another gristmill in Fox town- ship, and this he operated until his death, which occurred in 1881; his wife died in 1875. They had the following children: William, Caleb, Mary, Eliza, John S., James H., Hiram and Joseph.
James H. Campbell, the father of our subject, was born in Campbelltown, Mon- tour county, April 9, 1831, and at an early age became his father's partner in the mill- ing business. He also engaged in farming near Shunk, and in 1868 built the store now occupied by our subject. In 1884 he sold his interest in the mill, and as the years have rolled on he has left more and more of his cares to the able management of his son. Politically he is a staunch Repub- lican and has filled various important offi- ces, including those of county commissioner and township clerk, while for twenty-one years he was postmaster at Shunk. While on the board of county commissioners, from 1889 to 1891, he did effective work in arranging for the construction of many iron bridges to replace those destroyed by the flood of 1889.
During the Civil war Mr. Campbell made an honorable record. He enlisted in 1861, in Company K, under J. B. Ingham, of Monroe, and was assigned to the Fiftieth Pennsylvania regiment. He was a member of the first southern expedition, leaving Fortress Monroe for Hilton Head in October, 1861, and served in the battle at the latter place. Next he was on camp duty at Beaufort for six months and then in the battle of Pocotaligo. Then he was trans-
ferred again to Fortress Monroe and started on the campaign that ended in the second battle of Bull Run. Next we find him at Chantilly; and on to Fredericksburg in the spring of 1863. Then from Chancellors- ville to Vicksburg, back to Tennessee, over- land to Cumberland Gap, back to Knoxville, where he was one of the besieged for two months. Then after a short furlough he took part in the battle of the Wilderness, and next at Spottsylvania, where he was severely wounded. After his discharge from the hospital he returned again to the front and served until the end of the war.
In 1864 Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Elizabeth Hoagland, a daughter of Samuel and Sally (Wilcox) Hoagland. Our subject is the eldest of six children, the others being: Cora B., wife of James Brenchley, a farmer in Fox township; Sebra T., who died at the age of five years; Lucian, who died when two years old; Leon I., who married Miss Lulu Wright and assists our subject in the store; and George T., who also is employed in the store. The father is a member of J. B. Ingham Post, No. 91, of Canton, and a hearty supporter of all that tends to the benefit of his old comrades in arms. He has also been identified with the Order of Odd Fellows since October 5, 1872, and has passed through all the de- grees. He is a member of Lodge No. 321, also a member of the Encampment, a high- er branch of Odd Fellowship.
Ambrose E. Campbell, the immediate subject of this review, was born August 16, 1867, in Fox township, Sullivan county, and his education was begun in the local schools. Later he attended the graded schools of Canton for two years, and in 1889 he was graduated at the Elmira (New York) School of Commerce. During his youth he assisted his father in the work of
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the farm and store and for some time filled the position of bookkeeper. In 1890 he became a partner in the store and since June, 1897, has conducted the business alone. He also takes charge of one-half of his father's farm, comprising eighty acres, giving general oversight to its cultivation. Like his father, he is a strong supporter of Republican principles and for four years has been postmaster at Shunk. In the year 1896 he was mercantile appraiser for Sulli- van county. He has served three terms as township clerk and for some time was school director, being secretary of the board during his term. Since 1888 he has been a member of the I. O. O. F. and is a charter member of Washington Camp, No. 220, P. O. S. of A., at Shunk. He has filled every position in which he has been placed with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
The marriage of Mr. Campbell to Miss Clara M. Ferguson, daughter of Charles and Ann (Moore) Ferguson, took place at Canton, October 23, 1889, and three chil- dren have blessed their union: Harry E., born December 22, 1890; Edgar, April 5, 1892; and Leslie, April 11, 1894.
G EORGE D. JACKSON .- In the death of the honored subject of this memoir there passed another member of the little group of representative business men who were prominent in inaugurating and build- ing up the chief industries of this section of Pennsylvania. His name is familiar not alone to the residents of the city of Dushore, to whose development he contributed so conspicuously, but to all who have been in the least intimately informed as to the history of the state. He was identified with the northern section of Pennsylvania
for many years and contributed to its mate- rial progress and prosperity to an extent equaled by but few of his contemporaries.
His father, Dr. Josiah Jackson, was one of the leading men and physicians of Sulli- van county. He early located in Dushore and was an active factor in all the fields of enterprise which contributed to the develop- ment of the new country. As George Duggan Jackson approached mature years he develoyed rare abilities and energy, which were devoted to the improvement of the section surrounding Dushore, and for long years was the leading merchant of the county. He was the acknowledged leader in all matters of progress, foremost in every- thing of value to the community, the county and the state. To him is mainly due the construction of the Sullivan & Erie railroad, and the development of the coal, lumber and other natural resources of the county. All these contributed not only to his indi- vidual prosperity but also largely promoted the general welfare.
That Mr. Jackson was a popular citizen and had the confidence and regard of his fellow townsmen is evinced by the fact that in 1858, 1859, 1862 and 1863, he was chosen to represent in the state legislature the district comprising Columbia, Montour, Sullivan and Wyoming counties. In 1866 he was elected to the state senate from the district including Columbia, Montour. Northumberland and Sullivan counties, and in 1878 was chosen to represent the twenty- fourth senatorial district. Repeatedly re- 'elected, what higher testimonial could be given of his efficient service in the law- making body of the state? He left the im- press of his strong individuality upon the legislation of Pennsylvania, and aided in framing a wise public policy. He died dur- ing his second senatorial service, passing
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away November 23, 1879, at the age of fifty-four years.
Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Bernice Woodruff, a daughter of Jared Woodruff. Their children are Mary B., wife of J. W. Young, of Philadelphia; Alice E., wife of Thomas Irving. of Philadelphia; George C., deceased; Willie W., who mar- ried Ida Green, of Cattaraugus, New York, and has two daughters, Donna and Bernice; and B. Winifred, wife of P. P. Sturdevant, of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Jackson was a pronounced Democrat, a leader in, his party, but his friends were numerous in all political parties and in all classes of society. At his death public opinion was expressed in the speeches de- livered by the members of the state senate, who, in words of highest praise, spoke of his intellectuality, his ability, his loyalty and devotion to the best interests of Penn- sylvania. In a memorial volume published by the state appears the following. "He was well known for his integrity of charac- ter, for diligence in attention to the interests of his constituents in every public position, and for his manly, genial qualities. A de- voted husband, a kind parent, a loyal friend and an able counselor, at his death the com- munity met with a grave loss, the Denio- cratic party mourned for one of its valued members and Sullivan county for one of its leading citizens. He was a useful represent- ative, just to himself and true to the inter- ests of the people. He possessed unbend- ing integrity and was deeply imbued with the spirit of true manhood. None ever doubted his honesty. His motives were as pure as his private character was spotless. He had great business capacity, a broad and correct grasp of affairs in all fields of action. and by the force of his inherent abilities and qualities he rose to influence and honor."
G EORGE C. JACKSON .- The name of Jackson has been so long and promi- nently connected with the history of Sullivan county, that a representative of this leading and influential family needs no introduction to the people of this locality. George Corydon Jackson, a son of George D. Jack- son, fully sustained the high reputation of the family in connection with the industrial interests of this section of the state. He was born in Dushore, in March, 1854, and on account of delicate health in his boyhood he was educated in private schools, pur- sning his studies in such institutions in Scranton and Towanda, Pennsylvania. After entering upon his business career he was for many years proprietor of extensive coal yards, enjoyed an extensive trade in that mineral, and at the time of his death was engaged in developing the coal mines on the Jackson lands, near Bernice. This was his principal business, yet he was in- terested to some extent in lumbering, min- . ing and manufacturing. He carried foward to successful completion whatever he under- took, being a man of excellent business and executive ability, of sound judgment, keen discrimination, systematic habits and inde- fatigable energy.
He was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Green, of Philadelphia, and they resided at the family homestead in Dushore. When in the prime of life, and in the midst of an honorable, useful and prosperous business career, George C. Jackson was called to his final rest, passing away on Christmas day of 1898, when only forty-five years of age.
JENNINGS BROTHERS. - In this age of colossal enterprise and marked intel- lectual energy, the prominent and success- ful mien are those whose abilities, persist-
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ence and courage lead them into large undertakings and to assume the responsi- bilities and labors of leaders in their respective vocations. Success is methodical and resultant, and however much we may indulge in fantastic theorizing as to its ele- ments and causation in any isolated in- stance yet in the light of sober investigation we will find it to be but a result of deter- mined application of one's abilities and powers in the rigidly defined lines of labor. Prominent among the men who have done so much to advance the materia. welfare of Sullivan county is the firm of Jennings Brothers, extensive manufacturers and wholesale dealers in lumber, at Lopez, Pennsylvania.
The American pioneer of this branch of the Jennings family was Paul Bishop Jen- nings, a native of Wiltshire, England, who came to the United States in 1816-a lad of eighteen years-and found employment as a farm hand near Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania. He saved a little money and for a short time attended school, it being for the first time in his life. He then went to the lumber woods of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on the Lehigh river, where he worked as a teamster, and later as a job- ber: he saved money enough to buy a farm and gristmill at Mehoopany, Wyoming county, that state. There he began his in- dependent career as a business man, estab- lished a store and built a sawmill, which he operated in connection with his grist- inill and farm and became a successful and prominent business man, leaving a large estate at the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1864. He married Miss Elizabeth Tuttle, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, and to them were born four children: Joseph T .. a resident of Mehoopany, Pennsylvania, and a prominent lumberman; William N.,
the father of our subjects; Caroline, wife of E. W. Sturdevant, of Wilkesbarre; and Mary A., deceased.
William N. Jennings was born in Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1829, and acquired a business education. In the memorable days of 1849 and 1850, when twenty-one years of age, he went to Cali- fornia, but after a year returned to the Keystone state. For a time he was em- ployed as foreman in the construction of the Horseracre dam at Mehoopany, and soon afterwards, in connection with his brother Joseph T., began extensive lumber opera- tions at Jenningsville, Wyoming county, a thriving little town named in honor of the brothers. About three years later, in 1857, William N. Jennings removed to Pittstown, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a lumber yard, flour, feed and provision store, and in 1865 moved to Wilkesbarre, where he continued in the same line of business until 1877. A year later, in 1878, he moved to the new oil fields of Pennsylvania, at Bradford, and for three years manufactured lumber, doing a very suc- cessful business. Again returning to Wilkes- barre, in 1883, he has since made his home there, enjoying all the comforts and esteem a successful business man could wish. He married Miss Sarah Ann Hicks, of Wyoming county, and they have four children, as follows: Cortez H. and B. Worth, who compose the firm of Jennings Brothers: William L. ; and Eleanor, wife of Dr. N. A. Rinebold, of Wilkesbarre.
Cortez H. Jennings, the elder son, was born in Jenningsville, Wyoming county, December 1, 1855, and was educated in the public schools of Pittston and Wilkesbarre, in the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, and spent three years at the West Point Military Academy. From the age of sixteen years
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he worked, during vacations, in his father's office, and in the summer of 1875 was cap- tian of the steamer Hendrick B. Wright, running between Wilkesbarre and Nanti- coke. From 1875 until 1879 he attended school, and from 1879 until 1881 he assisted his father in the latter's business interests. In the fall of 1881 he came to Sullivan county, where he purchased of James Mc- Farlane & Company, a large tract of timber land. In December of the same year he came to the county, and in partnership with his brother, B. Worth, erected the neces- sary buildings and equipments, and began lumbering. In the spring of 1882 they erect- ed their first saw mill, which had a ca- pacity of thirty thousand feet of lumber per day, and from time to time they have pur- chased large tracts of timber land. In the fall of 1887 they built a part of the present hemlock mill, with a capacity of forty-five thousand feet of lumber per day, and three years later enlarged the mill, putting in gang saws and increasing the capacity to seventy-five thousand feet. They also con- structed a part of their logging railroad along the banks of the Loyal Sock creek, and have since extended the road until its length is sixteen miles. In 1884 they es- tablished a store in Lopez, which has been increased from time to its present large pro- portions. It is to-day one of the most com- plete mercantile establishments in Sullivan county, and gives employment to nine men. The offices of the company are on the second floor of the store building and are equal to any in the state as to convenience, finish and furnishings. In the offices they employ four assistants, and their pay-roll shows the names of four hundred in their service. In 1895 the Jennings Brothers purhased a controlling interest in the clothes- pin factory conducted under the name of
the Lopez Manufacturing Company, a con- cern which employs fifty operatives. In 1896 they bought the Trexler & Terrell mill, put in band saws and other modern machin- ery, and now use it as their hardwood mill. It has a capacity of thirty thousand feet of lumber per day and furnishes employment to thirty-five men. The Jennings plant is one of the most complete and largest of its kind in this section of the country. They own over one hundred and fifty houses oc- cupied by their men; and in fact everything used by the concern is theirs. Their homes are models of comfort and convenience, and the brothers are public-spirited, energetic, progressive, generous, kind-hearted, and in fact possess all the qualities that go to make business men successful and popular.
Cortez H. Jennings is an active member of the Republican party, has served as post- master of Lopez, and in 1898 was the coun- ty's nominee for congress. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and is an active member of the Lopez Athletic Association. He has been twice married-first in June, 1880, to Miss Florence N .. daughter of Captain A. B. Mott, of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. She died in January, 1883, and on the 21st of September, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Bowman, a daughter of Harry H. and Jane (Gregg) Bowman, of Towanda, Pennsyl- vania. This union has been blessed with three children: Donald Hicks, whodied in infancy, Saralı Hicks, and Paul Bishop. Mrs. Jennings is a member of the Episcopal church.
Bishop Worth Jennings, junior inember of the firm of Jennings Brothers, was born at West Pittston, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1862. and was educated in the public schools of Wilkesbarre, in the Bloomsburg State Nor- mal and the Wyoming Seminary At the
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age of seventeen he entered his father's office, where he worked one year, and then spent the following year in the employ of his uncle, Joseph T. Jennings, at Mehoop- any. Following this he joined his brother in the lumber business in Sullivan county. He has charge of all the office work of the company, and is a stockholder and president of the Dushore bank. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic order, is an active member of the Lopez Athletic Association, and is captain of the Lopez Baseball Team, a famous organization which has lost but one game in two seasons. In 1894 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the state legislature, and re-elected in 1896. He has also served four years as postmaster of Lopez, several years as justice of the peace, seven years as school director, and during that time was president and secre- tary of the board.
On the 5th of December, 1883, B. Worth Jennings was married to Miss Ella M. Castle, daughter of John Castle, of Ki- antone, New York, and to them have been born two children: William Worth, who was born October 25, 1884, and Ethel May, who was born May 10, 1889, and died May 12, 1897. Mrs. Jennings is a communicant of the Episcopal church.
William L. Jennings, foreman and su- perintendent of the Jennings Brothers Hem- lock Mill, of Lopez, was born at Wilkes- barre, October 24, 1865. He pursued his studies in the public schools of that place; in the Chamberlain Institute, of Cattaraugus county, New York; the Riverside Seminary, of Wellsville, New York; the Keystone Acad- emy, of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, and the Wyoming Seminary, of Kingston, Pennsyl- vania. He worked for one year in his fa- ther's sawmill in Bradford, Mckean county, this state, and in April, 1882, entered the
employ of his brothers at Lopez. He began by burning brush and piling lumber, and from the lowest place has worked his way upward, step by step, to his present respon- sible position. He has sole charge of all the work, from the rough saw-log in the pond to the finished lumber loaded on the cars ready for market, using ninety-four men in his department.
Politically he. too, is a Republican, and socially is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. O. T. M. In 1897 he was elected school director, was president of the board . the first year, and is now secretary. He was married January 22, 1889, to Miss Fidelia Agnes Myers, who was born January 22, 1867, a daughter of C. C. Myers, of Me- hoopany. With the Episcopal church she holds membership. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, namely: William Hicks, Victoria and Florence; but the last named died in infancy.
H ENRY RITCHLEN .-- One of the most popular and faithful officers of Forks township, Sullivan county, is Henry Ritch- len, who is now serving as tax collector, to which position he was elected in i897 for a three-years term. He is numbered among the progressive and enterprising citizens of the community, and is a wide-awake and practical farmer who owes his success in life to his own well directed efforts and careful management of business interests.
Mr. Ritchlen represents one of the old and prominent families of the county. His father, Charles F. Ritchlen, was widely and favorably known in Forks township and took an active part in public affars. He was born in Baden, Germany, where he ac- quired a good education and afterward
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served as a soldier in the German ariny. When a young man he crossed the At- lantic to the new world and located in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania. There he married Miss Mary M. Tahl, who was born in that locality, and was a representative of a prominent German family. Mr. and Mrs. Ritchlen began their domestic life in Forks township, where the father of our subject improved a farin which he afterwards sold to John Kane. He then removed to the farm upon which our subject now resides -- then a tract of wild land covered with a growth of native forest trees. These he at once began to clear away in order to pre- pare the land for the plow, and in course of time lie transformed the undeveloped tract into a finely cultivated farin of ninety-three acres. There he engaged in raising both grain and stock, planted a good orchard, built a substantial residence and made many other excellent improvements. He was a stanch Democrat in his political views, and for twenty-eight years served as tax collector, while for thirty-two years he was justice of the peace, and during all that time not a case which he tried was ever taken to the higher courts-a fact which stands in unmistakable evidence of the soundness and justice of his decisions. In his family were sixteen children, but the greater number died in infancy or childhood. Only four are now living: Joseph, a resident of Forks township; Frank, a resident of La- porte, Pennsylvania; Henry; and Mary, wife of Bernard Hanck, of Sullivan county. The father died at the age of sixty-seven years, and the community thereby lost one of its most valued citizens- a inan whom to know was to respect and honor.
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